Thanksgiving Break...

Tuesday November 23 Jeff and I were hoping to get out of Logan pretty early because of the huge artic storm that was suppose to hit around 3pm...  we wanted to be in Bountiful at least before it attacked the North, Logan that is.  Unfortunately because of the "storm" we didn't pack the car the night before like we had planned because we didn't think we were going to be able to leave Logan that day anyway... little did we know that any of that the University was going to shut down the school at 2pm, and Allen (the boss man) was going to close the skyroom at 1pm, and my boss Jeff was going to let me leave as soon as I brought stuff down from the skyroom.... we still had to drive back home to Richmond to finish packing, pack the car, and drive back down to Logan and onto Salt Lake to pick up Travis. The wind started to blow pretty hard, enough to sway cars off the road, it was like watching the movie "Twister", seeing the storm brew right before your eyes in your rear view mirror... it was pretty intense, even though the whole time it all felt pretty unreal. 

We made it through the canyon and onto Travis' house in just under an hour, by the time we packed up the car, and made it to the gas station to fill up and grab some food, the "storm" had finally hit, it was blizzard like outside.  Luckily, it wasn't sticking yet, and there was more coming down than there was on the road.  Just before hitting Wendover, the storm was out of reach and we were in the clear. The drive to Nevada was pretty uneventful, boring actually, and I had to pee just about every time we came up to a service exit. :) yeah fun!

We arrived in Nevada, my parents' house at 2am and slept most of the day (well, I didn't cuz I had slept in the car- so I got up around 7am and went to go talk to my mom while she got ready to take my grandma to the dentist) 

Our time at home was much needed (for me anyway) it had been since May that I had seen my folks, and I forget how much I miss them until I see them and get to wrap my arms around them.  So many wonderful things to be grateful for... I truly do love my family and it is always a privilege and opportunity to see them, because it really is far and few between.  This year however we've been blessed to see and be with my family three different occasions: Travis' homecoming, the family reunion in Missouri, and Thanksgiving.  I most likely won't be seeing my family again until I have the baby at the end of January beginning of February.  I do wish my family lived closer, of course I've got Dust and Trav that live in Bountiful; which is nice- they just need to finish their apt so Jeff and I can come and stay with them.

Some fun things we did while with the fam: Mikke, Jeff, Travis, the girls, and I (excluding Lydia) went up to Reno to Scheels (it's an outdoors store similar to Cabellas, but bigger, they've got a ferris wheel inside their store and a huge aquarium that is part of the building's structure) we rode the ferris wheel.  We also went to the Candy Store or Chocolate Factory that the girls had been wanting to go to all trip, I don't think it is what they expected and seemed to be a bit disappointed, I know I would have been too... the candy just wasn't that good and it was way over priced for what it was.  We were going to go to a Donut Store, but it was closed, they apparently had sold out earlier that morning... dang it must be that good... so instead we went to In 'n' Out burger, the girls had never been there before; which was a real treat to watch... Ivy just scarfed down her burger while making delicious noises of enjoyment "ah this is the best burger ever!" it was really cute (I had never seen her eat so much so fast!) Norah liked her burger too, and Ayden would have liked her burger better if it had just been meat and bun- interesting, but each to their own, no wrong, just different.

I learned this trip with my family and Andrea's girls that I lose my patience pretty fast, which makes me kind of nervous about becoming a mom, will I lose my patience and niceness with my own kids? will I be as bad of a mom as I am an aunt? I love her girls, but realize that because of the distance I really don't know them and get annoyed (or perhaps I don't know how to act with kids, since I don't interact with them ever) easily when I am around them, they are very moody; which is something that I am just not used to (with them or with other kids their age).  This trip also made me realize that I do want to live closer to my sister so I can be more in her kids' lives and they in mine.  I want them to know their cousin, and want them to want to be around me and Jeff, to think we are cool, to not think I am mean and angry all the time.  I want them to get to know us, to hang out, and to have fun. :)

Some other things we did while there, we had a miracle berry party! a party that consists of this berry found in Africa that they've (the pharmaceutical company) made into a pill that you suck on to numb your bitter, salty, and sour taste buds, and enhances your sweet ones.  Then after the pill dissolves in your mouth you eat foods like: limes, lemons, dark chocolate, onions, grapefruit, and dill pickles.  Everything tastes sweet and delectable. the "buzz" lasts anywhere from 20min to 2hrs... Mine only lasted maybe 15 min (I think it is because I am prego)

Also, we took family photos (not professionally and missing two family members) so it was mostly for fun... and it was, just not for the girls, they got bored quick... but here are some fun pictures anyway!

Baby boy names...

Jeff and I are open to hearing any boy names that you may like and are not planning on using in the future... here are the few names that we like: Mason, Alexander, and Ezekiel. open to suggestions!

Estimated due date: January 31, 2011
Countdown: 10 weeks
Gestational Age: 30/31 weeks Nov 22-Nov 28
Trimester: 3rd
The baby is as big as a: Butternut squash, 18in 3.1 lbs

My body:

Movin' on up, my uterus can now be felt four inches above my belly button. This means that my uterus is pushing all the internal organs, that used to be there, somewhere else. So my stomach feels like it's in my chest and my lungs feel like.... hmmmm... they don't even feel like they're there anymore... I guess that could explain why I've been short on air lately.

Indeed, in an effort to provide spacious-enough accommodations for my soon-to-be bouncing boy, my growing uterus has compressed my lungs, limiting their ability to fully expand when I take a breath and causing me to feel like I've just run a marathon when I've only climbed a flight of stairs. While this shortness of breath during pregnancy may feel very uncomfortable (at times), my baby is blissfully unaware and unaffected. My baby boy gets all the oxygen he needs through the placenta. So I'll try to relax and take a deep breath.

According to "What to Expect When You're Expecting" it says that, "that out-of-breath feeling may get better toward the end of my pregnancy, when my baby (and its uterine home) drops down into my pelvis in preparation for delivery.  Until then, I need to be sure to stand straight as I can (given the weight I'm carrying around) and sleep propped up or on my side so that my lungs have more space to... well, breathe."

My Baby
As far as growth goes, my baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds.  I can still expect my baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before we meet.

My baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and he can now perceive information from ALL 5 senses.  Sure, he can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for me -- and my baby -- I will be one of the very first scents my baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly becomes his very favorite (hopefully).

So what's my little boy doing all day while I'm busy feathering our nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along my uterine wall, and even sucking his thumb.  In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a sucker!)

projects...

So you remember when I said I wanted to learn and do some creative crafts? well I made a binnie for Jeff and a scarf for my friend Karissa, however I forgot to take a picture of the scarf, so maybe she will take a picture of it and send it to me so I can post it. Karissa came up this weekend and stayed with Jeff and I, we had a lot of fun, one of the activities that we did was make binnies on a loom... it was much easier than crocheting it on a hook (since I have yet to figure out how to start it and how to finish one)... so the brown one is the one I made for Jeff and the green one is the one she made for me; even though we were both trying to make a hat for Jeff, the brown however fit his head better because it was bigger.

We also watched the documentary movie "BABIES" it had its funny parts, because babies are just so cute and predictable... but as a whole the movie was long and kind of boring, there wasn't much of a plot and there was hardly any speaking involved, unless you count languages that I do not know like, Japanese, Mongolian, and Namibian... I did however understand Californian but those parents didn't speak much to their child.

I think what I will do over the Thanksgiving break is make hair bows with my nieces as an activity to do together, and then for Christmas give them something else... I wish I could write what kind of gifts I am thinking about doing, but then I'd be giving away the surprise, because I know they read this here blog...

So one of the many gifts that my friend Karissa gave me this weekend was a Knitting guidebook- basic and special techniques for knitting winter projects.
Projects in this kit include quick crafts, plan-ahead projects, and long-term projects. Since Christmas is just about a month away, I'll have to get started on some of the plan-ahead projects so that I can finish on time.  Some of these projects both quick and plan-ahead include:  beaded box ornament, soft-as-a-cloud baby booties, classic Christmas stockings, felted winter tote, ruffle scarf, throw pillows, cosmetics bag, and lace centerpiece.

Now if I can figure out how to read and do the instructions I will be set.. I may need some professional help though (in more ways than one!)

Thanksgiving! I am so excited because in three 3 days Jeff, Travis, and I will be in Nevada with the rest of my family till about Sunday morning! The last time we were all together was over the summer when we had a family reunion in Missouri, but this will be one of the first times we've all been at my parents' house... now to only convince Dustin to be there at least Wednesday before he has to go fly somewhere for work, who knew Thanksgiving day would be one of the busiest travel days of the year? more than Christmas?! sucks to be a pilot, but at the same time so wonderful! Sorry Dusty! We are leaving Tuesday night and arriving early Wednesday morning, there is suppose to be a huge storm Tuesday day lasting until the night, but I hope it doesn't impede our travels, or worst I hope it doesn't impede my sister and bro-in-law's travels, their 4 young daughters traveling from Vancouver, WA... if the weather is bad they won't come... no! 

Sunday, a day of Rest and Worship
Friday, a friend from work, Jo a semi-Lutheran from a small farming town in Wisconsin somewhere, told me he was interested in coming to church with me.  Recently we've had a few discussions here and there about the church, or at least principles that the Lord teaches, such as forgiveness, patience, love, and worship. I haven't had much of an opportunity to share about the restoration or what makes "us" so much different than other religions... He is an interesting kid, in the sense that he is very naive and somewhat redneck in his upbringing- whether that's how he was really raised or that is just how he is... I do know that his brother, the one he lives with is VERY ANTI-MORMON... so anti in fact that him and I could be friends, but as soon as he finds out I'm "mormon" he'd tell me to leave his house and never come back and probably get angry at me for not telling him I was mormon before we became friends! (apparently this has happened before, not to me, but to someone). So this bit of information isn't very good, but isn't impossible to work with.  I've been praying for opportunities for me to gain his trust and for us to become friends, being able to talk about important things, spiritual things, principles that can influence his life for the better and help him find meaning in his existence.  He told me the other day that I remind him of his mother (he is a mama's boy), that he felt it so easy to talk to me and for me to understand, and give wisdom and advice where appropriate.  He is a good kid, and being 18, fresh out of high school, coming to Logan, UT (where I think is a small town) he thinks is a HUGE city! Perspective is everything! A person who has never heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Mormons", LDS, Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, or Joseph Smith, especially in our day and age, with technology the way it is and missionary work ever so populating and growing, it is surprising that he had never heard anything about us. His mom is very religious, but no one else is in his family, when I asked him if he was Christian, he asked me what that meant.  Some of the other people at work have been not very helpful in explaining things to him, instead use sarcasm and jokes to laugh about church history and other restoration facts- using big words (although may be normal everyday language for members of the church or even common knowledge, to an outsider it only confuses them more and make them more unwilling to learn, especially when sarcasm is involved, instead they think you are making fun of them... also coming to find out that Jo didn't understand sarcasm, it wasn't something he had ever heard of or witnessed in his life).... In some ways he is like a very small child, and possibly a small child from another country or another planet! 

Today, Sunday, he said he was going to come to church with us, but like most "investigators" I try not to get my hopes up because most times out of naught they never show up.  He didn't show up, he lost track of time and instead went to Harry Potter 7.  Next time :) 

I do have high hopes for him though, even in the short amount of time that I have known him he has grown and we have become friends.  Hopefully one day he will really have a desire to know the Lord and want to be in His Fold! 

29 weeks 6 days... 7 1/2 months

10 more weeks to go! Oh my it has gone by so fast, and it seems like only recently I have been able to show for it! No one questions it anymore and if they do, they're being just plain mean! 

I almost have an outty, not yet, and I'm hoping I don't, but probably will maybe next month! 

The Baby is the size of a small cabbage (however including all of the liquid in my belly I'm sure he takes up the size of a basketball). He is 17 inches in length and will not be growing in length anymore, but will be growing in weight, which he is 2.9lbs right now.

My belly is big enough now where I can no longer see my feet or my legs when I stand, not to mention my uterus is now gigantic and it has taken over my abdomen, forcing my stomach up near my throat, now I understand why I get really bad heartburn, even from drinking water! Also, the baby's head or shoulder is pressing on my bladder causing me to pee every 1/2hr or so... yeah... all you women who have been prego before, know exactly what I am talking about, and just so you know, I am NOT complaining, I realize this is natural and what must happen to have a baby, and I've got it so good, some women are on bed rest their entire pregnancy, luckily I am able to have a job- even if it does require me to stand for 8 or so hrs straight, only time to sit is when I pee... I am grateful non-the-less.

Counting Baby's Kicks...
I probably don't notice him kicking me while I am working because I am moving around so much, but when I am not working he is definitely noticeable.  I went to the Dr a few days ago and she (the nurse) told me to count the kicks he makes, to lie down and pay attention to him, at least once in the morning and once at night.  If he kicks, swishes, or rolls at least 10 times in an hour (twice a day) everything is A-OK, and if not, maybe he is on a break, eat something and try again later, but still if nothing happens then something is wrong... The good news is NOTHING is wrong. He is definitely A-OK, as Jeff puts it, "He is beating mommy up from the inside often." true that.

Sunday Night Activities

We tried very hard to come up with wholesome activities appropriate for Sunday, so here is what we did today after church:

I alphabetized our movies based on the year... yeah so I got a bit bored with the way it was before, straight alphabetically, so now when I feel like watching an 80s movie, I can see them right away! yeah! that's why they call me a professional! ;) I say "I" because Jeff watched "Yes Man" while I organized.

We made taco soup for dinner and homemade tortilla chips (take tortillas and bake them for 10 min or so)... yummy.

We made tender sugar sugar (no I did not stutter, I accidentally added 1/4c too much sugar to the mix, that cup was supposed to go over the cookies when ready to bake, needless to say, we did not add more sugar to the tops of the cookies) cookies from scratch. And even had an arts and crafts session, funny because Jeff is so NOT into "arts and crafts" and got frustrated with the project maybe 1/2 min into it. We made cookie cutters out of card stock, yes they are pretty sketchy with architectural tape holding them together. I made a Christmas tree and Jeff made a Heart.  Then we had a race to see who could make an "X" first, he quit and mine came out not quite an X but more like a pitch fork or a Y with an extra V.  (However Jeff thinks it looks more like Jesus or a witch)

At least the cookies came out yummy regardless of what they looked like. he he he

Then we went to Tithing Settlement, yeah we are current and full tithe payers, our bishop was a bit under the weather, his voice was all raspy and we could barely understand what he was saying, and hoping that the less we would say the less he would say so it wouldn't hurt his throat... awkward to say the least, plus I feel awkward anyway when people give me advice that seems like common sense and I have no response for... like, "the baby is going to change your life, for good, so make sure you keep loving each other. I just want you to know that I love my wife." Um, duh! Of course, I was planning on it! 

I found a game on Jeff's iphone, not meaning to, I was trying to find the dot game for two players- you know the one where you take turns drawing lines to make boxes and whoever has the most boxes at the end wins, well, I was in the process of clicking on it when Jeff sees this other game called, "Who Threw Poo" (and of course he clicked on it and started playing as soon as it finished downloading) it is a lot like "Angry Birds" but instead of birds it is poop and you're throwing poop at your neighbors, the fun thing about it is the pooh sticks to your neighbor (that is if you hit them) and it makes Jeff giggle like a little school girl! my favorite!

eek!

27 Weeks! check out the pics... I'm HUGE and I still have 3 more months! yikes

ok, so maybe I just look a little bigger when I cradle my belly... but I swear, I'm still huge!

Birthday Costume Halloween Party...

Jeff and I went to a Halloween birthday party Friday night, it had by far the funniest and most outrageous moments that one couple could handle in one night!

left to right: Ben, the birthday boy, got run over by a car and was dragged a few yards before he got up and walked himself to this here party! And the Feline!

left to right: Grandma (actually a 14or so yr old boy), 2 Biggest Loser Contestants, Flo the Progressive Insurance Consultant, Antwon the black rapper whose sister was abducted and he rapped about it in a news report, and Jaime the nurse who took care of Ben but didn't really want to get out of her cooking apron.

I went as a peasant girl, using the dress Meischa gave me a few years ago, her old "war" gown. And Jeff went as a mummy. However, everyone thought our costumes went "together" and we were Lazarus and Mary Magdalen - sure why not.

The Naughty Hearse (Nurse) and the Mad Hatter

Zoey, Jeff, Ben

Lee (Scream!) and Jeff the Mummy or aka, Lazarus

"I will eat your BRAINS!" Kitten (Angela) and Jeff

The Chinese Students or as Lee would put it, "the Chinese girls... hahaha"
"You're a tiger...Pugsley"
Flo
Donuts on a string

Craft Sensation....

Lately I have been feeling really "crafty" and actually doing crafts, which is way out of the norm for me. Sure I like to design, but I never get out the glue gun, sew, or tie things together to actually make other things!

And the best part about it is that I've got a list! (what would I do without my lists!) These are things, ideas, and crafts that I want to do and I want to learn how to do:

Sewing - (the best way to learn is to do projects to teach me)
curtains/drapes
table runner
table cloth
cloth napkins
pillow cases both for a bed and for a couch
ironing board cover
apron
dish towels
Baby Stuff- new linens for bassinet, high-chair, car seat, jumper, changing wipes zipper, and diaper bag

Crocheting -
scarves
binnies
kitchen hot pads
baby blanket

Glue gun -
paci clip
hair ribbons/bows/and headbands
magnet bookmarks
wreath (original)

Also, if you have any other ideas for crafts (good for Christmas presents or other) let me know... I would LOVE to learn!

Right now, Mindy's got me making a scarf because it is a way for me to learn the basics of crocheting all in one. So far so good, we started Saturday afternoon, when Jeff and I went over to their house to watch Harry Potter, I of course didn't watch any of it because I was busy trying to figure out how to hold the stupid yarn, plus I've seen them so many times anyway I've got all the movies memorized! I'm so excited that I'm becoming crafty... the more I learn the more I want to know more and the more I end up doing myself, teaching myself, and making up!

Last week sometime, I went over to Sarah's house to learn how to glue ribbons/flowers for headbands and barrettes. Very Fun! also, while I was there visiting her, getting to know her and her husband better, and learning how to do these neat little creations, we went over to Jamie's house (a lady we work with) who was giving Sarah a bunch of her baby stuff; which in turn Sarah gives me stuff that she had duplicates of... SCORE! So yeah, now we have a car seat and a bassinet.

Stacy, is letting Jeff and I borrow almost all of her baby/kid stuff, borrow until they have another kid (I'm hoping that isn't within the next year! I don't want to give it back right when we'll be needing or using it the most) She's letting us borrow a stroller, car seat, snuggle thingy for the car seat, a high chair, bouncer/jumper, a swing, a bathtub, toys, and I'm afraid I'm forgetting something but I can't remember what else. hmmm it'll come to me....

Lorinna gave us a bumbo? Everyone has been more than generous and thoughtful in everything, we definitely appreciate "hand-me-downs"!

Murder Dinner

Friday, October 22, 2010

We were invited to a Murder Mystery Dinner party, neither one of us had been to one before, knew how it worked, or how it might pan out. Since we had only hung out with this crowd one other time we were hoping that personalities wouldn't clash and we'd all have a GREAT TIME!

This is how the invitation read: (Aubrey did a wonderful job in designing the invitations)

The Honor of your presence is requested for Halloween weekend at the Castle Von Morgue, in Deadbolt Transylvania in honor of the Engagement of Neville Aster-Night to Lizzie Bordeaux

To my dearest friends both living and dead, It is with ghoulish pleasure that I announce my engagement to Lizzie Bordeaux, the mistress of the Motel California. I will be throwing a weekend bash for Halloween at my castle, which will culminate in an engagement party the likes of which has never been seen in Transylvania. No doubt most of you already know each other, as we travel in the same circles and haunt the same crypts. I promise food, fun, and terror for all. I've even put in a special order fora a dark and stormy night. So, cancel whatever other plans you might have because I will not take "no" for an answer. I guarantee it will be a night to die for! Eternally, Neville Aster-Night

The entire night, including drinks, appetizers, and dinner was Fabulous and absolutely mouth watering.

The Guests included eight characters, each required to dress up and act the part:

Aubrey: Lizzie Bordeaux. This gothic and enigmatic woman hails from the south of France. Rumors that she hacked her parents apart with an ax as a child are all unsubstantiated. Besides the murders happened while her parents were on vacation in Texas and the weapon was a chainsaw. Regardless, Lizzie has had to fend for herself since her youth and learned the cutthroat ways of business. A sharp and incisive woman, and never one to mince words, she's carved herself out a slice of the Transylvanian dream. Now, she's the respected owner of the Motel California and is engaged to Deadbolt's leading citizen, Neville Aster-Night.
Tyler: Hannibal Schecter, is the world's only documented kosher cannibal. It all began several years ao after he heard that unforgettable lyric by Balihi, "Some Enchanted Evening you may Eat a Stranger." and he did precisely that, and hasn't stopped since. Following the strict dietary laws of his faith has always been a challenge for the hypnotically charming maneater - especially because most of the people who deserve to be eater are either swine or bottom feeders and therefore off limits. Still, he's made do, and has risen to the occasion in high style. Always dressed at the height of classic fashion, Hannibal can often be seen escorting tasty beauties to funerals, wakes, and other society functions. Not surprisingly those beauties are rarely heard from again.

Sarah: Glumda, the Wicked Witch of DePressed. She comes from the armpit of OZ; a place far from the glamour of the Emerald City. In her mountainside village of DePressed, the scarecrows won't dance, the lions won't sing, and even the munchkins are in therapy. Always jealous of the other more prosperous enchantresses, the Witch spends much of her days casting spells of mischief to pass the time. She rarely leaves her remote fortress except to engage in her hobby of mile-high acrobatics on her broom. Feared and respected, Glumda is a statuesque woman with a piercing gaze, pale green complexion, and fingernails that could gut a grouper with a single thrust.

Lucas: Balihi, the RogersAndHammerstein Monster. Constructed from body parts of various and sundry individuals, he is a little bit country and a little bit rock-and-roll - but mostly musical theater. Within weeks of his reanimation, he was accepted to Julliard, received a degree in decomposition, and has been known to terrorize hapless villagers with smarm show tunes until their brains explode. His works include "Graveside Story", "Eternally -Damned Yankees," and "Cats." Balihi is quite the ladies- monster; women adore his stylish, diamond-stud neck bolts and level head. While many women have tried to nail him down in marriage, he always broke loose before vows were exchanged.

Stan: Asthmadeus, the Prince of Dimness. The younger brother of the Prince of Darkness, was never cut out for life in Heck. For one thing, his chronic respiratory condition simply can't handle the heat, and secondly, he's deathly afraid of the dark. In fact, he's rumored to sleep witha nightlight in his cavern -- hence he has been dubbed "The Prince of Dimness." Of course, that not the only reason for the title. The junior prince has never been accused of being the brightest flame in purgatory -- but what he lacks in brains, he makes up for in boyish good looks. Well versed in all forms of decadence, the Prince spends his life party-hopping the world in his silver Rolls Royce (his brother got the gold one). Often seen with his close friend and confidant, Balihi, the two have been known to cruise the crypts for undead babes.

Aubrey #2: Angela Deth, DDS. It is believed that early man's leading cause of death was dental trouble, and Dr. Angela Deth wants to bring back the good old days. This beautiful dentist is famous for putting her patients under -- sixe feet under, that is. The vivacious Dr. Deth earned the admiration of ghoulkind when she perfected the Intergenerational Root Canal. Although she was given the electric chair several years ago, she was mysteriously saved at the last instant by a black out and escaped before the power came back on. Now, she roams the world, performing random acts of dentistry on poor unsuspecting citizens. Angela's favorite patient is the Mummy of King Aldrinktotat, whose 3,000-year-old teeth are a psychotic dentist's dream.

Jeff: The Mummy of King Aldrinktotat. Three thousand years in a tomb can really cramp your style-- so when he was uncovered 20 years ago, the Mummy left Egypt and has never gone back. Since then he has stalked the globe, painting the world red in search of a good time. Madness, mayhem, and wanton destruction often follow in his wake because, hey, this bag of bones knows how to party. Always well-dressed in designer linen strips, the Mummy is welcome in hotspots everywhere. He is also a celebrated author -- his self-help book "Life Begins at 3,000" was on the best-seller list for years. True, he has incredibly dry skin, but the babes don't seem to mind that he's a little bit flaky.

Me: Aretha Garlique. The effervescent Aretha Garlique is renowned the world over as the flamboyant clairvoyant, able to speak to departed souls over the ethernet. She has done seances for royalty and heads of state, and has aided the FBI, and Scotland Yard in tracking down murderers by contacting the dead themselves to get eyewitness accounts. She's channeled hundreds of men from Elvis to Alexander the Great, who, after having him, turned out not to be so great after all. Because of her supernatural powers, she is feared and hated by the undead, which is why she always wears garlic around her neck. The proper way to address her is Madame Garlique.

Clammy and Sweaty...

Sunday, Oct 17, 2010

Last week, Jeff and I were asked to speak in church on our favorite General Conference talk. We didn't hesitate at saying yes. I was so excited to speak! This was the first time since I'd been home from my mission, not that I hadn't been asked to speak up til this point, this was just the first time that the military didn't conflict. Jeff also hadn't spoke in quite some time, but definitely not as long as I, nor was he excited as I was. Because it had been so long for myself, I wondered if anything had changed for me, if I still got nervous speaking in large groups in front of a pulpit, or if I would cry when I felt the spirit. I was excited to speak, especially now as a married woman, another category to add to the list.

Since neither of us had watched or listened to Conference, it was a good excuse to catch up and to pick a favorite. The two talks we chose were: "Be an example of the believers" and "Faith- the choice is yours"

I was grateful that Jeff wanted to go first, I was excited, but not THAT excited! Plus he wanted to get it over with, he was nervous, so nervous in fact that his palms were all sweaty, cold, and clammy, plus it felt like his heart was going to pump right out of his chest! By him going first, he was able to introduce us and the "baby on the way"... a lot of people grinned at his witty charm, and I couldn't help but smile.

He did very well, he didn't sound at all nervous, he sounded very prepared, calm, and comfortable. I was starting to get a bit nervous now because I hadn't entirely figured out what I was going to say to introduce my talk... but I pushed that feeling away and tried to listen intently on my husband and listen to the spirit. It calmed me right down, a moment of rapid heart beats and baby kicks does not help anything!

He was finished and I was up... Honestly, I don't remember much, other than feeling very comfortable up there and knowing that I could have spoken for another 15-20 minutes easily. I've got lots of stories! In some ways I think I may have over-prepared my talk, but I am grateful for it, I'd rather have too much than not enough. Plus the other two speakers were glad that I took up some time- and good time it was!

I am grateful the opportunity we were able to give talks, I'm grateful that both Jeff and I accepted to speak without hesitating, I know that the Leaders of the Church appreciate that. Since my dad has been Bishop, he has commented to me on how difficult it is to find speakers in church, and I think, really, Why? it's like any other calling, you just DO IT, no hesitation. The Lord will qualify you to speak- especially if you aren't very good at it in the first place, and practice makes it easier and makes you better at it... I'm just sayin'

Also, we were extended the call to teach the 15-17yr olds in Sunday School! We are both so excited! Jeff is so good with the youth, he just has a way with them that gets them to listen and obey. I think it is in part that he too is a big kid! hopefully that'll be the case this time around too... :) We are just pleased for all the good that is happening in our life, the Lord does Love us, and we Love Him TOO!

Moab

A few weeks ago Jeff got to go down to Moab with his brother Brett and his nephew Braedon on a camping/FJ cruiser (off roading) trip. I think he enjoyed himself, except for the sleeping part. I told him he should pack a blanket or some type of padding to sleep on, but Brett was like, "nah, we'll man it out this weekend, we don't need no stinkin padding!" boy were they sorry they didn't take it! Other than the sleeping, the trip itself was fun, glad that he was able to go hang out with the boys!

La Washa n La Drya

so funny story, Jeff met a woman out in Arkansas this summer whose daughters' names were actually La Washa and La Drya! how dense can you be? well anyway, we finally have a washer and a dryer. The dryer came free, courtesy of one of the High Priests in our ward, and Jeff found a guy at the school selling a washing machine for $50! not bad, and they work GREAT!!

This weekend it was so nice to be able to get up when we wanted to and put in a load and go about our chores and other things around the house, without having to drive to a laundry mat or go down to Ogden (his parent's house) to do laundry, normally something that would take ALL DAY! blah blah... but yeah! we have our very own and very first Washing and Drying Machine!

Week 23 more than half-way

week 23, the baby is as big as an ear of corn: 8.5" and 1.5lbs

So today I bought my first ever Maternity Pants! I got them for $5 at Kohls -
thank you Sally and Ashley!

The pants are super cute, I was so excited that when I saw Sarah at work I just had to show her, she asked me to turn around, she said, "oh and they make your butt look cute!" good! I'm such a nerd, but I just had to blog about it because I was so happy to finally wear jeans that do not hurt my tummy or press down on my bladder or fall down because I had to wear them so low to where they would fit my enormously growing tummy! but I am so happy, they are so comfortable, and so freakin stylish! YEAH!

And even though I don't have a photo of it, my butt apparently is very cute! :)

Ultrasound

I went to the Dr. yesterday to get an ultrasound, but the appointment lady didn't set it up- I was pissed off, but luckily she had an opening the next morning at 8am. YEAH!

Let me tell you, it was the neatest experience that I've had yet with the pregnancy!- more so than the kicks or somersaults because those just feel like gas.... this we both could see living proof that there is a little person inside of me growing.

As of today the little person is 1pound and I am 21 weeks and 2 days due Jan 29 based on the measurements of the leg, head, and stomach.



The technician asks us if we are hoping on one sex more than the other, we say, "we're hoping for a boy, but obviously if it is a girl we're still thrilled!" then the technician asks, "can you see it?" I had no clue what I was looking at! "the right leg is here, the left leg here, and the... third leg here..." under my breath I say, "oh it's a penis!" and Jeff says, "That's my boy! what a boy he is!" Proud already! ahhhh

We were able to see all of the features of the baby, we know he is healthy and growing just right! Technology is just incredible, and our little boy was very camera shy, every time the technician tried to get a picture of his face he'd put his hands out in front to block his view! so the tech would shake my belly to make him move... it was kind of funny kind of cruel, but it worked... same sort of thing happened when the tech tried to get a proof of his manhood, our babe would cross his legs of move his hands, he's very modest! and deep in thought, hopefully he is excited to be born into our family, not worried! :)


After the visit, we left rejoiced and grateful to have 3d pictures and blurry unknown ultrasound pictures! I'm glad we got to experience that together. I called all my family and believe it or not, they all said, "I knew it!"... blah blah blah... then why did I have to tell you! thanks for ruining our surprise, even "I" didn't know! they didn't KNOW, they just had wishful thinking and we just confirmed it for them. :)

The family is excited for us, and we couldn't be happier! My parents first Grandson! Our first baby! and He's a BOY! (in case you couldn't figure it out)

19 weeks!

As of today I am 19 weeks, 21 weeks to go! I can't believe it! nobody has commented on my belly as of yet, however I had to go to Hill AFB to order maternity uniforms, that was fun... not! I've never worn my pants that high before, of course wearing the waist band any lower than my belly button cuts off circulation... not good. :) eek, I feel like Steve Erkel.

So, Jeff and I are no longer homeless! we found a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment in Richmond, UT about 20 min North of Logan. It is huge compared to where we were living last semester, but really anything is better than Old Main Village studio apt. And the best part about it, we're only paying $25 more a month for this place, not bad at all!

Pictures are soon to come, we just need some furniture to fill up the space in the living room, so I can figure out how to decorate our home. :)

Other exciting news... I got a job! I work at USU in their Dining Services Dept. I work PT for USU Catering and FT in the Skyroom (their fancy restaurant on the 4th floor) looking after the buffet line and salad bar. EASY!

Also, I decided to specialize in 'Organization and Interior Space Layout' within the Interior Design field. Not only do I love to organize and create more space, I'm good at it. I got together with a good friend of mine who also is great at organizing and designing, and together we are going into business as Professional Organizers and Space Layout Designers! So if you are in the need arranging furniture, figuring out storage options, clearing up some space in your home, feel like you have too much stuff that you're just not sure if you should throw away or hold on to, or you don't know where to put things anymore, leave me a message or leave a comment with your phone number and I'll get back to ASAP :) Thank you!

Homeless

Jeff and I drove back to Utah Sunday Aug 22, we got kind of a late start, we wanted a good nite's rest before driving 24+ hrs! Plus, it isn't like we had much to come back to... no job, no apt, no school, no money...

The closer we got to Ogden, which is where we'd be staying for the next couple of days, the more Jeff was excited to call up his family and let them know. We had dinner with Jenni at Cafe Rio - YUMMY! all the wives kept talking about Cafe Rio and how much they missed it, I hadn't really ever been a "die hard fan" of it, but do enjoy their food, I guess after not having it for so long and it getting hyped up by the wives, it was so not disappointing! :)

Today, Thursday Aug 26 (Happy Birthday Karissa! :) we are still staying at Jeff's mom's house in Ogden, today was laundry and relax day. Since we've been "home" we have been on-the-go every minute of every day looking for an apartment, looking for work, going to interviews, making calls, driving up to Logan, driving to Bountiful and North Ogden to visit family, and today we just couldn't do it anymore. Tomorrow we've got an open house to go to for an apt in town, but most likely we'll be living in Richmond - a 25min drive north of downtown Logan.

We're so grateful to be back because:
1. family is close (Jeff's family, and my brothers)
2. the temperature is refreshing, non existent in Arkansas
3. it smells so much nicer here - love the pine trees
4. living where it is all familiar - even though a lot has changed since spring
5. no more sales! (hopefully never again!)
6. no more long road trips!

The Baby!
As soon as we get an address we'll be going to the Dr. and finding out the sex of the baby, so I'll keep you all updated as soon as we know!

carnival

Saturday a group of us from the office went to a Carnival nearby and since it was our real last activity together before some of us started leaving to different parts of the state, it was a real good time. A few of them have left for good, and others have left down to Texarkana; which is where we are heading to this Sunday for very last week in Arkansas before heading back to UT!

This is a video of one of the rides that Mylee and Josie went on, of the bees. It is kind of hard to tell where exactly they are on the ride, but the two girls both have blonde hair and every time Mylee passes us, she turns around in her chair to wave.

Plus, I don't know how to work Jeff's camera, but I really like the setting that the video was on.

journal entry

I had a dream last night about the 2nd coming, not that the second coming was here, but Jeff had told me in my dream, "every day is only one day closer to the second coming, are you ready??" I woke up from my dream thinking, "what if I were to die today, what kingdom would I be judged to go to? would it be the celestial kingdom? what have I done in my life, or right now to allow my entrance?"

so I've been thinking about it since this morning... when I get bored I turn to t.v. which is unfortunate because it really makes me more bored because it really is just a bunch of crap and I feel like I am wasting away... so then I turn to the internet, facebook, and blogging, however today has been really inspiring... Thank you Lisa, Melanie, and Allison your stories, quotes, and videos have inspired me.

I can't believe I'm saying this but, I am so excited to go back to Utah because there we will not be visitors, there we will have our own ward, have callings, have family, have our own apt/house, etc... In the past, moving to different parts of the US have been fun, exciting, and different. This year, after little rock, we have been long-term visitors, and I don't like it. I feel without purpose, and we can't pay our tithing! I hate it!

I know that I must not give up, that I must keep moving forward, and trust in God, trust that he has a plan for us, especially when I cannot see it. In just a few months it isn't going to be just me and Jeff anymore, it will be the three of us (which all in itself is kind of a scary awesome feeling)
I'll be staying in the military which is also a love hate relationship, good because of the health insurance - pay for the baby, but bad because I'll have to leave soon after she/he is born for a week.

I'm grateful for my knowledge in the gospel and for the ability to always learn and grown in the gospel and in my testimony. I am grateful for a wonderful husband who works so hard in sometimes unbearable conditions for our growing family, for a supporting and loving family (both sides), and I am especially grateful for my Savior, for His love and atonement that makes everything better and perfect.

Final Gladiator Game

Today started out like any other day here in Fayetteville, except this morning the boys had the watermelon challenge for the gladiator games, I know you're thinking eating watermelon, but not so... this challenge is more for strength and endurance. The idea is water rugby but with a watermelon, in the past Strong has smothered the watermelon in crisco, to make it really slippery, but I guess because the pool wasn't very deep, he decided it would be more fun just to see the boys dive and wrestle with it instead. I got all the teams on video... but unfortunately they are too long to be viewed on the blog, so I will have to post them on my facebook page once my camera battery is done charging. soon...

Team 3 won... yeah Go Travis! better yet, the victory, even though a team effort, goes to Marty Fox, his touchdown was glorious!

here are just a few pictures of Ryan Tadje's battle wound... the brutality of the game!