um

excuse me... I have a little confession: I got WAY behind on my daily challenge so feel free to scroll through challenge day 16-22 :)

start below here with 22 and go down

Day 22

Today's challenge:

a letter to someone who has hurt me recently.

Well I won't write a letter. Or two letters or... well it won't get me anywhere. I get hurt often. Maybe I set myself up for it. I bite my tongue a lot and that opens the door for people to say what they wish knowing it will hurt me, knowing I won't say a word. It's sad the way (some) people assume things about me. Quick to judge. Quick to throw a hurtful jab my way.

Knowing most that stuff is bull.... I take it with a grain of salt.

Instead of a letter I would tell them (if I ever had the guts)

simply a piece of one of my favorite church hymns. Forgive me if I butcher it.

It goes something like this:

"who am I to judge another while I walk imperfectly"

talking about them of course. Then I let it go and continue about my day! :)

Day 21

A photo of something that makes me happy

I could post pics of things all day. how about I make a list of things I love instead?

I know... great idea right?

Things Mandi loves:

sunshine

summer days

fuzzy socks

birthdays

holiday traditions

dr pepper

baby smiles/laughs

snail mail like cards and letters or pictures

getting flowers

smell of rain

freshly shaved legs

butterflies

snowmen

a clean house

zumba

working out

laughing until you cry and or can't breath

funny movies

camp fires

candy

the temple

I could go on but I will stop here. :)

Day 20

Today's challenge is to explain the meaning behind my blog name.

Well the story is:

I have no idea. I like the way it sounded. It's not like my life is (always) a soap opera.

My blog is about my day to day life. The good the bad and everything in between. I won't say it's my journal (like I have 20 other times before) because everyone says that and it's corny and even though it's true it is my way to remember everything that happens in my family and life. It is more like a... book? ha ha I don't know. It's just my cute blog and I love it :)

Day 19

the challenge:

Another picture of me

right. I never ever take pictures of me. I am always the one taking them.

Thanksgiving 2010. I am the one in the back looking away AND fixing my clothes. cute

This is my whole family. All my siblings with me in the back

Day 18

Challenge: something I crave a lot

ha ha well I crave a lot actually!!

cereal! Any kind. I eat so much of it it's insane!! (only when I am pregnant will I EVER eat this much cereal)

SALT!! on my fries... which I eat a TON of I have to pour on more salt then it comes with

sweets. I want candy all the time.

starchy stuff. potatoes, bread, rice, baked goods. you know NOTHING healthy! sorry baby!! I honestly, honestly try to eat healthy!

Normally I am piling on the veggies and healthy stuff. Now, when I need to most... I only crave crap. ugh

Day 17

the challenge: a photo of me and my family

and the next family photos will be with our little princess Ashlyn!

Day 16

Holy moly I am a week behind. I always remember to do it... at times I can't do it. lol

ok here we go. Today's challenge is my celebrity crush. This will be easy!

ps I love you Dan!!

My celebrity crush is....

David Beckham!

oh... was I only supposed to pick ONE picture?? hee hee oops :)

you're lucky I stopped at 4 :) :)

Oh Baby!

We had our ultrasound done for Christmas. Turns out this baby is a little lady! 3 girls I will have! Goodness. How awesome is that?! We have a PERFECT name picked for a perfect princess.

These were the only semi decent shots out of 17 she took. I wasn't impressed at all. Luckily I have my regular ultrasound scheduled for Wed this week. So in two more days and I can get better shots of the baby.

We are THRILLED!

We thought the baby was a boy but the minute we heard she was a girl it felt right and are so excited. Everyone keeps asking if Dan is sad. NO no no he is not. PLEASE quit asking that. He is so excited and happy just to have a baby!! I promise we are happy for a GIRL!!

No patience here

ummm. Tomorrow.... as in Thursday... is THE DAY. It is here. The day I have dreamed of since the SECOND I found out I was pregnant. Ultrasound day!!!!! eek. I am having a really, really, really hard time waiting. My appt is at 3 pm. I hope I can wait that long. I don't think I get a choice in the matter.

Here is the plan (assuming everything goes my way): go to appt. have ultrasound, have the tech warn us when baby parts might be shown. turn away. Watch everything else like adorable face, hands, feetsies, bums. well bum- there is only one...anyway... enjoy that. Have the tech do the usual printing on the pics: its a Boy or its a Girl. put it in a sealed envelope. Seal it real good lady... I am a peeker!! Then wait sooooooo long... until the very next day... I mean night (sigh) then with more impatience, open it and find out what this lil monkey is. A HE or a SHE. Notice I say HE first?? every single family member, including Ireland is CONVINCED its a boy. I am convinced. Moms know these things. RIGHT??

We already have a name. It's a good one too.

still SUPER excited that it could be a girl too! LOVE girls!

Let the waiting begin.... I mean continue...

ps today was spectacular!! Very, very, very good news came upon us yesterday. well several bits of news. Today all that was multiplied. Good things are happening to my family. We are so blessed and God is mindful of us. I believe in miracles. I believe in so many good things in this world. I have cried so many happy tears the last two days I don't think I could have had a better situation.

ps one bit of the great news: I HAVE INSURANCE NOW!!!!! yay!!! that means over $600 goes back in my pocket... oh I mean more than half of that goes back into my MOM'S pocket (thanks so much mom!!)

All my EXPENSIVE prescriptions I get reimbursed for. 4 Ob appointments. All my urine samples, blood tests, the ENT, the eye Dr. - all that I get paid back. PHEW. feels good to be insured!!

HAPPY DAY!!

Day 15

today's challenge is to say what I could never leave my house without.

That would be my cell phone.

It drives me crazy to not have it. I have been in several car accidents, broken down, needed gas, flat tires, etc and was so glad I had my phone. When I have small kids especially.

hooray for technology

I am a little bit excited

I cannot contain my excitement!! Before I show my extremely amazing deal I have to give a background story. I love the site mamabargains.com! I actually get stuff from that site all the time. You have to check back often or the item will be gone fast! Well every once in a great while they have an item called "randomness" you have NO idea what the item is you just pay $20 ish bucks and they guarantee you will love it. The last time I did randomness I picked for a little girl. The stuff I got was amazing and so worth it! So this time they had it I picked for a baby boy. I paid $23 and they said whatever "random" thing you got was worth at least $80. yes please! It showed up today. Want to see what I got for only $23!!!??

Today I got the package, went to the company's site and found how much it retails for.

you ready??

here it is:

click here

um did you SEE that price on the top right??

man my baby is going to be a comfy baby!!! It is so soft. Beautiful too! I am in love

Day 14

yay I am caught up!!

today's challenge is to name what tv show I am currently addicted to.

I really don't watch a lot of tv. really. At nap time my sister and I have a couple of shows we watch as we lounge and enjoy our two hours of quiet :)

I don't have ONE show I am addicted to.

Here are some I enjoy though:

20/20

Oprah (this is new for me... never used to like her)

Ellen (also new to me)

the News

The Sing Off

most game shows- like Price is Right lol

What Would You Do?

So You Think You Can Dance- when it's actually on

I could watch any old episodes of Simpsons, Seinfeld, Full House, pretty much any old school show

the weather channel................just kidding!!

I don't know. I prefer movies!!

Guess I should mention I don't have cable or direct tv or anything. I get like 4 channels. so I am pretty limited :)

Day 13

Day 13 challenge is to name my favorite musician and why.

Hands down favorite musicians(s) would be the country music band Rascall Flatts. sigh. I heart them. like a LOT. Their concert (that sadly I have only been to one. boo) was the best one I have EVER been to!! (and I have been to a lot of different concerts) I am not a crazy fan like I don't know their faces- well maybe the main singers but I wouldn't recognize any of the other guys, I don't know anything about them, I don't have posters of them. I just live for their music. Something about the music, the sound. The way it makes me happy when I hear it. Cheesy? over the top? possibly.

that's just fine by me!

Day 12

Day 12 challenge is a photo of the town I live in.

yeah, I think not. I live in Utah. Does that work? First of all where would I get a picture of my town? Oh, I guess google. No thanks. I already posted a pic of my house no need to lay out a map of my neighborhood. creepy.

Day 11

oops I missed a few days. :)

Day 11 challenge: what is in your makeup bag

my answer is: what isn't in my make up bag?? ha ha seriously. I try everything new and have a hard time either giving up my favorites or even finding something I like. I have a little of every brand out there. Love me some make up! I probably shouldn't wear so much but I love it! if I was tan I wouldn't need as much. Can't be scaring the kids now. lol

my Lei Lei

My little Leighton talks so much! She understands everything we tell her and can say sentences clearly (well to us anyway) this is a short clip of her bc I want to show how adorable her raspy voice is! She has always had the rasp and I LOVE it! Sorry the video is kind of jumpy bc I was trying to get her to talk just so everyone can hear it. She would have much rather continued playing then repeat mommy. Sorry baby girl! :)

below this post is my day 10 challenge. check it out!

Day 10

Today's challenge is to post a photo of my favorite place to eat.

Here is my absolute FAVORITE place EVER to eat:

yes, that is my house. I prefer to eat there over anywhere! No waiting in crowds, no tips, no hassle. It's cozy, I can wear my sweats, I have my family, I can watch tv while I eat if I wish :) I love it! I love my home so much and as little as I leave it, I actually enjoy being here most the time... as long as my family is with me.

Other places I love to eat that ISN'T my home: Applebees, Olive Garden, Chick-fil-A, wendys, my grandmas :) any chinese, who I am kidding I will eat almost anywhere!

Day 9

Today's challenge is to take a photograph of the last thing I purchased.

Well I am lazy and will post the same thing but one I found on google

mmm I want more :)

A little less talking...

..... a LOT more pictures!!

I am known for posting 20 pics at a time and lately I have been gabbing too much and not posting enough pics of my gorgeous little ladies. (well you know I still add captions lol)

here we go!

My girls got a tree just for them to put in their bedroom. Here is Ireland getting to decorate it

Here it is put in there:

snow! church got canceled so we went out to play!

One of Ireland's many drawings. She kept laughing at how silly the man's hair looked. I think she did great!

One Sunday after church:

Ireland finally got to sing in our ward in Sacrament. My mom went and bought her this dress to wear on her special day. I of course had to make a matching bow. She looks darling huh??

her ghost

more coloring

Cute!!!

Day 8

A song to match my mood

well I don't know how to put a song in my post so I will just post the lyrics. If you can go listen to it! google it or youtube it.

La la la la love it!!

Travis Tritt- It's a Great Day To Be Alive

I got rice cooking in the microwave
Got a three day beard I don't plan to shave
And it's a goofy thing but I just gotta say
Hey I'm doing alright

Yeah I think I'll make me some homemade soup
Feelin pretty good and that's the truth
It's neither drink nor drug induced
No I'm just doin alright

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

It's been fifteen years since I left home
Said good luck to every seed I'd sown
Give it my best and then I left it alone
Oh...I hope their doin alright

Now I look in the mirror and what do I see?
A lone wolf there starin back at me
Long in the tooth but harmless as can be
Lord I guess he's doin alright

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

Sometimes it's lonely
Sometimes it's only me
And the shadows that fill this room
Sometimes I'm fallin
Desperately callin
Howlin at the moon...
Ahwoo!
Ahwoo!

Well I might go get me a new tattoo
Or take my old Harley for a three day cruise
Might even grow me a Fu Man Chu...
Oh Aww!

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

I made the chorus bold because that is my favorite part! Makes me happy. Grateful too. Every time I hear it.

Day 7

Today's challenge:

My dream wedding.

Ok My absolute dream weeding would be July 15, 2006

I would be married in the Bountiful LDS temple in Utah

I would have an AMAZING reception in the biggest back yard I have ever seen or been in. With gorgeous flowers, trees, a huge fountain in the middle, a gazebo, immaculate yard of a family friend.

I would save money by having:

my Grandpa make my cake

I would have a Grandma make all my flowers, decorations, etc

I would have Dan's uncle fly in from Texas to be our photographer

I would have Dan's cousin make a wedding dress and happen to be my size so I could wear it

I would have a good friend cater all our food

I would have the day go start to finish absolutely perfect and happy and fun

I would have a great turn out and see long lost family and friend members.

We would leave off for our honeymoon as everyone blew bubbles over us

just married! fresh out of the temple!!

I look sad here. I wasn't!

I love that it all happened. I love that everything I dreamed up in my mind is what we got. I wished I knew where all my pics were especially of the reception because this was so fun remembering that special day over 4 years ago. There are not enough pictures, words or memories to express how perfect my wedding day was!!

Then......

it got even better when Daniel took me on a cruise to the Bahamas for our honeymoon!!

we went snorkeling, saw dolphins, shopped, danced, went kayaking and was blown away by the great food, people and fun you get and meet on a cruise.

this was our ship

my groom!
What a great time! Now to find all my pictures....

Day 6

Today's challenge:A photo of an animal you would like to keep as a pet:

This is my favorite animal in the whole world. Man I sure want to pet one!

ok, ok probably not a good PET choice. I sure can imagine holding a baby one though. Awww

ok maybe this for a pet:

This is some type of Octopus. Maybe not for a pet either as I have no where to put it and most definitely wouldn't touch it. Cool to see though huh?

My ex had two of these and they are AWESOME!! They say EVERYTHING and can be pretty funny. They can be mean too but the nice ones are cool. They are heavy too. So freaking gorgeous though

ok I have ALWAYS wanted a little pet monkey!! Look at that face!!!
So Santa all I want is this monkey. But it needs to be "potty trained" and willing to get me a dr pepper and a candy bar as often as I wish. That would be pretty sweet.

on to non fun type of posts:

I want to keep notes and updates for me as to my dr appointments. (this is more for me so warning to anyone else. pretty boring ahead) My OB had me see an ENT as I mentioned before and he wanted me to also me to see the eye dr. So I did that tonight. Turns out my prescription has changed and I need all new glasses and contacts. It's not like I wore my contacts (even though I need and want to) but now the whole stash I have of contacts is a waste. I forgot what the dr said but Daniel reminded me that he said the... dang, I don't know what he said or what it means... something about axis something astigmatism changed or rotated or something (sorry I can't remember) and now my glasses are useless. which I already knew. Now it makes sense why I would wear my glasses and they never help anymore. He said I COULD still wear them if I turned them sideways and closed one eye..... uh...... ok.

He needs me to get a whole new prescription. Having no vision insurance now (Since dan works from home we lost that. sigh) I can't afford new glasses right now. So staring at the computer is painful, straining and blurry. I needed glasses to drive, see at night and read, help with headaches, to see more than a few feet in front of me, etc. So I guess after Christmas I will be getting new glasses instead of getting my tooth fixed like I desperately needed. (I also lost dental insurance) ANYWAY the eye dr thinks he sees swelling behind my eye so I may need to see a neuro eye dr (what are they called??) and have that specialist check it out... have to wait on that as I have no.... insurance! The ENT needs me to have special testing done. I can't yet... no insurance. I have an ultra sound coming up that I too have to pay out of pocket. As well as each dr visit is out of pocket. I have been ok with my appointments and it's just really adding up and bad timing... all this right in time with Christmas! I am not done with my shopping so of course that's when all these urgent needs come up right? As soon as someone gets their act together- me, the girls and the baby will have insurance and I can get refunded for ALL of my past appointments, all prescriptions we have gotten and pay for all my new appointments that I desperately need. Crossing my fingers for sooner than later!!

That was my vent post. Long and boring but for me to keep track of what happened when.

Day 5

Day 5 of the challenge. Today's:

A picture of me from 2 years ago.

This was october 3rd. My Princess's FIRST Birthday!!

Day 4

yeah well I skipped yesterday. I thought for sure I could do it! Well in all fairness I wasn't home almost all day yesterday. Lots and lots of shopping home in time to shower and head out for a dinner date with our friends then home, kids to bed then a late movie with my sister. Didn't get home until after midnight.

ANYHOO here is yesterday's challenge: my favorite photograph of my best friend.

I have several "favorite" pics of Dan. It's hard to ever pic just one. I grabbed the first one I saw. It shows his personality really well. He always has a goofy or silly face and while doing it still manages to look super hot. So here is a pic I like of my best friend:

Day 3

Today's challenge is this:

your idea of the perfect first date.

Well first dates were hard and awkward for me. Believe it or not, I am shy. Terrified if you will of meeting ANYONE new ESPECIALLY a guy. ha ha anyway so my perfect first date would consist of me not being a scaredy cat. I honestly don't know what we would do. I am easily amused/entertained and there are very few things I wouldn't want to do.

To be honest this question makes me feel weird and nervous. ha ha. seems how I am MARRIED and not out looking for a date (phew!!) I will just say a perfect date that Dan could take me on.

Well tomorrow we are going on a double date with some friends. I love stuff like that! We rarely go out with out the kids so that sounds perfect! A date minus the kids- whom I love but like adult only time too :)

So this is super long response to end up saying I just want out of my house for alone time with the hubbs :)

night

Want to know what this challenge is I am doing?? Scroll down a couple of posts or click here

Day 2

Today's challenge is to take a picture of something I ate today. So here it is:

oh wait I already ate it. well it WAS steak, potatoes and corn. I tried to find a picture online but mine looked much better than those professional shots :) right.

ok so here is something I am drinking right this minute instead:

yep I sure am. Yep I have some each day. nope I don't want a lecture. my ob actually encourages soda for my headaches. :) I drank it with both my kids and they turned out pretty ok

doesn't it look delicious. mmmmmm

Day 1

I will start this tonight.

here is what I am doing today:
Day 1: take a photo of yourself and give a description of how your day was.

well I don't have a real recent photo of me bc I am usually always taking the pics so this was from a trip this Fall and if you have no idea which one I am (ha ha) I am the one in the middle:

my day went pretty well. Went to the OB, heard the heartbeat!! Found out I finally starting gaining weight. 3 lbs in 2 weeks to be exact! Got my ultrasounds scheduled today. yes 2 within 6 days of each other yippee! Had a pretty ok day. Needed two Zofran- the magical anti nausea medicine that saves me daily. (yes I still get nauseous daily) and that is pretty much it. From now until Jan 5th I have 5 appointments to attend and hopefully get some things fixed up. Now if only I could get a word on some insurance.....

nothing else really....

Bring on the challenge!!

here it is. let's see if I can keep it up! Anyone care to do it too? Sounds fun. Here is the challenge I stole from someone else:

30 Day Blog Challenge:
Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.

Things I am good at:

forgetting things! That is what I am GREAT at!

I forgot that I was supposed to post pictures so I would stop being so behind

I forgot that I was going to make a separate blog

I forgot I was going to get more organized

I forgot to keep track of my kid's accomplishments (online. I write down most things in a messy way in a notepad)

I forgot to do my Ireland post that is a really important one

I forgot that I was going to remember to text people back AND respond to emails, messages of any kind for that matter

I forgot I bought this super amazing all hyped up help you with your memory book

I forgot what else I forgot.

sigh

saw the ENT today. He wasn't mean or anything but I didn't care for him. I wished I could have seen the one I am used to who did my girl's tubes and my tonsils, same ENT that my grandma still sees. His wait is over a month to see him though. My OB needed me to see one stat. This was the one. Oh well. He never gave me a chance to say anything I needed or wanted to say. I was clearly just a number to him. Another pay check for him. At least pretend to be friendly man.

I took a hearing and speech test. My hearing isn't horrible. Hooray! but it's on the very bottom of the "normal" scale. That's the left ear. My right is below what it should be. Might explain why I am so loud as I have a hard time hearing people... or myself. I need to take a new test- an hour long one that puts little electrodes on my head and I do all kinds of tests to determine if my dizziness and other issues are something my brain is doing wrong or if it is an inner ear problem. I also need to contact an optometrist and see if there is bulging behind my eye. eek! MIGHT explain why my vision is shot the last few weeks. My glasses are pointless these days and my eyes ALWAYS hurt. I always have pressure and pain. Can't wait to get this solved!!

I see my OB tomorrow. I saw him 2 weeks ago but he is seeing me every 2 weeks (for now) to check on baby. I am sure I will go to the 4 week appts when baby and I are consistently doing well. Get to hear the heart again tomorrow! yay! I felt it move a lot last night. so faint. So dainty. Hard to tell unless I am still and quiet. Made my belly jerk a couple of times. :)

Ok, that is all. my eyes are killing me. night

My bow business has been down for some time. I have had an extremely hard time juggling that with everything else going on but I have been dying to get going again!! My site is still down :( as my super busy husband is working on some new things for it.

I still make binky chains, socks, bracelets and of course bows but no one can see those yet so for now head over to my (FINALLY) updated blog and see what is new. Thanks! :)

you can check it out by clicking here

Uh oh I am in trouble

Last night I wanted a little boy so bad I couldn't stand it. I am aching to find out he is really a boy so i can get shopping, dreaming, planning. sigh

then I think about the fun bows, bracelets, socks and binky chains I can make. Oh the possibilities. I think about the dresses, nail polish, shoes, curly hair like both my girls. then I decided I need another girl. Oh my goodness I want this baby to be a girl.

WAIT!!! As I am typing this I have both my girls SCREAMING. yelling, tears, fits.

....but in all seriousness...

maybe I just need a boy.

heaven help me. just tell me already!!!!!!

don't get me wrong. I love my girls more than life itself. I WANTED two girls. wouldn't change them for the world. it's just one of those days. better go love on my little ladies. they need some cuddles!

I got a call from the dr office yesterday: my blood work all came back normal! That's awesome! Now I know baby (and me) isn't lacking any nutrition, anything vital to its growth or health and my electrolytes look fine. what a relief. Now we just need to figure out what the problem is. I was told I need to go see an ENT (ear, nose and throat dr) and get my ears checked. I figure while I am there I will have him look in my throat and get an idea why in 19 months my voice hasn't returned. I sound almost daily like I am sick. Anyway hopefully I will get some answers as to why I get so dizzy. We are hoping something is just wrong with my ears (pretty sure then it would be an easy solution!)

I was reading past posts and I realized I sound snotty. Angry. Whiny and rude. Made me sad. I really am not a 24/7 ornery person although it sure seems this way. Pregnancy really, really takes a toll on me. I struggle with numerous things during pregnancy and I know that I will going into it; but man, look what I get from it!! I see my kids and would do it all over again to get a beautiful angel baby :) So even though I have a lot of physical issues I am seeing that I need to not let it get to me mentally. I need a better, positive attitude. I AM happy. I AM nice. I am fun and friendly and kind. I just choose to write the negative aspects of my days. I am human, so occasional grumpiness is ok right?

I am behind on pictures and fun, and vacations, and play and all the things we have been up to. Going to play catch up tonight! :)

just an idea

I think I am going to make a separate blog for this pregnancy. That way I can keep better details, pics and anything personal about it when I want without driving anyone crazy. Well I guess if it drove people crazy they could just stop reading huh? :)

but I think it will be good for me to keep it separate from the family blog so it can be a better journal type thing to get out what and when I want but be able to find it later down the road instead of roaming through a ton of other posts with family stuff.

not sure what I would call it and it most certainly wont be fancy but I am excited. yay!

SO I have been thinking about my life. Where I used to be, where I am now. What kind of person I am and who/what/where I want to be.

I sometimes think I don't deserve things I have or my beautiful kids, but it's not my decision at what I "deserve." despite what I think most days, I am a good person and I am a good mama and I love looking at how far I have come. I found 2 pics just now one is of Leighton's blessing day and the other is the day I had Leighton and the pic is with both my girls. I am blessed and need to focus more on THAT than what I am not doing right. Like in my last post I talked about being grateful. I am always grateful!

Let's be grateful

I am mean and grumpy. These hormones are kicking my butt and with me STILL being sick (yes still throwing up from time to time, ugh!) and not having time to take make my house look fabulous and this and this and that I feel I complain way more than I thank. I nag more than I appreciate. Not nice. Not cool. With this special holiday approaching I see a lot of people taking the time to say each day what they are thankful for. I did it I think twice. Not that I am not thankful for things, because I truly am; I just don't remember to post daily on facebook.

I am a primary teacher. I teach the sunbeams. I have 16 kids on my roll but usually get 10-11 at the most each week (rarely less than 8-9.) In Primary each week someone gives a "reverent thought" and as much as I usually would like to listen to these I am usually hushing the busy talkers or telling them to sit or whatever else. One day though I got lucky and heard a reverence thought and I LOVED it! To help her sleep at night she(the woman who told the story) would go through the alphabet and with each letter she would say something she was grateful for. cool idea huh? The day I heard that I smiled because the night before I fell asleep naming off things I was thankful for. Her idea sounds funner though.

I think I will try that tonight. I was going to write out the things I am grateful for but I need to get my housework done now while the kids sleep or I won't. That way I can be thankful for my clean home :)

What I will say though is to be patient. Be kind. Things I work on daily I ask of anyone who may read this. Be grateful and positive. Do the best you can anyway. I feel often I am not good enough at most things and that attitude is only going to bring me down. Love those around you and tell them so. Cherish the people you have in your lives.

I read a neat Marriage talk my brother saved me off his mission that gave me some good tips and I will tell you a part of it in my own words as I don't remember exactly: There was a woman whose husband never would empty the sink trap after doing dishes and it drove her INSANE. She would nag at him and nag at him to just empty the trap after. then one day she realized: he just DID the dishes AGAIN. cool now all she has to do is empty the sink trap. :)

I really like that story and need to remember it more often.

Anyway those were some of my random thoughts. Now I really have to go get my house picked up. :)

**I am grateful I have a house!! :)

update

Went to the dr today. Heard a heartbeat!!! WHEW what a relief! Baby is ok!

Told him about my dizziness and numbness in my belly.... yeah he doesn't like that at all :( He had them do a rush order on my blood work to hopefully get a clue what is happening to me. He also wants to see me in 2 weeks instead of the usual 4. He needs to make sure baby is still ok. He will call me within 2 days with my blood results. Hoping we get an answer! Also have not gained a single pound so far. Dr wasn't concerned. He was way more worried about my other issues. Guess now that I am getting sick less and less ( I hope!!) I better start feeding my face!! gonna plump this baby up!! :) Also apparently I can't count... we don't find out the sex of the baby the week of Christmas, well we can but I can technically find out the week before Christmas! Thanks to Sheena's idea we are going to go to fetal fotos the week before Christmas and have them find out the sex and not tell us. We as a family will look at the pics and video of the baby and find out all together for Christmas!! Except we will be finding out Christmas Eve. So fun!

On to non pregnancy news......

oh I guess I have nothing.

yay it's almost Christmas!! Suppose I should get shopping eh?

I seriously, seriously procrastinate. I also have zero time to shop and when I have time, like now I don't have a vehicle. ooh I love online shopping maybe I should do it all that way. Stay in my nice warm house.

I am hungry

I am sleepy

is 550 pm too early to go to bed?? It is when you have a 1 and 3 year old. Why don't they want to go to bed early?

I am in a random mood. Here are some random pictures:

My parent's 3 grandbabies. Leighton, Xander and Ireland

family pic in Moab (OH! I never did my last Moab post, sigh)

me and my mum

Me, my mom, my sister

I am having a hard time right now. I have been getting dizzy daily since my last OB appt. almost 5 weeks ago. Not a big deal but now it is getting worse. It used to be random and now since yesterday it is almost 24 hours a day. Just kidding I don't know if I am dizzy when I sleep :) nothing helps though. keeping hydrated, getting up slowly, I am not doing any spinning or anything crazy. I can just stand there and feel like I will fall over. Like I said only got this bad yesterday So I had a feeling to call my dr. today. Please don't think I am neglecting me or this baby. In reality my insurance has yet to go through (LONG story!) so I have not been able to schedule my 12 week appt. yet ( I am 13 weeks tomorrow) Yes my baby's health is important but I never had a concern for the baby until today. I never had a doubt there was a reason to race into the dr until today. I also started getting a weird numb sensation in the left side of my belly. Feels like your mouth feels after the dentist- tingly and numb. I also told the nurse that today. She said that is not normal. Nor is the extreme never ending dizziness. The dr isn't there today and next week is booked but the nurse is concerned and wants me in on Monday. yay! She says if anything gets worse go to the ER. Heaven help me, I can't afford another trip to the ER. But if I have to I most certainly will go!! I promise that. SO Monday I can finally hear the heartbeat!! So far I have only seen the heartbeat in an ultra sound 5 weeks ago. I am praying with all my heart there is a heartbeat. Any momma will tell you hearing the heartbeat for the first time is not only beautiful but gives you peace of mind- phew my baby is still there and ok!! So since I was only supposed to see the dr this week I will not be real behind when I see him. I am just concerned what my body is going through. I mean dizziness is normal.... to an extent... so why is it NOT going away and getting worse?? :( :( anyone wanna pray for me and little baby Romney?? thanks!! I will keep this updated when I find out anything!!

sigh

It's November. It's cold. Me+ cold+snow= bleh! I am such a baby. I love me some warm sunny SUMMER!! I am already daydreaming my life away about warmth, sun, swimming, sand, sun, sun and more sun. As I have mentioned before we are going to Hawaii in March. We were going to go in October- but when we were planning this months ago we knew I would probably still be sick and exhausted. So we figured when would be a good time to go... not within all the holidays. So we decided right after tax returns. I will still be good to fly and it will still be cooler here... perfect time to go. I got advice from friends but Daniel and I decided against all the good advice and thoughts and have chosen to bring the kids with us! We wouldn't want to be away from them for 9 (or more) days! Plus we would never want them to miss out on such an opportunity!! Our next huge vacation wont be for a few more years when we go to the Philippines which is where Daniel served his mission. I know we will have to plan around naps and kid's schedules. but who cares... we will be in Hawaii!!! So until then I will just keep my head up, keep my head warm and brave this quickly approaching Winter. :( but Winter does equal Thanksgiving and Christmas, snowmen, snow angels, hot chocolate, warm fuzzy socks, family get togethers and for that I am grateful, happy, peaceful and optimistic that it won't be so bad. :)

Makes me wonder

here is my gripe for the day:

So as I said a couple posts ago I have gone through 2 and a half prescriptions of Zofran for my nausea. (the first one that was half way full was actually left over from my pregnancy to Leighton. Yes they were expired. sue me. I was desperate) So I haven't quite got my insurance figured out yet. Lame I know, I am working on it.

Since I didn't have insurance, Walmart (uggggh) charged me $70 for EACH time I got Zofran. For GENERIC! well I hit ten weeks and I stopped getting sick. hooray! Good thing, I ran out of meds and didn't have money to refill. After I went to the Emergency Room couple weeks ago they gave me a prescription for under the tongue Zofran. what is this beautiful, magical medicine no one has told me about before?? This would have saved me so many pills that I threw up each time I took one. ANYWAY I started getting morning sickness back and needed meds. I called pharmacies for a price to get these 10 magical dissolving pills and I started calling ANYWHERE but Walmart. Rite Aid tells me for generic, ten whole pills it is 110 bucks. uh no. I call Smiths 23 bucks, getting better! I call Costco..... $11. BLESS YOU COSTCO!!!!

So Dan goes to pick up my meds and when the pharmacist tells Dan the total, Dan says "you know Walmart charges almost $80 bucks for these" the man sticks out his hand and says "welcome to Costco"

can you believe it?!

makes me wonder who else is getting ripped off on out of pocket prescriptions...

that's it for now. Just dissolved one under my tongue and have hope now for the rest of this morning sickness.... which should really be called random, any time of day sickness that can last hours. :) just sayin

So I just realized we find out the sex of the baby the week of Christmas!! How fun is that?? I will not be disappointed if it is a girl I promise that, but I have my heart set on a boy. I think it's time. We have a name picked out for a boy. I have many names for a girl but Dan doesn't want to hear them until we find out it's a girl. He has his mind made up it is a boy. Oh how I love girls though. I am having a hard time not knowing what this lil nugget is and not able to SHOP!! there are so many cute outfits for both. sigh. no matter what... I am happy to just have a baby... boy OR girl!!

Leighton is doing really well with her glasses even though they are a tad too big. They are the smallest anyone makes. They slip down a lot but I know for a fact they are helping. Sweet baby girl she is.

Ireland is doing really well. I will gladly tell you more about that when I finally finish the post I have been working on for her. I really should get on that. I think (and hope) it gives everyone a better understanding of her, why she is the way she is and why I act the way I do with her)

She needs to get into a preschool. Yes I teach preschool and yes I love teaching her but I think she needs to get it from other people and be around different kinds of kids and different atmosphere than just at home you know?

I finally got all my pics uploaded to my laptop so be prepared to be bombarded by photos!!

Ireland has ALWAYS had an obsession with shoes (same with her sister) but Ireland takes it waaaay past real shoes some times. LOL oh my goodness check this out! yes those are play dishes. ouch

one child is tired and WANTS a nap and one child is tired and DOESN'T want a nap. I will let you decide which is which:

karaoke at Grammie's house in the play room

this is when I was about 8 weeks along. Seems how I didn't have a flat tummy to begin with I am not completely sure what all is baby :) I do know you show faster with each kid though and I do know some of that is in fact baby :)

Leighton can't just eat food normally. She likes to use just her mouth sometimes. it's cute

painting one of her pumpkins

Leighton before glasses. look at all the bumps and bruises. I am happy to say since the glasses she hasn't run into ANYTHING!!

ready for dance

the things that entertain kids

more dance

this is a sincere, natural shot. its blurry as I was trying to hide and be sneaky. I love how they are best friends

another natural shot. they love their reflections in the oven door and they love being fairy princesses. Who wouldn't ? :)