There is nothing like a man in uniform!

So the Navy is changing over uniforms from their "working" whites and blues to a year round uniform for enlisted sailors. Given the fact of where we are at Great Lakes is (as far as I know) one of the first commands to transfer over and Ian just got his a week or so ago. I have been trying to (make him) let me take a picture and finally today he could not escape:) It is really strange having him go from all white to this uniform but I have to say I think he looks pretty darn handsome. I asked him the first time he came home if he changed branches because to me it looks like something a Marine would wear. At least this way when he makes chief in a few years it will be an easy transition to go from kahki on top to kahki on top and bottom.

Anyhow I just wanted at least his family to see. I am adding one extra picture closer up so you can see all his ribbons and pins a little better. One big plus with this uniform is NO patches to worry about!

Isn't he cute?

A few more pictures from the Temple and Family Visit

So my LOVELY little sis Laura emailed me pictures today. Thanks Laura! And I wanted to just share a few more of my favorites! I need to figure out how to do a slide show on here so as not to have pages of pictures but I could not decide which ones to post as I liked them all.

On a side note I hit 30 weeks today. Woo hoo. With any luck I only have 8 or 9 weeks left and no more than that. I can hope right?




Me and my Mom



Me and Owen - 28 weeks pregnant



Jacob and his beloved Gramma



Jacob hamming it up--whats new?!



Nathan and Ian head butting.....typical!



The boys loving one of the fountains at the Temple



Ian being himself-- I love him!



Temple Cookies! Auralee made these for our buffet lunch and they turned out soooo cute! (and tasted yummy too!)




Me and then Dad showing off our Temple cookies:)

Our Family Sealing in the Chicago Temple - September 6, 2008

Finally I have a moment to sit down and post some pictures of our Sealing in the Temple last weekend. My mom, dad and sister Laura flew out from California for the week and while they were here Ian and I went to the Chicago Temple for our church with them for the first time and then on Saturday, September 6th Ian and I were Sealed together and then to the boys for time and all eternity. What a awesome day it was! We had a lot of friends from church there to share the experience. I have to say the most powerful and wonderful part was when the boys were brought in. Our family was all dressed in white and seeing Jacob and Nathan brought in to us dressed from head to toe in white in such a beautiful, spiritual setting was indescribable.

Afterwards we were lucky enough to have a friend from Church, Brother Watkins take TONS of pictures of everyone that was there and of our family. I will post a few here to share.

After pictures we headed to my friend Auralee's where she and my other friend Trudy put together a light lunch in our honor. The boys had a blast playing with Auralee's teenage daugther in their basement while Ian and I enjoyed spending time with great friends and my family. I still need to get pictures from Laura of this event but it was put together wonderfully and really made us feel special.

It was a wonderful day that Ian and I will remember forever and hopefully the boys will remember bits and pieces. Jacob kept walking around Sunday telling everyone " I am so glad I got sealed!" He really is such a sweet little sensitive boy and we love him. Nathan of course follows beind him making sure EVERYONE knows that he too is glad:)

Hope you enjoy some pictures! I am definitely showing now. I was 28 weeks 5 days on the 6th and a week later I am sure feeling week 30 coming tomorrow!:)


Just some of the wonderful people from our ward at church who were there to support us.



Our Forever Family! (28 weeks pregnant with Owen)



Our family with my parents and sister, Laura


Me and my favorite guy!


Me with my mom and dad



Me and Laura (I missed having Erin and Christina there)

Flooded In

So we have had some very large storms since last night. So strong that the ONE way in/out to our housing is totally flooded. As of now I think its about knee deep but I am not sure. Ian has gone to check periodically throughout the day so he could go get me some heartburn medicine but the last time he was out it was still too deep to risk messing up the van. Its just not worth it. We have had neighbors get completely stuck and their cars are now dead and parked with them just hoping they will dry out and start. I don't think a taco bell run is worth a flooded engine but hey thats just me.

Given the fact I have a horrible headcold I guess it could not have happened on a better day. However we are missing what I am sure is a great Stake Conference Session at Church tonight and with more rain coming it looks as though we may be stuck here yet again tomorrow and miss church again. Jacob has been complaining that he has not gotten to see his daddy.....well I guess he got what he asked for:) Thankfully the rain has stopped tonight for a while and Ian let the boys go out and run for a while. Anything to get some energy out.

I just hate the feeling of being stranded. It is frustrating!

But I am very thankful we have a warm house and are all together. Maybe now I can get all our pictures on here from last weekend:)

Nathan's First Day of Preschool!!!

I have a lot to catch up on in the last week but HAD to take five minutes to post about Nathan's FIRST day of PRESCHOOL! We have been waiting for today for months but the anticipation has been worse since Jacob started school. Nathan is attending the Glenview Park District Preschool which is only about 2 miles from our house. He will go Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each day. He has two great teachers, Miss Kathy and Miss Marlene. And Nathan the way he is (never forgets a name) already knows exactly who they are and what their names are:)

I was a little worried about today as my parents and sister have been visiting for a week and left this morning that Nathan would be upset about their going and then adding a new thing would be too much but he did great. They had parents stay for the first little bit and then let us go if we wished. Knowing Nathan I realized if I did not leave today come Thursday he would expect me to stay once again. I figured it would be better to have him a little upset today than make it worse for weeks to come.

The past few days we got all ready for today. We got Nathan some new clothes and a new backpack (Diego of course--the child is somewhat obsessed) and yesterday he got a "big boy preschool" haircut (as he called it).

I am so excited that Nathan will have preschool for HIM since Jacob is in school and Owen will be here before we know it. I am hoping having this outlet will help him adjust to being a big brother.

In the packet that his teachers gave us today was a small bookmark with this poem. Good thing I did not really read it until I got home! I am I think over emotional/hormonal but it is a sweet poem:

The First Day

I gave you a little wink and smile
As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with him for many years now
And have been a loving guide.
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave him at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow.
I'll love him as I would my own
And help him learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know
How quickly the years do pass.
And that one day, it was my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love him and take him in
When you leave him at my door.

Miss Kathy and Miss Marlene
September 2008

Here are a few pictures of Nathan's big day. He was quite grumpy beforehand and refused to let me get a good picture but afterwards when he wanted to show off his BLUE picture he finally relented and actually smiled. I really wanted to get a picture of him and Kinley but he refused. Gotta love the stubborn kid. I have no clue where he got it from........




Walking into school telling me "I DON'T want my picture taken!"



Showing off his DIEGO "rescue" pack!



Trying to sit patient on the circle carpet.



Playing with the sand table. He was in heaven having his choice of sand table, play dough, art with PENS, playing with helicopters/trucks/legs etc, and dressing up like a FIREMAN to name a few things during free play