Boy Baby Boy!

 Baby number five is first off healthy and adorable.

It's also a boy!!! I had felt all along he was a boy, and I was glad to learn I wasn't just crazy. We were all thrilled (except Lenora who really wanted a sister haha). Their faces say it all! 

The other day I was "helping" Orson say the prayer and blessing each member of our family in turn. "Bless Mommy, Daddy, Hazel, Eliza, Lenora, Orson and baby." The only part of the whole prayer he helped sign was baby. Then he added boy! He might not be old enough to really know what's going on, but he remembers this baby is a boy! Can't wait to see him be a big brother and have a little wrestle buddy. 

ABD - It's a Big Deal!!!

There's at light at the end of this tunnel called a PhD, and we can officially see it! Michael is now considered ABD which means he's done "all but dissertation." He finished his coursework the end of April and took his comprehensive exams the beginning of May. Now he just has his dissertation left and he will be done!!!!

It's been a long two years, and I'm so proud of his hard work! He would work all week long, go to class Friday night, finish at 9 or so, make the hour drive home only to have to be up again by 6 to drive down for his Saturday class, spend the whole day Saturday in school, and get just one short day "off" on Sunday before another full week of work. On weekends he didn't have school, he packed in as much family time during the day as possible only to spend the hours after the kids were in bed catching up on grading for work or homework. Michael has worked so hard and still helps out at home as much as he can. He is simply the best!!!!

Finishing up classes of course called for some celebratory cooking. Orson has a new love - grilling! He is obsessed with helping Daddy grill.

We also tackled many last minute house projects the weekend between the end of classes and before comps started. It was a lot of work, but our house went up on the market the beginning of May. We have had lots of interest and showings, but no offers yet. It's getting old (especially the cleaning), and we're hoping someone comes along soon who will fall in love with this house like we did. It has so much to offer (expect more than one bathroom which seems to be the biggest downfall for people).

Now on to the finial hurdle - that dissertation! Michael already has his topic approved and will starting writing this week. The dissertation itself is a huge, long process, but his goal is to complete it in a year. I have no doubt he will finish that quickly - especially since his dissertation chair is on board for him to finish.

Way to go Daddy! You are awesome! 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! We enjoyed a wonderful, warm Easter weekend. Friday night we dyed eggs. Saturday there was a ward breakfast, and we did out little egg hunt at home, then Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful day at church and dinner with dear friends. 

Chocolate Mustache and Hands!

 Thanks Aunt Jamie for the adorable hats and skirts for the girls!

This year the church released a video focusing on Christ as the Prince of Peace and ways He brings peace to our lives. Each day of the week leading up to Easter we discussed one of the ways He helps bring us peace. It was truly wonderful! I'm so thankful we have a Savior that died that we might live again. And that we can have joy - now and forever! 

Five for Friday: Catching Up Edition

 - Spring Break -

At the beginning of Spring Break we had a visit from our good friends the Hunsakers from Kansas City. They stayed two nights and our kids enjoyed playing and playing. Sadly, we didn't take a single picture! It was so much fun to have them! 

Sadly, that was the highlight of our spring break. We seem to have a tradition of getting sick while the girls are off. This year, Eliza and Orson had a nasty stomach bug that lasted several days. At least it was better than last year when Orson spent half the week in the hospital.

Tuesday, while I stayed home with the sick kids, Michael took Hazel to the Deaf day at the Capitol. He met with several senators about Deaf issues while Hazel enjoyed their amazing "Belle" library. It was a great day for both of them! 

We rested up a few more days and by Friday everyone was finally feeling better. We celebrated St. Patty's day with green muffins and smoothies and were able to get some playing and fun in that afternoon.

 - Orson at 18 months -

Sweet Mr. Orson is getting so grown up! He's almost 19 months now and just grows and learns new things every day. He loves cars, trucks, trains, and all things that go. He also LOVES to pretend to cook and watches birds from the step-stool by the window every morning. He also really adores Daddy!

He is talking and signing SO much already. He definitely knows how to get his thoughts across. He can say the name of everyone in the family including the dogs, but Mama is still his favorite word. Orson signs a ton. His favorite signs are: bird, mine, car, and eat.

Orson loves to drag the step-stool around to get at what he wants. Here he got caught red handed snitching brownie batter! At least he got a spoon first and didn't just use his fingers right?!?

Orson is a dare devil and a climber. He about gave me a heart attack trying to climb this curved ladder at the park but he did it!

He also has a very sweet side. He plays babies with Lenora a lot!

Mr. Orson, you are such a joy! We love you to pieces!

- Grandma Craig -

Michael's dear grandma, Rosemary Craig, passed away the beginning of April. While it is always hard to say goodbye, we have no doubt she is happy in heaven now. She was an incredible woman who loved the Lord with all hear heart. 

An illness in her lungs has slowed her down for many years now. She didn't let that stop her from serving the Lord though. Each morning should would index names for hours and do family history work. I'm sure she's indexed hundreds of thousands of names. She will be dearly missed, but we will see her again soon.

Grandma Craig chose to donate her body to medical research, and she requested not to have a funeral. So, in her honor, we took a day and went to the temple. There is no better way we could honor her memory and the wonderful person she was than by serving as she so loved to serve. We had a wonderful trip, told the kids stories about grandma, and Michael and I greatly enjoyed the temple. We love you Grandma Craig!

-Spring has sprung-

It was feeling like Spring had finally come to Iowa, until this week! We had a few weeks of nice weather, but it turned rainy and cold again. At least the grass and trees are finally starting to grow! 

-Other shenanigans-

A two bodied robot.

Camping inside one night!

Just general fun!

On April Fool's day the girl's pranked me...It was so good too!

One day Lenora was begging to wear this yellow headband but I told her it didn't match. I asked her how she wanted me to do her hair instead. She responded in the most perfect tone: "I really just want a headband.  A yellow one, with white polka-a-dots." Haha! She was so cute, I gave in and let her wear it.

Orson has discovered markers...

And he loves Malt-o-Meal!

Otherwise we've been busy, busy getting our house ready to show. Thankfully our home teacher brought us the most amazing box from his work because he knew it needed to become an awesome clubhouse. The kids have played for hours in there while we've painted, cleaned, and organized.

Our Other Upcoming Adventure

On top of our move to Kentucky this summer, our family is expecting another wonderful adventure this year...

....the birth of our 5th child! 

Can I just say how crazy that sounds!?! Five children! Honestly, after Orson was born, we weren't sure if we would have any more kids. But soon we realized there was at least one more little one Heavenly Father wanted to send to our family. We were excited to add another baby to our family at some point in a year or two. Little did we know this baby wanted to come sooner (and in the middle of our move!)

Since the initial shock of "we're having a baby 2 months after we move to a brand new place 1,700 miles away from family and where we know almost no one" wore off, we've been so excited! I can't wait to snuggle a sweet little newborn again. I can't wait to see Orson be a big brother. I can't wait to see the girls love on another little sibling. Babies are so much fun! 

Pregnancy is slightly less fun. First trimester exhaustion hit me hard this time! I also had lots of nausea similar to my pregnancy with Orson (which has me thinking this baby is a boy. We'll see...) 

I'm already 16 weeks and feeling great now. And thankfully because we're busy getting the house ready to put on the market. This move is getting real! Now we just: get the house show ready, keep it that way, sell our house, go house hunting in KY, hopefully buy a new house, pack everything up, move as I'm entering my third trimester, get everything unpacked and set up, find a new doctor, make new friends and find someone to watch the big kids while I'm in labor, and have a baby! Simple right? It will all work out wonderfully well. I know because I've seen time and time again that each of our babies has been born exactly when they needed to be. I'm confident this time around will be no different.

Only four more weeks until we learn baby's gender! About 13 weeks until we move! And about 24 weeks until we become a family of seven. Can't wait!