China, Sedona, and so forth.

In September Dan went to China for a week. I was sad to miss an adventure, but it was a business trip and I wasn't invited. It turns out the only thing I missed was karaoke and a lot of factories. Still, it sounded amazing and I want to invent or design something just so I can have an excuse to go there. Maybe someday. Anyway, while he was gone I often stayed up until 1:00am to get all the housework done. I am slow and tired with this pregnancy. My back was killing me and my patience was worn a little thin by the time he came back. But now he is here to keep me company, wash the dishes, and bathe the kids and put them to bed. It was weird having my best friend gone for a week. I sure missed him.

Then fall break happened. It was so nice to sleep in a little every day. The first weekend of the break we went up to Sedona where Dan's brother and his family have a time share. They wanted Dan to take their family pictures, and they told us to go up a little early so we could have the place to ourselves. It was nice. And minus food and gas, it was a free vacation. Score. We had fun seeing the sights and we ate at a restaurant named Pisa Lisa that had the most amazing salad I have ever tasted in my life. The pizza was good too.

In October I helped (last minute) with Copperstar's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Mesa Arts Center. I lead the music for the kids on stage left. I am supposedly getting paid for that, and I got comp tickets for my family and some friends. It was a really great show. And the Saturday matinee that my kids attended was fun. They played in the fountain outside the theater. It was a beautiful day. The weather is finally getting better around here.

Halloween also happened. I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Gwen's preschool class, which was pretty fun. I also made two Star Wars themed costumes for a family in our neighborhood, and our kids were Harry Potter and Tinkerbell. We had fun at the Trunk-or-Treat a week before, and they had fun trick-or-treating on actual Halloween. Of course, Gwen was sick, and now we are all going through it. 'Tis the season, I guess.

I'm still teaching a few voice and piano lessons, but I'm planning on taking December off. I'm also teaching a few acting classes for Copperstar in their new studios. They are having a hard time getting going. I'm sure once the word gets out, they will be very busy, because the other teachers are awesome. So far my largest class had 6 people. We'll see how it goes next session.

What did I miss?

There were birthdays (mine and Asher's). There were first days of school for both kids. There was a cavity filling for Asher and a crown for me. There were book clubs and calling changes and projects. Doctor visits. Family outings. Growing. Surprises. Plans. Projects.

1st day of school... way back in July.

1st day of preschool. She LOVES it!

Asher had a lego themed birthday party. He only wanted extended family there (no friends from church or school). He had direct specifications for his cake. He had a great time and he loved his gifts.

My birthday came and went without much fuss. It is right when Asher's school starts up, and I'm pregnant and lazy, and we just spent money on a new mattress, Vegas, and rocks for our backyard. So I went out to brunch with my AZ sisters-in-law and Gwen... right after a doctor appointment that confirmed the gender of our third child. Gwen couldn't hold that information in. She was quiet for a while, then blurted out "Our baby is a boy." Later, Dan got me a few small gifts and that was that.

This summer was supposed to be the "summer of me" where I do a lot of projects for myself instead of projects for other people. Yeah, that didn't happen so much. But I did make (for clients) two flower girl dresses, 6 re-covered chair cushions, a roman shade, curtain panels & matching pillow, and I added sleeves onto two dresses. I also kept up with a few voice and piano clients through the break. I guess I just can't say no to money and friends.

One of the cushions I wanted to keep. They matched my house. 

We didn't go out much as a family this summer, but occasionally we went to dinner or to see a movie. The kids loved Despicable Me 2. One of the characters has a punchline ("Pooping?") that sent Asher into hysterics for minutes. I didn't think he was going to be able to breathe, he was laughing so hard.

An example of what we do instead of "going out." 

I am now Enrichment Leader. Or whatever it is called now-a-days. I was so sad to leave my primary singing time gig... but that's the breaks. At least a few kids burst into tears on my last day too. I wasn't the only one crying. Enrichment is harder for me, but I'm getting the hang of it and we had an awesome meeting about a week ago where a professional psychologist/psychiatrist came to talk about emotional health. It was interesting and we had a ton of people there and many girls cornered me afterward to say that they could have listened to her speak forever. We also had green smoothies and info on canning meat. I've been making a lot of green smoothies for Asher. Secret spinach! Woohoo.

I have two book clubs that I go to, I love it. In one club I recently headed up the discussion on "Ender's Game"- it was nice to re-read it. I think I enjoyed it more the second time around, and I noticed more about it. For instance... Orson Scott Card sort of predicted a ton of technology that we have now- and that book was written in the late 1970s. Anyway, I also read "Gone With the Wind" for the first time for my other book club. I'm glad I read it, it is an amazing book. But it is also very very sad. To off-set my sadness, I read two books in a YA series only available on Kindle: "The Scourge" and "The Defiance" by A.G. Henley. I can't wait for the next book to come out next year. I read a few more books about writing, and I read some Roald Dahl books to Asher. Hixons like books. (Maybe that should be our family motto?)

Our baby boy seems healthy, but we found out our insurance covers absolutely no maternity costs. We'll be fine I guess, but I'm still bummed about it. I'm also going to try to give birth without an epidural so that we can save almost $2000 there and get out of the hospital sooner- saving even more money. If this third birth is anything like Gwen's I think I can do it. If it is more like Asher's... I'm going to need some major pain meds. I'm trying to study up. The pregnancy is going well, except some moments of anxiety. And I feel way more tired and I'm gaining tons of weight. I already weigh more than when I gave birth to Gwen, and I still have 13 weeks to go. I'm not to my Asher weight yet, but I have a sad feeling I'll probably get there and pass it. I mean, I started out with 20 extra pounds to begin with. Oh well. I'm not in the "fat chicks of pregnancy" club all by myself. :) I'm just hoping for a healthy baby.

Details, details.

 So while we were in Rusty's pizza in Santa Barbara, I noticed something in the bathroom...

It is a sad state of affairs when there are no locks on the doors... but there are locks on the T.P.

And in Vegas I probably looked like an idiot the whole time, but I couldn't help myself. I kept looking up. Have you ever noticed how spectacular the ceilings look in casinos? It really does amazing things for the space. It is making me consider my own ceilings. I probably won't do anything to them, but I am open to the possibilities. 

Two Trips

We went to Santa Barbara. The plan was to stay for 7 days, but it was so beautiful and Arizona is so hot that we decided to extend our vacation to 10 days. Dan's mom had recently had knee surgery, so she didn't go out with us much. But we still did lots of fun things with Grandpa... as well as with my sister Lori and her kiddos. I also occasionally met with old friends on my own since Dan was still working during the daytime. (I hope he works "from home" forever. It is the best.)

Dan made a highlight video that was really cute. He posted it elsewhere, so I won't post it here. Plus, some of his video was when I wasn't there, and I was with another child or friend doing something else.

Things I did without Dan: went to Tucker's Grove with the kids and met with my old high school friend Daisy, went to a fun game night at church with my sister, went on a walk downtown with my friend Anna and her sweet little girl Georgiana (including playing at the Courthouse and eating at the Habit), hung out with my sister and our kids at a park, and went shopping and headed up some smoothie runs. There were probably a few more little things.

Things we did together: Ate at the Natural Cafe and saw a movie (Into Darkness) without the kids, went to the zoo with Grandpa and Lori and her kids, rode the carousel and played at Chase Palm Park, went on a date to the Palace Grill, went to church and celebrated Father's Day with some Simi Valley brothers and sisters-in-law who came up for Sunday, visited the Sea Center on the pier with Grandpa, had lunch at the "lighthouse" Rusty's pizza, went to Lori's house and also a home she was watching while the owners were away. That house had baby chicks and baby cows and an old dog that Asher loved. We visited an awesome house that Dan's brother Jeff and his wife Heather were looking after for his boss. We also watched a lot of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with Dan's parents, and Lori and her kids came over to the Hixon's to play a few times. :)

We took things a little slower because I was still getting over the nauseating part of pregnancy. It was much better by the time we left to come back... maybe because I slept in every day. I felt bad that we didn't do more, but I needed a slow pace. And let me tell you it was HEAVEN to be away from responsibilities and insane heat! I loved the "June gloom"- I couldn't get enough fog.  

Going back home was sad, but we did have something else to look forward to. We booked a little two day trip to Vegas on July 1st and 2nd... with no children! It was amazing. I love my kids and everything, but it was nice to stay up late and sleep in and do whatever we wanted and not have to help anyone use the bathroom. We stayed at the Wynn, which was wonderful, and we saw the Cirque show there (Le Reve) and then Penn & Teller's magic show at the Rio the following night. We loved both shows... especially Penn & Teller. I think seeing them was on Dan's bucket list. We also went to an older casino and saw a movie during the day (Mud), and we went shopping and walked around and ate awesome food. We even went back to a place we ate the last time we were in Vegas at the Venetian because Dan remembered how much he liked the food there. It was still super good. P.S. The Stecks watched our kids, for which we are eternally grateful. They swam and played and had a great time there.

 **Also my sister Tracy came to visit in early June. I've missed a lot, but I want to note that it was so fun to see her, and I was glad she came. :)

Number Three

I know I have a lot to catch up on, but for now I will start with the big guns. As you may be able to surmise from the picture below... I'm pregnant! Everything looks pretty good so far. (Whew!) Unhappily I was exposed to Fifths Disease, had an emergency root canal with x-rays, and had electrolysis without knowing I was pregnant... so once I knew for sure, I anxiously awaited my first doctor appointment. I was glad and excited to see that little wiggly body and heartbeat. I had a big smile on my face watching the monitor, although it wasn't twins. Seriously, I wanted twins. But I am really happy about a healthy single too.

I've been feeling ill. When I read or stay still it isn't so bad. I think it is finally going away. But my house is a mess and I haven't cooked anything for a couple months. Dan also puts the kids to bed most nights. I feel bad that he is doing almost everything around here, but I hope to be back in business soon.

I've only had to cancel a few voice lessons. It is weird to be pregnant again and to immediately remember what it feels like to be pregnant. How I can hear the name of a food and KNOW that I most certainly do NOT want to eat it. How I feel uber ill if I forget to consume food within four hours of my last meal. And how I feel nauseated, but if I eat through the nausea, it is better than if I don't eat. When I am not pregnant, that sounds like crazy talk, but when I AM pregnant it is the truest truth in the world.   I also can't wear tight pants (or I will barf), and I can do stuff (like attend church or teach a lesson or go to a class with Asher), but afterwards I need to lie down for the rest of the day.

I feel pretty pathetic, but I think I'm doing better lately. I'm at 12 weeks, so hopefully this will taper off and I can exercise and participate in life again.

SB & Disney

We took a trip to Santa Barbara for spring break. It was really wonderful to be back in our hometown for a few days. We played and stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but we visited my sister in the mountains a few times as well. The cousins had a great time playing together, and I got to see the new place that Lori is moving to. (It is right down the road from where she is now... on the property of a big ranch!) We probably would have done more and seen more people in town if it wasn't for our mid-week adventures at Disneyland. Not that I am complaining... I LOVE DISNEYLAND and I have been thinking about going there with the kids now that they are old enough to enjoy it. Luckily, G&G Hixon had the same thought. We are SO thankful for their generosity, and for the two days we got to spend with them at the happiest place on earth.

Clubbing

I have wanted to be in a successful book club for a while now. I love reading (I've enjoyed fourteen books since January 1st) and I always want to talk to people about the books I read. I don't know why my book club fantasy hasn't worked out until now... maybe because I have been in plays, or maybe I just feel awkward crashing parties. Maybe both. Anyway, somehow I found my way into our neighborhood book club. I am LOVING it. I have gone twice.

February's book was "Mrs. Kennedy and Me" by Clint Hill. It is not a book I would probably choose to read, because it is non-fiction. I'm so glad I read it though because first of all, I didn't know much about the Kennedys other than JFK was shot and Jackie was a fashion icon. They are a morbidly fascinating family. Morbid, because I think they are totally messed up in a lot of ways- but the point of view was kind. The story is told by Mrs. Kennedy's secret service agent, and he worshipped her... in a very chivalric kind of way. It was so fascinating. And I don't know much about the secret service or how they operate, so that part was very intriguing as well. At the end of the book, I just felt sorry for everybody because everyone was broken. Book club was great, because the discussion leader is a Catholic democrat who knows a TON about the Kennedys. She brought lots of extra books (about Jackie's fashion, for instance) and supplied lots of additional information.

March's book was "Divergent" by Veronica Roth. I actually had read the book before and enjoyed it, but I remember spending half the time trying to wrap my head around the "five faction" concept in this post-appocalyptic YA novel. The book was well written, and I liked the story and the protagonist a LOT, but I kept getting tripped up by those factions. The book would talk about "Amity" or "Candor" or "Erudite" and I would think Who are they again? What do they believe in, I forget. I also just couldn't believe that after some big nasty world-ending war, the survivors of said war would have it together enough to say, "Hey! Lets form groups. If you believe bravery is super important, step over to this area of Chicago, get some tattoos, and be 'Dauntless.' If you think selflessness rocks, go over there, wear gray, and be called 'Abnegation.' PS, those people get to govern us all, and our kids can choose which group they want to be in when their 16. Everyone ok with that? Great." Anyway, the book was much better the second time around because I didn't have to get derailed by all of those thoughts, and I had read the second book in the series as well, so it all made more sense. Not many others in book club shared my problem, so maybe I'm just special. Side note: the rights to make this into a movie have already been purchased, and the third book of the series isn't even out yet. And the author is like 24 years old, which means she was 22ish when Divergent was published. She is winning life.

I could review a few more books in depth, but I will spare you. For now. But I do want to mention one more thing before I sign off, because it is related to clubs.

About a month ago I went to a really cool birthday celebration for my friend Colleen. She had a girl's night and rented a limo and it was the best idea ever. We went to Mint (appetizers!), Jesters (improv!), The Big Bang (oops, Colleen forgot/lost her ID!), Mojitos (salsa dancing!), The Big Bang again (dual pianos and dancing/she used a passport!) and finally to the Talking Stick Casino (creepy and scary because it was 1:30am and only yucky people were there!). It was super fun to get out and let go. I was hit on minimally because I was trying to make as little eye contact as possible with people I didn't know. One of my neighbors was getting attention from a lot of guys, and one girl from our party was a hit with a few different girls, randomly. We all had wedding rings on, but yeah. Personally, my discomfort was minimal and I had a really good time. But it could NOT be an every weekend thing for me, or even an every month thing. It is definitely a special occasion thing.