McCombs Family

Houston, I have a problem

2012-02-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we were driving to my parents' house and passed an old door put out for the garbage man.

Me: Aaron, stop the car. I want that door.

Aaron: Why do you want a dirty old door?

Me: I want it. Stop the car now.

Aaron: You're not serious.

He stopped the car and drove back. I hopped out and shoved the door into our minivan (so classy right?) Aaron's dying in the car and whispering, "People are staring at you."

Yesterday I went to deliver cupcakes and saw this old nasty looking dresser placed out in front of a dumpster.

I have been dreaming about it ever since. I woke up at 4:21 am and could not get that dresser out of my mind.

that's when you know it's true love

I'm totally going to get it today.

Sawing Logs

2012-02-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky that I married someone who doesn't snore.

We'd be in separate beds, (make that) separate bedrooms if he did.

I have experienced living with someone who I could hear snoring from other rooms. This situation in particular occurs when I am in the basement sleeping, and this person is upstairs, sleeping. I can hear him snoring across floors.

His wife is a saint.

because if it was me, his mouth would be taped shut and his nose pinched together.

Constantly Improving

2012-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

After coming back from Women's Conference (or any religious spiritual gathering), I always need to remind myself, baby steps, baby steps. God doesn't expect/want you to be perfect two hours after hearing all this. Those women who talked are not perfect, you don't have to be either.

One goal. I can do one goal.

That is to be better at reading my scriptures. I used to be SOOOO good. And then came kids. And other things during naptime (like blogging, bad bad) became more fun, more desirable.

I can spare 10 minutes of nap time though for scripture study. I don't think Heavenly Father wants me to spend all of nap time reading my scriptures. He understands that I need to sharpen the saw sometimes.

10 minutes.

Oh Wal-Mart

2012-02-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

I went to Wal-Mart today with both the kids.

Why?

I guess I'm a masochist or something

While I'm trying to round up Cade who's knocking everything off the shelves and then tossing everything else that's still on the shelves into my cart and keep Jackson happy (he's tired and crying in the cart) all while trying to stay on budget and keep track of how much I'm spending (thank you Aaron) some old man walks by and says,

"That's what you get for having them so close together."

Prayer

2012-01-31T22:16:00.001-08:00

This refers to my previous post here

“I believe that many people are confident that the Lord's will will be done and that the Lord can do anything, but they're not confident that he will do it for them or that he wants to do it now.

“This lack of confidence in our ability to gain access to the powers of heaven is a major reason why more of our prayers aren't answered. In fact, as I travel around the Church I often meet people who say, ‘My prayer wasn't answered because it just wasn't the will of the Lord.’ They want to place the responsibility for their unanswered prayer on the Lord. But often the truth is that they just didn't exercise enough faith; they didn't have enough confidence in their ability to receive an answer.

“It is true that we must ask according to the will of God. As John wrote:

‘This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.’ (1 John 5:14-15.)

“But too often we use this as an excuse. Instead of trying to place the responsibility on the Lord when we don't get the answers we want (‘obviously it wasn't the will of God’), we should learn to have confidence before him so that we can ‘come boldly unto the throne of grace’ (Hebrews 4:16) and receive the desires of our hearts.” (Gene R. Cook, Receiving Answers to Our Prayers [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1996], 60.)

Just cute

2012-01-31T21:17:00.000-08:00

Cade loves Jackson.

Love might be an understatement.

I've been fighting him for days now trying to keep Cade out of Jackson's crib. All he wants to do is sleep with his little brother. When we're putting them down for bed and singing some songs, Cade must at all times be hugging Jackson, kissing Jackson, or holding his ear. And Jackson gladly reciprocates.

Today Cade was playing with his favorite toy (Jackson) by pushing him around in the stroller.

FYI, Jackson is 3 lbs lighter than Cade. I got asked yesterday how old my twins were.

Cade points at the street and says, "No no." (meaning, he's telling me that he's not supposed to go in the street)

Before I can praise Cade for being so smart and obedient I hear from the stroller,

"Na na."

Weirdy

2012-01-31T21:13:00.000-08:00

I am such a girl.

I asked for advice in my last post and then found myself ignoring the advice that came and thinking, "That won't work," and, "I can't (okay) won't do that."

I'll try.

but no promises

Thanks for your support and kind words. I can't promise that the scale will leave my bathroom, but maybe I can change to making a weigh-in a weekly thing. I really believe that weighing in every so often is vital in maintenance. It's way easier to lose 1 or 2 lbs than it is to lose 10 or 15.

Wanting More

2012-01-30T21:37:00.000-08:00

Aug. 2008, 174 lbs

Jan. 2012, 130 lbs

(obviously my hairstyle hasn't changed in 3 1/2 years)

I have lost 60 lbs since December 2006. I weigh 130 lbs and have a BMI of 19.2. I wear a size 2/4.

I should be happy.

I should look at myself and see this gorgeous thin body that I have wanted to have all my life.

But I don't.

I never understood how my little sister could look in the mirror and see fat. She was the flyer for the cheerleading squad and weighed maybe 100 lbs wet. I hated her

(I didn't really HATE her, I just hated how thin and beautiful she was. It always hurt that she got all the boyfriends and I just had the boy friends)

The thing is, I used to see a beautiful, thin person. Right after I lost all the weight, I couldn't stop looking in the mirror because I was just so proud. So happy. So confident. I finally felt like I belonged in my family of beautiful skinny girls.

And then....

I guess I got used to it. And I don't know how to not be used to it anymore. My head tells me that I'm thin and that people would kill to look like me, but I don't see it

(I'm not asking for compliments on how skinny I am or how great I look. I think I'm trying to say that I finally understand how even skinny people can have body issues)

I am addicted to the scale. The number it shows dictates how good of a person I am. I know that's not true, I know it's wrong, but I can't stop. I'm too afraid that if I stop weighing myself everyday I'll find myself back to where I was 5 years ago.

And here's the kicker. While I want to change my image of myself, and feel good about myself, I'm scared that if I do, I'll just let myself go.

Suggestions?

Fair

2012-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

Fair is....

making your husband clean out the shower drain when it's all your hair clogging it.

Just like fair is...

when your husband gets cookies & juice (and lies down because he doesn't feel well) while you're in labor.

2012-01-19T14:14:00.000-08:00

In case my last post was too serious

We like to call him Cracker Face.

Trusting God

2012-01-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Our Relief Society lesson this past Sunday was on the life of President George Albert Smith and I have been thinking about a statement this entire week since.

(for a person who usually doesn't really remember anything in particular that was mentioned, this is big. I feel like this is something the Spirit wants me to learn).

"The Lord will take care of you in times of danger, if you will give him the opportunity."

Wow.

I believe that President Smith wasn't only talking about times of danger, but about any circumstance. So often I pray for something, saying, "Heavenly Father please...." and then when it doesn't happen I assume that it's His will, when he just might be waiting for me to do it.

For our family scripture study we just got finished reading the first "war chapter" in Alma. Moroni said something that struck me and it goes along perfectly with what I've been talking about

"Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed." (Alma 44:11)

Now what struck me was that Moroni knew that they would win. He didn't just pray to Heavenly Father that morning that the Nephites would win and then hope they would because it just might be God's will.

No.

He said,

Heavenly Father, we're fighting for what's right and we're fighting for the right reasons, and I EXPECT you to help us win. I EXPECT to win, because I'm doing what I'm supposed to.

Moroni was giving Heavenly Father the opportunity to bless him and to keep them safe.

The scriptures promise us all the time that Heavenly Father will give us whatever we ask if it's right. The Bible Dictionary says, "The object of prayer...is to secure for ourselves...blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them." And I think Heavenly Father wants us to ask with some gumption. How else do we show Him that we believe Him when He says that He wants to bless us?

lamp re-purposed

2012-01-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed lately with re-purposing ugly things, especially lamps. What is with ugly-shaped brass/gold lamps that seem to just be pouring out of people's ears?

I wish I'd taken a before picture, but all I have is the after. I'm so proud, even though I'm afraid to turn it on because it might start a fire.


those of you who know me will realize how epic this is that even one picture was taken

no more monkeys jumping on the bed

2012-01-16T22:13:00.000-08:00

I am always amazed by how much Cade understands and remembers.

We had to go to the doctor today so that Jackson could get his 6 months shots (I missed his 4 month well-baby check completely because we were in between insurances and jobs) and I told Cade that he needed to hold my hand while we were in the parking lot so that we could take baby Jackson to the doctor.

He looks up at me, says, "Na na" and shakes his finger

translation: Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed.

Smart kid.

Bad Mama

2011-12-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

I really need to start feeding Jackson solid food.

But I do not want to.

Not because I don't want him to grow up, but because it takes FOREVER! And Cade is not the child that I can leave happily playing by himself while I feed baby. I actually gave up breastfeeding because chasing my 1 and a half year old around with a baby attached to my boob was not great.

Poor kid.

Maybe he can start on his birthday.

Meet George

2011-11-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of nights ago, Aaron and I got into a little "tiff", and so to get back at him, I invited another man into my bed.

Meet George

I had put my feet down into the bottom of my bed and felt something sharp. I pulled back the covers and saw him, just gripping onto the sheets for dear life.

I screamed, and did what any cheating lover would do, ran into the bathroom and closed the door and yelled "Get him out GET HIM OUT!"

The strange thing is, I've always had a weird fear of snakes and fish being down at the bottom of my bed next to my feet. George has only intensified this fear and now Aaron and I check for lizards every night before we get into bed.

Facebook

2011-10-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let people know that I am trying to reduce my facebook time. So if it takes me a while to respond, it is because I haven't logged on in a while.

During conference, I heard this talk, where he said, "We most devote our time to things that matter most" and that was my ding ding ding moment. That was where the Spirit hit me on the head and said,

"Rachelle, how often do you get annoyed at your kids because they want you and you are on facebook?"

Ouch.

So, I have not deleted my account because we live away from Aaron's family and I like to see pictures of them and their goings ons. But I am trying to limit my time.

Sidenote: I finally got Aaron to watch Design Star with me on HGTV (all 6 seasons can be watched online here and he likes it. Maybe even more than me.

Phineas and Ferb

2011-10-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

(the title of this post has nothing to do with the actual blog, I'm just eating Phineas and Ferb fruitsnacks)

So, you all remember how I said I was praying for faith and understanding, and how life was hard last post. Well, skip forward a month and life is going better. I felt such an outpouring of love via this blog, and facebook, and emails, and I appreciate all of you.

Exactly one week after he was fired, Aaron was offered a job at Moapa Valley Telephone Company, in my lovely little sweet hometown of Overton, NV.

We're currently in the Overton 2nd Ward, which is the ward my grandparents go to and the one that my parents and I went to when we first moved to Overton. This translates to lots of people knowing who I am, and me knowing that I should know these people, but not.

This means that poor little Jackson has moved 3 times in his short life of 4 months. Can you say army brat?

Praying for faith and understanding

2011-10-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

(this is kind of a brag post, and also an info post)

At the end of August, Aaron was offered a job with a consulting firm in Scottsdale, AZ. We prayed and felt good about it, and took the job. 2 weeks later we ended up in Mesa.

Things were going well. We liked our condo, loved the pool, and the babies had adjusted well.

But...(there's always that but)

Aaron didn't realize what collecting competitive intelligence (i.e. being a market analyst) entailed. They wanted him to make up a story and pretend to be someone that he wasn't on the phone to get information. The company he was working for was not hired by another company because they were suspected of illegal activity (I'm not naming his company because I don't want to be vindictive). His boss wanted him to create a fake I.D. online with a fake LinkedIn profile and say that he had worked for companies that he never had before. Aaron just didn't feel comfortable.

So he told his boss he couldn't/wouldn't do that. And they let him go. Yesterday. On my birthday.

Aaron waited all day to tell me until the end because he didn't want to ruin my birthday.

Gosh its been hard.

{I told Aaron yesterday that I was so proud of him for standing up for his values/morals/integrity, but at the same time, a part of me wished he hadn't. But my mom reminded me that I should be so grateful for a husband who values honesty so much that he would risk losing his job. I will never have to worry about being able to trust him} (this is the bragging portion of the post. Aaron is awesome)

Its hard to still have faith that you made the right decision when everything seems to be going so wrong, but I'm trying. I say all the time that God intends for our trials to be hard and that he understands when we find them hard, but now I actually have to believe what I preach. Today is a hard day. Hopefully tomorrow I have a bit more faith. That's what I'm praying for.

To top off all this wonderfulness, Aaron's grandmother had a stroke on Monday (we found out yesterday) and Cade got into Aaron's allergy medicine today and we had to call poison control. He seems to be okay, so thank goodness for that tender mercy.

At times like this, I'm grateful for my testimony and for the gospel of Jesus Christ and I'm so thankful that we just had conference, and I can remember this talk.

"God our Father is not a feeling or an idea or a force. He is a holy person who, as the scriptures teach, has a face and hands and a glorious immortal body. He is real, He knows each of us individually, and He loves us, every one. He wants to bless us."

Our landlady's (Phyllis) 29-year-old daughter had a stroke last week. Phyllis is inactive. Monday I asked her if she wanted Aaron to give her a blessing and she said yes. She's coming over tonight.

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving us this blessing along with the trial. I think about Phyllis, and about how much our Heavenly Father loves her too, that he would move an entire family to Arizona just so that we can share the gospel with her. I don't know if we'll convert her, but I intend to plant a seed.

...

2011-06-21T18:43:00.002-07:00

My next project for Jackson will be this...

Jackson Bradley

2011-06-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, Aaron is with Cade outside and Jackson is asleep. I figured I have time to write down his birth story and I'd like to before I forget everything.

I went to bed on Monday night (June 6th) feeling some contractions (nothing new) and wondering if tomorrow would actually FINALLY be the day that the baby came. I woke up around 12:30 am with more contractions, and feeling them in my lower back. I started timing them, and they were really irregular.

darn it.

I figured since I was awake, there was no harm in being prepared in case they did start becoming regular. I got up, packed my bag, showered, and got everything ready in case we did need to go to the hospital. My contractions would come every 3 minutes, and then every 7, then every 20, then every 10, then we'd go to 5 minutes, and then 8...like I said, really irregular, and I did not want to go to the hospital and get sent home. I would have felt like an absolute retard since this is my second and I STILL can't tell what real labor is.

Aaron leaves for work at 6:00 am, and when his alarm rang at 5:30, I told him that I'd been having contractions all night but they weren't regular and that he might as well go to work. He left, and I went to sleep.

I had a doctor's appointment that morning at 8:45 in Bountiful, so Cade and I loaded up and off we went. I was still have a few contractions, but they would come ever half an hour or 15 minutes, so I chalked them up to Braxton Hicks.

At the doctor's, I told the nurse I'd been having contractions all night but they'd been really irregular, but that my hope was the doctor would come in, check me, and say, "Holy COW! You're at a 5! Go to the hospital."

She laughed.

The doctor came in, and told me that if I hadn't had the baby by Saturday, they would induce me, because he was leaving town the next week. Then he asked me if I'd been having contractions and I told him the same thing I'd told the nurse, that I had, but they'd been really irregular.

When he started the pelvic exam, he said, that I was really thinned out and wouldn't make it until Saturday (HURRAY!). Then the nurse told him that I wanted him to tell me I was 5 cm dilated and to go to the hospital. He kind of smiled, and I told him he was free to lie to me all he wanted. Then he went to check to see how far I was dilated, and went, "Wow, you called it. You're at least 5 1/2 to 6 cm dilated. We're having a baby today."

Me: (in my head) Really? Man, with Cade I barely made it to 3 cm dilated before I wanted the epidural. Now you're telling me I've been in labor this whole time and I haven't even known it?

I called Aaron and told him to meet me at the hospital, and then drove Cade home. My mother-in-law drove us to the hospital (Cade and I) and we met Aaron at the entrance. I like when your doctor has already called the hospital to tell them you're on your way. The paperwork was all ready and they all believed me when I told them I was in labor.

My labor and delivery nurse was 8 months pregnant (what a horrible job to be pregnant in. To watch all these other women give birth and know that you still have to wait), and when she went to check me, she told me that I was at least 7 cm dilated. She asked me if I was going to get an epidural, because if I was, I needed to get it soon, because there were several C-sections scheduled for that day and the anesthesiologist wouldn't be available after about half an hour.

I'm thinking, I'm already at a 7, and I haven't had a hard time at all. Wouldn't that be cool if I could do it natural?

Then the nurse said, "I really think you could do it without."

So I did.

Aaron had his iPad (a gift from mom and dad for graduating) and we watched "Lost" on Netflix the entire time I was in labor (I recommend it. Keeps your mind off the pain). The only bad thing was, right when I dilated to 10 cm, Sawyer had a needle punched through his sternum. This made dear hubby slightly queasy, okay...really queasy, and he had to lay down on the couch the entire time I was pushing and didn't get to help or see Jackson born.

Pushing was hard. I felt just like how it was in the movies, sweat popping up, the yelling thing. But the worst part? I almost had his head out and the nurse told me to stop pushing so that I wouldn't tear. Oh the agony. I was SOoo close and then I had to wait. But I did it, and I'm so glad I did, because recovering from stitches sucks worse than giving birth.

Jackson was 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long. I got to hold him right after he was born, unlike Cade who was rushed off to NICU, which was really nice. And then I got wheeled off to my room by my 8 month pregnant nurse...how awful about that did I feel?

So, after having had one child with an epidural, and one natural, I really can't decide what I'll do with my third. I'll probably go into labor, and go as long as I can without pain meds (that was my original plan for both Cade & Jackson). If I end up needing an epidural, I'll get it. If I don't, great, I won't.

Mother's Day Gift

2011-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

I just have to brag.

I have the best husband...EVER.

My Mother's Day gift was a homemade coffee table & matching end table, built by Aaron (and Cade), and a baby-free weekend with money to spend on myself. I still haven't used the baby free weekend coupon yet, I told him I want to when there's two babies to watch.

This is with the flash

Here is the coffee table in all its glory. I love it. He painted the bottom Heirloom White and stained the top Dark Walnut.

Without

And a lovely bird's eye view. Yes, I know I have fabulous photography skills

My end table. Don't you love my little green lamp? I do.

A tie onesie I made for the new baby. I love argyle.

That's How You Do It

2011-05-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went over to my in-laws home for baby back ribs in honor of Memorial Day. My nephew Noah was "bowling" with some plastic pins and a ball.

Aaron put the bowling ball under Noah's shirt and told Noah to tell his daddy that he was going to have a baby.

Noah did.

Then he got his baby out by hitting it with a bowling pin.

Hmm, maybe I should give it a go.

Moving, Graduation, and Buying

2011-04-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Wow.

That about sums up my feelings of the last month and a half. After I vented my frustration about looking for apartments, I found one that we felt good about, was $650 a month (not including gas, electric, or internet, funny how the internet has become such a necessity) and was not in the "ghetto" area of Provo (ahem, the southern and eastern side).

We had petitioned with Wymount to change our move-out date from April 30th, to April 18th, and we were planning on moving into our new place April 16th.

Along comes April 13th. I'm planning Cade's birthday party and asking if Aaron's family would like to meet us in Salt Lake for cake and ice cream on Sunday (his birthday). I get an email from my mother-in-law, Corinne, asking us if we would be interested into moving into the basement of the elderly lady that Glade (father-in-law) hometeaches. Now, here's the clincher. Free rent.

Yes, free rent. With cable TV, wireless internet, a home theater, a pool table, our own private entrance, a water softener (no more gray whites, HOLLA!), a washer/dryer, two bedrooms, a HUGE bathroom (with a heat lamp), a fenced in backyard, and oh yes...FREE RENT--in exchange for doing small household chores and visiting with her. Yup. We've lived in the basement for one week now, and she's asked us to change one lightbulb, carry a few things down the stairs, and mow the lawn. Cade and I go up to talk for about half an hour every day, and that's it. It's been awesome. We're right across the street from Aaron's parents (yes, free babysitting) and we live in a neighborhood, with sidewalks and everything.

It was slightly stressful trying to get out of our one year contract, and having to move everything into storage because her old tenants were still living there, but now that we're settled and moved in, I'd take the stress anyday.

Aaron is still working in Provo, commuting an hour each way (I know, yuck), but he works from 7-3, so he leaves before I get up and he's home at 4, way better than it was when he was in school. He's got an interview with Fidelity Investments to be a Financial Representative on Wednesday (fingers crossed) and they have a branch in Salt Lake, so hopefully, he'll be able to go someplace closer soon.

Aaron also graduated, but both of us were lame (and to the great disappointment of Corinne) chose not to walk. Me, because I had my baby the day after my last final and it just wasn't a priority, and Aaron because he didn't want to spend $40 on a cap & gown. We had our own little celebration, and I've just loved having him home, and when he's home, actually being able to be home, and not have to do homework. I know school is worth it, but it was such a sacrifice.

We're now in the process of buying a larger vehicle. Patsy (our 2005 Ford Focus hatchback) is just not cutting it anymore. With my big belly its really hard to get Cade in and out of his carseat in the backseat, with no door (it's a 3-door, apparently the trunk counts as a door). I think we've found one, a nice-suh-weet mini van (don't worry, I drove one all through high school, my cool factor can't be damaged anymore than it already is), and hopefully we can get it today.

Fingers crossed.

Anyway, that's that. Thanks for sticking with me and hopefully reading until the end.

For that, you also get to find out that we got family pictures taken during General Conference. Here are a few of my favorites.

Future Plans

2011-03-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

Let me just say, I love doing ChaCha. It's been so nice to have an extra $200 a month to spend on crafty stuff and things like new vacuums, and it gives me something to do while Cade's sleeping and Aaron's gone. And I also get to learn that it's illegal to have an armadillo as a pet in Massachusetts (who knew). If you're interested in doing it too, go here, I honestly think its great for stay-at-home moms. You feel like you can contribute something, but if your baby needs you, well then, get off the computer and take care of him.

This does have a point. I got paid on Tuesday, so...

Cade and baby boy #2 (who's name will either be Jackson, Ethan, or Logan, we haven't decided) need a dresser. I found a solid oak, 9 drawer dresser on craigslist for $99 and now I need to paint it. So I'm off to Lowes tomorrow to buy lots of navy blue spray paint (neighbors, if the grass outside looks suspiciously darker, don't worry, it will grow out). I'm also going to get stuff to do this for their room.

To view the tutorial, click on the picture

And I will learn to quilt.

Apartment Hunting

2011-03-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

Our time in Wymount is coming to an end. Honestly, I have mixed feelings. Mainly because finding a new place to live is such a pain. I don't want to ~~move~~ pack, deal with weird neighbors, and other people's nastiness that they've left behind.

I told Aaron I wish he was home more so that he could help look. He told me:

"If I looked, we'd be in the cheapest apartment."

Point made.

I'm picky. I want a washer/dryer (at least the hookups), I don't want to be living with a bunch of college kids (because we won't be anymore), I don't want to live in the ghetto (ahem, south of campus), I want a yard, or at least a small patch of grass nearby, I want shelves that fit nicely into their compartments, I want a kitchen with counter space, a bathroom that I don't feel like I need to spray Lysol in every time, and I want to be able to walk around barefoot without feeling disgusted, all for around $650.

Unfortunately, that's been hard to find.

But, never fear, with craigslist, and ksl I will find a place. Maybe even a place where I can paint the walls...

Tyler's Homecoming

2011-02-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

Aaron's little brother Tyler came home from the Johannesburg South Africia mission last Wednesday. We drove up to the airport to meet him, which was a great sacrifice for Cade since the plane didn't get in until 8:20 pm and his bedtime is 6:30 (there are cons to this, the biggest one being his wake up time is 6:00-6:30 am).

I love this one.

Lupercalia Dilemma

2011-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

I am NOT a fan of Valentine's Day.

I think the only time I ever liked it was when you made valentine holders in elementary school, and everyone had to give a valentine to everyone, and you could always tell who the rich kids were because they had candy with their valentine, and so you liked theirs' the best.

I like it slightly better now that I'm married and not single, but still...imagine trying to be romantic in a tub (or bathroom) barely big enough for your 9-month-old (don't even get me started about the lack of counter space).

I don't know about the rest of you, but it is so hard to buy something for Aaron, and I feel bad making him just get me presents. Plus, I like to give gifts.

But he's the type of guy who follows the "wear it out or do without" philosophy, which is fine and dandy (except when it comes to things like garments and socks, like the fact that he still has garments THAT HE WEARS from before his mission. He left in '04, you do the math).

So I decided that rather than try and find something in the store that he'll appreciate and use (which is a big requirement for me in gift-purchasing), I'm going to be cheesy and make him up one of those little coupon books. Poor little guy. His coupon for a back massage is going to be for a 5 minute back massage because that's about all my fingers can handle.

[FYI-Lupercalia was observed in ancient Rome from Feb. 13-15, and was a fertility festival. Apparently the pope didn't think that fit very well with the Christian religion, so he, um...picked something more P.C.]

Y Not

2011-02-02T11:07:00.001-08:00

We had our ultrasound appointment today. Baby wouldn't show us his face, so no cute little profile pictures. Everything is healthy and there, which is what I pray for when I go to an ultrasound (and that baby will not be shy).

According to the doctor, we will be increasing the ratio of Y chromosomes in our family.

And he moved my due date back...Boo.

But I guess I'd rather have it moved back now than when I'm 38 weeks. So instead of June 11 we're looking at June 21. 10 days. I'm sure I'll be wishing for those back when I am 38 weeks.

Husbands should come with instructions

2011-01-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

I asked Aaron to pick me up some butter.

Disclaimer: We're cheap, or living on a cheap budget, however you'd like to phrase it. When we can, I will buy real butter, but for now, I buy cheap margarine. But I call it butter. I've always bought it, and he's seen it in the fridge.

He comes back with butter. The kind that costs $3.00 for 2 cups, or 4 little sticks.

Me: I wanted you to get the Blue Bonnet kind (showing him the kind in our fridge) the kind we always get.

Him: Well you should have said you wanted 53% vegetable oil spread

Words

2011-01-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is what I hear, ALL THE TIME. From the minute he wakes up til when he goes to bed.

A BA BA BA BA BA BA BA

While following me around the house...

Awesome.

Christmas Card

2010-12-10T11:36:00.001-08:00

Oh Holy Night Religious Christmas Card

Turn your photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Only 17 days left...hopefully the post office is ready!

2010-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

My friend, Sara, blogged about this giveaway that Shutterfly is doing. I've never sent out Christmas cards, but honestly, how can you beat free, especially 50 free cards? It's enough to make me send out a Christmas card to my husband's ex-girlfriends (yes, plural :D)

Hopefully, sending out Christmas cards will make me feel more "grown-up" and "adult-like". The only problem will be deciding which picture(s) to use, that will appropriately show off how adorable my little boy is (and maybe how good-looking Aaron & I are, but maybe we don't want to make people {THAT} jealous)

My in-laws give us a calendar every year with pictures from the year before from Shutterfly. When Aaron was on his mission, he had a calendar from his parents with all sorts of little encouragements on each day. It's one of his favorite memories from serving. They also make great Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.

My favorite is bright and bold

I'm already guessing what type of background they'll choose.

I love how classy this one looks, and I also have the ability to pull lots of pictures from the entire year

I've also been wanting for so long to get a canvas art from Modern Bird Studios, but they're SO expensive, and way out of my price range. I didn't even know that Shutterfly offers canvas art, and it's affordable--meaning you won't have to break your piggy bank to afford a nice piece of art that will last a long time.

Want some? Are you practically drooling over the chance to get something for FREE? Especially something that is so nice...come on, click the link

HERE

(Hurry, you only have until December 10)

Now comes the hard part--writing the post was easy. But which Christmas card should I choose? There's 5 pages worth.

More Movement

2010-12-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

He crawls now.

Here's the proof.

Rights Overload

2010-12-07T07:30:00.001-08:00

I just read this article about Proposition 8 in California. It makes me so angry when the basis of the plaintiff's argument is that marriage is a right, and that because it is a fundamental right, Proposition 8 violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

I'm sorry, but marriage is not a right. It's a privilege.

Here's my reasoning.

Is polygamy/bigamy allowed?

Will we let first cousins marry? (okay, so some states will, but it is not a country wide thing)

Will we let a father marry his daughter? Or a mother her son? Or an uncle his niece?

Will we let someone marry their dog? (or any other pet/animal)

In Europe, marriages performed in the LDS temples are not recognized as valid. They must first marry civilly, and then they can be sealed. If they chose to only participate in the sealing, their marriage is not recogized as lawful, and so God or the church won't recognize it either.

So, we deny the right to marry whomever we choose to heterosexual couples as well. Why? Because we see it as morally reprehensible to let one man marry more than one woman, because it is likely that children born to extremely close relatives can be genetically "awkward". Why are those okay arguments for denying those forms of marriage, but for homosexual marriages are seen as "bigoted" and "narrow-minded"?

I'm not going to end with a caveat about how homosexuals are good people blah blah blah, because they are, that's not what this post is about.

The argument that love makes everything okay, that because we love the person whatever they want to do is acceptable, is wrong. I love Cade, and I love him more than I love his happiness, and so, I'm not going to let him stick something into an electric outlet, even though, I know it would make him happy (for a second anyway).

Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

So, I'm almost a week behind, but I never bring my camera anywhere because my inlaws always take much better pictures, and I've had to wait until they were posted on facebook so I could steal them.

We went up to Kaysville for Thanksgiving, something that (on Tuesday when the "supposed" blizzard was going to occur) I was very thankful for that we didn't have to be trying to drive down to Overton in it. I was disappointed. I WANTED a blizzard. I was safe inside, and it would have been cool to see.

This is my favorite picture. Poor little ornament. He never saw it coming. At least he died famous.

Cade kept touching Asher. Good thing he's a good sport about it.

It was SO bright and cold outside. At least Cade looks good, because, that's the only reason I take pictures, is to show him off.

Feel free to want my baby's blue eyes. I really hope they stay.

Cade's picture taking face.

Take 52 (notice again Cade's zoned out look seen only for the camera)

from left to right: Noah, Emery, Asher, and Cade

More of Cade's picture taking face. Yes, the hat is pink with sequins (Aaron was not in the room when this was taken)

We loved our Thanksgiving. I was sad to have the weekend be over, and sad to lose my extra helper. It will be so nice once Aaron's done with school. I try really hard to remember what President Monson said and to enjoy the stage of life I'm at right now, but, for the past 3 days now, he's left at 7:30am and come home at 9:30pm. I'm ready for that to end. I feel like I married a bishop.

Round 2

2010-11-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

If you haven't gotten the announcement on facebook, Aaron and I are going to be adding to our family in June 2011 (my official due date is June 11).

To answer questions:

{NO} this wasn't planned

{YES} we are excited

{YES} I know how close this baby and Cade will be, but think of it this way, at least I won't have JUST gotten him out of diapers before starting all over again

My brother-in-law Kristo, told Aaron that U.S. snipers wear a badge on their army jackets, that says, "One shot, One kill." He's going to make him (Aaron) one for Christmas.

I've felt really great. No sickness, no cramping, no tender boobs, nothing. I did have to stop nursing because the extra 600 calories I needed to feed Cade, and the extra 300 for the baby, was a little much. I know, weird, who can't handle an extra 900 calories? I'm sad about it, but there are also benefits to not being the sole provider of food. He's taken to a bottle really well though, and since we were already on solid foods, the changes in poop smell weren't THAT obvious.

Oh, and the one thing I've learned about this? NEVER, EVER be alone with your husband while your sister-in-law named Lizz is having a baby. Because you WILL get pregnant. (Case in point, with Lizz's 1st baby, Asher, my sister-in-law Ashley got pregnant and was due exactly 9 months after Asher was born. With Lizz's 2nd baby, Emery, it was my turn. Yup, my due date is 9 months after Emery was born.)

But I'm weird and notice patterns like that.

Putting Off Doing the Dishes

2010-11-18T18:19:00.001-08:00

There's a lovely pile of dishes in my kitchen sink--and I really don't feel like doing them. So I'm desperately trying to think of something to write.

not as many people think I'm weird for putting up my Christmas stuff last Saturday as I thought would. Many are jealous.
apparently, cabbage leaves in your bra, can help relieve breast engorgement (eh, I tried it, and I wasn't too impressed. All it did was make me smell cabbage, and smell like cabbage)
there are over 9,000,000 little bumps on a basketball (I learned that today doing ChaCha. Someone actually asked. I wanted to tell them to count them, but apparently someone already has.)
Aaron and I have more friends that I thought. We honestly do nothing but go to church and hang out by ourselves, and people still like us. Score.
there are people who have only ever known me by my married name.
Thanksgiving is in one week.

and this little guy will never learn to crawl--because rolling in circles around the living room is WAY more fun. Plus, crawling would make him lose that double chin he's worked so hard to get.

Kendra, this is for you

2010-11-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

A friendly reminder from Kendra made me realize that I have been rather terrible at this blogging thing...which is hypocritical, because I love the people who update regularly.

My Gramma gave Cade her old high chair. I love having the first grandchild/great-grandchild on my side of the family, because that means that we get all the stuff that no one wants anymore. Kim and Gary, well, they're out of luck. We have everything. It's been nice to have all 3 of us at the table (which only happens on Sundays because Aaron has to work full-time, so he works late) eating dinner. We've been working on feeding him just what we eat, because I really don't want to be one of those moms that has to make 3 or 4 different meals to satisfy my kids.

{In my nutrition class, we had to read a book by Ellyn Satter that talked about the division of responsibility when it comes to eating. She says that parents are responsible for what is served and when it is served, and that children are responsible for what they eat and how much they eat.}

So we had Cade up at the table with us, and we fed him pumpkin bread, peaches, and hash browns. He LOVED it. I still haven't found anything that he doesn't like.

Speaking of Cade, he is the reason that none of my Christmas decorations are up yet. Even though he can't crawl--that does not stop him from getting everywhere. Looks like my days of cute decorations are over for now. We're thinking of putting the tree up on the coffee table so it's more out of reach of curious mouths.

Aaron has been interviewing with a bunch of different financial companies. I was telling my mom that I was really jealous of some of my friends who are going to law school, medical school, dental school, and optometry school, because they don't have to look for jobs, but she reminded me that, that part is just getting put off for a couple more years, so, I guess it evens out in the end.

I thought I knew which job I wanted Aaron to get--but the more job interviews he gets--well, my mind changes. I thought I wanted him to take the job at Heritage Financial Group, but after finding out that they don't offer any leads at all, and that AXA Financial in Salt Lake does, well now I want AXA--until I learn about something else.

A couple of months ago, I started working for ChaCha, basically, I answer questions that people text to ChaCha, and then send them back. I've gotten some pretty funny ones. One today wanted to know if they could find their soulmate by testing DNA (and I actually found an answer for it on the internet). I get lots of kids who want me to do their homework for them (I like those, they pay more), and someone wanted to know if a kangaroo or a bullet was faster (it took all my self control to not say, duh). Aaron likes to come home and have me read out the best ones from the day. I'm saving up my pennies to get Cade's pictures taken by Skye Johansen. She's expensive, but I love her pictures.

(what my little hurricane has been up to lately. He loves anything that crinkles)

Why I Wish Money Grew on Trees

2010-10-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sigh....

Desires To Improve

2010-10-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

{this is sort of a musing type of post, reader beware}

Lately, I've been praying for the desire to improve. I normally just go through life, without much worry about what I'm doing, or who I am becoming. But, God doesn't work that way. It's not okay if I just go through the motions, because, I know, and more importantly HE knows, that I am definitely a work in progress.

Ever since I was little, I have to listen to something in order to fall asleep. My freshman year, I had such a hard time sleeping because I had a roommate other than my ever patient sister---until, one day, I discovered that I could sleep with my iPod in. And I've been doing it ever since.

A couple of nights ago, I was listening to a book that I'd listened to before, (those are the best type to fall asleep to, because you don't stay awake to hear what happens) and I felt so guilty. There was stuff in there I knew was not appropriate, but it had never bothered me before.

I kept listening.

And kept feeling guilty.

And then, a thought bubble popped in my head.

"Rachelle, you've been praying to become better. Do you really mean it, or are you just saying it to make yourself feel better?"

I went back and forth. I told myself I already knew what had happened, I had already been soiled by hearing the book the first time, but I knew, deep down, that I would be embarrassed if my kids or Aaron heard it.

I turned it off, (and it was hard!).

And now, I'm listening to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Much less embarrassing.

I don't know. Sometimes I wish that I was guilty of big sins, because I think I would feel more of a need for the Savior. I think that's what President Packer says that some of us are tested by ease and luxury. I will definitely raise my hand up on that one. Even with the trials that I've gone through, I still would not trade places with some people that I know.

So, prayer works....

....even when you don't want it to sometimes.

Reasons Why I'm Happy Today

2010-09-03T17:56:00.001-07:00

Aaron and I went to see the Lion King last night in Salt Lake. I LOVED it. Made me wish I was black so I could sing and dance amazingly.

I got to play with this little guy today. He was showing me just how he gets those amazing abs

I finished a clock for my Grandma & Grandpa Lyon's 50th wedding anniversary. I'm excited to give it to them (to any family members who may read this, please keep it on the d.l.)--and I know it's missing the hands, I'm going to add those when we get to Overton, that way they won't break or get bent on the trip down.

My sister Kim and her husband Gary are going to go to Lagoon on Saturday and they asked to stay with us.
Aaron has Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off--he also got a promotion.

Pineview Vacation

2010-08-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Aaron's family goes up to Pineview Resevoir every summer. Here's our vacation, as told in pictures.

love those chubby cheeks

Cade and I at the pool. He was a little chilly.

Playing rockband . It's nice to have a brother-in-law (Kristo) who knows every song ever written. As you can tell, my contacts were drying out, hence the squint.

We have officially reached the drooling stage.

My idea of tubing

This is the first time Aaron's hair has ever been long enough to "blow" in the breeze. I like it. Makes him look less bald.

Asher, my nephew, and his dad, Nick, tubing. Grandpa made sure to go slow.

The sun was just a tiny bit bright.

What do you mean I'm going to have to sleep in the closet?

Wonderful Day

2010-08-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Cade and I went up to Salt Lake for Lizz's baby shower. After 3 grandsons, the McCombs side of the family is finally having a girl. Seeing all the cute little baby clothes, with pink and ruffles, and little cupcakes..but Cade's clothes are pretty cute too, and the baby totally makes up for any lack of squeals that boy clothes may cause on my part.

I got told I was skinny today.

I haven't heard that in a long time, not since 9th grade. It was nice.

I spent most of my high school years hovering around the 160's. Sometimes, when I'd go on a diet and run, I could make it down to the high 150's, but never below that. I was never really comfortable with how I looked, but I didn't know how to get past it.

Then I went off to school. My freshman 15...well let's just say it was the freshman 30 almost 40. I remember wearing sweatshirts all the time, and purposefully turning down the thermostat so that it would be cold enough to justify wearing the sweatshirt. I felt like, if it was big and baggy, then no one would guess that what was making the sweatshirt bulge was really my stomach.

The end of my sophomore year I came home and the worst had happened. My mom looked better than me.

I decided to change right then and there, and that summer I lost 20 lbs. Oh man it was tough. I had to wake up really early to have it be cool enough to exercise, and I remember telling people all the time, "No thanks, I'm not hungry," when they offered me something like cake or cookies. It's hard to admit that you need to diet. I felt like I had reached a certain point where I didn't really see just how big I was.

The weight started coming off and my confidence started going up, excpet I HATED it when people would ask me if I'd lost weight. I felt like it was them saying, "Oh good, you're finally starting to lose weight, because you needed to." I remember standing on the scale and I was the weight that I was in high school and it made me so happy! (which is ironic because back in high school I hated that weight).

After Aaron and I got married, I started to put it back on again. Not too much, but I was back up to 170. And then...I got pregnant.

Aaron and I had been talking about having a baby and I was terrified. Not of being pregnant, but of the inevitable weight gain. I saw the 200's looming in my future. I could picture myself just eating and eating and eating.

But I didn't. Food lost all appeal to me while I was pregnant, and for some reason, I didn't gain any weigtht. In fact, I weighed 3 lbs less when I was about to give birth in the hospital than when I was very first pregnant. I thank Aaron for that. He has such a good attitude about food. Food is not his life (like it was mine), it's there to keep us alive. He eats when he's hungry and stops when he's full. Amazing concept, and one that I knew, but had never really implemented. Pregnancy put me so much in tune with my body that I was able to stop when I got full, and not feel deprived. If I wasn't hungry, I didn't eat.

After I had Cade, 20 lbs fell right off in about 3 days. I've lost another 5 in the past 4 months. I'm down to 140 (which at 5'9" puts my BMI from 27.8 at my heaviest to 20.7) which is less than the weight on my driver's license. And I'm happy with myself. I look in the mirror and feel beautiful. I don't feel like a fat slob standing next to my husband and sisters.

And I got told I was skinny today.

P.S. Cade rolled over for the first time yesterday. He cheats. He has to push off from the bars of his crib to roll over, but hey, he did it on his own. I'm counting it.

So This Is What It Feels Like

2010-08-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

I remember in 5th grade going through D.A.R.E. and hearing Office Kruse tell us that people who snort crack & cocaine (is there a difference, I'm not sure) lose the lining in their nose that separates the nostrils.

I'm cleaning the oven right now, and my nose is burning.

I would check to make sure that the lining is still there, but that's kind of gross.

It Really Is the Simple Things

2010-08-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Cade and I went outside today to enjoy Mother Nature. He likes to look up at the grass and I'm trying to not be so pasty white the next time I see my lifeguard sisters.

He was laying on the grass, trying unsuccessfully to convince his ball to shrink to a size small enough to fit into his mouth, and I was reading Charlotte's Web out loud to him. As lame as that sounds, it was really fun.

Life really is about all the little things--like the fact that every time I give Cade a bath he pees in the water, not once, but twice, or listening to Aaron tell me about his day at work, or trying a new recipe and having it actually work out. I don't care so much about big and glamorous things, in fact, for our dates, Aaron and I almost always do dinner & a movie or game at home.

I've been trying to have Cade work on rolling over (esp after hearing about other babies successes), but he has learned that all he has to do is grab the blanket that he's laying on and the toy magically moves closer. No effort or moving required.

Love it.

Things I learned Today

2010-08-09T18:38:00.001-07:00

Waiting to make dinner until you're starving is never a good thing.

You may just eat 4 chocolate chip cookies while waiting for the spaghetti noodles to cook.

Maybe 5

My Husband's Secret Life

2010-08-07T15:40:00.003-07:00

So, I'm in charge of my husband's facebook {he got one because he needed to get addresses to send out wedding invitations and that was the easiest way. After our wedding, I don't think he's logged in once} Kind of like his secretary. I screen friend requests {for some reason, he always gets the craziest people request to be his friend} occassionally respond to legitimate friends--while trying to sound like a boy, change his profile pictures, things like that.

Apparently I'm not doing a good enough job screening out the crazies.

I was checking his facebook today, and this is the message I found

"heyy i was just looking thru profiles and came across your's, and i must admit you're insanely cute. you know I think you should talk to me on msn, my sn is Astarte.Farnham86@yahoo.com.

oh btw im not talking 2 ppl I don't know so just say its Aaron from facebook if u end up messaging me, thx!"

I'm thinking of banishing him to the couch :D

And I'm really tempted to message this girl and tell her what's what yo. The funny thing is, I'm in his profile picture, along with our baby. What's this girl thinking?

Bragging

2010-08-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

I make beautiful babies.

That is all...

Love his blue eyes

My personal favorite

Okay, I guess Aaron helped some

Back to School

2010-08-04T08:49:00.001-07:00

Because we're poor, married, and have a baby, Aaron has more money that he needs from his Pell Grant to cover tuition and books. It's weird, but I really miss going to class, or having something to study and learn.

So, I'm going to be taking an online class from BYU's Independent Study.

My only problem is, there's so many to choose from. And I get to choose.

I don't have to take a class because it's required for my major.

Nope

This one is just for fun.

Wow.

As a sidenote, I was reading my friend Anna's blog and came across these, and they were so cute that I had to share.

Another sidenote, I love my family. They are everything I want and more. I'm glad that I get to be their mom and wife.

That is all.

No One Told Me It Would Be Hard

2010-07-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at our Relief Society Activity, my friend Sara who just had a baby, was asking the rest of us if it was supposed to be hard.

Um, yes.

But no one ever talks about that. When you're pregnant, everyone is so happy and excited for you, but no one tells you that once the baby comes out, it's going to be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. It's hard to want to get up every 2-3 hours with a baby, and then feel like you get no love back. It's hard to have all those emotions and hormones just going crazy, and not really knowing why you feel like you're a terrible mother. It's hard to see other moms and think that they've just got such a better grip on things or that they love their babies more than you love yours.

It's that way with a lot of things, especially new changes. When I was getting ready to go to BYU, everyone kept telling me how I was going to have the time of my life and I was just going to love it so much and yada yada yada.

Reality check: I didn't.

I guess this is just a rant to let you know, that you're not alone. My biggest comfort was hearing my mom tell me, "Rachelle, you don't have to hold him and interact with him 24/7. You WANT him to learn to play on his own." She also told me, "The days DRAG by, it's the years that go by fast."

I think that's the type of advice we should give. But maybe we don't because we don't want to prejudice or scare anybody. Just know, that no matter how perfect and collected I may seem or someone else may seem, inside, they feel the same way you do, and they're probably wondering just how you do it.

Oh, and it does get better, I promise. It's nice how we only remember the good things when you look back at something. That's probably why missionaries say that their mission was the best two years.

By the way, we learned how to make these at our activity. I'm only slightly proud.

Okay, so we didn't learn how to make these. For more information, please see

We learned how to make flowers. This was my only one that did not suffer from some sort of fire damage.

3 Months

2010-07-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

At 3 months (okay, and 12 days, so I'm a little behind) Cade:

sleeps through the night. Bedtime is anywhere between 7:30 and 8:30 and wake up time is anywhere between 7:00 and 8:30
takes 3 naps. One in the morning, a 3 hour one in the afternoon, and another one in the evening
finally poops on schedule. I know when it will happen. This has caused a great reduction in diaper uses
drools, a lot
smiles and giggles (and finally smiles for the camera. I won't tell you how long I've tried)

recognizes mom and dad, and likes us da best
goes to sleep on his own, I don't have to rock him to sleep.
loves to be outside and look around, doesn't really like the feel of grass on his toes though
is scared of the blender
always sleeps with one foot outside of the blanket. No matter how many times I cover him up, that foot always finds its way out.
takes about 20 minutes max to eat. He's a fast little sucker (bad pun, I know)
sucks on his fists constantly
loves his little butterfly toy with the wings that crinkle

thinks that Wilbur is a wussy pig (I'm reading Charlotte's Web out-loud to him)

Just Keep Swimming

2010-07-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

I have always LOVED the water. Take me to the beach, and I'm the last kid to leave.

Thankfully, Cade does too.

I know you can't really tell in these pictures, but the fact that he stayed in that pool with his two cousins splashing him in the face without crying...I consider that a good thing.

We spent our 5th of July--celebrating the 4th of July--in Kaysville with family.

This is why I never bring my camera, I have in-laws who will take pictures for me.

Aaron told me we need to invest in a "bro" for Cade (apparently, that's a male bra FYI)

I'm so glad Cade has cousins close to his age. When I was growing up, my closest relative at family reunions/get-togethers was my sister.

Men Are From Mars

2010-06-30T07:08:00.001-07:00

The other day Aaron, Cade, and I were driving to Papa Johns to pick up a pizza--those $10.00 any size, any toppings, deals are muy bueno, plus ordering online? For someone who HATES to talk on the phone, ordering online is my saving grace. They even tell you exactly how much it will cost. I had put the cash and exact change in Aaron's front shirt pocket.

We get to the pizza place, and Aaron reaches into his pocket to hand me the money. He pulls it out along with a movie ticket stub for Invictus.

I look at the ticket.

December 30, 2009.

Me: "Aaron, been a while since you washed that shirt?"

Him, while looking down at the shirt: "What? It still smells okay."

Baby Steps

2010-06-28T09:15:00.001-07:00

Oh man, time to bust out the exercise dvd

You know it's bad when you can "FEEL" your butt growing, expanding, widening, as you sit in the recliner feeding the baby.

Out comes Jillian.

(And I may or may not have stopped after 5 minutes because the baby was "crying")

But hey,

baby steps.

We got family pictures taken on Cade's blessing day. We haven't gotten the cd yet, but thanks to print screens, I've been able to snag a copy of the proof.

pictures by Still Timeless

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2010-06-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Aaron and I have been trying to eat healthier (and less "college student like"). Yesterday we had turkey burgers and baked sweet potato fries for dinner. I'd never tried the sweet potato fries before, and I was really impressed with how they turned out.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, sliced into wedges
5 T peanut oil
Salt
Ground black pepper

Adjust oven rack to lowest position, and heat the oven to 475. Place potatoes in a large bowl and cover with hot tap water. Soak for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coat an 18x12" heavy duty rimmed baking sheet with 4 T oil and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Set aside. Drain potatoes. Spread potatoes out on paper towels and thoroughly pat dry. Place potatoes back in the bowl, and coat evenly with the remaining 1 T oil. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet; cover tightly with foil and bake 5 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until bottoms of potatoes are spotty golden brown; about 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes. Flip each wedge over, keeping potatoes in a single layer. Continue baking until fries are golden and crisp, 5 to 15 minutes longer, rotating pan if needed.

2 Months

2010-06-23T15:56:00.001-07:00

At 2 months old, Cade is:

finding his fists and bring them to his mouth--so close to getting that thumb in there
blowing spit bubbles
smiling
gurgling
still pooping every time a clean diaper is put on
sleeping for about 6-8 hours straight a night
weighs 14 lbs and is 23 inches long. 90th percentile for weight, and 50th for height

Love those chubby legs (and cheeks, and arms, and neck, okay, basically everything is chubby)

I told Aaron since I had to go and get him circumcised that he has to do the immunizations. Not quite sure how good he'll do--Aaron I mean, not Cade--because in the hospital when I was getting my IV & epidural, the nurse was more worried about him than me. I didn't think that was quite fair. I'm the one in labor, and he was brought cookies and juice.

Tale as Old As Time

2010-06-08T09:27:00.002-07:00

I am obsessed with blogs that show you how to do all these cute DIY to decorate your home with. Probably because at work there was NOTHING to do and so I did a lot of surfing.

I've seen a lot of good ideas, but I've never done one, until now.

A more artistic look

I found the tutorial here

Your Guide to Baby Stools

2010-05-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Seriously?

What ~~genius~~ advertising expert decided that a great way to convince parents to buy Similac Advance Early Shield baby formula would be to send them a pamphlet with pictures of infant poop?

Apparently, this formula gives a infant poop that most closely resembles breast fed poop.

Convinced yet?

Mean Wife

2010-05-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

Aaron and I were "arguing" today about various hardships that we've had to go through for the other.

Aaron's trump card?

"Oh yeah? Well I had to ask the lady at Wal Mart where to find nipple cream"

(Feel free to die laughing. I did)

Sacreligious

2010-05-11T19:53:00.002-07:00

Mother's Day weekend Aaron, Cade, and I went up to Kaysville for a BBQ and to talk to Tyler (he's serving in Johannesburg South Africa).

After church, Aaron took Cade out to the car to get him in his seat. We got him buckled in...

FYI: it takes FOR-EVER to get anywhere with a baby

and took off.

As we're driving down the road I hear Aaron yell

"MY BOOK OF MORMON!"

We look back, and there, lying in the middle of the road, is a small dark blob. He'd put it on the top of the car when he put Cade in, and we'd driven off before placing it back safely inside the car.

Me: "We can still go back and get it"

Aaron: "Ya, but I'd feel stupid running across the street to get a book. Oh well."

Thankfully Corinne didn't share that opinion.

We got home, and she walks out of her car, carrying a Book of Mormon. She walked up to our car, and leaned in--

"I was driving home from church and I noticed a Book of Mormon lying in the road. I felt like it was sacreligious to leave it there, and so I ran across the freeway to get it."

Long pause

"Then I open up the front cover and guess who's name is written in the front?"

At least we know that Corinne has a testimony

Fête des Mères

2010-05-10T12:41:00.002-07:00

(that's mother's day in French)

To my son,

You made me a mother. You also showed me that it is possible to:

1. go through 216 diapers in less than 3 weeks
2. gain 1/3 of your body weight in 2 weeks
3. grow an inch and a half in 2 weeks
4. do absolutely nothing--and be the most interesting thing in the room
5. never get too much beauty sleep

Thanks Cade, for making this the best Mother's Day ever.

Cade

2010-04-22T14:59:00.010-07:00

Warning: This post will contain more pictures than the entire blog

I started having contractions on Friday--taking a final while you're having contractions is always fun, and around 2:30 in the morning on Saturday decided that I was pretty sure they were real.

Labor really wasn't that bad, once you got the epidural. In my opinion, the worst parts of labor is afterwards, like when they're ripping all the tape off your skin that's holding all the various tubes and IV's and then stitching you up. The actual labor is great.

Cade was born on April 17, 2010 at 3:36 pm. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. He had some problems breathing, so I got to hold him for about 30 seconds before they wheeled him off to the NICU for some breathing treatments. Thankfully he only had to be there for about an hour and a half and Aaron was able to go and stay with him the entire time.

I felt really good, and my mom was planning on coming up on Sunday to spend some time with us and help out with the baby, so I asked them if I could be discharged on Sunday rather than having to wait until Monday. They let me leave the hospital at 9:00 pm on Sunday--weird time, but oh well, I was ready to sleep in my own bed without nurses coming in every three hours to ask me how often he was peeing/pooping/eating etc.

We love our little boy. He's a really good baby, and I love that he's helped me lose 20 lbs since he was born :D

I Hate Gretl

2010-04-10T19:45:00.002-07:00

I'm watching The Sound of Music because Aaron has been at work from 2 and he won't get back til 10:30. So I'm at home by myself, watching the longest movies I own.

I forgot how much I LOATHE Gretl.

"It'll be my first party father!"

"Fraulein Maria, would it help if we sang Our Favorite Things?" (um, hello, you're hiding from the Germans)

"The sun, has gone, to bed and so must I"

Bleh

Hypocrite

2010-04-05T20:06:00.002-07:00

Why oh why would you ever take weight loss advice from this guy?

Does he look like the epitome of health to you?

I'm not going to lie, I watched him tonight, during halftime of the national championship game between Duke and Butler. I got to listen to him tell parents that they were making their kids fat.

Am I alone, or does anyone else get a big ego boost when they hear that a 10 year old weighs more than they do?

smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?

2010-03-18T14:28:00.003-07:00

It's never a good thing when someone mentions that your lunch smells like old broccoli.

Posture

2010-03-10T20:00:00.003-08:00

One of the classes I'm required to take for my major is called Orthopedic Impairments and Therapeutic Exercise. Don't worry, it sounds more complicated than it is.

The bad thing about the class is that I learn about all the different skeletal deformities that occur and how most of them occur in the womb.

Oh yes...everything that can go wrong with my baby goes wrong in my head. And it doesn't help that I'm constantly given new things that can go wrong every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

There's a lab aspect to the class. Today, we studied posture. Basically, everyone got a turn to see if there was something wrong with their posture. We're all divided into groups. Each group is required to pick one person in their group with faulty posture and design an exercise program for them to follow for 3-6 weeks and then re-evaluate them to see if the exercise program was a success.

It was my turn.

Someone asked, "Does pregnancy cause any posture problems?"

(chirping crickets)

My group decided that my exercise program to improve my posture would be labor. In 3-6 weeks, we'll meet again to evaluate my success.

I think I'll get an A.

A picture of me at 34 weeks. Please ignore the stupid face, the sweats, and the mirror picture. Aaron's at work, and it was the best I could do.

Look at Me!

2010-02-11T15:36:00.002-08:00

Bragging...

I don't do it very often, but I feel like the occassion calls for it today.

I had my doctor's appointment today.

I have finally mastered the art of peeing in a cup. It's hard, and always makes me wish I was a boy. Is that TMI?

But that's not what I wanted to brag about. I had lost a total of 13 lbs during this pregnancy, and I've gained 3 lbs back. Yes, that's right. I'm 30 weeks and I have lost 10 lbs. Not gained a thing.

HURRAY!

Why Yes They Are

2010-02-11T09:43:00.002-08:00

Aaron and I went down to Overton this past weekend. My mom, sisters, and I were asked to sing at our neighbor's funeral. After the funeral, my Auntie Mo came up to see me and give me a hug.

Everyone has an Auntie Mo in their family.

Everyone.

They're the ones who say exactly what they're thinking, and right at the moment they think it.

She, grabs me by the arm, first tells me how good I look, and then proceeds to gasp,

"AND YOUR BOOBS ARE HUGE!"

Why yes, they are.

Sticky Situation

2010-01-28T09:15:00.002-08:00

Our odds and ends drawer once contained a bottle of Elmers Spray Adhesive.

Once

Today, I needed to get the wire cutters out, and happened to drop them onto the bottom of the can. Punctured a hole, and adhesive started spraying everywhere. It got on the floor, in the cupboard, on my feet (the bottoms), on my clothes, everywhere.

I was finally able to throw it outside and let it finish its business without ruining anymore of my house.

Do you realize how disgusting your floor is? You will when the entire bottom of your feet are covered in glue. Hair everywhere.

But!

After 2 bottles of nail polish remover, four moppings, and one very sad Mr. Clean eraser, I think the tub is finally free of all debris of gluey hair, my feet are almost clean, and the floor is only somewhat sticky. I just refuse to clean anymore.

Baby Bump

2010-01-17T10:17:00.006-08:00

Aaron and I went shopping for baby stuff yesterday. We decided to be cheap and buy a bookshelf instead of a dresser, and use baskets for the shelves. Then, when we have more money, we can buy a nice dresser and I can use the bookshelf for books, rather than buy a cheap dresser and have it come apart. I know I know, I'm a thinker.

Me at 26 weeks and 4 days

Style

2010-01-13T15:20:00.003-08:00

I want to change mine.

I feel like I've looked the same for a very long time.

I see things on other people that I like, and think they look cute, but then I always wonder...

"Will they look good on me?" "Will I feel stupid wearing it?" "Will other people think I'm stupid for wearing it?" "Will I wear it?"

See I've done this before. I've gone off and bought lots of new clothes that were very different from what was hanging in my closet. And they stayed in my closet, and then moved on to DI.

I guess I'm just waiting for that right moment. Maybe one of these days you'll see me with a big handbag, skinny jeans, and a huge flower in my hair.

This might be a little much for me. Honestly, the skirt makes me think of Steve Urkel.

Dang it.

I'll never change.

2010-01-02T08:25:00.002-08:00

Things I've been grateful for lately

1. My Victoria's Secret "Very Sexy" bra. You have allowed me to maintain the illusion that I am still a C. I refuse to be a D. This baby can't make me.

2. My crimper. You let me only have to wash my hair every other day. "What lack of volume?"

3. My maternity shirts. No one will ever know just how many Muddy Buddies I ate last night.

I'm so glad Aaron is persuasive....

2009-12-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

He convinced the doctor to do another ultrasound, and we're having a

BOY!

Insert your own creative title

2009-12-07T07:36:00.003-08:00

My brother-in-law Tyler called me a wenas.

I'm not sure what that means, it sounds like weiner, and if that's what he meant, bad karma shall flow his way (after he gets back from his mission of course and loses protection of the Spirit).

On Thursday, Aaron got back from work and told me that he had good and bad news. Turns out, the company he works for, Sydney Financial Group, has been having some financial problems (like everyone else) and his boss had to let him go. I was proud of myself for staying rather calm, mostly because I knew there was good news coming. About 20 minutes later, his boss called him back into his office and said that he had a really bad feeling about letting Aaron go, and rehired him.

But...

Because the company is not doing well, I want him to look for another job. One with more security. He is still currently employed, but we are actively looking for something else.

Saturday, we went up to the Draper temple and did a session. I figured, since we live so close to so many different temples, we should go to as many as we can. It's a beautiful temple, and I always enjoy going to do a session. Going to the temple is sometimes like exercising--it's not always the easiest thing to do, but you're always so glad that you did when you're done.

After the temple, we went up to Kaysville and participated in our yearly Christmas making candy extravaganza. All I have to say is, we know how to do it. Lots and lots of chocolate. Over everything. Artistically drizzled, of course. We made fudge (one with walnuts, one with toasted coconut, and one with marshmallows), Heavenly Hash, chocolate covered pretzels, nut clusters (peanut & almond), white-chocolate drizzled popcorn, Oreo bark, Almond Roca, and some peanut butter candy dipped in chocolate.

As for the amount? Let's just say that after each of us filled 3 plates, Corinne was still begging us to take more.

And finally, baby update. I'm almost 21 weeks (on Wednesday). Most of you know that we had our ultrasound at 18 weeks, and that little stinker did not cooperate at all. The doctor wasn't even able to guess. I've been feeling really good, seeing as I'm at the happy stage of pregnancy. Aaron was finally able to feel the baby move yesterday, and I'm still in my regular clothes--so, no baby bump, which means no pictures.

But at least you get an update :D

Sibling Rivalry

2009-11-23T08:04:00.005-08:00

Have you ever gotten the feeling that sometimes you and your husband act just like brother & sister?

Or is it just us?

(obviously not all the things we do are appropriate for siblings)

Partly Cloudy

2009-11-19T20:44:00.001-08:00

I love that Pixar does these little short films at the beginning of their movies. I wish I could be this clever.

jack o lantern

2009-10-26T19:27:00.003-07:00

Yesterday we went up to Salt Lake to be with Aaron's family for a birthday dinner for Aaron, Kristo (my brother-in-law) and me. Aaron's parents were nice enough to donate the pumpkin, and Lizz was nice enough to donate the pattern (yes, unfortunately, I had to use a pattern) but I was pretty proud of the way it turned out. Now hopefully our kitty doesn't shrivel by Halloween. He did suffer an unfortunate accident and one of his whiskers had to be amputated, but he lived, and glows just the same with only 3.

14 weeks

2009-10-21T10:25:00.002-07:00

Wow, I remember when I had like 253 days left to go, thinking "It's going to take FOR-EVER (think kid from Sandlot) for this baby to get here" and now I'm down to 182 days.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and we got to hear the heartbeat. At my last appointment, I was 9 weeks and 6 days, and the doctor said the baby was probably too small to hear anything but that he would try. He tried, and thought he heard something, but I was not convinced. But this time, I actually did hear it. There is really something growing inside of me (except now, I want to hear it again for reassurance).

I have been so blessed to not be sick sick sick. I can't imagine trying to work, take 14 credit hours, and be a sick person all at the same time. But, happily, certain foods have lost a lot of appeal, mainly sweet things (and I am NOT complaining). The prenatal vitamin still causes issues, and I have to go to bed RIGHT after I take it, or off to the toilet I go, but other than that, I know I've had it pretty good.

No belly yet, which is kind of disappointing. Aaron told me that I shouldn't complain because as soon as I do start to show, I'm going to complain about showing. He's right. When I was in middle school, and all of my friends were starting their periods, and really needing to wear bras, I remember being so JEALOUS. And then I started. And wished for menopause.

The ultrasound is scheduled for November 18, exactly 4 weeks from now, and that's when we'll see if the baby will put on a show for us. I'm really hoping the baby cooperates, because the ultrasound tech told me that it helps to see the baby if you have a full bladder, and if I'm not going to pee for the whole day then I want it to be worth something.

I still haven't gained any weight, I've actually lost about 12 lbs (which is exciting) and does that mean that I don't have to count weight gain until after I've gained back the 12 lbs I lost? I'm thinking I might do that.

Leaving the baby stuff....

Aaron and I went up to Zion National Park last Friday to go canyoneering and hiking with Glade (Aaron's dad) and a couple of Glade's friends. I didn't do the canyoneering, but I am proud to say that I conquered Angels Landing (a 5 mile hike up a mountain and back). It was kind of embarrassing having this 51 year old guy asking me if I was okay, and it was definitely pride that kept me from stopping. Glade and Aaron thought I was slow because I was pregnant, haha, we'll let them keep thinking that.

I got to spend Saturday with my mom in St. George, and we went Christmas shopping and got caught up on all the things that you miss out on when you live 350 miles away. That evening, Aaron & I drove the rest of the way down to Overton and spent Sunday with my family before driving back up to Provo. Kim & Gary were there too, because Gary's little sister Cali was getting married in Mesquite, so it was a nice family reunion.

I'm so proud

2009-10-01T16:54:00.004-07:00

Okay, pictures that I promised. Obviously not up tonight, but a couple of days late. That's okay though.

I'm kind of a nerd, but it's so exciting to have little decorations to put up in your house. I had some left over wedding reception things that I'd bought at Michaels, and used the extra money to make a centerpiece for our coffee table. The wire pumpkin arrangement I did with things that I got at Gardner Village. I'm slightly proud, not going to lie.

The wire pumpkins were on sale. I got the leaves for free, they were the little leftover scraps, and they told me that I could take them. The pears added the right amount of color and fallness, and the family plaque was just cute.

I love fall.

Found a Peanut, Found a Peanut

2009-09-28T07:30:00.002-07:00

Last Friday, I got to ditch my physics lab and go to Gardener Village with my mother-in-law, Corinne, and my sisters-in-law, Lizz and Ashley. It's a tradition in their family that all the girls go every year, and one that I definitely approve of. Maybe, I shall inspire them to my family's tradition of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We'll see.

I got a lot of cute stuff, and some of it was free! But since I'm at work, pictures will come later tonight. Yes, you did hear that right, there will be pictures.

Since my birthday is coming up, Corinne brought my present with her. I love drawn out birthdays. It's like having 12 days of Christmas, but better, because you're the only one who gets presents.

I reached into the bag, and the very first thing I pulled out was this....

Well, not this exactly but you get the idea.

Yes.

I will be needing this. In April, actually.

We are really excited. I'm not scared yet, because I still don't look pregnant. I kind of wish I did, because I think maybe it would help me believe that I really am. I still think I just might have imagined those two pink lines, and I wish I hadn't thrown away the pregnancy test so that I could reassure myself.

It was really important though to me and Aaron, for me to finish school. I'm so close to finishing, that if I didn't, it would be really sad. This baby is due right in the middle of finals of my last semester. But, since pregnant people at BYU aren't such an oddity, I'm pretty sure that my professors will be willing to work with me and hopefully let me take the finals early.

P.S. the blue baby toy means nothing. I actually think it's going to be a girl, but the toy Corinne picked out was blue and I was trying to be realistic.

Books! Mountains of books!

2009-09-22T09:44:00.003-07:00

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it"

I want a new book.

Correction, I want LOTS of new books. I could easily spend hundreds of dollars on books and not even blink.

The problem is, how do I spend hundreds of dollars without Aaron noticing? Hmmm....

I know that there's libraries and stuff, those are nice, but I like to OWN my books. That way, they're nice and fresh and the pages aren't bent and the spine isn't wrinkled. And I can just love them the way they deserve to be loved.

But for now, I'll just content myself with wishlists and such.

A Rumbly in my Tumbly

2009-09-14T15:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, so sometimes I'm like Winnie the Pooh....

Not the whole obsess over honey thing, but the exercise so that I can eat whatever I want thing.

It's Official...

2009-08-19T08:39:00.003-07:00

I am a sicko.

This realization came to me just as I was finishing breakfast.

You see, I love ketchup.

This may be an understatement. I could eat a whole bottle by myself in a month, easy. I'm the kid who, when you're at a picnic or BBQ, grabs a burger and squirts a normal amount of ketchup on my burger. Then I look around to make sure no one's watching. If they are, then I move on the mustard and I'm sad. But if they're not...globs of it get smothered. It drips out the sides and I have to make sure I'm always watching the edges while I'm eating or else those little dribbles will give me away.

I realized just how bad it was when this morning I made hashbrowns for breakfast, just so that I could eat ketchup. And then...

I licked my plate.

What the Heck

2009-08-18T13:13:00.002-07:00

Okay...I confess, this post is just to get rid of that annoying one with the font. But I can't just write that, so I'll leave you with a little ABC quiz.

A - Age: 21
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: taking out the trash--especially the bathroom stuff, when floss falls out and used Q-tips (gross)
D - Dog: I once asked for a dog...my parents got me a porcelin figurine. If I could get one, it would be a Yorkshire terrier
E - Essential start your day item: cream of wheat or oatmeal
F - Favorite color(s): green & brown
G - Gold or Silver: white gold? Is this cheating?
H - Height: 5'9"
I - Instruments you play: piano, violin, trumpet
J- Job: Petition's Office front desk person
K - Kids: not yet
L - Living arrangements: we rent a lovely 2 bedroom apartment
M - Mom's name: Joyce
N - Nicknames: Shell, Shelli, RJ, Rush, Shelli Ellie, Shelli Belly, Roach...
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: nope
P - Pet Peeve: sneezing more than once
Q - Quote from a movie: "Sea monkey stole my wallet" [Finding Nemo]
R - Right or left handed: Left
S - Siblings: 4 sisters and 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 7am to 8am
U - Underwear: G's
V - Vegetable you dislike: asparagus and any kind of beans (except jelly beans, and even then, only jelly bellys)
W - Workout style: running, walking, swimming, crunches
X - X-rays you've had: lungs and teeth
Y - Yesterday's best moment: going running and only seeing a couple people. I HATE when people see me workout. I feel like a sweaty dork and I always think that they're expecting me to be faster and more in shape than I am.
Z - Zoo favorite: baby penguins

White Shirt

2009-08-07T14:17:00.002-07:00

It must be a curse

I can NEVER wear a white shirt without spilling something on it.

Note: I'm wearing a white shirt today.

But...

SURPRISE

I spilled on my pants this time.

I looked down and saw some lovely streaks of chocolate and thought "Oh gosh, how long has that been there?"

The shirt still looks good though.

For your viewing pleasure :D

I smelled like a smoker

2009-08-03T12:49:00.002-07:00

Saturday night Aaron and I went up Provo Canyon to go camping--minus the tent and sleeping. We camped until about midnight and then went home to our bed and shower. I honestly think that's the way to go. You get the campfire, hobo dinners, and s'mores without waking up fifty times in the middle of the night and being scared to go to the bathroom even though you really have to, because who knows what could be outside?

--I'm sorry there are no pictures. There are people who never go anywhere without their camera, I am one of those people who never goes anywhere WITH my camera (even my own honeymoon. Yes, it's true. We have one picture taken from my camera on my phone.)

We had gone up to this park before in December, while we were engaged, and loved it. There was NO ONE there (which, now that I think about it, makes sense since it was the winter time).

There was a family reunion this time.

But we were not to be deterred. We found this trail that wound through the trees and made our own little campsite. It was perfect, but the aura of camping was somewhat ruined because we could hear all the cars driving up the canyon.

The bugs decided that our hobo dinners smelled too good to be left alone. I held the flashlight in my teeth so that I could see the bugs that drowned in my ketchup.

I still smell like smoke. It could be my desire to have the fire as big as possible--but we'll say that it's because I'm trying to keep mosquitoes away.

It didn't quite work. I have a HUGE mosquito bite on my cheek, that looks just like a zit, but it's not! I want to wear a sign that informs people of this fact, that way, no one thinks that I'm disgusting enough to sprout a zit the size of a nickel on my face.

Sigh...life is still hard

2009-07-29T13:04:00.001-07:00

I just had one of those days where you feel like you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, the one where the trial might actually have an end

I can finally breathe again

Until you find out that you're still in the tunnel

Sigh...

Sometimes life is hard.

The end.

Drain-O!

2009-07-28T13:54:00.003-07:00

We've been experiencing small floods every morning (at least in the shower)

For the past couple of days, the drain has been really slow. You were literally in water up to your ankles by the time your shower was finished.

Now, how to unclog it, and more importantly, WHO?

I tried (sort of). I used a paper clip and some floral wire and made a little scoop. I came up with a couple hairs and wanted to gag. I'm done.

Yesterday, Aaron came home from work with the big boy. Oh yes, he went to Lowes, and got a state of the art drain auger complete with spiral on the end.

After pulling out one giant clog that sent me squealing from the bathroom with "OH EW GROSS!" Aaron tried to see if the drain was draining better. No such luck. I was called back in for my plumbing expertise.

I did not look at the dead gloopy rat looking thing in the bag.

We figured out that our pipe first goes straight down, then bends to the right, and then goes down again. It took some work, but Aaron finally got the big one. I stayed outside the bathroom and listened to him tell me how the goo and hair was oozing up the drain cover, the clog was so big.

Why is hair okay when it's on someone's head, but becomes disgusting the instant it falls off?

Walking funny

2009-07-16T11:47:00.002-07:00

I've decided that my right leg is longer than my left. Whenever I am wearing shorts, my garments always stick out of my right leg but not my left.

Maybe that's why people always told me I walked like my dad.

Playing Primary and Pillow Talk

2009-07-13T13:30:00.003-07:00

I've been the Primary pianist since January and I've LOVED it. It's so nice to get to play the piano (and miss Sunday School, and half of Relief Society) and then hear all these cute sayings by the little kids.

Our Primary consists of two little girls who are from Brazil, but speak perfect English. Sofia is 5 and Nicole is 3. Because they recently moved into the ward, Aaron (who is the Elder's Quorum secretary) and the Elder's Quorum president went over to their house to visit the family.

Tiago (who is Sofia and Nicole's dad) started talking about how much his daughters love Primary. And then he mentioned that they just love Sister McCombs and that when they play Primary, one of them is Sister McCombs and the other is Sister Bird (the old 2nd Counselor). Their little sister, Clara gets to be Sister Robertson (our Primary President). That just made me smile.

Then Aaron told me another story...this one, not so good.

Aaron's old zone leader from his mission in Japan lives in the apartment right below us. And Ben just couldn't resist telling Aaron that when he and his wife were outside they could hear and Aaron and I talking in our apartment. He yelled something in Japanese but apparently we didn't hear him.

Later that night, Aaron and I were in our room, just chattin and then I noticed the window was open. You know that panicky feeling when you realize that your conversation was probably overheard and you're trying to remember everything you said and see if it was embarrassing our not? Yeah, I felt that.

We've decided to whisper from now on.

College Woes

2009-07-07T12:25:00.003-07:00

Who doesn't have them?

My major (molecular biology, yes I know, NERD but it's okay) requires me to take a mentored research class for a total of 3 credits for two semesters. The name of the class is MMBIO 494R, meaning that you should take it as a senior for your last two semesters. I started talking to some professors to find out if I could work with them in their lab, and found out they want sophomores, which I am not.

I went home after meeting with a couple of professors and wanted to cry. I was 27 credits away from graduating and it looked like it wasn't going to happen because I wasn't a sophomore.

I started looking at different majors, one that wouldn't require me to have a professor say yes so that I could graduate, and decided on exercise science and I only have 24 credits to go with that one. I have to tweak the major a little bit to still let me graduate in April but it should work, and I will have my degree (which is all I really care about).

Our apartment doesn't have air conditioning. It's been okay, but now that we've hit July, it's gotten a little toasty. Aaron and I looked on craigslist and found one for 150 that would cool our entire apartment. Our only requirement was to not look like white trash with an a/c sticking out of our window. He had to be at work when the people dropped it off, so I just checked to make sure it would fit in our window. Silly me didn't notice that it's designed for a window that closes up and down, not side to side like our window does. I felt awful. $150 is our grocery budget for the month. But we went down to Lowes and we were able to get a mount for the a/c to fit on and some plexi glass to make our own window, and I'm not going to lie but it looks pretty good.

We had a family reuinon on June 28-29 in Lehi/Provo area. It was my great grandpa Elwin Ewing Bushman (man I'm glad our option of names has improved) and all of his descendants, all 199 of them. I only went to see my family, like I know any of these other people. It was nice getting to see them and have them feed us for free. My aunt, Nancy, (my mom's sister) is mentally retarded because she caught spinal meningitis when she was a baby, and has the mentality of a 5 year old. But she still thinks boys are cute, and freaked out everytime Aaron got near her or talked to her. She would start blushing and squealing. I have to admit, I provoked her because I thought it was funny.

P.S. Sorry about the weird font sizes things. I'm not sure how to fix it. It's going to bug me though, I know it.

Proof

2009-06-16T17:15:00.001-07:00

So, my last post was apparently not the worst thing that could happen

Knock on wood

Someone stole our laundry today. All of it. It's all gone.

Murphy's Law

2009-06-16T11:09:00.002-07:00

Anything that can go wrong, will...

Before I got married, I had to go in for a lovely premarital exam. It was the usual awkward situation (at least I'm assuming it's usually awkward for most people), but after I talked to my mom I found out that all male doctors are required by law to have a female nurse in with them when they are examining a female patient. Mine didn't.

I was scarred for life.

So when it came time for me go see my favorite kind of doctor again, I made sure I got a girl. No way was I going through that again.

I was sitting in the waiting room, after the nurse had taken my pulse, blood pressure, and weighed me with my clothes and shoes on (which is a great self-esteem booster...) and another nurse walked in. She asked if I was Rachelle, and then informed me that Dr. Blackwell had had a family emergency and had to leave. My heart sank. I had seen the list of doctors available, and most were men.

One of the men on that list was my old family doctor from Overton. I graduated with one of his daughters and played soccer with her. He knows me. He had moved to Provo a couple of years ago, and apparently now works at the BYU Health Center.

Some 6th sense told me I was going to get him.

And in he walked.

Just my luck. The girl doctor I wanted, her mother has a stroke, and now, I have to see Dr. Nielsen and talk to him about stuff and let him see things and go through that whole thing and he KNOWS me. Personally. I've been to his house.

But, the experience was much better than my last one. He had a female technician in with him, and told me exactly what he was going to be doing. I was very relieved, even though I got really panicky when I saw him walk in.

Oh and another thing...

I had met Dr. Nielsen's wife at my work yesterday. She came wanting a transcript.

Coincidence?

Puzzles and PopTarts

2009-06-15T09:53:00.003-07:00

I have an addiction...

No joke

Aaron and I have finished 2, 1,000 piece puzzles in 4 days. Pathetic you say? Probably (And today we'll also be learning about the letter P)

I was sick on Tuesday and the only thing that would keep my mind off my stomach, was my puzzle that my friend Kendra got me for my birthday. When Aaron came home, he gave in to my pleadings (there we go again) to help me and watch Beauty and the Beast. He's a trooper. Even though he did make fun of the part at the end where the Beast turns back into a human (supposedly his name is Prince Adam, I prefer Beast) I still like him.

CHANGE BACK!

Our hometeachers came over last night and saw our puzzles in all their glory. One of them was finished and lying on the floor and the other one was about 3/4 of the way. After they saw that, all hopes of them thinking we were cool were gone.

We got this one at DI for $1.50, and no pieces were missing.

Now to my other problem...PopTarts

We buy them so that when Aaron is running late for school he can just grab one and go. Mr. I'm 25, 6'1", and weigh 145 wet and with clothes on needs all the help he can get (I'm so jealous).

At least that's why I say we buy them.

We really buy them for me. I hear them calling to me from the cupboard. They are so so so bad for you but so so so good. Especially blueberry and s'more. Yum.

Recipes

2009-06-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove up to Kaysville for a family dinner. After a Cafe Rio inspired dinner, and a game of killer bunnies and chocolate bundt cake (thanks Lizz!) Aaron started showing his dad a new financial software system. I stayed with Corinne and she offered to let me look through her recipe book.

I know...I'm lame. I was more excited about these recipes than I should have been. It kept me awake just thinking about having new things to try...seriously.

I know I am not the first person to come up with this idea, but I've started another blog with some of the recipes that I've gotten from my mom, mother-in-law, Young Women's leaders, roommates, cookbooks, the internet, and some that I've made up myself.

It was more for my own personal enjoyment, and to kill a couple of hours at work that I started this, and I can't promise I'll add new ones, but if you're interested at looking at what I've got, just click here.

Bon appetit.

Horse Crap, Manure, & Such

2009-05-28T09:38:00.002-07:00

This weekend while I was down visiting my family I heard the strangest phone call. My dad called one of our neighbors (who I'll call Bob to protect the innocent) and asked

Dad: "Bob, can I have your horse crap?"

Bob: "Sure, I'll bring it right over on my 4-wheeler."

In no time at all, Dad and Bob are out in the backyard shoveling horse poop off of Bob's 4-wheeler, into a pile in our yard.

Later, Bob comes back into our yard, looking very spiffy and squeaky clean. My Mom looked out the window and saw Bob digging through the poop WITH HIS HANDS.

Mom: Can I get you a shovel?

Bob: I just lost my cell phone. I've looked everywhere for it and I can't find it. Do you mind calling it for me?

ring ring ring

Bob: I hear it!

Bob reached into the manure, pulled out his cell phone, wiped it off on his pants and walked away.

Have a happy day.

See Through Underwear

2009-05-26T15:18:00.002-07:00

The last couple weeks of May have been/will be busy with wedding stuff. Another one of my friends, Chanell, from high school is getting married the same day as Kim is (May 30th) in the Las Vegas temple. My mom, Kim, and little sister Emilie (who is 6) went to Chanell's bridal shower. I was invited but couldn't go because of work and school and living in a different state.

We all know what everyone gets at a bridal shower. My mom told me later she didn't know what she was thinking bringing my 6 year old sister along. Chanell opened up a present from her mom and held up a rather risque, see-through piece of lingerie.

Chanell: "MOM!! It's see through!!"

An embarrassed silence followed.

Emilie: "I think it's cute. You will just need to put a shirt under it."

Tee Hee

2009-05-22T14:48:00.006-07:00

Sorry Cher fans, but I couldn't resist.

Indoor camping under a concrete sky

2009-05-15T14:13:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was a special day for us...a day with no homework. None at all.

This called for something special. Aaron has been begging and begging for a chance to build a fort. He told me all about the time he and Tyler (his younger brother) built a fort and played Halo all night. (Note: This was last year)

I made the s'mores, in the microwave, and Aaron built the fort. We used our printer, camp chairs, paper clips, and anything else we could find to make our fort taller. I was scared to go inside. I'm always afraid I'm going to pull on the blanket and all those huge books are going to come crashing down on top of me. But I survived and got yummy chocolate marshmallow all over my face: the joys of eating a s'more.

Florida

2009-05-04T09:32:00.006-07:00

So, I've been back for almost a week and I'm finally getting around to talking about my vacation. And I only have a few pictures to put up, sorry, Aaron and I are both horrible at picture taking. It's quite sad actually.

Our first couple days we stayed in Orlando. I knew it was going to be interesting when Aaron and I were walking around and we saw a sign informing us not to swim in the water because alligators were present. We actually saw one sunning himself on the golf course. I think it's kind of weird when you know that something is dangerous, it just makes you want to touch it more. At least, I do.

I don't have any pictures from our first couple of days in Orlando, so sorry, no swim suit shots, because we spent one of the days in Blizzard Beach, which I highly recommend. I also recommend vacationing in April. There were hardly any crowds, and the weather was bee-yoot-ee-full (that's my pathetic attempt of trying to special beautiful phonetically).

We drove to Ft. Lauderdale, and not even kidding were right across the street from the beach. I could look out my window and see the beach (thanks Lizz and Nick for the great hotels, and thank you Marriott). Aaron and I spent every night on the beach, I know, so sweet and romantic and slightly cheesy.

Ft. Lauderdale also gave us the chance to take our very first pictures! We took an airboat out on the Everglades. I thought we were only going to see a couple of alligators, but we saw tons! Plus, the tour that we went on had a little restaurant next to it, that served gator tail and frog legs (I felt like the ultimate hick there). And then, I was informed by a man from Boston that frog legs taste better than chicken and gator tail tastes like pork. After which, he holds up a little frog skeleton with the meat picked clean off the little legs. As if that's going to convince me to eat it.

We drove back to Orlando to finish out the vacation and Aaron & I headed to Sea World. On a sidenote: Don't go and see Shamu, unless you want to feel like you're worshipping a killer whale and are stuffed full of cheese. But the dolphin show was cool, even if it did emphasize too much that anyone can achieve their dreams.

Sorry about the crink in your neck. I can't figure out how to rotate the picture. But Aaron gives great massages! This was taken right after a ride on Sea World, that's why I look terrible. I'm wet.

My favorite was the penguins, especially the baby ones. I always want one. The manatees were HUGE! I had no idea they were so fat. Dolphins were cool. I was proud of myself for touching one, but I couldn't get myself to touch a stingray. Or feed them. Gross. And who's going to pay $7.00 for 5 sardines? What a rip-off.See! You want one too