A Little Blue

So, Nate's cousin's wife is due about two weeks after I am. They were in the office the other day, and told Nate that they are having a girl. Nate thinks about this for a couple of days and then starts to get a little antsy. He wonders why we have to wait another three weeks to find out. So, yesterday he decided that we wouldn't wait. We found a place that has a certified technician, and went to have an ultrasound done. The girls have really been anxious to see "pictures" of the baby and were super good sports. I was a little more reserved. From my experience with Amelia I know that an ultrasound is not always exciting. An ultrasound can deliver good or bad news. Of course, we always hope for the good, but that is not always the case. What I wanted more than to know {boy/girl} was to know {healthy}. But I was a good sport and went along. They couldn't have done it without me. And I'm sure you are saying, would you just get to the point? OK, the evidence is clear that we are having another......

BOY

The boys were at school, so we had the girls each pick out a little something that would indicate the gender of the new baby, and we wrapped it up in yellow, pink, purple, and blue. The girls got giggly when we told them not to tell, that it was a secret, and we could try and trick the boys when we got home. On the way home Amelia got on the phone with Clay, who tried to get her to tell. She stuck to her guns and would not say. Nate thought he would have the boys do a few slave acts before he would tell. I think they would have done about anything he asked just so they could know. He had them giving him a foot massage. I wish I had had a video of the commotion, the whooping and hollering that ensued when the boys pulled out the blue camouflage blanket. I was laughing my guts out. Their excitement was contagious.

So, farewell, purple room, and boxes of baby girl clothes. Another adventure awaits us.

The Rest of the Story

Nate had a neat experience last weekend that I have been dying to find the time to jot down here. Here's the part of the story from our end of it.

In 2004 Nate wanted to go to Guatemala with Dave and his dad as part of the Hirsche Smiles Foundation humanitarian trip which took place in January of 2005. We both thought that would be a wonderful experience for him and a great opportunity to serve. The problem: it was going to cost us $1,000.00. We didn't have the money. We lived on about $1,100/month, $800 of which went to pay for rent, and $200 paid for our transportation costs. There was never any money left over. Nate and I tried a few odd jobs in all our spare time. {Oh, wait, we didn't have much of that either.} Nonetheless, we felt like this was an important thing for Nate to do, so we did the only thing we could do. We prayed that a way would open up for Nate to be able to go. It was very close to the deadline of submitting the dollars when a check showed up in the mail for $1,000.00. It was a scholarship from the Academy of LDS Dentists. We were not expecting that to be awarded to Nate. Although a very good student and an excellent clinician, Nate was not the shining star on the application. We were surprised, and immediately recognized this as a blessing from the Lord. Nate had a wonderful experience that first year in Guatemala, and has been able to return there every year since. {except for 2008, after he got really sick} That scholarship paved the way for what I'm sure will become a lifetime of humanitarian service for Nate and our family.

{Nate in Guatemala: 2005}

Now, here's the rest of the story.
Nate is learning to place implants, and attended part of the coursework last weekend in Heber. While he was there, he met a dentist from Provo. They talked about the service Nate and Dave have been able to give in Guatemala over the last five years. At some point during the weekend, this dentist mentioned his affiliation with the Academy of LDS Dentists. Dave told him that it was a scholarship from the Academy that allowed Nate to go that first time. This dentist, with some emotion, asked Nate what year that would have been. Nate told him, and the emotions deepened. And then he explained. That year, this dentist was a Stake President and he and his Counselor, also a dentist, were going through applications to choose who would be awarded the 5 scholarships. He said it was a pretty long and involved process and there were certain requirements that had to be met. Part way through this process, the counselor suggested that they change the way they were choosing the people who would receive the scholarship. He suggested that they take the names home, pray about them, and then meet back together and award the scholarships according to the direction of the Spirit. The next time they met, they had both chosen four of the same people. They conferred, and chose the fifth together. This dentist remembered that Nate was one who had received a scholarship that year.


Many times in our lives miracles happen. Often it is enough to know that they do. The miracle, in and of itself is enough to strengthen our faith. My gratitude and faith have been strengthened as I reflected on the blessing of that scholarship that has blessed, not only our family, but the lives of so many. But, to now understand the additional miracles that happened for this blessing to come into our lives makes me feel humble. It strengthens my understanding of a Father in Heaven who loves us all, a Father in Heaven who answers prayers, a Father in Heaven who wants us to serve. I know He lives and loves us all.

Private

It's time. I'm going to make the blog private. I've been thinking I need to do this since the beginning of the year, but have not gotten around to doing it. It bugs Nate that just anyone can take a little peek into our personal lives. So, if you read the blog, please just send me an email and I will send you an invite in the next couple weeks. Don't be shy like I am about this...if you want to keep in the loop of our little family, I want you there, so send me an email or leave a comment with your email address, and we'll get you on the list. Thanks for understanding.
Kristie
lesterbunch@gmail.com

Easter Weekend

{Easter Weekend 2009}

We were all so happy to have Grandma & Grandpa Perkins here for the weekend. Having them fly here just for the weekend really shows all the kids how important baptism is. I'm so glad that they could be a part of it all.

The fun started Friday with all of Clay's birthday celebrations. Then, we were up bright and early to prepare for the after-the-baptism feast, which consisted of pretty much the same things we have every brunch before Easter. {ham, french toast casserole, egg casserole, muffins and croissants from Costco, and fruit salad} We were even ready to take pictures before we left. I'm still wondering what miracle of miracles happened for that to occur, but I'm grateful nonetheless.

Here they are all dressed in white.

Lexi, Clay, and Clay. A very happy lot, those three. It was an exciting day to share together.


I love tulips. Mine are just barely starting to bloom, but Costco pulled through for me so we could have a little touch of spring for our brunch.
The kids had a blast searching for Easter Eggs, and Emma just happened to find this really cool shirt in the wood pile. Yes, I know you've seen this before. Nate gathered all the kids to share what they found, and {of course} had Emma put her new tshirt on. There was quite a bit of excitement after that. Amelia was so thrilled she almost started to cry. It was pretty fun. It was also neat to see the kids sharing and trading candy, money, and toys. Of course, not everyone got the same things, and not everyone got an egg with money in it. Somehow, Uncle Ross very quickly became the man with the dollars for those who did not get one. Anyone who got an empty egg got a picture of the Savior. It was a good time.

The kids then just played with cousins all afternoon. It is one of their absolute favorite things to do. When the evening settled down, we got out the eggs and colored them pretty colors.

Sunday: Easter Sunday. One of my favorite days of the year. The kids enjoyed their simple Easter baskets, {church books, posters, and candy} and then we all got ready for church. We weren't so good at being ready this time, so the pictures had to wait until after church.

It's the candid shots that are often the most priceless. While Sam and Amelia were busy trying to get in the picture, Clay and Emma were sharing a rare peaceful moment together, hugging and loving.

The top picture reminded me of one I took in Cleveland about six years ago...can you believe it? Where has the time gone? The one below has long been one of my favorites.

Five

October 4th

Clay's Getting Baptized

He just told me yesterday, "I can't wait until Saturday."

Still Snowing

Friday morning we woke up to this lovely mess. Emma's first comment was "I'm going to make a snow angel." Forget breakfast {which she usually tries to do anyway}. She was suiting up for a jaunt in the snow. I asked Mia if she wanted to go out and play, and she did. They acted like they'd never seen snow before. They were out for quite awhile, making snow angels and just traipsing around in the snow. It was a good way to start the day! They made me smile.

It was sunny enough that the snow melted quite a bit Friday, but it was clear that the storm wasn't past. We woke up this morning to even more of the same. After conference was over, I kicked the kids out of the house to go play on the snow machine and get some fresh air. It became clear very fast that they needed something to do while they were waiting to take turns, so I got them stuck on the idea of making a snowman.

I went back inside to do some "spring cleaning" since it is spring after all. After a little while there was silence, and I hadn't seen the snow machine circle past the window recently. So, I went out to see them all playing in the snow, throwing snowballs and building a snowman. I took them the neccessary accessories for the snowman, took a couple pictures, and went back to purging my closet of all the clothes Nate and I haven't touched in a year. It wasn't long before I was beckoned to see the finished product. I dare you to look at this next picture and not smile. I actually got the giggles. Is it the dimples? The dopey hat? The cute miniature snowman? As I walked out the door I saw this. Sam can be such a kind and compassionate kid when he wants to be. He was patiently helping Emma put her mitten back on her hand. I like that.

And here it is. Our April Snowman.