A Lot Can Happen in a Month!

Well it's been more than a month since our last post, and to be quite honest, life around our little household is hopefully going to quiet down soon. Here's a little catch up of what we've been doing.

First off, I QUIT my job at Parkside El and took a new part-time job with Washington Online. This has meant cleaning out and boxing up my 2nd grade classroom (holy fire! I am a pack rat!)and training (in St. George - yeah, what a sad perk!) for this new "teacher" position that will allow me to stay home.

For any of you who know how much I LOVE teaching, you know this was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. Seriously, months of thought and prayer went in to this decision. I mean, I know that I'm supposed to stay home with Sammy, and I'm thrilled to do it, but it has been super hard to give up what I've put so much of my grown-up-life in to. I didn't really ever consider it my job...it was more of a hobby. I get a little sentimental as I realize today was the first day of school and all my teacher friends have just met their new students. Sigh. However, I also really like rolling over at 7:30 am and realizing I don't have to get up and go anywhere. So far, I've really enjoyed what I'm doing and my new found "freedom."

On to other news, my sister, Jen, got married on 8-8-08. We spent a lot of time helping out with preparations weeks before and especially the day before and day of the reception. It was a lovely day and we are excited to have another boy in the family. Welcome Cody! Maybe they'll update their blog with fun pics of their new apartment! (hint, hint)

Then, a week ago today on 8-18-08, Kimberly had her twins!!! Yeah cousins! It was super sudden and kind of emergency-ish since she wasn't due until October 8th. K went in for a routine ultrasound and some stress tests and when they checked her, she was already dilated to a 2. So they admitted her to "keep an eye on her" for about 48 hours, but 4 hours later, she was at an 8 and 100% effaced. One of the twins was breach, so after a quick C-section the twins were born!

The babies are both boys (Luke and Lincoln), both weighed 4.2 pounds and were both 17 inches long. They are super healthy for premies and haven't needed any oxygen - a good sign - but will have to stay in the new born special care unit until they can eat on their own and they gain a little more weight. Kimberly was discharged on Thursday, and goes in to visit twice a day. I'm hoping she updates her blog soon with better details. (hint, hint)

Baby Lincoln - (born 1 minute before Luke)

Notice how tiny he is compared to the blue snot sucker (does it have an official name??) - they're almost the same size!

Baby Luke was wide awake the first time I went to visit.
The Boys now officially out-number the girls in the Pond family. We'll have to start working on that one...

Then, two days later, my sister, Nicole, went to China to teach English. This meant going through a lot of donated school items in order to help her pack and keep her bags under the weight limits. People are so nice! and donated a lot of great school and non-school items for her to take. And then, she was off on her adventure. Apparently, she arrived safely and will also hopefully update her blog soon! (hint, hint)

And, not to leave my sister Heather out, she started soccer for Utah State several weeks ago, nearly a month before the semester actually started. Poor girl! Summer's short when soccer season never ends! She's played in 2 games so far and heads out to Oregon this week. Go HP!! We can't wait to come up and cheer for your next game!

Finally, my sweet husband starts school again today - his last semester before getting his masters in Engineering. He was smart though and only scheduled classes on Tuesday and Thursday - so Sammy and I get to enjoy a lot more of his company for the next 4 months! We are going to be so spoiled!!!