Sweet Kicks

I have been able to feel the baby kicking a LOT. It is so sweet and crazy at the same time. Finally, after many failed attempts, Clayton was able to feel her little kicking on Saturday. I love feeling her move, but it is still a little strange to think that my growing belly is housing a baby. I don’t know if I am recognizing it more or if she is moving more but the last couple of days it has been pretty constant. It is so fun to think a little girl is in there just waiting to come out and meet us! I had a dream that I delivered a sweet little chubby face baby with tons of hair....hmmm by looking at Clayton and I, it probably won't be too far off the mark.

I feel like my belly is just getting bigger by the minute. I feel like I should be able to still just hop up on the counter to reach the top shelf with the flour, but even stupid little movements are seeming difficult. Ha,ha, I am not even that big, so I can’t imagine what it is like at 8-9 months along. I have gained some weight the last few weeks, so I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Funny as it is, my clothes still don’t fit even though I am now at the weight I started at. I can eat an entire watermelon by myself in about a day and a half. That is one thing I am LOVING. Give me a watermelon and a little salt and I am a happy camper!

We were OVERLY busy this weekend. I don’t know that we had 5 minutes in between activities—they were all fun, it was just tiring. Friday night we went with my fam out to dinner for Father’s day. Saturday we took Clayton’s car to get detailed (his father's day present), finished working on our front door, did laundry, went to a baby shower, swim party and then an old work party that evening. Sunday we went to church, came home and cleaned the house, went to my nephews ordination and a little dinner, then to the hospital to see Mindy. We didn’t get home until almost 10 pm! I am completely tired…and today it is just back to work. A extra day of rest in there would have been great. I am looking forward to the holiday next Monday when we both get a day off—but my Mom will be in town for my sisters baby blessing and next weekend is filling up like the last….so I will just have to keep waiting for that “day off”. On the plus side I can’t wait to see my Mom and go pick up some more stuff for the baby’s blessing dress she will be making. YEAH!!!

Work has been going good—I was just moved from an office to a cubicle out in a little area and then moved again into full on CUBIE LAND. I have never had to work in an area like this and I don’t know that I like it. I don’tmean to be an office snob, but it is hard to make phone calls to clients when 500 others are on their phone or chit-chatting. Some peace and quiet would be appreciated. Not to mention everyone’s conversations are to say the least interesting. You would think that since everyone can hear you,you might not tell ridiculous stories or personal info…oh no. I get to hearit all. I try to just keep my ear buds in, but honestly I would just like a little office. Put me in a corner, I don’t care, this cubicle land is driving me nuts. However, I am super lucky to have a nice boss who I can send funny IM’s to, saying “save me, please call me into your office” or“Your office with a view sucks compared to my cubicle”. He usually just laughs or plays it up. It is nice to have a boss you can joke with (like calling him a wuss, creepy or old man (when he is only 35)) and actually enjoy their company. I know a few of my previous managers should take some lessons from him. So I guess I should not worry about the cubicle and just enjoy my super nice boss and the fact that I have a job.

And since I can't really say when I will be posting again until after the holiday......HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

No Soliciting

Ok, although it may a faux pau on my blog, I am going to put this out there anyways.

It is semi-official. I have started a business. I have my name registered, I got my business license; bought the software and coolest piece of office machinery (my beautiful 10 key). Now I am going to be looking for some clients...so if you know someone who would need a bookkeeper, send them my way ;). I will be offering accounting services and payroll services (accounts receivable/payable, bank or account reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, processing payroll, quarterly filings, W-2 and 1099's). They can email me with questions, set up a free consultation or request my resume & references.

Thanks for letting me sell my services here...while keeping my clothes on. And a special thanks to whoever made photoshop--I can have hours of fun making cool stuff like my logo or digital scrapbooking pages, or editing photos that were not quite up to par. Thank you cool designer folks.

Names

Well--for Christina--here is my belly a couple weeks ago(16 weeks). I will post another pic after I take my 20 week photo this weekend! I can't believe I am almost 1/2 way done!!

We have been looking at a name book and there are some interesting names out there. We haven't picked any out for certain but I do like more unique names that are feminine. Not some crazy off the wall names, just pretty ones or ones that won't have 15 in a single class room (like Madison or Brooklyn--even though I love those names).

My family lives by nicknames--so I need to keep that in mind when picking a name for our baby girl. What will we call her? Does the nickname sound just as good? Silly but true. No one goes by their real names around our houses. My Dad would really like it if we named her Velda just so someone can carry on the V (his name is Verlan). Nice try Dad, but I don't think so on this one. Violet maybe, but no Velda.

We have laughed super hard with some of the names and their meanings in our book. The best was a name that meant: beautiful; like a creeper. Really? Like a creeper hu. I don't really picture any creeper beautiful. It was an indian name and I can't remember which one it was--but if I find it I will let you know.

Here are some names that we laughed at. Nothing tops beautiful like a creeper though. How endearing.

Brunhilda: armored warrior.

Bum: duty; fragrance. (very interesting)

Anuhya: something pleasantly unexpected. (oh so an OOPS baby)

Anais: gracious. (not the first thing that comes to mind)

Clearly we haven't gotten too far in the name book. I will try to keep a better list of the laugh out loud names so we can all enjoy.

The verdict is in...

We are pleased to announce our little bundle of joy is made with sugar and spice and everything nice. It’s a GIRL. Clayton was right and can’t wait to have a Daddy’s girl. I was secretly hoping I would have a little girl to dress up. We are both very excited!!!

We had our target ultrasound yesterday. Everything is looking great. The baby is about 8 oz and 5 inches long (crown to rump). The lady doing the ultrasound said, “Well here are the legs and feet and oh here is a perfect shot…..what do you think it is?” I stared for a moment and Clayt said, “It’s a girl!” “Yes, it is a girl indeed. No doubt about it.” We got some cute pictures of her precious little face. She had her hands up next to her face the whole time. She was crossing her legs and they took a cute picture of just the bottom of her feet.

After our doctors appointment, we ran to all-a-dollar and made little baskets with boxes of sugar and spice and a little candy (everything nice) with a “It’s a girl” balloon. Then we delivered them to our parents. Everyone is excited for a little girl! On my side of the family, I have two sisters that just had baby girls—so they will have little girl friends 6 months apart. On Clayton’s side there are two boys on the way and one born a couple months ago so she will have some boy cousins close in age as well.

Now for the shopping, craft, bow and blanket making! I am so excited to use a pattern I bought on sale a few weeks ago to make a big blessing dress out of the train from my wedding dress. Well not me, but my cute Mom will make it for me ; ). I will keep to the simple stuff that is ok to mess up—but not the blessing dress.

Another rundown

Do you ever wonder what you should title a post? Of course you do. What if I titled a post RUNDOWN last year or something…what if I start using the same ones? A repeat. I don’t know if anyone cares but I want my titles to be clever or unique. But for the life of me, I don’t know what to title posts these days and there is nothing creative about them.

We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Our caterpillar is now a BABY!!! Hooray. I don’t think it is a lump of chub anymore. It was really sweet tosee the baby kicking and moving around like crazy. I just sat there and smiled because I don’t feel anything, so it was nice to get somere assurance that there is a growing baby in there. Maybe the baby was moving around because I had just eaten a Lynn Wilson Beef & Potatoe burrito. I know I was excited to gobble that goodness down. Or it could be,a happy baby, due to a happy Mom, who is able to hold down small amounts of soda. You read right, I have finally been able to drink a little soda. It is not my daily breakfast of champions like it used to be…(although I must confess, today it was—thank you McD’s)...but I can have a little here and there without throwing up. I have finally stopped losing weight and am now beginning to gain a little back. I lost 9 and have gained 2 back. So atl east I am still under my pre-pregnancy weight (although I feel like my belly just looks chubby).

I have a little appetite back and am feeling MUCH MUCH better. There are still times I get a little sick; if I wait too long to eat or if someone discusses fish. Kind of funny but even the thought of the SMELL of fish about sends me over the edge. I don’t like it when I am not pregnant and I really don’t like it now. Clayton thought I was kidding when I asked him one day to stop talking about a fish story from work….some co-workers were eating salmon eggs or something—and I finally had to put my hand in frontof my mouth and say, “Seriously honey I am going to throw up”. Ha, how stupid is that? But then again to me, fishy smells are awful any day of the week.

Back to the baby—we were hoping to find out the sex at Wednesday’s appointment but it was moving around and the doc didn’t really say much. I really want to know though! Next month we have our big ultrasound and they will tell us. I can’t wait! Several people are thinking it is a little girl. I really don’t know. I don’t know how to even feel or guess at what I think it is. I would like a boy for the mere fact that we have a ton of boy stuff from my sis. But with my heart, I would love a little girl…however Clayton already is surrounded by girls in our house (with Chloe & Izzy) so a boy would help even it out. He thinks it is a little girl. I just don’t know. I haven’t had any dreams about a baby. I used to….I have had several dreams with the same little girl in them named Jordyn, but I haven’t since I have been pregnant. I have had some funny dreams but none about a baby, labor or delivery, etc. I haven’t really had any cravings either, besides when I was waiting for the day that I could have some de-licious soda.

Aside from the baby, Clayton got a raise at work! Hooray. It isn’t enough to solve our financial situation when the baby comes, but every little bit will help. We still don’t have a solid plan for what we will do inNovember, but everyone keeps saying, “Something will work out”. I have began filling out papers and setting up an accounting business to start on the side. I am hoping and praying I can get a few clients this summer and then maybe make something work when the baby comes. I am anxious because I hate not knowing the outcome. I know I can do the work but it is getting and finding good clients (that pay their bills ON TIME) that make me anxious. I wish I were a little taller too. People seem to take taller people more serious. For me, I can blend in with elementary school kids….and that doesn’t always have a great first impression. Maybe if I wear RED, a power color, it will do something for them. I am hoping that if I send my resume to them first it will speak more about what I can do than how tall I am. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that is a concern of mine. I am a nervous nelly; always have been, always will be. Now if I could just predict the future that would be fabulous and maybe then my mind would rest.

We replanted our backyard again for $15(darn thing always dies in the winter) and we have GERMINATION. I love seeing the beautiful bright green stubs sprouting up. I am sure the pups will be in heaven when it all comes in nice and thick. Now, if we could just move out of a condo and into a house with a large backyard….I would be in heaven.

Ultrasound

Here is our little guy/gal. I started laughing when they pulled it up on screen. Doesn't it look like an over-fed caterpillar? So he or she is chubby, who cares :). Not really, the doc says everything looks good, I just can help but chuckle when I think of this pic compared to my baby pic fresh out of the womb (see below for a VERY good laugh). I may have only been 7 lbs 6 oz, but it was all face. I will try to scan a baby pic of Clayton for a little comparison. He was a skinny little guy.

Do you already see a similarity here....

Pics

I took a few pics of my sister and her fam this weekend. She is going to have her baby any day now. A couple turned out way cute!! (If you click on the pic you can see them better)

(these two are my fav)

The first few weeks

Well, now that you got the big news, how did we find out? What were reactions? Etc?

Wednesday March 3 I was a few days “late”; not that it is really unusual for me. I grabbed a pregnancy test thinking, just like every other month, the result would be negative. I sat there impatiently waiting and PREGNANT popped up on the screen. I was thinking there was a mistake. NO WAY!!! I am going to have a baby. All of this time I have been worrying; now here we are, pregnant.

Clayton had been watching a basketball game downstairs and didn’t even know I was going to take a test. I sat there for a moment in shock. For some reason those past few days had been rough at work for both of us and neither of us were in good moods. I walked downstairs and Clayton hadn’t taken his eyes off the TV. So I just put the test in front of his glasses. He read it, “Honey, really? Are you sure?! Wow!!!!”. “Well, I am not sure sure, but I can take another one in a little bit”. We both sat there feeling shocked; excited; nervous; happy.

That is how it began. The next few weeks were filled with family parties--which it was hard not to say anything. Especially to my sisters. I call them everyday and it was so hard not to give them the news. We even threw Sheryl a surprise baby shower during that time and I couldn’t say a word!

We made a doctors appointment for the 17. I was nervous that I was going to have a chemical pregnancy (the kind where your body displays the signs of being pregnant but you really are not). When the doctor walked in, he said, “I told you it would work (the medication he gave us a few months ago)! Now, what worries/concerns do you have?”. I said, “That I am not pregnant or am having twins or something”. Jokingly he said, “Oh you are pregnant the question is how many is there”. He did an ultrasound and there on the screen a little blinking bean showed up. I looked at Clayt. There was our proof—the little flashing heartbeat. It was amazing. I didn’t know I could see the heartbeat at 6 weeks. CRAZY!!!

I hadn’t felt any real symptoms besides being sore and feeling tired. Then a few days after the appointment it hit; constant; all day; all night—SICK. Nothing sounded good. Nothing tasted good. I had a metal taste in my mouth. One of my favorite things in the world, Coke, made me throw up. Now, three weeks later has it changed? No. I have lost 5 pounds and can hardly make it through a meal. I really would love a great big coke but can’t. I would love to eat my favorite meal from Ron’s house…but can’t. I am just hoping this goes away in another 2-3 weeks. It has been really hard not to be pessimistic about feeling like crap. I have never felt so awful in my entire life. I am SICK of being SICK. I am really sick of throwing up (especially at work where how many hundreds of people use those toilets—GROSS). And you better believe the minute my taste buds & stomach are back in order, watch out McDonalds $1 Cokes. I will be pounding you down like none other.

But the good news….we have told our family & friends. It exciting telling people the news and seeing their reactions. We both come from such big families that another baby is really no real “news” but everyone was so nice and excited all the same. My Mom was over for a weekend and we said we rented a movie. We played the ultrasound for her. She immediately smiled and said, “Congrats”. Then I couldn’t wait to tell my sisters. I had my Mom call Sheryl and see if she was home. We drove up to Perry to just stop by. We told Tate to come with us downstairs for a second, “Tate, we have a secret for you to tell Mommy. Can you tell her Aunt Emily has a baby in her belly”. He shrugged his shoulders and ran upstairs. “Mom, Mom come here, I have a secret,” as he whispered in her ear. She was so excited!! Then we went to Jeanie’s. We tried to do the same with my niece Hailey, but she had just woken up, and didn’t want to tell a secret. So Jeanie said, “Should I just guess?” And she did. She didn’t expect she would be right...but she was. She started crying (as usual :) with good news). I was so relieved to finally have them know. Now I didn’t need to keep it a secret why I was sick, tired and not feeling like doing much of anything.

We asked my step Mom and Dad out to dinner. She sent me a text, “Honey I have a feeling you are pregnant. Are you?” I texted back, “No. Nice try”. So we met up for dinner and just before my Dad started eating I said, “Before you get your hands dirty take a look at this” as I tossed him the ultrasound pic. Pam threw her crackers at me across the table, “I TOLD YOU. I TOLD YOU. I just felt like you were.”

And now that you are all getting bored of how we told people, I saved the best for last. Clayts family. We had a family dinner on the 28th. He asked his Dad if he could give the prayer. I was so nervous when he started the prayer. I was shaking—so was he. In it he blessed Lyd with her new baby, then asked to bless Mindy and the twins. Then right before closing he said, “Please bless my wife with our first baby that everything will go well…in the name” then everyone started screaming and jumping. We had thought of so many different ways to tell everyone and this one was Clayton’s idea. I think it was perfect.

Actually—I am forgetting my favorite. When I told Jeanie, Justice was at the skate park. Jeanie had called him to tell him to come home. I asked if I could tell him on the phone. When I did, he said, “What the heck has Uncle Clayton been doing to you”. I laughed and said, “Come home and ask him”. LOL

And my two little furry friends…they both are doing great! I am sure they will be excited for a little baby to come into our home (or in Izzy’s case someone else to lick). I think they know I don’t feel so well, cause they have been extra cuddly and actually allow me to take more frequent and longer naps without whining for me to walk them or play with them. Getting their dinner has been interesting...half the time I have to hold my breath cause it stinks so bad (especially since they are spoiled and we warm it up for them hahahhahahah).

Both little dogs love cuddling on the couches...even when there is no room :)

So, there you have it. We are very excited and still in shock. I can’t wait for our next ultrasound on the 14th. I never knew how fast these little babies developed. It should have arms, legs, fingers, toes and a nose when we go back. That is CRAZY. I can’t wait to find out what we are having (I know, a few more weeks to wait)!

Big News...

Clayton and I are having a BABY!!! I am due November 8.

Why life is so hectic...I don't know

In my last post I said December flew by. I don’t want to post the exact same thing but honestly I don’t know where January or February went! I really need to post more often. I have written a few entries and then deleted them before posting. Lame I know; at least it is lame for those of us who still check blogs. I had a really funny post created for a little “standoff” I had in the ladies room last Friday—but I wasn’t sure if I dared post it. Maybe I will re-work it up and post it.

Let me see if I can remember anything fantastic in January…uhm nope. February is a little more fresh on my mind. Valentines was fabulous--Clayton got me photoshop elements which I have been dying for and a big boquet of flowers. We went out to eat with Mike and Lydia at Gabore Brothers (the best place in town :). And most of all WE GOT NEW CARPET. It is the biggest change in the house. I LOVE IT. At least once a day Clayton mentions, “Have I told you how much I like the new carpet”, “I love our carpet”, “Come sink your toes into this great carpet”. I love that it is new, clean and I am not afraid to lay down on it. The old carpet however was a different story. I didn’t take pictures of the entire transformation but here is the final product. Isn’t it wonderful!?!

We did it all in one weekend—it made for a tiring weekend but worth it! In order to get the carpet installed we had to move everything out of the upstairs. We borrowed my Dads enclosed truck and basically “moved” for the weekend. We just loaded everything in the truck and waited until carpet was done to unload and put everything back together.

Here is my little pouting jail bird :)

The dogs had to be locked up in the kitchen while we worked :)

Here is the quick rundown—Friday after work we moved everything out and began pulling up carpet. Our bed was moved into our living room for the next two days so the dogs were in heaven because they got to sleep with us. Saturday—we pulled up staples, swept the floors and put up new basemold. Sunday—we painted the basemold and all of the doors upstairs. We decided if we were going to paint the doors why not get new dark hardware on everything too. Monday we both took off work and at about 8 am started ripping everything off the stairs. We left them for last because we didn’t want to be walking on tack strip all weekend (or the dogs). They had more staples in them than the whole upstairs. They were a pain in the behind! Our carpet was installed that day…and that evening we moved everything back in. Phew! Thank goodness we had my brother-in-law Jeff’s help. Our installer was hilarious. He was an older guy not much taller than I, grey hair and at least 60. He had little stubby hands and perfectly combed hair (well to start out with). He was a machine! He carried everything upstairs himself! Those rolls of carpet were HUGE but he wouldn’t let us help. I asked if we could get him a drink he said, “Oh no. I just went out to my truck and got a HIT off my Mountain Dew”. A hit, really? Ummm. Clayton asked if we could buy him lunch and he said, “No thanks, at my age after you eat you take a nap and I don’t have time for a nap today”. Sweet old guy. He looked like one of Snow Whites little dwarfs, not to mention he sang and talked to himself the ENTIRE TIME. Clayton and I had to hold back our giggles downstairs as we heard him upstairs.

I know, I can’t exactly sit still for too long, so I can’t wait to finish the kitchen and be done remodeling stuff for a little while (well I say that now but just ask Clayton—I am sure I will think of something else we can do).

Some more good news?? My sweet Mom is in town!!! She is here helping my sister who cannot seem to keep a bun in the oven until it is done. Sheryl is on bed rest and that is about impossible with two toddlers. So—lucky for all of us, it brought Mom out from Cali. The last time I saw her was last summer in July. That is the longest in my life I have been away from her. I miss her and love that she is home for at least 2 months!

P.S. I AM SOOOOO GLAD AVITAR DID NOT WIN BEST PICTURE! Hallelujah. And Sandra—you looked terrific! And Survivor—wow, this is going to be a great season.

HoLiDaYz

The holidays flew by! They came and went too fast. I must say I am a bit disappointed, it didn’t feel quite like Christmas. For two adults it was a little anti-climactic. I worked Christmas Eve until 3 and then we went to my Dads for the evening. Christmas day we got up early, opened our gifts and went to see Sherlock Holmes at 10. I loved it!!!! It wasn’t quite what I was expecting (but I can’t really describe what I was expecting either), but it was great—just entertaining. After the movie we traveled around visiting family. Saturday, the 26, we had a family breakfast at Clayts Dads. It was sooo tastey; I love any meal with them, they are great cooks! Then we went with Gary & Marylin to see Avatar. Unfortunately, I did not like the movie at all (loved the company but the movie was just not my cup of tea). It reminded me of fern gully vs. alien. I actually liked the movie Fern Gully better.

We made some gifts for family that turned out delightful. I forgot to take pics of them though. Clayton made plaques at work with glazed edges and I put vinyl on them. They had lyrics from our favorite hymns. They turned out super cute! I made some picture frames and edited some pictures of nieces and nephews for a few gifts too. Here are a couple of the pics:

As for our main gifts I got Clayton some drum pads so he can play in our condo without disturbing our neighbors. They are still loud but not nearly as loud as they were. He got me an Ipod! I love it!!! It holds so many songs, pics, etc. I love, love, love it!

The whole month of December seemed like a whirl-wind. I didn’t get any vacation besides Christmas day off—maybe that is why it didn’t quite feel like Christmas. Unfortunately with only 2 people in our department, coupled with me being the low-man on the totem pole—I was stuck working.

I did get New Years Eve & New Years off. HOORAY! Clayton and I enjoyed a nice long weekend together before he started another semester of school. It was so nice to just spend time doing whatever we wanted, no work—no homework. I loved it—I wish everyday was like that.

We also had a bowling night with my sisters family, AKA the Bosens: Haily got a princess crown, earrings and shoes for Christmas. Has she taken them off since? Not really! She is the girlie-est girl I know...and I LOVE IT!

Thursday was Chloe’s 3rd BiRtHdAy! Happy Birthday to the cutest black dog in the whole world! Here is to the best snoring, lil’ chubbers belly, sexy leg dangling, food beggin, lazy, walk loving, snorting, fetch master, bunny hopping lovely little dog. I LOVE HER!

Aren’t I a hypocrite? I have not been posting very much since summer and no it is not because I have ventured strictly to the word of Facebook. What a slacker. Get ready to settle in. Maybe go grab a drink and snack before you start…

Last Friday, on the way to my sisters, I saw a poor dog get hit by 3 cars. Not one of the idiots stopped! I pulled over, frantically trying to tell the dog to sit & stay so he wouldn’t keep trying to get up. I called 911 and they called animal control. The poor thing was still alive and I felt utterly helpless. I couldn’t try to pick it up, give it a treat or anything! I just stayed by it trying to keep it from getting up again. Finally when the cops got there, blood started coming out its mouth and ears. I couldn’t watch. I called Clayton and started bawling. He thought someone was seriously hurt, “No, I am just a wuss. Sorry to scare you, but I just saw a dog get hit”. Then when I got to my sisters—I had tried to calm myself so I didn’t cry over there—I walked in, “Sorry I am late…” then the old tears started flowing. My niece and nephew’s eyes bulged, “What is wrong?!”, once again, “Sorry, guys, I just saw a poor dog get hit and there was nothing I could do.” Hailey, says “Oh no, was it Chloe?” “No, thank goodness, but it was someone else’s dog. Hopefully Animal Control can help it.” There was to wishful thinking I guess. I am pretty sure after 3 stupid drivers hit it, it probably didn’t make it. That night I cried myself to sleep thinking about the poor thing. Sheish! It was the most awful feeling I have had—feeling like there was nothing I could do, while it looked at me—waiting for comfort. I am going to be a mess when something happens to my little furry friends!

Last night we had to take our pup to the Emergency pet care. Izzy started shivering. I put a blanket around her and a warm rice pack on her, but after 3 hours we decided to take her to emergency care. The vet said she was just sore up by her shoulders/neck. She is on “bed rest” for a week and gave her some medicine. The minute we left, she acted totally fine and this morning too. CRAZY dog! She always jumps (off the top stair, from couch to couch, off our 3 ft high bed, etc) so I don’t know how we are going to restrict her movement. She has had shoulder problems before (I guess smaller dogs usually have joint problems from all of their jumping), so I hope it clears itself up. After getting our bill, I told Clayton he needs to change his major and go into Veterinarian School. It was $91 for a visit and 10 day supply of dog asprin. Chloe is doing great. We have been trying to get a video of them playing, because it is so funny, but i can't get it to upload on here...

I went looking for Chloe the other night as we were brushing our teeth for bed. She usually waits for me to bring her upstairs to go to sleep, so I was calling her name around the house looking for her. Where did I find her sound asleep? She is so funny, she always has to be touching something when she is sleeping, cuddled right up next to us usually. Izzy’s new sleeping spot is right up next to my shoulder….she is so sneaky too, she comes right up there as I am dozing off and periodically through the night I wake up to her sneaking a lick on my cheek. She does it half unconscious, her eyes not even open. Either that, or she is very tricky! She also likes to sleep on the back of the couch (pic above).

Clayton is done with finals today! 3 weeks of having my best friend back! I have been quite lonely without him the past few months. It seems silly to feel lonely. It is not like I don’t see him, but without him sitting right next to me watching our favorite shows, or cooking dinner with me, or walking the pups with me, I miss him. I can’t wait to go home from work and have time to do whatever we want without homework!! I am so proud of him for working full time and taking 15 credit hours. What a champ! I wish I had his memory; once he learns something it is burned into his brain or something. Me, after I use it, I lose it. We both want him to go on a game show to win us some fast, quick cash. He would be great!

Registration—I am sure you remember me trying to register my Honda with the tint on the back window right? Well, just about a week ago we got Claytons car FINALLY registered. It was due in September (so every two weeks I have been going to the DMV to get an additional temp registration), but we had to replace the catalytic converter….what a process. We ordered one. Waited for it. Put it on, then tried to find the tightening sequence for the bolts (didn’t know there was one until now)—but Mitsubishi doesn’t put their info out there for you to get. Even when you call a dealer they say, “Humm, bring it in, I don’t know”. Ya right, you just want our money. We even ordered a manual online (twice!) and it didn’t list it either. His car sat up on my sister’s driveway in Perry, torn apart for over a week. Once we finally got the part on with the right sequence, it leaked. The part we ordered had a bow in it, so we had to pay for a machine shop to resurface it. Now that it is back on and straight, the gasket didn’t seal right so it still leaks exhaust. It passed for registration but Clayton has had to drive with no or minimal heat because the leak is at the engine and it blows exhaust through the heater. Hopefully this weekend we can get it fixed, over $1,300 later. This weather hasn’t helped his cold commute!

Have I mentioned that I hate driving in the snow. It took me over 90 minutes to get to work on Tuesday. My commute is nothing compared to those who drive to Salt Lake, so I shouldn’t complain but when it usually takes me 15 minutes…..90 minutes is ridiculous. Traffic was bumper to bumper the whole way. At least that is better than taking your life in your hands on the freeway with other drivers. I don’t know why I am such a chicken, but I do not like driving in it. It is a white knuckle ride for me. People are crazy for driving 60 on the freeway when there is 2 inches of slush. Why aren’t they scared? I wouldn’t mind being a little less afraid. Not to the point of carelessness but just so my heart wasn’t racing while driving in it. Plus this 0 degree weather isn’t fun since our living room and kitchen is 4 ft below ground level. IT IS CHILLY! We turn up our heat to 75 and it kicks on but it certainly doesn’t feel like 75 in our house. We have leaky windows and doors.

I have jumped ship. I don’t want to say I am a fair-weather fan, but honestly it is much easier to enjoy Jazz games when they are winning. But don’t worry Memo, my favorite chipmunk star, I still love ya without your buzzer beating 3 pointers. And Matthews—you are a fearless champ! Way to take it to the super stars (like Kobe last night) and just go right for them even though you are a rookie. And strange, Boozer now has 25+ points a game, where the heck have you been? Oh right, that is because now you have something to prove since last season you weren’t sure if you wanted to stay with Utah. What about this 3rd quarter crap? We get a 20 point lead and the team falls apart and loses to teams like THE TIMBERWOLVES. Really folks, cause you can run with the best of them if you would keep it together and FOCUS! And hey Jerry, CALL A TIME OUT when the other team is on fire. Don’t let them go on a 20-0 run before you decide to stand up and cuss at the refs! Basketball has timeouts for a reason, use them. For now, I will just “say” I am a Suns fan for the moment (without Raja L and certainly without Shaq J). Speaking of the big oaf, he has killed another team I enjoy watching, the Calvs. Thank goodness I like LeBron so much so I can still try to enjoy it. I do love going to a Jazz game though, come rain or shine, it is fun to watch and enjoy with Clay. The last few weeks I have had to remind him we have neighbors, “Oh come on ref!” “That’s a foul!!!” yelling at the TV at 11pm.

Tiger—what a loser. I hate all of the publicity this CHEATING loser is getting. I had respect for his game until I found out he was cheating on his beautiful wife while she was 8 month pregnant. I hope his endorsements go down the drain. But why do I care, really? Cause I see it on TV and it is interesting I guess. I shouldn’t care, but I do. Society has such a fascination with stars, and we pay for TV, magazines, etc that support the paparazzi getting into their business—but I shouldn’t care what he does. How about the AMA’s??? Did you see Adam Lambert on there? HOLY MOLEY, I was sick about it. Is that seriously going to be tolerated on TV? There is a reason we have stations blocked on our cable, I wouldn’t have thought to block ABC on Sunday night after Extreme Makeover- Home Edition. Good for them though for canceling his morning appearance on Good Morning America due to complaints. Unfortunately, attention whether good or bad will still land him a show, like CBS morning talk show (not saying I don’t like CBS, I do). And another celeb—Taylor Swift—is it her year or what? At least I wouldn’t mind if a girl said, “I love Taylor”, so far she has kept up her morals.

I have been making a few Christmas crafts (can’t post them or it would give it away). I really enjoy it. I get it from my cute Mom; we have always done crafts, sewing and baking. I am glad I have some of her talents in that area. I wish there was some serious income in it so I wouldn’t have to work. I would love just being at home making or baking something every day. Until I figure that out, I guess I will just do them for gifts and fun. I really want to learn to cake decorate. I have been meaning to get into one of those Michael’s classes. I would love that.

Work is going well for both Clayton and I. He loves his job and the people he works with. They are doing a biggest loser competition so he joined in. I am doing it with him but we didn’t want to pay the registration fee for both of us, so he is the only one to officially will weigh in. It feels good to go to the gym. I have missed it (clearly since I have put on 30 pounds in 9 years). I really want to stick with it this time and drop some weight; I obviously don’t think I can get down to what I graduated at, but boy that would sure be nice. I have to cut back on the Coke, but water has been tasting good lately.

As for my work, I love that I work for such a nice guy. It is a good change. Just the other day he left me a voicemail on my work phone, “Hey Emily, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your hard work and how much you have helped me out the past few months”. Sheish. Thanks. No prob boss man that is what I am getting paid for — work. It makes it so much easier to come to work and be able to joke, chat and enjoy your day while you are getting your work done without some jerk hounding you and following you around micromanaging. We have made several jokes about Tiger, the Jazz, Obama, or anything else we see on TV. He doesn’t watch much TV or movies, so anytime I try and say, “that reminds me of this part in the movie…”, I then realize midsentence, he hasn’t seen it.

I wouldn’t mind a little more work to do though, I often get bored and feel bad that I have spare time, but every time I ask for something it is like he has to find something and figure out the process first. I can do it, just let me figure it out. We are a somewhat new department so there is tons of stuff we can be doing…we just have to get the processes in place. I wish I could just design them and get them done instead of waiting on someone to give me the go-ahead. I have had fun in my own nerdery building some automated spreadsheets that have sped things up quite a bit. I am certainly not as good as my friends Chris, Travis or Casey from AWB, but I have emailed them a few questions and they are always so nice to help. Hooray for Excel! What a complete nerd, I know.

Babies on the way! Clayts sis, Lydia, is pregnant and having a Boy in March. My sis, Sheryl is pregnant with a girl that is due in May, and my brother Brandon, is expecting a baby only a week apart from Sheryl. They aren’t sure what it is yet, hopefully it will be a little girl (cause he already has boys). Our families are growing like weeds! Family parties are often hectic with so many people, but we are lucky to have 90% of our families so close. I love seeing them all so often! I sure miss my Mom though. It was hard not seeing her for Thanksgiving. She is doing well in Cali and loving the ocean view weather. She has a calling for enrichment or something which is great—she can show off her crafty talents.


Yes, yes, I have seen New Moon and LOVED IT. Clayton and I got tickets for Sheryl for her birthday. We went Saturday morning on opening weekend.There was not many males as we were standing in line waiting for them to let us into the theater, but Clay didn’t mind too much. Luckily for me, he isn’t too cool to go! He said he liked it much better than the first and can see why so many women are sucked in. I have been re-reading the book. I thought this movie did a better job of following the story line and it did not look as cheesy as the first one, like the mountain climber on the Price is Right (when they were running up the mountain in Twilight). Poor Jacob in this one. I just have to remember the other books….it is all for a reason. I laughed when all of the females in the theater screamed as the 20 year old Jacob ripped off his shirt. Come on ladies—try not to look pathetic!

I really want to go see Sherlock Holmes. I love Jude and I love Rachel. I might even want to go on opening day, Christmas. I love a good movie!

Anyways…that is about it for now.

Chinese Proverb: long time no post means life is busy

I really need to post more often! With Clayton in school, he is on our computer most evenings, so I don’t get too much time to get on and post. But here it goes, long winded, just the way everyone likes it.

Our Anniversary: Yes, it was already two months ago, oh well.
We went camping in the American Fork Canyon. One of the most beautiful places I have been in Utah!! I couldn’t believe it, lush forests (not filled with ugly scrub oak), beautiful streams, not to mention the canyons with beautiful views! I loved it!! We had my friend Krysti dog sit for us and we were gone 3 days. We lounged around, hiked to Timpanogos Caves, and relaxed. The Timpanogos Caves were interesting—what a hike to get there though. Holy Cow, I couldn’t believe I paid $7 for a workout without Bob or Jillian! It kicked my trash!!! 1600ft straight up….but when we got to the top, it was beautiful! This is breakfast of champs right here: grapes, Coke, ham & cheese omlet and what that, yes, A HOT DOG.

As for gifts, I got Clayton a drumming system he wanted and he got me a nice camera. I was/still am so excited! I have been snapping photos since (see below ;)).

Saturdays since then have been busy. We have nieces and nephews playing soccer & football, so we tried to go to a few games. It is so much fun watching them play! I miss coaching a little and I definitely miss playing soccer. Maybe I will get back in shape and play on another rec team for old ladies.

And for fun, a few pics I have taken:

Birthdays!
I had my 28th Birthday on September 13. WaHoo! Clayton took me out to eat at the cutest little restaurant on 25th street in Ogden, the Bistro. I had tomatillo pasta & pork—it was a little Italian & Mexican mix. DE-licious~ On my actual birthday, I didn’t leave the house…just lounged in my Pj’s ALL DAY, just what I wanted.

We celebrated Clayton’s 26th birthday at the cabin with fam. We usually go up there around Thanksgiving, but this year our family weekend retreat was a little early. So, we played ping pong, ate a little, played cards, ate a little more, I painted the girls toe nails, and we enjoyed good company! I got him Aqua DiGio….my fav cologne. Every morning when he kisses me good-bye or as I go into the bathroom to get ready, the smell lingers. I love it!

We have had parties the last few weekends. We had a fall party—just playing volleyball and football. It was fun, and we think we are going to make it an annual tradition. Perfect weather for some fall sports! This weekend, we had a Halloween party with some friends. We had such a good time shopping for our costumes. I have been telling Clayton I wanted to dress up as white trash for a while now and finally he thought it was funny enough ;). He was Bobby Ray (somewhere down the line related to Billy Ray) and I was Barbie, his knocked up girlfriend. The pics don’t show all of my tattoos, but I was complete with a tramp stamp (the lower back tattoo) and a burning skull on my other arm, along with the ones you can see on my chest. We both had IBC root “Beers” and fake cigarettes. I died laughing when he found the perfect t-shirt and his golden mullet. Sexy couple if you ask me. I thought it was great when someone at the party (because we didn’t know everyone) asked, “What do you guys look like in real life?” Our friend Lacy then found a pic of us on her camera and the girl busted up laughing, “I like you better with dark hair!” After everyone left the party, we stayed for a few hours to play cards. I love card games….I don’t know why I don’t play more often.

Since the lovely trees are losing their leaves, we dressed up the pups in their Halloween costumes. They don’t really like wearing them and we used the same costumes last year, but they are the cutest lady bugs I have ever seen!!!

And….for now, I guess that is it.