Last Day of School

Better late than never - here are a couple of the boys on the last day of school! Miles did really good this year - he earned 100% attendance and never, never later gator - I'll give myself a pat on the back for that one - getting your kid to school on time by 7:30 everyday is an accomplishment! Miles had a fabulous teacher - she really worked hard with him and his reading has improved leaps and bounds. We have been reading lots this summer and I have been really impressed at the hard books he is reading!
Jackson really started opening up towards the end of school. In March, he finally started talking to his teachers! He is going to do one more year of pre-school - he isn't quite ready for Kindergarten.

Addison's 3rd Birthday!

June 30th Addison turned 3! She wouldn't be talked out of a princess cake - We are beginning to run out of princess toys to buy! We kept it low key - all she wanted to do was go to Chuck E Cheese so we spent an evening with the family there - she just ran from thing to thing didn't cost a dime - the boys on the other hand really enjoyed playing the games!

Addison has gotten really funny and demanding - she definitely knows what she wants. She is very excited to have a baby sister (I haven't posted that - yes it is a girl - David is still praying for a boy but as of the 2nd of July it was still a girl!) Addi talks a ton, likes to give hugs and kisses, and loves her princesses! She has brought a lot of love and happiness into our family!

This and That

Not much has really been happening but here is a short update for the grandparents!

I was finally going to let my kids color Easter eggs this year - I had told them we had Star Wars and Princess die, stickers and the rest of the kits and they were excited! Saturday morning at 2 am Miles came down holding his stomach - David gave him some medicine and sent him back to bed. I was a little concerned so I went and told him if it hurt again to come and get me. About 45 minutes later he showed up again - when asked what his pain was between a 1 and 10 he said 9. I do not like having to go to the ER (just ask David how long I made him wait when he had Kidney Stones and I still didn't want him to go!) but I also have learned better safe than sorry. So - David loaded Miles up at 3 am and off to the ER they went. Seven hours later and the most expensive suppository we will ever buy - they came home! Needless to say we were all tired - we got a couple hours sleep and then had a ballgame. After the ball game we decided to go to the cemetary - we went to the store and the kids helped me pick out flowers, a balloon and a stuffed rabbit to put at Zachary's grave. All the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home - Needless to say we never got those eggs decorated - maybe we'll die Memorial Day eggs or something! We aren't big into the "Easter Bunny" but the kids all got a little candy and a small toy.

David started his new job and really likes it - it should be good experience and should include some free golf so you can't beat that!

Miles had his first grade program and did very well - he really isn't into singing so I was impressed that he sang all the songs.

Jackson and Miles are both playing ball. They are doing well - Jackson is playing up a league and is holding his own. Miles is beginning to hit better. David has taken them twice to a private lesson with Coach Sam - he used to play professionally. They really enjoy going and have learned a ton.

I have finally started feeling a little better. I still puke in the morning and most nights but from about 11 to 8 I feel pretty good. My last appointment was Tuesday - it was my first without having a sonogram. When the DR walked in she said I looked nervous. Honestly - everytime I go to the DR - I go expecting the worse. There really is no excitment just nerves. She looked nervous when she went to look for the heartbeat. Luckily she found it in just a couple of minutes. We find out for sure on the 12th of May if it is boy or girl. The sono tech at 12 weeks thought it looked like a girl but said it was pretty early - so we will see!

Spring Break and More -

Here is an update on the happenings around the Hinckley House -

Spring Break was last week. We really wanted to have some fun with our kids but all we really ended up doing was spending a day at amazing Jakes. The kids really liked it though and had fun. The rest of the week everybody took a day getting the flu! Addi took Tuesday night, David Wednesday, Jackson Thurday and Miles Friday. I puked everynight because the sound/smell! What an eventful week. David was home most of the week and it was good for him to have some down time before he started his new job.

David's last day at EY was Friday - he had some mixed emotions about leaving. He really did like his job and especially the people he worked with. We feel however, that this new job will bring lots of opportunity. Probably the biggest reason for the move was travel. David was gone all of January and most of February and we saw no end in sight. His new job at Lockton Dunning will require some travel but mostly day trips to see clients in places like Austin or Houston. We couldn't beat that more money - no travel - sign us up!

Baseball season has begun and David has taken on the task of coaching both boys' teams! He didn't actually mean to do this but the director of T-ball really likes him and convinced him to coach Jackson's team because they were short coaches. Miles is playing coach pitch so it should be a grueling season of watching kids strike out! Jackson is actually playing up - He is only 4 and should have spent another year in PeeWee but we thought he could handle it. He actually is one of the better kids on the team of 5 and 6 year olds.

Addison is currently potty training. It is amazing what a pair of "princess shoes" can do. I bought a pack of princess shoes. It has four pairs - one Cinderella, one Snow White, one Belle, and one Sleeping Beauty. Plus a bag of $1 princess things from Michaels. She only earns the shoes when she goes number 2 - she has earned 2 so far but seems to have caught on. It would be really nice to go a few months without buying diapers. The sad thing is I should have done this a long time ago she was ready - mom was lazy.

As for me - I am completely miserable. No one really wants to be around me including me. I am hoping that the sickness does let up but when I do feel good I just have major anxiety that something is wrong. It will be nice when I can feel the baby and know that he is well! Next appointment is Monday the 30th - she is having me do another sono just because the sono picks the heartbeat up so fast and I won't have to worry about he trying to find it with the doppler but after the sono she still wants to find it with the doppler. Hopefully everything is still good.

Here are a few pictures from the last little while. Some are from Amazing Jakes, some from Jackson's singing program at school (which he actually sang) and others are just random!

Only 80% effective!!

According to my doctor condoms are only 80% effective - don't be deceived by that 98%effective written on the box! We recently became part of that 20% that got a surprise. Yes we are having a BABY!
We were going to start trying in February but as I sat waiting and waiting for the time we could try - nothing came. I finally bought a pregnancy test - and yes there was a line - very light but a line - I was shocked! We are very excited! I have learned these past few months that I am not in charge and Heavenly Father does things in his time - I am grateful for the surprise!!
It is going to be a roller coaster ride - I am already a mess. The first week I took 5 pregnancy tests - couldn't wrap my head around it and was so scared. A week later I called my doctor in tears - I had so much anxiety. She had me come in and do blood work. All my numbers were multiplying so things looked good. A week and a half ago we went for our first appointment - We had a sono and saw our tiny baby and a heart beat which has calmed me some. She said everything looks perfect. I have alot of anxiety but my doctor is having me come every two weeks so I go again this Wednesday and will get another sono and a better due date - she had a hard time measuring last time!
Something I hate but am grateful for is morning sickness!! This last week it really set in - I am trying really hard not to complain because I know it is a good thing! David even came in the bathroom this morning and rubbed my back as a lay over the toilet and said I know you hate it but I am glad - means good things!
It is going to be a long 40 weeks! All we can do is pray for the best!

Valentines

So we had a nice quiet Valentines. We actually went out Friday and Saturday - thanks to the YW fundraiser!! We hit Outback Friday night and Saturday we actually hung out with our friend Travis and the missionaries!! Travis made awesome Fajitas.
David got me this picture - I had wanted it since September - when I first saw it I thought of Zachary and wanted it as our reminder of him.


It came with a poem that the artist uses to describe the artwork -
TAKE MY HAND
Take my hand and follow me.
There are things ahead for you to see.
Little wonders are all around,
And tender mercies to be found.
We'll take our time, no need to run,
Breathe deep the air and feel the sun.
The grass is soft beneath our feet,
Sounds are soothing, the air is sweet.
Sometimes we'll stop and just be still,
Our hearts will tell us God is real!
Small graces along our path appear,
They let us know that Heaven's near.
So take my hand anew each day.
The walk is lovely and I know the way.

The picture and the poem just brings me peace.

Miles Basketball

Miles played basketball this year for the first time. Our team ended the season in a four-way tie for second place! Last night was our first tournament game - we won so we are in the semi-finals! Miles has gotten better - he almost even scored last night!

Happy Birthday Miles!!

Our baby boy is seven today! Can't believe how time flies. He wants to go to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday dinner - at least he has good taste! More pictures to come!!

Christmas

Christmas was very good this year. It gets better and more fun as the kids get older and really understand. This year Santa wrapped all the gifts - past years he hasn't - then we opened one at a time. Christmas lasted about 2 hours opposed to 20 minutes. The kids were very pleased and happy. Lots of Star Wars and Princess!! Both Grandparents pitched in and got the kids a trampoline which they have loved. The Christmas tree was down by five and all Christmas put away by that evening - I was done with the clutter!
We have had a good Christmas break - hanging out with the kids and playing. David has had three weeks off - we will call it a working vacation but it has been good to have him around. All the chores have not gotten done but we are enjoying time together.
New Year's Eve was quiet - our friend Travis came by and had dinner with us and then the boys played Wii all hours of the night - David and Miles did not go to bed until after 2!! David couldn't believe that Miles lasted that long.
Only a couple more days and real life will be back!!

Thanksgiving

I know this has taken forever but at least I got it up before Christmas! We decided to take the long trip across to the south to Atlanta to see David's brother who conveniently is married to my cousin Suzy! It was a long drive but we had fun and it was good to be with family. We spent the first day at a bounce house that had huge slide inflatables and we were the only ones there - we spent over 3 hours and had a blast. Then we went to the Atlanta Aquarium which is huge. The kids liked seeing it. Lost Miles at the end which freaked me out but that is another story. Had a great Thanksgiving feast, did a little shopping, and David and the boys golfed with Marc and Luke. The kids liked playing with each other and all my kids love baby Sara!