Too much anticipation

Aaron just can't take it!!! And now, I'm is starting to wonder if I will obtain my goal for today - be a good mommy and not yell at the kiddies....

Reflection

How time changes things...
On Sunday our family met with our good bishop for tithing settlement. Mark is our ward's financial clerk, so he was already at the church when we got there. He had been going through old documents and shredding them. When I walked in, he handed me some papers and said, "Take a look at that."

I assumed these were our statements from 2008 and that I should review them before meeting with the bishop. They were actually our statements from 2005. When I looked at the total contributions for the year, I could hardly believe the amount; this was during a time where we as a family were struggling to stay afloat. Mark had lost his job of 10 years, and we were basically starting over. I often wondered how we were going to make it and take care of our growing family. I had to put some of my pride aside and let others help us. Where are we now?

I know you don't need all the details, some I would rather forget about anyway. But since that time, Mark has not only received a bachelor's degree, he's also graduated with a Master's degree. He has a great job working full time as a civil engineer, and I actually have a part time job using some of the skills I went to school for. I work as a contractor updating and editing web pages for OSHA.

I sometimes wonder why our Heavenly Father blesses our family so much. There is so much more we could be doing better in our lives, yet, as the loving Father He is, he sees fit to bless us and help us along this journey we call life.

Little A's special Day

I knew I was blessed to have a wonderful husband, but after days like today, I'm reminded of it even more. I'm grateful that Mark was able to give Alex his name and blessing.

The blessing Mark gave was amazing to me. I didn't cry until Mark sat back down next to me, then I couldn't stop. Mark said that Alex just sat there and smiled and watched him the whole time.

Mark found some information for me on LDS.org from an Ensign article from December 1988 (the article I'm referring to isn't at the top of the page, it's the second question, that of naming and blessing a child) that helped me better understand the importance of this ordinance. After reading what Mark found, giving Alex his name means so much more to me. I wish I had the URL to where Mark found this material, it answered my question and gave some great insight to this ordinance. How grateful I am to be Alex's mother, to have helped create his little body and be able to name him.

I guess I needed to better appreciate my good husband and be reminded of how much he does for us as a family and for me specificially. Now he has to go out of town on business for the week. I am a little worried as this will be the first time he's been gone since we've had Alex. I get to be the mom to THREE boys all by myself. I'm just hoping I'm up to the challenge and that I'll be blesssed will be LOTS of patience. I'm going to need -- I'm just sure of it.

A-Rod is one month old today...

Today our little Alex is one month old. On one hand it seems like we were just at the hospital bringing this guy home, and on the other, it seems like he's always been a part of the family.

He's growing and changing so quickly, at least that's what everyone says. Sometimes it's hard to see his changes when all I seem to do is look at him all day long. Most people comment that they think he looks like Ethan. I'm starting to be convinced of that myself. The other day at church this lady told Mark she saw Alex's profile and thought he looked a bit like Joseph Smith. I'll have to get a photo of his sleeping profile for you all to check it out yourself.

There's an amazing woman in our ward that I served in the Relief Society presidency with that came to visit and see baby Alex. She told me something that touched my heart, something I'll always remember. When Helen had her first baby, she told her mother she didn't want anymore children because she didn't think she could love another child. Her mother told her, you don't have to love them, they bring their love with them. How true this is - this little guy, all eight pounds of him has brought so much love to our family. How blessed we are to have him here!!





This last picture was just funny and I had to include it. Aaron was just so tired, he couldn't quite make it through dinner and totally crashed right there at the table.

Christmas in the air

Yesterday we had our first real snow of the year, some that actually stuck around for more than a few hours, and boy were my two boys excited!!! Poor Ethan had to go to school, and Aaron got to stay home and play, at least until it was time for preschool. I got Aaron all geared up in his snow clothes, and he went out for some long awaited fun. He and I made a little snowman, pictured below. In true Aaron fashion, as soon as we finished making him, asks, "Can I break it now?"

The boys have spent all their spare time outside playing in the snow with the neighbor kids. I'm not sure how much longer this snow will last, but I'm enjoying all the fun the boys are having playing in it. Ethan continues to pray that it will snow more. I just don't have the heart to tell him that the weekend is only bringing sun...






The funny story of the day: Ethan decided he needed to write a letter to Santa informing the big guy of what he wanted for Christmas. (He's never done this before, and it was something he came up with entirely on his own.) I asked him if he knew Santa's address and Ethan responded, like I was the dumbest person ever, "Mom, it's just the North Pole."

Here's what he wrote:
Dear Santa, Can you give me these? Please and it is up here. Zero Gravity Mini R/C

This toy is something he found in the Toys R' Us wish book, but he's also seen it on tv where you call to order it. He's convinced that Santa has to have the phone number to order it too, because as Ethan says, Santa doesn't have wires, so he can't make it at the North Pole.

So I help him find an envelope and stamp and then he asks, "Can I close it now?" I told him he could if he had what he needed in the envelope. Ethan stopped and thought then said, "I'll be right back." When he came back into the kitchen he handed me the envelope, and I just had to laugh. Ethan had put some money in there. I asked him what it was for, and he said, "It just something to help him get started. I gave him a dime, a nickle, and a penny."

Happy Halloween from the Gulls!

Our young Anakin has now turned to the dark side...Cynthia, my sister-in-law warned us that that the cupcakes she brought were messy, boy was she right. I took this picture just after Aaron finished eating his yummy cupcake. I don't really want to go into all the details, but I just have to say that the dye in these cupcakes didn't just leave a mark on his lips....




Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Gull, the boys had some pretty big pumpkins this year. They got to pick them out themselves at the farm. This was also the first year we got Ethan to actually put his hand inside the pumpkin. He even helped scrap out the seeds. He's always been a little too leary about doing that, but not this year. Aaron was upset when we finished carving his pumpkin because it didn't look mean enough. Mark did a great job and convinced him that his pumpkin was indeed a mean looking pumpkin.


We got crafty and made some Halloween shirts thanks to the Family Fun magazine for the idea. I hadn't tie-dyed anything in many years. The boys thought it was pretty cook when they started taking out the elastics. I thought they turned out pretty cute.


It's a long story, one that I really don't want to relive or take the time to type right now. Ethan decided this week that he wanted to be a mummy for Halloween - I know he'll never want to be this ever again - so we tried our hand at making him a mummy. I really do think deep down that he liked his costume - it's made from some of my curtains....Alex was a hornet (not a bee, bees are for girls and hornets are for boys) and Aaron went from being Anakin last week at his school program to being Darth Vader this week. He truly has turned to the dark side.


I just had to include this photo - it cracked me up. I came down the stairs and found the boys checking out the goods. Not sure if you can tell what Aaron has done, but he dumped out his bucket and went through and sorted all his candy into piles. He is one funny guy.

Life sure is different these days...

We are so grateful to have this little guy join our family. He's already been a great blessing to us and I know will bring so much to our lives. I'm grateful he was able to make it here safe and sound - he had me worried, but we made it through. Our doctor is a funny guy and said, well Mindy, you got three down, only seven more to go. I'm not sure about anymore little ones, I feel so blessed to have my three little boys, plus my one big boy. I feel complete!!


My three boys: Ethan (7), Aaron (4), and Alex

The two boys have been so cute with their new brother, it's amazing to watch. One funny story, there's so many to choose from, but at family prayers last night, it was Ethan's turn, he said, "And bless mommy that she can lose her fat and get skinny again and be a normal mom." I looked up at Mark and we just smiled and tried not to laugh out loud. When he was finished I asked him about what a normal mom is and he said, I just want you to be able to go roller blading with me again. Aaron, as loud as he is, tried to keep us quiet so the baby can sleep and is amazed when he moves.

Mark was amazing! I am blessed with one great husband and a very loving daddy! I love watching him interact with Alex, it melts my heart.

Alex and his daddy

A big thank you to Grandma. We couldn't have made it without your help.

Grandma Woolf talking to Alex

Alex's middle name, Rawlin, comes from his Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Gull.

Alex with Grandpa and Grandma Gull

Alex Rawlin

He is here!! He made things interesting of course, but he finally showed up late Monday night. Alex Rawlin Gull was born at 5:05 PM on Monday October 13th. He weighed in at 7lbs - 13oz and was 19 inches long. Mother and baby are doing wonderful and even grandma is surviving her time with Ethan and Aaron. Check back as pictures will be coming soon... Mark

Miscalculation....and a big surprise!!!

On Friday I went to see my OB for what I thought was my 39 week check up - the nurse took me through the usual: weight, urine sample, blood pressure, then says, "Well, your due date is tomorrow, have you talked to the doctor about possible induction?"
I respond, "My due date is tomorrow, Oct. 11 - not Oct. 17? Really?"
Okay, how long have I been pregnant? How can this be? I was totally shocked. At the beginning of my pregnancy, the doctor questioned the date I was giving him and said I was a week further along than I thought. Now, I know some of you may be thinking, its ONE week, that's just SEVEN days, but to a woman that is 40 weeks pregnant, it makes a huge difference!!
When the doctor came in, he simply asked if I was ready to be induced or if I wanted to wait this thing out. It really surprised me. So I jumped at the chance to get this thing over, and he went and called Labor and Delivery to see when I could come on in. So...our big day is going to be tomorrow - October 13, Columbus Day. I had to laugh when I realized this. Aaron was born on Groundhog Day. We like to hit those really exciting holidays at our house.
Ethan was so cute when I told him the news - he simply giggled and giggled, and said, I can't believe the baby is coming on Monday!! I was a little shocked when I looked at him, his eyes were a little watery, like he was going to start crying, it made my heart smile. He's been so excited about his new little brother coming and tells everyone that his mom's tummy is big because there's a baby in there. At least for now I have an excuse for my belly.
This little guys still doesn't have a name, not even close - Mark actually added something new to the mix last night and I told him, this is crazy, we're still adding new names to our list. So...we'll call the hospital in the morning and see when they want us to come in. I can't believe it's actually happening. We are going to be the parents of three little guys. How blessed we are! These past few months I've been trying to figure out why the Lord thinks we can really do this. Mark has assured me that the Lord has faith in us and knows we can do this. I'm still a little hesitant, and I'm relying on Mark's faith for now.

On a totally different topic, but something I just wanted to get off my chest. Today was a really sad day at church. I started walking in and was trying not to cry; all I had in my hands were my scriptures - that's it. I was released as Primary President the week before conference, so today was my first week to not attend Primary. I saw the children walking in and got all sad. I felt a little funny being in Relief Society, haven't been there for about 5 or 6 years. Then, the opening song was "I Am a Child of God." I couldn't even sing the first verse, I was crying - this is the Primary theme for the year. How I have loved being with the children of our ward. They are amazing, and I love hearing their heartfelt questions and answers while we discuss the gospel. They have taught me so much.

It's DR. WOOLF's birthday!!!

And did I mention he's the big 3 - 0!! Happy Birthday old man!
Cameron lives in Wisconsin, where he just finished medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin this past May. Mark sent me out to Cameron's graduation for Mother's Day - I was so excited to be there and share that with Cam and Miranda! Cameron is currently working on his Anesthesiology residency there in Milwaukee and will be for the next few years - I am so proud of my little "big" brother and what he's been able to accomplish in his life. It's a little ironic that this is where he ended up, as Wisconsin is where I served my mission - the cheese head stuff get in your blood I guess.

Random funny memories of Cameron: the summer we spent trying to see how many times we could pass the frisbee back and forth without dropping it (we thought we were soooo good, too) -- the famous mud episode that Cameron started when he never returned and mom asked me to go look for him -- cheering him on at whatever sport event he was competing in, football, basketball or track -- making him eat an ant when he was little (what a mean big sister) -- running hurdles in the hall with mom's couch cushions or jumping the high jump with a jump rope strung from the stairs to the dining room.

Happy Birthday to my Big Brother!!

Today is my big brother, Brandon's, birthday. He's 2 1/2 years older than me, and although he was your typical older brother and often made my life a little miserable, I have so many great memories of him. I don't know if I ever told him this, but I secretly wanted to be his twin when I was little. I'm not sure why, but I distinctly remember lying once and telling someone that we were twins...go figure?

Random funny memories of Brandon: going to a movie in Preston one night with him and some friend, and he wouldn't let me sit by them, I had to sit by myself -- he'd make cookie dough and then tell me it was my job to roll out the dough and bake them -- toilet papering Mr. G's house and nearly getting caught -- staying out later than mom thought we should and having her come looking for us (not a good thing!) -- hooking up the Porter's trampoline Christmas wreath to the van and dumping it off at someone's home....the trend I'm seeing, I got in more trouble with Brandon and his friends than I did with my own...at least he kept my life interesting!!!
LOVE YOU, BRANDON!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!

All of my old photos are packed away in storage - so here's a current one of Brandon, he recently ran in his first marathon - what a great accomplishment!
His daughter, Bailey ran with him at the end of the race - he's such a great dad!

Non-stress Test - Ya, Right?!!

I know, shocking that I'm posting again so soon, but I have a story for the day. As my dad always said, 25 words or less, but this I'm afraid is a "Mindy story" and could be lengthy - there's your warning.
This morning I was trying to get somethings done around the house and had gone through some papers that I needed to file in the computer room in the basement. I try to consolidate my trips up and down the stairs as much as possible (we live in a townhouse with three stories). Anyway, I grabbed my papers and some of the boys' toys they had left in the kitchen and started down to the basement. It was a rather quick trip too - I had only gone down a few steps, when I really don't know what happened, but then next thing I knew, I hit the stairs and just kept on going until I reached the bottom landing. Poor Aaron, he was home with me at the time, and I know he had to be wondering what did this lady just do? I was crying and screaming, it really didn't feel so great. He came over to the couch to console me and held my hand. Luckily I did just land on my back and not my stomach.
Well, today was a scheduled appointment with my doctor. I hadn't progressed any since last week, which was okay. Mark was out of town and I didn't want to have the baby by myself, so I had been playing it safe, that was until this morning. I told the doctor about my fall and that my back was hurting, but other than that I was doing well and told him I would see him in a week. Then Dr. Lamb said, "You know, I think we'd better go ahead and have you take a non-stress test and just check on this little guy and make sure he's doing okay. I'll have the nurse set it up for you right now." So I say okay and he leaves the room. Then I start crying thinking, what if something is wrong with the baby? What if I did something to hurt him? Of course my mind was going a mile a minute, and then I had to tell myself to calm down and get it together.
I guess the good part of this story is 1) I got to see my little guy today in an ultrasound - he's little hand was cute, and I got double assurance that he's all boy, and 2)Even though they call it a non-stress test and it was a bit stressful for me, the technician told me she thought he was doing well and looked okay. He was just so sleepy, he didn't want to wake up and show any of his cool moves off for the machine I was hooked to for what seemed like an hour.
Lessons learned - hold on to the hand rail, it's there for a reason.

True Blooded Aggie from Utah

It's been a while, but Mark and I took the boys up to Alumni Day/Family Day up at USU on September 13. The boys and I were all decked out in Aggie gear. My mom found an old maternity shirt she had from when she was expecting my little brother Tony (25 years ago). I had to wear it, and I wore it with pride. Got quite a few compliments on it to I might add.

The boys had a great time with the many free activities up on the quad - bouncy house, inflatable slides, velcro wall, fishing pond, football toss and rock climbing. I enjoyed the free Aggie icecream and sugar cookies we got to decorate ourselves. We had planned to meet my parents and watch the game that night - USU vs. Utah. Needless to say, I knew I wasn't going to be purchasing tickets for our family when I found out the general admission tickets cost $32. (They jack up the ticket prices for UofU and BYU games.) I couldn't pay that much for myself, not to mention for my 4 and 7 years boys. I called my mom and told her I was sorry but we wouldn't be coming inside to sit with them and that we would just have to go home. Well, long story short - and I still don't know how it all happened. Mark and my dad were given THREE FREE tickets and had to purchase one ticket for a whopping $20. How's that for savings -- $20 compared to the $128 I thought we'd have to pay. I was one happy camper. Only sad thing of the day - my Aggies lost, but that never stopped me from being a true Aggie.

It was funny too, that morning at breakfast Ethan said, "Mom, you and Dad are enemies." When I questioned him about what he was talking about, he said, "You are blue and dad is red." It's true, Mark graduated from the U, but I know I've helped put some Aggie blue in his blood.

Good-bye Uptown Taupe

Even the Webster's Dictionary calls taupe a soft, brownish-gray color, but when you call it Uptown Taupe - it turns PINK!! Ten years ago Mark bought the townhouse we currently live in, he choose all the colors himself. I have to admit he did quite well, I liked everything but the carpet. I never did like it and always teased him that we had pink carpet. Well, Thursday night we bid farewell to the old carpet, and Friday, we had ourselves a whole new home - I am one happy lady!! Say hello to "Old Pebble." I was so excited - once the carpet guy left, I vacuumed till I was sweating to death. I am really happy how everything turned out. I found myself just walking around on the carpet, like a lost little girl, just wandering and admiring all the hard work. Mark has done an excellent job. He's one Handy-man! Now I'm ready to put the house back together - it's one major "nesting" task before me. Hope I'm up to the challenge.

Before: Uptown Taupe
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After: Old Pebble

The countdown is on...

One more month for me - and I know I am no where ready to be the mother of three little guys!!! Although it would be really nice to have this kid on the outside, so when he wants to kick and move around I won't have to be his target, I am totally scared (as Aaron would put it) to have him at home with us. Then there's our house, I know it's not ready for another little person. We finally painted a room for him, the tile is complete, we have a toilet again, the fridge was actually moved back into the kitchen tonight, and we are slowly finishing our painting of all the baseboards. Why the hold up you ask? Well, so do I? The carpet just isn't cooperating with us, and it looks like we get to wait some more before it will actually be here. The only good thing - we haven't taken the old carpet out yet, so we do have something soft to walk around on.
So....I'll see Dr. Lamb tomorrow and begin the long anticipated weekly visits. Who knows what we'll find out?!? I'm also excited about tomorrow night - we are taking the boys to the hospital for the Labor and Delivery Tour. I wonder what crazy questions Aaron will ask? When I asked him today if he thought we were ready for a baby to come to our house he said, "Well, you better get him out soon, cuz who will take care of him?"

I'm a jerk...

While I've been down in my "cave" trying to figure out how to update the look of my blog, my cutie Mark has been slaving away upstairs. I finally went to see what he'd been doing. There he was, still in the kitchen, trying to get the house put back together for me. He scrubbed down the dishwasher and reinstalled it. Did I mention that it's now 11:26 p.m.
He's got cuts and bruises everywhere from all his hard work and to top it all off this morning when he was getting ready for work he totally broke off one of his fingernails. I couldn't even stomach the blood when he asked me to finish cutting the nail off for him. He had to do it himself. Good thing he still loves me!

Formal Dinning

Yesterday was our tenth wedding anniversary! Yes, we've managed to stay together this long, it's true. We spent the evening with the boys, complete with dinner in our new "formal dinning room." Yes, these days our kitchen table is stuck in the corner of the living room with the fridge, stove, fishtank, curio, and a variety of food storage and pantry items. It's the high-life for us! Mark is installing new tile flooring throughout the main floor - and what a project that is! I thought he was going to give the boys and me the boot last night when he was trying to get started. Poor guy, he was sweating to death and there were three extra helpers there, just watching over his shoulder. We'll soon be finished and then we can call the carpet guys to come install the new carpet. But that is only once we get all our painting finished too. The baby knows he can't come until we're ready for him and right now his room is Mark's painting booth. I think we're down to 7 weeks and counting...the pressure is on.

Our old wood laminate flooring.


The boys really got into helping out. They loved pulling up the old wood.


Mark and our flooring specialist Ben (our renter) - laying down some new tile.


A view of the new tile.