Drive Thrus...

So ever since becoming a mother I have definitely learned to appreciate the blessings of drive thrus. Although, for the first several months, baby carriers make getting in and out of the car easier since they quickly click in, there is just something wonderful about getting what you need by just driving up to a window and having someone hand it to you (I know blame our lazy culture blah, blah, blah). Especially if you're trying to get your child to nap for the day! The options of drive thrus are also so nice when you have decided to live in a place that apparently can not get out of single digit temperatures and likes to add wind chill just to make it even more fun. Now with my growing number of children, getting in and out of the car is becoming that much more cumbersome. It is especially hard the more in and outs you have to get in. Even the most patient of children begin to grow wary the more stops you have to make.

So my friends and I were talking once and we came up with the most brilliant plan ever! We think that grocery stores should have a drive thru option. Think about it. Imagine a small area where they stock some of the more frequently needed items and then have one or two employees manning a drive thru window where costumers can come up and put in a quick order. Think toilet paper, popular cereals, DIAPERS, milk, dog food, stamps, etc. You know, the few things you are always running out of and have to make a whole big trip to the grocery store just for those one or two items. Recently my poor dog went almost two days without anything more than a couple doggy treats and a few table scraps because I just didn't have the energy or time to run in with the two girls and we just didn't have time in the evenings!

Perhaps there is a list mailed out of the items the drive thru area includes, perhaps a limit on the number of items you can purchase at once to cut back on waiting lines and work for the employees, perhaps there's a call ahead option so they can already have your order ready for you...... What do you think?! Wouldn't that be genius?! I'd even be willing to pay a couple cents more an item (nothing too crazy of course) to have this dream.

Any other suggestions you'd like to add to my grocery store dream?

The only problem I foresee is, I'd probably be spending more money, more frequently. Although with a grocery store (and especially since this drive thru would only stock certain essentials) it tends to be stuff you honestly need and have to spend money on.

P.S. Panera, I would also like for you to get a drive thru. Thanks.

Wordless Wednesday

One Month, Two Months....

I loved when other bloggers did this, so thought I would follow suite!

Here I am at 1 month:

(excuse the leftover gut from two previous pregnancies!)

And 2 months (well technically 9 weeks):

(I need to stop taking my pictures at night when I'm beat!)

Sorry to be on baby overload, just super excited! And being that its the dead of winter and the kiddos have been sick I don't have a lot of fun things going on right now to capture!

By the way I had another ultrasound today and got to see AND hear the little' bean's heartbeat, so that brings me great relief and excitement. Unfortunately, she thinks the cyst on my ovary has grown but she didn't seem too concerned, but I guess I'll have to wait until I see my actual doctor on the 1st. Thanks for thinking and praying for us!

Also here is our little bean!!

(sorry they're pictures of our pictures)

At 7 weeks (wasn't it nice of them to label it for us : ) )

At 9 weeks

(doesn't the little bean look WAY bigger, must be a closer pic, yikes!)

Not me Monday!

Are you feeling guilty for pretending to be asleep in the morning so your husband will get up and feed the baby? Overcome with shame because upon some guests' arrival, you stuffed your dirty laundry into an empty drawer? Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of my desire to admit some of my imperfections and reveal a few moments I'd rather forget. You may find it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing!

I'll go first.

I did NOT consider editing my first belly photo before posting it to hide my lovely baby bump, from two previous pregnancies, that I just seem to not be able to get rid of. I would NEVER do something like that.

I have NOT been the worst wife and mother lately because I'm too tired to do anything and feel pretty sick most of the day.

I did NOT call Bella in sick for speech last week because it was at 8am and I don't get out of bed until 8:30 these days.

I was NOT thrilled to death, and brag all over Twitter and FB, when my precious big girl wrote her name and mom this last week! : )

(sorry I took these with my phone and its sideways, but see on the bottom? Won't be winning handwriting awards but you can clearly see a B-E-L-L-A!)

Now head on over to MckMama's site to see what she and others are NOT doing!

Bryanna Karina....

Oh my precious, sweet baby #2

Some details....

So thought I would quick share some fun details about our latest big announcement! God has been so faithful through all of this and taught me SO much with all that we've gone through. After the miscarriage in September, I went through all the typical emotions: devastation, why us, how long do we have to wait, etc. The Dr. gave us permission to try again right away but assured us my body wouldn't be back to normal for 2 or 3 cycles. After the first month following the miscarriage, my body was not back to normal and when "my friend" sure did in fact come for a visit, I was devastated all over again. But on that very same day at bible study God taught me an amazing lesson that I had to hear that day. I couldn't have heard more directly from God had he shouted down from heaven at me. Click here to read what I learned that day.

Now the second month when "my friend" arrived again I honestly felt the peace of what He had taught me the previous month. My impatient nature had been given assurance that it was all in His timing and that He had a perfect plan for me. I was sad but I was ok with it. I guess I'm not really sure how to express it. Shortly after this I discovered a good acquaintance of mine had just suffered a miscarriage. I realized right then the reason I was on the path I was on. If I hadn't experienced a miscarriage myself there was no way I could truly be there and sympathize with her. I knew God wanted me to be an encouragement to her. And during this time she was also an encouragement to me! It was so nice to be able to share our story and feelings with one another and know the other person knew exactly what we meant.

Now the next time "my friend" was due to arrive was while we were in Colorado with my family, due the last day we were there. I wanted SO badly to be able to be with family when we got pregnant again. (which I was hoping for in CA last month too) But I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. Now I usually wait until my friend is due to take the test, and every other time I've taken a test on my due date I am always negative. Then a couple days later I take it again and then I'm positive. That whole "know a whole 5 days before your first missed period" thing is a bunch a hooey. Well at least in my case. Anyway I was due on Monday and as I my previous history would show even then would most likely be too early. But on Thursday (Christmas Day) I SO badly wanted to take the test because I just thought it would be the best present EVER. So my mom and I ran out to the only thing open (Walgreen's) to get a test. I didn't take it immediately, I thought the later in the day better. : ) So right before we all sat down for Christmas dinner I took it. I laid the test down and gave myself a pep talk. "Now its super early, so it will probably be negative. And that's ok, it could be positive later. Or if not then this is just not the month and you get to try again, etc." Literally seconds after I laid it down, this appeared!

I was in complete shock!! I can not tell you how excited I was. Now I've always been excited about being pregnant but it was different this time, we truly treasure this pregnancy and won't take a minute of it for granted! What an awesome, awesome present. Later I had Bella bring the positive test over to my mom. : )

Something my friend that had a miscarriage shared with me, if we hadn't miscarried we would never meet and hold this newest little blessing. That makes me smile. Although we'll miss the one we lost, we're thrilled to meet this new little one we wouldn't have otherwise known. I am due Aug. 29 which is literally one year after we conceived the little one we lost. God's timing is truly just perfect. : )

And since there has been sort of withdrawal a pics of my cuties lately I

tried to get a picture of the big sisters today but they are impossible these days! : )

'Cause I'm about to burst......

We've got a little bit of news:

I'm officially 8 weeks and just can't hold it in any longer!! We know its a little early but the hubs and I agreed to wait until 8 weeks to make an official announcement. We know its still early but we are cautiously optimistic. Last Monday we were able to see our little miracle and see a nice strong heartbeat. So like I said, cautiously optimistic. But friends we're counting on your prayer to get us through this, as the unknown can be scary. We know the Lord is with us and has a plan for our newest addition and we can't wait to see what it is!

I started a post yesterday reflecting on my feelings of pregnancy following a miscarriage but I can't even finish it. My heart is heavy with all going on in the world right now and several friends that are hurting with miscarriages of their own, so I didn't finish it.

Plus to be honest I am completely exhausted, so I apologize for the lacking of great blog content. The last two weeks I feel like I've been hit by a bus and unless I am eating I'm pretty queasy (I'm going to end up being huge!). I don't want to complain though because I welcome the constant reminder of being pregnant. With the girls the only signs I ever had was my growing belly. So thankful, but pooped.

To make matters worse the hubs is gone for the week (well home well after bedtime every night) on business and all afternoon and evening yesterday Bella was throwing up. This is not good for a nauseated pregnant woman. And Brynn was quite needy as well. So I was tired, now I am just sleep walking. : )

Couple prayer requests:

Continued health for our new little bean

Also they discovered a cyst on one of my ovaries so I have to go in next week to check it out again, just pray things will resolve themselves or have an easy (painless!) solution

Pray I can be a better functioning mommy and wife

Please pray that Brynn does not get the stomach flu too (well any of us for that matter)!!

Thanks so much for reading, we are so excited to share in our excitement with all of our real and bloggy friends!

This Winter....

This winter has brought us a minor massive issue with static. While doing some after Christmas returning with Mormor, Uncle Conor, and Aunt Bonnie, the girls thought they would see just how bad they could make it!!

(please excuse Miss Brynn's manners towards her sister, we're working on them : ))

Keeping Christmas going....

Just since I can't let go just yet. : ) I took video of all of our fun moving ornaments Grandma Domier has given to us to collect over the years and thought I would share. Bella graciously models them all for you. Please excuse my lovely video skills.

With a special farewell from Bella and Brynn at the end. Notice they're in their princess dresses. They literally ask me to put them on them every day. : )

CUTEST video EVER!

I know I am bias but watch this video of Brynn and see if you can say I'm wrong. : )

McDonald's right now is giving away chipmunk toys in their Happy Meals. The Alvin chipmunk, the womanizer of the bunch, says "H-e-l-l-o gorgeous!" when you push its button. Well we got Brynn saying it the other night and it was too precious not to record. Obviously, you can see she found her self quite irresistible too! : )

Not me Monday!

Time for Not Me Monday!! After you see what I NEVER do be sure to head over to MckMama's to see what she and many others are NOT doing. : )

Just a short one for you today.

I most certainly NEVER let the girls play in the tub until the water is cold, until they're down right pruney, just so I can pick up the upstairs from a day of playing without having things pulled right out again! Nope, not me!

Time to wrap up....

And to wrap things up for Christmas festivities......

Cookies and playdate with all of our small group kiddos!

Anderson apparently wanted nothing to do with pictures. : )

Including the newest members Baby Abby and Ben.

Every year, since we can't afford to give all of the girls' friends gifts we like to invite them over for a movie and cookies night. We usually break it up into two nights in order to fit everyone!

All the hubbies were hiding upstairs in this one. : )

And then we have a Christmas with our besties. Here is the only picture I got of all the kiddos. Sorry Ellie. : )

And then every year we have an adult Christmas party. This year's theme was Survivor Maui. Complete with fun mind, strength, and eating challenges!

(2 of our couples had already left by the time I got a picture- and yes little miss party animal didn't want to miss out.:) )

It really was a wonderful Christmas season!

Next I'm going to have to share some the kids' favorite gifts....

More Chrismas Festivities....

Whoohoo, look at me!! Two posts in one day. : )

Okay, back to our December fun! Took part in our yearly gingerbread house making!! Nothing like my mom's wonderful gingerbread making habits, just a simple kit from Walmart! : ) Bella placed all the decor after the hub's iced, I took pictures, and Brynn... mostly ate. : )

Snow Day!

Taking a break from sharing our holiday festivities for a.........

SNOW DAY!

A fairy tale comes to life....

Some of you may know this already, but my girls are o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d. with anything Disney princess. Pretty much every thing they received for Christmas had a princess theme. That is why this next December event will forever be memorable for them. Our sweet occasional babysitter Kylie was babysitting one evening and as we were talking to her we discovered she had the lead in her school's play. "Oh what play is it?" "Cinderella." That could not have been more perfect. I knew the girls would LOVE to see the play Cinderella, a movie they've enjoyed a lot, come to life before their eyes. Then to have Kylie as Cinderella, just made it all that more perfect! So we were very excited to attend the performance. And although one of us spent most of the evening in the hall with Brynn who just couldn't help but chat up a storm, Bella soaked up every minute of it and just loved it. They were both even more tickled to get a hug from Cinderella herself following the performance. We look forward to Kylie's next performance in the musical Annie! I think we'll have to get some help with Brynn though... : ) Afterwards we went and looked at Christmas lights. It was such a fun family night!

Ready for the show to begin, nice pic Brynn.

That's better!

The glass slipper fits!!

SO excited to hug Cinderella..um, I mean Kylie

Here were the two best houses we came across!