I am counting on the fact that all of my faithful readers would be absolutely crushed if I failed to post today, so I dragged my lazy body off of the couch and all the way to the computer to write this. You're welcome.

Our week started out with a trip to Lee's Summit to get Zack's one-year portraits. Lee's Summit is about 45 miles away. However, I live in the middle of nowhere, so we either had to break the bank for a private photographer or go to WalMart. One WalMart portrait experience was enough for me to vow that would never happen again. So, off to JCPenney. I am fortunate to have amazing friends who watched the girls so I wouldn't have to manage them while trying to get Zack through portraits. When I had this great idea, I forgot that I would have to go back again this week to pick them up. But who can complain when they have such a great military discount. All of my proofs through email for free, $3.99 traditional portrait sheets, no sitting fees, and a free 8x10. Got all of my pictures for $17.33. That was worth the drive, friends.

Tuesday morning, Sydney had Kindergarten screening and registration. When we got there, one of the teachers said she was taking Sydney to the library while I filled out paperwork. Sydney was a bit hesitant about this so I wondered how she would do. She completed all of the tasks they gave her except for one. She actually told me that she did everything "very perfect." She was so excited. She is in the same class as a little boy in her class at church, which she is happy about. Although, maybe not quite as happy as she is at the prospect of finally breaking in that stegosaurus lunch box this Thursday. She's already planning what she will pack for lunch. I am already planning on using an entire box of tissues to get me through the seven hour school day.

Tuesday afternoon was the long anticipated dance class. Sydney loved it. I didn't. The waiting area has twelve chairs, which were all occupied by the time we got there. The opposite wall was also completely lined with people and there were more people standing. I had to wedge myself and the babies into a small area right by the counter where people had to step over us to get to the desk. It was awful and got really hot. I thought it was crowded until the kids for the next classes started arriving. It was nearly impossible to get out, and Sydney so desperately wanted to show me what she had learned, despite being crushed. I found out the next day that they are finally started a dance class again on base on September 1. Since we've paid for August, we'll finish that month. Then I'm switching. I don't think Syd will care as long as she gets to dance, and I can just drop her off and come home since it's right here and not twelve miles away.

Zack has been getting three teeth, so when Wednesday night rolled around, I was hardly in the mood to pack them all down to the church for Enrichment meeting. However, they were serving dinner, and I knew I could pawn him off on someone else for a little while, so off we went. Since I was watching kids, I didn't get to help with the service project, but I did get some much needed adult time.

Thursday I got a real break. One of the twelve-year-old girls at church wanted to do some service and asked me if she could babysit my kids for at least ten hours over the next few weeks while Ben is gone. Since she is one of the most responsible kids I've met, I jumped at the chance. In less than an hour and a half, I went to the post office, WalMart, and the bookstore. I didn't know that was humanly possible. The kids love Savannah, and she is going to watch the babies on Wednesday while I take Syd out to lunch and to finish getting ready to go to school.

Thursday and Friday afternoons, we set up the pool and had friends over. Thursday we had a little girl that Sydney likes to play with and her little brother. Everyone seemed to have a great time and it was really mellow. Friday, I had invited friends that only had boys. Four boys in my backyard was intense. What was even scarier is that these are all well-behaved, polite little boys. Am I ready for Zack to grow up? Do I really want this baby to be another boy? I'm not sure. However, fun was had by all, and I would do it again.

Except for the two horsefly bites on Tansy's head. Man, I thought those would never stop bleeding. She was so funny about it too. She came up to me and said, "Mommy, head hurt." I kissed her forehead to sent her back to play. A minute later I noticed a HUGE bug on the back of her head and asked my friend to get it off. Her head immediately started dripping blood. When I went to see what was going on, I noticed she was bleeding on the side of her head as well. These horseflies are seriously enormous. We were wrapping up anyway, so it was in the house for a cuddle and a cleanup. Poor baby.

Today I was called to be the Primary pianist. I'm really excited and glad to have something to do at church. Zack will just make the rounds through laps until he is old enough to go to nursery. Church has become so much easier since I arranged for some help from an eleven-year-old girl named Kaija to help with the kids. Zack typically wants to go to sleep right after the sacrament, so Kaija will come sit with the girls while I take him out. Then Sydney had to go to the bathroom while Zack was sleeping, so Kaija took care of that too. She takes them to their classes after sacrament meeting, then picks them up and helps me get everyone in the car after church. Tansy believes that Kaija is her best friend and loves to sit by her and hold her hand. She is an absolute life saver.

Those girls are just a couple of examples of the amazing help I have received from the members of the church here. They are so giving and concerned for me, I rarely feel like I am taking care of these kids on my own. I don't think I have enough doctor's appointments in the pregnancy to take everyone up on the child care they have offered. There are so many people who don't just see a need, but offer specific solutions to help.

It has also helped that I have been working really hard on my daily scripture study. I have felt the spirit in our home change as I have been changed through the words of the gospel and prayer. I have more patience with the kids and they listen better because of that. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father is watching over my little family in Missouri (and Texas).