This one's for Joan-

I have been blessed to have two cousins my age. Graduated the same year, blah blah. We've had our close times, and our times of doing our own thing. Right now the other two are in school- one doing the grad-thing(back east), the other doing the little miss school thang(down south). Sadly, our conversations have come to once in a while phone calls when one of us is having an emotional day. I hope they know I love them on my good days too! It's been really great having them...cousins are better than friends, cuz they love you in that family way- the brutally honest way...but they don't have that 'sister dynamic'. The perfect combo. (does that make sense to anyone else?) I've been missing them a lot...two of best friends.

One recently dedicated tuesday to be 'ticked off tuesday' but I don't think I can wait til tomorrow to whine!

I'm so sad, annoyed, and cranky lately. I know- pregnant people do that...but why don't they warn you it's not really fixable? I am such a 'debbie-downer, BEAST' lately. This stage sucks.
I want to get out of the house- I have nowhere to go, no desire to get dressed, and once I'm out...I want to be home.
I want new clothes and I can't remember what I looked like before. Maternity is no fun.
I don't like the physical changes one bit...it's hard to feel attractive when you're a huge bump that MOVES (yeah foot coming out practically) and you're 'leaking'. It takes forever to do anything like shave my legs, or paint my toes...and I'm out of breath by the time I'm done. I'm swollen. NOT SEXY.
I'm drying out- and breaking out.
I'm annoyed with kids...for no reason.
I can't take my relaxing baths anymore cuz I can BARELY get out of the tub (and I found a spider on my towel- gross.)
I want to eat- but M'Adam went on a 'diet'...and nothing tastes good anyway.
I can't do anything around my house...and M'Adam has been working a lot- so my helper is gone. How the heck am I supposed to decorate for Halloween- my fav holiday?
It just seems like I have a million things I want to do, but when painting my toes takes an hour- what choice do I have but to wait for help? And now that my helper is gone I can feel it- HELPLESS.
I HATE that feeling. It's the worst...and apparently it won't be going away for a while.
I know every woman goes through some degree of this...so why cry when I'm not alone? Then again- I've never been good at the fake smile thing. I'm just done. 5 weeks seems so far away, yet so close when I think of what I want to get done before Baby. I think I'll make a paper chain and count the days- they say you learn everything you need in kindergarten. Yep, a paper chain and some kool-aid.
Oh by the way- I love Joan, and Bex too!

P.S. a b-day shout out for our niece who's 3, and our nephew who'll be 12 tomorrow.

Just so you know...

We've been at our goal for a week now! And it's been easier that I thought to keep it up. We decided to do our 'family' study in the D&C...now, I didn't do full seminary- so it's opening my eyes to A LOT! I had no idea the gifts that were given and that J. S. had his taken away for a season. Makes me think twice about doing stuff I know I shouldn't! I've been reading in Mosiah- Abinadi puts it down- I don't think you could have heard him speak and having an ounce of faith, not listened. I've read through the BOM before...but I was like, 15. It's nice to fill in more info (I'm actually keeping a timeline and notes!) I've never felt like things have clicked better! We've been doing good on our 'house' goals too (we're both swearers and are trying not to be, among other things)- I'm glad that so far what I haven't been motivated to do before, is sticking...one more week and we'll have a habit!

My little harvest

I went to visit Faith...and brought home a bunch of harvest season goods! Roughly 40 lbs. of peaches...which M'Adam helped me bottle and turn to jam! The jam was so yummy! Thanks to Faith's neighbor, who gave away boxes from her tree!

And each of these rows is a different type of apple, or a mix of two. CRAZY. I knew there were like 5... but apparently this wasn't even a big selection when I got online to see what each type was best for. I think I like having just 5. The fun part was that we drove to a little orchard outside of Safford and picked them ourselves! Faith got up in the tree- that was funny. I have to say I did discover one type of apple I recommend trying if you've never had it... the Elstar. MMMM!!! But after the peaches, I'm not sure I want to do the apples- they need to be done...who likes pie? Oh, and anyone that's tried dehydrating...any tips??

It shouldn't be a challenge.

My sister-in-law just posted a challenge. Well, for me anyway. It seems that no matter how faithful I try to be, the little things get set aside for late night shows or a work of fiction...or I am simply to lazy to get to. The challenge is this:

Daily:
personal and family prayer
personal and family scripture study
acts of love/compassion to spouse

Weekly:
date with spouse
F.H.E.
observing the sabbath
magnify callings

Monthly:
fast
pay tithing and offerings
temple work
home/visit teach (and allow to be taught)
-I'm adding:
add to year supply
acts of compassion to family member
acts of compassion to stranger

I hope M'Adam and I can do this (the challenge is 100 days- so roughly until the new year) he has always been a support to things like this, though somedays we seem to slip, and then forget to start again. My problem is that I'd rather do it at night...he is much more of a morning person, and after missing him all day, I don't always give him the time to read on his own. I guess I'll have to be a morning person...might as well, Baby will wake me anyway! AND- you have to start somewhere right?
I hope if anyone else takes on this challenge that we can share knowledge and testimony gained through the spirit and the experiences that will be placed before us- I use the excuse most days that I'm not a better saint because I simply can't be translated and leave M'Adam alone, or that the Relief Society Presidency ain't ready for me. But in truth, I guess I'm too selfish to do the simple things asked of me. Which I am now humbled for; we are given so much, and I am continually blessed despite my shortcomings. I am grateful to have a Father in Heaven who loves me that much...and gives me so many chances to figure out what I already know- life is better, happier, fuller and more meaningful when you are obediant.

Ok...maybe I shouldn't read.

As you know, I've been working my way through the Great and Terrible series by Chris Stewart. It's pretty much a look into doomsday with all the glamour of a Tom Clancy novel- but it has the spiritual twists that make it a great LDS read, and reminder of the possibilities. BUT- it is totally freaking me out now that I am into book 5. I am a worrier by nature anyway, and I'm one of those 'has to be perfect conditions' people so doomsday freaks me out as it is. I hate throwing a party without every detail covered...how am I going to do BOOM- now live!!? I've been working on storage...not as far as we need to be, but there's only so much we are able to do right now. In this book senario, the U.S. is hit by a Nuclear missile, taking out the capitol...then hit by 4 Scud missiles (EMP-electromagnetic pulse) which pretty much wipes out our entire government, then all electric anything. Back to the good ol' horse and cart if you got 'em days. Of, course this results in riots, people killing each other over bottles of water- you get it. So, here I am- KNOWING that AZ. Sen. Jon Kyl actually DID write an article about how that would be a huge possiblility for our nations downfall (inviting?) and can I just say little ms. worry is totally freaking out! I'm moving to my aunt's house. :) I'm not so much worried about not having things...other than food and water...I really could wear the same outfit for a week if I had to- tried it when I was a kid one summer. But, I'm worried about having to defend what we do have...I mean what would you do if someone was trying to break into your home because they know you've been storing? Or think you have cash? Sharing sounds like the Christ-like thing to do...but then we have the parable of the 10 virgins...you've been warned...you didn't prepare- you're out kinda thing. And hello- would I be able to harm another person, or watch my husband do, to keep my family safe and fed? M'Adam's cousin thinks it'd be easier to get dead, seeing as it's the end of the world anyway. So...death, or fight/hideout. Sounds like no fun. (And according to the Mayan calendar and 1/2 dozen other sources...it's only 3 years away!!) Gasp. I'm going back to bed!

I just love my husband...

OH YEAH! lol- (our poor kids...crazy hair awaits them!)

Anyway...M'Adam has been really fabulous lately. Making sure all my needs are met and I don't have to do too much. He's making dinner too :) which means yummy food! He's been funny lately- or at least he thinks so, and he has a half obsession with trying to fill the big trash can on dump days with all my stuff (it's a game those mornings to salvage most of our garage) meanwhile, half my front yard plants should be taking the space! (our plants are out of control! I weeded, but the bushes are huge so it didn't really help-) He's also a tough guy recently- he'll come home from work, which I KNOW is stressful at times, with some ranting story of how he almost beat some guy down...most people know he's pretty laid back so that wouldn't happen- although you might get a taco thrown your way on a bad day. Maybe it's a soon-to-be-Daddy thing... and as far as his sweet side goes- maybe I should bake more often. :) Actually he's pretty fabulous on his own, and I am totally spoiled. Last night he watched football -not a fan- so I got my back, feet, belly rubbed while it was on. I also had a bad day yesterday (woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck- and had scary belly pains...no worries) and he came home and took me out to our favorite restaurant- Baci, a little local Italian joint. So YAY M'Adam! I love you, and I'm keeping you!

Baking fool-

Yesterday I woke up with a wild hair...to bake! Now, as before stated- I am NO good at baking, so

where this hair came from I have no idea. I called the 'Master Baker' (Steph) and got a few ideas on what I should make. I came up with Madelines, Red velvet -Chocolate chip cookies, Cinnamon rolls, and Molasses cookies...M'Adam requested Texas sheet cake- so armed with recipes and all my ingredients I set out to make the RVCC cookies (friggin' AWESOME), and the Madelines...which needed some help. I've tried over and over to do these...they are one of my favs- but to no avail. I guess they hate me, or my recipe is that bad! Today I am tackling Cinnamon rolls...we'll see how that goes- yeast isn't my best friend.

They started our house! YAY- by now they have done the plumbing too- it's exciting!

p.s. My cousin had a b-day yesterday...she says it's no biggy- but she knows who she is so...b-day shout out!

I love Rubbermaid stuff!

I know, I know... having a mom who threw more than one Tupperware party I should be ashamed. But, I can't help it. I am a Rubbermaid fan. I have used it for years and kept my collection up and fresh...take alongs for guests and events, red tops for everyday, and the heavy duty for well...the special stuff. I have remained faithful to the brand everytime I get more...though I did try a few before settling on this brand as the best. Yay for fresh food. I was kind of skeptical when I saw the 'green' ware for keeping produce longer...but after weeks of walking by it at the store, curiosity got the better of me and I bought some. OH MY YES! I kid you not I have had lettuce in the fridge for over two weeks...still crisp. Grapes lasted FOREVER. I totally had to go buy more because I love having produce...but you know how it goes, sometimes you forget it's there and then you find it smiling at you one day...yeah won't happen again! (My mother in-law uses those 'green' bags- which work well too) I have extended my collection to include the reusable water bottles too- which haven't leaked on me yet! Heck- My favorite storage bins are even Rubbermaid tough bins... they are just awesome. What would I do without my Rubbermaids??

I'm Wishing...

I love the fall. September 1st I set to work putting pumpkin decor around the house, bright colored wreaths...apples and harvesty things- and bust out the smelly good candles that fill my house with the smell of baking (which I need practice at...the only thing I make that I like is buttermilk pie-YUM) I wish the outdoors could match...crisp, cool air that fills you up and smells of tree and clean. Having to wear a light sweater...warm treats feeling toasty in your belly. But no- this season doesn't exist for most Arizonans. It will be summer until like December...then it goes straight to 'winter'...which is colder, windy, and dead everything. No baking- it's too hot, unless you're a trooper like a few of my sisters. No glistening snow. (though I'm glad for no frozen anything too!) Anyone who knows me knows it was a good while ago I left the fashionista part of me behind- but I long for a cold month and a closet full of fabulous coats and knee high boots...and a REAL reason to wear a beanie. Maybe I'll get to have a real fall when I get bigger... or maybe next year I'll runaway to Amanda's... you have fall right 'Manda? I wish I could this year... but the bump will pretty much keep me from going far- though I tried to be sneaky and hint to M'Adam that a trip to Julian, CA wasn't a terrible early birthday gift... apple fest is going on... the fiddlers will perform nightly soon... and we like pie!!

Rant and Rave...then Rant again.

This is evidence that the night went well... Ahi in your water. We all went to McGrath's for dinner last night...not my favorite, but I've never had a problem there. We met at 7:30... didn't get our bumbling waiter for a while, and had crappy service. Our food (which arrived at 9!) wasn't fabulous and even after taking all that time- people still had missing sides- Yikes. The manager was NOT helpful at all- so the night ended with food in a glass and children drawing on the napkins. I'm sure it will take a while to get me to drive over there again. (AND the food gave me a tummy ache!)

We have a bird dog! M'Adam and Otto went on their first dove hunt and had a blast! It was my job, as per tradition, to get donuts from a local shop and since I couldn't shoot anyway- the boys left without me...M'Adam got his limit- which is great! (now we have to eat them though) and Otto was completely comfy being around all the hunters, guns, and birds. He even helped retrieve a few, which came back a little knawed on...but he's still in training. :) M'Adam had a lot of fun and I was glad to be around family in the relaxing country atmosphere. (plus grandma Evelyn spoils us!)

What else? - they are supposed to start our house soon...hopefully this week- YAY!

Other than that- I just hate politics. Maybe I'll get into it later.

OH- and thanks to Amanda I'm reading that series the Great and Terrible...on number 4...it's good! (M'Adam said after I was telling him about it that Tom Clancy already wrote that- obviously without the spiritual aspects. Not the same...boys don't get it do they?)

My little sister is crazy... she wants fairy tale dresses at her reception- and a bubble machine. Gotta love 'er.