So thanks to everyone who helped me with my minor breakdown on Monday. A little sleep and a few days helped me put life in perspective. Things I have realized.... !: Celebrating Christmas is a good idea. Last year, I started the whole tradition of reading a scripture and hanging a nativity ornament every night. I kicked that off tonight and it was really nice to do that. i invited the missionaries over to help decorate my tree and realized how much I love decorating. Every ornament ...

For those who don't know, Dharma knows how to knit. Link And with her sweet thoughtfulness, she knitted by baby daughter an adorable little hat. And so Dharma, for that I wanted to tell you THANK YOU! Anyone can throw a card into the mail, (although most people don't anymore...but a handmade gift means a lot to me. It says that you took the time to think of someone other than yourself and give up your time and energy to do something to make someone else happy. It came at a real...

Link Our daughter was born at 22 November 2004. She arrived in all her glory at 4:10 am at Darnell Army Hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs 10.2 oz and measuring 19 inches long. She was known by the nursing staff as "the ER baby". Apparently ER staff on had not actually delivered a baby for 2 years. So understandably there was a lot of excitement when we arrived early Monday morning.... It all started about 1 am. I couldn't sleep because I was having some intermittent contractions. ...

What makes some people think that it is okay to start giving my husband and I unsolicited advice about sex? I don't care if I am pregnant and overdue.....You DON'T need to start turning to my husband and suggesting that he " start doing his job" . There is no need to wink and suggest a "little more time in the bedroom might help speed things along." I do know what got me into this situation and yes, I do know that that may help us get out of it. Thanks for the suggestion. Now g...

So My Husband Is Finally Home. (Yes, that was said intentionally with Caps...it just seems to call for it) Suddenly I realize how much tension I had lying under the surface. Somehow when he walks into the room, I am able to relax every muscle that I didn't even know I was tensing up. I am content and happy. *happy little sigh* Of course, the timing of this was almost messed up. The night before he flew in, I was in the hospital hoping and praying that I was not really going to be...

In my last blog, I commented that I have been fortunate enough to deal with a lot of things while alone. I figured I would start a list....This is similar to another blog...."I can" See my favorites list. I'm not going to list the small stuff...which is sometimes harder. I'm just thinking of the seemingly HUGE disasters that happen every deployment. It never fails. I will never go through a deployment without something happening..... Buy a house. (our apt was VERY unsafe...pipe bom...

The last few weeks have been the interminable waiting stage of my pregnancy. It is almost a stereotypical response for a pregnant woman to be so eager to be desperate to "get this kid out!" I've been saying for several weeks that I didn't care if my husband was here or not, I just wanted to have this baby....NOW. Today, I found out that he is definetely on his way home from Iraq and will be here this weekend. Suddenly I was hit with an epiphany. I do want him here for the birth of h...

For those who have read my articles, you may know of the one great force in my life. I'm refering of course to my two year old son. It may seem as though I am always at the end of my rope with him, but the truth is, he is a wonderful child. Disaster stories are just easier to write about....and funnnier. But part of being a mom is enjoying the quiet moments. When he woke up from his nap today, he climbed on the couch with me and I held him in my arms. That peaceful feeling of a child ...

Not that I am inpatient or anything, but I would just like to announce to the world at large...... 27 days left!!!!!!! I only have 27 days left of this pregnancy....and coincidentally (or not) about-ish that much time till I see my husband again! So I have twice the reason to be happy!!!!!!

For those who may have read my last blog...you may think that my child is some sort of heathen monster....or a typical two year old. I suppose it depends on whether you have kids of your own. But just as he surprises me with his obstinance and trouble-making abilities....he also surprises me with the opposite. I had to drag him with me to my ob apt today....and he was an angel. He flirted with the nurses and played happily and quietly for the entire wait (which being DACH-is usually pre...

This afternoon while my darling son was supposed to be sleeping, I heard him crying. So naturally, I ignored it, thinking that he would stop in a few moments. However, it didn't. I went in his room to give him a hug and tell him to go to sleep. To my not-so-surprise, I found him perched on top of his bookshelf, unable to move up or down, clinging for dear life. He had been hanging there for over 5 minutes while I waited for him to "calm down". I wonder if this is what causes ...

How NOT to get a two year old ready for bed. 1. Give said child a bath. 2. Dry him off and put a clean diaper on him. 3. Go to the bathroom to drain the tub and mop the newly formed lake off the floor. 4. Don't notice two year old grabing shoes and sneaking outside. 5. Continue picking up wet towels as child wrestles the dog 6. Thnk, "Wow, he's being WAY too quiet." as he digs a big hole in the mud 7. Find dirt covered child grinning in the backyard. 8. Repeat steps 1 and 2. ...

I had one of the coolest moments today.....I was watching my son play and realized that there was a method to his madness. Humor me as I attempt to share his way of speaking. He is playing with a bunch of Fisher Price Zoo animals in his room. He is narrating as he plays, directing them what to do. First he shows them the slide ...."here whee" and shows with his finger what to except.....including the requisite, "Wheeeeee" Then they start taking turns. This is the cool part. He...

So I am sitting up at 11 am feeling as though it is 6 am....no. That's not the way to put it. I'm sitting here feeeling sluggish, lazy and unable( or maybe just unwilling) to move. This is not a usual state of being for me...even at 6 months pregnant. I learned at a young age that sleep is good. Sleep is important. One of the most important things I will do all day. Why? For the simple reason that I get nothing done if I am tired. Conversely, with a decent 8 hours of sleep, I oft...

So I'm LDS. For those who don't know, and even care. This means that I am what is commonly refered to as a Mormon. No, that's not all there is to me. I'm much more than just my religion, but it does shape my beliefs and ideals. That being said, with absouluty no point whatsoever, I will move on to the actual topic of my blog. The LDS church does not have a paid clergy. Individuals are "called" to serve in various positions. The commonly held belief is that because your name is pray...