Today we give thanks...

Do you all remember these pictures- taken almost 4 years ago when Kent returned from Iraq? It is very on my mind today because today Kent's old unit from the National Guard shipped out again to serve a year in Afghanistan. And I will have you all know- he is still home. What a blessing for our family at this point! Can you imagine having him ship today and then having our baby tomorrow? The second I heard the news, I burst into tears with so many emotions (remember, I am still pregnant- tears are pretty typical at this point) and memories that I wouldn't change for the world, but do not ever wish to have again.
What an answer we have had to prayer by being able to miss out on this one. Last year at this time we were weighing our options as to whether Kent should finish his last 2 years of service as an active soldier in his unit or brave the realms of the national pool of inactive but deployable soldiers. This kind of deployment was such a big concern for us and we were just playing a guessing game as to who would deploy him more quickly. I feel so blessed and watched over to have felt the spirit guide us to the decision we made, and with today's events I feel so much (guilty) relief. I know it doesn't mean that he isn't going to be deployed in the next year sometime (his time is up NEXT april), but at least we have him here for now. I feel so grateful to have a husband willing and trained to serve his country. We were blessed in so many ways during his Iraq deployment. I have no doubt that he would do a great job in whatever they decided to have him do, but I feel blessed that he is able to be home with us right now. I don't know what I would do without him!

The Name Game

I know that Tyse is the main event in this blog, but he comes up with the craziest things....
we are really into this name thing right now for a couple reasons- one, he is VERY concerned about the baby not having a name as of yet. Everyone keeps asking him what his name will be and so he is a little edgy about it. Two, they had a lesson about names and the birth of christ in primary- not sure how those go together, but I had to explain to him how he got his name and then they talked about the birth of Christ... anyway, this was our recent name conversation.
Tyse: Mom, do you know how Heavenly Father got his name? He got his differently than the rest of us.
Mom: No, Tyse, I don't know how Heavenly Father got his name.
Tyse: HE ACTUALLY GOT TO GIVE IT TO HIMSELF! BECAUSE HE IS THE HEAVENLY FATHER!

On the baby name front, there are no longer front runners- we have amassed a new list that has about 30 names on it that we actually both consider options. What happened to us? Are we getting agreeable or what? Not that there will be one picked before he comes, but we are on the right track...
And unfortunately Tyse thinks his opinion is as important as ours is. Just as unfortunately, he doesn't like ANY of the options we are actually considering. He likes all the crazy names Kent comes up with. Needless to say we are going to have to let it sink in once the baby is here and has a name deemed unacceptable by the 4 year old name nazi.

Superheroes in Training

The other day Tyse's 2 buddies stopped by for a little while. They came downstairs looking like this...

We thought it was so cute! Then they started doing their "moves"... wow-what a show!

Superheroes are so cool- it is hard for me to convice Tyse to be something other than batman, Aaron wears his powerranger costume daily, and Conner usually opts for scooby doo, but traded it in for a snug style superman. What cute boys! I love that they come around my house again! I have missed their... moves!

Valentines Day

We don't do huge things for valentines day- in fact, we don't really do gifts or go out or anything at all, but Tyse was excited to celebrate. So Kent and I stayed up late playing cupid and made some special treats for tyse and his class- chocolate dipped oreos. Here is Kent helping me...
When we finished, Kent declared that he enjoys working with chocolate, and of course we reaped the benefits of our labor.

Tyse cut out his own hearts for valentines and wrote his name on them, and then we taped them to the oreo suckers we made- he was VERY excited to share his treat with his class. He seemed to have a great day- they made valentine bags, iced cookies and cupcakes, played some games, and so on.
The highlight of his day was the traditional little heart sucker one of the girls in his class attached to her valentine. He is a sucker man! In fact, I captured the face he had when he saw it...There may not be a happier valentine in the land! (I don't know why this is underlined and blue)
Ahhh, love through the eyes of a 4 year old.

Mom's wedding

Saturday was a big day around here- my mom got married! It was so fun to see all the family and friends that came for the big event and spend time with cousins! So I now have a stepdad- how weird is that? When I think of step parents, I think of kids in middle school or whatever. Not grown families merging- so I think I will stick with Ted, not stepdad. Tyse is in heaven- he thinks anyone who is willing to be a grandpa must be great, and he doesn't get to see either one of his other grandpas nearly enough.
It is so fun to see my mom happy and laughing and busy! I love that she doesn't have to come home to an empty house anymore.
This is a picture of my mom and Ted and all my siblings. It is so fun to all get together! Thanks, Todd and Brett for sharing the big belly syndrome! :)
Unfortunately, Emitt was really sick (and still is), so he was so wasted in most of the pictures. My kids don't get sick very often so I am not used to how they act- I guess it was nice because he just wanted to be held and sat very quietly for the ceremony and slept through the lunch. That would never happen on a healthy day!
Congratulations, Mom and Ted!

MY HUSBAND

What is his name? Kent Kirtley Madsen

How long have you been together? 7 years now! Can you believe it? That seems like so much longer than I should be old enough to admit!

How long did you date? Technicalities... We are one of the few I know that actually did have a traditional "first date" and a "second date..." but where the dating ends and the engagement begins- from the day we decided to get married, or from the day that he actually proposed? Because there was a LONG 5 months between the two... Thanks, Uncle Sam!

How old his he? 29- or as tyse often asks, "is dad 89?" and then that makes me "98". Kids.

Who eats more? He does, though it has dropped off quite a bit since he started sitting at a desk, and mine has considerably increased since the parasite!

Who said i love you first? Kent did. It is a pretty funny story about beating around and around and around the bush until it got late enough at night for him to be delirious enough to just go for it!

Who is taller? Kent, obviouisly. 6'3"- but he now likes to claim 6'4" with his new cowboy boots!

Who can sing better? We both hold a tune decently- but I know a LOT more songs and lyrics than him so I probably just do it a lot more often!

Who is smarter? I would say he is. He is much more philosophical than I am- he thinks about things a LOT more than I do. Tyse has already picked up on this- if I tell him something, his next move is to say "where's dad? I need to ask him if that is right."

Who does the laundry? Ususally me, but right now it is him or the neighbor or my grandma... whoever is willing to!

Who pays the bills? I do

Who sleeps on the right side? We are in the middle of trading for space and newborn purposes, so right now I do, but next week? Probably him.

Who mows the lawn? The HOA. Actually, we finally got some grass in our own little sideyard so this summer I guess we will find out!

Who cooks dinner? Usually me, but right now it is him or the neighbors- I made dinner last night and went all out with Hamburger Helper. When is the last time anyone actually made that? But... what is it about box crappy meals and my children actually eating them? To be a kid and crave the cheap stuff!

Who drives? Drive? That means you have to go somewhere. He does.

Who is more stubborn? Tyse. He is the most stubborn person in the world I think! I don't think Kent or I are either particularly stubborn- we have our moments, but not enough to say one or the other.

Who kissed who first? Kent kissed me. He still thinks he was so smooth over this one. I guess they need the boost once in a while, so why kill it?

Who asked who out first? Kent asked me out and then didn't plan anything- just came and got me and went for the spur of the moment planning. But it was great!

Who proposed? Kent did. It was wonderful and very long awaited and very romantic!

Who has more friends? I think that Kent is probably more "friendly" and outgoing to people- he definitely talks to more people and works his way around a room. I think I keep in touch with more people from the past and focus on the longer term friendships!

Who is more sensitive? Is there a man out there that takes this one? Kent is the antithesis of sensitive. I find it humerous- MOST of the time.

Who has more siblings? I do- 4 to 3

Who wears the pants? Emitt. and the unborn. Mostly the unborn- so does that mean me? Lucky me!

MY ODE TO MY HUSBAND-
I have the best husband in the world. He is trying so hard to fill ALL the roles of our home right now and I am so blessed. For instance- yesterday, he did the following:
got up and got the kids dressed,
fed them,
got them dressed (including changing the NASTIEST diaper imaginable)
spent 10 hours at work,
came home and helped with dinner,
put away the dishes,
cleaned the kitchen,
put emitt to bed,
took Tyse to the library to get some movies and books for me,
put Tyse to bed,
got me my medicine,
helped me upstairs,
gave me a backrub,
trimmed and filed my toenails,(I know- no one really wants to know that, but that is dedication!)
read me scriptures as I wallowed and waited for the tylenol and heating pad to work
and then tried to sleep as I got up 5 times to go to the bathroom, use chapstick, inhale tums, etc.

I LOVE my husband because he does all these things, will probably do the same tonight, and still has a GREAT attitude and asks constantly, "what can i do for you? or what can I get you?" I am truly so blessed to have such a man in my life.

Wonderful Shower!

On saturday a few of my sweet neighbors threw me a baby shower. It was such a nice afternoon. First of all, I hadn't left the house all week, so that in itself was such a great change! Plus- great company, great food, a chance to show off my new sassy haircut; great day! I need to get some of those recipes, girls!
We basically just hung out and people told stories about being parents or about my formative years... oh, college was great! Anyway, here are a few pics from the afternoon.Thanks, Kjersten, Katie, and Shari, for a great afternoon!