My Review..Breaking Dawn

If you have not finished Breaking Dawn you might want to skip this as well as if you don't care what I think. :O) But here is my review after a couple hours to process it.

The other books left me feeling enthralled, excited, eager for more and this one left me feeling worn out. I didn't crave for more of Bella-ness, I felt done. Not that it was super negative, I didn't dislike Bella, but it was like I had my fill. So, basically I was disappointed. I wanted to finish with the same fulfillment I had with the seventh book of Harry Potter but I just didn't. Maybe it was too long....to much dragging on...I don't know. But more then anything else I was happy to have it read and over with because Stew and I were totally forgetting our parental duties for three days and it was getting bad! :) I vowed to Stewart that I wasn't picking up another book for a long time when we were done. The book wasn't that disappointing, it's just that I re-realized I am not, nor will I probably ever be an avid reader. No offense to you big time readers out there. I am sure that makes me less informed or intelligent or something but I will stick to running as my self rejuvenation method of choice. One thing I really liked though was reading with my sweet hubby. Stew is one that cries when things touch his heart. When the book talked about motherly things I was all crying and Stew would have to take over the reading but when there was some male bounding going on Stew would get choke up a bit. We thought it was pretty funny how predictable we became by the end. Speaking of predictable... I thought it was. Few things really shocked me. Once I realized the Stephanie Meyer was letting Bella have her way in everything the book held little fun and suspense for me. It felt like she had written this book thinking too hard about what readers wanted to have happen and less about what really would happen. Everything went too well and by the time her dad was all happy and apart of her Vampire world I was a little bugged. Yes, that was a happy thing you want for her, but come on! Anyways, it was a good book and I think it was finished in the only way that Bella could truly have her happily ever after, but I guess I was looking for more. I wanted a cause other then their love. (Maybe Romances aren't my fav book of choice then, eh?!?!?!) I really wanted that epic face off that I read a hundred pages of build up for to truly come to pass. I wanted the world to be a better place by their sacrifice and bravery. I wanted a earth shattering victory for good and not just a lingering sex scene!!! There you have it. Sorry that was a bit depressing. :O)

Let me know what you think. Maybe you can shine the light on the greatness I am not really seeing. :O)

Reading...Reading

All I can say is that I totally called it, at least the first 150 pages! :O) I am not sure what I think of it yet though. hmmmm... only more reading will tell.

18 Months and So Very Sweet

Ever since I was expecting Angeli I knew we were getting a very sweet spirit. A little angel if you will and that is why we felt that Angeli, an Italian form of Angel, was the perfect name for her. She truly is a sweet angel sent from above. She has been such a blessing to have in our home. I really don't know what we'd do without our little angel girl. One of my favorite times of the day is when we cuddle right before I put her down for the night. She really is a cuddle bug; always so loving. She is growing up though and soon wont be my littlest baby anymore! :( She is already 18 months old! It seems like yesterday she was just a tiny baby. Few things are as rewarding as watching my children delight in all their new abilities and the wonderful things around them. Angeli is learning to talk, how to stick up for herself when her brother is a bully :), and the application of INDEPENDENCE! :O) She loves mothering her baby dolls, trying to mother real babies, playing with her brother, going for walks, trying to dress herself, trying on shoes, going down slides, and playing with little doggies like Sammy. Angeli you truly are a sweet blessing from our Heavenly Father and we treasure having you as ours.

Here are the absolutely adorable pictures we had taken at the Vegas JC Penney's. Mom and Paul thank you for being up to going with me, you made it such a fun time!!!! I know they would not have turned out near as cute if you weren't there to help, thank you!

Drum Roll Please!

It's a boy! He looked healthy and cute and we cant wait to meet him in the flesh...well, sort of. I could use a couple months to get ready. :) I think we will name him Benjamin. That way I will finally get to use the baby boy name I wanted to use way back when Bridger was in utero. Yay, for number three! We are so excited to have you join our little family come December.

Vegas and Our Paul

During our "epic" vacation we were lucky enough to visit our Rasmussen family twice! We felt so lucky to not only be in Vegas with Mom and Dad Ras but it was also so great to be with our brother Paul before he left on his mission. We adore Paul, he sincerely befriends everyone and enjoys what life throws at him. He is in Brazil now, You go Paul!!! :() ) During our second trip to Vegas we were surprised when Whitney showed up from Ohio. Whit is Stew's youngest sister. She is so wonderful...there are few people that make me giggle like she dose. She makes me feel like a teenager again. We love you Whit. Mom and Dad, we appreciate your love so much. All the little thoughtful things you did on our behalf meant the world to Stew and I. It is priceless to know that when we need a moment to have a mommy and daddy to turn to that we have that in you. You always love and take care of us so well. It was the perfect trip to help us recover from our first year of med school and to gear up for our second!!!! Everyone we had a blast with you! Thank you for loving us so much!

Here are some pictures we took as Paul prepared to leave on his mission.

The post non-farewell farewell talk group. It was so great to see so many aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins!

The siblings :)

Seth and Brandi, it was so great to spend time with you and your precious Nicole too. It was the perfect way to end our trip! :) We love you guys!

And Angeli "helping" her Uncle pack. :) blurry but still so dang cute.

Angeli in the Street and Tender Mercies

As I left church still in the whirlwind of my calling overload and my arms full of folders and diaper bags, and manuals Stew spotted his home teaching family across the parking lot and quickly dashed after them to set up an appointment. I kept walking to the van arms full, in high heels, five-ish months prego, and keeping an attentive eye on my toddlers. My friend waved to me and rolled down her window and we talked trying to finalize our presidency meeting time. I then realized that my toddlers that were once right next to me were nowhere to be seen. There I am standing right next to the parking lot and a very busy street and I have no idea where my kids are. I start looking frantically and then I see them. Bridger is standing on the curb trying to hold Angeli back from running in the street. In an instant I drop all my stuff that was in my arms...and it was a ton of stuff... and start running. Though my efforts were gallant my heel catches on the straps of my diaper bag and I totally eat it. But with my daughter's life at stake I jump up with a slightly twisted ankle, two hurt knees, and a big belly and run to my babies. By the time I get there Bridger is screaming on the sidewalk pointing at Angeli saying, "Baby, Baby! NO! NO!". He really was scared for her and he should have been. There is Angeli going as fast as her legs will take her right in the middle of a busy four lane street. I knew I should have checked for cars before I entered the street but I couldn't bring myself to take my eyes off Angeli as if that was some sort of protection for her to have me staring at her. I reached her in what seemed like forever and sweep her up into my arms hugging her as close as I could to my chest. As I took in the situation and realized that we were all okay I came together enough to wave a thanks to the cars lined up stopped watching my daughter toddle across. They seemed to all wave back in relief.

As I made my way across the church building lawn I saw onlookers gathering my things up for me and calling Stew over. I was trying not to cry so I wouldn't make more of a scene but I could sense I was losing that battle. However as I got to Stew I realized they all seemed really calm and cheerful. This sweet newly-wed couple had a big grin on their faces. They asked if I was ok and said that it was pretty exciting to watch. As I tried to make sense of their response I then look down and Bridger has stuffed a handful of Tums in his mouth from out of my toppled diaper bag. The sweet sister goes on complimenting me and is very impressed with my dash to my baby. I tell her she shouldn't be impressed with me at all. For goodness sake, "One minute my daughter is walking into traffic and the next my son is scarfing down medicine from my purse"!!! They thought it was so great though and were all smiles and laughing. I eventually could not help from laughing too. What a mess we were, it was either going to make me cry or laugh and they helped me chose the less depressing option.

After Stew made Bridger spit out the Tums I gave Bridger a big hug and thanked him for trying to keep Angeli out of the Street and for not going into the street too. I then explained to Angeli that if she goes "in the street a car will squash you and being squashed by a car is very owie." This sent this little couple over the edge, : () ) they were so impressed with me and Stew. They told us they had just watched this movie on parenting and it showed how to be a good parent and they thought we were perfect. It was a silly thing that they thought we were doing so well but it seemed to dissipate so much of my anxiety to hear them tell me that. I hate moments when it is clear that I am not in control of my children...I always feel so very very overwhelmed, inept, and usually embarrassed that I am pregnant with another one. I mean, if I cant handle the kids I've got then why are we having MORE!?!?!?!? But bless this couple's hearts. They saved me from having a total break down because they saw in the midst of the chaos of my toddlers trying to get themselves killed that we were doing some things right. Their parting phrase was, "I think you guys are great." I am glad that there are people in the world that can see me in a traumatic parenting moment and come away with that as their lasting impression. I think the Lord placed them there just for me. What tender mercies! Not only did the Lord protect my little Angeli from being hit by a car but He even sent someone to cheer my heart!

Hello California .... I've Missed You!

After a few days in Vegas we headed out to L.A. We had such a good time with my family. Being back home is always so refreshing for me. It's all the little comforts of being at home and being with so many who are dear to my heart that makes me never want to leave. My mom pampered us with her divine food and veggies that are out of this world, my dad was as sweet as always and made us laugh with all his quirks, we watched movies, ate tons of fresh produce, spent time with my dear grandma, played with my sisters, stayed up late talking and joking around, watched our kids play with their adorable cousins and basically took in all the things that made my childhood lovely. It was totally therapeutic for me. Mom, Dad, Shay, and Anj thanks for a wonderful time! We love you!!!!

We didn't take tons of pictures but we did take some of our day trips we took to the L.A. Zoo and the beach. Here we are at the Zoo. We loved it!!! I had the best Zoo experience of my life. Their petting zoo was out of this world, Bridger came face to face with a giant chimp, the Sea Lion's training show was awesome, Angeli was right up close to a baby gorilla, the kids loved the misters, the bird show was really fun, and the awesome play ground they had for the little guys to run around on was so much fun too. We had a great time!




Later in the week we headed to the beach at Malibu with the Gunns. We had a great time playing on the beach and watching our little ones discovering so many new things. I wish we could take them all the time. Josh and Sherri it was so fun thanks to you, thanks for a great time!

Boy or Girl?

Today we finally got word that we will be finding out what the gender of our next little one will be and if everything is going well with his/her development on Monday. Yay! I haven't really felt excited and really realized we were having a baby until today. And I am glad I finally am. I felt the same way with my other two pregnancies as well. I just didn't feel the baby excitement until the second half of my pregnancy. Now I am starting to feel the baby move more and more and I look like a giant pregnant women (or hippo at times) :) so I realize there really is a baby in me. Wow, imagine that! :) Once we find out what we are having I am sure it will be even more real to us. Stew and I are leaning towards it being a girl, but we really would be happy with either. When you already have both a boy and a girl I think it is easier to picture the possibility of both and that boys and girls are equally delightful. So what do you think we are having?

Bryce Canyon & Zion's

On our way down to Vegas after the Rocking R Ranch Reunion we made a short stop in Bryce Canyon and Zion's. Although they were short stops, because of rain, it was beautiful!!! I had never been to Bryce's and I was really blown away. If you ever have the chance to go to either, Do! I cant wait until we have a chance to do more vacations in national forests and sites. It is just so much fun for me. It is an awe inspiring experience to be so close to some of God's natural wonders.

Welcome Home!

For all three of you who check my blog we are back! We have been gone for two days shy of a month. It feels weird to be back. I am still waiting for the panic of catchup but it is slow coming. I should have left myself a to do list for when I got back because I have forgotten everything. I know there was something with my business... something with the doctors.... things that need to be done but what?!??!?! I guess I am still in vacation mode. :) Anyways, we are back. We had a great vacation. Thank you everyone that made it possible and opened your homes to us. Later I will post some pictures. But for now I will get us some food so we don't starve, wash clothes so we aren't naked, and finish unpacking. While Stew and I try to decide if we are happy to be back or not the kids knew automatically how they felt... very happy! Bridger was so excited when we drove up to the house he started clapping and saying "Yay! Yay! Yay!". Once inside he ran around each room telling us what everything was and rediscovering how cool his toys were. Oh, welcome home.

Yee Haw!!!

This past week we had a family reunion at the ROCKING R RANCH. For four days we got to have a fabulous Wild West experience. We really had a great time even though I must admit that ranches were not designed with toddlers as their prime audience. :) We made memories we wont forget. Grandma Larsen, thank you a million times for such a great time! Stew got to ride a "bull" and get hurt from it :(, we all got to ride horses though I am not sure Bridger and my experiences count due to our own fear issues, we rode in a 4th of July parade, swam in a pond, river rafted and simply enjoyed being with so many loved ones. We certainly had a Rocking Time!!! :)

PS sorry about the picture overload. When Rasmussens get together there is a ton of picture taking going on. I tried my best to reduce 400+ pictures down for your viewing pleasure. :) Enjoy!

Larsen descendants at the reunion

The Ras crew that could make it. We missed you Seth, Brandi, Ammon, Kirsten, and all of your cute kiddos!!!

Us in the City of Antimony's 4th of July Parade

Me on my horse just long enough to take this picture. I chickened out, my excuse - one does not ride horses when prego. :) However, my real reason - plain old fear. I know I am going to be the next Rodeo Queen!

She actually had fun once the horse started to move, though you can't tell in this picture! :)




So manly!!! :O)

Stew roping his first "Bull"

handsome boy

Bridger was so afraid of horses he never actually rode one! He sat on them though, he must take after his mom. :)

Gosh, I love these people!!! And Paul you looked better then the real thing!

Me and my Sweet hubby before I got scared :)

Pond Play!

Zip Line fun

It was all FUN!!! Again, THANK YOU GRANDMA!!!

New Niece

My Sister Treva gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Father's day! We now have a new little niece named Isabella to love! I saw these pictures and wanted to show them off. http://greenfield-kmg.blogspot.com/2008/07/isabella_02.html. They really are some pretty pictures. Our kids certainly have an abundance of cousins. From the Smith side they have 32 cousins with one on the way and on the Ras side they have 9 cousins. We sure are blessed!!!