Our Big Adventure

The other day I waddled a little.  I don't know why, I think it made my feet feel better or something but Chewy said, "Why are you walking like that?" I shrugged my shoulders and he told me I couldn't waddle until I hit 5 months.  To which I said, "I am at 5 months".  Now I can't waddle until 6 months.

Pregnancy is going well - my whole body hurts and I think I'm growing in the front AND in the back which breaks my heart but I'm told it's apparently worth it.  The little fish in my tummy drives me crazy when he decides to move around as I'm laying down for bed.  I hope he grows out of that before his birth day.  I've started nesting - the funny thing is, I think Chewy started nesting first.  We have a small house, it works for us and we love it, but it's small and we have a lot of stuff.  So Chewy kept going on about how we needed to get organized and we need to get rid of things.  This came about because I told him he had to get his stuff out of the nursery.

He had last week off as he transitioned from his old job to his new job (today was his first day with the new one).  I took Friday off and we decided that we would go to the temple (which I had avoided since October when I almost passed out/threw up in one of the rooms).  Then we decided to buy some Corelle plates because they are lighter and will take up less space and then to IKEA to get something to help us organize.  So Chewy looked online to get ideas, then he stated that he would just want to peruse the merchandise. I felt like Tina Fey in 30 Rock:

I'm happy to report that our adventurous day turned out really well.  I made it through the temple without feeling sick.  When we went to Potomac Mills to find the Corelle outlet store we decided to brave it and just park and walk into the mall and pray for the best.  We walked in and the store was RIGHT THERE.  It took us maybe 20 minutes tops to pick out some dishes and check out.  Then we went to IKEA.  We walked through and looked at two wardrobes - picked out the one we wanted and then went to look at desks.  We stopped at the cafe and Chewy got to try the meatballs he'd heard so much about and then we went to the warehouse and picked up the wardrobe (we worried the desk wouldn't fit).  All in all it went well and I didn't worry about our marriage....then it came time to load the furniture into the car.  For a moment there, I worried - it was completely my fault, I snapped at him.  I quickly apologized and resolved that we should be a team and not let IKEA get to us.  

On the drive home, Chewy kept saying what a positive experience we had.  He overall liked the shopping experience and kept talking about the well run operation...then he started to put the wardrobe together.  

The compliments went away and he started to ask if I thought the employees there were lackluster and/or weird.  He may have said ‘hate’ in reference to particle board (which he knew it was going in).  Near the end of assembly, Chewy realized that two pieces were put on incorrectly; they belonged on the opposite sides of the wardrobe.  This didn't help his once high opinion.  The Swedes need to use words, or even just letters, to help people know that two identical pieces belong on certain sides.  We made the switch, which turned out easier than he thought and then the wardrobe was done.  I’m extremely happy with it and I think Chewy is too.  It has helped us to get our room more organized and to allow for the extra stuff in the room since Chewy had to move all of his clothes and shoes into the room to make room for the little fish.

Next up - the first of probably several Goodwill runs.

1, 2, C

First off - I forgot to blog and tell you all that we are having a boy!  We kind of expected it because our doctor and the benefits lady at his office, kept saying "him".  Then there was the fact that our whole family guessed it would be a boy, and of course, we had lots of girl clothes and a girl name picked out.

Here's a video of Ava, Sadie, and Olivia's reaction when Joanna told them the news:

The ultrasound was just as fun as the first time, a little less emotional but not much.  Seeing out little baby moving around is pretty cool.  At one point he was looking right up at us (probably sensing the pressure as the tech pushed down to get a better view).

So now I pack up the girly stuff I had kept out of the attic and pull out the boy stuff.  And there's a nursery to plan, nothing too crazy, maybe just a few little Doctor Who goodies.

Now that I've seen him move it's gotten easier to recognize when I feel him move...and he's gone crazy now.  It's weird.  At church he moves the most when we are singing hymns, I don't know if that's because he likes it or if he'd like us to stop,

Speaking of obsessions - my sister, Joanna, made me a Tardis cake for my birthday.

To say I was excited/proud would be an understatement. I also got a nice little video from my sister/niece Martha/Sadie.  

And here is my 20 week belly shot (p.s. I hate doing belly shots).

That's about it on the updates.

I'm THAT aunt...

I'd like to tell you a story about why I probably shouldn't be allowed to be a youth leader:

At the beginning of December, the Mia-Maids were making ornaments for our weekday activity and someone asked what everyone would be doing for Christmas.  I told them how my brother and his family were coming to town.  Then I couldn't help myself, I became that aunt.  The one who talks about her single nephew (despite that he's 15 here, not 30) and how great and cute he is.  I told them how I had been brainstorming how to get him to our ward so they could meet him (my parents and siblings all go to the same ward on Sunday and then there's us).  I realized that I may be biased about the attractiveness of my nephew so I pulled up a picture and let them judge.  Instantly girls started to ask if he would be at the dance on the 30th, which he would already be back in Oregon for.  I think it's safe to say they agreed with my assessment of his looks.

After that it kind of died down.  There was no way to get him to casually be somewhere to meet my Mia Maids.  I got to spend a great week with my family and got to know him even better than before and ladies, he's a catch (there I go again, the embarrassing aunt).  I told his mom and then him about how I showed his picture to my girls and how they wanted him to be able to go to the dance and he decided that maybe coming to our ward on Sunday morning might be worth the drive.  Sadly though he woke up sick Sunday morning and didn't go to church with anyone.

That Sunday I taught the Mia Maids (teaching the Sunday after Christmas while pregnant and having felt like throwing up until two minutes after class started doesn't make for a happy teacher).  I flashed the lights, I cut off side conversations, but eventually just gave up and trudged through my lesson - uncertain if I made sense or got through to anyone.  Time came for the closing prayer and I asked for a volunteer.

Crickets. (At least now I know how to get them to be quiet).

"You'll get a jump start on your 2015 blessings," I said.

Trina perked up and said, "I heard if you say the prayer you'll get a hot husband."

"Speaking of hot husbands," I said without too much thought beforehand.  I then told them how my nephew was going to come to church with me but he came down with a bug and couldn't.  They all said that next time he's here he'll have to come and I promised we'd make it happen.  Then I said, "But, I will give him the number of whoever volunteers to say the prayer."

Several hands came up then and one girl in particular jumped up out of her seat and took her place at the front of the room to say the prayer (to say she is competitive is an understatement).  She folded her arms but then leaned toward me and asked if I was serious and I told her I was.  Then she said the prayer.  Then all the girls who hadn't seen his picture wanted to see it (including the girl who jumped up).  She asked if he dressed well...it's funny what a 15 year old finds important in the opposite sex.  Another girl asked if it was a full body shot....It was too strange to question - so I didn't.

So at dinner that night I told Devin what I had done (apologies).  I gave him her number and a picture so he'd know who he was talking to and then I just asked him to let me know if/when he texted her so I would be in the loop.  Chewy and I were glad it was this girl, when we thought through the Mia-Maids she was one of our top choices (you know, if we really were in the business of setting him up).  We'll get that boy to move to Virginia eventually...

I'm not sure if I did a major no-no as a leader, but so far I haven't been reprimanded by anyone.  But I am certain that the idea of auctioning off a boy's number each time I need a volunteer probably isn't something I should get in the habit of doing.

Family Pics

The Saturday after Christmas we took family photos.  The photographer we had lined up canceled last minute, so on Friday night my sister texted, asking if I could take the pictures.  I am no professional so this task was daunting (despite having done several photo shoots at Martha's request).  We were at the park for two and half hours and so some pictures have cranky kids - but hopefully each family got at least one photo they liked.  Also, Chewy had gotten me a remote for my camera - so that made taking the big family picture so much easier.

Love Devin's Expression here

Ed's Clan

Matt's Group

Mart's Fam

Kat's Peeps

Joanna's bunch (Olivia - bottom right - attacking herself).

Us

Random pictures I liked.

"It's over!"

And In With The New

Here's to 2015.  For my personal theme this year I'm actually going to steal the mutual theme.  "Oh ye that embark in the service of your God".  I want to be more service oriented this year and I want to drag the young women down with me...it will built character.  Last year we worked at the Special Olympics, I want to do that again this year but also to have more opportunities with them and on my own to give back since I have been so blessed.

Now...the year of not so difficult goals.

1. Have a baby!  Yes - I'm cheating.
2. Read 20 books.  Originally I set it to 30, but Chewy convinced me to go for 20 and finally read "Dune" and a Wilkie Collins book.
3. Complete at least half of Personal Progress.  The program is a little lighter for leaders (thank goodness - I completed it when I was a young woman and the program was a little harder).  I've made a deal with one of my girls that she has to complete the Honor Bee while I complete my personal progress.
4. Study Scriptures.  If I'm doing personal progress this shouldn't be too difficult for me.  But I let it slide last year (I still read I just didn't always pay attention) and I want to be better this year.
5. Budget (for real!) - with a baby on the way I figure time has run out.  I can't just make budgets and such, I have to use them.
6. Exercise Regularly (meaning at least 3 times a week).  I'm getting fat (yes, I know it's pregnancy) but exercise is good for labor and delivery and it will be good to already be in the habit when it's time to do it for weight loss.
7. Start doing family home evening.  It's not something we are just going to be able to pick up when the kid is three so I expressed to Chewy that I want to get in to the habit NOW.  Even if that means just reading the Sunday School lesson for the following week.  This is a tough one because it doesn't just depend on me.
8. Daily individual and family prayer - Something else that has slipped.  Chewy and I pray together every morning but we are tired at night and I don't think either of us is great at individually praying.
9. Journal writing.  I always mean to be better about it and I write sometimes and wish I would just write consistently.  Blogging doesn't count.
10. Eat less sugar! It's definitely something I've been O.D.ing on lately.  Even as I type I'm thinking about the Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the cupboard...

Wish me luck!

What are some resolutions you guys have?

Out with the Old

So I'm pretty sure I failed at my goals for 2014 - but let's take a look anyway.  

1. Read 50 books - I got pregnant...yeah, I'm going to blame that. I got close with 37 but that just doesn't turn this thing green.  Well, I can change it from ted to yellow
2. Writing - I went to that conference and I talked to an agent...I didn't pitch though, I lost my nerve.  But I asked if I could send my manuscript to her when it's ready.  I finish (sloppily) writing Riverknot, but am now in intense revisions to make the book an ending I can sleep well with.
3. Photography - I've done my photo challenges with Katy, and that's helped me to take shots and think about creative shots that I wouldn't have gone for normally.  I also took 6 month photos for Nora, family photos for the Smith family Christmas card (and Grandma Smith's calendar) and at the last minute was pulled in to be the photographer for the Donbrosky (all of the Donbrosky's) family photo and longest photo shoot for a pregnant woman who has to pee.  
4. Don't Text and Drive - I have actually gotten MUCH better at this, I just still have room for improvement.
5. Money Management - Uh.  Well, I am almost completely out of debt, thanks to Chewy letting me live off his income.  We've been working together on getting finances straight and I already have our budget and checkbook ready to go for 2015....so, maybe at the end of this year it will be green.  Oh - that's my goal.  Green in '15.
6. Be Grateful! Despite having LOTS to be grateful for - pregnancy has made me crabby.  I have had moments of trying to remember to be grateful, and I have been expressing my gratitude to Chewy for being a champ during this difficult time.  
7. Temple Attendance - We did really well until the temple closed for the whole month of September for cleaning and repairs.  Then we went in October and I almost passed out/threw up in a very white room and we had to play it by ear in November and December and that ear didn't incline us to go.  We are getting back on track in January though. 
8. Increase in learning and faith - I got a calling with the Young Women - I think this has helped me to stay a little more focused on this goal, but at the same time, I've really let personal study go down the drain.  Which is not surprisingly something on the new list.
9. Home Improvement - Chewy built a porch! First time ever, on his own, and I helped sometimes by holding things in place and such.  I also got a Maddox (aka my newest favorite tool I've ever owned) from Chewy and I took out Comcast and Verizon (plants in our front yard that I couldn't get rid of by other means).  After I have this baby and am cleared for hard physical labor, I plan to take out Google the big plant in the back yard that wouldn't budge before....I'm coming for you Google.
10. Food storage - Does it count if it's in my belly? No? Didn't think so.  I honestly forgot that this was even on my list and I hate a lot of food right now so I think this will have to wait until I'm feeling closer to 100%...however, we did buy a BJs card  - so that's something.

Overall rating.  YELLOW.  But I don't feel like the year was a bust.  I mean, I got married, I got preggers, I started a new job, got promoted, make lots more mulah, have a boss that believes in me, I am gaining confidence in my calling and despite that these girls terrified me at first, I really do like them now.  Oh - and I survived Youth Conference, on a hot bus, with loud teenagers who forced me to yell.

I really can't complain and I don't feel like I've failed at all just because I didn't reach my goals.  To me, it's important to set them, but things happen.  Like not feeling up to reading for about two months when I was so tired I just came home and laid down on the couch.  So, here's to 2015, may it be just as productive as 2014, if not better.