September has been exciting and exhausting for all of us. School has started with all its busyness. We've also been trying to get everyone switched around to their new rooms, while trying to re-organize our food storage area, put up an art/school/craft supply area, replace our side entry door and one of the bedroom doors, and get all the kids' clothes organized. (And our project list is much longer than that, but it's not going to happen before this baby comes!) I don't know why everything we try to do seems to be dependent on something else in the house being done or re-done, but it's a little frustrating! I've had a few people come over to look at some things we "freecycled," and the first thing they say is, "Oh, are you moving?" Well, I guess in a matter of speaking--if you can count moving around in your own house! D.I. got a huge load of stuff from us, though, and they're bound to get more as the next couple of weeks go by.

Justin is keeping as busy as ever at work. He also just bought a road bike, so he's been able to exercise and still be home at a decent hour. (He was doing two hour hikes before, but that's getting difficult with the sun setting earlier. Plus, it's nice to have him home a little earlier!) He's become quite the biking expert, and the kids get a kick out of daddy in all his biking gear. He looks like a real racer!

I'm two weeks away from delivering number 5, and I'm excited and feeling like a deer in the headlights at the same time! All the projects I've started just can't get done quick enough; I worry every day I'll go into labor, and I'll come home to the chaos our house is in while trying to heal and adjust to a new little one. My wonderful angel neighbors saw my predicament and organized a blitz to make sure we aren't stuck. Justin has been such a help when he's home from work, but there just isn't enough time with homework, lessons, and everything else that is necessary for daily living. The Lord is truly merciful--I don't know what I'd do without this ward! I discover the Lord's tender mercies more and more each day.

Ashley is loving fourth grade, and just went on a fun field trip to Promontory Point, Utah, to learn about the joining of the two railroads and other related things. They also traveled to a spot near the Wyoming border to hike a little. Fourth grade focuses on Utah and Utah history, so they'll be taking many field trips to various sites to build on what they learn in class. Ashley's teacher is tying all her units in some way to Utah, historical and today, and I like how she is trying to help the kids see how we can deal with our problems and challenges as we learn how people before us did. Christina is a first-grader now, and just adores her teacher! She has had no problem adjusting to going to school all day, but she still misses her kindergarten teacher sometimes. She is doing a great job with her reading, and she is a super student. She loves playing "Wondergirl" or "Cops and Robbers" at recess (I don't know where she heard of Wondergirl--who is she?!), and she was trying to figure out what to be for Halloween before school started! She is a fun girl to have around! Christopher is as busy as ever, and as stubborn as ever. But he's so darn cute that he makes up for it (most of the time). He sings all the time (at the top of his lungs), and he loves to play with Emily, and anyone else who happens to be around. He loves to play with others, and it's so sad there are no little boys his age around! He loves Sunbeams, and absolutely adores giving talks, scriptures, or prayers in Primary! He has learned how to read--a complete surprise to Mom and Dad--and he's so proud of his new skill. He was so proud to look just like Dad in a new suit at his aunt's wedding. Emily turned two at the end of August, and it is unbelievable how quickly it's gone by. She's a delight to everyone in the family. She's decided that her brother can sometimes be fun to play with, and not just an instrument made to torture her. She still protests plenty, but they get along better all the time. They march around the living room in time to a Sesame Street CD or to "Plimary" songs, and she knows quite a few by heart. She's a precious little singer who loves to hear never-ending streams of stories, loves coloring, and loves all animals and babies (we hope that trend holds in a couple of weeks).

If any pictures get posted on this blog, it will be through the good skills of Justin, as it seems that I cannot deal with digital pictures. I am too impatient to learn how to manipulate them without ruining them or deleting them (or maybe just too scared; probably a good mix of both). You should be able to see some in a couple of weeks or so!