The End is coming

I'm officially sick of being pregnant. I understand that I have to be careful in the way that I express that emotion, because I do have a number of dear friends who have a hard time holding onto babies or getting pregnant in the first place. So let me preface my complaints with this: I am so grateful for my healthy body that can do this so efficiently. I'm so excited to have my little girl. I'm glad to be a strong healthy woman.

Now let me gripe: Braxton Hicks Suck! I had them all day long yesterday - every five to ten minutes. Usually this would scare me into thinking I was in labor, but I've done this enough times now to know my body. This is just how the last couple weeks go. My muscles were contracting so much and for so long yesterday that I lost three pounds just from the exertion. I slept like a rock though.

Next item of gripage: my doctor looked at me and paused at our last appointment and pointedly asked me if I felt that this baby was bigger or smaller than the boys had been. I told him I felt bigger, even though I don't look it. I told him both the boys weighed in at 7 lbs even. He shook his head and said, "Oh, she's going to be bigger than that." It may have just been an off-handed comment to him, but I'm thoroughly freaked out. I'm sure he wasn't thinking about pushing that out of a 10 cm hole when he said it.

Last gripe for today: I need good distractions from wanting to go into labor now. Joshua came 9 days early. Andrew came16 days early. I can't seem to stop myself from hoping for a trend there - I'm constantly nagging myself with the though: maybe today....maybe tomorrow.... I just know with my luck and impatience I'll end up going til my due date. Even I admit it would serve me right. But distractions do help. Jon and Isaac have been visiting for the weekend - thank goodness. That keeps my mind off it a little.

Okay, I'm done griping. Now for the philosophical moment of the day: I honestly believe that love grows through sacrifice and service. The more you serve someone the deeper you learn to love them. Maybe this is why the love that a mother feels for her children can be the strongest known in this life short of our Savior's and Heavenly Father's love. I gripe about contractions, but when I feel that little foot nudging my hand my heart swells and I know I would do anything for the health and benefit of this child, just like I do every day for my other children. In this I find true joy. Sacrifice honestly does brings forth the blessings of heaven.

Book Review - The Help

I just finished reading what has become one of my favorite books of all time. Katheryn Stockett's "The Help" is a beautifully written novel based in Mississippi during the 1960's. The Civil rights movement is in full swing, and the story tells an intimate tale about some of the women - black and white- who are tangled up in the middle of it. It is a story about the writing of a controversial book consisting of stories about black maids and the white families they serve. I enjoyed getting to know the chacters and feeling the perspectives of These women of the south. If you have a chance, pick up "The Help" at your local library. It's a good read, and a beautiful picture of a slice of American history.

Oh Dear....

Well, we have managed to inherit something that we have no clue about. That's right, we are now "boat people". Tony and Shelly graciously offered us this boat which they no longer want. Tonight we went out to Shelly's parents house and picked it up, towed it home, and stepped back to scratch our heads. We don't know the first thing about boats. I think it works, but I'm not even sure how to go about getting it tuned up or tested out.

That being said, the few times I've been boating I have absolutely enjoyed it and I've always had a secret wish to be a boat owner. So maybe something will come of this if we can get over the learning curve.

The boat is a Hydro Swift Mercruiser - with a big motor. That's about all I can tell about it. The interior is a mess and the seats are falling apart. There is no windsheild. But there are two sets of skis and some life vests, and the hull looks sound.

If you have any general boat knowledge, please feel free to leave it in the comments for us. We need to glean every little tidbit we can about our newly inherited hobby.

Barlow Beach Day

Every summer the Barlows get together for a little reunion sort of deal. Each time a different family member is in charge, and this year the lot fell to us. We really are not in a position to go camping in the uintas or anything of the sort, so instead of a big weekend event we threw a Barlow beach party down at Hyrum Dam. It turned out to be the typical Barlow event...psuedo organized, a little chaotic, but lots of fun and of course - lots of food!
I realy tried to organize things, but I guess my skills are a little rusty. We ended up only doing one of the planned activities, a hike along the shore. The rest of the time we spent lounging on the grassy area while the kids and me - yes I got into a bathing suit when no other adult in the party was brave enough except Daniel) swam in the lake and played in the sand. I had a great time and I think everyone else did too. I really enjoy spending time with the Barlows.

8 months

I'm in the home stretch, baby! If all goes like my other deliveries I should be having this little girl some time in early July. But you know what they say about "the best laid plans." I'm grateful that the weather has stayed so mild. I know it is a blessing for women in my state, yet I do have one little complaint - all my maternity clothes are light weight summer things. I've had the hardest time dressing with all this cold weather and only one pair of maternity jeans!

Memorial Day

This year I took the boys and went grave decorating with my Mom. We started out in the south end of Cache Valley where my Grandpa Shipley's people settled, and worked our way north to Preston. We stopped in Paradise for a visit to the DUP museum. The boys clanged the bell and had a good time looking at all the pioneer stuff. Ma bought some calenders as a charitable contribution to the museum only to discover a few hours later that they were calenders from 1999! Typical Paradise. Luckily, this year happens to follow the same date/day of the week pattern so we can still use them. In Preston we had luch at Big J's with Uncle Bob and Aunt Patsy. It was really nice to see them. We all had a good time reconnecting with family old and young.

Popcorn popping

I have a soft spot for beautiful flowering trees - I posted our weeping cherry last month, and here i sthe newest addition to the yard - the prarie fire crab apple. I'm not crazy about the look of the tree in gerneral, it's rather scraggly, but the two week period of hot pink blossoms makes it well worth the while. Oh, and the kids are pretty worthwhile too.