Brinlee Kay Skousen

So finally posting about the baby. She was born March 24th, 8pounds 3ounces, 19.5 in. long. We love her so much. The recovery was rough this time, probably just because she was my fifth and all. I am on the up and up now, so glad! She is such a good baby, sleeps well at night. The kids love, love, love her. Jett is still feeling out his place in this family but is getting better.

All in all it was a good experience and alllllllllll worth it to get her here. Feels so good to have my family complete. Moving on from here.

Oh Happy Day!!! The 5th and Final is on it's WAY!!!!

These are the words I sing to myself at least once a day. Being pregnant with our 5th baby has been quite an adventure and I am only at week 15. This pregnancy has been so wild and different from all the rest right from the get go.

I was happily moving forward in my life with my four Crazy and Fabulous children, when out of no where I had THE experience. You know, the one where that little person still up THERE whispers loudly in your ear, "Please don't leave me up here, you promised"!!!!!!!! I was Shocked to say the least and felt unprepared. It was one of those things that I will never fully be able to explain, how powerful and intense it was. My first thought was, I am NOT telling my mom, she would kill me!!!

So that was that and we were pregnant within in the next few months. You can imagine my surprise when I started miscarrying the baby. I went to the doctor and they were pretty positive the baby wasn't going to make it based on what they saw in the ultrasound. The baby had a heart beat but it was weak and irregular. I couldn't believe it! I knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. I knew that I was supposed to be pregnant with this baby. I was so confused.

A few days later I went in for another ultrasound. The baby's situation had slightly improved and that's when they saw IT! The second sac. I had been pregnant with twins AGAIN but the second one didn't make it. So Crazy! That would have been my second set of twins, and twins to make a total of 6 kids! Wow!

So here I am now at 15 weeks and everything is going great. The baby looks good and the other sac is slowly deteriorating. It has been such a crazy experience. My testimony has grown. I have had to focus on what my Heavenly Father was telling me despite what the doctors were telling me. Such a humbling experience. Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it. I am so grateful that he knows me so well and I am so grateful to be having our 5th and final.

I feel like I am entering another stage in life. There is no more guess work on whether or not to have more children. After this baby is born we can sell off all the baby clothes and accessories and never look back. It feels good, and Right! I feel like I am in a really good place in life right now.

Tween and Teen Craft Class

This month we are doing something a little different. We are hosting a craft class for all you teens and in betweens. We are excited to help your girls make some awesome decor for their rooms. Remember that all saying can be customized and all rhinestones and ribbon ARE included this go around.

Hope to see your girls there.

This past weekend was an adventure. We went camping with a few friends. It was really fun for us and the kids. We went up to Bear Flats up on the rim. It was beautiful. I have never seen it that green up there before. We got up there a little later then we wanted on Friday night so we just set up camp and decided to play some games. It was interesting because we could not have a camp fire because of the restrictions. It was all good though. That night Matt and I decided to let the kids sleep in the tent and we would just be outside on our cots under the stars. Little did we know a storm was coming in and it started to rain on us. So we ran and got a canape put over us. Then it blew off and that was it for me. I went and slept in the suburban the rest of the night if you can call it sleep. The next day was great. Matt decided to take the kids fishing on the Tonto Creek. It was good times. It was amazing. After we went fishing we went up to the fish hatchery and watched them feed over 36,000 fish. It looked like the water was boiling.

Seriously. . . Go Charis!!!

Dear Charis,

You are seriously amazing. What an incredible accomplishment. Fourth Place in your Figure Competition! We are all so proud of you. You look so amazing. All of your hard work and dedication completely paid off. You are in inspiration to us all.

I just want to say that you are one of the most kind, beautiful, and funny people that I know. No one makes me laugh like you do. I love being around you as do so many other people. I am so glad Heavenly Father made us sisters. He knew I would need you. I love you so much! You R-O-C-K, and so do your buns! Yes!

Love,

Candee

Welcome Nick Sherman Johnson

Finally a REAL post and not some Lame-Brain advertisement! HA

So Mark called us at about 5:00am this morning and said, "Can Kaden come over"? We were so excited!!! They left our house around 5:10am. Nick came into this world at 5:29am. Mind you the hospital is about a twenty minute drive from our house. I believe Mark made it in about 8 minutes. We don't ask questions, all we say is HECK YEAH MARK, YOU ROCK!!! By the time they arrived at the hospital Nick was already well on his way. Five short mintues, and four pushes later, he was here.

Nick came weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces, and 20in. long. He is so adorable and we love him so much already. Shalice looked great and that of a queen, the only thing she was missing was her Hot Red Lipstick!!!

We are so excited to have Nick as the newest addition to the family.