June 27, 2009

Our backyard

I am absolutely in love with our backyard. I decided to do a little video tour as well as some still shots. Sorry about the uninteresting commentary. It took me 4 tries to get our camera to cooperate so I got a little tired of saying the same thing over and over again.





Nick's planter boxes

I don't remember the name of this pink flower but I think it's so pretty!


Still got a view of the mountains...


We had a fun trial run with our fire pit after Toby went to bed. We had hot dogs, smores, and washed it down with some Dr. Peppers. It was seriously one of the funnest, cheapest date nights we had had in a LONG time! This will definitely become a weekly occurrence. Nick and I were even tossing around the idea of putting up a tent and having a little camp-out!

So Nick always looks ticked off or goofy in pictures. I choose "ticked off" because the "goofy" ones were fuzzy.


And I totally look like I should be the picture on the front of some camping gear. I am completely posed and awkward.


And of course I couldn't resist throwing some pics in of the Tobester...

June 22, 2009

Mirena

should be spelled M.I.R.E.N.N.A. and stand for:

May
Induce
Rage
Everyday bleeding
Nervousness
Nausea
And frequent attacks on significant other


I gotta say I am not a fan thus far. The reason I decided to use Mirena is because I need a birth control method I can tolerate (I barf if I take the pill) and that will successfully take away my periods because of my endometriosis. But so far I am not impressed with this little 'T' shaped device from h---. Ever since I got the evil little thing inserted I have been spotting non-stop (which in all honesty was expected but come on, enough already!), I get headaches, nausea, and feel like I have no energy, my last period was actually 9 (nine!) days long, I feel anxious/paranoid-
a bit "Beautiful Mind"-ish certain times of day, and worst of all I am kind of freaking Nick out with my mood swings. Sometimes he looks at me like "who are you and what have you done with my wife?" It's so sad. A couple weekends ago was probably the scariest episode yet because I was about to start my period. To say I was a bit emotional was the understatement of the year. The picture below is a pretty good indication of my general disposition (and what Nick had to put up with):



So I have my 1 month check-up tomorrow and I am seriously considering having it removed. I just want my old, chillaxin', self back - as well as a husband that doesn't feel like he is walking on egg shells around me. :)

Has anyone else used Mirena and had similar experiences? Do the side effects eventually go away? ANY advice is much appreciated!


June 17, 2009

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

This was quoted by President Eyring, but is actually written by a minister of another faith - Dr. Bob Moorehead. It is a great reminder of what I need to live up to.

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow
down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,
or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

June 16, 2009

Repent! Repent!

That is what I thought of when the tree in our front yard (well close enough) was struck by lightning on Sunday. Even though part of me was a little fascinated by having lightning strike so close to home, the other part of me did this spiritual inventory on myself: Went to church- check. Said morning prayers- check. Read scriptures - doh!




Sheesh, I am glad I got at least 2 out of 3. I would hate to see what would happen if I hit the snooze that day. Yikes! :)

BTW- I will be posting some pics of our house once we are finished getting settled. It's not that we have that much stuff, its that I am lazy and have no decorating skills (or nunchuk skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills....) hehehe

June 12, 2009

Need a laugh?

I have seen this YouTube clip many times - but every time I watch it, it's like the first time. It never gets old! Hope it gets a laugh out of you too... :)

June 10, 2009

Reality Check




"The joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.” -M. Russell Ballard

Ever since we moved into our new place - which I absolutely LOVE - Toby has had a challenge sleeping through the night again. This was expected since he is in a completely different environment and bedroom. The first few nights I was shocked at how well he did. He only woke up once or twice but went right back to sleep when Nick when in his room to check on him.

The past couple nights however have been a different story. Nick is back to his 2 - 10 schedule so of course I am the one putting him to sleep. At the other place, the routine was bath, book, and bedtime promptly at 7 pm - and he was out the rest of the night! 7 - 10:30 has become "indulge Debbie" time. I would use it to: catch up on emails, laundry, dishes, do Pilates, savor a bowl of ice cream...you get the picture. Needless to say this is my favorite time of day because I can do whatever I want without interruption.

Well last night I had made quite the "to do" list for myself: unpack kitchen, computer room, sweep kitchen, finish final edits on book, update addresses with banks and other company's, and make grocery list. I had just put Toby to bed and checked my email when I heard him waking up. I went in his room comforted him and he went back to sleep. This ritual repeated itself every 30 minutes until finally I could tell the little stinker was wide awake and no amount of rocking or singing would put him back into a deep slumber. Instead of getting frustrated, I decide to just chuck the "to do" list for the night, roll with the punches. So, I grabbed a couple of his blankets, cuddled up with him on the couch and turned on Shrek II. Normally Toby won't watch cartoons but to my surprise he watched a good 20 - 30 minutes of it until he became disinterested and played with some toy's instead. Then he gave me his "tired signal" which I can never get enough of: he puts both arms around my neck, rests his head on my chest and looks at me with droopy, puppy dog eyes. *sigh* He is such an adorable, snuggly little boy! So I take him up to him room and we do our normal routine of cuddling before he drifts off to sleep. Well he got the cuddling part down, but just couldn't close the deal. I wondered if he just needed me for some extra comfort that night so I climbed into his crib and layed down next to him to see if that would help. Close, but no cigar. He layed there staring at me with his bright, beautiful eyes and I couldn't help but just smile at him. Then he reached over and played with my hair for a bit while babbling to himself. Eventually, Toby sat up and grabbed his stuffed animal dog (which happens to be a Pembroke Welsh Corgi) and starts barking. I can't help but laugh. He turned to me and gave me his priceless Toby smile and it was then I realized what a great night it had been even though hadn't gone at all like I had planned.

I am so grateful for these small, precious moments in motherhood that take you by surprise and make all the tough, tear-your-hair-out moments so worth it!

June 3, 2009

4 years and counting...

We met in October of 2005 at a corn maze and little did we know our lives would never be the same...

Dating


Engaged


Marriage

Life in the Last Great Frontier






Our GREATEST adventure though was becoming "mama" and "dada"...

Happy Anniversary Nick!

I look forward to many more amazing years ahead...