Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!!!


Well, the year is almost over. What a year it was.

I have learned a lot this year. Some lessons were learned in a classroom, others from the school of hard knocks. Either way, that is what life is about.

As I look to this up coming year, I will work on healing old wounds, being closer to my college degree, strengthening relationships, becoming healthier and hopefully getting my back yard done! :0)

I just want to let all my friends and family know how grateful I am for you and I hope this new year brings you happiness.

Monday, December 6, 2010

No, I'm Not Dead


I am just in school and working full time. So I feel dead. Finals this week, then off for 3 weeks. Yippie!!! On 1/06/11 I get to jump on that crazy train all over again when the semester starts!! AND I am taking 4 classes this semester instead of 3.

Since my last post, not too much has happened. We did go back to CA to see my family. My dad gave us all a scare by getting a 105 degree fever. That's bad enough when you DON'T have cancer. He was hospitalized for almost 2 weeks, but he is home and feeling better.

For our belated anniversary trip Mike and I spent the night in Monterey, CA. It is beautiful. We visited the aquarium and ate at Fisherman's Wharf. The seafood was amazing!! I wish we could have stayed longer. I feel like the ocean is my second home.



We also were able to see my dear friends April and Wendy. I didn't get to see everything or everyone that I would have liked to. Time, phone issues and schedules not being compatible got in the way.

I miss everyone in CA already, but am so glad to be home.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Happy Halloween!!!

After being in storage for many years, I finally have my Halloween figurines back. My mom painted all of them for me, way back in 1994. I am thrilled to have them again.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I Suck at Visiting Teaching

I have totally sucked lately at performing my Visiting Teaching responsibilities. I won't try to make excuses. I just have not made it a priority. My schedule is even tighter now that I am going to school, but I am going to do better.

In Relief Society a few weeks ago, we were implored by a member of the Relief Society presidency to do our Visiting Teaching. Even though it took me another 2 weeks to get into gear, I finally made my appointments. What really got to me, (and even made me feel a bit ashamed for taking so long to make my calls) was one sister that I called just sounded not only surprised, but I could hear the gratitude in her voice that her Visiting Teachers had actually called. So, that being said.....

With this being October, I couldn't help but run to the store tonight and put together some treats for our sisters. Here they are:


I am excited to go.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Great News!

I spoke to my mom tonight and found out that my dad is in remission!!!!

Since he has no immune system, he needs to stay in the hospital for another 10-14 days, then he can FINALLY go home.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Fill it to the Top!!


Almost every time we go to the movies, we are suckered in to paying almost $4.00 for a tasty beverage. I have to. Cherry Coke has been a necessity at the movies since I was 16.

Anyhoo, when we are handed our soda, it is always at least an inch below the top. (I know that it may not seem like a big deal, but if I am paying $4.00 for my beverage, I want it filled to the top!) When this happens, I casually hand it back to them and bat my eyelashes and sweetly ask them to fill it to the top.

They are always OH SO HAPPY to do this for me, especially when there is a long line behind me.

The irony of this story... My husband and I share this soda and end up throwing about 1/3 of it away!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

I Got An Uhhward!!!



My new bloggy friend Victoria from Love Never Fails bestowed this upon me today. I was very happy to read this in my comments. You know, my blog was started back in 2007 just to document our house being built, so we could share the progress with friends and family. It is now my journal of all things exciting and mundane.

I never thought that I would meet so many great people through doing this.

I would like to pass on this award to the following people:

1. April - A Honu Experience

2. Sharon - Our Crazy, Wonderful Life

3. Lynn - Lynn's Kitchen

4. April - Auntie April

5. Busted Plumbing - When Mother Nature Kicks You Right in the Ovaries

6. Pedaling Fast and Trying to Keep Up

I know there are so many more who deserve this, I apologize for not getting your name on here. Please keep blogging.... I love keeping "in touch" with you!

Monday, September 6, 2010

I Was Totally Violated at Lowe's

Earlier tonight we went to Lowe's to look at storm doors. It never fails, I always have to use the bathroom when we go out. (I go before we leave, but my bladder must like variety or something.)

So, when we arrived at Lowe's, I went to the back of the store to find the bathroom. I entered and since I was the only one in there, I literally checked every stall to find the cleanest one. (Since it is a public restroom, it was just choosing the lesser evil)

I enter my chosen stall and proceed to "do my business", when I hear someone come in. She does HER business and as she was leaving, I heard the door open and didn't hear it close right away. I look up through the little crack and see her staring at me!!!!!!

Our eyes locked for about 3 seconds and then she walked out. I was too shocked to say anything. (Luckily, my lady bits were covered)

The worst thing is..... SHE DIDN'T WASH HER HANDS!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Today...

Today I found out my dad has leukemia.

Today I realized that all the petty crap that I worry about means nothing.

Why does it take something like this, such a severe wake up call to put things in the perspective they need to be?

I just want my dad to get well.

I love you dad.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Purty Feet

I just got a pedicure yesterday. It had only been about 2 months, but in that short time my feet went from being smooth and silky to cheese grater.

This dry, desert climate is not conducive to maintaining feminine feet!

(P.S. Don't pay attention to the hairy big toe... focus on the pretty flower....)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

This Totally Made My Day Today

Paula, my sister-in-law sent this email to us today. We visited their family over Memorial Day weekend. These are some of the things their kids (our niece and nephew) have been saying since our visit.

Howdy!

Today over breakfast, Caleb told me that the next time Mike and Tammy come, he wants to take them on the train. "And we'll hurry fast fast so we don't miss our train!"

Then Cerena said "Miss Mike and Tammy." (As in, I miss them, not as in Ms. Tammy.)

The other day we drove by Bass Pro Shop, and Caleb started saying "I want to go to the shark store!" (He was looking at the big mouth bass on their sign.) I said, "You want to go back to the shark store?" He said, "Yeah. Let's go to the shark store to see if Mike and Tammy are there."

I put pictures up on the bathroom door of the rewards that Caleb earned by doing well on his potty training chart. One of the pictures is of him pointing toward the coming train. Daniel is holding him and Mike is in the background. Every. single. time. one of the kids goes into the bathroom, they point out Mike.

You're loved and missed, and I just thought you'd like to know. :)

I cried when I read it. My heart is full.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Back to School!

I am really looking forward for school to start! I will be taking 3 classes this semester. Two of which I can cross off the laundry list of classes for my degree.

The other class is to help fulfill my math requirement.

For my specific degree the ONLY required math class is...... MATH APPRECIATION. You apparently don't even do real math in this class?!?!?!???? (SWEET!!) Will they just show slides of numbers, equations and formulas, etc., and all we sit and do in the class and appreciate the fact that we don't have to actually do math?

So, as I was signing up for said classes, the computer would not let me sign up for the math class I needed, saying there was a pre-requisite class I needed to take first. So I went down to the school to try to sign up for my class and they looked at my records.... (now don't laugh), and according to their entrance exam I am so mathematically challenged, the school is requiring me to take a math class LOWER than MATH APPRECIATION first!! (I said don't laugh!)

I wonder what this class will be like? Who knows, maybe we will get snacks and nap time.

You're laughing... aren't you.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Trail of Tears

Yep... that was me on Thursday (except I wasn't wearing heels, I was wearing my orthopedic sandals). I went to the movies to see Eclipse (solo, because the hubby had to work). After using the restroom (and yes... washing my hands. I do practice good hygiene!) I left the theater and heard this woman calling: "Ma'am!" (I guess I am too old to be "Miss" now, maybe it's the orthopedic sandals...) several times. I finally turned around and the woman pointed at my feet and upon glancing down.... there it was.... a 3 foot trail of toilet paper stuck to my left shoe.

Yeah... good times....


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Memorial Day

We had a whirlwind weekend. We drove to Southern CA to visit my BIL and his family. When I wrote to them to ask if we could come, I had two "conditions"... we had to eat at Chipotle, and we had to go the ocean. I am happy to report that both conditions were met. Thanks Daniel and Paula!

I took a TON of pics... I won't bore you with all of them, but here are a few.


The water was C-C-C-COLD!!!!


My favorite place to be...




This is my hubby, Mike (on the right).. his brother Daniel (on his back) and his son playing "trash truck". The guys were laughing so hard... it was too cute!




This is a beautiful building in Claremont, CA.




There were acres of these windmills around Palm Desert. I just had to get a pic! Not too shabby of a pic... it was taken from inside the car at 80mph!


These sculptures were at a gas station in Gila Bend, AZ in a dog poop rest area. I thought they were cool!




There were TONS of signs for this on I-10 on the freeway from AZ to NM. We were suckered in and stopped. Admission was $1.00 for each of us... was it worth the stop... UHHH No.


Anyway... it was an awesome weekend. The best part... just being with family.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

My Bicycle!


Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my,
Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties, oh yeah!
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties, oh yeah!
On your marks get set go


I would like to introduce you all to the newest member of our family! Her name is Chloe. We just brought her home today. Isn't she lovely?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Bread Maker


I am contemplating the purchase of a bread machine.

I would like to know the following:

1. Do you have a bread machine
2. What brand is it
3. Do you like it
4. What do you like/dislike about it
5. Would you buy it again?


Thanks for your input!

Monday, April 26, 2010

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. Having struggled with infertility for over 18 years, this subject is very dear to my heart.

I have taken the following "Infertility Etiquette" text straight from the RESOLVE website. Sorry it's so lengthy, but it has some fantastic advice.

If you know of anyone in your life struggling with infertility, give her a call, let her know you are thinking of her. She will appreciate it.


Infertility Etiquette

Chances are, you know someone who is struggling with infertility. More than seven million people of childbearing age in the United States experience infertility. Yet, as a society, we are woefully uninformed about how to best provide emotional support for our loved ones during this painful time.

Infertility is, indeed, a very painful struggle. The pain is similar to the grief over losing a loved one, but it is unique because it is a recurring grief. When a loved one dies, he isn't coming back. There is no hope that he will come back from the dead. You must work through the stages of grief, accept that you will never see this person again, and move on with your life.

The grief of infertility is not so cut and dry. Infertile people grieve the loss of the baby that they may never know. They grieve the loss of that baby who would have had mommy's nose and daddy's eyes. But, each month, there is the hope that maybe that baby will be conceived after all. No matter how hard they try to prepare themselves for bad news, they still hope that this month will be different. Then, the bad news comes again, and the grief washes over the infertile couple anew. This process happens month after month, year after year. It is like having a deep cut that keeps getting opened right when it starts to heal.

As the couple moves into infertility treatments, the pain increases while the bank account depletes. The tests are invasive and embarrassing to both parties, and you feel like the doctor has taken over your bedroom. And for all of this discomfort, you pay a lot of money.

Reaching a resolution can take years, so your infertile loved ones need your emotional support during this journey. Most people don't know what to say, so they wind up saying the wrong thing, which only makes the journey so much harder for their loved ones. Knowing what not to say is half of the battle to providing support.

A couple will eventually solve their infertility problem in one of three ways:

They will eventually conceive a baby
They will stop the infertility treatments and decide to live without children
They will find an alternative way to parent such as adoption of becoming a foster parent

Don't Tell Them to Relax

Everyone knows someone who had trouble conceiving but then finally became pregnant once she "relaxed." Couples who are able to conceive after a few months of "relaxing" are not infertile. By definition, a couple is not diagnosed as "infertile" until they have tried unsuccessfully to become pregnant for a full year. In fact, most infertility specialists will not treat a couple for infertility until they have tried to become pregnant for a year. This year weeds out the people who aren't infertile but just need to "relax." Those that remain are truly infertile.

Comments such as "just relax" or "try going on a cruise" create even more stress for the infertile couple, particularly the woman. The woman feels like she is doing something wrong when, in fact, there is a good chance that there is a physical problem preventing her from becoming pregnant.

These comments can also reach the point of absurdity.Infertility is a diagnosable medical problem that must be treated by a doctor, and even with treatment, many couples will NEVER successfully conceive a child. Relaxation itself does not cure medical infertility.

Don't Minimize the Problem

Failure to conceive a baby is a very painful journey. Infertile couples are surrounded by families with children. These couples watch their friends give birth to two or three children, and they watch those children grow while the couple goes home to the silence of an empty house. These couples see all of the joy that a child brings into someone's life, and they feel the emptiness of not being able to experience the same joy.

Comments like, "Just enjoy being able to sleep late . . . .travel . . etc.," do not offer comfort. Instead, these comments make infertile people feel like you are minimizing their pain. You wouldn't tell somebody whose parent just died to be thankful that he no longer has to buy Father's Day or Mother's Day cards. Losing that one obligation doesn't even begin to compensate for the incredible loss of losing a parent. In the same vein, being able to sleep late or travel does not provide comfort to somebody who desperately wants a child.

Don't Say There Are Worse Things That Could Happen

Along the same lines, don't tell your friend that there are worse things that she could be going through. Who is the final authority on what is the "worst" thing that could happen to someone? Is it going through a divorce? Watching a loved one die? Getting raped? Losing a job?

Different people react to different life experiences in different ways. To someone who has trained his whole life for the Olympics, the "worst" thing might be experiencing an injury the week before the event. To someone who has walked away from her career to become a stay-at-home wife for 40 years, watching her husband leave her for a younger woman might be the "worst" thing. And, to a woman whose sole goal in life has been to love and nurture a child, infertility may indeed be the "worst" thing that could happen.

People wouldn't dream of telling someone whose parent just died, "It could be worse: both of your parents could be dead." Such a comment would be considered cruel rather than comforting. In the same vein, don't tell your friend that she could be going through worse things than infertility.

Don't Say They Aren't Meant to Be Parents

One of the cruelest things anyone ever said to me is, "Maybe God doesn't intend for you to be a mother." How incredibly insensitive to imply that I would be such a bad mother that God felt the need to divinely sterilize me. If God were in the business of divinely sterilizing women, don't you think he would prevent the pregnancies that end in abortions? Or wouldn't he sterilize the women who wind up neglecting and abusing their children? Even if you aren't religious, the "maybe it's not meant to be" comments are not comforting. Infertility is a medical condition, not a punishment from God or Mother Nature.

Don't Ask Why They Aren't Trying IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method in which the woman harvests multiple eggs, which are then combined with the man's sperm in a petri dish. This is the method that can produce multiple births. People frequently ask, "Why don't you just try IVF?" in the same casual tone they would use to ask, "Why don't you try shopping at another store?"

Don't Be Crude

It is appalling that I even have to include this paragraph, but some of you need to hear this-Don't make crude jokes about your friend's vulnerable position. Crude comments like "I'll donate the sperm" or "Make sure the doctor uses your sperm for the insemination" are not funny, and they only irritate your friends.

Don't Complain About Your Pregnancy

This message is for pregnant women-Just being around you is painful for your infertile friends. Seeing your belly grow is a constant reminder of what your infertile friend cannot have. Unless an infertile women plans to spend her life in a cave, she has to find a way to interact with pregnant women. However, there are things you can do as her friend to make it easier.

The number one rule is DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY. I understand from my friends that, when you are pregnant, your hormones are going crazy and you experience a lot of discomfort, such as queasiness, stretch marks, and fatigue. You have every right to vent about the discomforts to any one else in your life, but don't put your infertile friend in the position of comforting you.

Your infertile friend would give anything to experience the discomforts you are enduring because those discomforts come from a baby growing inside of you. When I heard a pregnant woman complain about morning sickness, I would think, "I'd gladly throw up for nine straight months if it meant I could have a baby." When a pregnant woman would complain about her weight gain, I would think, "I would cut off my arm if I could be in your shoes."

I managed to go to baby showers and hospitals to welcome my friends' new babies, but it was hard. Without exception, it was hard. Stay sensitive to your infertile friend's emotions, and give her the leeway that she needs to be happy for you while she cries for herself. If she can't bring herself to hold your new baby, give her time. She isn't rejecting you or your new baby; she is just trying to work her way through her pain to show sincere joy for you. The fact that she is willing to endure such pain in order to celebrate your new baby with you speaks volumes about how much your friendship means to her.

Don't Treat Them Like They Are Ignorant

For some reason, some people seem to think that infertility causes a person to become unrealistic about the responsibilities of parenthood. I don't follow the logic, but several people told me that I wouldn't ache for a baby so much if I appreciated how much responsibility was involved in parenting.

Let's face it-no one can fully appreciate the responsibilities involved in parenting until they are, themselves, parents. That is true whether you successfully conceived after one month or after 10 years. The length of time you spend waiting for that baby does not factor in to your appreciation of responsibility. If anything, people who have been trying to become pregnant longer have had more time to think about those responsibilities. They have also probably been around lots of babies as their friends started their families.

Perhaps part of what fuels this perception is that infertile couples have a longer time to "dream" about what being a parent will be like. Like every other couple, we have our fantasies-my child will sleep through the night, would never have a tantrum in public, and will always eat his vegetables. Let us have our fantasies. Those fantasies are some of the few parent-to-be perks that we have-let us have them. You can give us your knowing looks when we discover the truth later.

Don't Gossip About Your Friend's Condition

Infertility treatments are very private and embarrassing, which is why many couples choose to undergo these treatments in secret. Men especially are very sensitive to letting people know about infertility testing, such as sperm counts. Gossiping about infertility is not usually done in a malicious manner. The gossipers are usually well-meaning people who are only trying to find out more about infertility so they can help their loved ones.

Regardless of why you are sharing this information with someone else, it hurts and embarrasses your friend to find out that Madge the bank teller knows what your husband's sperm count is and when your next period is expected. Infertility is something that should be kept as private as your friend wants to keep it. Respect your friend's privacy, and don't share any information that your friend hasn't authorized.

Don't Push Adoption (Yet)

Adoption is a wonderful way for infertile people to become parents. (As an adoptive parent, I can fully vouch for this!!) However, the couple needs to work through many issues before they will be ready to make an adoption decision. Before they can make the decision to love a "stranger's baby," they must first grieve the loss of that baby with Daddy's eyes and Mommy's nose. Adoption social workers recognize the importance of the grieving process. When my husband and I went for our initial adoption interview, we expected the first question to be, "Why do you want to adopt a baby?" Instead, the question was, "Have you grieved the loss of your biological child yet?" Our social worker emphasized how important it is to shut one door before you open another.

You do, indeed, need to grieve this loss before you are ready to start the adoption process. The adoption process is very long and expensive, and it is not an easy road. So, the couple needs to be very sure that they can let go of the hope of a biological child and that they can love an adopted baby. This takes time, and some couples are never able to reach this point. If your friend cannot love a baby that isn't her "own," then adoption isn't the right decision for her, and it is certainly not what is best for the baby.

Mentioning adoption in passing can be a comfort to some couples. (The only words that ever offered me comfort were from my sister, who said, "Whether through pregnancy or adoption, you will be a mother one day.") However, "pushing" the issue can frustrate your friend. So, mention the idea in passing if it seems appropriate, and then drop it. When your friend is ready to talk about adoption, she will raise the issue herself.

So, what can you say to your infertile friends? Unless you say "I am giving you this baby," there is nothing you can say that will erase their pain. So, take that pressure off of yourself. It isn't your job to erase their pain, but there is a lot you can do to lesson the load. Here are a few ideas.

Let Them Know That You Care

The best thing you can do is let your infertile friends know that you care. Send them cards. Let them cry on your shoulder. If they are religious, let them know you are praying for them. Offer the same support you would offer a friend who has lost a loved one. Just knowing they can count on you to be there for them lightens the load and lets them know that they aren't going through this alone.

Remember Them on Mother's Day

With all of the activity on Mother's Day, people tend to forget about women who cannot become mothers. Mother's Day is an incredibly painful time for infertile women. You cannot get away from it-There are ads on the TV, posters at the stores, church sermons devoted to celebrating motherhood, and all of the plans for celebrating with your own mother and mother-in-law.

Mother's Day is an important celebration and one that I relish now that I am a mother. However, it was very painful while I was waiting for my baby. Remember your infertile friends on Mother's Day, and send them a card to let them know you are thinking of them. They will appreciate knowing that you haven't "forgotten" them.

Support Their Decision to Stop Treatments

No couple can endure infertility treatments forever. At some point, they will stop. This is an agonizing decision to make, and it involves even more grief. Even if the couple chooses to adopt a baby, they must still first grieve the loss of that baby who would have had mommy's nose and daddy's eyes.

Once the couple has made the decision to stop treatments, support their decision. Don't encourage them to try again, and don't discourage them from adopting, if that is their choice. Once the couple has reached resolution (whether to live without children, adopt a child, or become foster parents), they can finally put that chapter of their lives behind them. Don't try to open that chapter again.


Much Love,

Friday, April 23, 2010

Hey You!!!



Yeah you... the one reading this post. I am so glad you stopped by my blog!!! Is it your first time or do you come by regularly? Well, regardless of how often you come by, don't be shy... leave me a comment. I love making new friends!

Much love...

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Spiritually Fed

We went to Stake Conference today and between the music and talks, I was truly spiritually fed. There was one talk that stood out among all the others. The talk was about doing all we can and asking the Lord for help in areas that we need to either improve or to stop doing, in order to draw closer to Him. The speaker also touched on "trusting our instruments", our testimony and the Holy Spirit, to help guide our lives.

The topic may seem very general to some, but for me the words pierced my heart and I felt that the words were said just for me.

I want to be close to my Savior. I want to live my life in a manner that will not make me ashamed when I see Him again. Just like everyone else, I have my struggles and trials. Some days are just tough, like "I don't even want to get out of bed to face the day" tough. I have felt myself pulling away from church for many months, because of the trials in my life. Today, helped me realize that in order to feel peace from the trials, I need to steer my life and purpose toward the Lord, not away from Him.

I am glad that my hubby gently urged me to go to church today. I would not have heard this wonderful message, had I stayed home.


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder... but it sucks while you are gone!!!

I started a new job in January. I like it. Part of the job is traveling. I will be traveling next week, being gone for 4 days. I am actually looking forward to going. After all, it IS an all expense paid trip.

Be that as it may, there is one part that I am not looking forward to..... being away from my hubby.

We have been married for almost 5 years and we (by choice) have not spent that much time away from each other. I think I can actually count on 1 hand the amount of days we have spent apart.

So, as you can probably guess, I am getting more anxious as my departure date gets closer.

We have gotten a lot of flack over this, but I don't care. I love my husband and relish our time together.

So... the morning I leave, yes... there will be tears... but it will be so much sweeter when I come home!


Friday, April 9, 2010

Simon's Cat



My coworker sent me this video and I was in tears laughing as I watched it. Having cats, it hit too close to home!

Happy Weekend!






Monday, April 5, 2010

I Want it NOW!


Soooo I got on the eliptical today. I also did some push-ups and crunches. After I got done, I was good and sweaty.

Being the immediate gratification person that I am, I looked in the mirror and was a bit put out when I saw that I was not at my goal weight.

I guess this means I have to do more of this exercise stuff.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Happy Easter

May we all remember.....

Much love,

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I WISH it were only a Dry Spell....


As you may have noticed, I have not been posting much lately. I don't know what is happening. I thought is was just writers block, then it turned into a dry spell, now my mind is a full on barren wasteland. I don't know what is going on. Maybe it's my job. I am glad I have it, but I am just tired ALL. THE. TIME. because of it.

All I could muster were some random thoughts...

1. We just got an upright freezer. I will now be trying to do some "make ahead meals" and freeze them. We have the room now!

2. We are not going to be with family for Easter. :o( With our work schedule, it just isn't possible this year.

3. We have an exciting vacation planned for September. I WILL be posting more on that at a later time. (Here is a hint... "TCB")

4. I am loving the weather right now!!

5. I want to drop kick "mother nature", "aunt flo" or whoever she is. I usually take these "visits" in stride, but this week I want to have a cage match with her!

6. Our town is finally getting an Olive Garden! We are UPTOWN now!! If we could only get a Chipotle here, my life would be complete!

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