Hungry and Tired

So everyone asks me. . . "how are you feeling?" This is my response to all of you: hungry and tired. I feel great as long as food is in my mouth or my eyes are closed in sleep. I am realizing that pregnancy is not easier the more times you become pregnant. It's just as hard or harder. Or maybe I just have a bad attitude right now. So here are some things I am grateful for (trying to cheer myself up):

I am going to Utah in three weeks to see my family and especially my parents who I have not seen in a very long time.

Joseph is a great sleeper (finally), putting himself to sleep peacefully with out any fuss and sleeping for two long naps in the day and all night long!!!

I live in Hawaii

I have three beautiful children and one on the way.

I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive and helpful to me.

I have a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Great extended family and friends surrounding me.

Good friends who listen to the spirit.

Dental insurance

I get to stay at home and raise my children (which has always been my desire, as much as I may complain and feel overwhelmed and get tired)

Functioning cars

People who listen to me.

Soft comfy pillows

Subway sandwiches

Oranges

Strawberries

Watermelon

Ice Cream

Okay. . . I'm hungry again. =)

So. . . here's to trying to be more grateful and having a better attitude. I have a good life and much to be grateful for.

Walking By Faith

I read this quote recently in a talk given by our prophet Thomas S. Monson:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."

by Minnie Louise Haskins

Joel and I are trying to put our hand into God's right now as we have felt prompted to have another baby. Yes. I am officially pregnant with our fourth child. We are excited and feel very blessed. We really have no idea how we are all going to fit where we live right now and I've never had two children this close together, before. But we are going forward in faith, praying for lots of support from the Lord. Our baby is due on Dec. 23rd.

Homecoming Video of Mom and Dad

Click on the link below to see a cute video clip of my sister and her family welcoming my parents home from the mission. I am looking forward to seeing them in about a month and a half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgR_D7eJzXQ

CUBWORLD in Hawaii

This is my brother-in-law Jake. He is a very talented singer. We are very excited for his upcoming visit and concert. Please come if you can make it. :) Here is a link to hear some of his music. Enjoy! http://cubworldepk.com/BYUH.html

Welcome Home Mom and Dad!!!

My parents return home from their mission to Brazil tomorrow. We are so excited for them to return. We will be seeing them very soon in Utah for our Smith family reunion. While serving on their mission they missed four grandchildren being born. So we look forward to introducing Joseph. They have had a wonderful missionary experience and loved serving the many missionaries in the MTC in Sao Paulo. We loved praying for Mom and Dad every day and feel blessed for their service. This picture will be one of many on their front door when they arrive home, thanks to Emily.

Five kids under the age of six?!

My sister-in-law, Abi went back to work recently and I have volunteered to watch her two youngest boys Robby (3) and Alii (5) for the next two months (Mon-Fri). Her mom comes in mid-June and will take over at that point. So far Eryn is really enjoying their company. She loves waking up to find them already here and ready for action. I am also enjoying them, but trying to exercise a lot of patience and trying to take in as much rest as I can. Life is busy with five kids under the age of six. But so far things are going well. I'm a lot more motivated to organize my time and to get the kids out doors. We also bought a little pool and have been setting that up regularly for some added activities. Joel is also very helpful when he can.

Living close to cousins

We are really enjoying living close to Joel's brother, Rob and his family. They are stationed here through the Air Force and live a short 15 min. drive from our house. We know we won't live close forever so we try to get together as often as possible. Here they are taking a musubi break at the zoo. Joel and Rob are pictured below with Robbie and Joseph on their backs.

Easter 2008

Here are a few pictures from Easter Sunday. The girls are looking pretty cute in their dresses from Grandma Ruth.

Unscrambling My Brain

I finally started teaching voice lessons again about a month ago. It feels great to be back into it. Sometimes I forget that whole part of me exists when I am so wrapped up in mothering. I have been teaching voice lessons since I graduated from college in 2001 and I have loved the experience. I enjoy teaching and feel very fulfilled when I am doing it. With the addition of each child I usually take a break until I feel ready to start again. For whatever reason during that break, I lose a little confidence in myself. On top of that it is such a transition to welcome a new member into the family, for me that it takes me a while to unscramble my brain from it all. Does anyone else relate??? This is probably why it took me almost a year to start again.

Anyway, I am teaching one group voice class in Laie to 5 teenage girls. Heather Murdock and my voice teacher from college, Vicki, both encouraged me to give group lessons a try. So instead of working one on one with the girls as I have done in the past, I put them all together in a group class. It has been great so far. Although I find that I must be even more sensitive to their tender self-esteem and more prepared with a lot of positive energy.

Our family is enjoying the weekly visits to Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Isi's as well as opportunities for Temple attendance and general fun in Laie. So, over all it is working well. I am thinking about starting another class in August on this side of the island. We will see how everything goes.

Happy Easter 2008

While cruising the Pearl Ridge Mall (i.e. food court) with Dad, the kiddo's spotted the Easter Bunny. Immediately, Anna said, "Dad, remember the time we wanted to take a picture with Santa Clause at the other mall?" After guaranteeing Dad that they were not scared of the oversized thumper, they excitedly climbed aboard and looked surprisingly thrilled for the snap. Later on in the week, Anna wrote and posted on the dining room wall a little note that read (verbatim: her exclamation marks), "Easter is great! The easter bunny is great! You are great! too!!! We are great! but mostly Jesus is great!" Happy Easter everyone. joel