3rd Trimester

I think Mason has a career ahead of him! On Sunday after church he took some pics of me. I'm pretty impressed with how good he did. I'm officially in my 3rd trimester now. Let the panic attacks begin!!!! SO much to do!!!

This Pregnancy has been a pretty great, some odd cravings and symptoms but I've really enjoyed it. I LOVE Lemon burst Yoplait yogurt (I know its the junk food of yogurt but it's soooooo good, they don't always carry it at the store so yesterday I bought EVERY single one off the shelf to stock up) I'm back to wanting sugar all day long EVERY day. I try really hard not to have any sugar at my house but you would be impressed at how creative I get with the chocolate I find (yes find. I hide candy in my house) and get my sugar fix! My friend Jenessa says she's going to call my baby "Sugar". I still REALLY enjoy working out when I have energy. Energy being the key word. It's crazy. One day I get an email telling me I'm in my 3rd trimester and all the sudden my energy is OUT the window, I'm super tired a lot, and sleeping is a joke. I think a lot of it is mental so I'm trying to snap out of it. I'm not really running anymore. Mostly because I don't have a "belly band" (basically a bra for your belly). But I do lots of cardio and weights at the gym about 3-4 times a week (when I'm not too exhausted). It makes me have a better day and I just feel like a happier mom. As a family we are enjoying lots of bike rides outside (I am LOVING my new bike- thank you Ron!) and just soaking up this fabulous 70 degree weather.

Family Movie Night

We watched the movie Bolt last night for a family movie night. I can't stop laughing at how the plot of the movie emotionally effected and possibly traumatized Callie. The story line of the movie is basically a dog getting separated from his owner (an adorable little girl). The whole movie is him trying to make it back to her. It's a really cute and funny movie, the dog thinks he has super powers because he is a TV show actor but he doesn't know it. Callie was genuinely upset for most of the movie. She even cried over it at one point. I think she inherited my family genes for asking questions during movies. A characteristic that I'm sure is annoying to other people. She kept asking "Is the white dog going to find the little girl?...How is he going to find her?!..." The questions escalated to tears when she said "He's NEVER going to find her... He can't find her!" It was really sweet to watch but sad that she was so upset.

And yes I don't have any furniture in my front room. We sold the pool table and I'm trying to figure out how to furnish it. I'm no good at decorating so what do I do?... nothing. Someday I will have a fully furnished house.

We are Dog Owners!

Goofy has been an official part of our family for a month now. Against everyone's advice, (including my own mother who told me "don't ever make life-changing decisions when you're pregnant"), against Ron's complete approve and against my better judgement I adopted Goofy. For a while now I've CONSIDERED getting a dog. I wanted to make sure my kids were old enough to help with the responsibility of owning a dog. I feel like owning a pet helps teach your children so much. It helps teach them to be less selfish, gives them responsibility and teaches LOVE. I have always loved animals but hesitated to take this leap because there is so much to pet owning I'm not a fan of. I don't like smelly things (let's face it all dogs smell), I feel like I pick up poop enough with my own kids I don't want more poop issues, and it's a little hard to be tied down with a pet at home. All good reasons to say NO!
I made the mistake of mentioning all these thoughts to my good friend Jenessa. Glad I did because on Thanksgiving weekend she sent me a picture and a text that said "I am bringing a dog home for you" She has family in globe and found Goofy being neglected at a Ranch there. Between then and Christmas we had Goofy over for lots of "playdates" and even dog sat him for a weekend. Jenessa had him at her house while I carefully weighed the options of becoming a dog owner. We obviously fell in love and took that leap!

Goofy really has been a good thing for a our family. He is extremely sweet and mellow. We have him all up to date on his vaccines and got him fixed a couple weeks ago. Next weekend we start doggie school (the boys are really excited about this. I told them they get to come with me and Goofy to puppy school .) So far he has adapted really well (occasional pee accidents-mostly marking his territory) really nothing major and very rare. NO POOP accidents!!! He doesn't chew on the kids toys and is just so loving. He really LOVES attention, and responds quickly to the word NO. The first week or so I had to be really careful with my tone of voice. If I sounded mad at all he would roll over into submission pose on his back and pee himself a little. Poor little guy, I think he may have been abused a little with the previous owner. For now we have Goofy's bed/crate in the back room. It used to be my craft room and our plans are eventually to make it Baby April's room. Goofy LOVES to sleep, he usually takes a couple naps a day and goes to bed very well at night. There are times during the day when I can't find him and then I think to look in his bed and sure enough there he is in his crate napping. Too cute!

 

 His first bath!

  

 The cone of shame

My favorite part of having a dog is watching my kids with him. When Callie is sad or upset (or really any of my kids) he will go to them and love on them. First thing in the morning before they (my kids) even ask for breakfast they go into Goofy's room let him out of the crate and take him outside to pee and feed him. Every night before bed the boys happily take him out to do his duty (sometimes the boys go pee themselves outside to get Goofy to go. That always cracks me up.) Noah happily volunteered to be the "Poop patrol" he is very good at finding poop and picking it up with a bag. All in all I'm really enjoying this dog owning thing no regrets!

Almost perfect Sunday

Well, there have been lots of changes in our ward lately. Our stake reorganized the ward boundaries and decided to cut out a good chunk of our ward. Because our ward was one of the bigger wards we didn't gain any new members just lost a bunch. I have mixed feelings about it but I'm sure it's all part of a bigger plan. For a couple weeks I was very uneasy and upset thinking our street might get moved out of the ward. Well, we are still in Kingsborough Park Ward but a good chunk of our ward is gone and that saddens me. Last Sunday Ron was called into the Stake President's office. He was released from 1st counselor in the bishopric and called as 2nd counselor. This really doesn't change much he just has new assignments. He's responsible for scouting and primary now. When he was set apart after sacrament meeting I was very touched at the prayer our Stake President offered. He blessed our family multiple times and our marriage specifically with continued success and strength. I feel like sometimes the wife of a bishopric member is kind of on the back burner and forgotten. I don't really want to be the center of attention but it was nice to have some confirmation from the Lord that I'm not forgotten and he is mindful of me and my young family.
Sacrament meeting-
I'm not sure how this all started but a few weeks ago Noah decided he wanted to read the Bible during Sacrament meeting. I thought for sure this wouldn't last long but he has been going strong for about a month now and is on page 11 of the Old Testament. Every once in a while I ask him what he's reading and I'm always so surprised at his response. He really is getting it! Yesterday's tender moment happened during sacrament meeting he excitedly pointed out the scripture Genesis 7:6 "Look mom! I'm 6 too!" The Scripture reads "And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water was upon the..." I love it! He is so sweet and good at reminding me about the important things in life.

I'm am lucky enough to be his primary teacher this year! I'm super excited. Noah answered the following questions yesterday in CTR 6 class:

His favorite scripture prophet is Noah (not the wicked King Noah)

His favorite color is Golden (??? lol)

His favorite food is Mac N Cheese

He has 7 people in his family (including Baby April and our dog Goofy)

Well, I mentioned that today was ALMOST the perfect Sunday. We switched to 1pm church. So far I'm not really a fan. I feel like I'm waiting all day for church and I get home and my Sunday is over, Plus Ron's meetings just go later because church is out later. But my only REAL complaint from yesterday is not being able to find Callie's church shoes (magically they appeared about an hour after church, funny how that happens). It was her first day of Sun Beams and she did great sandals and all!

Family Scripture Study

Last January I decided we needed to start reading the scriptures as a family more often. Ron and I discussed the best time of day to try and make it happen regularly. We thought adding it to bedtime routine would make it happen more regularly. I was a little skeptical. When I was young my family woke up early and all read the scriptures in the morning before starting our day. So naturally I thought this should work for my little family too. I was willing to give night time a shot. I was amazed at how easy it was to add it to the bedtime routine. It really didn't feel like an extra step. The kids obviously would have some more productive reading nights than others. But I could feel the spirit stronger in my home and I KNOW it was because we were studying the scriptures as a family. Towards the end of 2014 I noticed we were almost halfway through with the Book of Mormon. We talked about how cool that was (reading 332 pages together!) and we decided that deserved some kind of a reward. After many suggestions from going to Amazing Jakes, or taking a trip to Utah to see our cousins we compromised with an ice cream party at a store you get to pick the ice cream flavor and toppings. This motivated the kids and we read a little extra everyday to reach our goal. December 23rd we went out as a family and enjoyed our hard earned reward. What a great night! 

We haven't decided what our reward will be when we finish the whole Book of Mormon... I'm thinking a Disneyland trip or something is in order! I can't wait to see what 2015 will bring to the Huber household.

Happy Merry Christmas

Faler Family traditional Nativity reenactment on Christmas Eve!

Callie was so excited to play Mary and took her role VERY seriously! I may be a little biased because she's my daughter but... I think she was the best Mary I've ever seen.

We visited the McCormick Railroad Park this year again. Waited in line for an hour to ride the train but had fun with friends in the ward.

7am Christmas morning. Callie didn't want to get up. Noah tried quite a few times to get her up!

First present was Goofy! Yes, I caved and we got a dog. He's a rescue dog about 1 year old and very sweet! I'm nervous about what this means for our family but so far we are really enjoying him!

Callie got her "baby doll with ACCESSORIES" from Santa. So Excited!!

Noah was so sweet and made this at school for Callie.

Yes, I gave Ron a toilet scrubber for Christmas. Kind of an inside joke but he was excited.

This blanket has a story. My good friend Jenessa gave me a snugly blanket just like this one a couple weeks prior to Christmas. One too many times I'd find Ron all cuddled up in MY blanket!!! Not cool! The man STOLE it and ALWAYS had it! So, for Christmas I got him his own snugly blanket. I guess I don't share well. :)

Apparently it was a Christmas of bikes! I missed the memo. Poor Ron doesn't have a bike. I had NO idea he would get me one. I LOVE it!!!! I couldn't have picked out a cuter/prettier bike!

Overall it was a Happy Merry Christmas in the Huber household.

Baby April!

I'm 23 weeks pregnant now (more than halfway!) I can't believe how time is flying! This trimester is a little easier so far, I'm definitely bigger but not as tired or nauseous, YAY! I've gained about 15 lbs. and still able to run, although I've slowed considerably. My longest runs now consist of 4-5 miles at a 9-9:30 mins. pace. A little frustrating but I keep telling myself "it's ok"! Mason and Noah actually have gone on a few runs with me. They hop on their bikes and that makes for a really fun run. Noah can last about 2.5 miles and Mason makes it the whole jog with me!

Last week Ron felt baby girl move for the first time. I LOVE that! I find his arm on my belly constantly throughout the night trying to catch some movement. I really do love being pregnant. I know that's weird to say, it's not like I like getting fat, less sleep or piercing back pain. I definitely don't like the increased bathroom trips or the gagging/dry heaving from certain smells. I love how I feel closer to God when I'm growing life inside me. I feel closer to the spirit (yes I cry a lot more and that's really annoying. I'm not a particularly emotional person but I do find myself a lot more sensitive and sappy.) I think the spirit speaks more clearly to me. I notice tender mercies more frequently. For example Sunday mornings can be a little rough with out Ron's help at home. This morning my kids listened to me and got dressed and ready for church relatively argument free! That in and of itself is a small miracle, I'll take it and be grateful for it! Lately Mason has been a lot more tolerant of eye patch therapy. We have struggled with this for months, it's constantly a battle. But the past few weeks he has been really good about it with minimal complaining and NO screaming. These are all small things but little moments I'm noticing the Lord's hand in lightening my load.
I love feeling life inside me move and spin (yes this girl spins! I've seen it on the ultrasound). I love witnessing my families excitement and sweetness towards my growing belly. Most of our conversations revolve around after "Baby April" comes. This is a sensitive subject in our home. Me and the kids are all calling Baby girl April. Ron isn't quite on board with the name just yet. Either way she is "Baby April" because I'm due in April. Not sure if that's for sure her name but for now I'm happy to call her that.

Mason had a lot of fun being my photographer the other night. He just kept snapping pictures so I just kept posing! I think he did pretty good!