April

The first weekend of April we always listen to general conference. For one of the sessions we set up a pizza picnic in the front room.

We spent a lot of the month playing in the mud in the backyard looking for fossils.

It was also an awful month for me because I had a horrible sinus infection that took two rounds of antibiotics to finally clear up. That was the first time I had experienced an ear infection as an adult and it was incredibly painful.

Strawberry season! We weren't able to pick our own this year but we still got plenty of strawberries. We made a ton of freezer jam, strawberry ice cream, pie, ate tons of them with every meal, and made some amazing strawberry muffins.

Uncle Jesse came to visit for one weekend and we always love when he comes. The boys absolutely adore him and Nathan especially loved his new truck.

Stephen and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. Instead of doing any kind of trip or even a nice date night out we ordered food from one of our favorite restaurants and had a really nice evening at home after the kids went to bed. It was perfect. 

Fishing

Taking Everett fishing for the first time was a very special day. He had been begging to go for a while now. We bought him his very own pole and found the cutest pond just 15 minutes away. Waldron Pond is a privately owned pond in Farmville. Kids can fish for free and adults pay only $5.

Getting outside as a family and fishing for just a couple hours was the best time I have had in the last five weeks being home quarantined. Seeing the excitement the boys have doing things as a family is always so rewarding as a parent. Everett loved that we caught two sun fish. Dad caught the first one and Nathan actually caught the second one. He was holding the pole when it got caught and helped ring it in. Everett was a little disappointed the fish weren't big enough to take home and eat. We told him next time we could come really early in the morning and hopefully catch something bigger. 

This quarantine time of life has not been easy in any way. We have adjusted to our new normal but it hasn't made it any easier. I thrive on the routine I create for my family. I hurt so much knowing that Everett won't be able to finish his last year of preschool. Every day that he asks if it's a preschool day and I tell him no he just assumes it is the weekend still. I finally told him it is over for good and that he won't be going back but that he hopefully has kindergarten to look forward to in the fall. 

He asked if he could still go to kindergarten and ride the school buss. It breaks my heart to only be able to tell him I hope so. 

 My heart breaks for our family vacations we had planned and day trips we had planned for the year that are now all canceled. I don't like not being able to see friends or family anymore or have any play dates for the boys. I hate not being able to take the boys to the playground. I am really struggling not being able to get the much needed breaks I need from my sweet little boys. 

My heart hurts for everyone suffering right now. 

I feel blessed and refreshed to have had an incredible morning fishing with my family at the pond doing something we would normally have done without the quarantine and virus going on. It was such a peaceful feeling to know some normalcy can still exist in this unnatural way of life right now.

Easter

Easter was a very nice relaxing day. Easter baskets showed up after nap and resting time. Everett loved talking about every little thing the Easter bunny had brought him. During the egg hunt in the backyard Everett was running so fast to get all of the eggs. Once Nathan discovered things were inside of the eggs he had no interest in finding anymore, he just wanted to see what was inside the ones he already had. Everett helped Nathan find at least one more though. Again like the baskets, Everett talked about each thing that was left behind in the eggs he found. He was very excited to have more fruit snacks for resting time. 

During our at home Easter church service we showed Everett a video about the Savior and Easter. He actually seemed to pay attention and it was very special.

First Trimester

January 9th four weeks: 

I have known you needed to be part of our family the moment sweet Nathan came into our lives. We have been loving our lives with two perfect little boys knowing that when the time was right you would be joining and completing our little family. I found out I was pregnant two days ago but I think I knew before even that. I just had that feeling and am so happy we are expecting you this year!

February 1st 7 weeks:

I am feeling nauseous all of the time now. Thankfully not throwing up but feeling awful. I am eating a lot of egg sandwiches. By the end of the day every night I feel so bloated and look three to four months pregnant. My energy is depleting more every day.

February 22nd 10 weeks:

Feeling sicker than ever. Stephen and I went on our cruise and that has made me feel even more sick from all of the constant rocking on the ship. I am not feeling quite as tired but definitely not up to my normal pace.

Your heartbeat was 170 bpm at my ten week checkup! Listening to your heartbeat is so amazing.

I am craving big macs more than anything else. They are one of the few things that calm my nausea. I've been getting one or two a week.

Finding out we were pregnant again was so exciting. We were a little surprised it happened so quickly since Nathan took a year of trying. I guess you were meant to come right away.