Barefoot and Pregnant

I had my weekly OB/GYN visit today and I am dilated to a 2-3. It won't be long now. 9 more days until I am due. I can't wait for this new little one to become a part of our family.

Yes, I know . . . Barefoot and Pregnant! Hehehe!

I am truly blessed!

Left My Camera at Home!

Zack and I went to McD's with my Mom, big Sister and 5 nieces today. It was noisey, crowded and wild! But Zack loved playing with his cousins -- especially Grace, Hannah and his buddy, Emma. The older group (from Katie up to Mom) sat and discussed the most recent Harry Potter movie. We had a wonderful time. About 10 minutes before we left, Zack started interacting with another 2 year old boy. (Isaac) and the 2 of them were bouncing their little bums off the emergency door and making it rattle. Each time it rattled, they would burst out in hysterical laughing. You just couldn't help but laugh with them. I hated to pull them apart but it was already after 2 and way past nap time -- at least for me! As we were leaving little Isaac called out, "Bye-bye Uncle Zack!" (he has an Uncle Zack) It just melted our hearts.

Life is blessed and just a touch of giggles.

National Ice Cream Day and Romance!

Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984. He also appointed the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan recognized the popularity of ice cream in the United States (90% of the nation's population consumes ice cream)and stated that these two events hould be observed with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

I married into an ice cream lovin' family. They don't take their passion for this frozen treat lightly, they pile bowls full to celebrate even the slightest occasion and being a true Ipson my little Zack has become a true ice cream officienado. His favorite at this moment is Strawberry -- YUMMY! On Zack's 2nd birthday when we had difficulty getting downstairs to open his presents, we asked him; "Zack, do you want some ice cream?" and lickety split, he flattened out his body and slid down the stairs in a matter of a second. Of course, we temporarily skipped the presents and devoured cake and ice cream!

So, why am I discussing ice cream, other than it is National Ice Cream Month? On Sunday, we celebrated National Ice Cream day with giant waffle cones filled with ice cream and my precious, loving, romantic husband had attached a silver ice cream cone charm on my cone. He said it was to represent ice cream day and becoming a Mom again, but I've always wanted an ice cone to represent him on my bracelet. So, to me it represents all of that, but mostly, my sweet my husband.

I love my husband so much, I couldn't have asked for a better, harder-working, more honorable man. I am truly blessed.

Love Is the Very Essence of Life . . . .

Barnett Family Reunion 2010

"Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arched across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, and neighbors! Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue."

— Gordon B. Hinckley (Standing Something Cd: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts And Homes)

Thank you President Hinckley for this reminder. I am so blessed to have my life filled with love.

Like Father Like Son!

Ben loves to eat plain lemons, my dear little Zacky does, too!

About One Month to Go . . .

Feeling as big as a barn!

With my 2nd child coming really soon, the old doubts and fears of whether I am capable of handling all of this has been overwhelming me. I'm scared, it's just that simple. Can I give everything to Zacky that he'll need and be everything to this new little one that I so deeply love already. Poor Ben, he's had to put up with a very tired, grumpy wife. Food is still disgusting to me. (well except for ice cream, some fruits and deep-fried things.) I've started getting terrible cramps in my thighs and I feel as big as a barn. So, I thought maybe I could make myself feel better by better occupying my mind. I found this piece of advice recently. (Okay, I was really looking for a wooden swing set/slide/fort combo but made myself look for something more uplifting.)

In a recent talk, President Monson reminded us of Pres. Benson's advice:

“Thinking of the example of his own mother and that of his beloved and faithful wife, Flora, President Benson has offered ten specific suggestions for mothers as they guide their precious children:

1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who read to me.

4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love

(see Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987, pp. 8–12; see also Ezra Taft Benson, Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990, pp. 32–36).”

I hope I can be and do all of those things. I hope I can be a good mother of two.

My Big Sister and Me!

For Mother's Day my big sister and I collaborated and gave our mother pictures of the two of us. In some things we are so similar: love of family, country, Rascal Flatts (country music), reading, our religion and chocolate. In other ways we are so very different: She's funny, very creative, artsy and her in-laws adore her and I'm more serious, organized, question my abilities all the time and my in-laws tolerate me for my husband's sake. I admire her very much, her courage and strength through adversity, her talent for cooking and anything artistic, her ability to have so many friends and people outside of our family love her and admire her. She is just a very good, honorable, kind person. She (along with my own mother) is a wonderful example of Motherhood. She is one of my heroes, I love her very much and feel blessed that our Heavenly Father put her on this earth to be my big sister and to help guide me along the way.