The Howe Family

Here is the long awaited 3D ultrasound photo of Junebug. She moved A LOT during the ultrasound, so there weren’t many clear pictures. I’m just thrilled that she is having a fun time in my uterus. Someone should be enjoying pregnancy!

A good friend took care of Nate’s middle school choir for us so that he could be there. (Thanks, Tammy!) Phin and Eli were watching from Nate’s lap, completely fixated. When the tech switched off the monitor Phin said, “I lost Junie!” He was very concerned.

We can’t wait to meet you little girl! 

Saturday was a really special day for us. We took both boys to the Denver Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has been on my “to do” list for ages. Usually Nate and I are just thrilled to find an open day, babysitting, and gas money to make the monthly date. But our ward (or congregation) is fabulous and set up babysitting at a church building nearby. We walked around the BEAUTIFUL temple with the boys and had them touch it. The weather was perfect and the spring flowers and flowering trees were at their best. It was really heavenly. After some sweet family time and photos we dropped the boys off for babysitting.

I’m pretty sure the boys won’t remember the trip, but I really wanted to have a photo of all of us at the temple to put in their bedroom. (I agonized internally about the photo because I seem to gain 30 pregnancy pounds solely in my face…But for the greater good…I said “cheese.”)

Eli pointed to the temple and repeated over and over, “pa-ple, pa-ple.” When he sees any photo of the temple now, he goes crazy over it. I’m so excited that we live only a few hours away from a temple.

For my friends who are not Latter-day Saints – Want to know more about temples? find out here.

I used to think that I needed to find something besides my children to post about. However, upon recent reflections on my life… that’s the best part! I was recently at a fancy dessert place in Salt Lake City with some old friends. I tried my hardest to talk about non-children subjects. But babies always come up- especially when you look as pregnant as I do- and I told my friend’s date the following about staying home with my babes:

I was a rock star when I was in undergrad and graduate school. I was a rock star when I was paid to work. So now, I have the same philosophy. I try to be a rock star mother because that is my job now.

It surprised me when it came out. It was the most confident I have been in a long time verbally to someone about being a full-time mama. I was talking to one of Nate’s choir students and she asked where I worked. I said, “What do you mean?! at my house with my children!” She probably thought I stuff envelopes or do online marketing schemes… How do you stay-at-home mama’s respond to this always-asked question?

I love my choice to stay home with my children. I think of running my home like a job, too. I keep things organized, clean, and wonderful. That’s why Nate pays me so well. I know that this is a choice that every woman makes for herself, but for me it is the best and the right choice.

End of motherhood rant.

We bought a car over Spring Break. It is a monstrous Lincoln Navigator. So huge. So fun to drive. All of the boys love it- especially Nate. Thanks for the suggestions. We did look at a few vans, but I think our timing was off. There weren’t any that I fell in love within our price range. The ones in our price range had way too many miles. So, we are the proud non-gangster owners of a loaded Lincoln Navigator.

Finally, any comments on throwing a birthday party with 3-year-old guests? I am starting to plan Phin’s 3rd birthday party.