Hmmm....

Its been a few months since I blogged and mostly that's because who wants to write a cute or funny post when they feel like garbage. However it appears that after 15 weeks the garbage feelings have mostly retreated and I am feeling better. Baby Olsen #3 continues to grow and make me look a lot farther along than 15 weeks, but what can you do.( I have considered a corset) And though insomnia appears to be a current symptom of my parasitic condition, along with lower back pain, and sciatic nerve issues, December will bring a change, if not a cure to some of the issues.

Peter has missed most of the nausea this time around by being deployed. We girls are sure anxious for his return, hopefully in time for our next OB appointment. Megan is so excited every where we go she blurts out, "My mom is having a baby" or My mom has a baby in her tummy." It has also led to lots of interesting discussions on how they baby is going to get out, thankfully no questions yet about how the baby got in....but I expect that one anyday. Madie seems to feel a little threatened since she has lately found a binky in the toy box and sucks on it occassionally. She maintains that she wants a sister, while Meg is really hoping (along with Mom) that this baby is all boy!

And though somehow we are ending up with our THIRD December baby, we are excited for the arrival of possibly another riotous redhead to join our zoo. Megan prays for the babies safe arrival every day. Its very sweet.

So now we are almost caught up on the last 3 months of our lives...minus our fantastic trip to Englan which I will blog about once I figure out which program I want to use to store pictures in on our new computer.

Musings on Prayer

This coming Sunday both Pete and I have to speak on prayer in church. I found out two Sundays ago, and so I have been thinking about the topic a lot. I can't decide where to go with it. I have thought about addressing the importance of recognizing when the Lord answers our prayers, how prayers of faith proceed miracles, the language or prayer, the importance of prayers of gratitude but I just can't seem to find a clear path through the topic. So dear friends who read my blog...any thoughts. I guess tell me why prayer is important to you, what makes your prayers meaningful, what blessings have come into your life because of prayer etc...maybe one of you will be the means of directing my thoughts in the way I should go.

Happy Holidays

We finally had a family picture taken. Minus Mimi's little facial abrasion from an unsuccessful attempt to tame a treadmill, they turned out pretty well. And somehow the lady got everyone to smile...even Peter. But alas there will be no Olsen family Christmas card this year...or New Years card either...and I don't anticipate being any more with it by President's Day or Valentines...

So Happy Holidays friends and family. We wish you all the best in 2011!!!

Happy Birthday Megan Grace

Today is Megan's 4th Birthday. I can't believe it! When did we get so old? We are grateful for our special first born. Megs is a darling. She has an extensive vocabulary which has recently been expanded by my brother living with us, and recently she has learned a lot of important life lessons. "Princess Jasmine dresses like a floozy", when asked what she wanted to eat for dinner "Crispy baby monkeys" was her reply, and I was told for her birthday party I should fill the pinata with candy, not "rabid weasels." She never ceases to amaze and amuse. She currently is very interested in germs, and human anatomy which leads to many interesting (sometimes eyebrow raising) discussions, but she maybe the only 4 year old I know who will tell you that she really likes macrophages, because they eat up the germs in her body. She has also till recently had too strong a will and/or to week a bladder to potty train successful. She likes Madie(most of the time) and loves her Dad. We love you Megan Grace Olsen!!!!

The post I should have written December 1st.

Today(the 1st) my baby turned 2. We are so grateful for our little Mimi, as she has nicknamed herself. She is sweet and girlie, and the next minute rough and tumble. She is Captain Destructive. She is a cuddle bug and yet at the same time a very independent little girl. She loves all toys, but especially Megan's. She is growing up so fast and starting to really talk. The other night we were out and about and she said, "Go home, EAT!" She loves Un Nee, which is what she calls Uncle Nick. She loves Elmo, Dora, and Boots! She is a love and we feel so blessed to be her parents.

Spending the day with Maddox!

Today I spent the day with my miracle nephew, Maddox. (While his family went to Disney World.) My sister is my hero. He is a darling, but wanted to be held most of the day, and between meds, G-tube feeds, dealing with constipation, and breathing treatments...I actually stayed in my PJ's until 6pm and my living room is strewn with the wreckage of the day. She is a warrior mom! I will continue to attempt to live up to her amazing example. But not until I get a nap and a chance to shower.

How do you working Mom's do it?

Whoa, what a crazy two weeks. Only three or four more weeks to go. You should see my house. Can you say federal disaster area...hopefully tomorrow I will have time and energy to get it whipped into shape before I go back to work on Monday. Weekends are way too short. I really miss the girls, while I am gone...or I would if I had a chance to think about them once I clock in.

Megan to me as I am getting dressed for church: Mom do you look beautiful yet?
Me to Megan: What do you think?
Megan to Me while handing me some eye shadow. "Stylish, but not beautiful yet."

I am the worst of all slackers. Especially when it comes to my blog. So anyway its been...a busy summer, lots of trips to Disney, a trip to Texas, a trip to Missouri, with almost no pics to show for it. Yep, we stink!

And fall has arrived (as much as it does here in Florida) and we are busy. Megan(and therefore me and Madie as well) is enjoying her first semester of our little Co-op Joy School. She was a little disappointed that there was no school bus to joy school, but she enjoys the other kids and has learned a little about the body(unit 1) and nature(unit 2). We have had to have a fairly basic talk about how mammals have babies, but she has been warned that she is to let all her friends parents tell them about the birds and the bees, and not try to educate anyone else.

Madie is turning into a big girl. She is sleeping in a twin bed, toys with the idea of potty training every day at least once, and has finally decided that talking is not just for Megan. She is saying probably 25 words now...her favorite phrase is either "no more" or "no mom." She loves shoes and recently has even insisted on sleeping with a pair or two.

As for Pete, he is doing well. He is scheduled to upgrade to aircraft commander in the next few months. He continues to work hard and often long hours. But he's always such a good sport about the whole thing.

As for me...I start my new job as a Mother/Baby nurse at the hospital next week. I am excited...a little nervous about how we are going to manage it all. But I am excited for the opportunity to use my skills. The schedule is going to be brutal for the first 5 weeks or so, but then it will be just right, as little as 2 shifts a month.

So I will try to post again in 5 weeks or so...

Happy Birthday Peter!!!

Today is Pete's Birthday!
We spent the morning together and then he has left for 4-6 days for a trip for work.
We intend to celebrate for real next week.
But I just wanted to say...Happy Birthday Hunny!
I love you and I am so glad you were born(and that you will always be older than me)!
Hope you have a good and safe trip.
Love you!!!
The Wife

A weekend in Orlando

The girls and Mr. J Cricket!!!
Madie and Miss Bunny!!!

Madie, Thumper and an uncomfortably long hug!!!!

This weekend we had a military function up in Orlando. So we went up a little early and took the girlies to the Disney Animal Kingdom. As we pulled into the parking area, Madie vomited a little. As we pulled into our parking spot, row 24 of the Unicorn section, Madie began to projectile vomit. It was pretty gross. So then we had to decided whether to carry on with our plan or call it quits. (I was ready to call it quits) I was pretty sure it was just motion sickness. I had the pleasure of cleaning vomit out of the car seat and off of Madie, with only wipies available while Pete had to take Megan to find a potty. We changed Madie's clothes and then decided to give it a shot. So off we went on our adventure into the park.

WE had a great time and got some really cute pictures of the girls. Madie was in a very affectionate mood and when we saw Thumper she was in heaven. She hugged him for about 90 seconds, then she hugged Miss Bunny (Thumper's girlfriend) and then gave Thumper another 90 second hug. It was darling.

Megan enjoyed seeing all the animals on the safari ride and even got to ride the river ride and get all wet with Dad. But mostly she loved seeing all the characters.

The rest of our weekend went fine. But Disney was definitely the highlight.

Diaper Cakes

Which one do you like best?

The perfect day for napping

Today is Friday. It is a very wet Friday. It is raining. It is the perfect afternoon for a nap. Both of my little munchkins are napping. Sigh! It is quiet. I love Friday. I love this very wet Friday. I love the rain. I love naps!

(Sounds like some of the books we have gotten from the library recently).

Megan and Madie..the dynamic duo...

Madie has started really truly walking in the last month. She is fast and she has an agenda. Her mission to destroy her family home. Mode of operation; empty all drawers of clothing, naw on anything not edible and small enough to choke on, tear paper, all paper especially contained in books...and most especially those books borrowed from the public library, re-organize the contents of mom's purse, unfold all freshly folded laundry, attempt successfully to fish for germs in toilet bowl, climb all pieces of furniture, and do it all while looking adorably mischievous! She is darling...but she is trouble!!!! Watch out world, the destroying angel is mobile and loving her new found autonomy. She isn't much of a talker yet, but she communicates quite well with her nodding skills and as we all know "Actions speak louder than words." She is an action girl!

Megan began January in Sunbeams at church and she is lovin' it!!! She is the youngest Sunbeam in our ward, but certainly not the shyest(or quietest). She gave her first talk last week. Her topic, "We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved." Ummm...since when did atonement, death, resurrection, repentance, and sin become needed vocabulary for three year old talks? However, she did a great job and more importantly after it was over she asked when she gets to give a talk again. She loves her teacher and last Sunday came home from Church telling me she got to be the Holy Ghost in her class and did I want to be Jesus or Heavenly Father when we played Holy Ghost....hmmmm? I wasn't sure how to handle that, but simply assured her I would be happy to be either. :)

I am constantly amazed at the level of her gospel understanding and her love for learning things of spiritual importance. I am also constantly amazed at how careful I need to be in what I say. The other day I was frustrated by something and made some remark, basically to myself about selling my soul. Megan asked" what's a soul." I explained and then she wanted to know how one would sell their soul. I tried to explain it was basically a figure of speech and that mom was just being silly. And then heard her telling her toys she was going to sell her soul to her friends Ashlynn and Avery. Yep, hillarious, but definitely another mother of the year moment. So I will be trying even harder to keep my big yapper shut...I know... good luck to me!!!


Pete and I celebrated 5 years of wedded bliss by going to Avatar and a wine tasting...we of course just went for the food. We then rushed home to relieve our poor sweet baby sitter and watch an episode of LOST (catching up with season 5) It was a great anniversary and pretty relaxed, just like us.

Recommitted to the blog

I suppose my hiatus from blogging needs to come to an end, and why not today, February 1st, it is as good as any other day...maybe better than some. So I declare today the reinstatement of my desire to blog, or at least try so that I have some record, however incomplete, of our crazy life.

Peter returned from Qatar on January 3. We had a wonderful reunion in a very cold hanger where we waited for several hours. Megan held a sign that said "Welcome Home Daddy". Three days later Madie came down with croup...A pretty good case that necessitated a steroid injection and an albuterol inhaler every 4 hours. Despite our plans to go to Utah to visit Pete's family...we all ended up too sick to travel.

During the time Pete had off, we also made a major purchase of a new minivan. Despite our best efforts to find a SUV that more than two car seats would be convenient in, nothing beat the ease and convenience of the minivan.( This is in no way an announcement, we are not adding to our family anytime soon, just need a new car). So we are now the proud...okay we are now owners of a very nice minivan.

(Like most of my endeavors...this one got delayed, but really what's the difference between the 1st and the 3rd? )

"D" Day

Well it's "D" day at our house. (D stands for deployment) The beginning of another adventure. Tonight Pete left for 60+ days. So he is off to the desert for an adventure and while we have one as well. We are still in denial, but I am sure in the next week we will all realize it is really happening. As my parents used to tell us as kids when we pestered them about getting to use our agency, "Oh, you have a choice. You can do it with a smile or you can do it with a frown." So for this deployment I am choosing to smile...but that doesn't mean there won't be a few tears. (Hunny we miss you already!)

Its been a crazy 6 weeks since I blogged last and I can't even begin to sum it up without it becoming a meaningless grocery type list, so just know its been crazy. We are moved into our house...though we still have three bathrooms to paint, some caulking to do, shelves to put up, and more than a little organizing that needs done. But it feels nice to have almost twice the space and to have a garage too! The girls are doing well. Madie is mobile and weaned. I just finished reading Charlotte's Web out loud to Megan. She loved it. So now we are on the look out for another comparable book to read out loud at bedtime.

I really have so much to be grateful for, and am resolved to refrain from complaining while Pete is gone...or atleast about Pete being gone.

In other news I am gather address for Christmas cards, so please send me your address so Ic an have it for Christmas card time...which is coming quickly!!! Thanks in advance!

today at 1:30

Today at 1:30 pm eastern standard time we close on our house! I am so excited and a little nervous...okay honestly a lot nervous. A little overwhelmed at how much work we have to get done in the next 8 days, but excited to have a bigger place... and a garage....and a tiny yard!!! I will post pictures later!!!

Pray for Alissa and Maddox

My sister and her husband Jeff are in Boston right now. They are seeing a DR for her unborn babies heart issues. Hopefully tomorrow they will have a procedure done that will save his little life. We know that God answers prayers and still preforms miracles. To know more about our little Maddox you can go to http://sweetheartmaddox.blogspot.com

Funny lines

Me to Meg at Bedtime:
You know you are just stalling.

Meg "what does stalling mean."

Me "It means you are just trying to get out of going to bed."

Meg " Well what's the point of that?"

So....

So Peter gets home tomorrow and its been a busy couple weeks. I am counting down the hours until he will be home...probably 27 hours from now. Whoo hoo!!! But while he has been gone we have had a multitude of adventures, really too many to write about, but I will try to hit the highlights and the low spots for you...
Monday July 20th Pete left early in the am. I got up early, woke the girls up and drop them off at a friends house then raced to the town home to meet the home inspector. He found a few little things and one moderate thing...the master bedroom floor, on the 2nd story sags in one corner. He said we needed to get a structural engineer or a contractor to come, saw the floor board open and take a closer peak. He said it may just be cosmetic or it may be structural. Bummer!
Meanwhile Pete, was helping to load the plane that they would be taking to Alaska and in the process sprained his ankle. I never saw it but from the description it was a pretty bad sprain. Bummer!
Wednesday, I went to the dentist and got a cavity filled. It took two shots to get me good and numb, but then I was numb for hours and hours.
The rest of the week was spent taking care of my kiddos and trying to gather all the paperwork, and fill out all the forms for the mortgage company. I swear I have never had so much paper work to do in all my life.
Sunday, my little sister, Ashlie was supposed to arrive, but flights looked horrible. (She was flying standby on a buddy pass) So we decided to wait for the red eye from SLC to Atlanta and then connect her to Tampa from there. Anyway to make a long story short...she didn't make the red eye. She slept in the airport and didn't make it to Tampa until almost 11pm Monday night. Bummer!
The next day we went to the beach!!! Yeah!!!!
The day after we went to Disney World. Megan cried through Snow Whites Adventure ride and sobbed clinging to my neck through Pirates of the Carribean. Hopefully she won't be tramatized for life. We all loved "Its a Small World" though. Otherwise we had a great time and the girls were terrific!!!
The rest of Ashlie's time in Tampa we just hung out. We went swimming and to the mall, and had a lot of fun. Well come to find out, that weekend was an embargo weekend for buddy passes, so we had to wait till Monday to try to get Ashlie home. She had to be at work on Tuesday. We watched flights all day and it looked bleak, but the one direct flight out at 5:30 pm looked good...it looked good until we got there. Then it looked like it would take a miracle. And sadly this time...no miracle. We ended up having to purchase her a last minute ticket out...it was pretty expensive, but better than her loosing her job. Bummer!!!
And then this week we were headed to the zoo with my Visiting Teacher Malinda when the alternator on my car decided to die. Luckily I was able to get off the freeway before it totally gave up the ghost. So there we sat on the side of the road, in atleast 95 degree weather, on the dodgy side of town. The tow truck was going to take an hour, so Malinda started calling ward members and found someone to come pick us up. My car got left there, all alone to wait for the tow truck. It spent a couple days at the car hospital getting fixed and the bill was anything but cheap.
And as usual when it rains it pours so while I am coordinating the car issues, the bank we are buying the townhome from decideds that unlike they had previously led us to believe, they will not be fixing the sagging floor. Bummer! We are trying to work through this issue still, but will see what happens.

It has been exciting and so I am sure you can see why I can't wait for Pete to get home.(besides the fact that we love him and miss him) I need a little help.