Baby #4 update...

(16 weeks)

(20 weeks)

As of today I am currently 26 weeks along (due Jan. 27, 2012) with our lil man, Noah Isaac. Up until about a week ago I was having a FANTASTIC, textbook pregnancy. Unfortunately, things have changed a little. I have been having contractions VERY regularly since last weekend. Because of the contractions I spent 24 hours in the hospital trying to stop labor. Unfortunately, the contractions didn't stop but they weren't making me dilate so they sent me home. So, now here I sit on bedrest hoping and praying to stay pregnant for another day. (Bedrest when you have 3 toddlers is basically a joke, but I am trying my best to take it as easy as possible) Sophie was born 8 weeks early, so we know the struggle of having a preemie. We are praying to at least get this lil one out of the 20 weeks. The doctor gave me 2 steroid shots while I was in the hospital so hopefully his lil lungs will be strong and healthy.

I'm BAAAaaaAAACCK!!! :)

There is ALOT that I need to update about..... but the BIGGEST news is about our boys. The adoption of the boys was FINALIZED Sept. 1!!! We are VERY happy to have this ordeal over and we are so THANKFUL that they will be in our family forever!

The other LARGE amount of information to share is that we have closed and moved into our new house. We are LOVING it, but it still seems unreal.

(Sorry I dont know what happened to the picture, but the only thing that is missing is our front lawn.)

New update...

We have had a VERY busy summer! The kids and I were able to go to Wisconsin to see the fam and friends for 2 weeks. I actually braved the 18 hour drive ALL BY MYSELF with the kiddos. Thank goodness for dvd players!!!! The kids actually surprised me and did AMAZINGLY well. We had a BLAST catching up with all the grandparents and the rest of the fam. Thanks to great timing I was also able to catch up with a good friend from Highschool that was also in town with her kiddos. The whole trip was so much fun... I can't wait til we do it next summer! (I've been blessed to go back home every summer since Sophie was born)
After we got home our house hunting continued. (We have made the decision to stay in Mississippi and with the new baby coming we have decided that its time to buy a house) FINALLY after 2 failed deals and seeing close to 30 homes we finally found our house. It was in the construction phase but not 100% completed so we have been able to make some changes to personalize it to our liking. We are EXTREMELY excited to say the least, and if all goes as planned we should be in the house by the end of September.
As if having a baby and buying a house wasn't enough going on we also decided to get a puppy. We decided the kids were getting old enough to start handling some of the responsibility and the joy that comes along with a dog...so as of last week we added a 7 week old American Bulldog named "Kit" to our family. So far she has been a joy to have and the kids are having a BLAST.
One last update has to do with the boys. I recieved a phone call from DHS yesterday letting us know that they were going to overnight the necessary paperwork to our Attorney and also ask them to expedite the process.... which all means that the boys' adoption could be completed within the next couple of weeks. FINALLY!!!!

Sophie's 1st day of Pre-K

Sophie obviously was VERY excited to go to school this morning... she woke up @ 6:15. This is the girl that I usually cant get out of bed before 9. She got up and had her favorite breakfast...pancakes (with chocolate syrup and "smiley face" reddi whip), sausage and o.j. and then we were off. (Ofcourse not before Mom got a "few" pics)

check out that smile.... what a ham?!?! (unfortunately she got her momma's eyes, when she smiles really big you can't see her eyes anymore)

SOOOOO cute!!!

On the way into class. She gets the red door this year... she thought that was pretty cool.

Sophie's new teacher.... Miss Jenny.

Sitting at her desk. This year they get desks instead of tables.

Update

Man... I don't know what has happened to me and my blogging, but I am REALLY still alive, I promise. You'd think with the amount that I'm on the computer that I would have hourly posts on here, but something always seems to hold me back. We have had a crazy couple of months.
April, was filled with parties! We had Sophie's 4th birthday, a friend's birthday party and Easter. It was fun but as always also ALOT of work.
May, was filled with SICKNESS....BLAH! We started the month off with Sophie having Pneumonia, which unfortunately caused her to miss most of the last two weeks of school. After that we were plagued with colds that just kept passing through our home. I haven't really decided what's worse yet... being a sick momma and having to take care of the munchkins or having to take care of the sick munchkins. Pretty much though both of them are NOT fun! May was also a month of new revelations for the Larsen family. It started out with a lot of prayer and we finally decided that for now our family needs to stay put in Mississippi so we have started the hunt for a house to purchase. While on that hunt I realized that I was a few days "late" so I decided to take a pregnancy test just to make sure before we made this HUGE purchase. Low and behold we found out we are EXPECTING baby #4. We are very happy but VERY surprised. Our lil peanut is due to arrive around January 28th of 2012.
June so far has been a VERY quick month. We have been traveling back and forth to doctors appts, and appts with the realtor. I am TRYING my hardest to keep up, but I have been WAAAY more tired with this pregnancy than the previous ones. Naps are a moms BEST friend!! We have also had fun celebrating Father's day this month and my 31st Birthday. My husband is soooo awesome that my birthday actually got extended into a three day celebration.
Sophie, Jeremiah and Joshua are as always wonderful, happy and VERY energetic children. We have an outdoor pool at the gym we belong to so we have spent as much time there swimming as possible. This has also helped there sleeping...it's AMAZING how fast they can crash after an afternoon in the sun having fun.

Ok, I have to go for now... but I REALLY am going to try and do better at keeping you up to date with all of our crazy family adventures. There may not be many pics though because for some reason blogger HATES me and it doesn't like me adding pics, but I promise I will continue to try.

Coming in July.... Look out for the Larsen's in Wisconsin. I am daring the 18 hour drive with 3 children ALL by myself. Hopefully, we all make it there safe and sound! Have a Happy, Safe and Wonderful 4th of July!

30 Day Challenge--Day 5

Day 5--Favorite Quote

"The past is behind, learn from it.

The future is ahead, prepare for it.

The present is here, live it."

-President Thomas S. Monson

(Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

30 Day Challenge--Day 4

Day 4-- Favorite Book

Twilight...who didn't see that one coming?!

30 Day Challenge--Day 3

Ok, so unfortunately I skipped a day...but I am going to try and get back on schedule.

Day 3--Favorite T.V. Show

hmm... this is a tough one.

I can't REALLY pick one... but I do have a Favorite genre of TV and that is Reality TV. I love American Idol, Survivor, So you Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race. I have watched almost every season of all of these.

New OBSESSION!

Since cancelling cable we decided to try Netflix for a month and we have found a new OBSESSION!! We are already into the second season after just over a week. I'm HOOKED!!!!

30 Day Challenge--Day 2

Woo Hoo... I made it 2 days in a row!!! YAY ME!! :) LOL!!

Day 2--Favorite Movie

Well, I guess I would have to say this particular movie since I have seen it HUNDREDS of times, although I haven't watched the whole thing in prolly 5-10 years. (although really, what little girl DIDN'T LOVE this movie.)

Dirty Dancing

30 Day Challenge--Day 1

I've seen these around and I thought it would be a cool way for you to get to know me better and for me to get better at blogging.

Day 1--Favorite Song

(This was hard... because I tend to have favorite bands...but this is one that ALWAYS gives me chills and lifts me up.)

"God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood

I have a special memory of this song. At Rhthym and Booms (4th of July celebration in Wisconsin) 2002 Lee Greenwood performed this song live with the fireworks choreographed to it. It was one of the most beautiful and touching things I had ever been a part of!

Updates....

There are ALOT of things to update so here is a quick list:

• We did join the gym.... and I am LOVING it!!! Classes are just my thing and though I'm not losing much weight yet (because I LOVE food to much)... my body feels SOOO much better
• I FINALLY got my new washing machine---it's so AWESOME Jon even likes doing laundry now
• Ok, so that was big and bigger, but here is the BIGGEST.....At our last court hearing (Jan. 25th) the boy's biological parents made the decision to sign over their parental rights. So, they are now cleared for adoption. We are SOOOO Thankful for everyone's prayers on our families behalf. We have truly felt the blessings that have come from our friend's and families love!

"Good" Morning.....

This.......

is what I woke up to, after I took a nap with the boys. Sophie had fun dumping out and playing in our spices from the spice cabinet. The bottom picture is hot chocolate that Sophie had dumped out and turned into a sand box. "Thankfully", Sophie was good enough to keep most of her mess quarantined to her plate. Gotta love having such a quisitive child?!?!?!?

Time

I was just looking through old pics on my facebook and got so sad. My kids are just growing up sooo fast. Though I love some of the things they are able to do now, I wish I could slow down time and take a little more time to "smell the roses" and be more appreciative of every moment. They go by so fast. So I guess this is my new challenge to myself AND all of you is to take more time each day to have memorable moments and soak up every bit we have both good and bad.

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To gym or not to gym....???

The big debate of the week is whether or not to join our local efitness. I've been wanting to work out, but with Jon's work schedule and the boys it hasn't been possible to go. Jon has a cheap membership at a different gym, but they don't offer daycare (which is why I haven't been going). So, now the debate.... is it going to be worth the cost to join the gym and be able to work out WITH each other and have daycare provided, or do we save the money and just keep sending Jon to his gym. I guess we will know more tomorrow when we go on a tour.

Kids say (and do) the darndest things

#1. Jeremiah was getting ready to head outside today, and I asked what he was doing. I told him he needed a jacket on because it was pretty chilly. He looks at me and says, "that's RIDICULOUS!" I had to walk out of the room because all I could do was laugh hysterically! :)

#2. Sophie has been really into "cleaning" lately. Today she added to her cleaning hijinks. She removed ALL (and I mean ALL) her clothes from her closet and put them in her hamper. Then she VERY proudly came and got me to tell me she had cleaned her closet. While I definitely don't consider this cleaning, at least it gets me motivated to go through her clothes and sort out what doesn't fit anymore.

My next big purchase

We are in DESPERATE need of a new washer/dryer. So, I have finally decided with MUCH prodding from my husband that this will be our next addition to the family. I've never had a really nice washer (we've always bought old used ones) so I am really looking forward to it. The only thing I don't like is that to save money for this bad boy, Jon is not letting us go out to eat AT ALL until this is purchased. It's a really good idea and something we should really do much more often, but I really HATE when someone tells me there is something I can't do. Now it's all I think about. Anyways, here's to cleaner clothes and less money spent on utilities to clean them!

Just say "NO!"

As of today the Larsen household is WITHOUT cable t.v. I'm still kinda freakin out, but I know in the long run it will be really good. I'm definitely going to miss the DVR the most... I LOVE THAT THING... but we still have the internet and LUCKILY they have Mickey Mouse Clubhouse online. I'm greatful for my husband supporting this and I am VERY much looking forward to the $$ this is going to save us!

Jon and Franna plus 3.... Christmas Eve 2010

Merry Christmas from The Larsen's

(this is a copy of the letter that I posted on my Facebook, which was written before Christmas)

First of all.... Sorry for not getting an "actual" letter out this year. Time DEFINITELY got away from me this year.

I can NOT believe that 2010 is already almost over. I haven't even gotten used to writing it yet, and now it's almost 2011. 2010 wasn't necessarily as GREAT as we were hoping but it was still a really good year. Unfortunately, we haven't moved any further with our adoption of the boys, but we are still lucky enough to have them in our life... which we are VERY greatful for!

Jon (37) is still working at the Hard Rock Casino as a Table Games Dealer. Luckily, we were able to get him switched to a new schedule at the beginning of the year, so we have enjoyed having him home Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week. This helped ESPECIALLY when we planned our surprise trip to Wisconsin in July. We were able to surprise his family at his Grandparents 90th birthday party. It was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life...seeing the look on their faces as we walked in with all the kids. (If you've never been apart of a big surprise like this.... I FULLY recommend it!) Jon was finally released from his calling as a Primary teacher after 2 years. Now he is enjoying the lull before his next calling.

Franna (30) has been working hard trying to keep up with 3 VERY active kids running around. My life pretty much revolves around the kids, but I have started up crocheting and finally finished my first afghan. I also celebrated my 30th birthday this year. I think I am still in denial of being in my 30's... maybe by the time I turn 40 I will have adjusted. :) I have had a couple of callings this year, but as it stands right now I am on the Enrichment committee for the Relief Society. I LOVE the sisters in our ward and it's fun working with them.

Sophie (3) is still our pretty princess in pink. She is our girly girl through and through. In fact last night she told me "we needed to buy more babies because she was running out." This coming from the girl who has AT LEAST 20 baby dolls. LOL! Sophie has had a big year as she has started preschool and dance class. She enjoys both once she is there, but if truly given a choice she would MUCH prefer to just stay at home with mom always. She's my mommies girl, which I am sucking up as much as possible because I KNOW there will come a day when she wants ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with me. She is our comedian.... which I have NO idea where she gets it from.... but she is DANG funny!!!!

Jeremiah (3) is our compassionate lil spit fire. He feels stronger than the others and truly cares when someone else is hurt or upset, and will be the first one to try and give a hug or kiss to make them feel better. He is OBSESSED with playing the drums and got his FAVORITE present a couple of months early when Jon found a full drum set at a garage sale for $20. Luckily, we have a big enough shed in the backyard to house the drums... so I don't have to hear them all day. Jeremiah is our daddy's boy and can't get enough of playing ANY type of sport with his daddy.

Joshua (3) is our ACTIVE one who ALWAYS makes sure that mom is up EARLY and that I get my exercise in for the day. We are VERY thankful that we have a large fenced in yard so he has plenty of space to run and play. He is a LOVER of life and is rarely ever upset or sad, and his smile TRULY can light up the world. He likes to make it difficult when I'm disciplining him by giving me kisses as I'm talking to him. Joshua is all about anything that moves....give him a bike, truck, car or train and he's a happy boy.

We have been blessed to have another amazing year as a family, and we look forward to 2011 with anticipation!

We hope you have a VERY blessed Christmas season and an amazing 2011. Our prayers are with you!

Love,
Jon, Franna, Sophie, Jeremiah and Joshua Larsen

New Years Resolution

Hello, to all of you that check my blog and are wondering if I still exist. I am still here, I have just been VERY frustrated with blogger the last couple of months so I had given up with posts. However, for the new year one of my resolutions is get back to blogging and try to update at least once a week. So, check back there will HOPEFULLY be much more to come!