Bring on the BOYS!

On Monday, August 25, 2008 we left our beloved UT and flew to PA to finally get on with our lives. It was so nice to have John's help with the traveling and it really was so nice to be together after a long summer apart. Poor John was totally ready to have his family together after two summers in a row of being alone! The following Wednesday, August 27, 2008 we went for our much anticipated big ultrasound. I took both of the kids with me and it was a fun experience to have them there! As far as we were all concerned we were having a boy and girl but about three minutes into the ultrasound we found out that we were having two boys! I must say that I was somewhat surprised but totally excited. It took a bit of convincing to get McCall to understand that there was a Luke but not a Natalie in my belly. She kept saying "No Mom there is a Natalie in there!" After a few days however she was on board that she was going to get two brothers instead. So now we have a Luke and Logan in my belly and coming to our family very soon! LOOK OUT!!!

Happy Birthday Broc - #8

On Friday, August 22, 2008 we celebrated Broc's 8th birthday! Oh where did the time go! It's hard to believe that we have an eight year old, we couldn't possibly be old enough for that..... could we? John flew in the night before and we spent our last weekend in UT celebrating. Broc had decided weeks before what the days activities would consist of and was very particular to make sure it all went as planned. Sound a little like his mother? Anyway we had a great day at Cherry Hill and then we went to Jake and Al's for pizza, doughnuts cake and presents, his favorite being the BYU blanket his Nana made him. (That Nana is such a trouble maker!) We had a great day and having John spend it with us made it even better!

The next day, Saturday, August 23, 2008 Broc was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! What a beautiful and fantastic day for our family! It was so special to experience this moment with Broc and to have John Baptize him. We had so many of our family and friends share it with us as well and that made it even better! We're so proud of Broc for his choice to be baptized! He is a special boy and we are so lucky to have him in our family! Once again how grateful I was for the gospel.

Yahoo...We're Having Two!!

By August I was finally getting a handle on the nausea and throwing up and on some days starting to actually feel good but then I started to have pre-term labor. I was only 19 weeks, but hadn't seen a doctor yet because of the whole insurance issue, so at the insistence of EVERYONE, I went to see my old OB, Dr. Sorenson. On Tuesday, Aug 6, 2008 I went to my appt. She checked me and everything was normal and then she said "Let's do a quick ultrasound just to check your due date" this is exactly what she did when I was pregnant with McCall so no big deal. I lay on the table and she started the ultrasound. My first question was "How many are there?" She scanned back and forth and said "Well there's a head and..... There is a second head!" I couldn't believe it! I started to tear up and the nurse started jumping up and down with excitement! Dr. Sorenson said "you seemed bigger than 19 weeks, but I didn't want to say anything until I had done the ultrasound." It was then that I started to really cry as I shared my story with Dr. Sorenson.

At the beginning of April I was driving in the car with the kids when from the back seat Broc says "Mom, I want another baby to come to our family." I wasn't quite sure how to respond to him because my thoughts immediately went to, well if you only knew how long we have wanted this too and if you only knew all the crazy fertility drugs that I have been taking to try to get this to happen! So instead of blurting all of that out I said "Well Broc, we really want that to, maybe if you pray and ask Heavenly Father for a baby to come to our house that would help" His response was a simple "ok Mom, I will." We then had a cute conversation about what kind of baby we would want and that having twins would be fun because then we would get two instead of one. So that night when we had family prayer it was his turn and he blessed us that we would have a boy baby and a girl baby come to our family. For next few weeks both he and McCall prayed for this exact thing and not more than 3 weeks later I was pregnant and now some 4 months later we were having twins! As I shared this story with Dr. Sorenson she began to cry and it was then that I was so grateful that my Heavenly Father answered not only my prayers but the prayers of my children! I called John from the doctors office and he said "Well were you expecting anything different?" and you know I truly wasn't. From the moment I became pregnant I knew that there were two and to myself had always prayed for the babies instead of baby. The hard thing was not knowing what they were and for that we would have to wait another three weeks! It was a great day and so fun to be able to share it with our friends and family and to finally answer the question as to why I had been so sick.

Summer Recap & Throwing up...Yuck!!

At the end of May we flew to UT to see our families and play for a few weeks before John started his job at PPG. The plan was that John was going to fly back to PA to start his new job and I would stay a few weeks longer with the kids and then head to PA as well. Well that was before my pregnancy reared its ugly head and came on with a vengeance! From the moment we hit UT the throwing up began and didn't end until the summer was over and we were finally back in PA. Much to John's disliking and frustration, the kids and I ended up staying in UT for the entire summer because I was so sick. I am so grateful for the help of our families and a few of my friends during what I fondly refer to as "My summer of vomit!" I have never thrown up so much or in so many interesting places as I did this past summer. Everyone was so sick of me either throwing up or talking about throwing up that is was ridiculous! It's sad when your kids are totally unfazed by it when they roll down the car window and ask "Are you almost done Mom?
The sad thing was is that I had so many plans to see friends and do fun things with the kids and all of that went to the way side. Our only saving grace was Cherry Hill!

We would get up hit the "Hill" and then hurry home before the sick would hit! You know it was a rough summer when I tell you that I went to Target once, and never made it to Old Navy! So sad for a girl who loves to shop. The only upside it that we did get to spend a great deal of time with both our families and that was great! Thanks to everyone who saved me this summer!

The Big Move

Three days after graduation the movers arrived and packed us up and were were homeless! We were driving our Trailblazer to PA and then flying to UT. Our junk was going to storage for about three weeks while we waited to get into our rental. We spent our final days at ND roaming campus and playing with the Doughertys. It was hard to leave such a wonderful place that was filled with so many fun memories. We miss M12!

Barb & Shannon

This is Barb and her daughter Shannon Huey. They were in our church ward in South Bend. Every week in Sacrament Mtg we sat in front of them, along with Hank and they were so great to keep our kids entertained, especially McCall. They brought books, crayons with paper and treats, it was fabulous! It was nice to be able to listen and really enjoy the meeting. What I wouldn't give to have them sit behind us in a month or so!! Thanks Huey's for loving our kids! We miss you!!

Mrs. Rokop

This is Broc with his 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Rokop. Borc just loved her and being in her class a Kennedy Elementary in South Bend, IN. He grew so much academically in her class and at Kennedy. It was an excellent school and we were sad to leave. Thanks Mrs. Rokop for all that you did for Broc, you're the best!

Notre Dame Graduation - 2008

On Sunday, May 18, 2008 (one day shy of our 13th Anniversary) John graduated from the University of Notre Dame with his MBA. It was a surprisingly cold and windy day but one that was filled with great memories for us! His parents came to town to share his special day with us and we were so glad to have them with us! We had a great time showing them around ND as well as Amish country and South Bend. We are so proud of John for his hard work! Our experience at ND is one that we will always cherish! We made so many lasting friendships and great memories! Go Irish!

Pittsburgh here we come!

On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 we loaded up and headed off to PA to find a place to live. We spent 4 days hunting for a house to rent and an area that we would feel good about living in. We had several recommendations which really helped us narrow it down. After a few days of searching we found a great rental in a great city with good schools and a great church ward. We explored what would become our new home and then headed back to Notre Dame for graduation and the big move.

Baby on Board!

On May 6, 2008 we found out that we were pregnant! John had gone to school to take his last set of finals at ND and while he was gone I took a pregnancy test. I suspected that I was pregnant but hadn't said anything to anyone because I was afraid I would jinx it. So right before his last final he called home and I dropped the bomb! I was too excited and in shock to wait so I spilled the beans. We laughed and he said that if he did poorly on his final he could always blame it on the news! He did great on his test and we felt so blessed to finally be able to have another baby come to our family.

Primary Teachers that we LOVE!

Sunday May 4, 2008, was our last Sunday to attend our ward here in South Bend. What a neat, friendly and amazing ward it is! We love the South Bend, IN ward! When we came to the ward in August we were immediately taken in, put to work and we have been so blessed! I have grown so much serving as a Primary teacher and John and I both have really enjoyed serving together with our darling and energetic class! It's hard to believe our time in this wonderful ward has come and gone so fast. Our kids have also been so blessed with great Primary teachers and good friends. Broc has really enjoyed Jessica Lambourne as his teacher and thank goodness for his friend and the only other boy in his class, Derek. Although they didn't spend a ton of time together when they did play they had alot of fun. McCall became a sunbeam this past Jan and we are so thankful to Sis Carrie Kindt and Ashley Glissmeyer for their patience and long suffering. With a class of 8 girls its a wonder they still came to church on a regular basis! Thanks to you all for making a lasting impression on our kids, they love you and so do we!

Fun at the Zoo!

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, the MBA Family Life Committee held a family day at the Potowatami Zoo here in South Bend. We really enjoyed the zoo but we especially hanging out with our fellow MBAers and their families. We have truley grown to love these families and we are really going to miss them! Thanks Dan & Shanda for a great activity - we had a good time!

Utah's New Front Runner

Following the funeral weekend we, along with 30,000 other crazy Utahns, decided on Monday, April 28th to try out the new Front Runner train. We rode the train from the Layton stop to SLC, walked to Temple Square, had lunch and then rode the train back. Although it was crazy busy with tons of people we did have a great time. We enjoyed spending the day together!

Breakfast with the Crippens

On Saturday morning before the funeral we managed to squeeze in a yummy breakfast at Granny Annie's with the Crippens. It was fun to see everyone and although it was only for a short meal we did enjoy seeing everyone. Thanks guys for having breakfast with us!

Utah Trip - G Mac Funeral

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008 the kids and I headed to Utah. Thanks to my parents generosity, we were able to fly and be home for Grandpa Mac's funeral. John followed on Thursday night and was only able to stay the weekend but the kids and I stayed for a whole week and we had a great time! Although it was for a sad occasion it was so great to see everyone and spend time with my family. I know it sounds a little weird to say but hey, I'm a little weird! I love weddings and funerals because that is when we get to see our fun cousins that we rarely see. Everyone of the McKinstry cousins came to town and we partied! On Saturday, at the viewing before the funeral, McCall was standing at G Mac's casket and this is the conversation that took place:

McCall:"Mom, we are going to bury him today"
Me: "Yes we are after the funeral"
McCall: "I need to get my shovel"
Me: "Your shovel?"
McCall: "Yes my shovel so I can help bury him today!"

I tried to explain that there were men whose job it was to do this task but she was insitent for the rest of the afternoon that she needed her shovel to help get the job done.