kidlets

What a summer it has been. All I can say is thank goodness it's almost over. That sounds so mean, but it's hard to come up with ways to entertain these two all day, every day. We put in our playground thinking they would play on it a little bit....um yeah, it's 8 jillion degrees here everyday. I wish I was one of those mom's who are so excited for their kids to be home from school. Don't get me wrong, I love these two but it's been a looooong summer. On a daily basis I hear how boring I am, get asked why I am resting or napping or why we can't ever do anything fun. Nevermind that we have been to the sprinkler park a few times, swimming at the YMCA, to Chuck E Cheese, the Bounce Factory, played in our swimming pool and with the slip n slide, had a few playdates with friends, went to Summer Camp and I'm sure there's more, even though they can't think of one fun thing we've done. Good thing I love them!!! :)

School starts 2 weeks from tomorrow for Mason!!!! WOOO HOOOO!! The Kindergarteners transition in so Addi will go for her testing sometime in the next 2 weeks or so, then go for 1/2 days and full days with part and then all of her class until after about 2 weeks. Then she'll go every day, just like Mason! Yipee!!!

This weekend all clothes and school supplies are tax free here in the state of Tennessee so we will be finishing up our school shopping then. Tax free doesn't seem like that big of deal until you realize that we have almost 10% sales tax. So that 10% of savings helps. I might just work in a new computer monitor for myself too. :)

7 months

No, there is only one baby in there. Yes, I'm sure.

Really, I didn't notice that my belly was huge. Thanks for letting me know.

Yes, I am ready to have this baby.

No, I'm not kidding that I still have 2 months to go.

I know I'm on the "down hill stretch" (I ONLY have 8 weeks and 6 days left.)

No, you can't touch my belly, I don't even know you.

Yes, we do have some names chosen for him but no we aren't telling anyone. As of now, his name is Baby Boy Schenk.

Gratefulness

I seriously have nothing. All I want to do is complain. But happiness is a choice (I just gave a lesson on that in Relief Society so I better take my own advice) so I will just do a list of all the things I am grateful for:

air conditioning...there isn't a day that goes by that I don't walk into my house from the humid outdoors and say a little prayer of thanks for good ol' a/c!!!!

my ward family...I don't know what I would do without them. They are some of my closest friends. Debra is like my mom away from mom, Joanna couldn't be more generous (she's throwing me a shower next month) and always watches my kids for me, Emily is always so encouraging, Sandy (who was only in my ward for a minute) feels like a sister to me and so many more.

my laptop (and a wireless internet connection)...I love being able to check my email, surf around and edit pics from anywhere in my house.

great kids...that entertain themselves for a little while each afternoon so I can catch a quick nap.

pedicurists....the great place by Publix that does great pedicures with an awesome white tip polish job!!!!

my neighbors...especially Sam and Shanya who call me all the time to see how I'm doing and if I need anything.

OK, after actually listing all of those things, I do feel a bit better.

MIA

I haven't been here for a while, because I am sick. Man, all I can say is to be careful what you pray for. I have been praying, asking for help because I am not dealing with being pregnant very well. It's hard having a big ol' belly that has grown so fast that it hurts. But now, I wish I only had that to complain about because I have bronchitis. I have been coughing up a storm, with congestion and everything. Oh yes, it's good times here in the Schenk house!!! My OB called me in some antibiotics yesterday so if I can just not throw them up and get them working on my system, all will hopefully be well. Maybe I'll be so thankful to not cough any more that I won't notice how hard being pregnant is. Hopefully!!!! Only a little less than 12 weeks to go!!!!

Our weekend

We went to an arcade/mini golf/go kart place on Saturday. We had a ton of fun even though it was a balmy 95 degrees plus humidity. Addi was too hot and Mason was hungry so we had some issues with grouchiness, but Chris and I had lots of fun. We ignored the whining of our kidlets and just played and laughed. Chris totally cracked me up during the go karts. He had to take each kid seperately since I can't go. I loved watching him go and have fun and actually laugh. It's so good for him and I love to see it.

Mason

I feel bad that I had a post of Addi without one of my May-May so here is one solely dedicated to my big boy!



He lost another tooth. So he has 3 missing! That cute toothless smile just kills me. He also has a little lisp.












He is having a fun summer...hanging out-playing and fighting with his sister, playing lots of Playstation, torturing me, and begging me to take him swimming. He doesn't care that I don't have a bathing suit to fit my big ol' preggie belly.
















I have been putting off the swimming, by setting up the slip and slide or kiddie pool almost every day. This is what happened when he went down the edge of the s & s on the his back. Silly boy.


So that is the life of Mason this summer!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy weekend to all and Happy Fathers Day to all the daddy's out there.

Here is a pic of my favorite guy!

Addi's dance class

Addi had pictures taken for her dance class on Saturday. Dang if she wasn't the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The blue costume is for the dance of "It's a Hard Knock Life." It's the cutest dance.

The black outfit is for "Men In Black." It's their tap dance and it's so cute. Those glasses are killer cute!

The rainbow outfit is their ballet to the song "Over the Rainbow."

Her recital is on June 22. I wish you all were here so you could come see her dance.

Update

Man, I come up with original titles don't I?

The last few weeks have been crazy!

-Addi graduated from pre-school. The program was super cute and of course she was a beautiful little graduate.

-Mason finished Kindergarten. It was such a great year for him. On his Kindergarten exit test he scored a 96%. I'm so glad that he ended up at that school. We aren't even worried a bit about sending both he and Addi there next year. It will be nice to have them both at the same school.

-I had another ultrasound and baby Schenk is definitely a boy. We have been buying items here and there to get ready for our new addition and I got all registered at Target. We need darn near everything now since we got rid of everything after Addi out grew it. But I am having so much fun checking out all the new stuff. There is so much out there that I will not be able to live without. I don't know how we managed without a "Bumbo", a baby sling, a papsan bouncy seat and Soothie bottles. But I can tell you that we won't be living without them with this baby. Mason and Addi get so excited by every little thing we purchase and just love to lean on my belly and talk to their little brother. They have both felt him move and think it's so cool!

-Mason lost another tooth. It's one of the top front ones. The other one is loose too and so very crooked. I call it his "bubba tooth". hahaha! I crack myself up! Pretty soon he is going to have 3 missing teeth. When he looked at himself in the mirror with the missing teeth he said, "Oh my heck, I look like a big boy now."

-After only 12+ hours of work from Chris and 3 friends, we got our playground up. We had to get a dump truck of topsoil to fill in all the holes in our yard. Then the fellas spent all day Memorial Day outside in the terrible heat working to get it together. Mason and Addi are thrilled to have their own park to play at. Addi inaugarated it by taking a header out of the swing the 2nd day it was up. We have some mulching to do around it but we are so excited that we have our own outdoor entertainment now.

-The parks and rec department in our town rocks. We have a park with a Splash Pad. It's a bunch of fun sprinkler type things for the kids to play in. We have already visited twice this year and plan to spend lots more time there. You just can't beat free fun that tires the kids out too.

-I did 3 photo shoots in the last week. Things have taken off for my little business. I am so excited and am having so much fun.

That's it for now. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Mason and Addi

Random facts about them:

Mason:
1. He is the worst eater ever...super picky!

2. He is very nuturing, loves kids and is especially good with kids younger than him.

3. He is awesome on the Playstation and Gameboy.

4. He is doing great in school and in the top of his class.

5. He still calls me "mama" and gives me hugs and kisses all the time. (thank goodness)


Addi:
1. She still sleeps with me almost every night.

2. She hates having her hair done and cries every time.

3. She still picks my fingernails, like she has since she was an infant.

4. She is a good eater and will try almost anything.

5. She is very creative and loves to scrapbook and do art projects. (Go mini me!)

10 things about Chris

1. He spoils me completely rotten.

2. He is a crazy hard worker. He can't stand slackers!!!

3. He is a pressed and polished kind of guy. His clothing is always pressed and his shoes are always shiny. He even has a big honkin' professional type polisher thingy.

4. He loves music. He has even be "tolerating" my country music if it's already on in the car when he gets in.

5. He is very finicky about the way his goatee looks. Cracks me up!

6. He supports all my crazy decorating ideas and projects.

7. He plays board games or wrestles with the kids every night after work.

8. He is very dedicated to everything he does.

9. His favorite foods are anything that I cook. Like I said, he spoils me!

10. He is the BEST gift giver ever. He remembers things I mention I want and gets them for me. He never disappoints!

He is an awesome father and husband. I don't deserve him, but I'm sure happy I have him!

10 things about me

Just because: (in random order)

1. I love to clean. Chlorox wipes are one of my favorite things in the world! :) Having a clean house makes me feel at peace with my life.

2. I am super blessed. I have an amazing husband who spoils me rotten, 2 fabulous kids with one more on the way that we are totally pumped about, fabulous friends, a wonderful family, a great house that I love and for the most part great health.

3. I have to always have my toenails painted. Preferably red or french style if I get a pedicure.

4. I really don't enjoy talking on the phone and I am the WORST at returning phone calls. I have the best of intentions to, but I don't like having my kids around. So as a SAHM, I rarely have the quiet house that I would like to make calls.

5. I sleep with a $50 pillow that was worth every single penny!!!!!!!!!!! It's a special c shaped pregnancy pillow.

6. I read the newspaper every day. I have to know what is going on in the world.

7. I love almost all types of candy but I could take or leave chocolate.

8. I love Tetris!

9. I am very impatient, especially when it comes to driving. I regularly have to remind myself that there are children in the car.

10. Normally (when I'm not pregnant) I love to eat. But right now it is a chore and I really don't like that. As soon as I have the baby, I'll pig out like usual and not be able to lose my baby weight.

Not much to say

We are on the count down to the end of school. Addi only has 1 1/2 more days and Mason only has 6 days left. boo hoo! I had to go shopping today since it's the last time I'll be able to (by myself) for a while. It was worth it though because I totally scored at Ross. The in-fashion shirts right now are all long so that works out perfectly for my maternity needs. I really don't like the tent like maternity shirts, they are SOOOOOOOO unflattering. So I was totally pumped to find a bunch of inexpensive shirts that actually fit.

I took the school pictures at Addi's MDO a few weeks ago. They turned out great (not trying to brag :) ) And the best part is that I will be doing family pictures for a lot of those kids' families. Next week I have 3 appointments already. Yeah! Ok, I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about it, but super excited too.

And to finish this post off, here are some goofy pictures of our two little goof balls!

Baby

Well, as some of you may know we found out that we are having a :

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Boy!!!

We are so excited to welcome a new little guy into our family! Addi wasn't too happy though. When the US tech told us that the baby was a boy, she started crying. And just got louder and louder until Chris had to take her out of the room. She kept crying and shouting that she didn't like boys. When Chris told her that he was a boy, she said that he isn't a boy, he's her dad. :) She was upset for the next few hours and stayed grouchy for the rest of the day. But the next day, she saw one of her little friends at school, who's mom recently had a baby boy, and said to her that she was having a little brother too. She told her school class and seems really happy now. I guess she's decided that it won't be so bad to not have to share her girlie toys and to be the only Princess besides me in the Schenk house! We still have a few months to decide on a name, thank goodness. We cannot agree on anything right now. Addi says his name is baby boy Schenk. Mason thinks he should be named Ben 10. Funny kids! Boys names are so hard. I hope we can come up with some thing masculine, not too trendy or popular but not weird either. So many rules!!

I have reached 4 months now. I'm about 19 weeks. I am (crossing fingers) feeling a tiny bit better. I still get sick occasionally, but it's not all the time, all day long now. I actually feel pretty good as long as I eat and get the rest I need. Naps are a must!!

We are getting the kids' rooms all ready for our new addition. Mason's room is about the only one in the house that I haven't painted since we moved in. Especially since he's going to have a roommate now, we are redoing it. I plan to paint it about the same color, just with better paint that I can wipe it clean rather than wipe it off. We are going to do a red and blue stripe all the way around the room. We got him a new bunk bed. We also have to get him a new chest of drawers since the baby is going to be using his dresser. Last year, I painted Addi's room pink using crappy paint so I'm going to repaint it and paint her furniture and move stuff around a bit. I know she would have a cow if we didn't do her room in addition to Mason's room. I will post some pictures when we get the rooms all done. If I have my way, it will be within the next few weeks!

Our week in review

Our week this week, was just as crazy as ever!

I thought I was all done with being sick, well with throwing up at least, but...I was wrong. I got sick again this week. Coke is so my friend. It really does settle my stomach and make me feel so much better. Eating is such a chore. I know that I'll have the hardest time losing my baby weight just like before because once I'm not pregnant any more, my appetite will be back with a vengance.

I did feel a little bit better though, I actually made dinner like 3 times this week. That is the most I have done in 3 months.

My belly is so big and has grown so fast that I have developed a little waddle. I know that it's only going to get worse from here on out. The baby was moving a lot last night while I was laying in bed and Chris actually got to feel a little bit of a flutter. It's so exciting!!!

Sweet little Addi had dance class again this week. She is so stinkin' cute. I love watching her dance. She is doing 3 dances at her recital this year. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for Ballet, "Men in Black" for Tap and "It's a Hardknock Life" for Jazz. I can't wait. Her recital is so much fun. It's at the TPAC, which is where all the broadway shows come when they visit Nashville. It's a pretty big deal.

She had to go to the doctor this week for an earache. I thought for sure she just had a regular old ear infection but when the dr looked in there, her ear canal was bright red. She had tubes put in when she was 1 and the tubenever came out of the canal. It was stuck in the wax and had embedded into her canal. Ouch! So the dr used a water pick and got it out. Addi thought it was so cool. The procedure didn't hurt her a bit, she thought it was funny that her ear got a shower.

Mason has soccer practice on the same night that Addi has dance class. So I usually go to dance and Chris goes to soccer. Today he had a game. He was so funny. He still doesn't quite get the concept. He thinks if he kicks it once he's done. We kept telling him to be aggresive and go after the ball. I think his favorite part is having a drink at half time and the snack after the game.

He got his report card this week. The only thing his teacher said is that he's a great student. We're so proud of our buddy and so glad we made the decision to go with this public school. He is going on 2 field trips this week. On Tuesday he's going to the zoo and on Friday he's going swimming at the YMCA. He is so pumped!!

Chris had a pretty crazy week at work this week. He ended up coming home late (after 5:00pm) 2-3 times this week. I am so spoiled and have gotten used to him being home before 5:00 and I really don't like it when he comes home after that. On Friday, he had to go to the dentist for more dental work. He had to be sedated for all the work. It's so funny to see my big,tough honey so out of it. He's quite sore still today, but hopefully he'll be better soon.

That's it for us for now! We wish you all a great week!!

Easter and stuff

Happy Easter everyone!

Look how cute our family looked this afternoon before church. We are all dolled up in our Easter Sunday best. Addi was super cute with her dress, her makeup, and of course her gloves. Mason wanted a big boy tie like his dad. Dang...Cute Kids!!!!!

Mason also played in his first soccer game this weekend! He is on Team Ireland with 2 of his friends. He loves it. But he doesn't quite understand the concept of running after the ball to kick it into the goal. But never the less, he ran around like crazy. Chris and I laughed our heads off watching all those little kids running around in confusion. The other team scored 3 goals right in the first 5 minutes of the game so we thought it was going to be a blow out. But our team caught up and it was pretty much a tie.

Good weekend!!!

Blogs

I love to read other people's blogs. I love to peep into their lives and see the way they live. I love how funny and creative other people are. I like the think of myself as funny and creative too, but when it comes to blogging, I usually have no idea what to talk about.

If I were to talk about what's going on right now, that would be:

1. I am still so sick and am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tired of it. I am so grouchy. I can't even stand myself, so I'm sure no one else can stand me either. I especially like when someone asks me how I'm feeling and I say that I'm not feeling so well and they say, "Well, you're in your second trimester now so I'm sure you'll be feeling better soon." um...yeah.

2. My kids are sooo bored. I'm bored. I don't have the energy to keep up with them. Today we went to McDonalds after school. (we are having a cold front and it's too cold for the park). I was so tired when we got home that I had to take a nap. All I did was sit there, reading a magazine, watching them play. How could that make someone tired?????

3. Addi has the worst allergies right now. I finally took her to the doctor to get some medicine and she is finally doing a little bit better. She still sleeps with me occasionally and her a Chris have a regular chorus of snoring. so fun!! Tennesee is supposed to be the allergy capital of the world.

4. I took my first engagement pictures the other day. It was for a couple in my ward. They are so in love and so cute. It was so fun to take their pictures. All I did was observe and snap pics as they naturally interacted. I loved it! I think they were pretty happy with the pictures too.

5. I can't believe it is already almost Easter. My kids are so excited. We went to an easter egg hunt on Saturday sponsered by our city. There were mostly marshmellowy eggs to be collected that our kids don't like. And they didn't get any of the prize eggs. So we had to come home and put on a little Easter egg hunt here, so they could get some prizes. Man, they are spoiled. :) I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

I guess that's it for now. Have a happy week!!

Finally

I am finally updating. Sorry!!! Life has been a freakin' roller coaster ride. Here are the highlights:





December:


My mom came to visit.


Chris had oral surgery.


Chris got baptized (so amazing).


Christmas


We went to Chattanooga to the Aquarium and we ate the BEST pizza on the planet at The Mellow Mushroom.





January:


We celebrated Mason's 6th birthday at the Aquarium Restaurant and Sting Ray petting reef


We found out we are having a BABY!!!!!


Chris got called as the Cub Master in our ward.





February:


I started in with morning sickness.


Valentines Day-the kids each filled out their own Valentines for their class.

Chris planned a date for us, childcare and everything! We went to the Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant) and it was sooooo yummy and nice to be just us.




March:


We celebrated my 31st birthday.



St Patricks Day
















We went to Atlanta for Spring Break: Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park (where the fountains were), IKEA, and the LDS distribution center (the closest one to us)



We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.



Personal Notes-
Chris: Is doing so awesome! He has finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time already. He is a stud! He also gave his first talk in sacrament meeting. He was super nervous but did a really great job. His job is still way crazy but his office moved out of Nashville and closer to our house so his commute is only about 45 minutes each way instead of 1 1/2 hrs +. He comes home early most of the time. It's sooooooooooooooooo nice!

Mason: Is tearing it up in Kindergarten. His teacher constantly praises how well he is doing. I go in and help with reading once a week. This week she asked if we practice writing at home because his penmanship is so good. :) He is in the top 2 of his class for reading and is doing really well in math too. The local elementary school (which I was so nervous about) was definitely the right decision for him. He is so fun and full of life still. Just today he and Addi were playing in the wet sand box from all the rain and decided to have a water/sand fight. Needless to say our deck looks like a battlefield and they were both covered head to toe in wet sand. But hey, they were both laughing having a blast! He also started soccer this week.

Addi: Is still quite the princess. She likes to dress up, wear makeup and have her toes and fingernails painted. She is a tornado and regularly destroys her room. She is taking dance lessons again this year and is doing fabulous. Her recital will be in June. She is in pre-K and is doing very well. She loves it there and will be sad to leave it next year when she goes to Kindergarten. She has been going to speech therapy to help her with her letter substitution and has improved so much in the month she has been going.

Me: I have been very sick. I can definitely tell that I have aged since I was pregnant last. I am so tired all the time. Nausea is my constant companion and the barfing has come to visit quite a lot too. I am even sick of myself for how pathetic I am. I am trying to make a photography business and took my first engagement pictures last week. I am really enjoying it. I can't wait to start taking baby pictures!!!

So that pretty much catches up what we've been doing for the past few months. I will try much harder to do better about updating.

Please comment so I know that someone is actually reading this thing. :)

Long time no talk...

Hey all, still here. Just been crazy lately.

We survived Mason's first day of Kindergarten, Addi's first day of pre-school, getting used to Addi going to dance class gain, and working around Mason's tball schedule. We also survived Addi's birthday party...barely.

It was fun. We had 13 little boys and girls over here for Addi's Princess Ball. We decorated crowns, wands and shields, broke a princess and fought a dragon pinata and ate snacks. It was overwhelming, but I would (and probably will) do it again.

Mason was having a hard time at tball, but he's doing so much better now. He is being more aggresive about going after the ball. He is hitting every time he's up to bat. He can even almost throw the ball where he's aiming at. :) Chris and I almost die every game watching those 5 and 6 year olds playing. It's so hard to remember how young they are and that they are still learning. Mason usually plays center field. It's not uncommon to see him out there twirling around, playing in the dirt and/or messing with his hat.

That's our update for now!

First day of school

Well, we made it. I was totally in denial that he was going to Kindergarten. I didn't even take the tag off his backpack or write his name on his supplies until 11:30 the night before. I kept breaking down in tears, so I went into his room, sat by his bed and held his little hand until I could stop crying. Then I went back to packing until I started crying again and repeat the process. I think I just needed to mourn that he's growing up. That I am not going to be with him all day every day any more. That he is going to have relationships away from me. That another person will be in charge of him for a large portion of the day. That I am leaving him in the care of that person, who I really don't even know. That I have to have a TON of faith in the school system. So I am trying to stay mellow and just trust that God is watching out for him.

He was so brave! He walked right into his classroom, sat down where Mrs. Wade told him to and said, "Bye Mom!" So cute! Then I didn't even cry...ok maybe just a tear or tow, but I think they were tears of joy because I was so proud of what a big boy he was.

Next week he has a full day (7:30-2:30) on Tuesday with part of his class then starts forever on Thursday. sniff...sniff