Humbled to our knees

 

Much has been going on in our family.  We are always busy, but things have picked up even more in the last several weeks.   Damon was called to be the Bishop of our ward about a month ago.  We have been very overwhelmed and truly humbled to our knees.  We moved to Mississippi over 4 years ago, and Da was called to serve in the Bishopric immediately serving with Bishop Hansen.   It was a rewarding time for him and for me, and Da is so grateful for all he has learned from Bishop Hansen to best prepare him for this calling as Bishop.   They truly are best friends, a friendship that will last through eternity.  I can't express how much that warms my heart, to know that Da has been able to serve with Bishop Hansen and to know of the deep friendship they share.  A friendship that is based on a testimony of Jesus Christ, and the opportunity to serve in the capacity they did.   I know my wonderful, sweet and caring Husband will be a wonderful Bishop.   I have seen a change in him these last few weeks.  I have no doubt he can full fill his calling. I hope that I can be a good wife, that I can support and love him and encourage him. I hope  I can be a good mother to these 5 children!  The task before me is incredibly overwhelming and daunting. But as a wise friend said to me, I will take it one day at a time, and Trust that the Lord will bless myself and my family with what we need for that day. 

 

Below are the two Bishoprics that Da was a part of....

 

 

John Mcnamara, Bishop Ryan Hansen, and Damon

 

Damon, Bishop Ryan Hansen and Stuart Grange.

 

 

As for some more news in our family......we found out that baby number 5 is a BOY!  Three boys in a row! What are the chances? Da is ecstatic, I am happy he seems to be healthy, and the girls are majorly disappointed.  During the ultrasound I told the girls it will be fun to have another little brother and Maddie responded " Sure, whatever"  When I asked Sa if she was excited she said" kinda, I'll still love him"  So, with that bit of news, its nice to finally call him a him, instead of a it.  We have decided to name him Carter John. I have always liked Carter, and truthfully I didn't think that Da would go for it, but he did! So I said, since I picked the first name, why don't you chose the middle name. And John it was.  However, one night before we had chosen a name, Jack was asked to say the prayer. Maddie said, thank Heavenly Father for James.  She than said to me that she felt like his name was suppose to be James.  Jack looked at her and said, No, I think his name is going to be Shadow.  And that night, he thanked Heavenly Father for Shadow his baby brother!   Its very different having a baby with already 4 children in our home, with their own ideas and opinions about things! 

He is healthy, however he is breech right now.  I knew something was different, I could just tell things did not feel the same.  IF he does not turn on his own, and he could, than I will let Dr. Gebhart try an inversion.  I have heard they are very painful, and not always successful, yet I don't want my fifth baby to be a c-section!  Hopefully all goes well and he either turns on his own, or the inversion works! 

 

Recently my phone was destroyed by putting it on the counter in a puddle of water. I had so many cute pictures on my phone, it breaks my heart that they are lost.  Some included pictures of Jack's first day of school.   So the rest of my post will be picture less.   Sad!

 

Maddie is doing great in 3rd grade.   She is thriving and loves that they actually get real grades now. She is driven by the idea of getting an A.  For now it works, only hope that lasts.   If she does not want to study for a test, I tell her, "so don't., but I wouldn't count on getting an A" I love to watch her internal struggle with that.  She always decides to study, and usually gets an A.  That tactic would never work with Sadie, but it works with Maddie.  She really loves violin this year, and though she doesn't really enjoy piano, she is really getting better.   I love her little personality. She is growing up so much. 

 

Sadie is doing great in 2nd grade. She totally LOVES Mrs. Kling her teacher. I will admit, she is the best teacher.   She is perfectly lovely in every way.   She does great in school too, with hardly any effort.   School comes easily for her. She must have her daddy's brain.   Now, she LOVES piano as opposed to Maddie. She is doing really well, picking it up so fast. I think the last year of having violin, and already knowing how to read music gave her a great advantage.  

 Both my girls run in from school, finish their homework in record speed, practice their instruments, and run out the front door to play with all their friends. They are both so social, and love to be outside riding bikes and rollerblading.

I love those two little ladies, and it breaks me up that they are so grown up and seem to need me so little for things.   They like to sit and talk and that I enjoy. 

 

Jack is doing OK in school.  He rarely wants to go in the mornings, not because he doesn't like it while he is there, but he would just rather be at home being lazy.  The second week of school he had to move his clip to yellow for punching a girl in his class.  When I asked him about that, his explanation was that the girl pushed down Ross( a friend) and laughed at him, so he punched her.  Though I saw his point, we still had to have a talk about not punching or hitting friends in class.  A couple days after that, he moved his clip again for not listening and being disruptive in class. When questioned about this, he said that Miss Shonna lied, and that she said he was not listening, but he really was.  Hmmm.......  The next night, Da had to pull him out of his soccer practice because he was tackling kids on his team trying to get the ball.  Da had to explain this was NOT tackle soccer. He assured us later that it really is tackle soccer and that its OK. Umm......yeah not really Jack!  Also, today at lunch I asked him who he sat by today in class. He responded, "Oh the fat girl"  I explained that was not nice, and that he can't call her the "fat girl"  He responded with " well I don't know her name, and she's fat, so  I just call her the fat girl"  I just about died!  So, it appears that Da and I have  "one of those kind of kids" 

 

Kev is a growing 2 year old. He likes to talk about Carter, his baby brother.  He is talking more and more, and we think he is just so stinkin cute.  He jumped out of his crib last week, and since has been in a big boy bed.  Well of course that pretty much sucks the bucket!  Nap time is pretty much a joke, and getting him to bed at night is not much better.  Oh well, we have survived this before, I guess we will again.He loves to read books, and he also is following in Jacks footsteps and is a total TV junkie.  How Da and I don't even watch TV, and we have these TV junkies is beyond me.  Potty training is pretty much a bust. Put him on the potty, and he will totally go.  Put him in underoos, and 5 min later he comes running up to me and says "peed"  I asked him today where are you suppose to put your pee, he said "ummm..floor?" So needless to say, we are pretty much still with diapers most of the time. 

 

Well as crazy as things are with 4 kids, and another on the way, we wouldn't trade our life for anything!