Allison's dance team pictures

The Piute Thunderettes! I love these new pictures. Except... Allison looks too grown up.

Enjoy!

Sunday mornings

Sunday mornings are hard for me. Physically hard.

It takes me a long time to get dressed these days. It takes me longer to find something to wear. I'm growing bigger and so I need bigger clothes to accommodate my growth. Getting nylons on is a joke. (Although, I figured out today that if I sit on the floor to put them on, that works much better.)

I have to eat a lot of foods in the morning in order to have enough blood sugar in my system so I don't pass out when I get to church. This takes a lot of time.

John leaves early for meetings or to participate in the choir and I am left to make sure Thomas is presentable. Teeth, clothes, tying shoes and more are still beyond him at this point.

By the time I got in the shower today, I wanted to cry. I was thinking that it's too hard to get ready for church, that I know people are going to comment on how big I am getting. And, even if they don't make the comment, they'll be watching to see how large I am this week!

Then I thought about people that aren't able to go to church at all because of physical disabilities. And, what if there are people that stay away from church because they are worried about their physical appearance? I'm sure that happens a lot. Maybe they feel like they don't have anything appropriate to wear. Or they know they've gained (or lost) weight recently and they feel self-conscious. They may feel judged and unwelcome. 

So, I told myself what I've always told myself when I don't feel like going to church. "You go for Jesus."

No other reason. I go for Jesus because of all the things He has done and is doing for me.

All the other reasons, like friendship and acceptance, are nice. But they are not necessary.

Even though we struggle and may feel unworthy, or unloved, or ugly, or like we don't fit in, we still go for Him. He suffered physically and emotionally in ways that I cannot even begin to comprehend. I can keep going and keep trying because of Him.

One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?” 

Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations.

Come, Join with Us
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thomas: A REALLY big deal

Some families who have children that have struggled academically will really appreciate what a BIG deal this is to us. Thomas actually received his first note home like this in the fall 2013.... but we were sent another last week and we are ecstatic.

This is the first school year the top option has been X'd! 3rd grade has been very good to Thomas.

His brain is clicking more and more.... we still have our challenges, there is no doubt- but I'm confident we'll continue to knock them out one by one. :) :)

This last week:

A- Thomas gets on the school bus at 6:55 a.m. each morning. Every morning except for 2 mornings this year, I've had to drag him out of bed, help him get dressed, and he'll take 2 pieces of turkey bacon with him to eat on the bus.

But, for the last 4 mornings in a row, Thomas has insisted that he get up HIMSELF at 6 a.m. and shower!!!! He gets himself dressed and will even eat his breakfast before getting on the bus.

B- Tonight, I was making this pumpkin bread/muffins recipe and I taught Thomas how to crack open two eggs into my mixing bowl. He wanted to keep going with the cracking and opening of the eggs, so I taught him how to cook an egg on the stove top.

He gave his new creation to his Dad, then later decided he wanted to make eggs for the whole family! Thomas made scrambled eggs for each member of the family and placed the eggs on 5 plates. He set the table and asked everyone to come to dinner.

We had fruit and the muffins (just baked from the oven) along with the eggs made by Thomas. Perfect!

Thomas, you bring us so much joy. We are so proud of you.

25 Weeks and My Pregnancy Health

Hello 25 weeks!

Okay... I am HUGE. 

If anyone tells me I look small... I'll know they're lying.

Measurements:

Waist: 38"

Uterus: 38 cm... 

(hello! that's usually how big I am at 38 WEEKS with a single baby!!)

Weight gain: 20 pounds & counting....

This was kind of fun. I kept a tally of the number of kicks and moves by each of the babies one day last week. Megan is near my ribs and she was the winner. :) 136 moves, kicks, bumps, and elbows in 12 hours. Alexander is down LOW and he got up to 103. Not bad!

I wanted to count a full 24 hours, but I was too worn out after the 12 hours. 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. :)

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So, I wanted to write a bit about my health and this pregnancy. While I did not seek any traditional fertility treatments, I have done many other things to make sure I'm as healthy as possible for pregnancy.

I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance, hypoglycemia, and problems with my thyroid and liver (caused by the hypoglycemia) in April 2012. I was advised to completely cut gluten from my diet, to never fast again (because of the hypoglycemia, this could push me towards diabetes), and to take a variety of supplements. At the time, I was wanting to get pregnant again but I knew that I needed to get my health in order first. After having a son born with autism and another child die while I was pregnant with him, and learning some important things about health and nutrition since Thomas' diagnosis, 

I knew there was something wrong with ME.

I was starting to suffer with the effects of the hypoglycemia, etc. I was needing to use the restroom every 1/2-1 hours.... not fun. I felt like my body was starting to fall apart. My Dr. in Heber City told me that he could help me have my healthiest baby yet and that 40 is when people in the eastern U.S. BEGIN their families. He said that if I think 40 is too old to have a baby, that that is a Utah mentality. :) 

Ahh.... thank you Dr. Nielsen.

My Dr. used my blood tests to help determine the types of supplements I should be taking. WOW, what a difference they have made for me. My skin softened up and was no longer dry, my body starting functioning normally again (i.e. less trips to the restroom) and I felt fantastic. I also lost all PMS symptoms. Yep, no cramps or unexplained mental instability and orneriness happening a few days before my period. I've been so even keel for about a year and a half! Just ask my husband.... he knows.

Not only did I feel better than ever, this little thing happened last summer where both my ovaries decided to drop an egg. :) :)

Oh, and as a side note... most people have been very, very happy and excited for us. We've only heard a few rude comments. What really makes me laugh is when people say, "YOU'RE having twins?!!" Like I ordered them or something.... hmmm.....

So, these are the supplements that I take now. I had a check up with my Dr. when I was 14 weeks pregnant. My first trimester was hard. I don't get nausea, but I was very tired and feeling worn down. I didn't know I was pregnant with twins when I met with my Dr. again, but I had my complete blood work done again and he suggested the supplements above. ^^ Some of those I was already taking on my own, the Methyl Protect for my liver, the Veggies & Greens, the Pro... drink mix, Vitamin D (super boost to the immune system!!) and the Tuna Omega-3 Oil.

He added the Bilemin, Camu Camu (Vitamin C supp, also known to help calm anxiety :), the Magnesium & Iron supplements. These aren't cheap, but I can order them on Amazon and have them delivered to my door when I need refills. They are SO WORTH IT! I have had tons of energy and stamina during my 2nd trimester... there were times when I didn't even feel pregnant. (Only gaining weight and inches I suppose...)

My "granny" organizers for my supplements. Morning on top and night at the bottom. :)

I keep thinking how WONDERFUL it will be to have a healthy baby boy. For my first time ever....

And, these fun girls were at Allison's state drill team competition last weekend.

SO CUTE!!

My sister Melissa was able to attend with her two sweet girls. Makenzie is just 2 months old and is so sweet. I wanted to steal her, but I'm not sure what I would do with 3 babies. hehe.

My sister Emilee had her baby boy last weekend, so now it's my turn! My parents are getting 4 new grandbabies while they serve their mission. People keep saying, "I can't believe they're missing all this!" But I say, this is all happening because they're not here... it has been a sacrifice for everyone, but we are certainly being blessed many times over for their service.

Please keep praying for me if you're reading this. I'm hoping to make it to 38 weeks or so.... we shall see!

I'm relying on my body's natural pregnancy routine that usually allows me to go OVERDUE. It is torture, but I know these babies will be small and will need all the cooking time they can get.

Oh, check this out!

I joined a "Multiple Moms" group on Facebook- most of the Moms live in Utah County, but they sell twin items and share advice, etc. I asked one of the ladies if she would ship her newborn baby boy clothes to me (thinking I would get 20 pieces or so....) and look what she sent me for just $20!!! What a blessing. Alex is all set. A lot of the clothes are teeny tiny, too, so I'm thinking they will be perfect for him when he gets here. We just need some teeny tinys for Megan and then we'll almost be ready for these babes!

I bought their car seats and a pump last weekend, John may picking up a FREE double stroller later this week (fingers crossed on that one), and I have a big shipment of diapers and wipes that will be coming monthly starting in a few weeks from Amazon. I'm sure I'll need just a few more things to prepare, but I'm really happy with our progress so far. We're so excited to meet these two.