Seriously

This won't be long, I just want to try and post to get back in the flow! I'm supposed to be having a baby tomorrow. Unfortunately, the doctor seems to think my body isn't ready cause I was only at a 1 on Tuesday. Duh. That's why I get induced guy, because my body doesn't dilate on its own! So it's pushed back to Thursday now, but I still have to go in Tuesday to be checked again. I swear if he tries to push it again, I'll lose it! That's all.

Again!

Yep, I'm posting again. I've got other stuff that I really do want to take the time to write, but I just don't have it right now, or the patience or pain tolerance to do so.

My 31-year-old body doesn't quite agree with pregnancy the same way that my 21-year-old body did, or my 23-year-old body, or my 24-year-old body... even my 29-year-old body. I DO believe that something happens to your body when you turn 30, and that things are a lot harder. I always thought that people were lying, or exaggerating, but I am now a firm believer that your body starts turning against you the minute you turn 30.

I can't seem to sleep anymore, and that causes a lot of aches and pains from trying to move around and get comfortable. Also- trying to shove pillows into places that don't generally need pillows, may have something to do with the shape of my body. I have finally given in and I have an appointment for the chiropractor at 2:30 this afternoon. I feel like I'm putting an extreme amount of pressure on him to make me feel better, when I should just realize, that my body is older than last time I birthed a human, and I'm bigger than I've ever been, it is later in the summer than I have ever been pregnant, and I have four other kids that need my attention and time. So with these powers combined, I'm a grumpy lady!

Well, my rant is over. Please excuse any errors in spelling, punctuation, or other. I'm not going to re-read and edit this. It's getting posted as soon as I'm done. Why? I have to go clean up stomped on powdered sugar doughnuts off of the ground. JOY! Have a great day everyone!!!

B.O.O.T. camp: Girls camp 2014

Build Our Own Testimony Girls Camp

As some of you know, I was called to be part of the Young Women's organization in our church last year. Alas, at the beginning of the year, everything was reorganized, and I was no longer in YW. It was a very sad time for me, as I was looking forward to getting to know the girls more, and to go to GIRLS CAMP, which, if you know me, was one of my most favorite things growing up! So I begged my friend Cressida, who just so happened to be Stake camp director, and President of the primary that just called me to be primary music leader, to let me come, in whatever capacity I could. She totally came through! I was asked to be the activities leader at camp! I was so excited, and started trying to think of great things to do. The way that they do camp here is much different than what I was used to, so the things I thought of quickly turned out to be something I either couldn't do, or was already being taken care of by the craft leader, or the priesthood leaders.

 

Here is where I decided to just do what I could do, try out some fun games and things, and see what the girls liked. Well, we had some fun things such as MAD GAB Book of Mormon scripture mastery-style, WHO SAID IT? Dieter or Dumbledore, CATCH PHRASE LDS edition, WHO SAID IT? Prophet or Princess, and Personal Progress Taboo. I also had Jaran help me make a huge JENGA game out of 2x4's, which looked like a fun time! I got a volleyball so they could play in the sand pit, and also found a game of ladder ball for them to throw around. I also had a game of Shaving cream balloon tag planned, as well as swimming one night. Here is how things turned out:


 Monday- we arrived at camp early with what I called Junior Leaders, but were dubbed YCL's or Youth Camp Leaders. Cressida had things planned out very well, and things were organized as wards arrived with girls. Here, they had cabins for everyone, and so each ward had their own place. Each year had a special colored headband thing, so we could tell how long they'd been at camp, so they got those as they arrived, as well as a pretty nifty camo-lei. It was a lot of introductions and settling in, then we had our first flag ceremony, with role call, devotional, etc. We had dinner, we played some of my games, and we had a nice fun time. There were tons of other things too, but I didn't write things down like I should have, so this is what you get. Also, let me mention, it rained a good part of the day.

 Tuesday- this is the day we were supposed to go swimming. It was at an outdoor pool in Red Lodge, and it was, yet again, a rainy day. So we decided to cancel the swimming. Not a big deal, right? Well, that was what our activity was for the day! So luckily someone had the grand idea to do a movie in one hall, and a dance party in the other, both of which were great. But earlier in the day, we had certification, crafts, all sorts of fun things to do. You might ask what I was doing when we didn't have activities? Following people around. That's what I did. Mostly Cressida, but also my other buddies: Tia, Tessa, and Kisha, a new-found friend. Earlier in the day, we realized we didn't have enough camp song books for everyone, and so I volunteered to run into Red Lodge and print some up. I had to re-type all the songs we wanted to use, and try and fit them all on one page, to keep costs low. It took some time, and it was hot in the library, but I got it done! I also picked up a movie for the show later on. The only G or PG rated movie I could find was: MARS NEEDS MOMS! What? UGH! But at least it was only $5 and I wouldn't go back empty handed. When I got back, people were playing JENGA! Yay! A success. The night before it really took some coaxing to get people to play the games I made, so I was happy to see that. The 4th year campers were supposed to go on an over-night camping trip, but with the weather, they decided to stay in camp. We had a fun time around the campfire singing songs and dancing the night away.

 Wednesday- this was hike day. All of they years had hikes they had to go on, and so the few of us leaders that stayed back played some cards, and then I recruited them to help me fill water balloons with shaving cream. Alas, things didn't go according to plan. As we filled the balloons, we quickly found that the kind of balloons I had made some unfortunate shapes, that were inappropriate for the girls to be using. Not only that, but the ones we managed to get to look like pears, started popping after a while. You see, the shaving cream kept expanding, even after tying the balloons. So we decided that we needed to stop, and just went out and threw them at each other instead. I was having a bit of a sad time, because I felt that I was failing as the activities director. Luckily, everyone was very understanding, and most of the girls wanted to do crafts anyway- which was scheduled at the same time.

  After girls got back from hikes, we prepared for the best thing ever! The YCL's and the stake leaders were to help everyone else go on a little journey. They were to hold to the iron rod, and find their way to the tree of light. The YCL's were the tempters, and the leaders were the encouragers. At the top, two YCL's met the girls to take their blind fold off, and their bishops were there to congratulate them on a job well done. We had a tree decorated in Christmas lights, with a beautiful song to greet them, and Kisha then bore her testimony. It was a very spiritual experience, for some more than others, but I very much enjoyed it. After this, we had testimony meeting as wards, which was pretty great, even though ours is so small. I was, of course, a blubbering idiot, and could barely get words out, but it was a great night!

Thursday- this was our last day. A short day, as we needed to be gone by one. Cressida had asked me to do the morning devotional, so I had put some stuff together. When I got up, my face was swollen from the crying the night before, and who knows what else, so I'm sure I looked a mess. I of course cried through half of what I said, but I think I got the point across. We had some more certification, and then a SLIDESHOW!!! I pretended to help as I watched Tia go through pictures and put things together. As I was sitting there, I realized my socks were really tight and annoying, so I pulled up my pants, and was horrified by the amount of swelling I saw. So I put my feet up on a chair and tried to not worry about it. My feet and hands had been swollen off and on the whole time there, but nothing like this. It had never happened with previous pregnancies, so it was a bit worrisome, but I pushed it to the back of my mind, for the most part. The slideshow was great, and the girls all had a great time watching it. Then it was time to say goodbye! It was sad for me, even though I didn't feel like I'd done a whole lot up there, I kind of felt like the mascot, as my belly seemed to be a standout. I'm not sure that anyone really knew my name, I was just the pregnant lady! I felt as though I'd gotten close to a few of the girls, and that it was really a better experience I got from them, than that they got from me.

Cressida, Tia, Kisha, Tessa and I, banded together much of the time. Every night before bed, we'd meet in the mess hall, and have a warm beverage. Luckily, I had taken my homemade hot chocolate, and what we in my family refer to as Mormon Tea, which is basically a spiced orange drink. We never went to bed before midnight, and I loved having some time with these awesome ladies! They are all amazing women, and I miss them all, even though it's been only a few days since being with them all. I made some fun new friends in some of the other leaders, and I was reminded of the joys of youth. I doubt I was ever as crazy and obnoxious and hilarious as some of these girls were... right? There are so many experiences I'll have to remember and write down, and try and come back and add them. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such great ladies who teach me all the time, and remind me of my blessings!

It's been a long time coming

Hello everyone! I know it's been quite some time since I posted anything on here. Why did I suddenly decide to post? Well, a lot has been happening lately, and I decided that I should probably chronicle it. Also, I get a bit jealous when all of my friends have their blogs printed into books every year. It's only my fault, I know this. So here we go. Let's see if I can keep this up! I'll probably do a few posts about different things. Otherwise, it'll be just a lot of rambling in a very long post. Anyway- let's keep in touch!

Treyson Ames

Just a quick note to say we had the baby! I will get the full story on here, but short version: Treyson Ames Baker, born Sunday, July 1st at 4:48 p.m. Weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz. and 19 inches long. He is an awesome little man, and we love him TONS! More to come later.

Welcome Home!

I've been lucky enough to make it to four Baker missionary homecomings since Jaran and I have been together. In fact, the first time I met his WHOLE family was when Jeremy came home from his mission. Every time has been great, but there was just something about Zak's. Maybe cause Zak was so young when Jaran and I got together, we have become really close. I wrote him a lot on his mission, and the hormones and emotions that come along with pregnancy may have had something to do with it as well. On Wednesday, we left for Utah... at about 6... p.m. So we rolled into town around 2:30 in the morning. Finally at 3:00 in the a.m. we were able to get the kids settled down and sleeping so we could sleep as well. McKie was awake the whole way there. Didn't fall asleep at all. Brensyn slept the longest. Ansleigh woke up about an hour or so before we got there, and I tried to doze on and off after I was done driving. We took our little green car cause the van was acting up... which is another part of this story to come later.
Thursday was the big day! We woke up and I was able to spend some time with Camary, Rayce, Brensyn and the Jeremy and Camary's new little baby girl. It was so nice to sit and hold her and realize I'll get to do that soon for as long as I want! So after we were all up and ready to go, we went and got Jaran some In and Out burger and then took the kids to Hardee's while I got my nails done... which I haven't done since conference weekend and they were looking horrible! Then Nikki let us know Zak was going to be early so we headed straight to the airport. It seemed like we had to wait forever! But then there he was, running towards the escalator and we all had to wait and watch him come down. I'll tell you what, Zak gives great hugs! We all got to say hi and talk to him and really had a good time. Then a bunch of us went to visit Jaran's Grandma Brown in Tooele. It was nice to see her, even though she's to the point where she didn't know who we were. I think she felt the love from us, though. We then just went and spent time at the Baker parents house until Zak reported on his mission to the stake president... which Jaran was cool enough to let me go to and he watched the kids. I've never been to one before, and it was super spiritual and great to hear all of the stories Zak had to talk about. After that, we went over to Kendra's to visit for a bit, and it was fun to see Zak react to the changes that all of the kids went through while he was gone. In fact, 7 babies, all girls, were born since he left on his mission!

Friday was the day that Amand and Luke were getting sealed with their precious little Tevia. We woke up, dropped the kids off and headed to the Bountiful Temple. It'd been a while since we went to the temple, so it was great to go through a session with them before the sealing. It was beautiful, and super spiritual. Knowing that you are able to witness a family sealed together forever is a pretty great experience, and we were so thankful that we were able to be a part of it. We then gathered at Jeremy and Camary's house for the blessing of Tevia and of Jeremy and Camary's baby, Zync. It was nice, and we got to visit with a lot of people. We went to get the kids and hung out at Kendra's for a while longer, then all the kids had a sleep over at Gma and Gpa's while a bunch of us went to the Avengers, which was a really good movie! Zak's first movie in two years, and it was amazing!:)

Saturday we all just kind of did whatever. I watched Rayce for Jeremy and Camary while they went to the funeral of a dear friend that passed away. And we had a fun time. While Rayce napped, Ansleigh and I played with the ball pit and threw balls outside. Jaran had tried to take the kids hiking, but they stayed up late the night before so they were grumpy and didn't want to go once they got to the spot. So they just went back and played. So we met up and headed out to Antelope Island with Kendra and her family. That's an experience we can say that we had, and won't be repeating. The water was stinky, the kids were crying cause the salt water hurt their owies, and they were all filthy with sand and salt, and tired, and so we didn't stay long. In fact, on the way out, Ans and Brens fell asleep! So we went home and got some food and went to bathe the kids at Gma's house. After we ate, and visited for a while, we went back to Jeremy and Camary's (where we were lucky enough to stay with them and have a fun time) and got some sleep!

Sunday we woke up early to make it to church on time for Zak's homecoming talk. It was great! There was a missionary leaving on his mission who's little brother spoke first, then he did, and then Zak. The meeting went about fifteen minutes over HA HA HA! And of course since it was Mother's day, we got to celebrate all the great women in our lives! We then went to the house and had a great lunch and hung out with everyone, all the family and Zak's friends, and we only got away with minor injuries: See Ansleigh's eye, courtesty of Brensyn's head and a tramp! Jaran and the boys headed home in the green car around one, and Ansleigh and I got to stay an extra night. Kaysen had a birthday, so we sang to him and had some cake! Kendra made  a great dinner for Mother's day, and we got to have more fun and visit.

Monday, Ans and I went and got our toes done with Kendra and then hit the road! It was a long trip- about 10.5 hours back, but we had to stop and get out a bunch. It was a really great trip, and so good to see everyone! I feel like everytime I saw Zak, he would pull me in for a hug, and I loved it! I hope he comes to visit more often, cause he makes me feel loved!:) Not that my kids and hubby don't, but I'm used to hugs from them ha ha ha! 

About the car/van... We got a new van! Our old one is starting to make a weird noise, and I'm sure we can fix it, but we've had it for a while and were ready for an upgrade. Jeremy gave us a great deal on our new van, and we love it! It's a Mazda MPV. It has power sliding doors, windows that roll down on said doors, a sun roof, stow and go seating in the back. Just awesome! The kids love it and I love it... which I never thought I'd say about a van. But I'll be for sure to get some good pics eventually to show it off! Thanks for reading my novel... sorry- just a lot happened that weekend! Take Care!

Ok so I figured this is the only way I'm going to remember things about my life... so I'll post a few things.

We're having a little boy, for those who didn't already know. He' officially due on July 12th, but will most likely come early. Why? Because my Dr. is awesome and doesn't want me to have another 9 1/2 pound baby. Since Ansleigh's shoulder got stuck coming out, it's safe to assume that another big baby will have problems coming out, and we don't want that! I really love my Dr. She's also the family doc and listens to EVERYTHING you have to say. Love her. Her name is Dr. Sarah Durney. She grew up in Basin, and she's only a couple years older than me. Yes, that fact does make me feel like I've wasted my life away... I have yet to get my associates degree... but it also makes her super easy to talk to, and she understands pregnancy, as she's had a child of her own!

Let's see... today Brensyn had to have some work done on his top front teeth, and his lip is fat and numb. He hates it so badly that he cried for half an hour straight (yes, a joy) and on and off since. I can't get too upset with him, because I remember doing the same thing. I'd almost rather suffer through the pain than have to deal with my mouth being numb. Poor kid!

Jaran's finally getting busy again... and I do mean busy. He works six days a week, and usually for about 12 hours a day. By choice. He's got one job going right now, and another one the middle of May. He might even have a third starting sometime in July. I told him I was going to force him to take some time off when the baby comes. Minimum three days, if not more. It's going to be a long summer trying to keep the kids occupied while not being able to move, bend, handle being outside for more than two minutes at a time. If there ever was a time for a nanny... now is the time! Ha ha ha!

McKie is going to be eight in a month, and he's getting baptized the last Sunday of May. Is it shocking to anyone else that he's already this old? It's scary!!! There will be eight years between he and the baby. Crazy times! He's really getting into reading scriptures at night, and I'm thankful that he is... cause this isn't the first time we've tried to read. We have done it several times before, and it ended up being more horrible than good. It's been about two months since we started, and we're still going strong!

Ansleigh is enjoying her mommy and me time, since I haven't been doing school this semester. I think she gets bored sometimes, though, when I can't move around much. I feel like a beached whale already, and I still have almost three months left! AHH! She passed her Kindergarten screening with flying colors, and I think she'll be ready and excited when the time comes.

I'm super excited that my bro-in-law Zak gets off his mission in three weeks! It's going to be great to see him and give him a great big hug! He's been serving in Louisiana, and he's been doing amazing work out there.  He's been district leader for quite a while now, and he's a great example to the boys.

Well, I don't know what else to talk about. Just felt like I needed to write something for some reason. Take Care!