My Non-Black Friday

I have a really good excuse, I always do you know...  I tweaked my back something fierce last week.  The day before Thanksgiving I took the kids to the zoo in the morning and I was just fine as we were getting ready and even driving down there.  When I stepped out of the car something happened.  It hurt like a mother.  I've had back issues in the past but I figured I'd walk it off and it would work itself out.  Not so.  By the time we left the zoo I was in major pain and by Thursday afternoon I could barely walk.  It felt like I was in a body cast, my whole body was so tight.  And nothing helped.  It hurt sitting, laying down, walking, standing, it didn't matter.

It was so bad that... are you ready for this?  I sent Seth out on Black Friday for me!! Gasp.  I love Black Friday.  Mostly I love a really good deal and I'm a sucker for saving money.  I'm not like a crazy Black Fridayer, I don't stay out all night and I rarely stand in line for hours but I do love going out there and trying to grab some of the really good deals.  This year we were in need of a tv (ours is an old handy-me-down that turns off whenever it feels the need) so I sent Seth.  He hated it.  But thanks to our good friend (Laura you ROCK!) he didn't really even have to do much.  She was in line early and grabbed us a ticket for the tv and grabbed a couple other things when she got in there but it was not Seth's thing.  He does not enjoy chaos.  Black Friday is pure chaos.  Good thing I didn't send him to Walmart.

Anyway, we got our tv but I was out of commission for the rest of the weekend.  I did get into the chiropractor on Friday and I'm on the mend but it was a super frustrating to not be able to get anything done.  I am forcing myself to focus on the very tender mercy that this all happened over a long weekend when I had my amazing husband home to take care of life while I was useless.

So that's my story.  That's my excuse for not blogging for a week.

So for the last week... I am grateful for my healthy functioning body and for the miserable reminder of what a non-functioning body feels like.

2-fer

I spent last night folding laundry and then working really hard on finding pictures to put on a Christmas card to order from a website that was having this smokin' deal but only until today so I had to get it all done.  I missed most of Monday Night Football trying to make it just right.  I changed the pictures about 40 times and when it was just perfect I closed the program without saving anything and lost every bit of that hard work.  Pregnant Brain.  After that I had no desire to look at any more Christmas cards or post another boring blog post.  So I gave up and went to bed.  But didn't sleep because Nash has given me his cold and I couldn't breath and it's hard to sleep when you can't breath.  Ugh.  But that's all the complaining I will do.  

Today has been a fairly lazy day.  I planned to take a nap while Nash was sleeping but tried to fit in too many little things before I laid down and he woke up within minutes of my head hitting the pillow.  So we snuggled and watched A Baby Story together.  I haven't watched that in a long time but it got me all excited about meeting this new little guy.  I actually enjoy the labor and delivery part.  Mostly because I have yet to go into full-fledged labor on my own so by the time they induce me and it really gets going I already have an epidural and it's really just down-time hanging out in a hospital room with my husband until it's "go-time".  And then thanks to the epidural (I have no desire to try natural) it's not that big of a deal.  I love the time in the hospital with just me and Seth and our new little blessing.  If it weren't for the room-rearranging and painting and wall-tearing-down and new-floor-going-in, I would say that I am ready.  But since we are trying to cram that all in before he comes I am definitely not ready.  

Gratitude Day #'s 19 and 20

I am grateful for Seth's job.  He works for a great company that is extremely family friendly.  I know it may not last forever (who stays with a company forever anymore?) but for now I am so thankful for it.  

I am also grateful to be able to stay home with my kids.  There are days when it seems like going to work would be more enjoyable but I wouldn't change it for the world.  I love being home when they get off the bus and I love spending my days with Luc and Nash.  They make me smile and laugh more than I would have ever expected.

Uncle Tate

 We had a special visitor the last few days.  Seth's little brother Tate got to spend a few days with us while his parents were in DC.  We love having Tate over.  He is pretty much the best Uncle ever.  No offense to other uncles but when you're 18 and don't have any of your own kids to occupy your time you make for a pretty fun uncle.  He absolutely loves kids and he is so good with them.  The kids were so super excited to have him come stay for a few days.  They only wished he would have been at the house 24/7.  But he is an 18 yr old senior in high school after all and has a life, we were just glad to have him for a while.  We're super lucky that he lives so close by.

Gratitude Day #18

I am grateful there are only 12 days left of my blogging everyday.  This is getting old.  I am also very grateful for fairly easy pregnancies.  9 more weeks and I am still feeling pretty good.  Also very grateful for Prevacid. 

Sharing Time Crisis... or not.

Sitting here working on my Sharing Time for primary tomorrow.  I had it in my head.  I had figured out the logistics and just sat down to make sure I was hitting all the points and had it all organized (as organized as you can be with sharing time.)  I opened it up online and about peed my pants.  How in the heck did I just plan the completely wrong sharing time?  I started freaking out.  Seth is sitting here going "its OK, don't worry about it, just do it and don't worry about it."  Such a guy.  I'm looking at the clock going "ugh, I am not in the mood to start this all over!"  Then my next thought is "this can't be right, our secretary is always on top of this and I know she sent out an email that said the theme this month was missionary work."  So I went back online and realized that the church website is way over prepared.  They already have the 2013 Sharing Time Outline up.  I accidentally opened the pdf file for next year.  Mini-heart attack over.  I was so not looking forward to a short night.

Nash is sick so it will probably be a rough night anyway.  Last night was ridiculous.  But only half Nash's fault.  The other half was our drunk neighbor screaming profanities at his wife and son and then driving off like a crazy man.  Would you call the cops?  I'm still wondering if we should have. It was really ugly and scary.  Kept me up for a good hour after it happened.

Gratitude Day #17

I am grateful to be able to work with the primary kids at church.  I never thought I would love primary like I do.  It is so sweet to see these kids grow and learn.  I love it.  

Movie Night

We have tried to adopt a new little family tradition.  It doesn't happen every week but a couple times a month we have Friday Night - Movie Night.  The kids absolutely love it and its such an easy way to make their day.  Tonight we watched Brave.  I had to run to the mall to pick up my phone (I dropped it a few days ago and if it weren't for the shattered glass cutting my fingers I probably would have just dealt with the cracks rather than pay money to have it fixed.) but I missed a bit of the movie, I returned with popcorn and licorice so I was quickly forgiven.

Gratitude Day #16

I am grateful for the beautiful fall weather in Arizona.  This is the reason I endure the summers.  8 months of perfect weather makes up for it.

Just Grateful

Gratitude Day #15

I am grateful for my bed.  And now I'm going to go sleep in it.  I am so tired today.  Good Night!

Kiddos and Nesting

 Nash is my little shopping buddy.  Don't you think he needs this little hat?  Today as we walked around Target he chanted "happy, happy, happy!" over and over.  So cute.  I really, really don't want him to grow up too fast.

 Speaking of growing up too fast... My first baby is getting so big.  Mostly it's fun but sometimes it's just sad.  She already says she doesn't like Justin Bieber,  What?  You're only 8!  You're supposed to be obsessed with JB, right?  She told me yesterday that she likes The Black Eyed Peas.  Again, what?  Anyway, she's super cute.  I am loving her hair right now.

My nesting continues... 

Junk Drawer - check!  

Game Closet - check!

Gratitude Day #14

I am grateful for my Ob/Gyn... That's weird, right?  Well this is my 5th pregnancy and my 4th Dr. I loved my midwives in Utah but hated the hospital.  I've loved the hospital here and highly disliked all three of my ob's.  I finally found this one and he is awesome.  So far.  Today I had my 30 week appointment and instead of telling me to come back in again in 2 weeks like would normally happen at this point, he said "you know what you're doing, everything looks good, let's push out 4 weeks." I love it.  Thank you. 

Oops...

Well I kind of figured that I'd miss a day sooner or later.  But yesterday was technically a holiday so that's going to be my "excuse."  I actually woke up at like 12:30am and realized that I'd completely forgotten to post, I almost got up and threw something together then I came to my senses, rolled over and went back to sleep.

Nash has been a really crappy sleeper the past week or two.  Luc went through this the last couple months before Nash was born and I thought for sure I would never again get a good night's sleep with a new baby coming.  It all worked itself out.  I am hoping and praying that the same thing happens with Nash.

Which brings me to...

Gratitude Day #13

I am so very, very grateful for a husband who gets up with kids at night.  Lately he gets up more than me.  He is the most considerate and helpful husband a girl (especially a pregnant with #5 girl) could hope for.

(Belated) Gratitude Day #12

I am grateful that I am learning every day to appreciate extra time with my kids.  I used to dread extra days off of school because of all the things that didn't get done.  I have forced myself, lately, to put those things out of my mind and just enjoy that I have them home.  

Day 11 of Boring Ol' Me

Am I the only one getting sick of me?  I'm far from interesting enough for a post every day. 

I can't even think of what to post today.  

Oh... I got it!  Luc was funny today.  (thank goodness because I have nothing!)

We were sitting in church, stake conference, Luc was sitting in between Seth and I.  Seth had his hand on my shoulder.  Luc leans over to me and says "mom, some random guy is touching your shoulder."  Then busts up laughing.  He thought it was so funny.   

That was funny, right?  I thought it was. 

Gratitude Day #11

I am grateful for college football.  I love most sports, but nothing is as good as college football.  I am also so grateful for a husband who shares this love.

This is how I spent Saturday evening.  No local coverage of the Utah game so  following the plays online while watching a game on tv.  Love it.

Fall... Er Winter?

Fall is finally here.  My kids are such Arizonans.  They were seriously "freezing" tonight.  Guess we won't be taking them to the snow anytime soon.

Gratitude Day #10

I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful to know that the Lord has prepared a way for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.  

Exhausted

I painted a dresser today.  Still nesting, quite obviously.  Now I am exhausted.  2 days in a row of nesting has done me in.

Then we went to the temple and made an appearance at a wedding reception.  I am exhausted.  Did I already say that?  

Gratitude Day #9

I am extremely grateful for the temple.  I'm grateful for covenants that make my family eternal.

Yesterday and Today

YESTERDAY
So yesterday was one of those just blissfully perfect days.  Everything seemed to go my way and it was exactly what I needed.  Here's a little chronological account of my blessed day:

7:30 am - Charlie's mom texts to say she is taking the day off and will come pick up Luc for preschool and bring him home.

8:30 am - She picks Luc up 45 minutes early and I enjoy a shower while Nash watches tv.  (Nash never watches tv)

9:45 am - I put a very sleepy Nash into the car and take off for Biltmore (a fancy-shmancy mall that I never go to but I have a return that I thought would only work there.)

10:00 am - On my way to Biltmore I pass Cafe Rio and realize being this close definitely merits an attempt at lunch with my mother-in-law, I call her and she of course says she will meet me in 40 minutes.

11:00 am - Lunch at Cafe Rio

12:05 pm - I call Charlie's mom to tell her I'm a little late (Nash lost a shoe and I had to go back for it)  She informs me that Luc wants to have lunch at their house and she'll bring him home later.  Nash is asleep again and transfers perfectly into the house and stays asleep.

12:45 pm - After doing a quick clean of the kitchen and living room I lay down for a 30 minute nap.

1:55 pm - Folding laundry and a little frustrated that I'm going to have to wake Nash up from his great nap in order to go pick up Luana from school when the door bell rings... it's Seth's little brother Tate, he just wants to get some homework done and hang out.  No need to wake up Nash.  Seriously?  Could this day get any better?  

3:30 pm - with a clean house, tons of other little "to-dos" done Luc comes home and the girls get off the bus.  

It was such a good day.  It was just what I needed.  I got so much done and I just felt so blessed.  Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed and sent it to me through my friends and family.

TODAY

Today was all about nesting.  I am trying hard to take advantage of this nesting thing while I still have the energy and before the Holidays take over.  Today I tackled our room.  It started with just wanting to clean out the shelves in our closet but it turned into a mountain of a mess.  About halfway through I was sure I had made a huge mistake.  I cannot believe the amount of junk we have/had.  It's all gone now.  I have 2 empty shelves in my closet and one small box under the bed.  I feels so good.  One room down.  Three rooms and about six closets/cupboards to go.  

Gratitude Day #8

I am grateful that I have all the "things" I need.  We may not have  a lot of fancy stuff but we have what we need.

Good Night

Instead of taking time to blog today I messed around with that picture up there for way longer than I should have. I'll have to post tomorrow about what sweet little blessings were given me today. Now I need sleep. "I'm turning food into a baby!"  (Name that quote!)

Gratitude Day #7

I am grateful for amazing extended family.  I have such good parents and wonderful in-laws. I am grateful for their examples.

Happy Freedom Day

I'm not sure my life is interesting enough for a month's worth of posts.  It may end up being just cute pictures of my kids, which I am sure could get old pretty quick as well.

It being Election Day I feel a slight need to get a little political.  Or anti-political maybe.  I hate politics.  I'm not of the "close my eyes and pretend it's not happening" variety of haters, more of the "why can't we just all get along and accomplish more" type of haters.  I just get so sick of it being an all or nothing system.  One side is 100% right (correct) and the other side is therefore 100% wrong.  When in life is that ever the case?  Ok I'm sure there are instances in which that is true but when we're trying to govern and make happy a whole nation of diverse people in diverse circumstances it just makes absolutely no sense.  It seems so much more logical that we should all give and take a little.  That's all I'm saying.  I personally lie somewhere in the middle.  Seeing a lot of good (and bad) in both directions.  I just don't know how to make that work in our crazy blue vs red/elephants and donkeys system.  

There, that was my soap box.  I'll climb back down now and go back to just trying my best to teach my own children to be good outstanding citizens in a country where they are lucky enough to be able to make a difference if they choose.

Gratitude Day #6

I am grateful for political freedom!! (regardless of it's personality flaws)

My Day in Pictures

De-junking the House - One Bag at a Time

Love those Boots

Take My Picture Mom

Ice Cream for FHE

Getting Ready for Bed with a Little Trash Can Spinning

Gratitude Day #5

I am grateful to be able to stay home with my kids. it's not easy but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Children and Soda

Gratitude Day #4

I am grateful for my beautiful children!

Currently they are playing a game at the kitchen table, McKay made it up.  It's call Soda Land.  Basically Candy Land with a soda twist.  Not surprising coming from our family.  We appreciate soda.  

Funny little tidbit about "soda".  I moved from California to Washington when I was 15.  Did you you know that in California they say soda and in Washington they say pop?  I didn't either.  But I quickly found out.  And being the stubborn little girl that I was I refused to give it up.  I still call it soda, always will.  Pop is just funny sounding.  

Soccer and Scouting

We had our (the girls') second to last soccer game today, for this season and possibly for a couple seasons.  It's been hard to watch this go-round.  I can't tell if they are having fun or not.  I don't think we've scored a goal this season.  And after sort of dominating the younger league the last couple seasons it's been a hard adjustment.  But that's not why we're thinking of taking a break.  I'm pregnant with my FIFTH!!! baby.  In case I hadn't mentioned that.  And I think I might need a little break.  But of course we have already been telling Luc he can start soon.  We'll just have to see how it goes I guess.

On top of all that, Seth is Scout Master right now.  It is a fairly demanding calling and Seth is an amazing man.  He really tries hard to do everything that is asked of him AND still make time for his family and our needs.  So maybe we need a little soccer break.

Gratitude Day #3

I am grateful for the things that seem to be undesirable but end up teaching me and helping me to grow.  

ie. trials, single parenting (when my husband is off being a scout master) and finances

2 in a Row!

Just a little moment from my morning:

I was sitting on the couch with Nash working on the computer.  Luc and Charlie were playing Legos in the bedroom.  Charlie ran out and very proudly showed me his "ship" he had just made.  I oohed and ahhed and told him how talented he is.  Luc came running out 30 seconds later to show me his Lego creation.  Ooohs, ahhs and praise repeated.  Nash then crawled off my lap and ran to the bedroom.  He came back running, held up a piece of a puzzle and smiled proudly.  He's so cute.  I love thinking of how their little brains are learning and developing.  He's thinking "I can totally go find something random to show mom and she will oooh and ahhh for me too!"  He is now bringing all sorts of odd items to me and holding them up just as proudly as Luc and Charlie.  He giggles and runs away when I oooh and ahhh.

These silly little "insignificant" moments are the ones that make me forget about the fact that I'm in my pajamas paying bills while sitting in my cluttered and toy infested living room on my stained and tattered couch listening to Doc McStuffins on my faltering tv.  I am living the life.  And these little moments make it all just perfect.

Gratitude Day 2

I am grateful for all the "little moments" in my life.

Here Goes...

Just heard that it's National Blog Posting Month aka NaBloPoMo (apparently.)  So for the month of November it's my post a day challenge.  I've always kind of wanted to see if I could do that (I probably can't, but it's worth a try) plus it's November which just happens to be all about gratitude so that should make it easy (or easier).  

So here goes...

Halloween was crazy.  Fun.  But also exhausting and a little overwhelming for some reason.  It's over now and I'm glad.  I'm ready for holier holidays.  One's that have a more important purpose and reason for being.  

11 weeks to go.  Crazy how fast this pregnancy is going.  I know the last 4 weeks will still seem like an eternity but for right now it seems like it is seriously flying by.  I feel good but hate that I get winded so easily and that bending over to pick things up off the floor feels like I'm going to bust open.  I need one of those little claw grabber tools that they advertise on tv for old people. 

Gratitude Day #1

I am extremely grateful for my husband.