shape ups

At first, I was skeptical.

After looking into it, I figured even if they didn't give the extra workout, that they are supposed to be comfortable and help with posture (both of which are quickly fading with an extra person on board). I only told 2 people I was even considering it, because I felt a little silly. Then they were on sale and I ordered them before I even knew.

I LOVE them! It took a few minutes, but they survived a night at Casa and my feet didn't hurt once. It's not even like wearing shoes. It's more like walking on padding while something gives my feet one big hug. They make me taller too, which helps make jeans fit right. :)

The verdict is out still on whether they help with toning. I did wake up a little stiffer. Either way I recommend them!

Growing, growing, gone.

My dad says it looks like a swallowed a pumpkin seed.

This isn't the best picture, but I have too much pride to ask someone to take one (not asking for volunteers either). I also do have bare belly ones, but just not feeling like those need to go public.

Anyway, only 19 weeks and already feeling huge. Only gained 3 pounds in between doctor visits, but I feel GIGANTIC, mostly because it just appeared.

So here we go!

Mostly just trying to remember the miracle and beauty of it, no matter how unbeautiful I feel.

(Already trying to plan out how to take the weight back off.)

Temporarily Perfect :)

It wasn't a perfect day, not even by a long shot. Another fight with a boy. Another fight with an office scanner amongst other office equipment. Things happened. Emotions rolled. Life happened.

And then we had perfection...

I took Brook and James to the duck pond, one of my favorite places in the world.

We fed ducks, walked around both ponds, played, walked some more, ate apples, raced, and played just a little more before heading home.

It wasn't a perfect day. But those couple of hours were amazing.

James favorite thing was chasing after ducks.
Brook couldn't figure out why the ducks don't come when you call.

Cheesers!!!

We went home and James was tired and then woke up with a gunky swollen eye amongst other things. Back to reality. But the moments are completely worth it.

Barney Christmas

I LOVE Christmas!

This Christmas was a little different at our house. Brian miraculously made it home for another year. His return flight was Christmas day though, so it changed our traditions a bit. Everything got moved to Christmas Eve, but it was still fun. Presents are quite as exciting when you get older. I got clothes and a baby moniter. Brian did like his confederate blanket I got him. The winner was the remote control helicopter Brian got my dad. We all took turns flying/crashing it. Brian already flew it into dish water. Rice doesn't just work for phones. As fun as the present was that day, I wasn't super pleased this morning when my Dad almost flew it into my head this morning when I was trying to eat my cereal.

Traveling during Christmas was an adventure too. We didn't plan meals since Jeff said his house was stocked. Sometimes I forget that I don't eat hardly anything that my brothers do. After over an hour of driving I remembered Panda Express had been open. Of course as luck would have it, they just happened to close right as i pulled up. I actually saw people coming out, but the workers wouldn't let me in. And so walgreens snacks it was for Christmas dinner. Random, but definately worth the extra time with my brother.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful and merry Christmas!

Not a huge fan of these pictures but its okay. My mom was struggling with my camera. (And I feel like a rolly polly these days!)

Christmas Break

Christmas -
Time for love and giving, remembering Christ...and the kids being out of school. I LOVE when they are all home when I go to babysit. It's an adjustment every time, but always fun. A lot of them have been helping at the ranch and the nursery, but we still had time together. My favorite was the days of stomach flu. Jay got it too, so not only were we all in the house, but trying to be quiet for Jay and James who were having a heck of a time upstairs. Here is some of our fun so far.

Christmas cookies with my favorite little helpers.

Janna decided she wanted to play makeover and asked me to do her hair and to get her nails done. Abbey even let me do hers. Its nothing fancy, time and resources were limited but fun.

Stomach flu day we remembered how fun cards were. We built houses. Lilly had a rough time with it, but was a trooper.

Lilly. Enough said.

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!
Only one day late on that.
This Thanksgiving I am especially greatful for my family. This year I was able to spend a lot of time with my Grandmother and Grandfather Bryce. Being with them was a completely healing and peaceful experience. There are a lot of things I always wanted to but could never say to them, and I was able to do that. Just being with them helped me remember the kind of person I want to be.
This morning may not be Thanksgiving anymore, but it's still the holiday weekend, and working with my mom, I was able to tell her a lot of things about past experiences and current struggles that had been eating at me and I have never wanted to burden her with. Not only was it a huge relief, but there is now a whole new level of understanding between us.
Mostly, looking back on this last year and how much things have changed, and seeing who I am now and the new direction life is taking, I could not be happier. I know my family has been a major part of this and that is what I am most thankful for this holiday season.

Love you all and hope you had a wonderful holiday!!!

Pet Peeves

I try to stay a positive person, I do. I really believe that in almost any situation you can be greatful it isn't worse, and if you are at rock bottom then you have no where to go but up from there. Of course there are imperfections in my logic at some points, and more often than not they seem to be over the silliest little things. They are my pet peeves, all my quirks and craziness. Some if not all may be over the top, but they still exist in full force. So just sharing some of my specialness.

"I seen it." - This is not proper english. No I am not always correct in my grammar, but this is a little beyond that. Read more books.

Gas Pump Receipts - Don't leave it in the pump for the next person. I do not want to know how much gas you purchased and doubt anyone else does either. We will not be impressed by your huge vehicle and how much you put into it, nor do I want to know just how little gas you might need for your little rice burner car. No one cares. Don't leave it there.

Grocery Bagging - My mom trained me to put my items onto the belt in a certain order. I understand that they baggers may not be completely mature or have the greatest ability to pay attention and reason, so we are supposed to make it easier on them. And yet even though my things go up in a specific order (heavy items, cold items, produce and then light and fragile things last) they end up mixed up in the bags. They come to you in that order. They have to make a conscious effort to screw that up. I would rather bag my own things, so for job security, pay attention!

Poking - This is just wrong. I also would add finger pointing in with poking. There is nothing happy or comforting about having a finger shook at your face, or one coming at your body. It's just not nice. If you can't find another way to touch or show affection or your point, keep your hands to yourself.

Touching the Face - Not all of us have perfectly flawless skin. Some of us have breakouts. You may think touching someones face is fun and affectionate. However, when someone touches my face, I think "Thank you for helping my face zits multiply. They must thank you." At casa I had a few girls touch my face during shifts. This is especially wrong. You touch people's plates and grossness. I do not want their and/or your diseases and dirt. This and poking should be punishable by being stabbed with a sharp pointy object without warning. Maybe that's MY way of showing affection. Lets see how YOU like being touched in a way you do not like!


Awww... Thank you for letting me vent those things. Mostly I have been raging over being poked. A c0-worker walked up and poked my belly. That is not cute or funny. At his point most of that belly is gas and constipation. Don't poke it. I understand my belly will soon be touched no matter what. Poking will still not be okay. Dirty looks will continue to be given, and disgust will continue to be voiced at this action. In fact, I have half a mind to see if pokind can somehow be outlawed in general, at least poking without permission. It's harrassment, I tell you.

Happy pre-Thanksgiving Wednesday.