Advice...

Hi Sweetheart,

This is a post based on nothing else besides good advice I feel you need.  Now, I'm aware this comes in NO handy to you until you have a job of your own (I'm being a little proactive).  So, your mommy and daddy did a great thing when they got married and registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I have since then busted a blender (didn't put the seal in), pulled a broken plate out of the dishwasher, dropped a mug on the counter (which ended up with me getting stitches), had a scale that didn't read right, and more recently, I burned up my coffee grinder and put my salad bowl in the dishwasher too tight busted it.  They returned every single item.  No questions asked.  They have the best customer service of any place I've ever been.  They are so amazing with returns with or without receipts.  That's my little plug for the store and my advice to you is...if you can, ever, buy from BBandB because you have a lifetime guarantee on EVERYTHING.  It doesn't matter if you pay a little extra, it's worth it (or use a coupon).

There's your mommy advice for the day!

I love you! Always!

Mommy

 

Baby Girl Cantaloupe

Hi Baby Girl!!!

Well, we have officially made it 1/2 way together - 20 weeks down - 20 weeks to go.  I told you daddy that I think it's weird that at the 1/2 way point, you're not even CLOSE to 1/2 way grown.  You're only about 10 oz and 6.5 inches long.  You have a long way to go before I get to see you again.

Early afternoon on Christmas Eve, Grandma and Grandpa Clark, Grandma Butler, Aunt Rachel, Uncle David and Erin all sat in the room as we opened our very special gift.  I wasn't too surprised to pull out a green and pink blanket with paw prints and a lavender head band.  Because I told you and everyone from the start that you were a girl.  I've been calling you a she since the very beginning.  A wave of joy and emotion came over me when I looked at the piece of folded up paper that read "it's a girl :)".  I would have been that happy regardless what what the paper said, I just like being right.  You may not want  to pick up on that quality of mine...

I'm a big fan of fruit juice and ice water. I'm up about 7 pounds since day one (and that's down a couple from our last visit...we always go in on party days at school). I still have to drink a cup of coffee a day to keep my sanity.  Yup, we're still getting sick every morning, but once I do I USUALLY feel better the rest of the day (I have very little hope that this will "pass" as everyone keeps telling me).  We have lots of appointments this month to keep you and I as healthy as possible.  And the best part of my Christmas day?!?!?!? Sitting on the couch at Grandpa and Grandma Butler's when I felt your little hand hit the inside of my belly.  For about 10 min you sat there and moved around.  I know it was you.  I even poked and prodded a little to make you do it again, and you did, briefly.

With all that said,
I love you!  I'm so excited to pick out paint colors, a car seat, a stroller etc.
You're the most amazing thing in my life!
Love,
Mommy

It's a.....

GIRL!!!!

Baby Tomato

Hi Darling!!!

I'm so very very excited to tell you I got to see you yesterday.  As soon as you were on the screen, you make my heart stop and I could already tell how wonderfully beautiful you are.  As the ultrasound technician kept moving the camera around my belly, she said everything was normal.  Your heart, lungs, bones, feet (not club foot), lips (not cleft), nose, brain, stomach, kidneys.  All were perfect and normal.  And your spine is spectacular.  It's straight and perfect.  Your heartbeat was 148 bpm and you weigh 8 oz. I still think you're a girl, daddy still says boy.  You gave us a big yawn, and sucked on your fingers, and looked just like a little baby should.  I was so overjoyed to see you so safe and healthy.  It's crazy to think that's the most in depth I'll ever see you.  Once you're out here, I won't see that heart, lungs, spine etc.  But yesterday I got to see it all.  And they told us they are all normal.  You loved the camera and sat so well to have your picture taken.  You are amazingly beautiful and I can't hardly stand to wait the next 21 weeks to meet you.

The nurse wrote your gender down on a piece of paper, and that paper is tucked away in my purse.  As soon as I'm done writing this, I'm going to shower and daddy and I are going to buy your first outfit.  I'm hoping you'll be able to fit into it the day we bring you home.  In two days honey, I'll know if you're a baby boy tomato, or a baby girl tomato...I'll be thrilled with either one, because yesterday, hearing how normal and perfect you are, were words far more precious to me than what gender you are.

19 Weeks

your beautiful profile and straight spine

it's weird to me that these are almost life-size pictures of you...
you're not much bigger than the palm of my hand

Hello Sweet Potato

My darling Sweet Potato,

We are at the end of 18 weeks. We go to the doctor in 3 DAYS! I'm so ecstatic I can hardly contain myself! I'm still getting sick every morning, but I'm past the feeling icky all day. I'm still loving spicy and ice cream...YUM. I can't wait for the day I get to feel you inside me.

Daddy and I are so excited to go buy your first outfit. Granted, we are picking out two and having the salesperson wrap up whatever the envelope says. We will get to put that beautiful package under our tree for 3 days. The only present under our tree will be you. The excitement may cause me to go crazy.

One of my girls asked me on Monday if I already had my baby. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. Clearly I wasn't showing much that day. Another little girl came up to me today and rubbed my belly saying, you have a baby in there. Yes sweetheart, I do.

I can't even tell you how much better I've felt these last couple of weeks. My only downfall is the panic attacks I get when I'm stressed. I'm not used to my body reacting that way to stressful situations. Chest closing up, heavy breathing and heart pounding. Yes, the doctor will be hearing about this. And hopefully we can adjust some things.

I love you sweetheart, with all my heart, I'm so very excited to see you in 3 days!

Love, Mom

Dear Baby Onion

Hi Baby,

I'm having a hard time calling you an onion this week...but as your daddy says, that just means your full of layers. A student's parent said that means you'll smell and make my eyes water. I believe at some point or another, both those are true.

I'm so happy to tell you that things are going to get better. Things are already better. I'm so much happier and have so much more optimism. I'm happy to see this belly your making in my tummy. I'm so happy to find out in two weeks if you are a little boy or a little girl. I'm so happy again. And me being happy means a healthier you. I'm going to continue to take care of myself and you. Things will be much, much better.

I love soft serve ice cream. I love spicy food, although it does not love me at all. I love naps. I love sweets. I also love you!

Love, with all my heart,

Mommy

Baby Avocado

Ok, ok, so I failed last week when you were an apple/orange to post. Let's be honest. Nothing too exciting happened :)

It was Thanksgiving and we spent the entire week with family. That was fun! We went to McCall for 2 nights and got to hang out and relax. I had a major meltdown on night one because I felt so guilty leaving Appa at home. But once I knew Rachel was there to take care of him, all was better.

We went to the Dr. this week. Happily, they prescribed me another anti nausea pill. I'm not sure how I feel about this one though. First of all, it makes me very very sleepy. And yesterday I threw it up within an 1/2 hour. I think that was my fault though for not eating anything right when I got up.

I had a bad day yesterday...and I'm trying to figure out a way to have less bad days. I told your daddy that I feel like you're taking all the pieces of me away, and I'm left with this person I don't know, and I don't know how to control. Little things set me over the edge and I can't pick myself up from them. Yesterday it was a matter of plans changing, and feeling like I was in the way, everyone's way, all day. Your daddy says he hopes you're getting lots of me and that would make him very happy. He thinks I'm wonderful and thinks you deserve to have my qualities. I think he's crazy. I don't know who I am anymore, and I don't know how to live with me. I can't find "normal" anymore. Sometimes...it's just hard...not being able to grasp your own feelings and take control of the tears. I know it's silly, and I know that I over react. I can tell you and your dad that. I know that. But there's nothing I can do to stop it.

I've started decorating the house. It will eventually all come together and be pretty. We got some news from the doctor as well. They didn't schedule the ultra sound on the 24th, so that means we go in the 21st. I think we're still going to wait until Christmas Eve though to open our gift. It will be the best present under my tree this year! I'm trying to do everything right for you. I'm trying to keep my stress level down (that will help with the circus over). Let's be honest baby, sometimes, I'm scared.

I love you, with all my heart, Mommy

Dear Nectarine

Dear Nectarine,

First, every time I call you that, I then want a nectarine.  This will be the hardest post I've had to write so far, but I'll start with the happy things.  Ever since I've been on a prescription, I've felt much, much better.  We only had one day of yucky (well, and last night).  We get to spend this whole weekend with family.  Grandma and Grandpa Otter are coming into town.  We get to bake cookies with YOUR grandma tomorrow.  We will spend Thanksgiving and Grandma and Grandpa Clark's house.  Then Sunday we get to spend more time with your grandparents :)  It should be a great weekend!

This is my bump in the morning before I've eaten, you're much more impressive in the evenings 

And now for the yucky...

I have the pleasure of having the entire week off this week.  Yesterday I spent the day doing laundry, relaxing and not having much stress in my life.  A little over a year ago, we added 2 new members to our family.  Jazmin and Appa.  We got them when they were only 6 weeks old.  

In the first few weeks, Jazmin was clearly the leader of the two.  She kept Appa in line at all times. Whatever she did, was what was going to happen.  It didn't take them very long to learn how to dig.  They  would get out of the yard ALL the time.  Aunt Rachel was living with us at the time and spent many mornings/afternoons chasing them around in the pasture behind the house.  As they got bigger, so did their holes.  

Daddy finally put up a hot wire fence in the backyard.  They stayed in the yard ALL summer.  Jazmin did get hit pretty hard with it once and was gun shy for a couple weeks.  I felt so bad when she wouldn't come out of her doghouse.  Poor baby was electrocuted (I made up for it by electrocuting myself twice that same week).  She got over it and was her same old self.  

Right before school started, they started getting out of the yard again.  They had to be put back into their small dog run while we were gone.  And with school in session, was all the time.  We tried to get them some freedom, but they just kept getting out.  We had gone about a month with no incidents, but last week they got out.  Then again.  Then...Wednesday night, I got a phone call from the American Kennel Society saying the shelter had our dogs.  I went and picked them up, was very disappointed in them.  Jazmin was rechipped because her chip wasn't working.  

Last night Anthony came into the Lund's house while I was making dinner.  We had to leave to go find Appa.  Animal had already been called about Jazmin.  She was hit, and didn't make it.  We covered the holes, we tried to give them freedom, but they kept wanting out.  

Appa was picked up by a neighbor.  He spent his first night inside with us.  I don't know how to tell him she's not coming home.  He looks for her...but refused to go outside.  I don't blame him.  I'm sure was watched it happen.  The numbness from yesterday is gone.  Today I'm sad.  Sad to see only one puppy...sad to see a sad puppy.  Sad that our yard wasn't enough for her.  Sad that she was only a year old.  I have one very loyal and snuggly puppy today...we'll see how long that lasts. I don't know what to do with him. We had them outside so when you came into this world we wouldn't have to change their life style.  We just changed it big time.  Appa lost his sister and his best friend.  I lost my sweet baby girl, who was ornery, stubborn, bossy and a lover.  I will miss her so much.  I will always feel so horrible her life was cut short.  I miss my baby girl.  I miss her wagging tail.  I miss that I know she's allergic to bees and I will never have to worry about that again.  Good bye Jazmin...

Appa's first night/morning with us

Baby Peach

Well...if I don't write this soon you won't be a peach/tangerine anymore. Last Wednesday I was very freaked out by the up all night throwing up we went through. I was incredibly worried something was wrong. As much as I hated it, I was glad when I finally spiked a fever. At least then I knew it was just the flu. The doctor finally prescribed an anti-nausea medication and I haven't been sick since then. We also had a fun adventure clothes shopping. Maternity clothes are quite expensive (or horribly ugly). Daddy and I are going out again tonight to find more fun things. You have a crib sitting in our garage :) I'm so excited to get your room cleaned out and start putting things together. I love you baby. You're growing so fast!

Hello Baby Plum

There we are at 12 weeks.  

Dear Plum,

We went to the doctor this week.  Your heart rate was 160 bpm.  It's the most soothing and happy feeling in the world to hear you; to know you are healthy and still growing inside me.  Which, obviously you are...my belly gets bigger and bigger every day.  I can't believe how much you love tortilla chips.  It's my new addiction.  Thankfully, you like healthy things too.  I told my class this week about you.  They decided you could be named Lightning, Hot Wheels, or...the all time favorite, Fast Girl.  I decided to leave the naming to your dad and I.  I think we'll be able to handle it.  They also wanted to know how I knew I was pregnant.  I told them I went to the doctor and I got to see a picture of you.  Then, they asked when I was getting you...well, I wish it was that easy....to get you.  

I was looking online for baby shower gifts today, and then got a little side tracked.  I found a crib for you that I'm in love with. I think I'm starting to get excited about shopping.  I've been a little timid about buying anything, but I don't think I'm afraid anymore.  I'll always be worried that something might happen to you, but I need to put that fear aside, and start to get myself, this house, and everything else ready, for you.  You're going to be such a happy and spoiled baby :) Just wait, you'll see.

I love you with all my heart and everything I have,

Mom

Baby Lime

Here we are - 11 1/2 weeks and counting. I was starting to feel so much better until the last few days. Now, I can barely keep my dinner down most nights. Baby Lime, we start agreeing! We go into the doctor this week and if things aren't looking better (meaning my stomach) the doctor will for sure know about it. Especially since I'm losing weight, not gaining any.

I am exited we got to go hunting this Fall. Daddy got a deer! Yay! Normally the dead animal wouldn't bother me, but for some reason, I'm more queezy than normal. Silly baby.

Well, I'm keeping this short, busy night. I get to hear your beautiful heartbeat in 3 days :) I love you so very much. (I also love hot chocolate)

Love, Momma

Baby Cherry

Good morning Cherry,

You can suck your thumb this week. I think that's pretty amazing. Daddy is telling me I should talk to you about that and ask you to stop now, then maybe you won't be a thumb sucker. I told him no :) I think it's quite adorable you can suck your thumb.

I'm feeling slightly better this week. But I'm still getting sick every morning after I shower. But at least most days I can stand up to teach. That's always very helpful. I'm telling my class on Halloween that you are coming into this world. I thought it would be better to wait until just before conferences to tell the rest of the world. My belly is getting very, very bloated. I know I'm the only one who notices, but by the end of the day, all I want is a pair of sweats. You make my tummy make very funny noises. Silly baby.

You have all your fingers and toes. AND fun for you...(because you care) you either have testicles or ovaries. Fun right?!?! Well, I'm kind of excited about it.

Well, I'm feeling pretty good today, so Momma needs to go get some stuff done around the house, it's been very neglected since you decided to make me very, very sleepy, and sick most days. But, happily, we're starting to feel better.

I love you!

Love, Mommy

Dear Raspberry

Hello My Darling Raspberry,

We went to the doctor last week to find out that you are bigger than we thought. I will be blessed to see you one week earlier than I thought (and please, don't come any earlier than that).

If you don't want to know what my body is going through, please stop reading now, I'm not going to edit this for graphic material...just FYI.

You still make me sick every morning, but I'm just getting used to it. It's the afternoons I'd like to feel good. I have bad days and good days. Yesterday was a good day, this morning and this afternoon, were bad. I really wish I could keep things down.

I got a call from the doctor telling me that I have a bacterial infection. Uh oh, that can't be good for either of us. This can lead to a bladder infection so they put us on penicillin. I don't think the penicillin is liking either of us much.

But, I did get some very very good news. My CF results came back, and they were negative. That means we never ever have to worry about passing Cystic Fibrosis to you. And that makes me very very happy. It was a huge sigh of relief for your dad and I.

I'm hoping to start feeling better soon, I'm hoping you and I can start agreeing on food and sleep :)

We go back in on Halloween for our next visit. I'm so super excited to find out if you, little raspberry, are a boy or a girl on Christmas Eve. The most amazing part of my life was seeing you and hearing your super fast heartbeat. It was 154 beats per minute. It blew me away to see your heart pulse and know that you are alive inside me.

I love you dearly!

Love - Mom

Dear Pea

Hello Little Pea, We go to the doctor on Tuesday. It took long enough to get an appointment! I'm so excited to see the hospital where you will be born and all the other fun things we have in store. You are still making mommy very, very sick. I wake up every morning and hurl, at least once, and the last couple days, it's been either before or after every meal. I'm trying to keep food down for you, but for some reason, we don't agree. I hope I start feeling better soon and you and I can get along MUCH better! I wasn't liking meat at all, but now it doesn't seem to matter what I eat, if anything, it will come back up. Little Pea, please be healthy, I'm doing what I can to give you everything. You have a brain now, and grew 3 times in size this week. I will get to see you for the first time soon. That makes me very, very happy. I love you. Love - Mommy

Dear Appleseed

Dear Baby Appleseed, You have made me very sick this week. I had to teach sitting in a chair on Friday. I enjoyed going to the botanical gardens yesterday but you made it warmer than it needed to be. You also make me want to be a vegetarian, I'm not a huge fan of meat these days. And you LOVE sweets, even when I'm fmull. I love you already, with all my heart, please stop making momma sick though. Love you, Mom

Ready or not :)

I say "ready or not" but we're ready and so excited! Last Wednesday as I was brushing my teeth, I started throwing up in the sink.  I knew there were other things going on with my body that weren't quite right... That night Anthony came home late from practice, I was sitting at the table eating dinner, ready for him to be home to run to the store with me. We grabbed stuff for Thursday's dinner and a pregnancy test.  I went home, took the test, and I didn't believe the little blue plus sign.  I figured I did it wrong and wanted my digital test to say the words. So, at 10:00 at night, I drive to Walmart, shaking, to buy a digital test. You clearly don't need 5 seconds of pee :) it said PREGNANT! All I could say was 'oh my God'. Anthony's face lit up.

This last week has been a whirlwind. I'm lucky enough to be feeling pretty darn good (until today). I went from super, super excited to mildly terrified. That 'unknown' is really starting to get into my head. The more I think, the more emotional I get. Between hormones and real feelings, I'm not sue what's legit anymore lol. It's hard right now not being able to do anything. I'll have my first official appointment in a couple weeks. I'll get an official due date, officially only one baby, all the 'official' stuff.

Right now, all I can do is sleep, be exhausted, cry annoyingly, enjoy my good days and take care of myself.  All of which I think I'm doing quite well.  I'm so very happy to begin this crazy adventure and start our growing family.

This is my outlet and journal to all the crazy that's about to happen! This wonderful crazy adventure I call my life :)

The Abstract Random individual:

I was explaining to Anthony today that I think I'm an abstract random thinker. We debated whether he thought I was abstract random or concrete random. So....I decided to take the word test. AND!!!! The results show I'm abstract random. The funny part is, it actually makes me feel better that someone has defined me.

 I believe Anthony's exact words were "see, you're not as screwed up as Shaun said you are". Yes, thank you Darling, I feel much better now :)

The Abstract Random individual:

 Dislikes routine procedures and orderliness.
  Is extremely sensitive to his/her own and others’ feelings.
  Is flexible, accepting and responds easily to change. 
 Learns well through discussion and sharing of ideas.
Is imaginative.
 Personalizes information.
 Is usually involved in many projects or interest at one time.  
Is focused on friends and relationships.  
Has a fear of not being liked.

 Abstract Random dislikes:
 Working alone
 Attending to details and giving exact answers
Working within time limits
 Concentrating on one task at a time
 Being corrected
 Expecting less emotional response from others

 Abstract Randoms prefer:
 Cooperative work
Assignments with room for interpretation
Balance of social activities and work
 Noncompetitive atmosphere
Personalized learning
 Are given personal attention and emotional support

It's frighting how much this describes me.  Anthony also found my choice of words.  Super, fantastic :) This makes me smile and makes me feel much more normal about myself :)  My emotions are clearly, perfectly normal haha.  

Thoughts and Feelings

Not too long ago, I married this wonderful man who knows me better than I know myself. He loves me with all his heart and would give me the world. I sadly don't get to see him as much as I'd like because he's always giving 100% to everything he does, but when I do, it's always worth the wait. I love you Honey! Thank you for being an amazing husband who always loves me, no matter what.

Weather

I swear the weather has sucked the happiness right out of me. I'm cold, tired, and crabby. It's June, and barely above 60 degrees. I had a great morning in Boise with my sissy and Miss Betsy Lee! That was by far my highlight. But, other than that, I've pretty much just wallowed in my own grumpy mood all day....seriously, it's summer, what's the deal. To make things eve BETTER, my dogs found a new spot in the fence to dig under. While I was fixing it, Jazmin and Appa decided to take off running from me....ugh, what a day. On a happy note, I got to spend some time with baby Chandler (who I made cry) and found myself some beautiful roses to put in my house. Now, if I could just get warm (I have the windows open because it's still 2 degrees warmer outside) I would be a happy....no, happier, camper. Darn, I thought I could add a picture from my phone....guess not :( sorry! Now, what's something warm I can make for dinner??

1st grade

So, maybe you shouldn't threaten children by telling them if they don't get their work done they won't be allowed to go home....but, with permission, I did :) this ended with sobbing because he thought he would never get to go home. He didn't know his mom was down stairs volunteering. When all the kids had left the room, he broke down in huge tears 'I just wanna go home'. I decided it was best to have him finish his work with mom in sight. Poor kid, he really believed he was never going home. Come on, I'm only asking for 5 sentences. Luckily ,Mom is OK with me threatening her child. I had to laugh :) On a positive note, he got his letter done, and I got a big hug. I'm going to miss my kids over the summer, but only after some well deserved rest. It's true....teachers wouldn't survive without a summer break. We'd be even more crazy!! Age not the good kind.

4 months....really???

I fail as a blogger this year...

It's been almost 4 months since I've posted anything, how LAME is that!?!

School is going well.  I'm excited we have less than 6 weeks left.  I'm ready for the break.  I truly believe that teachers get summers off because otherwise they would go mentally insane, seriously, they would.  I've got a whole bundle of characters in my class and they keep me on my toes all the time.  I'm so excited to have 1/2 my class back next year.  It's so fun to see how far they have come, and exciting to know I get to help them excel even further.

Anthony is coaching.  All the time.  He has softball practice every night after school, games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays.  He's also coaching Nampa Valley Little League after softball a couple nights a week and on Saturdays.  I'm pretty sure we see each other on Friday night, sometimes.  I'm ready for softball to be over.

I've been sick so many flipping times in the last couple of months.  It's been ridiculous.  I stressed myself into a fever the week before we left for Spring Break (which I'll get to...it was truly amazing!).  And I had to take yesterday off for this head cold, nasty thing I've got goin on.  Let's be honest, I'm the type of girl who just wants to be taken care of when I don't feel good.  (Read above on how much that's actually happened with Anthony's schedule).  Sometimes a girl's just gotta cry and let it all out.  I finally snapped.  I blubbered on and on to Anthony about how I miss my husband and I wish that I just had someone home to be with me.  He reminded me that in a few short weeks, school and softball will be over.  I know this is is true, it's just hard sometimes.  I would never ask him to give up the things he loves (plus the extra money helps us get through every month), but it would be nice to have him back sometimes.  I do miss him.  Crying helped.

Ok, to more happy thoughts :)  These pictures are of Spring Break in NO particular order.

Me - NOT disc golfing at Fountain Hills

George - seriously, that was his name

Baseball on a gorgeous day

Botanical gardens at the Bellagio

Night games are so pretty

Fremont

We may or may not have followed this Ferrari for 40 miles a LITTLE above the speed limit

Show Girls (I was told the one the left is from Boise)

Arizona CLEARLY has some great deals...you get to SPEND 10 more cents!!! WOOHOO

Friends!

Because I have nothing better to do in my spare time, this is what I think about when I’m sitting in my hot tub.

If you’re mentioned in this post, sorry...you impact my life :) If you think you impact my life and you’re not mentioned, please don’t be offended. It probably just means we don’t see enough of each other and you should call me and hang out. I also didn't dwell on this much, I just typed and typed.

So with that…I have the most amazing group of friends around me. Every person that comes into my life means so much to me. Every person that touches me, impacts my life. And if I could make the world a happy place, I would, honestly. I just want everyone to be happy and I want to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Let’s start at school.

I have a new job this year, and it’s amazing to me how quickly I became friends with the people I work with. Miss Cyndi Lou (ok, Mrs. Cyndi Jo) and I share a birthday. And I have to say, she is the youngest almost 40 year old, I’ve ever met. She is spontaneous, crazy, and makes me laugh. Her and I think WAY too much alike and I know we can have fun together. She’s also my mentor and an AMAZING teacher. She’s great at sharing ideas and has really helped me feel like I belong at IACS. (not to discredit the other 2 amazing teachers I work with, but they have been out on maternity leave, and I haven’t had the chance to work as close with them)

Trish came into my wonderful life when I realized I needed some extra help. (ask and you shall receive) Trish was sent to rescue my crazy life from 9:00-1:00 every day, and I’m soooo thankful for that. In the process, we’ve realized we’re both just a little crazy, and a bit immature. Last night, for example, I felt the need to ask her if she was home so I could string lights up in my bedroom window for her to see. I knew he house was across the field and the street from mine, but I couldn’t describe which house it was. So, I called her up and started stringing lights up in my windows so she’d know where to look. Trish not only looked, but dragged her boys outside to flash me with lights and yell my name. It was fantastic! It totally brightened my day (I have some pretty awesome friends). She’s also very creative and artistic. She makes some pretty amazing things! Like my new lunch/snack bag!

My TA's are also a very, very dear friends of mine :)

I also work with Jen – but she gets a different spot in this blog…

Now, let’s back up a few years:

I met my best friend in 1^st grade. Our names started with the same first 3 letters, therefore, we must become friends. Erica has been there 110% my entire life. I know that at ANY given moment, I can call her up, and she’ll be there in a heartbeat. We hardly ever see each other (lives can be so busy), but that doesn’t matter, we pick up right where we left off, every time. I could go a year without talking to her, not be mad we didn’t talk, and know that she’s there to support me. She helped me through elementary, middle, and high school. She stood up in my wedding. She’s there to hear my laugh and listen to my cry. She’s truly an amazing person.

I also had an amazing friend that grew up across the street from me. Betsy is another one of those friends that has been there through thick and thin, I hardly see her, but know she’ll always be there if I need her. Betsy is also a little crazy. I think we did more silly things with Betsy and her sister’s than a kid should. We sold anything we could get our hands on, including rocks, just…rocks (yea, some kid bought them, poor kid) Betsy makes me laugh, and can make me laugh at any given moment, just being Betsy. I love that about her.

Fast forward.

I also made some great friends at Owyhee. Lindsey, Brittany, Jen, Morgan, Janae…those girls are great. I miss them dearly. I’m glad I still get to see them from time to time at baby showers and anything else I’m invited to. I didn’t get to be with them as long as I’d have liked to, but I’m so happy I met all the wonderful people at Owyhee!

I also met my 2^nd family.

Shaun, Jen and the kids are the most amazing people in my life right now. They are constantly there, constantly making my every day a little bit brighter. I will leave my house at the drop of a dime to go have yogurt, dinner, movie, basketball, Shari’s anything…I love their spontaneity and the fact that I can vent, laugh, and have a good time with them, no matter WHAT time it might be. I know I always have someone to talk to and someone who will listen, whether it’s a funny story, or about a horrible day I might have had. I know I can get advice or comfort from them. They have been nice enough to take us in to their home (almost every weekend and some week nights) and make us a part of their family. I love their kids, I love their company, I love everything about them! I would do anything for them. I’m so excited for our Arizona trip for Spring Break!

I would do just about anything for any of my friends…because once again, I really just want everyone to be happy. That’s truly what I want!

And finally…the best friend I have in this entire world is my husband, Anthony. Without him, my life would crumble into a pile of rubble. Anthony is my world, my everything. He might not be around a lot right now, but I know it’s for us (ok, he enjoys coaching every sport under the sun, I’m just glad there’s usually a paycheck involved). He has a hard time telling anyone “no”, which means he’s always helping others out. The time I do get to spend with him is amazing. He cares for me in a way no one else can. He is the bestest friend I could ask for!

(I also love my family, I just think I’m rambled on enough, I’ll save that for another day)

I don’t know what I would do in my life without all these people surrounding me. I really, really hate being alone. So, without all these amazing people, I would be a very unhappy person. And for anyone who knows me at all, you know I’m a genuinely happy person. Thank you to all the people in my life who bring me joy every day. Thank you for all of you who brighten my day and make me smile. I love you all dearly!

Pictures...or, lack there of....

Oh my gosh!!! What is wrong with me?!? I've taken less than 30 pictures with my camera in the last 2 1/2 months. No wonder it was so hard to find pictures to put on my Christmas card this year. (Which by the way, I finally sent out last week, if you didn't get one, let me know, I have extras :)

I need to be better about documenting my life with pictures instead of just words. Pictures are SOO much more entertaining. I have pictures of my dogs, some cookies I destroyed, and 2 pictures from snow shoeing. I swear my life is more entertaining than that. Oh, and a few from class, but I'm not sure if I'm actually allowed to post those...



Oh, one picture from Christmas time...that's the only one, my ornament tree, none from Christmas day...nothing...ohhh how sad!


Those are cookies, sorta, they were supposed to be. Rachel and I sent that picture to my mom saying, "See? You taught us everything we know" hahaha, I love it!

Getting ready to leave...

And, Anthony's great grandpa's cake.

And....that's it. (I didn't put in my puppy pictures because they are all the same picture of me holding them, and they it's on my Facebook).

There you have it, I'm officially the worst person for entertaining pictures. Ugh, I'm really going to have to try harder!

To the New Year

Here’s to a new year! Here’s to making myself a better person! I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions, but I am into being a good person and keeping myself in check. I’m not going to resolve to lose weight or make silly promises to myself I probably won’t keep. I plan to have a better year than the year before, always. If I try to have a better year than the year before, my life will always be a going up.

2011 brought a lot of good things…like many new jobs for me, and great opportunities. It gave us a chance to travel across the United States and visit lots of great friends. We went to our first professional sporting events (well, Anthony’s first, I went to a Twins game in high school). Anthony and I got to spend lots of uninterrupted time together, until summer was over haha. Rachel moved in for a semester and it was a blessing to have someone to hang out with while Anthony was out coaching.

We went to Seattle, we went to Chicago, we went to Yellowstone…we got to enjoy a real summer off and just be together awwww, how I miss summer :)

I was told by someone recently that I’m in love with life. I’m starting to believe that. I’m pretty high on life all the time. I enjoy all the crazy little things in life. I hate being bored, and I hate things to be normal all the time. I live my life one crazy day at a time. I do this in all aspects. If I bored teaching, so are the kids, I like to keep everyone on their toes. I don’t want things to get into a rut, I like some spontaneity.

Our Christmas vacation was packed of spontaneity. We are so lucky to have some amazing friends that call at any time of day to hang out. We went to Indian Creek and looked at Christmas lights, we played cards until ungodly hours in the morning, we played rockband until…more ungodly hours in the morning, got a call to go to Shari’s at 11:00 at night... And I loved every minute of having spontaneous friends :) And finally, I’m so excited to go to Arizona and Vegas with the Lund’s as well. Thank you for letting us be the crazies who tag along!

I guess this rant is just to say, I hope that I can be as happy with life as I am right now. I hope to keep 2012 as awesome as it was this last year. I want to travel, teach, and be spontaneous. I don’t want anything to hold me down!

My camera is in my car, and my car is in the shop....so....no new pictures....lame!