Introducing...

                                                               Andi Lee Holmes
                                                                       2-16-13
                                                                       2:11 pm
                                                           8lbs.5oz 20 inches long
                                                          Easiest labor/delivery ever!!

Big sister Kennedy was so excited to "hold"her

all of my daughters...

are so beautiful!

I could eat her up!

after her bath

                                                                We're so in love

September: a month of surprises

It's a little scary when I think about how fast time is flying by. I celebrated my 25th birthday last month and I still find it hard to believe, that me, the baby of the family is that old! Crazy. On my actual birthday, Jordan and I had some meetings to go to, so we had a family dinner and decided to celebrate on the weekend. Mike and Dejah watched the girls for us and we went out to eat and did a little shopping. It's always a BIG treat to go on a date, just the two of us. Sometimes I feel like we have to try really hard to have a conversation when the kids are around because it is just so loud. I love being out with just my husband.
    All month long we had been waiting for the anatomy ultrasound. I think everyone figured we were having a boy since this pregnancy has been incredibly different than the first two. I felt like it was a boy. My doctor even said she thought it was a boy (when they did an early ultrasound), so I just assumed that was the baby's gender. We were in the office for less than a minute when the doctor asked "Do you want to know the gender?" "yes!" then... "It's a girl!" I think we were a little shocked and we just kind of laughed. It still hasn't really sunk in. This baby sure had us fooled! Luckily, we make cute, funny, happy, crazy, smart, amazing little girls...so we are happy another one will be joining our family. I'm confident we will have sons one day- gotta fill that hole in my heart =)
We decided this baby's name will be Andie/Andy/ We are still working on the middle name...well narrowing it down between two.
   On Saturday, my sister Arwen took me out for a pedicure for my birthday gift, and when we came home I was greeted with a surprise party!! It was awesome. I have never been thrown a surprise party before! This was the best time to do it to because I had several clues to figure out what they were up to but I guess my pregnancy brain made sure I was oblivious to everything. I do have to say I'm proud of everyone for keeping it a secret because, I am really very sneaky at finding things out. Ha!
 It was a great month, even though it flew by. I love my family so much. It met a lot that they did that for me and I even had a pinata, yes, at 25 I still wanted one.

I want to win!

I don't normally blog about contests, but I really want to win this pack and play. We really need one since February isn't too far away and this baby will be sleeping and getting changed in our room.  The cute blog, 4 Men 1 Lady is giving away the Breeze play yard. this pack and play looks so awesome.  You only have to push a button and it's all set up...hence the name Breeze! It's also a changing station and a bassinet...perfect. I think we should win!

For more information check out 4men1lady.com 
Or the Breeze by 4 Moms

Puj Snug

We had the opportunity to be product testers for this awesome company, Puj. They recently came out with a spout cover for the bathtub- something every parent should have to prevent injuries in the tub. The Puj Snug comes in three colors, Aqua, Kiwi, and White. The girls loved the fact that it was an elephant and loved the softness of it. One thing I really like about the design is that it is cute but it is subtle enough that the girls don't think it's a toy. The cover comes off easily, but we keep ours on all of the time because it is designed so that we can switch the faucet to either a bath or a shower without always having to take it on and off. It is a simple product, but a great product. For more information on this company and their products, check out the link below.


pujbaby.com

Already In Love

I love being a mom. There are so many great things about it.  Seeing this sweet little baby fills me with so many different emotions. All good ones of course. 12 weeks in and it's amazing how much I love this little squishy. We found out I was pregnant the week of Father's day. I was feeling pretty sick even before I took a pregnancy test. That same sick feeling has lasted these last 12 weeks. I think I officially am out of foods I can eat that I haven't thrown up. It's all worth it though. Jordan has been awesome and really has stepped up taking care of the girls when I am lacking the ability to do so and family family that is always willing to help out is just and added bonus.  I had an ultrasound yesterday and got to watch baby move around for a little while. It was so cute! We are thrilled to meet this little baby and have our little family grow by another adorable, amazing child.

A Sweet Little Moment

We have been having a family prayer every night. Kennedy is usually really eager to say the prayer and is understanding what she should include but Harley usually lets go of our hands and babbles during the prayer. Tonight however, was different...it was special. We told the girls to come say a prayer and Harley says "hands" and reaches for mine. Then she bowed her head and said her own little prayer which included Jesus and amen. It was all we could understand and it was short but it was one of the best moments of parenthood so far. I guess our trying to make it a habit has paid off. She is such a sweet girl.
Harley @ 17 months.

America

To be honest, I often have a difficult time feeling patriotic. I feel like America is not what it used to be, that it is no longer great.  People don't have pride in the right things, our constitution is an ongoing battle, the minority opinions are controlling the majority of decisions that are made, being righteous and loyal to our Father in Heaven is becoming an act offensive to many, and apathy and lack of respect for what is true is on the rise.  I think of all of the things our ancestors have fought  for and is saddens me to think how much things have changed. I recently was watching a speech of President  Roosevelt and he mentioned many times how God was leading the country and how God had blessed America. Could you imagine if that was said in any kind of speech today?  In trying to feel more like celebrating Independence Day, I thought I would look up some quotes by our modern prophets. I found a great page  of Ezra Taft Benson quotes specially on America.  There is a lot of good stuff so I will only share a few

And if the time should come when you are associated with groups that take delight in tearing down our American way of life, then they seem to enjoy pointing out the weaknesses of our free enterprise system – and it has weaknesses; it has weaknesses because it’s operated by men and women who are full of weaknesses – but when those times come, when our system is criticized, just keep in mind the fruits of the system, the great blessings that have come to us because of our American way of life. No group of people have ever attained the standard of living which is ours. And so let’s become acquainted with what has been accomplished. It’s all right to criticize; it’s all right to try and improve our American way of life; but in doing so, 1et’s not surrender, let’s not give up, let’s not jeopardize that system which has made America great.

It’s a great blessing to live in America. It’s a great blessing to have the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms which are ours today. I have seen people, thousands of them, who have lost the freedom which is ours, where they can no longer meet, as we meet here this morning, and express themselves as they see fit, where they no longer have freedom of movement, freedom to select their own jobs, their own educational opportunities, freedom to speak their minds, to write what they wish – freedom of enterprise. In many parts of the world today these rich blessings of freedom no longer exist.

Will we be prepared? Will we be among those who will “bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction?” If we desire to be numbered among those who will, here are some things we must do:

1. We must be righteous and moral. We must live the gospel principles—all of them. We have no right to expect a higher degree of morality from those who represent us than what we ourselves are. In the final analysis, people generally get the kind of government they deserve. To live a higher law means we will not seek to receive what we have not earned by our own labor. It means we will remember that government owes us nothing. It means we will keep the laws of the land. It means we will look to God as our Lawgiver and the Source of our liberty.

2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts. We have been instructed again and again to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution and to adhere to its principles. What have we done about this instruction? Have we read the Constitution and pondered it? Are we aware of its principles? Could we defend it? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? The Church will not tell us how to do this, but we are admonished to do it. I quote Abraham Lincoln: “Let [the Constitution] be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges, let it be written in primers, in spelling books and in almanacs, let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation.”

3. We must become involved in civic affairs. As citizens of this republic, we cannot do our duty and be idle spectators. It is vital that we follow this counsel from the Lord: “I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God” (D&C 98:8–11).

Note the qualities that the Lord demands in those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest. Some leaders may be honest and good but unwise in legislation they choose to support. Others may possess wisdom but be dishonest and unvirtuous. We must be concerted in our desires and efforts to see men and women represent us who possess all three of these qualities.

4. We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice. We must be wisely informed and let others know how we feel. We must take part in local precinct meetings and select delegates who will truly represent our feelings.

I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church — men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution.

http://www.latterdayconservative.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/

-End of Quotes 

 Sorry, I know that was a lot to read, but I really could feel the importance of these things as I was reading them.   I am so grateful to have modern prophets who know what is coming, who have seen the last days and can provide a sense of security if we follow their counsel.  Something my dad has always encouraged us to do before voting is prayerfully  decide how we will vote and get as much information on the matters at hand. I don't think too many people do this.  Anyway, this is quite a different post that what I normally do, but I guess I felt something nagging in me to do it. Hopefully it was expressed as intended. 

                                                                                    Happy Independence Day!!!!