College Tuition

Dearest Family and Friends,

We have entered Dar into a contest through his U Promise account for a $10,000 college tuition scholarship to be tucked away for later, and it WON'T be in the stock market. It requires loved ones to vote for him, however, in order for him to win it. Please visit the link below and vote for him ON A DAILY bases. With today's economy and the cuts that will no doubt be heading our way, even in the Navy, It never hurts to start his nest egg now and give him a chance for a solid foundation later on.

We love you all and thank you for your help,
Rachel, Louis and Dar

http://tuition-tales.com/video-contest-entry-profile.asp?vid=C1C3742D3803424FB9D0AFB90DAF1628

Dar's Baseball Digs

A slightly chilly, but clear day stayed with us most of the day yesterday, much to Darwin's elation. We were able to go to baseball and boy did he have fun with Dad. He practiced his throwing...check out that pointed toe...

...and his catching, he needs to loosen up a bit on this one...

...his batting, and yes that one is coming right for me...hit me in the leg...

...and of course running the bases...check out that grin...

We followed practice up with dinner at Italian Gardens and their yummy pizza. It was a very good day.

No power behind the wishes

Our last ultrasound was on Thursday and provided firm proof that it is in fact a boy. The first thing I said to Louis, was, "Sorry honey, no power behind your wishful thinking." He just laughed and said he didn't mind having another boy, he just 'wanted to be sure'. Much to my relief, if the fetus had miraculously changed genders then I would have to repack all the boy cloths that I had just hung up in the closet. We are officially ready for the baby whenever he decides to make his appearance. He measured a week further along then I am supposed to be, so we will see if the date will change or not. :) Again, here is for wishful thinking!! He is quite the active little tyke, and I have now forgotten what it is like to not have a squirming little munchkin inside of me. What will it be like to just be me and have a flat stomach again?? I'm also excited to start working out again and start loosing weight. Wow, never thought I would EVER say those words!! But with Dar starting preschool two days/week shortly after the baby is born, I am loving the prospect of one on one time with baby to do things. Work out, sleep, walk, shop, projects during nap time. All those things are so much easier with an infant than a running, active, non-patient almost 4 yr old. We've decided not to wait as long before we have the next one, but there is something to be said for the convenience of the older one in school. Not that he won't be a huge help when he is at home. I cherish my huge helper, he now has a sticker chart just for helping me out when I ask him too. Because he always listens and helps. I am so blessed.

Rained out...

Poor Dar was so excited to start his T-ball yesterday...of course it would be the one day we have rain. So the poor guy was so bummed when he couldn't play. We went and received the equipment, which was awesome. He got a bat with squishy padding around it, and a larger than normal slightly squishable ball. A t-shirt, baseball hat, a soft/bendable catching glove, and a koosh ball (to practice catching and aiming while throwing. I was impressed, I didn't expect that they would give so much equipment to each child. Of course we did pay for it, so I guess it's understandable. So we went to the gym instead and Dar and Louis practiced baseball in an empty raquetball court. He was appeased enough thankfully.

Easter Weekend

I know I am horribly behind, I apologize. This last week was one of those busy, get tons of things done and still don't feel like you've accomplished anything sort of weeks. I unpacked Louis' bags, washed, ironed, and hung up our new curtains. Finished the cookbooks that I was in charge of for our RS at church. Pulled everything off of the floors and washed them...thoroughly, throughout our entire apartment. We reorganized the bookcases, pulled out Dar's summer cloths from last year to determine which still fit him. Had a potluck, friends over for dinner, and the major bazaar happened this weekend on base. So all in all, a lot accomplished, but still a lot to do before I'm comfortable resting and putting my feet up to await baby's arrival.

So here I go...

Easter Weekend, Dar and I had a wonderful time. Louis wasn't home until late the night of Easter Sunday. Saturday we went to a egg hunt put on by the MWR, which for Dar's age group, was just a ton of eggs thrown onto the outfield of the baseball diamond. He loved it, and for some reason that I can not explain other than hormones, I was choking back tears as he ran off to start gathering eggs in his basket with about 100 other kids. They let the kids start and then allowed the parents to join them for pictures, etc. So Dar ended up with a basket, and a bucket overflowing with eggs before I finally told him we had enough and left the field where there was still a bunch of eggs left to be claimed. Of course, Louis had the camera with him, so I didn't get any pictures. It wasn't until I was talking to Louis later that day that I realized I completely forgot we owned a video camera. Every since we bought this one a year and a half ago, we have done little films on the camera not the camcorder. So I confess that my mind drew a complete blank, and I didn't catch it on film. :( However, Sunday, we did a smaller egg hunt with our neighbors in the park next to our building and I DID film that one. I'll have to have Louis add the film later. Sunday, church was supposed to be a rebroadcast of General Conference for us over here. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, it didn't happen. So, we had a brunch with our neighbors, and a new family in the branch. We dyed eggs, Dar and I did tie-dye the night before, and then regular ones with them. When they were dry we had the hunt in the park, which Dar loved. We had egg salad sandwishes for lunch then nap time. Followed a little while later with dinner, with the neighbors again. It was all in all a fabulous weekend that left me exhausted. But Louis came home and the busy week insued.

This week has made it so my feet have finally started to swell. grrr. This week will be another doozy as I plan on putting a ton of stuff in storage, pull out the bulky baby toys, clean and organize the baby's room, pot a few more plants. Dar starts T-ball, accomplishing my visiting teaching, wives club dinner night, another ultrasound. And all this on top of the normal stuff, dinner, laundry, keeping Dar entertained, park playing, grocery shopping, etc. My hope is that this be the week for me to get everything in order in the house so that I can relax a little bit. Then I can make the baby announcements, and finish a quilt before the baby makes the grand debut. I figured it is better to get this done now, because if I wait another month, it might just throw me into labor which would not be good.

But considering all of this, we are happy, in good health, exhausted, loving being together, and excited about the soon to be new addition. I'll be glad to be done with this busy phase before I get too huge and uncomfortable...it's already bad enough. Louis has been wonderful in helping me where and when I need it, and that has made it possible to get a bunch more stuff done. Dar has been helpful at the most, co-operative and patient at the least, and only occassionally whiny about all the activity. It could be a lot worse, so I am not complaining, in fact I am rather pleased.

Disappointment...again!

We've been trying for 2 weeks now to fly home on a military flight and spend several weeks among family and friends. After being bumped last week, Dar and I both took it pretty hard. Louis flew out wednesday to go home for a few days before heading to a conference/training in San Diego for a week. Dar took that a little harder since Daddy was going to Grandma and Grandpa's and he wasn't going too. So now, instead of taking a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to sit around waiting for several additional hours to find out if we can even make the flight, getting bumped and therefore stuck that distance away from home. I just decided to call a contact and get the numbers crunched. Not a single seat available this time around for anyone not on orders. Well, that just sucks...so much for plans well planned, and forethought well thought.

And here's to another 6-9 months before we can fly back to the states again!!

Wahoo, I'm so thrilled...can't you just tell?