Update

I thought I would post a little about what's been going on at our house... The last month or so has been hard, but we are trying to make things as normal as possible.

I am still pregnant. Not that I shouldn't be, I know I have a few weeks left, but I am feeling like quite the whale. For anyone who said I was looking small before, I have definitely caught up on the weight gain. I am so dang uncomfortable. I should be trying to get some exercise but I can barely walk from my bedroom to the kitchen without being in pain. I just have so much pressure. I feel like I need to lift my belly when I walk. So, instead of getting my exercise, I am vigilantly eating my oreos, ice cream or whatever else I feel like having, in bed everynight. Mind you, I am able to make it to the refrigerator every night. Come on, I feel like I deserve it. In reality, I complain about my large behind and then 10 minutes later I am dishing me up some ice cream. What a shame, what a shame.

Anywho...

We set my induction date for March 17th. We have to take the baby early because of the medication I am on and my doctor only gave me two days to choose from. So, only one more week to go. I guess St. Patrick's Day could be a fun birthday, right? I hope she won't be upset that we chose this day. Who knows, maybe she will decide to come even earlier. It's so strange to pick the day anyway. It doesn't feel right. Things are still looking good though and we are just praying for a healthy baby.

Parker is finally starting to show that he is excited about this baby. Everyday he kisses my belly and says in the funniest baby voice, "Hi baby sister." He has picked up that adults talk to baby's and pets this way. He talks to grandma's dog this way too. Yesterday he put a chip on my belly and said, "That's for baby sister." I told him she couldn't eat it, so I did and he was not happy with me. I can just imagine him trying to feed her Doritos when she is a week old. Oh dear.

I am finding that I am feeling more nervous and apprehensive about this baby. I guess it's because I know what is going to take place during delivery and the weeks to follow. I am nervous about how we will do with two kids and am scared that Parker will feel like we don't love him as much. I know it's ridiculous, but I just have so many worries. I do know that things will be fine, I just know that life is about to really change!

My talented sister-in-law took some maternity photos of me and Mr. Parker last night. I think she did a fabulous job. She did get some of Parker kissing my belly but I don't have them yet. I will have to post them later. Hopefully she won't get too mad at me for posting these on my blog. Her blog is http://kristymayesphotography.blogspot.com/. Look at my big, round belly!

I love this picture of Parker. This fits his personality perfectly. It's totally a face he always makes!

This World Lost a Wonderful Man...

One week ago today, this earthly world lost a beautiful person. Kory's father Zed, passed away the morning of February 10th. Zed had beaten Hodgkin's Lymphoma 10 years ago but after battling the disease again in 07 and after receving a bone marrow transplant this fall, he slipped away peacefully surrounded by his wife and all of his children. What a great loss to all that knew and loved him. To know this man, was to love this man.

I was blessed to join the Anderson family legally, on May 19, 2007 but I was welcomed into the family the day I met the family (maybe they would disagree). This was in December of 05. It didn't take me long to see the love that Kory's parents had for one another and for me to recognize the closeness of this family of 7. I never had the example of true love in my home growing up and I immediately was struck by the love that these two people had for eachother. I think Kory got sick of me saying, "I really think you take for granted the love you have in your home. Your parent's love each other so much." Zed and Lannis had 30 amazing years together. 30 years of true love that many are never blessed to find. 30 years though, just doesn't seem long enough.

Zed was an amazing husband but he was also an amazing father. When I first started dating Kory, I noticed that he spoke with his dad on the phone a lot. It wasn't like father and son talk though, it was like friend to friend talk. I would always have to ask him who he was talking to because sometimes I couldn't tell. I then began to realize how close he was to his dad. Kory sometimes spoke with his father 3 times a day or more. This was new to me as I have never been close to my dad in this way and my brother's did not have this kind of relationship with our dad either. It saddens me to think about, but it's true. Not only was Kory close to his father, the other 4 kids had a special relationship with him as well. Each one different it its own way. Kory lost a best friend the day Zed passed away. A friend that he had all his life. I know that Kory realizes how lucky he is to have had such a closeness with his dad and that it is something that many never have. I don't think that makes things easier for him though. I guess in reality, it really makes things harder.

Parker joined our family in 06 and I immediately knew that Zed would be an amazing grandpa. Parker was the first grandchild in the family and Zed took right to his role as grandpa. Parker was fortunate to have been Blessed by Zed and to have had almost 2 1/2 years with his grandpa. He loved going out to the shop to drive the forklift and to mess around with all Grandpa's tools. My memories will always remain of Parker following his grandpa down the cobblestone path out to his shop. And if we had just arrived at grandpa and grandma's, he always knew just where to find his grandpa--out in the shop. They shared ice cream sandwiches out there together and ate them all summer long. Parker gave his grandpa knuckles up until the very end. I am thankful to have pictures to show Parker of his time with his grandpa but it breaks my heart to think that he may not remember him. As of now, he knows his grandpa, but I know he doesn't understand where he is. I have a hard time understanding, how can I expect him to know why his grandpa isn't here anymore? We have told Parker that Grandpa went to live with Jesus in heaven and Parker has said numerous times, "I will bring him back," or "I will go and get him." To hear this come from this little boy is so, so hard. I wish so badly that Parker could bring him back. We will forever treasure the time that Parker spent with Zed and we will make sure that he knows what a good man he was.

Zed was also a good father-in-law. He had his quiet demeanor but I knew he cared about me. I will treasure the few times that he laid his hands upon my head to offer me a blessing. I was fortunate to have been a receiver of his Priesthood power. I will never forget the day that Zed and Lannis were leaving for Arizona to begin the transplant. I was not doing well with my own condition and Zed made it a point to offer me a blessing right before he left for the airport. How selfish I felt in receiving a blessing when he was the one in need of all the blessings then. This is proof of what an amazing man he was though, he wasn't thinking of himself at the time and I will forever be grateful to him.

During this past week, I have been able to be a part of the closeness this family shares and I feel so thankful to be a part of this amazing family. I am thankful for 3 sisters wonderful sisters. I never knew what it was like to have sisters. These three women treat me as one of their own and I love them so much. I am thankful for my sweet brother-in-law who is so strong and loving. I am thankful for my mother-in-law who is such a great example of strength and of faith. She is an amazing woman--I do not think I could have asked for a better mother-in-law. And finally, I am thankful for my husband who has stepped up as the Patriarch of this dear family. I have come to see a side of him that I have never seen. A side that I knew was there, but had just not had the opportunity to come out. I truly could not ask for a better man to be standing by my side and I know Zed would be so proud of him. The greatest gift that Kory could give his father would be to be the kind of father, husband and friend that Zed had always been and I believe Kory has shown that he is much like his father. Although, I already knew this about him.

Life without this wonderful man will never be the same, but to know that we can see him again and to know that Zed and Lannis will one day be reunited brings much comfort. I will hold on to the thought that Grandpa is in heaven right now, getting to know our baby girl until she joins us on her birthday. I do believe that he will know all the dear little one's who will join this wonderful family one day. We will forever miss you Zed.

Finally!

I know I am quite late in posting our Christmas and New Year's photos. But, we had such a wonderful Christmas and had a nice family New Year's, so I thought I would post the pictures. Our Christmas was much different this year as we were in our new house and we had guests over. My mom and brother stayed over on Christmas Eve and then we had a big family breakfast in the morning. I actually loved having them there. Maybe it will become a tradition. I did realize though, just how much work Christmas is. I was up till about 1am finishing things and then got up at 6 to make sure Santa had come. I definitely realize how much work it was for my parent's and am so greatful for all they did.

Our attempt at gingerbread houses-

Parker checking out what Santa left.He was not too sure about the hat at first, but as you can see, he later loved wearing it. Opening baby sister's clothes.Parker got new boots and a shovel from Santa, so he immediately had to put them on. He wanted so badly to go out and shovel and didn't understand why I wouldn't let him go out dressed this way! Building a snowman and shoveling with Grandpa Gardner. And although he had snot crusted onto his face (Parker not Grandpa), he did not want to come in! (If you are wondering why my dad has an orange vest on, your guess is as good as mine.) Gotta love my father!
Although Kory thought he might die if he stayed home for a New Year's, he actually enjoyed the night. Kory said he hadn't stayed home for New Year's in over 15 years and I could tell he was a bit antsy. I thought it was about time that he enjoyed a quiet evening at home and I didn't feel like doing anything other than staying home and having a nice dinner and watching the ball drop. I am a pregnant pooper I guess. I even had to have a nap before midnight rolled around. I guess I am getting too old! Anyway, here are a few photos of our holidays...

Banging pots and pans for the New Year. I tried to tell him if he turned the spatula around it would work better but he wanted to do it his way.
He was not too sure about drinking out of this glass at first, but as soon as he tasted the cider, he was ok with it.
Toasting to the New Year.
And lastly, a picture of me and by round belly at 29 weeks. I am definitely becoming large and in charge!

HOLD ON!

This is just a random post, but I thought I would share.

So, two nights ago I was driving home from work after having a somewhat crappy day. It was dark out because I left work later than I normally do. I was lost in my thoughts as I was driving, when I changed to my good ol' light FM 100. Kory makes fun of me for listening to this station. Anyway, Wilson Phillips came on. You know the song, 'Hold On'. Well, without even thinking about it, I turned the radio up and began singing along. I was singing so, so loud. At one point I even found myself doing hand motions. "Someday somebody's gonna make you wanna turn around and say goodbye. Until then baby are you gonna let them hold you down and make you cry. Don't you know!"

Oh my goodness, I am so glad it was dark out and that I was in our truck. I can just imagine what people would have thought if they could see me.

Anyway, the point of this is, it made me feel so much better. After the song was over I started laughing because I had realized what I had just done. So what, I am a big nerd. Don't even tell me you don't sing along to this song! There just aren't songs like these anymore!

Trying to Catch Up

I kept telling myself that after my school semester ended in December, that I would get caught up on my blogging, but with the holidays it just didn't seem to happen.
So, I am going to attempt to catch everyone up on our happenings with the next few posts.

I am going to first start with our Thanksgiving adventure (I will try to make this as brief as possible)...

As most of you know, Kory's dad left for Arizona in October to receive a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. We heard from Kory's mom the week of Thanksgiving and she informed us that Zed wasn't doing well. At that point, she didn't think it was necessary to have the kids all come out, but we waited to hear. Wednesday arrived and Kory spoke with his mom. Things weren't looking good and she had asked the doctor's if she should get her kids to Arizona and the doctor said yes. So, the day before Thanksgiving Kory was on the phone booking plane tickets for him, his sister Chelsi and his brother Brady. At the point I wasn't planning on going but we all weren't really thinking clearly. We just knew we needed to get the kids all to Arizona to be with their father. Kory called me at work at about noon and told me that Kristy and Jason were driving and asked if I wanted to make the trip with Parker. Of course I wanted to go, so I rushed home and packed our bags.

We all met together for a family prayer and off we all went. The three of them flying and the five of us driving. We all crammed into Jason and Kristy's Subaru--Parker and I, Boston and Kristy and Jason. It was a tight fit, but it was really the only way. I was the lucky one who crammed in the back with the two carseats. Oh man, I felt like a hot dog or something. I had a thought that I needed to buy a portable DVD player for the boys, because I knew they would need some entertainment over an 11hour drive. So, we stopped at Sam's Club, I bought the players and what a blessing it was. Those boys watched Rudolph repeatedly and although we were tired of hearing it, it was better than hearing two upset children.

We decided to stay the night in Vegas because it was already midnight and we were all so tired. So, we made our way to Sam's Town hotel and lugged the boys in. I was carrying Parker through the casino to our room. He was asleep on my shoulder and as we walked through the casino, with all the lights and noises, he picked his little head up and with an excited voice said, "Are we at Chuck E. Cheese's?" I laughed so hard. I said, "No, but this is an adult form of Chuck E. Cheese.

We arrived in Phoenix on Thanksgiving afternoon and went straight to the hospital. Kory's sister Melissa had flown in too, so they were all there when we arrived. We had been receiving word though that Zed was doing better. When we got there he seemed quite weak but he wanted to be wheeled out to see Parker and Boston. Parker didn't really know what to think. Grandpa was bald and had a strange mask on. He knew it was his grandpa but it was a little strange. As the days passed, Zed slowly got better and better. From the day we left to the day we got there was a complete 180 degree turn for him. He still had a long ways to go but was doing so much better.

Lannis and Kory went shopping and prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for everyone. We were all together for dinner and that was so nice. Although it was not how we had all planned to spend our Thanksgiving, I don't think any of us would have had it any other way. We would do it all again if needed. We had more to be thankful for on this day then on any previous Thanksgiving. So many prayers were offered on Zed's behalf and so many people fasted for him. The doctor's couldn't explain why he ws recovering but we know why he was... I also think he needed to see his family. I think that made a big diference to both Zed and Lannis. What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful man as my father-in-law and as the grandfather to my children. I pray that he will remain gaining his strength and that he will continue to improve.

So that is our story. We rented a car on the way home and made the trip in a lovely Pontiac with both Brady and Chelsi. It wasn't a bad ride for me this time though-I had the front seat.

Here are a few photo's of our adventure. Sorry for such a long story!