Interesting

You know it is not good when a doctor looks at you and says:

"Interesting, I have never seen this before."
If only I could have a $1000 for every time I have heard that I would be a multi millionaire instead of paying the doctors the millions. Wouldn't that be nice?

Grateful Sunday 8-26-07

SWIMMING: It was so fun to go swimming at my sister Em's new pool. It is so nice to feel a bit weightless as I pack on the pounds for the baby. Noah is very cautious and so funny in the water. It was very fun.

2ND TRIMESTER: I know I am in the total happy stage of pregnancy right now. I try to feel grateful for this part of it everyday. I love feeling her kick and move around (all the time). It is a good reminder that there is a purpose behind all this.

BRAND NEW BABY BOYS: Two of my very bestest friends recently had new baby boys. Kieran had her boy, Graham on Friday and he was so fun to snuggle and love in his newness. Carrie and Lincoln brought their boy, Luke here to bless him. I got to see her today and it was heavenly to be with her. It always feels like going home when I am around her. I love seeing her as a mother. It was such a great weekend with these cute boys. It also gives our baby girl all these cute boys to flirt with when she is older. What fun for her.

EYESIGHT: Oh, how I struggle with this and keep getting reminders to be grateful for my eyes. How blessed I feel to have competent doctors who know how to help and keep me seeing.

SISTERS: Lena who is my brother Nik's wife, without her this week, I would have gone bonkers. Thanks for all your help and for just hanging out with me so that I did not go crazy. It was so fun to talk and run around. Thanks to Amy for bringing us Lasana, it was heavenly not have to worry about dinner and just be able to eat and enjoy your company.

Oh, Girl!

Okay, I am going to be completely honest here for a minute. I am absolutely thrilled, ecstatic, awed and so terrified of having a little girl. I know I am being a bit irrational and silly. But, I was kind of glad that Noah was a boy. I knew from pretty much the very beginning of our marriage that we would have a boy. I prepared myself for this ball of energy and excitment, for snuggles, trucks, wrestling and lots of toot talking from the beginning of my dreams. I felt a bit more prepared in some ways of what to expect from being this little boys mom.

So, what it really comes down too is that, I feel a bit unprepared, awed, overwhelmed and panic over having a girl. Which makes no sense to me because you would think with this being my third pregnancy and 2nd baby that I would feel a bit more calm about the entire situation. I don't think it helps that I have had quite a few people state that they think this little girl is going to be a bundle of trouble and angst. I had to ask them to stop talking about their feeling, for it was causing me a bit more stress than I could handle. Kersten has been cursed by his mother to have a child just like him, and with feeling I have about this girls personality and from the ultrasound, I feel as if Kersten already understands her a bit better than I do. I want her to be well rounded. My wish is that she will sometimes play princess with me and also climb trees and dig in the dirt with Noah. Maybe I am hoping to much.

I know all of these worries are probably unfounded and completely void of reason. But they are still there always lurking in the forefront of my mind. I am afraid to be the example that this sweet one has of a woman. This is how a woman should be, should act, should feel and treat other people. Lately, I have been seeing all my imperfections with a huge magnify glass. I will come to grips with these silly notions in my head. Heavenly Father and I have discussed them at great length. So I know it is completely me. And if I just do the best I can for this girl that is all that is asked of me and leave the rest to the Lord. So I say, HOORAY! for sweet, active, funny, giggly, spazzy, twirling little dancer, gymnast, princess, tomboy little girls.
(Thanks to Aunt Virginia who brought us the amazing cake the day we found out it was a GIRL)

Twilight Series

So this is my newest obsession. The Twilight Books by Stephanie Meyers. I never thought that I would be so obsessed with vampires and werewolves. At first I was a bit leary of all the hype, but I am riding the wave. After the first chapter of the first book I was hooked. These books are everywhere and the newest one hard to come by here in Utah. I finished the last book last night and spent a bit of a blissful afternoon talking to Carrie about all the finer points of Edward and the twists and turns of the plot. Thanks for sharing in my enthusiam. I cannot get these books out of my head. There are so many interesting and intriguing ideas that pull at my imagination. I love them

Grateful Sunday 8-19-07

Today I am grateful for:

KERSTEN: I am so glad he had a birthday so we could go do fun things together as a family. He is a marvelous husband and an incredible dad. (go over and read his hilarious post about his birthday on his blog)

BABY GIRL: I still can't wrap my head around that we are having a baby girl. It seems so unreal to me. Noah keeps talking about his baby sister and how his stuffed dog Pal is also getting a baby sister when Noah does.

ZOO PASS: We went to the zoo on Saturday together and Nik and Lena tagged along. Noah was so thrilled that Dad was coming this time and on his birthday. They even got to go into the snake house, which I won't do because of the smell.

READING TIME: today Noah sat in my lap and read stories with me for over a half hour. We read every day but, not for that long at one time or as peaceful and fun as it was today. He was so snuggly and cute. Then we had to play trucks. It was just nice to have some time with my boy doing things that he loved and not being stressed about what I was not getting done.

Happy Birthday! My Kersten.

I am seriously the luckiest woman alive to be married to my husband. He is getting really old now, especially because today is his birthday. I still remember the first time I realized that I felt something a bit more than just friendship for my hot husband. I was speechless and couldn't move. My best friend Carrie had to knock me out of my daze. Kersten has so many layers and it has been the best adventure imaginable living my life with him. I knew that life would be fun and there would always be surprises with him in it. And I was definitely right. He has the best sense of humor and is always joking, teasing and being majorly silly. He lives his life so passionately and with a vibrance that can be quite alarming. He puts up this act that he is so crude and crass and really he is so inately good. He makes me realize my potential and I just love him for it. He is the most amazing father to Noah. His patience is endless with his boy, which is saying a lot if you know him well. Noah took the picture of the two of us above. I know he will be a wonderful daddy for our new little girl when she arrives. I think he already understands her a bit better than I do. I am so glad that Kersten is my husband. I am a very blessed woman to love him and be loved by him. Happy Birthday babe. I hope you have a fantastic day

Happy Birthday Christel

this is Christel and Kersten Grandpa Rolf


Today is Kersten's Little sister, Christel Ann's Birthday. She is turning eighteen today. Which seems so odd to me because when I met her she was turning 4 in a couple of weeks. She is and always has been an exceptionally beautiful girl in and out. She is the sister in law that instantly loved and accepted me right away. She has always talked with me and been giggly with me when I have needed it the most. She was Kersten's birthday present when he turned 13. And because of such they have always been very close. He used to carry her around with him everywhere. They share a very special relationship. It makes me glad. Christel is obsessed with music and going to concerts. I love her enthusiasm and passion for searching and finding her most favorite music. Christel is a very passionate person about life and everything in it. I admire her a lot for living that way. And once she decides something, she just goes for it. It has been such fun being around for most of her life. She is so very dear to me and I am so glad that we are related. She is been there for me when I need her and I really could not make it without her. Noah always laughs when we talk about Mo. She has many nicknames and that one stuck. Noah always says he has to tickle her with a glean in his eye and laughs and laughs. I love you Mo!

The Verdict Is In

Here are Noah and I showing our bellies so you can see how the baby is growing and

IT"S A GIRL!



Now I can buy cute things that look like this and not feel guilty looking at the girl clothes. Hooray we are so excited. Noah acted like we were so silly that we were surprised. He has always known he is a having a sister.

What will it be?

Boy?
Girl?
We find out tommrow afternoon and will let you know later? Honestly, neither Kersten or I have a preference but Noah keeps telling us that he is having a sister. So we shall see!

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
One friend who Always makes her Laugh...
And one Who let's her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE..
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by Anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A feeling of control over her destiny

A WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to fall in love
Without losing herself



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to quit a job
Break up with a Lover
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
When to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
That she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips. or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she would and wouldn't Do for love or more...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to live alone... even if she doesn't like it

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Whom she can trust, whom she can't,
And why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Where to go..
Be it to her best friend's kitchen table, Or a charming inn in the woods..
When her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish
In a day...
A month...
And a year...

I found this cute thing that I got at Relief Society. Just wanted to share

Grateful Sunday

Today I am grateful for:

My sweet Kersten: who so diligently looked and found a car. Who so patiently reminded me of the many things we have to be grateful for and for his uncanny sense of humor, that has made life much more bearable for me as of late.

Angels: they seem to come just when you need them most and they are tangible evidence that the Lord knows and loves us

President James E Faust: He was a great man and a strong, gentle example. I will miss him as one of the apostles. I loved and devoured his last talk about Forgiveness.

Two Working Cars: We found another car for Kersten to commute to work and were lucky enough to have it when our other cars, Check Engine light came on. So we had transportation while that got fixed

Less Expensive Car Repairs: At first we thought the Corolla's repair would be well over a thousand. Luckily again, it was a shade under three hundred, which still is a bit crappy but much better.

Pretend Cell Phones: Noah has been talking on his blue plastic cellphone to everyone and their dog. Noah's stuffed animal, Pal will also call his friends. I love to hear the chatter and how hard he is trying to use more words and communicate. He mimics us as he walks around the house, talking very animated.

Grateful Sunday

Today I am grateful for:

* For Blue: Noah loves the color blue lately. I found a blue maternity dress for a killer deal yesterday and today we had to be the blue family at church. Noah had all blue on even his shoes, I wore my blue dress and Daddy wore a blue tie and blue socks. It was so thrilling and exciting for Noah, he kept showing everyone all the blue in the room.

* My testimony of the gospel and the blessings I receive from knowing the truthfulness of it.

*My sweet boy Noah, for keeping my spirits up and making me laugh everyday. For smothering my face with kisses and rubbing them in for me so that I can keep them forever.

* For our safety and the angels on earth and on the other side that are sent to help us and comfort us.

* For the fun girls weekend I had with my two friends. What a blast! And that Kersten and Noah had such a fun time together while I was away.

* My husband for being so supportive and calm about all our trials lately. I know it is hard for him. He is a great man and an incredible strength to our little family.

*I am grateful that my husband is not allergic to yellow jackets. Or yesterday would have been an ugly day, he got stung in the lip of all places. It cause discomfort and a big lip for awhile but overall he is fine. Now it is something we laugh and tease about together

Girls Weekend

I am one very spoiled girl. This weekend my friends Kieran, Kiersten and I went up to Park City and had a girls weekend. We have planned this for awhile now. It will be the last time for awhile that it will be able to happen. Kieran is due with her 3rd child in 3 weeks, I am pregnant and due in Jan and Kiersten bless her heart just got braces on this week. We laughed that we would be quite the group of us. Two pregnant ladies and one with braces that can only gum her food.

I have had a Really rough week and am forcing myself to stay as positive as possible. I am tettering on the brink of a severe depression. I even told Kersten that I did not know if I wanted to go. Which took him so totally by surprise, that he could not speak for awhile. I am overwhelmed and had not had the time I wanted to organize my scrapbook project for the weekend. I packed up all my stuff and Kieran picked me up about 2. Noah went to Grandma F* until Kersten came to get him. We drove up to the outlet mall and went maternity clothes shopping. It was a blast. I Need pants so bad it literally hurts or falls off. I found the cutest khaki green capri's and a really cute comfy red striped shirt (above in pic). I was so thrilled. We laughed as we tried on some hilarious things. Right as we were leaving Kieran was searching through the clearance and found an adorable bright blue dress for $8. How could I pass that up. Also very comfortable. I feel a bit more prepared and cute in the clothes area now.

We checked into our hotel and the front desk guy asked us if we were going to party all night and if he should worry, we were giggling so much. Our room was more condo and had a full kitchen with dishes, a huge flat screen in the main area and bedroom. It was so luxury, I felt a bit stunned. We ran to Albertsons for food and reinforcements and then started to Scrapbook and watch girl shows. We watched Music and Lyrics and made pizza for dinner. We laughed and talked and of course giggled.

By now we were quite worried about Kiersten because we had not heard from her. She finally arrived at about 10:30. We waited for her to go swimming and sadly the pool now was closed. Kiersten made bracelets while we scrapbooked and we watched Pride and Prejudice. It was so soothing and theraputic just to talk and laugh with two of my friends. We did not end up going to bed until 4 in the morning. We woke up at 9:30 and rushed to eat breakfast and get ready for check out time. Sadly we did not get to go swimming and Kieran did not get to wear her new pink maternity swimsuit.

We then headed back to the outlet malls and went shopping for our kids. It was crowded, smelly and hot. I started getting really sick and felt like I was ruining the party. We went to McDonalds for lunch and then headed home. I can not tell you how wonderful and fun it was to get away for a bit. I am so grateful to Kersten for helping this happen. Noah and him watched the old Transformer cartoons and had Chocolate milk and popcorn. It was an awesome boys night for them. I am so lucky to have such good friends that accept me for who I am and love me in spite of it. These woman are inspiring and uplifitng and I count myself blessed to call them friends.

Wrecked and Thankful

It is funny how something starts nagging you in the back of your mind and then something happens and that thought explodes. Starting Sunday afternoon after my husband took such wonderful care of me when I had the worst migraine I had had in five years, I thought about how I needed to show my gratitude and thankfulness of my blessings more frequently. At least for me, pregnancy can feel very selfish. My body changes so much and there are so many extra important things I have to do to stay healthy, sane and keep the baby healthy that I feel a bit self absorbed. I have been feeling the strain of this feeling a lot more frequently. My husband has two ruptured disks in his back and needs help and care a lot lately too. We are quite the pair right now. We joke and tease about how invalid we are, and in reality it has been difficult to meet each others needs fully.

We had a huge blessing in our life last week. Kersten's work is moving to about a 20 min commute in the middle of August. We have been spoiled to where right now he can walk or ride his bike to work or he can take a 10 min break to bring me the car. So this presented the problem that we needed another car. I have doc appts every week and will get more frequent as time goes, Noah has speech therapy and coming soon preschool. We prayed, stressed and figured out numbers to try to afford another car. And of course the Lord was mindful of us and an angel came and helped us to get a car. Other angels and dear friends sold us their old car (at well below blue book) that was in the most steller condition and had such low mileage that I could not help but dance around in glee and happiness that this was our new car. We got it last week and registered it on Thursday. The weekend was heavenly with the car and my two days of no worries of how I was getting places was bliss. Noah loved our new car.

I had a really busy day yesterday and prepared accordingly with snacks and toys for Noah. I had a doc appt, Noah had speech therapy in Centerville and I had to work for this cute lady that I am helping organize her scrapbooks. So we headed off for the day, happy to be busy and in the New Car. I went to the doc and drove up to Centerville for Noah's Speech class. I missed the turn and as I was looking to turn left. CRASH. I got hit in the front drivers side. The other car a Toyota Sequioa just had some cosmedic damage. But our new car was probably totaled. We are both just fine. I have whiplash and need to lay low and watch out for the baby and Noah was safe. He was a bit hyper all afternoon and had the most humorous rendition of what happened. We did not have the car long enough to give it a name and thus a proper funeral.

So today as I can't sleep, I am so grateful that we are safe and okay. I am grateful for the heavenly angels that protected us and the human angels sent to help. I don't know what I would have done without my friend Kiersten and my husband running up to check on us and drive us home. For Kieran for distracting me for awhile so I did not wallow to much in my misery and self pity and for taking such good care of the car in the first place. And I am grateful for the help in getting the car and being able to scrape what we needed to register it. I am grateful to Noah for continuely giving me hugs, making me laugh and reminding me what is really important in life. I know that everybody is doing it, but I have to now. I am going to start Grateful Sundays to be a bit more mindful of the good and wonderful things in my life