A December BIRTH Story

Twas the night before D-Day, when all through the house 

not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

The bags were all packed and ready by the door

 to leave in the morn to the delivery floor. 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, 

While visions of baby danced in their heads.

Grandma on the couch, Dean and I in our room

were all settled down, for the morning would come soon.

When all of a sudden at 12:30 am.

I woke up from sleep as a tightness began.

Away my eyes flew to the clock in the room,

watching the time with each squeeze in the womb. 

The lightning outside was so fast and so quick

the thunder and rain came down like a brick.

The storm all around us was setting the scene,

 As the event and plots thickened unfolding like a dream.

A few hours later I was feeling the same 

I woke up the dad and told him out plain

"This might be the night, that we've waiting long for,

start getting ready so we can head out the door."

About a quarter after 3, we told grandma the plan,

grabbing our bags saying we will call when we can.

Giving a smile she rose just a tad,

Saying, "Go have a baby." her face opposite of sad.

The mood in the car was calm, not too rushed 

Dean made a drink stop to fuel his crutch.

As we got closer the contractions were stronger,

wanting to know progression, and how much longer.

The ER was not busy only a few people in view

Even the check in person was missing their cue.

I waited and waited for no one was there,

while contractions kept coming creating a scare.

The receptionist appeared, though slow was her gait,

not even considering me and my fate.

I signed all the papers given to me,

Then waited some more, it was far more than three.

The lady who sat in the room on my left,

noticed my belly, and quick questions she sent.

Being polite I answered them all,

But secretly wishing my name would be called.

Oh how I sighed when my black limo arrived,

To whisk me upstairs to my own private drive.

The special type gown I was told to put on

Then up on the bed to be monitored upon.

It was 3 after 4 when the machine started tracking

The nurses jumped in and started THEIR cracking.

The questions one asked were just a bother to me,

While the other one attempted to put in the iv.

 The contractions of mine were getting more intense,

the questions kept coming, and iv, well, THAT was a mess!

Dean to the side held my hand close to his,

Never to part, oh the support that he gives!

With my arms badly beaten, the line finally in,

The nurses routine could continue again.

Casually checking the progression of mine

The mood quickly changed discovering I was a 9.

"Quick call the doctor!" one nurse said to the other

"I'll get set up, she's gonna be a mother!"

I on the bed, was shocked and amazed

"Here we go!" I thought, knowing my pain would not fade.

My focus this time was not like the past,

The control I once had was going away fast.

 Extreme were the conditions that struck like a tac,

Like the earlier storm a few hours back.

My body was telling me she needs to come out,

But all in the room kept me without.

"Just breath" they kept saying, "your doing alright"

Not really knowing the extent of MYplight.

Then what to my anxious ears did I hear,

The glorious sound of my doctor near.

He went straight to his work, not a moment too late,

Telling me it's ok now, knowing my state.

I heard him exclaim before the clock struck 5,

hold your breath while you push, then I heard her cry.

Our sweet baby girl came, amidst the toil and strife, 

Happy Birthday dear Anna, and to you, a great life!

Lions and Tigers and Creatures, Oh My!!

Over the last few months we have been exploring the wild life that is in our area.  We saw many creatures that melted our hearts, made us laugh, and helped us ponder the beauty of Heavenly Father's creations.  We first went to The Gentry Wild Life animal reserve, about 30 or so minutes away from us.  The area has a hands on part, along with fun exotic creatures, to a drive through area that brings you almost face to face with some interesting creatures.  Close encounters of the third kind it seemed like. We all enjoyed it, and had fun interacting with the animals.

It's all monkey business to Dean

 Edie got to experience a life long dream, petting a baby lion!

 Ohh, The Kitties! ;)

 It was a very hot day so the boys enjoyed cooling off in the shade

 The drive through part was a little intimidating, especially having these guys stare you down!

 Keep all hands and feet inside while the ride is on, and DON'T open up any windows!

The camel gate.  We thought this was pretty funny!

Even though it was a hot day, we all enjoyed it and had fun seeing so many interesting creatures.

About 3 1/2 hours outside of our little city, was the Oklahoma City Zoo, where we explored a bigger area and more creature habitats.

 Our three monkeys

Watch what you sit on, it could move, or it just might be hot

 Due to Edie being a few months away from d-day, this was her transportation and her personal drivers

 We think Jordan's favorite animal was the Giraffe. 

Maybe it reminded him of Daddy, what do you think ;)

 What a beautiful creature

 And yes, the Gorillas were excepting rides and hugs

since they have feelings too!

 Our last stop of the day was the elephant home.

It was fun to see the whole family

Both of our zoo experiences were fun and exciting for the boys and us.  It gave us a greater insight to the beauty and majesty of God's creations! 

Now back home to our own unique zoo, where the wild ones will play, laugh, and roam together, and to welcome the newest little cub here in the next short while.  SHE will add a little spice to the mix don't you think ;) !

Lake Okoboji

Towards the end of July, we took our main summer vacation through Omaha, Nebraska, and ultimately ending up in a cute tourist lake town, in northwest Iowa, called Lake Okoboji.  It was not a long stay, just about 3 in a half days, but it was a lot of fun, especially since we were able to meet up with Edie's parents(Grandma and Grandpa D.) her Grandma E., and her brother and sister in-law, David and Adrienne and their 7 children.

We started our trip a day before we met up with the family, so we could visit some of the LDS church sites in Winter Quarters,  Nebraska.  This is where the early pioneer saints lived a short while, before they eventually had to move and ultimately settling out west, in Utah.  As we were driving to Winter Quarters, we stopped off in Kansas city for lunch, at a place that Edie could not pass up because of the name.

Can anyone guess why?  ;)

(For those of you who don't already know, our little girl will be named Anna, after Edie and Edie's great grandma)

After our tummies were satisfied, we headed back on the road to Winter Quarters.  We got there with just the right time to see the sites we wanted to before they closed for the night.

 a statue depicting a pioneer family

 At the visitor center, the sweet sister missionary explained to the boys, what the LDS pioneers would have packed in their covered wagons as they were traveling out west. The boys even got to race her to see how many items they could fit in before the timer rang!

 With Dean's help, the older boys got to experience what it would be like to pull a handcart.

I am pretty sure they found out it was not as easy as they thought!

Especially when a rock got put under a wheel.

After going through the visitor center, we walked across the street to walk the grounds of the Winter Quarters Latter Day Saint Temple.  It is set on a beautiful hill site, with a small pioneer cemetery beside it.   The temple itself is very beautiful, with stained glass windows, and the golden Angle Moroni on top.  It was great to end a long day of driving with walking around the grounds.  Even though we were not inside, just like with all LDS temples, the grounds are a wonderful peaceful place to be in.  The Lord's spirit and His comfort ARE truly felt.  We hope that one day we will have the opportunity to have a temple in NWA to quickly go to when needed.  They honestly bring peace, comfort, knowledge, guidance, and God's love to all who go there!

The following day we drove the last leg of our trip to Okoboji.  We all of the family at our motel to and then we were off on our adventures in Okoboji!

Our first real stop was going on the lake and taking an hour steamboat ride on the Queen 2.

This was a lot of fun to relax, chat with family,  and feel the wind in your hair as the boat cruised its way across and around the lake!

All the cousins had a great time as well, especially since they were aloud to go be with the captain and toot the boats horn!

After stepping off the boat, we took a stroll down to the Maritime Museum.  This was fun to see the old fashioned boats and amusement rides that were used long ago.  

  We especially all liked the funny distorted carnival mirrors!

We then decided to go the little fun lake side amusement park to have some more fun before our dinner

We(who ever wanted to) got to ride two rides each, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma!

The smaller boys choose the kiddie coaster

with some more then others, having a little apprehension at first

 But the fear quickly went away and..

 all had fun!

 The leaning fun house was a favorite! 

The cousins, and even some of the adults, could not resist

going up and down this crazy building

The older kids tried their hand(and stomachs) with the big coaster.

As can be seen I think they all had a great time!

While the kids were monkeying around 

Grandpa was doing his own monkey business ;) 

The second day of our "cousin reunion", was spent doing various things around the area.  From the break of dawn, Dad/Grandpa was off and running on yet another marathon excursion. 

He was fortunate enough to run alongside an olympic runner from years past, as well as being second in his overall age group.  He never ceases to amaze us!

 David and Adrienne (Edie's brother and sister in law) were close behind him running a 10 K that was held there too.  They are awesome examples of strength and determination as well!

 Way to go Family!

Once the racers were all ready to go again,  we all deemed it appropriate to get some fuel for the body and let the children have their chance at letting their energy get out, so McDonald's play land was just the right place for all!

After a satisfying lunch we decided to all have a relaxing mid afternoon sit down at the local movie theater.  We almost had the theater to ourselves, but right before the movie started, a few more families came in.  Even so, passing the popcorn around, watching a movie, and being all together, was just a great, and still created memories!

After the relaxing afternoon out at the theater, we (the adults) all decided that our last BIG hurrah for our weekend getaway, was to take advantage of the main tourist attraction(The Water), rent a speed and let the kids have some water excitement!  

We also loved just hanging out on the pier spending time together!

 We are glad that Great Grandma E. was able to make the trip and explore with us as well!

Our few day stay in Lake Okoboji was truly memorable as we spent quality time with our family.  We had lots of fun playing, laughing, and hanging out together.  Before we departed ways and headed off in different directions towards our homes, we ate one more meal together.

It was really neat to have all the cousins together in one place! This does not happen too frequently, so we are very grateful to Grandpa and Grandma

for providing this fun filled little get away!

As we were heading back to NWA we stopped and looked at one final site in Omaha, Nebraska.  Since   it was around the 24th of July, (the day that the early saints of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, arrived in SLC, Utah after traveling across the country pursuing religious freedom) we thought it fitting to take a look at a sculpture park in down town Omaha.  This park was established to honor the courage of all the early pioneers that went out west.

It was a very hot day so we did not stay that long, but just long enough to ponder about the great faith our ancestors had, as they moved their belongings and families out to where they could worship freely. We are so grateful for their examples!