Halloween Weekend

For Halloween this year, Peter decided that he didn't want to dress up. I talked him into looking at a few ideas on the internet, and he decided that he would like to be a "Mad Scientist". We got him a lab coat, which I put toxic substance lables all over and he also had a bunch of pens and pencils and markers and a calculator in his pocket. We got him a really great wig that stuck up all over the place. He looked really great. Whitney was Raggedy Ann (thanks, Aunt Becca for letting us use the costume.) She looked soooo adorable. Lucas was supposed to be Bob the Builder, but he didn't like the tool belt and would not wear the hard hat. SO, since he was wearing a coat over his shirt, he looked like a random 2 year old, asking for candy. Oh well. Lydia wore a flower costume that I made for Whitney when she was a baby. So cute. On Thursday was Peter and Whitney's class Halloween parties. The kids had so much fun. They didn't have school on Friday, and we went to Grandma Jangula's that night for a little family party. Grandma had lots of games for the kids to play and earn little prizes. We had "Jack o Lantern" pizza from Papa Murphy's and then went on a hay ride. We all loved it a lot. On Saturday, we went to the trunk or treat at the church. My parents came over that evening and while Nick and I took the kids trick or treating around the neighborhood, they handed out candy. When we got back, we went to Stake Conference. It was soooo amazing. I love Saturday sessions because with out the kids, I can actually PAY ATTENTION to the speakers! It was such a great weekend. I really love my family.

Here's a recipe that I like... Hope you like it too!

Garden Cheese Soup

1 c. sliced celery
1 c. chopped onion
4 T. butter
¾ c. flour
4 c. water
2 T. chicken bullion or 6 bullion cubes
¼ tsp. pepper
6 c. broccoli, cauliflower and carrot combination, thawed
1 c. frozen hash brown potatoes
3 c. milk or half and half
4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

In large kettle or Dutch oven, cook celery and onion in margarine until tender. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add water then bullion, pepper and vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk and cheese. Cook and stir until cheese melts and soup is hot. Do not boil. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

Baby Update!

So I'm presently 8 days from my due date. Three weeks ago, I had an ultrasound that confirmed that this little baby was breach. (And just let me tell you that if you have not ever had a full term breach baby inside of you, that a little kick in the ribs is NOTHING compared to the pain of being head-butted in the ribs!) And instead of being bum down, it was toes down. Which is bad news because if my water broke, the baby's leg(s) could come out (yikes) or even worse, I could get a prolapsed cord (the umbilical cord could fall out of me and cut off the oxygen to the baby).
The next week I went in for my exam and the doctor said that the baby was still breach, but we still had time. I talked to Dr. Lindsey (a Chiropractor and family friend) and he said that he knew a technique that he could do on me that actually has a 85% rate of turning the baby within a couple of hours! So I'm like, "giddy up! Let's do this thing!" So I went in and he did the technique on me. Three times. In one week. No turn. So I was pretty frustrated.
Then it was time for my next doctor appointment. That was last Tuesday. He informed me that the since the baby hadn't turned yet, we would need to schedule me for a c-section in a week. Don't even worry. I cried. A lot. That whole idea is just not very appealing to me. So when I got home, I asked Nick to give me a blessing. I had such a feeling of comfort after that blessing and I knew everything would be okay. I knew in my heart that the baby would turn, but I still was preparing mentally for if it didn't.
So I kept going to the chiropractor with no success. When I went in on Friday (three days ago), Dr. Lindsey was out of the office and his partner was there. When he went to do the technique, he said, "well, everything is great! We don't have to do anything!" Which means that my back was in complete alignment in that one area (lower back to the tip of my tailbone). Which was a surprise because I'm thinking if my back is all fixed, why hasn't this dang baby turned yet? Whatever. So he decided to poke around on my belly instead. Fun! But what he found was 'adhesions' (I don't know what that means) on the upper right and lower left of my huge belly. Exactly where the head and feet lay. Coincidence? I don't think so. So he kinda massaged them out (?) and said that should do it and sent me on my way. I thought that he was nuts.
The next day, Nick and I cleaned the house like mad people (deep cleaning) and it totally wore me out. I didn't want to stop, though, because I was afraid that if I did, then he would too. So we started that bad boy at 9:15 in the morning, and got finished at 5:30. That's one heck of a long cleaning day. Then Nick left for a wild game dinner with his dad, and I was so tired that I did not want to make dinner, so I took the kids to Wingers (yum-- I highly recommend the 7-layer wrap).
Yesterday morning (Sunday) I was standing in the bathroom doing my hair when I got a quick little jab in the ribs. I thought, 'well, that felt different'. So I poked around a little bit and found a foot! In my ribs! Where it should be! I told Nick and totally started bawling. I was so happy. So I called the doctor and he told me to come in tomorrow (today- Monday) and if the baby was still in position, I wouldn't need a c-section after all! So I went in just about an hour ago and everything is all right! I am just sooooo happy.
I am so grateful for all of the love, support, prayers and fasting that were done on the part of me and my sweet little baby. We are so blessed, and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for good family and sweet friends. Love you all! As for this baby and when we are going to have an appearance, I'll keep you posted.