Obligations

Have you ever really sat and thought about all the obligations that make up your life! You HAVE to do this, SEE this person, CALL this person! Do we deep down really want to? As nice of a person as some of you all think I am, I really am driven by obligation more then want! I don't really want to call, see or do anything for some people but I feel obligated to so I do it! Sad huh!!!!

It's been on my mind because I am getting ready for a trip home and a trip home means seeing a check list of family and friends that I don't always want to see! It's so difficult to enjoy a trip fully when you have to make sure you see so and so as to not hurt feelings. I just rather wing it and see where the wind takes me but NO! We have to see too many people in a weeks time! UGGGGG!!!! And it makes it hard for he people you do want to spend time with because it only opens up a small tiny window of time to see them!

Sadly this is more the case with family then friends. Some family is just plain boring and I'd rather them A. Be more fun or B. not have to spend as much time with them. AREN'T I A HORRIBLE PERSON!!!!!!!!! No need to point it out further! I already know!

To be this freakin awesome someday!

Thanks Karrilynn!!!!

Hump day!!!!!

Woo Hooooo!!!I'm at my half way mark in this baby growing game!!!! If I could I'd do a cart wheel or streak my husbands office to celebrate! But let's just say the body aint up for it nor are the lookie loo's at good old Wells Fargo!!!

Sunday!

Today was a good day. I sat for an hour on harder then hard chairs in the very last row possible in church. The only good that came out of that spot was I was able to make faces at Tara and be obnoxious while she sang in the choir and not be noticed by anyone else but her and my husband who both thought I was a crazed loon!Mission accomplished. I then was rewarded with a not so gentle form of a thank you by Tara herself later in the hall! Ha ha jokes on you... didn't expect all that love huh girl!

When we got home I was rewarded with leftovers and a clean kitchen! Who doesn't love that! But I will say I may have broken a "rule" to get such a reward....I had dishes left over and the kitchen got the step child neglect so this morning I was cleaning and Cricket was oh so kind to tell me that her teacher in church said that we shouldn't shop or clean on Sundays! I was mid sweeping stroke and had to remind her that it was ok because there was church music blaring in the back ground and I was thinking about what I was going to wear to Church so Church was on my mind! Think she bought it!

I tend to take "And on the 7th day he rested " too literally sometimes and do nothing resulting in my house looking like a bomb went off. I just couldn't do it today! She'll learn that it's better to be in harmoney in your own home when it's nice and clean then to do too much "resting" on that day off! No need to remind me that Saturday is a special day it's the day we get ready for Sunday! I tend to not need my shoes shined or my hair shampooed. I'm too busy doing all the other things on Saturday! Don't you feel that way most weekends!

I do love me a good Sunday! IT is nice to have a day to relax, be home and enjoy family! I just enjoy it more when I have a clean kichen.

wait...what day is it!?

I always ask myself that question each morning!I really never know!I have to relate the going ons of the day before to really know what day it is!Oh yeah !Bunco last night so that makes it FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I love a Friday!No reason really! They are pretty much the same as any day but tonight I have our wards Fab. Friday craft extravaganza and I can't wait wait wait to get that huge ordeal crossed off my list! It will be fun but I just love getting big things like that behind me!

So here's the pants update! I picked up a pair of Mama jeans at Old Navy yesterday. Not in love with them but at least they were on sale for $25. I know $25 is a great price for Maternity jeans but I never pay that much for jeans...EVERRRRRR!!!! Need I remind you all I am the Queen of Cheap!!!Steph may be the Queen of the Universe but I take the title for CHEAP! So it hurt to fork out the dough. So far I've been getting by with my "fat" jeans, rubber bands and ( don't throw stones sister!!! BOO HATES that I shop in the kids department!) jeans size 14 and 16 that have that oh so lovely elastic adjustable waist band for kids! I do have a few pair of mama jeans but those are for later in the growing process.

WELLLLLLL, Today I scored about 5 pair of jeans all bought second hand from Kid to Kid the childrens consingment store!Last time I was there I noticed they sold maternity and it's really been the best find ever! All in great shape and if worn like most preggo pants they only fit for a few months and then rendared useless and sworn at and begrudgingly packed away! So 3 jeans, 1 cord, one jean short and a jean jacket later I walked away only spending $41. That's more like it! So all my other friends who have growing bellies as well adn if you aren't icked out by second hand...it's calle dwashing them girls, then see if your local K to K has anything to offer! I may be cheap but I hate even more spending $$ on cloths I can't wear very long!

Miek has this weekend off so we have a londry list of things to get done before we head to CA next week! I love a busy weekend!It always makes for a great nights sleep on Saturday and crazy car conversations with teh kids!

Happy weekend everyone!

Ode to Mr. Rubber Band

The sun rises once again and there I lie in bed snug and warm ready to greet a new day!!! I awake with much optimism ! I tell myself that "Yes!" today my pants will fit yet again one last time and to my surprise they do. A snug fit I will admit but looking close you all would notice that success was had in the form of a button wedged in tight to it's sister button hole! Hallelujah! Praises Be!

I proceed with my morning routine of kids, emails and a glance in the kitchen for something to eat. Nothing sounds good once again! But little sister inside is in need of that little thing we call nutrients to grow and thrive and I give in to the nagging mothering instinct that forces one to eat when that's the last thing they really want to do.

By 10 am I'm feeling the strain. Not on my legs or on my back but on my waist line! That little breakfast has quickly moved in on baby territory and it's roommate status is causing the land lord to walk funny! My morning success is soon down the drain and the reserve rubber band I place on my wrist is put to work! From then on I'm forced to pull and adjust my britches all day. My zipper never stays up and I just plane hate pants in general! Come on Mr. Rubber Band! DO your job! Keep me out of maternity pants for as long as you can! I beg of you PLEASE!!!!

Mr. Rubber Band and some pants get along better then most but today I picked an arch enemy! Would it be ok to add yet another rubber band making a chain of sorts! Maybe two is better then one!

Oh rats! I just need to give in. Horribly ugly! Never fit right! Nasty kangaroo pouch pants are just around the corner! Maternity pants have to be the worst thing on earth right now in my little world. I have yet to find a pair that doesn't look like the are about to fall off and expose my ever widening rear end! I tug and pull for the last 4 months and maybe at about a week before the arrival I can "fit" a pair properly.

So thanks Mr. Rubber Band for the limit service rendered. I wish you could have stayed longer!


Here is the much awaited preggo shot. I just look fat in the barral and if you were to rub my "baby bump" you'd probably just be carressing the blue berry bagle and cream cheese I ate this morning! I'll be pop popping soon don't worry!
and oh... can I just be annoyed right now!!!! Have you ever sat by someone telling a story to someone else that was soooooo wrong! ( Don't forget I'm overly annoyed while pregnant so it took all I had to not turn around, correct this lady and finish chewing!)

She was telling her friend that she had to read the book "Tuesdays with Morrie." She goes on to tell her that it's about this guy who has cancer who is a professor and had this famous "Last Lecture!" She then goes on to tell details of the lecture and says he really wrote it for his kids becasue they were to young to understand!

Come on moron!!! Stop mixing up two different things! She apparently Tivoed two seperate Oprahs years apart from each other and watched them back in her sleep and morphed the book and this gentalmans experiance together!

I wanted to correct her so badly but who wants a cross pregnat woman with cream cheese "smear" on the corner of her mouth telling you your an idiot! ( for real Enstine Bagel !Do we really need to call it a "SMEAR!")

Anyway! I'm aweful! I know!

Hurts my heart

I keep getting email after email or articles sent to me about the Protest of the Prop 8 results. I can completely understand the feelings on the opposing side and even appreciate some form of rallying together to voice disappointment! Would I want my right to do the same, of course.

The part that hurts the most is the outright defacement of my sacred place of worship, A Temple held in high regard to my faith. It's going too far when you litter the gates and write on the walls. When hateful words and slogans are directly attacking My faith, that need I remind you, was not the only faith that supported the Proposition.We are an easy target and everyone knows it!

Why are we the lucky Christian denomination that gets singles out and persecuted for standing up to an issue that we feel so strongly about. The Mormons are a small percentage of CA residence yet we are the target of vandalism and Religious mocking.

If we were any other religion this would be more appalling to the eyes of those who watch this unfold. Had a Jewish Synagogue or a Catholic Cathedral been the marching place of protests and had the colorful and hateful words been placed on them this would all be handled differently. A hate crime, never allowed to go so far. But no. We the Mormons are not privileged to such concern or respect.

Disagreeing is a wonderful thing. Protesting is a wonderful thing. Even being so emotionally connected to a cause is a God given right. Crossing the lines are easy to do I'm sure when in the throws of a passionate debate but let this be a reminder that some lines are hard to step back over!

A raspberry bar, reality sinking in, a good heartfelt prayer and some words from a best friend later...

It's a girl!!! yes! It's a girl! I wasn't able to say much yesterday basically because I was in shock! Not sad like it may have seemed but floored by the fact that it wasn't a boy! All signs pointed to BOY.My barf pattern said boy!My dreams pointed to BOY. My appetite said boy. The ultra sound tech said GIRL!So pardon my delayed excitement. I was just in need of a day to pack up my little boy dream of being his first true love, having a little person that reminded me so much of Mike and my dream of a son who kissed me goodbye just before he went on a date.

Shocked I tell you!!!! Yesterday was a wild one! I was surprised how the news hit me. I had convinced myself that it was going to be a boy and thoughtfully told myself and others a girl would be just as welcomed , and she would be, but I was convinced!!!! So I was just as shocked to be overwhelmed with surprise and feeling of loss for the boy I thought I was about to have! Again, not sad because I was having a girl but sad because I wasn't having a boy join our family right now! Does that make sense! I hope so because I never want it to be said that I didn't want this sweet baby girl and wasn't thrilled that she was coming to be ours.

Saddly I had to face a group of curiouse friends for lunch just after my appointment!I hope I wan't too annoying! I was still in a daze! But there we sat sharing tales of all boy or all girl families and knowing it was perfectly fine! Thanks girls!

I did fianily call my sister and she was quick to point out all the amazing all girl families we know. The Kriple girls and Crouch familyand the Hasslers came to mind. Christina comment that I was Almost like her and that made me smile! Oh to be like BBM!!!! I was so thrilled to look forward to my girls sharing a relationship like I have with my sister but add one more in the mix and it could only be better!

But my biggest source of joy came when reality slapped me in the face in the form of some wise words from a best friend. She reminded me that "SHE needs me!" I can't even write it with out crying. This sweet little girl needs ME! How on earth can you hear that and not melt and know that all is well and all is planned and all is perfect. A million thanks for that pearl of knowledge Julie. I will love you for that forever!

So please... no need for more "condolences" in the form of congratulations! I still wish for a sweet little boy to call my own but already feel a special connection to this tender third little girl of mine. A family of all one gender is special I guess. We must have something important to teach our little women at this stage in the game. I welcome the responsibility.

It's a girl!

Lost a battle but won the war.

(*** Please while reading this post remember that this is MY Blog!!!My form of journaling!I have a right to record my feeling of outcomes and events that are important to me!I am in no way looking for agreement or disagreement, arguments or insults directed at me!I have graciously respected all who make known their views on their blogs and would appreciate the same on mine!)

OBAMA? For real!!!??? I'm surprised his jargon wasn't in need of a translator for so many Americans!Did you not hear the accent of a Socialist leader at his debates or in him policy. Ugggg! He talks of wanting America to be Personally responsible but by all means let government step in and issue you health care fit for all. Let Government be the first to congratulate you when you oops have another child you can't afford. Let government come to the rescue and make self responsibility a thing of the past! Thanks!

I love how on this Historic morning Nations all over the world are sitting with smiles on their faces ready to watch the most powerful nation in the world become more like them! They need not wish us ill will or send Anti American Stink eyes our way! We'll slowly be stewing in the fruits of our labor thank you! Not mine mind you. I bought my right to complain when I voted! So here I'll voice my disappointment! I'll record for all my prosperity to read one day of how disappointed I felt on Nov. 5th 2008.

It's sad when an election is won by race. How many first time voters came out only because they had a Black person to vote for? Were the issues a main pull? No. Would I be feeling the same way had Obama been an Asian, a Mexican or a Martian? YES!!! If his race or religion were the driving force for any reaction I would have a problem, as would all of you who were anti Romney because he was Mormon! I totally agree that candidates should be looked at and judged by their platforms, policies, values and potential impact on my Country.

Oh well right! Roll with it. My middle class status may even be a beneficiary under his administration. La de frikin da! I'll be curious to see the effects of our Obama-nation over the next 4 years. So thanks Democrats, first time Republicans for Democrats, Obama supporters and McCain haters! Can't wait to see what you all did!!!!!! Hopefully I'll be proven wrong! Put in my place and shown the light. I'll be praying for the leader of my Country. I would never wish a leader of the greatest "free" nation to ever fail! If anything He needs all the help and support he can get! So today I complain and vent and feel better for it. Tomorrow will be a new day.

It's another slew of emotions that I feel when it comes to the outcome of California's results on Prop 8. With the Prop 8 win I feel a sigh of relief and a weight lifted off my shoulders. It was an issue of family values to me. An issue of parental control. I firmly believe it is the right of parents to teach the concept of family to their own children, with their own definition based on their values, their religious views and in their arena when they feel it's time. The issue was too important to leave it up to Schools, Government and teachers. Opting out of curriculum taught in public schools would not have been an option. Teaching of differences and diversity is important but leave it up to families to have that conversation.

Those who think it's discrimination need to be reminded that in Public schools Church and State have already been in effect. No talk of Christmas, and other religious Holidays, no praying in school. Nothing is sent home to describe the birth of Christ or Passover. Do I feel slided as a Christian. NO!!! I take the responsibility to teach my children my values at home. Is this issue not one more value we as families are entitled to talk about ourselves? I happily honor my friends who have no religious belief, my friends who feel Christ is yet to come, my friends who believe differently from me! This Prop passing allows us all to still be engaged in whatever we believe and not impart our views on the other.

So yes. Today I feel a battle for a leader was lost but a war against the family was won. If I had to pick witch was more important I think my family will always win! So for all the CA voters who helped allow us all to be the teachers of our own children I send you a huge Thank you! This results resonates across the Country!

Sorry if this offends anyone. I love the emotion that burn inside of myself and all of us! America still stands for freedom of speech and I'll exercise that gift till the day it's stripped away from me. I encourage all to do the same!

I'll stop now. Tomorrow bring new joy!!!! We find out what we are having and it will be a good day!

For Real!

Do we not live in the most beautiful place!

I swear this has to be the best time of year! I am in awe of Gods creations! The Mountains are on fire, the sky a contrasting back drop! The smell of leaves on the ground!It's all a little to euphoric for me!!! Recently the fall chill can be
felt in the air and I say bring it on!

Nothing like a cup of cider and a glowing fire to round out a fall night! I just want to remember how the world around me makes me feel right now!

So calm, warm and comfortable!



Fall to me means, Family, home, and Slowing down!
What does Fall mean to you?


I have Fallin' for FALL!


**My Halloween post and other fun family news in on my family blog!