Long Update

I haven't posted in a bit because I have been otherwise engaged and busy with life. Which is a good thing. Mother's Day was very simple and relaxing. I received homemade cards from the kids (my fav kind) and a card from H. I also got to enjoy a lazy Sunday, complete with an afternoon nap.

The kids will have their theater performances this week and I'm really looking forward to that. They will perform Wednesday morning for a community group, and Saturday for family and friends.

I also received a new church assignment. I already teach the women's class one Sunday a month and I also put together the flyers that are handed out during the main meeting. So, now I will also be coordinating the activities for the ward. For example, we have a monthly potluck and I will be the one making sure there will be plenty of people bringing food, assigning tasks to members for setting up and clean up and such, and also booking the building and making sure there are enough supplies. I worry that it may be too much to take care of, especially when the baby comes. But, I guess the goal is to have it setup enough that I won't need to do much of the "doing", but more of the "assigning" and "delegating".

The Lord sure provides some interesting tasks to build up our talents and skills. This may be a testing ground to see how much I can handle planning and organizing since I have recently considered opening up my own party planning business.

In other news, my uncle finished his last chemo and radiation treatments this last week. In two weeks, he will go for a full-body MRI to check on his cancer. But, according to his blood tests, he is showing signs of being in remission. So, continued prayers would be appreciated. He is a strong man that has beaten death once or twice already. I'm hoping that he will feel up to eating again soon and won't need the feeding tube anymore. Although, it is what has kept his weight steady the last few weeks.

Also, my brother and his family have finally received their orders back to Alaska. He is in the AF and moved back to the lower states only a couple years ago after being in Alaska for 3 years. The job field he is in though is becoming obsolete at his current base and they were allowed to have some say in where they went next. Having loved AK, they requested to return and it was granted. Unfortunately, they only have about 3 1/2 months before they will need to report there. So, that makes for quick packing and goodbyes once again. But they are a strong family that always does things well when they're together and apart. They have also let us know that it's a possibility that they may visit us when the baby is born. He has leave (vacation) time that he needs to use up. They would be here when my parents are, and I say the more the merrier. I did warn my sis-in-law, however, that I was going to be pretty tired and might not be all that hospitable when they visit. I'm sure they're okay with that.

The nursery is coming along slowly. I just need to apply the paint on the trim and H will need to paint the upper walls and the ceiling. I would do it, but that would require me standing on an elevated surface. Something that is not wise nor desireable in my state. I'm hoping to get the painting finished in the next couple days and start setting up the furniture. That will free up the halls and some of the bedrooms from all the baby stuff. I can't wait to get it all organized and ready. Can't beat that nesting instinct.

Not much else going on, as if all that weren't enough. My first planned potluck is Saturday, so wish me luck.

Finally, an intermission.

Another busy weekend has passed. This weekend saw Liz graduated with a double major and a minor...GO LIZ!!! It also sent off our buddy, Whit, a married woman. She and her new hubby are now likely basking in the Mexican sun. Though it is probably through their hotel window and nowhere outdoors. We know what honeymoons are really for, and it ain't sight-seeing. Good luck, Whit. A friend of Tiny's was also baptized this weekend. The kids were able to attend, but it was at the same time that H and I were at the wedding. We also had a bbq with H's brother and his family after their two boys spent the night with us. So many happy things going on. And now I can finally take a breath.

I plan to relax more this week. I am going to straighten up the house from the two weekends of shenanigans and to finish painting the nursery. I received even more gifts during the week from some of those that couldn't make it to my shower. I got another gift card, a baby bath, window visor, and a few other things on my registry. I am so excited to get the room all set up and looking cute. I have most of the layout all planned, just need to acquire a few more items.

The kids have been in a theater class for about 6 months now and their first performance is coming up in a couple weeks. They've been working hard and having a lot of fun. I hope it all goes well, especially with how much the director has put of herself into it. She's pretty amazing. I'm thinking that we'll be bringing her some flowers after the performance. I think Mister will be sticking with the class after this. He's a natural performer and seems to really enjoy it. Tiny, however, seems to be tiring of it. She sticks with it still because of Mister. He's sort of her security blanket, as the theater teacher put it. I think we may put her into some art classes instead. She really enjoys that.

Well, the kids only have about 4 weeks of school left. They are doing testing right now and I have only one more volunteer lesson this week. We're hoping they will be taking some lessons this summer to keep them involved and active. Mister has been playing cello this year and has decided to switch to the bass next year. I found this really amusing since the cello he has is 3/4 size and it's as tall as him. A bass will just engulf him. I told him we'll need to bulk him up this summer to be able to carry it, or even wheel it around. But I'm really glad that he is still willing to stick with an instrument. More than a few months with an instrument will usually drive most kids away. But I think he has a talent. I heard him playing on the keyboard the other day, and he was actually picking out the notes to "Amazing Grace", a song they've been learning on the cello. I was really impressed.

So, Whit's married, Liz is graduated and busy with work and her boy, E, Melissa is in Germany, and Bree will be heading to AZ in a few days to stay for three months. I don't know what I'll do with myself now that everyone will be even more busy or far away over the summer. I'm sure I'll figure out something, like reorganizing the whole house before the baby comes along. Gotta take advantage of that nesting instinct.

Happier thoughts

I started painting the nursery yesterday, with the help of Tiny. I will, of course post before and after pics. I'm thinking that the painting will be done by this time next week. I know, it's a small room, but I have to pace myself lately and I want to do a really good job on it. Tiny is really excited about getting the nursery set up. If you go to the Home Depot website for their Fresh Aire paint, you will be able to see the colors I picked for the nursery. I chose Nightfall blue (Earth section) for the walls and Beach Pearl (Waterscape section) for the trim. They look really good together. The paint is also a new product that contains no VOCs. So, it's even safe to paint in an unventilated room.

I also have a full weekend coming up again and it starts today. I am doing a Jr. Achievement lesson in Mister's class today, Liz is graduating tomorrow and we are attending her bbq which should be awesome, and Saturday is Whit's wedding. Such a full and exciting weekend ahead.

Baby update: I had a glucose test done on Monday and they called yesterday to let me know that all was well with my glucose levels but that I have low iron levels and am slightly anemic. No surprise there. My mom is anemic and I also had to take iron when I was pregnant with Mister. So, I picked up some iron pills at the store today. I'm hoping it will help with my energy levels too.

The only reason that state functions is because of people like Stevie

I had the most frustrating morning. Backstory: Last week, I got a notice in the mail that my driving privileges had been suspended in the state of NM. I was thinking that this had to do with a speeding ticket I got a few years ago, but was never able to pay because the court couldn't find it in their system. Anyway, I called yesterday about it and all I was told was that it was for a failure to appear in court. Ok. So, I wrote down the citation number and called the magistrate office that issued the citation. They couldn't find me in their system, anywhere, not using my name, birthdate, or SS#. So, this began a long series of calls between the NM DMV and this magistrate court to finally get the right citation #, but still find out that that citation is under the name of a whole different person.

So, today, I called again, over and over, to both agencies. And I spoke to a woman at the DMV that was easily the rudest woman I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. She was cutting me off, raising her voice, and talking to me like a child. So, I did the same thing after a while. It wasn't the best feeling for me, but I wasn't about to let her treat me like that. Thankfully, I never had to talk with her again after that. After starting to realize that the error was on their end, I informed the magistrate that they would need to fax a letter to the DMV informing them that I am not in their system and that they have the wrong person on file for that citation. They would need to fax this in order to clear it from my record. Whoever I spoke to told me that they can't do that and that the DMV would have to call them. So, I'm getting pretty frustrated by then. I call the DMV, only to be told that they cannot make that call and that if the magistrate will not fax anything to them, I would need to talk to one of the magistrate judges. By this time, I have had to repeat this whole scenario, my info, and the situation about 15 times and I was in tears.

So, before I called the magistrate office again, I had to calm down and pull myself together. I got ahold of a woman that I had spoken to at least once before and after calmly retelling her everything, she promised me that she could and would send that fax to the DMV and mail me a copy and that the DMV should remove it from my record after they receive the fax. I was sooooo thankful for her and said that a few times. So, Stevie (as in Stevie Nicks) at the magistrate court, you have my unending gratitude. You really made my whole day.

A Plethora of Pictures

So, I neglected to post pics on that last entry of our parties. All of the pics are ones that Nobby took and so I will just be using those. They're good pics. So, enjoy.

Baby shower first: I got a lot of cute clothes, some toys, diapers, blankets, and gift cards.

This was a cute basket put together by my sister-in-law. It was full of goodies.

The LonDolls, and our honorary LonDoll, Tiny, giving the belly some love.

Off to the bachelorette party for Hobby:

We dressed Hobby up as Hugh Hefner and we were her Playboy Bunnies.

Katie, Whit (Hobby), Me (Birdy)

Liz (Mody), Bree (Nobby), Melissa (Trippy)

A flaming onion and a talented chef

Whit finally caught this one after three tries.

A little surprise for the bride. "Marriage is the gift that keeps on giving."

Whit turned pretty red, just the reaction we hoped for.

LonDolls back at Nobby's for fondue, games and gifts.

She got some naughty things; books, underwear, funpack condoms, lubricants, and...

of course, edible undies.

We had a blast the rest of the night playing games and catching up on life. Nobby's wedding is on Saturday and we are really looking forward to seeing her joined with Bry. She will make a beautiful bride. Love you, Whit.

LonDoll parties are the best.

Yesterday was one long day of fun. First, the LonDolls threw me a baby shower at my house. About 20 people came and it was a lot of fun. We played two games. The first, everyone passed around 8 diapers with melted chocolate candy bars in them and they had to guess what kind of candy bar it was. Some of them looked too real, and one pregnant guest had to opt out because she is still in the nauseous stage. One person actually got 7 of the 8 right. Then, everyone cut off a string of yarn that they guessed would fit around my belly. Tiny was actually the closest for a long time, but was eventually beat out by someone else.

We ate chicken salad sandwiches and fruit salad with blue Hawaiian Punch. And I got quite a few gifts. I received clothes, bath supplies, blankets and gift cards. The LonDolls also pooled their money for me to buy a glider rocker, the number one thing I wanted. I was so happy. It was a great shower and it was nice to sit and chat with so many friends.

After cleaning up the party, we left to take Hobby to her bachelorette party. We dressed her up as Hugh Hefner and we were her "bunnies". We wore ears and tails and ate at Tepanyaki. It is a Japanese restaurant where they cook up and serve the food right in front of you. It was really delicious and we just had fun chatting and laughing. Before we left, we surprised Hobby with her bachelorette cake. It said, "Marriage, the gift that keeps on giving". She turned a nice shade of red and loved it.

From there, we all drove to Nobby's house and pigged out on fondue, caught up on each other's lives, and played a dirty version of Pictionary. We also each gave her some naughty gifts, which included underwear, edible underwear, a fun pack of condoms, KY, sex books, and a few other items. I would definitely say that she is all set. It was so good to see all the girls and just visit and relax. It's been so long since we've all been together. Thankfully, they're all doing well, keeping busy. We finally headed home about 12:30 a.m. and I was pretty tired this morning when we had to get up for church. But I had a wonderful day.

The fun doesn't stop there either. Next weekend is another full one. Friday, Mody is graduating from the university and her parents are throwing her a bbq. Saturday is Hobby's wedding. So, we have so much more to look forward to.

In other update news, H bought a yellow monster. At least, that's what I call it. He bought a 2004 Ford F-150, 4-door truck. Oh, and it's really yellow...and big. He's been wanting a big, yellow truck for sometime. I find it humorous. It reminds me of the story "A Rose for Emily". The woman's suitor drove around ostentatiously all over town in a bright yellow buggy. Don't know why it reminds me of that, but it's funny to me. At least we don't have to worry about losing it in a parking lot.

Party, Party, Party

Baby shower today. I'm so excited. I will post pics soon and let you know what goodies the baby receives.

Also, Hobby's bachelorette party tonight. Will definitely post pics of that!

I mean, I'm already pregnant. What other kind of shenanigans could I get into?

I had a mini-preggo meltdown today. I was running around a lot today, taking care of errands, making purchases, and volunteering at Mister's class. I accomplished a lot today, but was exhausted by the end and a bit frustrated by some mishaps. After dropping off the kids at school, I went to Wally-World to buy a new curtain set and rods that I forgot to get yesterday. I got them, but forgot that I was also going to grab a frame for my completed cross-stitch. This resulted in yet another trip to W-M later. I'm sure you know that one trip to this store is enough, but four in three days is just crazy.

So, later, I'm putting up the curtains, and one is too long and will need to be hemmed. The other curtains look odd without blinds under them, like the other windows are set up. Anyway, I also went to another store to buy a gift for a friend. The store offered to gift wrap it for free, which I gladly accepted. However, when the guy brought it back out, the gift bag had one handle and the gifts were not wrapped, but rather draped over and then stuffed full of paper, some of which was ripped. I didn't complain since it was free and I can easily re-wrap it on my own.

On the way home, I stopped at a lingerie store to pick up a few things for a friend's upcoming wedding. However, they had nada and I will have to check out someplace else to get what I want.

Later, I decided to frame my cross-stitch. However, I hadn't been able to find a frame with matting that was the exact measurement I needed. So, I bought one as close as I could and tried to trim the matting myself. The matting not only didn't come out that great, but I also managed to break the glass in the process. I think that was the tipping point. I was just so tired from running around and doing so much. So many things felt like they were not going right and, on top of that, my house looks like I did nothing all day. I was tired and frustrated and I may have vented a little overdramatically to H. But, it was over soon after I made myself sit down, breathe, relax, and eat a little dinner. I'm feeling better now.

The one thing that went really well today was my volunteer lesson. I talked to the kids today about the different forms of product production; mass, unit, and batch. I had them watch a video and then do an activity where they learned the difference between mass production and unit production by assembling ink pens. It held their attention and they seemed to really absorb it. Having cookies and free pens at the end didn't hurt either.

The baby seems to be growing exponentially. The pregnancy book said that he will almost double his weight this month. It seems that I might also be doubling mine. I see the doc on Monday and will get the definite lbs. But, my stomach just seems so big in profile that it's hard to believe that I still have a few months left.

Other than getting tired and sore, the occasional leg cramps, and waddling, I'm feeling really good. No complaints. He's also kicking a lot more and seems to respond to my voice and noises. He likes music. He moves around a lot when I play country. The other morning, I awoke and said something to H and as soon as I spoke, the baby started moving all over. I told H that it was like he had been waiting for me to wake up and had been bored until he heard me speak. It was awesome. Needless to say, I'm really enjoying this pregnancy while it lasts.

Well, I better go. I have a lot to do in the next couple days, and then I'll be having a lot of fun for the couple days after that. I will post pics of the cross stitch soon. I will also have pics of my shower.

Scrub a Dub Sub

I am tired. Whenever I start out a post with that sentence, you should already know that means I subbed today. I subbed for Tiny's class, 2nd grade. I have come to fully understand the argument for smaller class sizes. These teachers have their work cut out for them. And those people out there that think teachers already make enough money, benefits, etc...I suggest sticking them in a classroom with 28 7-year-olds for 7 hours and see if they still feel the same at the end of the day.

When I talk about my sub experience, I have to remind myself to use the word "substituting" instead of "babysitting". Because, honestly, that what it often feels like I am there for. I'm supposed to keep them on task, keep them in line, and entertain them occasionally. And then I report back to the teacher. The main difference would be that I got paid a whole lot more as a teenager when I babysat than I do now.

But, that is the only job I plan to take this week. I mainly did it because Tiny has wanted me to sub her class for a long time and I never had the opportunity until now. For the rest of the week, I plan to work around the house. I am going to do a volunteer lesson for an hour on Wednesday in Mister's class, but that doesn't bother me cause the teacher stays in the class and helps keep them in line. I am going to focus on the house because one of my bestest friends, Nobby, is throwing me a baby shower this Saturday at my home. I am so excited. I invited all the Londolls, my sisters-in-law, and a bunch of ladies from church. Nobby sent out the cutest invites with little blue footprints and glitter. It's been so long since I had a party thrown for me, at least, not one that I didn't plan the majority of it myself. And she's such a sweetie to put it all together.

I registered at Wal-Mart for all the things I still need and some of what I want. Considering that my last baby is about to turn 8, I am definitely lacking a lot of baby supplies. But I know that whatever I'm not "gifted" with at the shower, and I don't acquire on my own, my mommy will take care of when they visit. You can always count on my mom and dad to spoil their grandbabies...and their babies in the process.

I have the nursery planned out. It will be simple since the room is small. But it will consist of light blue walls, blue curtains, white blinds, white trim, puppy dog bedding, a white crib, a glider rocker, some wall shelves and some storage bins. Very simple, calming and boyish. I'm so excited to get it all done.

After the shower on Saturday afternoon, we are also throwing Hobby a bachelorette party that night. The theme will definitely be naughty, and a lot of fun.

So, if I don't post again soon, it will be because I was lost in the abyss that is Mister's room in the attempt to clean it up. Either that or the soap scum in my shower will be holding me hostage. Toodles.

Birthday Update

As far as birthdays go, I had a pretty good one. I took it easy in the morning and then was taken out to lunch by Mody. She took me to my fav place, Lofte's. We split an Italiano pizza, also my fav. And I wanted her to try that amazing pudding I had last week. Unfortunately, our head chef friend wasn't working yesterday. The waitress let me know that they had some pudding that he pre-made. But when we tried it, although it was good, it was nothing like I had had before. It was thin, not very rich, and had a new flavor in it than last time. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until we were done that the flavor was coffee. Not a really bad thing for most people. However, being pregnant and Mormon, it's kind of an unwelcome surprise. The waitresses apologized, but I wasn't terribly worried about it. I just now know that I shouldn't visit there unless my friend is working, cause he knows how to make the best versions of everything.

The lunch was thoroughly enjoyed and Liz even got me gifts. She gave me the always-loved HobNobs, some new herbal/fruit teas and even a little teapot. I've been wanting a teapot for quite a while. She got me a little antique one. I loved it. I think I may need to start a teapot collection, like at the London Bakery. I would build shelves around the top of my kitchen walls and line up each unique pot.

After lunch, I continued to take it easy and did some cross-stitching. I have been working on the same pattern on and off for a few years and I finally finished the body of it and started the outlining yesterday. I will post pics of it when I finish it. I had planned to keep it for myself and frame it, because I have not kept any of my finished works. I'm just not sure about where I would put it yet. Maybe I will put it in my planned office nook in our room. Between our bedroom door and our closet, there is a niche that would be perfect for shelves and a desk. So, I'm planning to make that my own little office area. Below is a doodle I did of it.

In the afternoon, I finally watched "Juno" (I love NetFlix) and really enjoyed it. Some parts made me laugh out loud and others made me cry. I helped Mister with his homework, worked on my cross stitch some more, and was pretty lazy. Last night, H and Tiny nondiscreetly slipped out the door for a while and came back about an hour later with a huge gift bag and pizza and breadsticks. In the bag, I received a plush robe that feels like those super soft baby blankets, the new George Strait CD "Troubador", and a ton of assorted candy. I was so excited because I had been hoping to get a robe like that before Matthew came along and I wouldn't forced to wander the hospital halls with my bum airing out from the back of my ill-fitting gown. I had also just found out about that CD and was wanting to get it. I will always love George. And candy, well you just can't go wrong with candy.

So, I hugged and kissed everyone, put on my comfy robe, opened my CD, and ate way too many chocolate-covered raisins while I stayed up until the wee hours cross-stitching. Yep, that was my idea of a birthday well-spent.

On this day in history...

I was born 28 years ago today. And no, I have no qualms about admitting my age...I mean, heck, there's still a 2 in the front of it. Yes, I was born on tax day. At least my parents never forgot it. I was also born on my sister's 13th birthday. She said I was the present she couldn't get rid of. But since I love her so much, I'll let you do the math on your own to find out how old she is.

So, what do I have to show for the 28 years I've been on this earth? Nobby asked me last year on my birthday what I had learned since the previous year. And I couldn't really think of much on the spot. I guess it's because when you're living life and keeping busy, sometimes you don't stop and reflect as often as you should. Well, here's some of what I can reflect on now.

• I am healthy and happy in my life. I overcame some pretty serious health problems as a baby and am healthier now than many people. This is a real blessing.
• I have been blessed with some of the best friends, from childhood through today. I remember Niki from 1st grade, Brandy and Mike in junior high, Kim in Texas, Rosa in Alamo, Jen through it all, many ladies from church, and my LonDolls. You all make life rich.
• I have been blessed with an amazing family. I have parents that support me through everything, their only reward sometimes was seeing me happy. They guided me through my first parenting experiences, helping me make decisions that would later bless my life. I have siblings that are so varied, interesting, and are good people. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents...through good times and bad, through frustration and smiles....we have always loved each other.
• I have had some great educational opportunities. I finished high school thanks to my parents and their love for me and Mister. I was not only encouraged, but expected, to go to college. Looking back now, that was so smart of my parents because I never worried about if I could do it. I knew I could and would. Through the unfailing support of H, I am not only able to continue that vision of education, but I was also able to fulfill a dream of travelling to London that even I didn't realize would mean so much to me.
• I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. To know that I am a daughter of God has been the most important knowledge I have attained. He loves me and wants me and my family to do well. Unlike many times previously, I now know that the difficult times are not there to bring me down, but to lift me up and help me to prove, even to myself, that I can do it, that I have more in me than I think. He knows me best and he knows what's best for me.
• H. When I met him, I thought that he was the best person I had ever met. He earnestly seeks ways to help others and is always willing to lend his hand, time, and ear. He is humble, patient, loving, and so full of the gifts and Spirit of God. He has put up with me when I was stubborn, patient when I was rebellious, and firm when he knew I was wrong, but also kind enough to not directly point at my mistake. He is a considerate companion and a loving, concerned father. Sure, he has faults, but they are always outweighed by every other aspect of him. I was only 19 when we married and it definitely has not been an easy ride over the years. But each year has been better than the last, and the last few have been pretty good. I am really blessed to have him as my friend and companion.
• My children. I started motherhood pretty young and ill-prepared. However, I was blessed with understanding parents and a strong support system. Mister was always surrounded with love and care, even when his mom was still trying to grow up herself. After H and I married, we knew that there was another little one waiting to join us. So, 10 months later, Tiny was born. Mister and Tiny have been inseparable since. Two young ones was tough for a newly married 19-year-old. But they always made me smile and were eager to give love when they saw I needed it. They are happy, healthy kids that get along 95% of the time, which I think is a sibling record. They know they are loved and seem to be quite comfortable in who they are. What more can a mom hope for? And now, we're expecting another healthy boy. He is energetic and I already love him so much. Mister and Tiny are eagerly anticipating meeting him and H is a mixture of thankfulness and worry. Me too.

I would say that I have been pretty blessed in my 28 years on the earth. Sure, things can be tough sometimes. Sometimes money is tight, depression rears its ugly head once in a while, math homework can be frustrating, the roof leaks, and cars break down at inconvenient times. But all of these things are temporary and miniscule in the grand panorama of life. Family, friends, health...those are things that I am thankful for. Oh, and the privilege of growing older.

Blue, for the boys I love

Nobby has set the date for my baby shower to be on the 26th. We will also be having Hobby's bachelorette party that night. So, it will be a fun-filled LonDolls day. My shower will be at 4 p.m. and Hobby's party is at 7 p.m. It will be a festive day for all. I'm really excited. I know Hobby will be a beautiful bride, if she doesn't pull all her hair out first from the wedding planning, school finals, and work. I am also looking forward to getting cute things for my new little guy.

Having a boy, I've been remembering when Mister was a baby lately. He was such a cute one, not that I was biased or anything. He had a full head of dark hair and was BIG. Looking back, it seems a bit surreal because I was so young and clueless. But I had a lot of help from my family. And Mister and I always had each other. I remember one night when Mister wasn't even two yet, after I got home from school and work. He was really tired and cranky, but he didn't want to go to bed and I was getting frustrated. So, I picked him up, put him in the car, and we went for a drive. We stopped and got a treat at the gas station and drove up into the foothills to a spot where you can see the whole city. It was dark and the city lights were the only thing lighting up the valley. We sat on the hood of the car, ate our snack and chatted (well, as much as you can with a 2 year old).

I remember thinking that no matter how hard things got, that he was mine, we had each other, and things didn't always have to work perfectly. Bedtime didn't have to be exactly at 8 p.m. Going for a drive was a lot better than fussing over bedtime. And I loved him no matter what. Sure, I was young, single and pretty naive. But I loved him, and he loved me. It didn't seem that much else had to matter.

He's 11 now and growing up faster than I thought. He still has the same tender heart though. So, I would have to say that my track record with my first boy gives me plenty of hope for raising the next.

New Belly Pic...6 Months

Here it is...6 months along now. Matthew is growing big and healthy. And below is the pic from when i was about 5 months along, for comparison.

I could use a shot of energy.

I could really use a Mountain Dew Amp. I haven't had one since before we started trying to get pregnant, back in October. I know, I know...I can't have one. It's not that I'm craving one, it's just that I'm so darn tired. I know that it comes with the territory of carrying and developing a whole other person in my belly. But, I would love some extra energy right about now. I'm a pretty unmotivated person as it is when it comes to cleaning and organizing around the house. But, I could really use some bursts of energy to help me get this house in some kind of shape before the baby comes along. I plan to have the nursery painted before my baby shower at the end of the month. I want to be able to move everything right up into the room and set it up after the shower.

So, yeah, I could really use some energy. I subbed on Tuesday, and you all know how that went. Wednesday, I did some science experiments with Mister's class and today, I gave a volunteer lesson on business to his class. I'll be doing four more of those classes in the next couple of weeks. I think it went pretty well today. It was just draining today to run errands, prepare the lesson and then present it. It's frustrating when it's only 4 p.m. and I'm already ready to go to bed. I'm hoping to get some cleaning done tomorrow before the kids get home at 1 p.m. and then go to theater. Wish me luck.

Heaven on a Spoon

I got my Lofte's pizza last night. And my pitcher of rootbeer. And it was perfect. Our friend, Mark, is the head chef there and the pizza is his own recipe. And it's awesome. I told him that that is exactly how pizza should taste. After three slices of pizza and three glasses of rootbeer, I was one happy woman.

And then, he suggested dessert. I wondered what he had up his sleeve. He went in the back and brought out two dishes of chocolate pudding. I took my first taste, closed my eyes and was in heaven. The taste was a cross between a fudge brownie and chocolate icing. Just perfect. I completely savored each bite, and also some of the kids'. It was wonderful. Just when I thought I had tasted his best, he brings out something new. I would have to say that that pudding is now my favorite dessert. That man can sure cook, and create. That pudding made up for the whole rest of the day.

The 7th Circle of H*** is in Room 216

OH MY GOSH! I am sooo tired. Days like today reaffirm my decision that I do not want to teach elementary or secondary education. I am just worn out. I have substituted for this 6th grade class before that I worked with today. They are a wild group, probably numbering close to 30 (too many for one class, if you ask me) and they are mostly boys. The first couple of times I subbed for them, I thought I was going to go insane. But, surprisingly, they calmed down more each time I came around and were easier to handle. Not today. One of the teachers said it might be spring fever. I don't know what it is, but they couldn't sit still, stay quiet, or focus for more than 30 seconds today. It's a miracle I didn't lose my voice from just trying to be heard over the chaos.

Don't get me wrong, these aren't bad kids. Getting to know each of them, they are bright and funny people. It's just when you put them in the same room at the same time that they somehow transform into a wild, uncontrollable mob. They want to chat about movies or gross "boy" observations or video games or, basically, anything other than what they should be working on. After recess and lunch, they come back even more riled. When half of them were occupied outside the class, the remaining half were quiet, busy and pleasant. But it would go back to a junior high version of "Animal House" when they returned (without the perversity and food fights, thankfully).

Anyway, I'm tired. I told H that the next time that particular teacher calls for me to sub, the answer will probably be 'no'. At least once. After that, I'll probably go soft again and put the weariness out of my memory and foolishly say 'yes'. But for now, I think I deserve an Italiano pizza from Lofte's and a pitcher of rootbeer.

Spring Break '08...Cancun Has Nothing on Us!

Our trip plan was to drive through Vegas on our way to the Grand Canyon, then over to NM to stay with my family for a few days, and then on to Colorado Springs, CO to visit my brother and his family, and finally head home. We had about a week to do all of this in. I love a good road trip but H hates being in a car for that long. But, he endured.

First, we drove south, through Vegas and stayed at the Boulder City Hotel and Casino. This was certainly not the fanciest hotel, but the customer service was excellent. In the morning, we went for a hike on a trail they had that overlooked Lake Mead. Cocoa, our dog, loved the hike and the

weather was gorgeous, sunny and cool. I took pics of H and the kids near this huge rock, and they each did their best "Nacho Libre" pose.

On our way out, we drove over the Hoover Dam. As impressive as it is, I'm afraid that the bypass bridge they're building over it stole some of its thunder. It is soooo high and the beams alone are monstrously tall. I couldn't stop staring up at them. It's one amazing undertaking. And just to show how much history we're teaching our kids, their reaction at Hoover Dam was to recall all the scenes from "Transformers" that were filmed there.

From there, we drove on to the Grand Canyon. I gotta tell you, that is one heck of a drive. You have to go down below the park and then head all the way to the east edge. It took forever. At one point, we thought we were going to run out of gas because there was nothing for miles ahead of us. We were able to find one gas station, with the old-fashioned pumps (we're talking about rotary digits and only a pump sticking out of the ground) in a small town on the way to the new skywalk bridge. Apparently, the bridge costs an arm and some thigh muscle to enter, park, and pay to walk on the bridge. So, we chose to drive onto the far end, since that was the original plan anyway. The gas station was cool though.

And, on we drove. We made it to the Grand Canyon before the sun started setting and it was beautiful. Everytime we would move to another viewpoint and the sun would set a little more, it was like seeing a whole new canyon. It was really beautiful. That was the first time me and the kids had been there. H had been there once before when he was a kid. He said that he remembered that when he saw it, it made him want to pee his pants. His words, not mine.

It was awesome to hear the many different languages being spoken there. People come from all over the world to see this amazing sight. Near the lookout, there is a weathered rock where people had thrown coins on it when there was water on it and from throwing them over the edge. There were coins from all over the world on it.

Our next destination was 12 hours away and we did it in one night. We pulled up to my parents' house at 6 a.m. the next morning, really tired. But it was great to see my parents. They've done a lot of new things to their house and it's looking really nice. They have also quit smoking, and hadn't had a cigarette in four weeks! I had noticed the absence of the smoke smell in the house. I was so proud of them. This is the umpteenth time they've tried to quit and they seem to be really working at it. I really hope they can succeed this time. They also looked a lot healthier too. To combat the urges to smoke, they keep really busy at work and around the house. The result is that they both have also lost some weight. So, send a prayer and some good thoughts their way that they'll be able to keep it up.

We stayed with them for almost 5 days. We spent Easter at my Grandma's house with a lot of my cousins, aunts and uncles. It was good to see everyone and the kids had a blast with their cousins. They hunted Easter eggs and ran around playing all kinds of games. My grandma looked good, ornery as ever, but healthy. My Uncle Joe looked tired, but otherwise like he was doing okay. Unfortunately, my mom just updated me that he is developing a lot of mouth sores from the radiation and lost some more weight. So, the doctor has decided to put a feeding tube into his stomach in order to keep him fed and maintaining his weight and hydration with IVs if needed. So, definitely please send prayers his way.

So, after spending a relaxing time with my folks, it was time to pile back in the truck and head to Colorado Springs, where my brother is stationed with the Air Force. The plan was to stay there for about a day and a half before heading home. H was not eager to get back on the road at all. I think he would have bought another house in NM just to avoid having to drive ever again. But, we were off.

We arrived at my brother's house at about 11 p.m. that night and got settled in. The next day, my brother was off from work and we just relaxed around the house before going to a bookstore later and then a movie at the theater. The kids loved spending time with their other, older cousins and Tiny was already trying to plan our next trip to see them.

Unfortunately, we had to load up again and finally head home. Our trip home was about 9 hours and we drove straight through. Everything went pretty smooth, except for this little hiccup.

We had a complete blowout of the right front tire. I actually saw the tread roll off by my window. Thankfully, H was driving and was able to pull over easily. It took a while to change the tire and it was flippin' cold outside, but he did the job pretty well. We arrived home at about 11 p.m. and we were exhausted. But we were thankful to be home, safe, and had fun visiting everyone. But, I think next time, we'll be doing a little less driving and a lot more relaxing.

A Quickie...(hee hee)

Yeah, I'm busted. I got my new cord a few days ago and still haven't posted anything. But, in my defense, I had to have a full day of alone time with my computer to get reacquainted and catch up on stuff. I also have been working hard on the house and subbed on Friday. So, there are my excuses.

Updates: I have a list of housework and changes to the house I want to make before the baby comes along. Cause Heaven knows that not much will be getting done after he's here. Nobby is planning to throw me a baby shower before the end of this month. She's still trying to set up a date that works for everyone.

Hobby is getting married on the 3rd of May and planning anything with her is like trying to nail down a feather blowing in the wind. (If I was from Texas, I would probably be able to come up with a better analogy than that.) She is working two jobs, taking a full load of grad courses and trying to plan her own wedding in the next three weeks. We are still planning to throw her a bachelorette party the week before the wedding.

OH! I have a new toy! I bought myself a new car! It's a 2000 Toyota Sienna minivan and I love how it drives. It's the first car I've bought all on my own. I took out a loan in my own name and registered it and everything. It felt awesome. I know, kinda weird that I'm turning 28 soon and this is the first vehicle I've bought on my own, huh? Well, I cosigned on a car with H once when we first got married, but this is all mine. And I would looove to post a pic of it for you to see, but that will have to wait. See, along with every other electrical device we own, our camera too seems to have conked out on us. If I can't get it working, I'll be calling the company for a replacement since we've only had it since December.

But I'm sooo happy with my van.

Other than all that, there's not much new going on. I will still be posting about our trip and working my bum off around the house. Hope you're all having a blast with life.

The Electrical Gods are Casting Their Fury Upon Us

My laptop power cord is officially deceased. I just ordered a new one from Toshiba and it will be arriving in a few days. This is not a new problem. My first cord was damaged when H, and I'm sure others as well, tripped over the cord. So, I bought a generic one on eBay and that only lasted a few weeks before just conking out. A comp-savvy friend was kind enough to fix the first (original) cord for me, but something seems to have slowly killed that one on our trip. It even made a sad, little whine before it died. So, while ordering from the company directly will cost more, it comes with a one year warranty. So, hang in there, I will be posting about our vacation, complete with pics (that are currently on my battery-drained laptop) soon. Keep checking back.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that our TV and both vehicles are also dying. Yeah, we're in a prolonged state of mourning around here. When it rains, it pours.

I'm Baaaaack!

We're finally home. I have so much to write about and share with you about our tri-state trip. Unfortunately, luggage is waiting to be unpacked, some of us will be hungry soon, and I just wore out the power cord for my computer for the third time. I'm hoping it is a temporary problem. But I promise to be on again soon and post all the adventure and a lot of pics. Hope you're all well and had a great Easter week.

Fair Warning

Don't expect any new posts for the next week and a half. We're off to make the most of the kids' spring break. I'll post all about our travels and adventures when we get back, with lots of pics too. Hope you are all enjoying your Spring. Take care.

Updates, Cravings, and Shift Work with George

The weekend was a pretty mellow one. Friday, the kids had theater class and we didn't do much else since the brakes on our only working vehicle were pretty much kaput and it was snowing...again. Saturday, H bought new brake pads, rotors and a new caliper to fix the car. I had volunteered to babysit for some friends while they went out on a much needed date. Their kids and ours have always gotten along great. The only problem was their 7-month-old daughter that was unhappy her mommy wasn't there and uncomfortable because she was cutting a new tooth. After trying to appease her with any toy I could find, I fed her some bananas and rocked her until she passed out. Thankfully, she stayed snoozing until her parents came back. Of course, then she was all smiles.

During this time, H took some friends out to look at houses, and left two of their kids with me as well. In all, I had eight kids in the house. After H returned, he crashed for the night and I was worried that we wouldn't have a vehicle to get to church in the morning. At 2:30 a.m. though, he woke up from his looooong nap and got to work on the car. It was done and working great before church. I love when he gets mechanical. It makes me appreciate him so much. Sunday, we went to church, taught our lessons and headed home.

Big news this week: we had a new nephew enter the world. H's older brother and his wife had their first child on Tuesday and he was a big, healthy boy. He weighed about 8 lb. 9 oz. and was 20 inches long. Being born via caesarean, he was also a nice, plump, non-alien looking baby. It's amazing to look at a newborn and realize that they are so new and have just left heaven. Just amazing.

Spring break is next week for the kids and we are going to take full advantage of it. We've decided to head down to the Grand Canyon for a day (me and the kids have never been there), then head over to southern NM to visit my family for Easter and stay for about 4 days, and then head home via Colorado to visit my brother and his family for a day or so. It's a full itinerary, but we're pretty good at trying to keep things mellow and enjoying it. We also have about 10 days to do it all. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and to taking a good trip before the baby arrives. My mom is already planning to spoil us all with good food, shopping for the kids, baby clothes, and bedding for the nursery. The kids are excited and I can't wait to see them egg-hunting with their cousins.

So, back to daily stuff. I have only had a few cravings so far in this pregnancy. I have an ongoing taste for fry sauce that I don't indulge very often. A couple weeks ago, I wanted cheesecake from Costco because they put a yummy frosting on the top. So, H indulged me and bought one. The problem, however, was that I forgot how big they are and it took a week to eat. Needless to say, I am over that craving. And now, it's brownies. Homemade brownies. I have made a few batches already in the last few weeks and I could still eat more. 3/4 of the cheesecake having been eaten, it amazingly didn't reflect on my weight check at my last appointment. Hope that keeps up.

And now, a little sharing. Most mornings, I get on the computer, read the news, check some accounts, and read my favorite blogs. This morning, I went to Apartment Therapy The Kitchen and saw this delicious cake that made me pine away for Spring even more.

Isn't it beautiful?
And after opening up some much neglected email, I found a notice from my university about a program I would loooove to enroll in. It is called Writers in New York and is offered through NYU. Aspiring poets and fiction writers can take creative writing courses at NYU while living in and experiencing New York. The goal is to encourage the writers to immerse themselves in the unique opportunity that is NY, while living and studying in Greenwich Village. It sounds like heaven to me. The program is four weeks long, and is ridiculously expensive, much more than my trip to London. But, oh, the experience and the writing and the creativity. I don't plan on this being a possibility in the near future, being that I'm carrying around my third bun-in-the-oven. But, hey, maybe in a couple of years. And with the whole family this time. I would love to experience NY with H and the kids. Did I mention that I've never been there before? But, hey, maybe this program will peak the interest of one of you.

WE'RE HAVING A ......

BOYBOYBOYBOYBOYBOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, we're not having that many, but it's definitely a boy! He was not shy at all about letting us know that he was a boy. H and the kids went with me to the ultrasound and got to see some great video of the baby. The office has a big screen tv on the wall that shows everything and it sure beats the heck out of those mini-screen monitors that they used to use. We were given a lot of the pictures and even a dvd of it.

I could tell from the looks on the kids' faces that they thought it was pretty awesome. They smiled with each movement of the baby and the tech pointed out each body part. And the baby had just woken up when she started the ultrasound, so he was moving around a lot and we got a great look at him. The tech and the doctor said that everything looks perfect and healthy.

I remember when I had my ultrasound when I was pregnant with Mister, I didn't get to keep a picture. With Tiny, I got a couple of pictures. And, now, they do a lot of pics and a dvd. Aaaand, I didn't have to fill my bladder to uncomfortable levels either. I guess they don't require it anymore. I'm pretty grateful for that.

So, we will be welcoming Baby Matthew at the end of July. I had a strong hunch that it might be a boy because of a dream. When H and I were dating, I had a dream that we had Mister (he was about 2 yrs old when H and I met) and a baby girl. Well, less than a year later, we had Tiny. A few years ago, I had a dream that someone asked how many kids I had and I told them I had three, and I then told them the names of Mister, Tiny, and Matthew. A few days after I had this dream, H told me that Matthew is the name he had thought of if we were to have another boy. So, I guess that these dreams are really something to pay attention to. I'm just so glad that everything looks good.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Matthew.

A pretty cute profile.

His face. A little blurry.

His little foot.

Yep, it's a boy!

World Peace...one country song at a time.

About four years ago, I called in to a radio contest and actually got through. The contest was to enter a pumpkin drop competition (it was around Halloween) and the ultimate prize was tickets to see Toby Keith. So, I, along with the other contestants, dressed up in Halloween outfits and showed up at a downtown shopping center where there is a really tall water tower. We had to climb to the top of the water tower and each drop our pumpkin off the edge and try to land it in a cutout sunroof of a junker car. Whoever landed their pumpkin in the car won the tickets, or even the one that got closest to it, if no one got it in.

I was about the fourth person to drop my pumpkin. My kids had chosen the pumpkin from the store and painted it up for the contest. So, I took a deep breath and let it fly. AND IT LANDED IN THE CAR!!! I was shocked and let out a loud scream of joy and waved to H and the kids down on the ground. I was the only one to land it in there. It felt awesome! So, H and I got the concert tickets and, apparently, I was even on a short interview on the news that night, though I never saw it.

Opening for Toby Keith was Terri Clark. This woman is one of my favorite performers. Her songs are so awesome. That night, she performed a song that had just begun to get playtime on the radio, but was not yet released on CD. It was titled "The World Needs a Drink". I loved that song and was hoping she would play it. I don't think this song was nearly as popular as it should have been. Sometimes you hear a country song that is incredibly clever, ironic, or just catchy. And that is why I love country music...they really know how to turn a phrase.

LonDolls Update

Mody, Hobby, Birdy (me), and Nobby

Dinner with the LonDolls was great, except that we were without the wonderful Trippy because she got stuck at work. Hobby (blonde in the middle) took the opportunity to announce that she is ENGAGED! She has been dating the lucky guy for more than a few years and they will be getting married on May 3rd. We're so happy for her and hope to give her a hen party (bachelorette) she won't soon forget. Hen parties require a theme. With Nobby's party, she was an angel and we were devils and we went out clubbing in Denver. It was great and we actually went to a club called "The Church". The coincidence truly was random. One suggestion that I made for Hobby's party, and I really was just throwing it out there to be funny, was that she dress as Hugh Hefner and we would be the Playboy bunnies. Although I was just being silly, they loved the idea. So, I'll have to let you know how that pans out.

Another update, Mody is dating, mostly hanging out with, a new guy. He came by the restaurant after we had eaten so that we could meet him. It didn't take much for us to approve of him. He is a really sweet guy that seems genuine and treats Liz well. He got thumbs up from us all.

In other news, I had an OB appointment today and everything looks good. The doc listened to the baby's heartbeat and said it sounded good. I was a bit shocked that I have only gained 3lbs. in the last month. H brought home a Costco cheesecake last week and we've been working our way through it pretty steadily. I thought for sure that that would reflect in my weight. I'm working things out to have my sonogram soon. I'm just waiting for the insurance to clear it all and then I can schedule it. I'm thinking, if all goes well, we'll be able to find out what we're having this week.

Considering the fact that it's been almost eight years since my last baby was born, I am sorely lacking baby supplies. I passed our crib, swing, high chair, playpen, walker, and more to my cousin about 5 years ago. She has put it all to good use, but I was pretty sure that we would have to start from scratch. But luckily, my mom told me that when we visit at the end of the month, she'd like us to take back a lot of baby stuff with us. They had bought a lot for my brother's little girl and she has outgrown the use of it. So, now their room is cluttered with baby stuff. So, we'll be bringing back a swing, playpen, walker, bouncer, and a couple other things. Some friends have already given us a crib, so we are really being provided for. My family has always given us so much. I am incredibly blessed.

The term "sleepover" doesn't always imply any sleep will take place

Have you heard that constant exposure to any noise above that of a single person talking can be harmful to your ears? I heard this recently and am now a believer. Tiny had her first friend sleepover last night. Yep. Her BFF, Romy, is a sweet girl that is very articulate and quite bright. However, when you combine a 7-yr. old, an 8-yr. old, and Mister who is 11, you get quite a volume. Thankfully, they actually fell asleep about midnight, which is pretty rare at any sleepover. And then I was awakened bright and early at about 6:30 a.m. to laughing and talking. Our house may not be small, but sound travels really well through it.

In all the excitement last night, H and I retreated to the dining room where we spent the rest of the evening, having a pretty satisfying, uninterrupted conversation. We then holed up in the bedroom all night. This morning, H hurried off to a seminar for the rest of the day. I tried to sit in the living room for about 5 minutes until the noise was just too much for my apparently "too old" ears. I am once again hiding in the dining room. I will definitely need to remember all this if Tiny ever asks to have a full-blown, 10-girl slumber party. I think the only way that will be happening is if we hire a chaperone and H and I book ourselves into a hotel for the night.

A Very Wonderful Etsy

My endlessly creative friend, Jen, over at The Laundry? It's Never Finished has opened up a new Etsy store, Bliss Home Goods, filled with colorful, whimsical art and crafts that would perk up any home. Some of her products include handpainted art, unique fabric, canvas bags and more. All items are handmade and beautiful. She is adding more items to her store each day and is filled with ideas for future products. So, please take a look and see if she has anything that would perk up your home or space. She is also open to new ideas, so if you have any, let me know and I'll make sure she gets them.

This new store is in addition to her Etsy fabric store, Jen's Bliss, where she sells a variety of fabric. She has added a lot of new patterns since I last posted on it. So, have a look and have some fun.

TGIF

Not much new going on here. I had planned to find out whether we're having a boy or girl on Monday, but it looks like it will be later than that. I'm trying to work out our insurance so that it will be covered before I schedule the sonogram. I will let you know as soon as I know anything.

We're having our carpets cleaned today, in two rooms. The living room and dining/office were looking pretty sad and kinda gross since we haven't had them cleaned since we moved in two years ago. We plan to replace these carpets as soon as we can, but for now, we're making do.

Other than that, I have a pretty full day. We have the carpet cleaning going on, the kids get out early today, I have to sort out the insurance, the kids have theater class, I am meeting the LonDolls for dinner, and finally, I am picking up Tiny's BFF for her first "friend sleep-over". They should have a blast tonight. As will I. I haven't seen my LonDolls since New Year's week. I can tell we've all been going through withdrawals. So, tonight, we're meeting up at our favorite pub for some dinner and a lot of laughs. I'll, of course, fill you in on any major updates. I'm sure they will do their share of rubbing the belly, since I didn't have one yet at our last tea.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend, filled with a lot of fun and a little laziness.

Jeff Healy RIP

TORONTO (AP) — Blind rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has died after a lifelong battle against cancer. He was 41.
Healey died Sunday evening in a Toronto hospital, said bandmate Colin Bray, who was in the room with Healey's family when the guitarist died. The Grammy-nominated Healey rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that gained international acclaim and platinum record sales with the 1988 album "See the Light". The album included the hit single "Angel Eyes".

Healey had battled cancer since age 1, when a rare form of retinal cancer known as Retinoblastoma claimed his eyesight. Due to his blindness, Healey taught himself to play guitar by laying the instrument across his lap. His unique playing style, combined with his blues-oriented vocals, earned him a reputation as a teenage musical prodigy. He shared stages with George Harrison, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Bray said he and many others expected the guitarist to rally from this latest illness.
"I don't think any of us thought this was going to happen," Bray said. "We just thought he was going to bounce back as he always does."
Healey had undergone numerous operations in recent years to remove tumors from his lungs and leg.

Bray and fellow bandmate Gary Scriven remembered their frontman as a musician of rare abilities with a generous nature and wicked sense of humor. Healey's true love was jazz, the genre that dominated his three most recent albums. His love of jazz led him to host radio shows in Canada where he spun long-forgotten numbers from his personal collection of over 30,000 vinyl records. His death came weeks before the release of his first rock album in eight years.
Mess of Blues is slated for a North American release on April 22.

He is survived by his wife, Christie, and two children.
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I first time I saw this musician perform was in the movie "Roadhouse" with Patrick Swayze. Although the movie was definitely not top-notch, this man's music was. Listening to him, you knew that he was born to perform, overcoming any obstacle in his way. So, to honor his great talent, I have posted some of his performances for you to enjoy. Rest in peace.

Rub the belly for good luck

I am now 4 1/2 months along now and things are growing well on the outside. The belly is getting big, but I have to say that compared to my first two, this little one is pretty docile with the moving around. But it surprises me every once in a while with a twinge or a body part trying to squeeze in a tight spot. We will find out if it's a boy or a girl on the 10th and I will definitely let you all know. We'll see which of those names we'll be using and which we'll have to save for next time. So, without further ado...here's the belly.

Now: 4 1/2 months

Before: 3 1/2 months