Drum Roll, Please...

Hooray! We are announcing the birth of our fourth child- a little girl born Thursday. We are excited to have her here and are so grateful that she is happy and healthy. Here are some pictures of our newest member! She is so adorable! Her brothers and sister are so glad she is finally here. (And so are we!)

Skyscraper Cheesecake

Just a quick picture of a cheesecake I made Mr. D for his birthday and Father's Day. It was delicious and super-rich! The top and bottom layers are carrot cake and the middle layer is a cheesecake. All with cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Binge Blogging

So I have decided ( or more appropriately noticed) that I am a binge blogger. I will post frequently, and then let months go by. So here is another month gone by. It has been busy, for sure, and lots of things have happened. So maybe that is why I haven't posted- or maybe I have to let the urge build again for a while, then I can do it again. Whatever the reason... it just seems to work out that way for me. I do admire all of those who blog daily/weekly/regularly, and I keep telling myself that I will do that. But, obviously my intentions and actions aren't quite lined up....

Blessings

Last week was a whirlwind of things getting ready for company to come this past weekend. Princess was baptized and we had lots of family come into town to celebrate with her. I spent the week finishing her dress and cleaning (alot) and then there were all the "other" things that happened. I was already feeling a little overwhelmed and alone as Mr. D had a crazy busy work schedule, meaning the preparations were largely left to me. On top of that, it seemed like each day there was some little or big mishap that was not part of the regularly scheduled program. For instance, the starter went out on Mr. D's car and the refrigerator stopped working for a while. There were others, but through it all, I felt so completely NOT alone, it was amazing. Through each little trial, I felt like the Lord blessed me in some way. Whether it was though a quick fix on the car, good neighbors, family, or increased strength, endurance, and patience, I felt like I was helped immensely through last week. I finished all the preparations I had planned on doing- which was incredible. I know that it was because of the hand of the Lord.
The baptismal service went really well. The Spirit was strong and we felt like we were supported and loved. Princess was prepared and we are very proud of her.
Afterward, the barbecue at our house also went well. I think everyone had a good time. There was lots of yummy food and good conversation. The house even seemed to expand to hold all of us for that night. One of the best moments was to have all our family in our front room together, reading scriptures and having family prayer together. It was wonderful.
I thank my Heavenly Father for His blessings- which I felt so abundantly this last week!

Look how amazing I am!

This picture represents over 4 hours of work. Doesn't it look amazing?

No, I did not hew the door from a tree, or sand it or anything. It was missing two small metal pieces (less than quarter- sized) that hold the door from falling out of the track. I don't even know how the pieces came out for all the work it took me to get them back in, but oh well. It's fixed now. (I am hoping you are getting the sarcasm in this post.)

Free Tooth Extraction

Mr. Man has had several loose teeth. Yesterday he showed us his top tooth. It was so loose that you could see a space between his gumline and the actual tooth. Mr. D told Mr. Man that it needed to come out so that it wouldn't get stuff in there and he could eat normally. Mr. Man ran and got a paper towel. We told him that either he could pull it out or daddy could pull it out. Much to our surprise, he chose himself. He tried and tried, but the paper towel kept slipping off the tooth. He wiggled it back and forth, nothing. Finally Mr. D said he was going to have to do it- but Mr. Man insisted. He tried one more time and POP! out it came.

He pulled his own tooth!! What a man!

Mother's Day

I had a fantastic Mother's Day yesterday. Mr. D didn't have any church meetings in the morning (thanks bishop!)so he got up and got the kids ready while I was still in bed. He made breakfast, including some really yummy blueberry muffins, that we all sat down to eat together. We also got to drive to church together, which is a wonderful thing- it felt so nice to go into the church as a family.

Sacrament meeting went well, also. The primary children sang two songs and did a great job. They are always so cute. The talks were on gratitude and being thankful for your blessings (for example, your mother). The Spirit was present- it was a nice feeling, bearing witness to me that not only should I be grateful for my blessings, but also that I have been given SO MANY things for which I should be thankful.

Primary Jr. sharing time went well, and the Spirit was also present when those little children sang "He Sent His Son" (Children's Songbook 34-35) It talks all about why Heavenly Father would send His Son to us. What a sweet feeling.

Sr. Primary was a little harder, I got frustrated with the children and sort of chewed them out (not really, but enough that I feel badly) for being irreverent and indifferent to the songs about the Savior. *Sigh* I still have a lot to learn about being Christlike.

After church, Princess had her baptismal interview with the bishop. I have no doubt she is ready to be baptized- she already has a good understanding of the gospel. While we were waiting for the bishop, Noodle pulled the fire alarm. Luckily, there were only a few people in the building and they got it turned off before the fire department had to come. He also used chalk to outline the walls in the mother's lounge. Again, sigh, he has so much curiousity and energy.

When we got home Noodle went down for a nap and Princess and Mr. Man went downstairs to play. Mr. D and I took a nap, too. It felt so good. The kids were all wonderful to let us sleep.

Mr. D got up and made dinner and did the dishes. Princess and Mr. Man were downstairs being industrious and played outside. I got to talk to my brother on the phone for a while. He is headed to South Africa today for a summer internship. I am a little scared for him, but I am sure he will have a great experience.

At dinner the Princess gave me a flower arrangement of paper flowers-each had a reason written on it why she was grateful for me-, a necklace and bracelet she had made, a book, and a card. Mr. Man gave me a card and a bead dolphin he had made. Mr. D gave me a wall hanging for our room, and a very sweet card that made me cry. Noodle gave me kisses and a cute squeal because he was so excited for me to open my present. They are all so wonderful to me. I am so happy to be their wife and mother- what a blessing.

After dinner, Mr. D changed an incredible yucky diaper (so I didn't have to) and then we sat together on the couch before putting the kids to bed. It was a great day, very relaxing and happy. Thank you family!

How did I see the hand of the Lord today? In all those blessings I just talked about and in feeling the Spirit. I am grateful to the Lord for all he has given me!