Putting the kids to work

Halloween decoration

We love Halloween at our house.  The home-made decorations are what make it so much fun. This week the twins and I had a blast making the house "scary".  We decorated our door and front room with lots of fun things. 

Family Days

Leif got 2 days off in a row!!  For the first day we had a family day.  And on the second day we got to have a "date day".  Both days were so pleasant. 

In September our MOSI pass got us into Lowery Zoo for free.  The zoo here has rides for kids, a splash park, train rides through Africa and lots of animals.  It was fun watching the kids ride the roller-costar, boat-ride, planes and horses.  Savannah was in love with the zebra's and elephants.  Micah loved the bats.  My favorite was learning about a new animal called Okapi.  Even though it was September... it was still HOT outside.  So after walking around for 3 hours we were ready to leave.  As soon as we got home we went for a swim.  ( I am sure going to miss having a pool right in my backyard).  We ended the night with movie and popcorn.  I love my little family.

 For our Date Day, Leif and I went to the temple.  It had been too long since we had been together last.  And it was much needed.  We enjoyed the drive there and back talking about "our future". We enjoyed the temple, and we enjoyed a lunch together.  I sure do love the temple.

 

30 weeks

Everyone always asks "How is your pregnancy going?"  Well, it is going.  I still get nervous that this baby will come early.  But as the weeks pass along my confidence increases.   Each week that passes is pure joy to me.  All I wish for is a healthy baby who I can take home WITH ME from the hospital.   Having NICU babies was very difficult.  Having a still-born was indescribable.  Having a normal pregnancy is what I desire.  And my doctor is hopeful that it will be.

Yet, this week we had a big scare.   It was Sunday and I was 29 weeks.  My left side started to cramp.  I had back pain.  My desire to eat was gone.  I felt tired and dizzy.  And this pain in my left side wasn't subsiding.  So I called my doctor and was told to go into the hospital just to make sure it wasn't Pre-Term Labor. 

Long story short.  it wasn't labor.... I was so relieved... My baby boy was still doing fine. 

 They sent me home and told me to rest.  I rested.  The pain(s) didn't go away.  The left side cramp got stronger and more intense.  By Tuesday I was back in the hospital for undesirable pain.   We thought it was a kidney stone.  But all the tests said nothing was wrong with me.  After 2 days in the hospital the pain was manageable without medication.  Again they sent me home and told me to rest.  So I did.  Leif was a great help.  He was super Dad all week.  My friends here were amazing.  They helped take care of the twins, brought me meals, and even came to do my laundry.  I don't know what I would have done without them.  We are all doing better now and feeling back to normal. 

Saying Good-Bye

My dear Chinese-Friends Sang Ming (or Lora) moved away.  I am so sad.  I meet Sang Ming about one year ago.  Her husband was from Washington, she from China, and therefore we had an instant connection.  Right after meeting Lora, I inviting her over for lunch and showed her all my Chinese pictures (she was very interested).  I loved using my Chinese on her and I loved helping her improve her English.  Our kids did story-time together and we became visiting-teaching companions.  Lora had a heart of gold.  Lora loved serving others and she loved cooking.  So a lot of our visiting-teaching appointments turned into lunches.  And she was a wonderful cook.  I now make fried-rice and stir-fry the correct "Chinese Way".  For Christmas last year, Lora and her family did the 12 days of Christmas on us.  We looked forward to our nightly gifts and felt so loved by them.  I will forever remember Sang Ming.  I feel sad that good friends have to come and go.      

 

A lunch date with Lora in her beautiful home.

Sang Ming and Rachel

Short visit

Uncle Mike had a meeting in Clearwater for a day.   So we got to stay the night at our house and spend a short Monday morning with us.  It was very short, but the twins remembered "Uncle Mike" and had a lot of fun playing with him.  He is the only uncle who has visited us here in Florida so the twins truly to remember him and get excited to horse-play.  Thanks Mike for the visit!!

Pre-School

Some friends and I started a little pre-school.  Each week we get our kids together and take turns teaching.  The "students" learn a new letter each week.  We then have snack and teach about a monthly theme.  And of course there is play time at the end and social time for the Mom's.  The kids LOVE it.  And I am loving it too.  I forgot how much I love to teach.   It is the best feeling to see students remember things, or understand.

 Every day Micah & Savannah ask if they are going to Pre-School.  It is so fun watching them be a part of a group and interacting with other.  We also do story time once a week with another friend.  So between pre-school and story times these twins are becoming little learners.

I taught the first week.  We learned about the letter A and then made "apple jack" necklaces.  It was a big hit since none of the kids get sugar cereal at home.