Oh Christmas Tree... Oh Christmas Tree, Can we Assemble Your Branches...

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree up!! We started putting it up on Sunday, and finished up today. (I kinda had to, my Visiting Teachers were coming over!)

The top picture shows our two "helpers" as we were putting the branches on. The weights on the left are to go on the stand (as a counterbalance), because we only put half of the lower branches on, so it wouldn't stick out so far and block the walkway. Anyhoo...

You can't really tell, but I like to put the lights on layer by layer because it's so much easier. I also like to put LOTS of lights on the tree. My hubby had to take over putting the lights on the top, because my arms were just too short, even with the step stool.

The last picture is the finished product. The picture doesn't do it justice. We are really happy with the way it turned out.

Now we just have to wrap presents to put under it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone!!!!!

Let It Snow...

I am a little behind on posting. Sorry...

On December 4, we looked out our window and saw that it was snowing!!! We were so excited!! These pictures of us are in our back yard. Mike had met some friends earlier that evening to watch a football game and when he got home, the car was covered in snow and we ended up having a snowball fight in our garage! As we were throwing snow at each other, he said "I don't know how you are able to talk me into things like this!" (he said this as he was laughing and reloading) It was awesome.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I want to wish all my RLF and Bloggy Friends a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Some things I am thankful for:

1. My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ
2. My wonderful husband
3. My awesome family
4. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
5. My cats
6. My home
7. That I can afford to be a stay at home wife
8. That we are debt free
9. My Country
10. That families can be together forever

There is so much more. Amid the daily struggles and trials of life, at the end of the day, I know that I am truly blessed. I say this not to brag, but to acknowledge God's hand in all things.

What are you thankful for?

Sunday Scribbles

I have been in a total state of writers block lately, so here are some thoughts that I couldn't quite make into a full post...

1. I have not really gone anywhere for the last 3 days and have a really bad case of Cabin Fever.

2. My writer's block has been so bad, that I have not even been even able to think of comments to make on others blogs! I have been a total one sided blog stalker for quite some time.

3. My house really needs to be dusted.

4. I did not realize how much I would enjoy being a housewife! So much so, that I decided not to move forward with the medical practice. I decided to go to school instead. Who 'da thunk it???

5. I think I finally found a really good smelling, reasonably priced shampoo! I just bought 2 big bottles of the Wal-Mart brand of Pantene Icy Shine. Oh yeah!

6. I love the smell of coffee. I was in Sam's Club and someone was grinding their coffee beans, I was in heaven!

7. I rented the movie, The Soloist. I turned it off in the middle. It was boring.

8. I am really enjoying this cold weather. It is 59 degrees and breezy outside and I have my house opened up. I wish it snowed here in the winter!

9. I am really looking forward to seeing my my hubby's family for Thanksgiving. I haven't seen them since Labor Day weekend and I really miss them.

10. It is almost 4pm here and I am still in my pajamas. I will probably only change out of them when I take a shower and then put a clean set on. I love lazy Sundays.

Free at Last, Free at Last!!!!

Friday was my last day at work. My husband sent me flowers... (thanks, baby!) but there was not a card, cake, or even an offer to take me to lunch by my boss or fellow office people. Although I was disappointed at the indifference of my departure, I was not, in the least surprised. I guess I just thought that after being there almost 3 years, sometimes working 12 hour days (when everyone else had quit) so the office could still function, would mean something.

Oh well.

Now the good stuff... the reason I quit my job!!!

My good friend Mark is opening up a medical practice and not only will I be running the office, I will be part owner of the practice!!!!

I decided to take some much needed time off before the practice opens in January. It won't be all relaxation and sleeping in though... there are museums and matinee's and day trips and other fun stuff that needs to be taken care of!!!

Soooo Funny!!!

My friend Sarah posted this video on Facebook My hubby and I watched it twice and laughed till we cried both times. Since I don't know how to upload it directly to this post, I have put the link below.

Enjoy!

You Can't Fix Stupid Video

Pumpkin Festival

This past week my hubby has been working nights and so we hardly have seen each other. So, when Saturday came, we completely unplugged and just spent the day with each other and were totally selfish with our time. We didn't get out of bed until 1pm, made biscuits & gravy for "breakfast" and then went to the Pumpkin Festival/Maize Maze. We had so much fun. We went on a hayride, picked a pumpkin and went through the corn maze.

We stayed up till 3am and then slept in on Sunday. I didn't have to give a lesson at church, so we just relaxed all day.

This week, my hubby has to work nights again and even has to work Saturday, so we took full advantage of this weekend (get your minds out of the gutter, this is a family blog!). I just mean that we, oh nevermind!

Here are some pictures of our trip :

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

Over the course of almost 17 years, and 2 marriages, I have unsuccessfully tried to have children. I have had 7 (known) miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy, from 1992 - 2008. I STILL cry over each and every child I have lost. I have learned to cope, but it is a very real pain that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

During those dark times, I have had to suffer in silence. This is mostly due to people not knowing what to say when something like this happens.

I will acknowledge that it can be awkward, trying to find something to say. People tend to NOT know how to respond with a miscarriage, especially in the 1st trimester, because typically, the mother isn't showing and there is usually no body to have a funeral for.

I have had some pretty callous things said to me during the times when I have miscarried:

1. Don't worry, you're still young, you have plenty of time to have babies.
2. Well, at least you didn't get attached to it.
3. Count your blessings, it was probably deformed.
4. It wasn't a real baby yet, why are you so upset?
5. You've already mourned over hearing the news (from the doctor that my baby had died), all you have to do is just pass the cells now right? So you shouldn't be so upset now.

And the list goes on and on.

So, my friends, if you know someone going through the terrible, heartbreaking ordeal of a miscarriage here are some suggestions to help:

1. Offer to run errands, watch her children, cook dinner, clean her house... these are the last things on her mind

2. Cry with her, hold her hand or just listen if she feels like talking

3. Say APPROPRIATE things to her; "I am SO sorry for your loss", "What can I do to help", "I am here for you"

4. Send flowers or a Thinking of You / Sympathy card.

These are just a few things that can mean so much. The point is to validate her feelings of loss and give her time to mourn.

Something else you can do:

Organizations across the globe ask that you take part in the "Wave of Light" by lighting a candle on October 15th at 7pm, in your local time zone. Please take a moment on this day for reflection, and remembering our lost children by lighting a candle at home, in groups and gatherings, or calling someone close to you who has experienced this loss. No matter how recent or how long ago, every parent would love to know that someone is remembering their angel child.


Much love and Peace,

Do Do Do Do, I Have Poo!

Birdie, Birdie in the sky
Dropped a dew drop in my eye
I won't laugh and I won't cry
I'm just glad that cows don't fly!

Last night the hubbs and I attended our Elder's Quorum BBQ. It was fun. The hamburgers were great!

There isn't much seating at the park we went to and so I was glad to find a relatively open picnic table. We sat down and I was playing with Shanna, our friends daughter. I then felt something hit my shoulder, but didn't think anything of it, because the trees we were sitting under had acorns on them.

I turned to say something to my hubby and felt something wet on my neck. I started freaking out (silently of course) saying: "Get it off!!! Get it off!!" I could tell he wanted to laugh. I asked him what had been on me and he was hesitant to tell me. Just before he told me, I heard the flutter of wings from the culprit taking flight and moving elsewhere to wreak havoc on some other poor soul.

Yes, folks, I had been shat upon.

I guess this proves that some days you step in it, some days you step around it, and some days it lurks high above waiting until that perfect moment to strike!

I AM Human, After All...

I was humbled today. Not in a bad way, but it happened. You see, I have been sick for the past week. Yes, I know, it seems like I am always sick. Because of being sick, I have not been keeping up on my housecleaning. (yes, we disinfected on Sunday, due to kitty poo, but the house is still a bit of a mess).

Well, today my wonderful friend Lisa offered to bring dinner over to us, and I took her up on it. I warned her about the state of my home. She came in and laughed because of my "messy" house and said "See?? You are human!" It took a lot of trust for me and swallowing my pride to let her into my house, while not being almost perfect.

I am glad to say I have learned a few things:

1. My house doesn't have to be perfect all the time

2. Real friends understand that life happens and sometimes your house gets messy, and yet they look past it and love you anyway

3. They also ignore a little "toot" that escaped even though I tried my best to hold it until she left! (hey, I'm sick!)

Love ya Lisa!!