This

has consumed my life lately. She's growing way too fast.  So our my other kids.  But this one it seems like we can watch her grown by the minute.

People ask us all the time if we're getting any sleep.  We actually are.  She's been sleeping thru the night for at least a good 2 weeks now. It's heaven.  She's a happy baby, too.  Smiling all the time.  She's recently picked up cooing.  She's most chatty right before bed. Jeff would say she gets that from her mother. ;)

Life does go on around our little baby heaven, though. Jeff and I both received callings in our new wards.  He's the 11-yr-old scout leader assistant and I am the Wolf Den leader.  I am SO excited for the yellow shirt. We both also have given 2 talks each in the last 2 weeks, in 2 different wards.  There were too many high counselors present for my comfort level. 

Lyndsi insists that she will have a birthday and that she will turn 9.  I have finally consented and given her my permission.  Now she just has to get dads.  She also just read a book. For fun.  And she liked it.  But don't tell her I told you.  I will deny it whole heartedly.

McKay and Sophie are both doing well. They love their new house and primary classes.  Life goes on as normal.  Only the location has changed.

Life is good, if not a little more slow-paced than before Chloe.  We're about to dive head first into tax season.  Call me crazy, but I have actually started looking forward to it.  It gets hard at times to juggle all the different schedules, but I love having a little me time after the kiddos go to bed and Jeff heads back to work. 

I have a few posts coming up and yes, one of them is the rest of the house tour.  I've been taking pictures!  I haven't forgotten about it.   Stay tuned!

I love a good weekend. And last weekend was fabulous.

Friday and Saturday I once again went to the Get Down With Scrapbooking charity event (supporting the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation).  I honestly have not scrapbooked since this event last January.  There was no way I was going to be ready, but thanks to a few late nights, Cami (who keeps me company on said nights) and my dear Dr., Dr. Pepper, I was ready in plenty of time.

I managed to pump out 20 (2-page) layouts most with both journaling and a title.  Some of them were even cute. ;)  Really, I was quite pleased with almost every one.  It was so enjoyable for 2 days to sit with good friends and family, scrapbook, chat, win prizes, eat junk, etc.  Even the fact that I had to speak in Sacrament meeting on Sunday didn't get me down.  I'm looking forward to a year of more consistent scrapbooking and maybe even learning some new techniques.  Possibly even playing more with Photoshop Elements more.

If you're interested, here is the link to view a few of my pages. Cami and Anisa's are also there as well.  They might not be up right away, so check back.

Sunday Jeff and I had to speak.  Ugh.  Well. It wasn't too bad.  The worst part was putting forth effort when the inspiration wasn't there. Once it hit, though, I had my talk written within a few hours.  I wasn't terribly nervous, no overflowing of tears (though I did get a little choked up), and I managed to not read straight from the paper. One talk down. One to go.

Chloe's Blessing

Last Saturday we blessed our sweet little Chloe. Yes. We did it on a Saturday.  That seems to be quite common 'round here-at least in our last ward.  I knew a lot of people who had done that but had never been to a Saturday blessing myself. I loved it.

The whole thing was very intimate.  When I teared up during both the opening song and prayer (which I had to say-thank you Bro. Haight), it was nice to know that people knew why.  Partly the Marchant tear-duct syndrome (thanks Grma! ;) and partly I hadn't prepared myself for how few people from Jeff's family would be able to attend between missionary service and illnesses not to mention distance in many cases.  So Neal and Karamie-it really meant a lot that you could be there. {hugs}  everyone else, I missed you lots. 

Back to the blessing. The spirit was strong.  Support from family and friends was nearly overwhelming.  And of course, my baby was beautiful.  Jeff did a great job as always.  I am so happy to have a husband who honors his priesthood and is worthy to bless our little princess. Afterwards we had a nice luncheon with plenty of yummy food. 

And a big thanks to my mom, my personal photographer when my camera refuses to operate.

Storms and Rainbows

I had an unexpected low hit me this morning.  I didn't know how to make it better.  In fact I couldn't see how I could change that particular thing at all with my very limited abilities. 

This afternoon a friend called and unbeknownst to her she offered me the solution I didn't think I would be able to find. 

Today I am thankful for rainbows that quickly follow storms.

Outside our house summer 09

The House: Part I

OK.  You've asked for it.  You've waited for it.  And now it's finally here.  The first installment of "The House."  We'll have to do this in parts though.  I don't want to anger anyone, so I'll show you pictures of the rooms that are clean (or were clean when the photos were taken).  As we get more done, I'll post more.  K? OK.

Here we go!

This is our "formal living room" or the piano room for now.  That white door leads to.....

The library!!  (Otherwise knows at the "formal dining" room)See all that green?  that was formerly a rose-pink reminiscent and paying tribute to the early 90s.  All those boxes?  Empty.  Waiting to be relocated or recycled.  We've got a couple of chaise chairs at Ikea all picked out for our reading comfort and pleasure.  In this room is another door that leads to the...

Kitchen. (not taken from the angle of the library).  Against the wall that is the unintended highlight of the photo is our computer desk, fridge and a decent sized pantry.  Also there is plenty of dining space our large table.

And a nice deck off the dining area.  I'm thinking come spring I'll put some planters out there and soften the bamboo prison look.

Off the living room we'll go up:

and down the hall

Take the first left and you have:

McKay's room.  He's really loving the Pooh Bear border. ;)  Really he is begging us to repaint ASAP. In the mean time, he has hung up some solar system stickers and a shark poster to harden the pooh bear image.

The second left:

is Lyndsi's room.  I love her room.  Sometime I'll have to get a picture looking out her window.  She seems fine with the nondescript walls and is loving being on the same floor as her brother and sister while keeping her room all to herself. 

Well, folks that's all for today.  I promise I'll keep working on unpacking and cleaning.  We still have various family rooms, craft room, play room and my room left.  Oh and all the outdoor shots too.  It'll be worth the wait.  Promise.