What a new post? Whose blog is this?

I don't know what's come over me but I have decided to post something. You know it is hard for me. I just haven't been feeling it lately, but I really need to get back into the groove.

In case you don't know I haven't been myself lately. For some reason beyond explanation I have decided to have another baby. Apparently, my body disagreed with me. I just want you to know that while my other pregnancies were fairly agreeable, this pregnancy...is trying to kill me, literally!!

Someday when the shame and humiliation of all that has happened to me in the last three months wears off, ask me to discuss it with you. Otherwise, let's just leave it unsaid.

I am now beginning my 15th week, I think the worst of it is behind me, but I don't really want to jinx myself. So I will say I am running about 75% of normal this week.

Interestingly enough, Erica is in her 30th week of pregnancy and she posted some pictures of herself on her blog. She looks about as pregnant as I do...I wonder if that means my baby will be twice as big as her baby...hmmm. I am willing to put 20 bucks on that.

Wish me luck, I really need it. Really.

Judd Family Campout 2010

My family went up to the Judd Ranch for a Labor day campout. Lillie thought she had died and gone to heaven. Literally, the first thing she did was sit down next to the fire pit, take her shoes off, and rub ash up and down her legs...it was like all her dreams had come true! We really had a great time. We hiked, shot skeet, shot some more guns, did some target shooting, I shot a gun that was so big it scared me. That is the honest truth. It isn't a Judd Family Campout until some major amunition supply is diminished. Shane Sargent, your aim is serious, my friend!! Sierra quickly informed me that when she grows up she wants to study bullets, then proceeded to collect as many spent shells as she could get her hands on. (She is currently sleeping with them under her pillow...should I be scared?) Then, because that was so much fun, she and Tyler went out in the trees and collected all the clay pigeons we missed. Good Times!! Another time honored tradition of the Judd Family Campout is the progressive rummy tournament. Miner won by a landslide, I swear that guy cheats...four aces!! I just think my family is so awesome and fun. It was fun to have Erica and Landon and the boys there, too.

So that is my little summer. I can't believe the trees are already changing color. I've had such a great time. I can't wait for skiing, let's bring on the snow already!! Peace.

We don't need no education...

The best and hardest thing about having a 5 year old is sending them to their 1st day of school. Sierra was so excited to go. She just LOVES school. She loves riding the bus. She loves having the big kids help her get to class in the morning. She loves her teacher. She LOVES recess. She told me that every morning they stand and say, " I pleg to Jesus and the flag of the university and regular plublic by which I stand." She was so proud!! We will have to work on that, but how can you not just be so excited for her!! I did very good, I only cried a little. It was actually harder for me to send her the second day, because she just ran right out of the house and down to the bus stop and she didn't even need my help, and she wasn't scared or anything...that was kind of hard for me. She is such a good, good kid.

Summer 2010, Part 3

Two Hawaiian Beauties

Lava Flow at night

Miner's Dream Machine...the Jeep!

Most Amazing Snorkling!

Black Sand Beach

Sunset veiw from our condo

Volcano National Park

In July, Miner took me to Hawaii for our 10th Anniversary. I can NOT believe I have been married for 10 years. It just doesn't seem like it has been that long. Then again, I feel like Miner and I have done SO SO MUCH in that 10 years. We just filled it all up. It has been so amazing. Miner is an amazing person. He just has so much energy, and wants to do everything and not miss out on life. I love that about him. I have a tendency to want to just get in a routine, so I am so glad that I have him to get me out there and having fun. We have had so much fun. For all of you out there who have been along for the ride...we love you, and thank you for contributing so much to our lives and our family. We have such great friends and family, and that keeps us keepin' on.

July 31, 2010 was my sweet, sweet Sierra's Number 5 birthday. I would post pics, but I can't find the other camera at the moment (Miner may have taken it with him to the desert). But I have to say, I can't believe my girl is 5. I am getting choked up just thinking about it right now. That girl has my heart. She is my softie. She is my best good hand holding buddy. She loves learning new things. She loves music and "rocks out" in her bedroom all the time. (She totally gets that from me!) Although, she told me she didn't want to take dance lessons this year, because she has to do exactly what the teacher tells her all the time...I guess she prefers her own dance moves. She loves singing songs, she makes up her own lyrics and sings to herself all day long. I can hear her in her room just singing away. She loves hugs, and she gives hugs a lot. She got a camera for her birthday and has made a comprehensive catolog of all the light fixtures, furniture, rugs, and appliances in our house. If our house is ever destroyed by fire we will have no problem with the insurance company, because our house has been thoroughly documented. Also she has taken several pictures of her own feet, Lillie's eyes (extreme close-up), all her stuffed animals in various poses...and then her camera ran out of batteries. It was a great birthday.

Summer 2010, Part 2

This was a swimming party at G-ma Miner's House with the Rigg's cousins. I was really fun. We had swimming pools and slip-n-slides and water volleyball. Good times!!

Summer 2010

I would love to say that I am a great blogger, but it is hard for me to get around too. So here are some of the things we have been up to this summer...

My Little Lillie turned 2 years old. She is such a cutie and she just knows what she wants. She talks a hundred miles an hour. She has never had any trouble pronouncing words. She talks like she is thirty years old. In fact, today we were looking at a book of baby animals and she was telling me what all the animals were. When we got to the picture of the guinea pig, she said, "OH! Zuzu pet!!" She is so great. I just love her so much. I can't believe she is two already, even though she hardly seems like a baby anymore. She is such a good sleeper, I have never had any trouble with her. She loves, and I mean LOVES dirt, mess, smearing things, climbing on things, splashing, spilling, mud, stuffing, pulling out stuffing, shredding, you name it, she will do it! She is very brave and it scares me to take her to the swimming pool, because she is absolutely unafraid of the water. You just have to love her though, because at the end of the day, that is what makes her so fun.

Preschool Graduation

Lillie Loved the Bounce House
So did Sierra...

Sierra and her best friend Karlie

L to R: Gracie Howard, Olivia Howard, Karlie Rigby, and Sierra

BFF!!

Sierra and Lillie...just try to get them to look at the camera, I challenge you!!

My sweet, sweet Sierra graduated preschool!! I can not believe it! I never thought I would be one of those crying moms, but shoot...I can't stop it! Sierra's preschool teacher is just the greatest. We just love Teacher Paskett. Sierra even started crying at the end and said, " I will never see Teacher Paskett again!" She was so worried. It was really kind of sad. I told her she would see Teacher Paskett over the summer and than helped her calm down. Also, it is kind of hard to keep crying and eat popcorn at the same time, so...

Anyway, Sierra sang all her songs and said her line, which was, "I know what policemen and mailmen do." Teacher Paskett had put together a cute little program and video of all their activities. They even got to wear graduation gowns. It was so funny, all the kids in Sierra's class fit their gowns, and since Sierra is about 4 inches shorter then anyone else her age, her gown was so huge on her and she had to carry it around just so she could walk in it. Teacher Paskett had asked all the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up, and Sierra said she wanted to be a Cowgirl!!! I was so proud! I got all choked up, of course.

After the ceremony, there was a carnival (hence the aforementioned popcorn) and all the kids got to "fish pond" and jump in the bounce house, and everyone won prizes. It was a good time. Sierra was really excited to come home and find a graduation present at home. A new slip'n'slide and swimming pool for summer. BEST DAY EVER!!! Now all we need is some sun!

XXOO Baby girl! I love you so much. I am so proud of you!