IT'S A....

BOY! Before any of you start offering your words of sorrow, I am fine, I promise. I love my two little boys with all my heart and another one is going to be wonderful. My ultra sound was this morning and, in addition, to finding out the sex, I also found out that our baby boy is healthy and developing right on schedule!

It is always a relief to find out the baby is healthy. I, really, love to go in each month and hear the heartbeat and have my doctor say, "everything looks great!" These appointments are, especially, nice when it is too early to feel the baby moving.

Speaking of the baby moving, I, officially, felt HIM moving last week. I LOVE that feeling. It is, by far, the best part of being pregnant (besides getting to eat a little more dessert :)!) To all you moms out there, I know you know what I am talking about. To feel this little person growing inside of you, relying on you for EVERYTHING. It is incredible.

We will be naming our little one: Trenton Gary Roper and call him Trent. Matt and I, both, love that name so we are sticking with it. I am, also, excited to be using Matt's dad's first name as our new baby's middle name! I am so thankful to be a mom and thrilled to add another baby boy to our little family!

Although, I am excited, no one is more excited than Matt! He can't believe that he will have 3 boys! He grew up with all sisters, so having so many boys around is a special treat. My dad is VERY excited too! He loves that my sisters and I are out numbered! He, too, has spent his (adult) life surrounded by girls and loves that since we have gotten married the boys keep piling in! Finally, Matt's parents (especially his dad) are excited to have another little guy to carry on the Roper name! They adore our boys and can't wait for another one!

Wade's first music recital

Wade has been taking a music class since he was 2. A friend of mine, in the ward, teaches it and it has been a great experience these past couple of years. At first it was a mom-and-tot class (which Seth and I are currently enrolled in together), but now, he joins a few of his friends (all without mom's present) and practices each week.

I was thrilled to find out they would be doing a "music recital" at the end of this session. It was tonight and it was a lot of fun! My friend, rented a room at the local library, set up chairs and had her students perform. Wade and his group went first.

Matt and I each had to take a turn to go up to the front (where the kids were supposed to be sitting quietly) and warn Wade to "BE GOOD!", but once the program started he did really great! They performed three songs: "Jingle Bells", "Must Be Santa", and "This Little Light of Mine." it was so dang cute to watch them sing!

Wade did such a good job--he knew most of the words and sang them. He was in the middle, so Matt and I could hear his little voice singing! He, really, knew the words and actions to "Must Be Santa"--it was so cute!

This was my first recital, as a mom, and I was not let down! It was a great, little night!

Temple Lights

The Mesa Temple does a beautiful christmas light display each year for Christmas. It is a little taste from home (at the Salt Lake Temple) and I love to go. Last year I went with the Young Women, but this year, we wanted to be sure to take our kids.

As you know, it is a CRAZY time of year and we had to plan for this trip into Mesa. A few weeks ago, Jess and I decided on friday the 7th, not knowing or expecting the weather that would be going on this day--I mean, after all, we live in SUNNY! Arizona where my kids don't even own a heavy winter coat--well, to say in the least, IT WAS RAINING!

Since we had already made the plan to go, we went anyway. The rain actually slowed down as we walked the temple grounds and we were, practically, the only people there! My kids LOVED it! They love Christmas lights and it was a real treat to be surrounded by so many!

We went into the Visitor's Center and saw the annual display of Nativity Scenes from around the world. A missionary, also, talked to us about the "Christus", and Wade actually listened and Seth kept pointing at the statue and screaming, "JESUS!!" It was a great experience.

It was a fun night and I am glad we went depsite the "HEAVY" rainfall.

My Dad

Today, is my dad's birthday. I asked him what he wanted and, as usual, he said he wanted
"nothing,
but a nice letter telling me you love me." He says this every year. I know he doesn't want me to spend any money on him and, now as a mother, I know how much it means to hear your children tell you how much they love and appreciate you. This year, my dad will get "his letter" on my blog!

Since day one I have been a "daddy's girl." We have family videos where I am following my dad around "helping" him fix things, watching the Jazz play basketball and talking with him. I have always enjoyed spending time with my dad. He captured my heart at a very early age and that love keeps growing and maturing as both of our lives change with time.

My dad has always been special to me, but he has gone far and beyond showing his love for me in my life. My mom suddenly passed away when I was 16 years old, leaving behind my dad to raise three little girls. It was, and still is, the single most life-altering experience of my life. My dad was so incredible through it all.

He had big shoes to fill--my mom was our best friend, our nurturer and the one who took care of each of us like no one else could. My dad knew he could never replace our mom, but he put himself second to his kids for the next several years of his life to ensure we continued on feeling normal, secure and happy. I love my dad so much for this. I wouldn't have the life I do now without the things he did for me.

My family is eternal and I know I will see my mom again. My dad made this possible for me. He helped me gain a true and real testimony of the gospel and has influenced my life for the better.

Today, our relationship is stronger than ever. I have been able to enjoy my dad's support and advice through the remainder of high school, college, marriage and the birth of my babies. Through it all he remains a constant rock--someone I know I can count on for ANYTHING at ANYTIME. He has been my biggest fan through the most important events and experiences in my life.

I am so thankful that I can share my husband and kids with my dad. He loves Matt so much and he LOVES my boys more than anything else in this world. It is so much fun to watch my dad as a grandpa. They call him "Ampa" and they love him just about as much as he loves them.

I have mentioned before how much my kid's love to have "Ampa" come to visit--they talk about him all the time. They share such a special bond and I am thankful I have been able to help in giving my dad some grandchildren because I have never seen him happier then he is when he is playing with those kids.

I love you, dad! Happy birthday! Thank you for blessing my life with your love, I hope I was able to put some of my feelings into words so you know how much you mean to me on this day and always.