Sunday, December 28, 2008

Caden's Room

Here are some photos of Caden's room all ready for him to come home this week. First is his crib. My grandfather was just dying to buy us something for his first great-grandchild and even though we had been given a crib he was just set on getting this crib he had seen online. So a few weeks ago we got a call that he had ordered us the crib and we were not to argue with him about it, lol. It's beautiful, much darker then the other furniture in the room but I think it looks just amazing. Here are some the little friends he received at the shower seating on the left and on the right are two of the stuffed anamials that DJ gave me when we were dating. We thought that they fit right into his room.
Here you can see the two wall colors kinda and his name that I just finished painting and put up this weekend. I still have the shelves to put up but they just didn't get done and given the bed rest we (meaning DJ) made an executive decision that Caden will never notice that his shelves were not up the moment he came home.

And this is my favorite part of the room. That is my grandmother's rocking chair, which she rocked my mother in when she was a baby. It's 60 some odd years old and feels so good to sit in. And in the chair are two bears that my mother gave me when I was 5. They are pupets and she used them to wake me up for years. They stayed on my bed well into my teenage years and I just never could come to terms with getting rid of them so they have been boxed up for the last 12 years. DJ went and found them, washed them and put them in the room for me to find. So super sweet and I think they make the perfect touch.

I haven't been able to take photos of the basinet or moses basket that my grandmother and aunt gave me. We did narrow it down and found out that they were made in 1939! When I actually remember to take a photo in the daylight hours so you can really see them I'll post it to share. I really love the thought of all the history I have been given to share with this baby => Less than 48 hours now, and I'm starting to freak out just a little bit. DJ promised he's post for you all when the little man makes his debut, guess I better teach him how to use blogger tonight, lol.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas and a fun little survey

DJ and I went out for our tour of Christmas lights last night and had a wonderful time. I made peppermint hot chocolate from scratch, so yummy, and we bundled up in warm clothes then we drove around 5 different housing developments for a little over 2 hours before my bladder called it a night. I found a few houses that made me laugh or just ohh and awe. I love Christmas lights and how the glow just makes a house look so happy.

Then we came home and snuggled up by the lights of our Christmas tree and slept out front. It was a wonderful night through and through.


And speaking of wonderful we received the best ever Christmas present yesterday! I was back in the nursery folding and putting away clothes and other items and organizing how to store some of the goodies for the little man when I heard the door bell ring. My slow pregnant frame didn't make it to the door before my visitor had left (thank you Jess for the bread, yummmmmmm) and when I opened up my door I immedetly notice my front yard looked different. Our great friend James had come over with his landscaping crew and trimed our tree and plants and cleared out all the leaves and just made out front yard look beautiful! I seriously stood there in tears, what a wonderful present. And by the way should anyone need a landscaper there is no better in the world than James and his crew and I will happily pass along his info to anyone who is looking in a heartbeat. But we may be stingey about sharing him as a friend cause if you think his work is good he's an even better friend - love ya man, and your wife too (the CD rocks so hard Chris, thank you=>).

So this morning we got up and thanked each other for our favorite gift we've ever given each other by watching my belly bounce all around. Then DJ made a lovely eggs Benedict breakfast. Not our usual corned beef and hash but that has too much sodium for my blood pressure right now so that tradition will have to resume next year. And we put on the Muppet's Christmas Carol. We are going to go into the office and play our computer game together for a while. And my mom is making a small dinner for the 3 of us since my Dad has to work tonight. We are planning on watching A Christmas Story and The Santa Clause two classics for sure! Wonderful day!

So this is a little survey of things you've done. I've seen different versions on people's blogs and received in an email so I thought I'd list it is as a precursor to New Years Resolutions next week. You change the color of the font if you have done the listed activity. Enjoy and feel free to do your own!

1. Kept a journal
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a butterfly
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Rode a roller coaster that went upside down
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Been to Hollywood
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Stayed up for 24 hours straight
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Had a snow ball fight
25. Held a baby animal other than a cat or dog
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Been to Las Vegas
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Been snowed in somewhere
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Rode a horse
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Made up your own recipe
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Flown on an Airplane that seats 50 or less
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie or TV show
56. Cut down your own Christmas tree
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Gone ice skating outside
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited one of the Smithsonian museums
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
7 3. Stood in Times Square
74. Been in a car accident
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Had a professional massage
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Given money or goods to someone in need completely anonymously
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

100. Swam in the Ocean

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Countdown - Edited

Well I'm in my last official week of being a person with no children. Doc scheduled my induction for Tuesday the 30th in the early afternoon. Our hopes are that I will have a son by the 31st. I'm experiencing tons of emotions that I didn't expect to be feeling. Bed rest sucks, pretty much just as bad as it did earlier in the pregnancy. Spending several hours a day all alone can get really hard especially with all these extra emotions and hormones running through me. I've had one visitor and my girl Amie calls to check on me, but that's pretty much it. The other morning at the doc's office I got to talk with Shelly from my old ward, which was lovely. I miss her even though she only lives a few miles away.

So tonight is Christmas Eve and DJ and I were trying to think of something to do to celebrate the holiday. I will totally admit it's been very hard for me to get into the holiday spirit this year. No family activities planned, no shopping or baking to do, no money to really enjoy any of the holiday events, didn't even make it to the Temple to see the lights. It's been even harder to not have anyone visit or call. The first year we were in the house and the ward people stopped by and the phone rang, the second year had been less but we still felt the warmth of well wishes, this year we've had one visitor and not one call or well wish besides my two girlfriends Amie and Chris. It's made it very hard for me to want to be jolly since I equate the holiday with being around people. So I told DJ last night I needed to bake some cookies cause I didn't want become a total hum-bug and he told me that we'd pack into the car and drive around and look at Christmas lights with the cookies and some hot coco tonight, woohoo. Then he surprised me and said he saved a bit of money from a while back and was going to take me to the movies tomorrow morning. I'm really excited to be out of the house, he treats me so well, seriously he's the best present ever =>

Ok well I'm off to go start dinner. When you can only be on your feet 10 minutes at a time you have to start cooking early or it just never gets done, sigh. And I'm trying to make double dishes so I can freeze one serving for next week when the little one gets here so poor DJ won't end up cooking every night. I have not been that successful at this goal as my current culinary ventures have been cheese sandwiches and meals from mom. Oh but gooey cheese is just so yummy right now.....mmmmmmm.......think that's what I'll do for lunch today.

I wish everyone a safe and spirit filled Merry Christmas. If you are traveling please be safe in the crazy weather that's out there right now. After the holiday I'll post the pictures of Caden's nursery.

***Edited***
Yikes I don't want people to think I was complaining about people not stopping by making me sad. It was/is more of the fact that I can't make my cookies and hundreds of truffles and drive around and give them out so that I got my fill of holiday time friends. Totally understand with Christmas mid week and traveling people are all out with family. But thank you for the happy comments and emails and calls, don't worry I know I know I'm loved and I love all of you very much too. Just was lamenting being stuck in the house - but it's so worth it for him to be happy and healthy!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Bedrest

After a brief trip to the hospital this morning I was sent home to be on bed rest until the little man makes his debut. My blood pressure was scary high and they found I was spilling sugar. So now I'm home and laying down with orders to not be out of bed except for once an hour. I go back on Sunday to the hospital to have some more tests. And then on Tuesday if things are still looking the same we're talking induction.

Oh and this Tuesday I was 70% effaced and 1cm dilated! Yikes - guess I better pack a bag here soon and find a pediatrician.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tagged =>

I may have been tagged by Miss Natalie (she has a family member named Christine too) and even if she didn't intend it to be me I'm sure that she won't mind if I join in the fun => So here it goes.

One Word Tag
Where is your mobile phone? purse
Where is your significant other? cooking
Your hair color? brown
Your mother? friend
Your father? stable
Your favorite thing? baby
Your dream last night? none
Your dream goal? mom
Room Your In? family
Your hobby? photography
Your fear? death
Where do you want to be in 6 years? home
Where were you last night? parents
What you're not? drama
Where you grew up? California
The last thing you did? shopped
What are you wearing? sweater
Your TV? Small
Your pets? cats
Your computer? oooooollllllddddddd
Your mood? tired
Missing someone? lots
Your car? dirty
Something you're not wearing? socks
Favorite shop? craft
Your summer? long
Love someone? yes
Your favorite color? blue
When is the last time you laughed? today

That was fun! Not as easy as you think it will be.

Well in other news the lady at my work who has been making my life miserable, bashing my religion and making horrible comments about me to others that are so not true just because she doesn't like my religion............resigned this week. WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She has been trying to make my life even more miserable these past few days and next week I'm sure she will try to top herself. So I'm sorry to say I have resorted to a very childish method to keep my head from spinning and saying something I would regret. Of course I do pray and ask for help but when she gets particularly ugly I hum somewhat loudly "ding dong the witch is dead." I know so childish but it makes me get through her horrible comments and I haven't lost my cool yet.

So I've started to have some contractions => Doc said this week he would be ok with me having him any day now, yikes! I was worried about his lungs not being ready but Doc assures me that since I've been on steroids for most of the pregnancy that he would be just fine. So come the 20th I'm in let's have a baby mode. Secretly I'm hoping he comes before Christmas. His nursery is almost done, I'll share photos as soon as I'm finished.

And I'll leave you with a few shots from my co-workers photo shoot. Her 18 month old was sick with the flu so it was quick and to the point, but still very fun.


Friday, December 5, 2008

Date night achieved and other fun stuff

DJ and I finally got to go on our date night tonight. We went out to the Surprise Party and watched the hot air balloons get up in the air, saw the sky divers land in the dark from 4000 feet up and enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display. We shared a yummy bag of hot fresh kettle corn and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Then he took me over to the Golden Spoon for some dessert, mmmmmmmm mint frozen yogurt and chocolate chips, perfect. We came back to the house and watched a favorite - The Chronicles of Narnia (I bawl everytime Aslin sacrafices himself, in the theater the little girl next to me kept asking her mom if I was ok, lol). All in all it was a wonderful night that I loved, too bad the camera battery was dead and I didn't realize it =< We had a wonderful time talking about the baby and our thoughts on all sorts of stuff - we just really connected which was so nice

Tommorrow we get to go to a baptism, do a little grocery shopping then I'm going to my mom's for a girls night with some friends and DJ is heading off to a good friend's house to enjoy a little testosterone fest watching the fight. It will be a packed day, but I should be able to stay off my feet for most of it so I can tell the doc when he asks on Tuesday that I followed the rules.

Baby Caden had the hicups today for an hour, poor thing. It was fun to feel but I did feel sorry for him after a while. I only have two more weeks until I'm considered full term enough to have him. I'm gonna try to be a good girl and just let nature take it's course but I'm very tempted eat a habenaro pepper while jumping on Amie's trampoline to encourage this little man to join the world. He dropped about 6 weeks ago and I do believe I learned a new appreciation for the word unfomfortable, lol. But on the positive side I've not had heartburn related to him being high, only when I don't eat regularly and I've not had that can't catch my breath feeling that some of my girlfriends have told me about. My blood sugars have started to give me a bit of problem, but that was to be expected at this point in the pregnancy. For the most part they have been in great control and my A1c's (a test that registers your past 3 month average of your blood sugars, good control is 7 and pregnancy goal should be 6) have been 5.3 and 5.7. My doc is very pleased. He's also pleased with my weight gain, drum rool please..............a total of 1 pound at this point, lol. He keeps shaking his head and laughing cause I'm on a good dose of steroids for my arthritis and I should have gained a ton of weight. He laughs and tells me that he gains weight just writing my perscription for the stuff and that I will actually leave the hospital lighter then when I got pregnant. I told DJ that had I know having babies would help me lose weight I'd have been begging Heavenly Father for this a long time ago and he would be raising a football team!

And speaking of babies I'm super excited because after not being sucessful getting any of the 3 photographers I know booked I was able to book a maternity shoot with a photographer that my mom works with. Her name is Nancy and she's lovely and artsy and very talented. I'm very excited to try her out. She also is extremly talented with blown glass and beeding. I've seen some pieces my mom has received as gifts from her and I'm just in love with the beauty of the glass. I am going to get her website information so I can share it with you all, it's just so very yummy.
Then I was also able to schedule a newborn shoot and in March a family shoot with Kylie of Next Step Photography. She's Julie's sister in law and I really like her style. It will be so weird to get to let go and have someone else be in charge of the photography. DJ and I haven't had a shoot that is just us in a actual portrait session since 2003, the first offical pictures of us as a couple was the wonderful pictures Heather took at our sealing, can you believe that? Shame on me. Well it has been a combinaton of things that caused the delay but really that is way too long. Anyways was able to check those items right off the list - woo hoo!

And I booked a few Jobs myself. I took some family photos for my girl Amie & my co-worker Nichole. I have a maternity shoot for Casey coming up and a wedding in June. I'm going to start up again with weddings as of March and family shoots as of Febuary. I have to get a bit of research to get done on some advertising options so that I can make my little business better. In CA I booked a ton of jobs but out here I've not pushed the business very much cause I was a bit burnt out after 30+ weddings in one year, yikes! But with this little baby on the way and the very real chance that I will be out of a job come July of this year and if not 08 then 09 is looking very very likely with the state of the Surprise budget I need something in place for sure. So if anyone is looking for weddings and such I'm here, just give me a call. My studio lighting is going to be here soon and of course there is always outside.


Went and finished the shopping for the baby too. We got a ton of clothes and I mean a ton of clothes for the shower and through a huge donation from Casey Lu and Amie. Seriously the kid will be just fine until about a year old! So DJ and I were able to go out and get all the bottles, pacifiers, bath stuff, crib bedding, blankets, moniter, diaper bag and all the odds and ends of babydom. It was fun and we were blessed by my BIL & SIL giving us some $ so we could afford it all! I had so much fun shopping for the little man and everything really started to get real putting the stuff away => My mom came over and we sorted all the clothes by size and washed everything and got it hung up and folded, seriously baby laundry is just so much fun to do (I know, I say that now. lol). There are so many things that I can't wait to put him in!

This week coming up has all sorts of fun activities we are signed up for; a work holiday brunch, the drive we've been doing for the west valley crisis center is done and we get to deliver the goods, Heather and Dave's Christmas party - have to get my gift still and decide what yummy dessert I'm bringing, another baptism and my hunny and I are planning a night to finish the nursery. I can do everything from teh sitting position too, woohoo! It's gonna be a good week I can tell!

Ok this was seriously longer than I planned and I have to sign off so we can read tonights portion of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, a new tradition we started this year we read 10 pages a night starting Dec 1st and it should be done christmas eve - love that story, hopefully we can keep this tradition up!

Happy weekend all =>

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thankful, updates and some other stuff

I hope you all had a wonderful Turkey day! Mine was exhausting but just delightful. DJ and I cooked all the side dishes for the feast at my mothers house. We did pretty well too, only one scuffle in the kitchen and only one of the cats got stepped on. Not bad for me being 8.5 months pregnant.

We went over to my mom's house and met my grandparents, my uncle, aunt, 2 of their 4 boys and my in-laws. The Wii was rolling and food was everywhere. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the nice break in the storms then back inside for a little football action. Good times.

I challenged myself to come up with some things I'm thankful for outside of the normal list toppers and I settled on these:
-for being raised with a belief and recognition of what the holiday season is really about and not having any connection of that joyful feeling to how many presents are under the tree. With so many conversations around me on a daily basis these days being about how sad people are that they can't afford a bunch of gifts I have grown more thankful for how careful my parents were that I never had my focus on the number of gifts but instead the family and the time together.
-For the pregnancy being almost over, which means that I can start to recover and hopefully get healthy again soon so I can be with Caden a long time.
-For a husband who is so excited to be a dad that he can't talk about anything else, sings and reads scriptures and Dr. Seuss to my belly. And for how he has loved me with ultimate devotion and never once has he complained about my needing his help at 2am, or when he has a migraine or the flu, or when it was his first day off in weeks. I'm truly blessed.
-For parents who put off their own retirement by at least 5 years to help us with the 25K in unexpected expenses, and bills they paid off so we could afford child care and DJ could take this new job that cut his pay by a 1/3 but gives him the opportunity to be home nights and weekends. And they did it all without us asking - true quiet service and love. Seriously I have the best parents on the planet.
-For 3 of the best girlfriends anyone could ever ask for, who have helped me laugh through the hardest year of my entire life. There are no words for the feeling of being loved in spite of all my many faults, thanks!
-And finally for the absolute miracle of modern medicine. Without it I would not have made it this far and have only 5 weeks until I meet my son.

So looks like we will have the nursery done in 2 days! Ya. I can't wait to see it all ready for him to come home. My aunt brought over the family's bassinet and moses basket. They have held 3 generations of my mom's family in them. We didn't even know they still existed cause Kim's youngests are 16 year old twins. I can wait to clean them up and get them ready too.

My refrigerator died yesterday so today I had the pleasure of getting up and going to Sears and buying a new fridge. Yikes! I literally paid off the last credit card on Tuesday night, stupid Murphy's law! The new one will be here tomorrow some time between 9 and 9. Woo hoo!

And finally I have decided to sign myself off for a while. I have this problem saying no to people and will just let my free time be given away. My husband usually gets left behind while I run around and try and make everyone else happy. I have realized that we only have days left that it will be just the two of us (my selfish side is still a bit sad about this) and I have decided to devote myself to just hanging out with him and being just us. So before I have people stopping me in the halls at church and texting me that I'm never around I thought that I would let you all know why I may not be accepting offers for nights out or special events. Please know that it has nothing to do with you and in about 6 months I'll be totally ready for a night out =)

Well I'm off to go put up my Christmas tree and make my house all merry while the 22lb day after turkey cooks in my oven (totally spoiling my hubby with his very own turkey, it's his favorite thing in the whole wide world). Then we are going to have a date tonight, the first one in over 2 years, he's totally due, can't wait to surprise him!

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Nester is in a Fester


So the last few weeks I've hit the door after work and beat feet right to the bed, curled up, had the hubster rub my feet and my back and my shoulders, then cozy with my doctor ordered ice cream before dozing off to sleep. All of that only to wake up 4-5 times and struggle to get back to sleep. Or worse yet suffer a panic attack and be up for hours trying to regain my sanity (has anyone else suffered from panic attacks or anxiety attacks during pregnancy? and these are not about worrying about having a baby, they are more of the actual feel like I can't breathe, may not wake up in the morning variety). So I have been not even worried about anything outside of the work world or my bed. But this past weekend it all hit me about how I only have 6 weeks left and with my tired needy lifestyle my house has gone to pot! I looked around and everywhere all I saw was crud, junk, dirt, dust and clutter. I broke out the note pad and wrote a list room by room of all the things that had to be done before I would let life emerge from my body. I brought the list to my hubby and he worked really hard to not laugh at my list and then told me we would start on Monday after work.
So when we got home tonight we proceeded to tear apart my kitchen and we scrubbed, organized, sanitized and put the place into order. It made me down right giddy. I actually asked my hubby if the smell of the cleaner made him want to skip around too. He laughed and let me know that if was not making the impact on him that it made on me. Then he decided that he could kill two birds with one stone and help develop my skills as the future mother of his son. He put on Star Wars - A New Hope and proceeded to teach me all about Millennium Falcon's and the force. Now mind you I'm a huge Star Wars fan so I thought that this lesson was kind of funny, but quickly realized he was teaching his son by proxy and it made me smile.
In the end my kitchen is sparkling and I've decided that white appliances are pure evil for how much dirt they can hold onto. I decided that Harrison is a really great name for our second son. And I can sleep tonight (hopefully) knowing that should my son decide to come tonight I could safely let him sleep in the kitchen knowing that the room was clean.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Hello 3rd Trimester & I've been Sick

I have been SICK. And I don't mean oh I don't think I'll do the errands today cause I feel a bit under the weather, I mean praying for a quick death sick. And I have discovered a new form of torture that should with out question be used during any important interrogation from here on out. Friday while nursing my 101 fever and hugging my trash can I would finally feel a bit like I could lay down and rest for a while, it was then that Caden would haul out and kick me in the stomach so hard I jumped from the pain and grabbed the trash can again. Oh it was officially the longest day of my life. Then my poor hubby came home from work and he too was deathly ill. We curled into bed and both just laid there motionless.
We had to go to the grocery store Saturday night and that 30 minutes was enough to wipe us out for the rest of the night. This morning we are feeling better, but still not good and I've been contracting on and off since Friday so I've been instructed to stay down and quite. My mom broke her foot and is all alone today so we are going to pack up the pillows and blankets and go over to her house to help her out since she can't walk and hopefully by tonight the plague will leave us be so we can go back to work tomorrow.
Only 10 more weeks until the little man is here!!!!!! I'm scheduled for an induction on Jan 3rd at 38 weeks. I have started to go to the hospital twice a week for non-stress tests and fetal ultrasound monitoring. My office isn't thrilled with me having to leave early twice a week, but what are you gonna do right? The little man is doing great, measuring about a week and a half ahead right now, but taking practice breaths and everything he should be doing. He's still breech right now so we're hoping that he will turn soon so we can avoid a C-section since Dr. McKernan is worried about my ability to recover from a major sugary with my medical issues. Either way DJ and I are getting really excited for his arrival. He has been reading and singing to my belly alot lately. His current favorite song to sing is Child's Prayer, makes me tear up each time. We still have so much to do, paint, put up furniture, get some diapers and formula. I feel like I have nothing at all prepared, yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nesting has really set in this past week, and that with insomnia has made for some interesting 2am activity, lol.

Friday, October 17, 2008

8 Things
I was tagged by Toni so here it goes:

8 TV Shows I love to watch:
- Survivor
-House
-The Office
-CSI
-So You Think You Can Dance
-Law and Order
-Pushing Daisies
-Amazing Race

8 Favorite Restaurants:
-Oregano's
-Cafe Rio
-Carrabas'
-Arriba Mexican Grill
-Chipotle
-Pete's Fish and Chips
-NYPD
-Taste of India

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
-Went to DJ's graduation from his security academy
-Got to work at 6am
-Went to lunch with my hubby
-Was treated to a pumpkin spice creame frappachino - yummmmmmmmy
-talked with my good friend Casey Lu
-went grocery shopping with my mom
-watched Survivor
- cuddled in bed and felt the baby move

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
- Caden's arrival
- My baby Shower
- Going to the Temple with my hubby tomorrow
- Thanksgiving
- Family get togethers
- The smells of Christmas
- Holiday baking
- The New Year

8 Things On My WishList:
-For DJ to get full time status and benefits
-Being debt free
-An honest to goodness date with my hubby - it's been 2 years!
-Trip to Disneyland - it's been 2 years!
-Paint and decorate the nursery
-Being perfectly happy
-a wii
-A free weekend

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Dear Blog

I apologise for neglecting you, but this past month has been hard. See I use you as my journal with the added benefit of keeping my friends and family posted about the current happenings in my life. Well this past month has seen the demons creep back out from under my bed and I've been struggling. Frankly the things I've been struggling with are more than I really wished to share with the world. See I do really well faking being happy in small doses and quick visits, but when I sit down to write here I simply can't bring myself to write chipper things while crying. So I've just left you be for the time being. I can't promise when I'll be better because I don't even know, but when that happy day returns I'll make sure you are the first one to know.

Thanks,
Me


PS for those of you who don't know we've had to cancel all those lovely amenities that life offers including our home phone. That one doesn't really matter too much, it rarely rang anyways, but just in case you needed to call you'll have to use our cell #'s.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hello September and August wrap up

It's September and I'm ready to decorate with all my fall pumpkins and colors. And I'm 20 weeks pregnant. That's right I'm half way there (well since the Doc is taking me a few weeks early I'm over half way there) and I still haven't felt the little bugger. I did finally gain 2 pounds though and that made the Doc very happy. We're all registered and a shower is in the works. I have another ultrasound on the 15th that is going to be 3D! We get to see little Caden's face. I'm so excited!

We've been plugging right along here at the home front though August was full of some serious tragedy in our friends and family's life. One of my best friend's youngest sister (22 years old) is dying of brain cancer. She was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and given 3-4 weeks to live. It's been rough and sudden.

Then I got a call from another dear friend that her sister whom I know well and have had the pleasure of photographing a few times lost their 8 month old son suddenly. Their story is also heartbreaking. They got pregnant many years ago and miscarried at 8 months. The struggled to get pregnant again for years. Finally turned to adoption and quickly received a baby only to 4 months later have the mother decide to take the baby back. Finally they got Hope and for 6 years were a happy family of three then finally came the news that they were chosen again and were receiving a baby boy, Logan. You've seen these two in a photo post last November. Not but two months after Logan joined the family Anna found out she was pregnant. It was a very difficult pregnancy and she was on bed rest for like 5 months, but Hayden joined the family happy and healthy last this January. Anna dropped him off at the sitters house and he was having a normal day. He went down for a nap and the sitter checked on him a few times, but the last time she noticed his color was off and sadly Hayden had passed away during his nap. My heart just broke to know the tragedy that this family has faced. I shared my religious beliefs about children how pass before the age of 8 and put all of their name on the prayer list in the Temple, but still didn't feel like I had done enough.

Then a good friend who has been struggling since her husband was laid off earlier this year lost her house and was telling me she feared where her family including her daughters were going to live. I was so thankful for my church and the community that is built in which proves to me that Heavenly Father's plans for us are absolutely perfect. I have been shown so many ways that I can be thankful this month that I fear I have not expressed it in my prayers enough.

I also go to spend a bunch of time with my girls Amie, Toni and Chris this past month. It was so nice to have that time out of my boring quiet house. With DJ working 6 days a week 12 hours a day I do hate all the alone time I end up having. I wish I was better at being on the phone cause then I could call people and chat but really I have such a hard time hearing on the phone and end up missing half of the conversations. And we have missed the dinner invites and hanging out opportunities. So to my girls who are always so much fun and I love dearly thanks for all the bonding, joking and scrapping - who loves ya babe!

And here are some scrappy pages I've done recently.


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a ..............

Baby Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caden John will make his appearance late December or early January. DJ was shocked with the news but has warmed very fast to the idea of a son and within the hour was very excited for sports games, cars, cub scouts and teaching him all about the priesthood. We're very excited and now in the market for lots of Snips, Snails & Puppy Dogs Tails. Thanks again for all the prayers and help in the first half of this pregnancy.
I will draw a name tomorrow night from those who guessed boy and post the winner tomorrow night!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Taking a poll

So we go to find out on Wednesday what we're having. Let me know what you think boy or girl? My husband is dead set that it's a girl. I fluctuate day to day. I haven't decided what, but there will be a prize somehow involved. Let me know what you think by Wed 10am =)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Tagged

Toni tagged me so here it goes =>

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Erase my answers, enter yours, and post it. *Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...
They have to be real places, names,things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Christine
4 LETTER WORD: Card
VEHICLE: Car
CITY: Concord
BOY NAME: Caden
GIRL NAME: Carrington
OCCUPATION: Cook
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Cardigan
FOOD: Cheesecake
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Cleaner
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Car
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Come-in

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Not Dead

I'm still alive and kicking. Dr let me take some Motrin and I'm cleared to take it until week 30, yea-hoo. So I'll fill ya'll in really fast then go crawl into bed.....................mmmmmmmmmmm bed.

I had a great big meeting with my HR department and the information I had received is true. If the Dr takes me out before December 16th I have two choices - go on disability and lose my job or take a special leave without pay option that leaves me with COBRA for benefits (yes so that means no pay check and $650 a month for medical benefits with no prescription coverage and 1 month of insulin is about $1900). So I need tons and tons of prayers that I do not need to come out of work until December 16th PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

We go find out August 20th at 10am what we are having - DJ is dead set it's a girl =).

My grandmother is doing great and has been home for 1 weeks now. We should get the results of her cancer this week, thanks for the prayers.

Finished Breaking Dawn - ugh - I'm still reeling from the disappointment. I guess I'll need to re-read it one more time with lower expectations and see how I feel about it that time.

No I haven't felt the baby yet.

Yes we have some names we like.

No I have no information on a shower yet (really I'm only 17 weeks on Tuesday what's up with the crazy planning a head people) and if someone approaches me about a shower I'll let you know.

Yes I'm still eating tons of chocolate - absolutely DJ's child, lol.

OK because I'm not going to have a chance to post again until later in the week I will leave you with an assignment. My girl Chris had posted this on her blog a few weeks ago and I've been wanting to post it so here we go - the memory game.

Here's What you Do
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Because.....

the reason I found Twilight (thanks to my friend Jesika) was my unhealthy addiction to another young boy and his magical story and the fact that only 3 bars of the theme song turns me into a giddy little kid and because I cannot wait for the birth of my child so I can read these amazing stories to him or her...........I give you the only fictional man who owns my heart more then Edward Cullen......................Mr. Potter!

November 21st 2008

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Be there! (don't for get to turn off my music down below)

Saturday, July 19, 2008

What happens when a 4 month pregnant chick who has been house bound for 3 & 1/2 weeks breaks free and goes to the grocery store?

She buys a bunch of stuff that wasn't on the list. I use to always crave salty starchy snacks but I now I have a wicked sweet tooth and am digging sour stuff. Weird!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

tagged and an update

Well I saw the Dr on Tuesday and he thinks I can go back to work next Tuesday. I'm both ok and not ok with this development. The fact that I only have 1 week without pay instead of trying to find $1200 a month is a bit of a relief. However, I'm still in a good amount of pain (walking very slowly) and the nights are still very tough and I'm only getting about 3-4 hours of sleep total (not in a row) due to the pain. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it 8 hours a day 5 days a week for the next 5 months dealing with this pain and sleep deprivation. My sugars are very high also in relation to the pain and sleep deprivation and have me worried right now as well. And I must admit while terrified of the financial hardship I was enjoying the ability to nap when I needed and work through the pain at home where if I just needed to cry it was alright, and that isn't going to be the case at work. I really found myself a bit bitter about my working and full of envy for those who get the blessing of staying at home. I've been more vocal about it too which makes me feel guilty because DJ desires for me to stay at home but has never been in the position to make that possible. He's trying so hard to bring a little extra right now to help cover the extra medical costs by working nights for his father, so he works 12 hours (including his commute) then 8-10 hours at night to turn around and work another 12 hours. I worry about his health and safety when he does this pattern so often and all for $50 before taxes and gas. We had a couple of leads for possible new jobs for him but they seem to have gone away, or are on hold. So looks like things are back in a bit of limbo. I just really hope that I can adjust to work and that the pain will subside during the day hours so I can get through the next 5 months.

Ok I've been tagged by Julie and Teri so here are my 4 things.

4 Jobs I've had
1. Veterinary Assistant
2. Photo Lab Girl
3. Tax Fraud Investigative Analyst (IRS)
4. Legal Specialist for the City Prosecutor

4 movies I've watched more than once
1. Steel Magnolios
2. Madagascar
3. Lord of the Rings 1, 2 & 3
4. Princess Bride

4 Places I've lived
1. Vallejo, CA
2. Thousand Oaks, CA
3. La Mesa, CA
4. Fresno, CA

4 TV Shows I watch
1. The Office
2. CSI
3. Survivor
4. Good Eats

4 Places I've been
1. Mexico
2. Maui
3. Wyoming
4. Washington DC

4 People who email me regularly
1. Amie
2. Mom
3. City of Surprise
4. junk

4 favorite foods
1. Strawberies on Waffles
2. Pumpkin Pie
3. Crunchy beef tacos
4. Movie Theater popcorn

4 Places I'd love to visit
1. Alaska
2. London
3. New York
4. Ireland

4 Things I'm looking forward to next year
1. A healthy baby
2. Hopefully losing weight
3. Almost 30
4. ?


4 friends I'm tagging

Anyone who wants to play along =)

Friday, July 11, 2008

For Sale: 1965 Ford Mustang

Well the time has come to say good bye to DJ's mustang. This is the only thing he has had longer then me, lol. We have almost sold her a number of times and she was saved at the last minute, but this time with me facing 8 months of disability and a loss of 40% of our income we are looking for help anywhere we can find it. So the love affair of the Mustang has come to an end. She is actually a 1964 & 1/2, has a straight 6 and brand new leather seats. DJ rebuilt the engine in 1998 and she has mostly been in storage since then with only about 1 year of in town driving. She needs a new paint job and a new back deck for the speakers and new carpet, but other wise she's in nice condition. The car has been wired for A/C but there was never an A/C unit in the car. Ford will make one for the right price, but we never checked out that price.

We are asking $10,000, but are willing to negotiate that price. Contact us with any questions at fawkes_phoenix_red@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Photo tag

So I'm finally doing the phototag that my girl Amie tagged me with over a week ago. Why am I able to do this tag you ask? Simply because I have the best friends on the entire face of the planet. Amie and Toni showed up at my door on Tuesday night at 8:30 and asked if I wanted some company, which was a wonderful treat after 12 hours of being alone. I of course said yes but warned them that my place was a disaster as I opened my security door and it was then that I saw that they had brought cleaning supplies with them. I literally started crying right then and there. These amazing girls cleaned my entire house and I am so thankful for their service, friendship and love. Thank you again ladies =) I love you both bunches right back!
So here goes the photo tag - My kitchen sink.

My closet - hubby's side cause the door blocks my side - which is actually cleaner, lol.

The master toilet.
The lovely laundry room with all the crud that piles up there.

My favorite room - mainly because it's the only room that's almost done.

See my little chair rest station lol.
The fridge, which looks full but is actually empty. Crazy how that happens huh?

My favorite shoes that you'll never see me wear because they make me 6 foot 1 inch tall and my 5 foot 8 inch hubby has banned them from existence. Oh but they look so cute on with my black mermaid skirt.
And here's a photo of my kid kicking back on his/her vicodin high. The little peanut wouldn't sit still and was moving all over the place for Monday's ultrasound so the tech had to work really hard to get a good reading on the back of the baby's neck for the downs syndrome test, which after 15 minutes of trying looked totally normal, woo hoo. The heart rate was at a steady 158 and the little one is measuring 2 inches. I totally laughed every time the baby hopped around and DJ ended up getting really emotional. It was a great experience, can't wait to see the little one in person.
So we are trying prednesone for the arthritis and the vicodin is going to be around for a long time. I feel very strongly at next Tuesday's appointment my Doctor is going to pull me out of work for the rest of the pregnancy, which scares me but I'm ok with it as long as the baby is healthy. Thanks again for all the kind words and prayers, they have been a huge blessing and very appreciated. I'll keep you all posted as things develop. =)

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Drugs

3am found us in the ER at Del Webb with me in enough pain I truly wanted to be knocked out. But it wasn't the pain that took us there it was the numbness in both of my feet, the swelling in my joints had stopped the blood flow to my lower legs. This ER doctor was so much better then the one on Monday, he actually talked to me about the arthritis and an action plan rather then tell me that I was overweight which is obviously the cause of all my problems. He took one look at me and my history and said right well we have to get you out of pain so we can remove the stress your baby is feeling right now and you can sleep. Oh sleep, that would be such a wonderful treat, I could have hugged him if I could have stood up. So I was introduced to the lovely world of morphine, which when mixed with 1000mg of vicodin makes for one very happy me. I, according to my husband, sounded drunk and became very honest with my feelings, lol. And when I got home I actually slept for 4 straight hours before any pain returned, and yes it was glorious. So now I have to try and see a rheumatologist this week and I have a new pain med regimen of 1000mg of vicodin every 6 hours during the day and a percocet before bed at night. Hopefully this will help me sleep and let me wake up with only moderate pain. Oh how thankful I am for the world of legal drugs!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

The truth comes out

Both so sad and so eye opening at the same time. It's so very true that you really find out who your friends are when you are in need. I really want to thank those who have come to my aide and helped me this past week. The phone calls to check on my and the sweet comments on my blog, the meals and treats - I really felt loved and didn't feel so scared. It's amazing how limited you are when you can't drive or walk and you realize just how much you actually do on a daily basis when it doesn't get done. My sweet hubby has helped a ton but being gone at 9am and not getting home until 10pm he can only do so much (especially since most nights he is rudely awoken at around 2am by a crippled wife who needs to pee and is in so much pain she can't actually talk - the boy has learned sign language really fast).

And to those of you who so kindly implied in emails and conversation this is in my head and I'm milking the pregnancy pains and should just suck it up like the rest of the of them - I say thank you kindly but I no longer need your assistance. I assure you this is not in my head. 6-8 vicodin a day barely takes the edge off, my joints are visibly swollen and when a skin thermometer is placed on one of the affected areas it registers around 107 degrees. Just because you didn't know me prior to 2006 before I was taking my current medications and living in pain doesn't mean it didn't happen.

I'm going into see my perinatal specialist on Monday and hopefully they will have some answers on more reliable pain management. I am also getting some tests run for downs syndrome and they are going to do a bunch of blood tests to see what's going on with me and most likely he will determine how long I will be on bed rest. I'm a little nervous about the downs syndrome test because being diabetic my chances are increased, but I've been praying really hard for comfort and trying to not focus on things that are not in my control. (Wowser that's really hard for me the control freak, but I must say I've really embraced the lesson and am trying to get better at letting things go by handing them over to Heavenly Father.)

So there is just one more thing I want to express to those who may read this and judge quickly. Until you have walked in someones shoes you really have no idea what their lot is like. Be careful who you chose to judge based on your own experiences because you may just be given that person's trial someday and then you may really need them for help. And just because someone is usually a happy person and it's out of character for them to have a down day remember they are entitled to that down day without judgment or ridicule. We are commanded to help bare each others burdens and serve our fellow man, not tear them down and make them feel bad. I pray I have never kicked a person when they are down and I can certainly say that this experience will make me all the more aware of those who are struggling. One of my favorite quotes is "Everyman is just as happy as he has made up his mind to be." I can assure you I am still very happy about this baby and being pregnant, because I made up my mind a while ago that I was going to be happy. Thank you again to all of you wonderful friends who have helped me out, please know you are all in my every prayer.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Let the games begin

Well after 1 week of excruicnating pain in my lower back and hips, not being able to walk without tears, no relief when sitting or laying down, an ER trip, pain pills and muscle relaxers, 2 trips to the chiropractors, and DR ordered bed rest - I'm still in major pain. However, we have been able to diagnosis the cause, which is both good and very bad. Apparently 11.5 weeks is how long I need to be off my medications for all the crazy pain of my psoriatic arthritis to come back full force.

As some of you know I suffer from a very sever case of psoriasis that I have been treating with the wonder drug Enbrel, seriously I would marry this drug if it were possible because the last 2 years on it were the first times since I was 16 that psoriasis hasn't ruled my life. Now one of the awful things associated with psoriasis is the development of psoriatic arthritis, which is very much like rheumatoid arthritis. I have had P.A. in my hands and feet for years but my wonder drug took the pain away and my joints were no longer swollen so I felt completely normal and I was able to do almost anything without a constant reminder I was sick. Well when I came off my meds so suddenly because we very unexpectedly found out I was pregnant I have suffered a huge flare up of the psoriasis and now the arthritis. I had no idea that a body could be in so much pain. I haven't had relief in over a week no matter what I do except by taking the pain killers because they knock me out and whether I feel the pain or not I sleep. I'm feeling like I could have a nervous breakdown at any moment trying to deal with the prospect of 6 more months of this pain, not being able to move or take case of myself. I seriously don't think I'm strong enough to deal with this, it's only been a week and I'm ready to give up, which makes me feel like a horrible person cause I'm suppose to want to lay down my life for the baby (which is a miracle in and of itself) but I can't stop focusing on the pain long enough to get a grip on my situation.

I've dealt with sever back pain for years since my 2001 car accident left me with permanent nerve damage, but with that pain I could get myself all propped up into a position that gave me a reprieve and so far there is no relief from this constant throb and swollen joint. It takes me about 30 minutes to get out of bed get to the bathroom and back to bed because of the pain an my inability to walk. I have no idea what to do. I have responsibilities that I can't just let go ( I just found out that I'm supposed to be at the Stake baptism Saturday an apparently I'm conducting and giving sharing time on Sunday) I can't even imagine how we're going to survive if I'm off on disability for six months since you only get 62% of your pay and we are barely making it with all my pay. I'm mentally exhausted from all these trials lately and just praying it'll come to an end soon, but I'm struggling to keep my faith strong that it will ever end. I don't mean to be such a downer but this is my journal and I had to get these complaints out of my head before I went crazy.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

An update and 100 other things

Well the saga of the A/C unit has come to an end. My parents decided as their baby gift to us they were going to have the unit replaced and all the other damage that was found as well. There was major water damage in the attic due to the previous unit not being installed correctly. the ducts were not installed correctly and have major air flow issues which is why the east side of the house never cools down. All the electrical that was installed and fixed by the previous owner is not safe and needs to be replaced. There was something else too that I can't even remember now. But bottom line is a lot of money and an increased thankfulness for my parents.

The other bad news this week is that our cable and Internet went out (I'm at my parents typing this) and after 2 hours on the phone with cox Monday they couldn't figure out what was wrong so they had to schedule a tech to come out and work on it, but they couldn't get anyone out to us until Friday night at 7pm! Holy cow that's some crazy wait time in my opinion. And when we asked if they would be crediting our bill for 5 days without service we were told that since they don't know who's fault it is that the systems aren't working they won't be giving us a credit without an investigation. Um well we turned on the TV and it worked, then we tried to turn on the TV6 hours later and it was a black screen. I'm thinking the cats aren't smart enough to damage the cable and we didn't do it so that leaves Cox.

Finally I entered my 10th week of pregnancy today and bought my first maternity clothes. I've been having wicked headaches and lots of crazy back pain, but otherwise I'm still feeling pretty normal. Here's praying this will be the pattern of this adventure.

OK I saw this on my friend Jesika's blog and thought I'd see if I could come up with 100 things about myself. If you're brave read on my friends. See ya next week.

1. I'm LDS.

2. I met my husband in high school....

3. while dating his best friend....

4. who remains one of both of our best friends to this day.

5. I am 18 months older then DJ.

6. Which means I was a college freshmen girl dating a high school senior, lol.

7. DJ proposed to me twice before he graduated and I turned him down.

8. He officially proposed to me one week after he graduated high school in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle in the middle of the fireworks show.

9. But we were the only people who knew what had just happened cause he asked by whispering in my ear.

10. To this day Disneyland is my favorite place to vacation and I would turn down a trip to Hawaii to spend a week in the magic kingdom.

11. I'm a California native.

12. I spent my formative years 30 miles east of San Francisco but never rode a cable car until I was 21.

13. By the time I was 25 I had moved 10 times.

14. All in the State of CA.

15. My favorite drink is ice cold root beer.

16. I worked in a vet hospital from age 14 to age 19 as a tech assistant.

17. therefore I have x-rayed a snake, pulled blood from a lizard, helped examine a spider monkey, as well as all the normal cats, dogs & birds.

18. I also got to volunteer at the Oakland Zoo...

19. where I bottle fed a 3 week old elephant.


20. When I was 15 I spent a day shadowing a dolphin and whale trainer at Marine World where I spent the day learning how to train dolphins.


21. I am an only child.


22. I only have 8 cousins, total on both sides of the family.


23. I LOVE Chinese food and could eat it every night...


24. But, I can't eat it now that I'm pregnant....


25. because I'm an insulin dependent diabetic and have to keep my sugars in perfect order.


26. I'm the only girl in my family.


27. I'm terrified of bees.


28. I can't sleep in a moving car.


29. I have been in two major car accidents that I shouldn't have walked away from....


30. neither of which were my fault.


31. I have never spent more than 1 night alone in my entire life.


32. I love to grocery shop and have spent many hours just wandering the aisles for fun.


33. I love reality TV.


34. I love getting my nails done.


35. I love to cook and bake.


36. I use to work in a diner and a bakery.


37. For three years I got up at 2am 7 days a week to throw over 400 news papers.


38. I still cry every time Mustafa dies in Lion King and when Shelby dies in Steel Magnolias.


39. I have seen What Lies Beneath hundreds of times and I still need to turn on all my lights when I watch it.


40. I know every word to Ice Ice Baby.


41. I have never seen E.T, Goonies or Jaws.


42. My favorite food is my homemade lasagna.


43. I love making homemade pasta and sauces!


44. I love to bake and can make any pie thrown at me.


45. I hold a B.A. in English Literature....


46. but I can't spell to save my life.


47. I love, love, love like my freckles.


48. I have never lived without a cat!


49. I'm very much a 'time' person....


50. I hate it when I'm late!!!!


51. I have a photographic memory with numbers.


52. When I was younger, I wanted to have an accent.


53. I use to ice skate competitively.


54. And dance hip hop competitively.


55. I hate American Idol.


56. When I was a kid I loved to drink sweet pickle juice and my mother always caught me sneaking juice from the jar.


57. I have only camped outside twice in my life.


58. I have been photographing weddings for over 10 years.....


59. I worked as a studio photographer for over three years.....


60. and I've never had formal training in photography.


61. I love the smell of fall spices and frequently bake with extra cloves in my fall recipes just so I can smell the goodness cooking.


62. I'm better at getting up early then staying up late.


63. Halloween is my favorite day of the entire year.

64. It is also my favorite time of the year to go to Disneyland and pretty much the only time of year I will go to the park.

65. I love candles and often in the fall and winter never turn on the lights at night just so I can light all my candles.

66. I don’t really like jewelry and hardly wear anything but my wedding ring.

67. Christmas tree shopping was my favorite day to spend with my hunny during the entire year. We made hot chocolate and homemade cinnamon rolls and bundled up for the loverly 40 degree weather to go scour the lots for the perfect tree. Then came home and decorated the entire house…..

68. but we own (against my will) a fake tree now so the day has lost a bit of its vigor in my mind.

69. I can’t stand when people’s Christmas lights are not in sync on their houses (you know one strand blinks and the others don’t) or when there are noticeable lights burnt out, and I have been known to say something to neighbors about their lights.

70. I hate playing completive sports and would chew my own leg off to get out of one.

71. Wal-mart is my favorite place to go wander when I’m depressed or sad.

72. I was 16 when my maternal great-grandparents passed away.

73. I don't like Arizona heat.

74. I love to cross stitch and once cross stitched an entire baby blanket for my best friend in CA.

75. I’m a sucker for a good movie on a rainy day with hot apple cider.

76. I really don’t like talking on the phone cause I have a very hard time hearing people when they are on the phone, yet I’ve had my hearing checked and there is nothing wrong.

77. I'm shy.

78. I have never broken a bone.

79. I have dislocated both of my knees (at different times)

80. I have only been to 7 states in my entire life. (CA, HI, UT, AZ, WY, PA, VA)

81. I have no nieces or nephews.

82. I’m terrified about being a mom…..

83. and completely excited to see DJ as a dad.

84. I have the best girlfriends on the entire planet.

85. Before joining the Church I only had 2 girlfriends.

86. I love rocking out to very loud music.

87. I really, really, really miss rainy foggy CA winters.

88. My husband and I love to carve pumpkins and we usually carve about 10 of them while watching scary movies.

89. I'm very insecure about my “talents”….

90. but, I want to be the best so badly I’ve never given up even thought I constantly say I am going to.

91. I love a good thunderstorm!

92. I desperately want to be able to stay home when this baby joins us.

93. I love playing board games.

94. I love my hubby so much that I learned how to play World of Warcraft so we could play together and now I’m addicted too.

95. I love hanging out with my parents (as long as we don’t have to live together).

96. DJ and I have never been able to celebrate a single anniversary together.

97. The scent of grapefruit is my favorite smell on the planet.

98. I’m petrified of water where I can’t see the bottom and refuse to get in it ever.

99. I LOVE to give gifts!

100. I still have most of my stuffed animals from when I was a kid in the garage in a Tupperware box.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Well don't that just suck! ***edited***

So we found out today why our energy bills are so high, we need a new A/C unit. Yep and last year when we had the system go out and the home warranty company came out to look at it and told us that it was just a leak and filled the freon and fixed the leak and told us the system is in great condition for it's age and we are really lucky - they lied. The guy today said there is no way the problems in the unit were not visible last year and he said that the unit shouldn't have passed inspection. So now we're trying how to come up with $5000 dollars (ironically the same amount we just spent on the floors and I had a little voice in my head the whole time saying don't do it, but we needed to for my health since I do so enjoy breathing, but the voice kept saying don't do it) to put in the new unit. We can't afford to put it on a credit card so now we're really in a pickle. I had $2000 to pay off the car in August which was going to be a huge blessing cause we will need some extra money when I go on maternity leave since you only get 60% of your pay and then I need to come up with day care money right after that and losing that car payment is the only way it will work out. Ugh I'm so tired of this constant money crap!
I know people say that making more money won't solve our problems but I'd sure like to try it. DJ is still only making $24k a year before taxes but working 50+ hours a week making a second job impossible and with that kind of pay we can't afford for him to go back to school. There is no chance of him getting a raise and the drive to metro has caused $100 more a month in gas. He's got 3 years management experience and tons of customer service experience and tons of cash handling experience but no other jobs will even look at him since he has no degree. It's so frustrating. I know he hates what he's doing. He comes home bummed out and feeling like he's failing and try really hard to pump him back up but frankly it's starting to get to me too. And in this economy I'm not sure what to do really. Leaving this job could be a huge mistake cause then he'd be the new man on the totem pole and if there was a problem the first to be let go. If anyone knows of a good job out there please let us know cause we sure need a break soon before this ship sinks. Or if you happen to have a brand new A/C unit sitting in your garage and you have been thinking hey we should just donate this to charity give me a call. Or if you need a strapping young man to come clean your house for say $5k I've got the man for you. And if you have any tricks on how to carry a child for say 24 months so we could get the cash for day care lined up again pass that bad boy along too.

***to add insult to injury today DJ's car died - engine blown - died. My biggest fear has completely come true. I have looked at our budget the past few weeks and was continually amazed that things were going to work out once this baby got here, they would be really tight trying to live on $50 a week for groceries and diapers but we were going to make it. I'm really tired of living in a snow globe that is shaken violently every time we just get things put back together after the previous shake up. I knew that the trials wouldn't stop after we got to the Temple, but I thought the blessings would help balance it all out...............and hopefully they will whenever they finally get here.***

Sunday, June 15, 2008

What a weekend!

Well this has been an amazing weekend for sure.

Friday night I hosted our little scrappy addiction group. We had a great night talking and laughing and making pretty pages. We got to talk lots of baby stuff since Jenna & Casey Lu are also preggers! It was lots of fun to just unwind and relax and get a few creative juices flowing. I'm really starting to like the work I'm producing and I think I'm finally finding my own style. Thanks for the fun girls.

Then the next morning Toni, Amie, Chris and I drove out to Mesa and we did a Temple session together. It was awesome to share that with my girls. The previous Saturday was so busy I didn't get to sit with them and really experience the moment. I loved getting to feel more relaxed and really feel the spirit without any stress. It was a great way to start the day and a wonderful bonding time with my Sista's. Love you ladies to pieces =)

Then today at church two amazing wonderful incredible rocking ladies told me they were pregnant!!!!!!!! Oh my word the water here really is chock full of the pregnant mojo. I'm am so excited for these ladies to be mom's cause they are going to be absolutely amazing at the calling! Congrats a million times over ladies. (ask me and I'll tell ya who)

And speaking of callings I have found myself in a new one as of this weekend. I was released from my Relief Society calling and called to be the 2nd counselor in the new Primary Presidency. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. I have some amazing shoes to fill and I pray that I will be able to serve these children in the way that my Heavenly Father needs me to. I love this opportunity to serve and grow closer to the children in this ward. I love seeing their eyes light up and nothing makes my heart fuller then having one of them run up and give me a hug. Today during Sacrament Amie's son Ethan sat with us and was too cute when he laid his head in my lap and started humming a primary song. And then Heather's youngest Lizzie ran over and wanted to sit with us for the second half of Sacrament and she crawled into my lap and wanted to know when we could have a girls day where we could bake and garden together, smile how I do love these kids around me. So I feel a little overwhelmed right now and I'm sure it will take me a bit to get into the real swing of things, but with these amazing youth around I can only imagine that they will help build me up to someone worthy of leading them.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I need prayers

**Edit - Got my new insulin pump at about 2pm. Got everything set up and it seems to be working alright. I ended up having to give myself about 10 shots to keep my sugars in range, ouch. Most moms can only pull out the labor stories, I'm totally pulling out the endless needles story. Thanks for the prayers. **

My insulin pump stopped working at midnight. The company said it would take 15 hours at the earliest to get me a replacement. My sugars could soar dangerously high by then. I'm terrified right now. Please pray that the baby and I will be ok and the pump will get here as soon as possible.