tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81406962416552252292024-02-18T22:09:22.926-08:00My Infernal Journaland other assorted rubbishAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-3197953797953989902019-03-07T19:33:00.000-08:002019-03-07T19:33:02.703-08:00It's happeningLast weekend (and, I think, the weekend before as well), I was feeling like a total failure. I couldn't do this.<br />
<br />
See cookies. Eat cookies. Alllll of them.<br />
<br />
Road trip. Snacks. Sweet and salty. Nom nom nom nom nom nom nom.<br />
<br />
Hungry? No. Dessert? Yes.<br />
<br />
I had just started weight training, so my body was (I think) retaining a ton of water and because of my indulgent lifestyle, the scale showed it. I still felt so out of control. I couldn't do it. I felt unhappy.<br />
<br />
Now that I sit here thinking back on all this, I'm astonished at what changed for me. I'll start with last Sunday. I don't know if you, dear reader, are the religious sort. I am very much the religious sort. I firmly believe that <i>belief</i> in something, Someone, larger and greater than yourself, can work miracles. I don't have to go into details, but I will say that I had a day of introspection and discussion with my God about what my goals were.<br />
<br />
I hope I don't sound disrespectful when I say this, but God is one great personal trainer.<br />
<br />
I also hope I don't sound melodramatic with the rest of this, but I'm recovering from food addiction. And with God's help, it's working. I know because this week has been phenomenal with keeping it together food-wise.<br />
<br />
And tonight, I just went out with some girlfriends to see a movie. Afterward, the plan was to meet some more friends for ice cream. We walked to the ice cream place right next to the theater and you know what? I didn't want ice cream. I wanted to hang out with my friends, but really, I'd just seen a hilarious movie with some of them, I'd had a great time, and I was more than fine to just call it a night. I didn't want ice cream so I didn't eat it. And I knew that if I went inside and got some, I'd still eat it. And then I wouldn't feel very good. So I left. And it was fine. It. Was. A. Miracle.<br />
<br />
I still eat ice cream sometimes. I still eat treats once in a while. I still go to the gym and work my butt off, still run hard, and I still count macros. But you guys, it's working. It's happening.<br />
<br />
I'm overcoming.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-74383771795993452412019-02-20T07:10:00.001-08:002019-02-20T07:10:13.394-08:00Rambling, to get me throughIt's about 8 am on a Wednesday. I ran 4 miles this morning in 34º weather (all the people in the northerly country are either laughing or giving this Arizona girl really dirty looks right now). My lungs hate me during the winter. My legs hated me on this run. My whole body is just TIRED.<br />
<br />
I ate a great breakfast: 2 egg whites, 1 whole egg, spinach, turkey, and a side of grapefruit. I enjoyed every bite. And craved bread.<br />
<br />
STILL CRAVING BREAD.<br />
<br />
I wanna get out of the house but it's freaking cold (fist bump thin blooded desert rats). I'm tired. Holy crap I want some bread.<br />
<br />
Okay, okay, deep breath, woman. Here's my plan of attack: I'm going to go take some vitamins. I'm going to let the kids watch TV while I take a nice, hot shower. I'm going to put on the thickest sweats I have and go organize my office. I like organizing. I'm going to plot my novels in my head while I do it. I'm going to text a girlfriend and invite her and the kids over to play.<br />
<br />
If I'm still dying after all that, I'm going to eat a spoonful of almond butter. That always helps.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. Feeling better now.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-77169603905254862852019-02-18T04:43:00.004-08:002019-02-18T04:43:53.956-08:00Day 1: Victory and Sweet, Carbolicious FailureDid I mention I was going to start my sugar cleanse on the 17th? Well, I decided to give it a go on the 16th. I had a great breakfast and lunch, then went to my cousin's wedding. It was gorgeous. And get this: they had a dessert bar. The cream puffs called to me.<br />
<br />
But I RESISTED, baby. I left early, which I regretted, because it looked like everyone had fun at the reception and I don't spend nearly enough time with my cousins. But I had to get away from those treats. (That's not the only reason I left; my husband had a meeting to go to that day too. Still regretted not staying an extra half hour though).<br />
<br />
I didn't eat any treats. I call that a major victory. But I still feel like I failed my family a little.<br />
<br />
Then later that day, my husband got us dinner from Whataburger. I was SO hungry. You know, all that healthy eating and a 10k run that morning; it gave this girl the munchies. I ate all the things. It was good. It was bad.<br />
<br />
Then Sunday came around. My official "first day" of this new regime. I made my family crepes because I want to keep a Sunday tradition of a fun and yummy breakfast while we have a little family time together.<br />
<br />
Another victory for me: I did eat two small crepes, but they were paired with some scrambled eggs and turkey. It was SOOOO good and well within my carb range. Lunch wasn't bad: tacos with corn tortillas. Then I hit the chips and salsa. Whoops.<br />
<br />
That's not the bad part though. I made brownies for a dinner at my dad's later: the kind with chocolate chip cookie on the bottom and oreos baked in the brownie layer. And of course, I pounded the chocolate chips and licked the brownie batter off the spatula as though it were nectar from the gods.<br />
<br />
It got worse.<br />
<br />
My sister made white chocolate raspberry scones and holy fudge, those things perfectly hit every little craving neuron in my brain/mouth continuum. I could not stop. Then of course I had to eat a brownie. Or two. Ugh, you guys, I couldn't stop!!<br />
<br />
I listened to a very interesting podcast (found here: <a data-lynx-mode="hover" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fbalance365-life-radio%2Fid1254305718%3Fmt%3D2%26i%3D1000425767277%26fbclid%3DIwAR2eemLaa8lkmzHfpUH2JtIcRGxvG5jjPrc3hu0X_Lx0r_fTApymoUTqn_o&h=AT2eelv4RHqA2wb4hguGbHP2MR8I2Hx2pQBWX9wk2GTZLSdFbNkywYdNcPUiApkDgdYHRbbekEx4jERKE68kSZSV7ic3VsHtMbKM6b-EbIlh1O-98LhhdqdvSWLN1bpmc61opeEe" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balance365-life-radio/id1254305718?mt=2&i=1000425767277&fbclid=IwAR2eemLaa8lkmzHfpUH2JtIcRGxvG5jjPrc3hu0X_Lx0r_fTApymoUTqn_o" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balance365-life-radio/id1254305718?mt=2&i=1000425767277</a>) about how sugar is not actually addictive, at least from a neurological standpoint. It was a really good podcast (Thanks, Hannah!!), but I couldn't help disagreeing, at least on some points.<br />
<br />
If sugar isn't addictive, why do I still feel so enslaved by it? They presented some great principles in the podcast, some that I plan on incorporating into my habits, but I still have to treat this like an addiction until I can say no to the treats and not hate life. Or maybe give into just one treat and not turn into the monster that ate all the things.<br />
<br />
Today is a new day. Trying again.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-9720072521931140212019-02-15T07:34:00.001-08:002019-02-15T07:34:28.514-08:00Sugar CleanseRemember when I had gestational diabetes? I do. I remember how hard it was to eat right. But oh man, was it worth it.<br />
<br />
Lately I've been doing pretty awful with my eating habits. We're talking all-out food addiction. You wouldn't know it looking at me. I'm pretty slim, sorta strong, and I can run 5 miles in one go (slowly. But I can). But food is my crutch. I've been using it to self-medicate. I eat when I'm not hungry, even when I'm full! I succumb to every craving, and if there are no treats in the house, I make them.<br />
<br />
Brownie in a mug, anyone?<br />
<br />
I don't feel "free" to eat what I want. I don't feel like I'm "loving myself the way I am." I feel out of control. I feel like a slave. Even now, I'm sitting here at 8:21 am and I'm dying to eat another chocolate-covered strawberry I got from my dad for Valentine's Day. I already had one this morning. Like, I can't stop thinking about it. I will probably succumb.<br />
<br />
It's a horrible attitude. It's not empowering. It's addiction.<br />
<br />
I'm admitting this to the world (or at least, whoever is following my long-neglected blog), because I'm trying to change. I'm trying to gain back control. It's not about losing weight, although I'd like to do that too. I'd like to look at a plate of brownies and think: "that's nice, but maybe another time" instead of: "oh my gosh, all of you--in my mouth. Now."<br />
<br />
My goal is to go 30 days. 30 days on my gestational diabetes diet. I'm not going to count calories. I'm going to eat as clean as I can, eat only when I'm hungry, and keep my blood sugar steady. I don't have a way to check my blood sugar (holy crap, have you seen the price of diabetes testing supplies??? Don't get me started. I feel for people who have to do this every day, dozens of times a day, their whole lives). But I do have the ability to track my carbs.<br />
<br />
So, to sum up: Starting February 17th, 2019, I'm starting this cleanse. After the 30 days are up, I'm going to take stock of how I feel. I'm going to evaluate other things I've been struggling with too:<br />
<br />
1. Asthma<br />
2. Fatigue during the day<br />
3. Insomnia at night<br />
4. Stamina during workouts.<br />
5. Inches<br />
6. Weight<br />
7. Overall mental health<br />
<br />
I KNOW I'm going to be crabby. My system has been overloaded with sugar for too long and getting rid of it is going to make my<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(84, 84, 84);">nucleus accumbens very upset (the part of the brain associated with motivation, novelty, and reward according to psycholgytoday.com). </span></span>Part of my "therapy" for this addiction is to write when I'm feeling stressed or having cravings in order to work through the negative feelings. So be prepared for lots of blog posts documenting my progress.<br />
<br />
Here we go.<br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
I haven't had that chocolate covered strawberry yet. And it's 8:34 am.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-38850542377740957242019-02-02T05:20:00.003-08:002019-02-02T05:21:12.846-08:00Ok, I really need to post moreI'm pitching a class to teach at the ANWA conference in September.<br />
<br />
How's that for an introduction after such a long break? ANWA (American Night Writer's Association) is a group of writers, mostly women (not all), mostly members of the Church of Jesus of Latter-Day Saints (also not all). Last year, I decided I wanted to get back into writing. I felt a pull. More than just a desire; it was like a call. So I started up again. And I went to the ANWA writer's conference in September.<br />
<br />
Oh. My. Gosh. I'd found my tribe. This group of people, all at different ages, skill levels, professional stages of accomplishment, were INCREDIBLE!! So supportive, so nice, so nerdy like me. I made new friends, most of whom I communicate with on Facebook, and got so much motivation to dive more deeply into the writing world.<br />
<br />
So when they sent out the call for class pitches, I knew I wanted to teach. I really like teaching (when it's a subject everyone is interested in and I don't have to grade homework all day). But what could I teach? I'm not a published author. I've just been doing this for a long, long time. I've been making up stories since I was a kid and started my first novel in high school 20 years ago (oh my word, don't even ask about that first novel. It'll never, ever see the light of day).<br />
<br />
Anyway, to make a very long story short, I discovered a subject I thought I could teach and started the pitch. I needed to enter a blog or website address. Umm... I haven't updated in like, over a year!<br />
<br />
So here's my little update! (I hope to continue keeping up with this, just to get some writing practice in. Get juices flowing. That kind of stuff).<br />
<br />
Bret is working hard at the dental practice. Still loving his work and being amazing at taking care of people. He was called to be the bishop of our ward last November (three weeks after I'd just had major surgery). It's been... interesting. Definitely challenging, but I've seen some great blessings happen. He's also building a shed in our back yard. From scratch. People, the man is freaking talented.<br />
<br />
Dragonfly is in first grade. He struggled a lot with homework at first but he's back into a good rhythm and he's doing great. He's a sweet boy and loves to be helpful except when it comes to cleaning his room. He loves doing art and helping his daddy with fixing the motorcycles. He also loves to ride bikes and play with friends. He still won't touch potatoes in any shape or form.<br />
<br />
Bumblebee is snuggled up next to me as we speak, holding his Mimi (his blanket Great-Granny gave him when he was born), and sucking his thumb. His smile and his beautiful brown eyes light up the world! He's currently in preschool and LOVING it!! He loves going on "adventures" and riding his big brother's scooter (the three-wheeled one he got for Christmas isn't fast enough. Facepalm).<br />
<br />
Butterfly is almost 2. She gets into everything. She's curious, she's fearless (except when it comes to Santa Claus), and she's sassy. She's talking up a storm. And like her nickname, she's a total social butterfly, charming the crap out of everyone she meets.<br />
<br />
Me? Working on a few novels. One is a sequel, one is a retelling. And I picked up another old, completed project for fun and I'm going through it with a fine-toothed comb. I'm also running (it's my therapy). I did a half marathon a year ago and I'm gearing up to do another one this fall. Trying to work on being a better wife and mom while always on the lookout for a new show to binge while I fold laundry. Right now it's Gilmore Girls.<br />
<br />
My goals: love my family fiercely. Finish two novels. Teach at ANWA. Run a half marathon.<br />
<br />
Wow. I've never typed all that out before. Here's to goals, adventures, and keeping this ole infernal journal updated.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-43798415525316429222017-02-08T07:08:00.002-08:002017-02-08T07:08:45.021-08:00Resistance is futile? HA!Last night, I went to a church activity for the women. I made brownies to help with the needed refreshments. The place was swimming in cookies, brownies, and cake.<br />
<br />
But I didn't eat a crumb of it! HA! Take THAT, sugar cravings!!<br />
<br />
Normally, I'd've inhaled at least one of each kind of dessert. Staying away from the sweets knowing they'll spike my blood sugar is hard, but oh my gosh is it possible and empowering. It's not worth the health of my baby or sabotaging these good habits I've started.<br />
<br />
I still crave sweets. All. The. Time. I saw a craisin on the floor once. I wanted it more than anything. (Granted, a single craisin wouldn't do anything, but a single serving has more carbs in it than I'm allowed to eat in one meal).<br />
<br />
Ladies, you can do it. You can control this. And if you can't, even after all you can do, it's going to be okay. Trust me, even my doctor didn't think I could maintain healthy blood sugar levels without insulin.<br />
<br />
Wanna see what my three-hour test numbers were? Of course you do!<br />
<br />
Fasting: 80 (Normal is below 95, so this one was actually good).<br />
Drink melted otter pop juice.<br />
One hour test: 191 (normal is below 140)<br />
Two hour test: 192 (normal is below 120)<br />
Three hour test: 162 (not sure what normal is on this one, but I was over)<br />
<br />
NOT good.<br />
<br />
But I'm doing it! It IS possible. You can do it too. You will see amazing things happen. You'll feel better, you'll miss cookies, you'll hit and miss, you'll make mistakes, you'll learn, and you'll conquer.<br />
<br />
And when it's all over, you'll let yourself have a chocolate shake because pregnancy is hard and childbirth is hard.<br />
<br />
Speaking of childbirth...I've got my day scheduled! On March 15th, 2017, my little Miss will be born!<br />
<br />
Spare me the Ides of March jokes. It's nerve-wracking enough as it is going under a knife. Caesar would know.<br />
<br />
Oh dang. I did it, didn't I?<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-79333662811096465162017-02-04T15:45:00.000-08:002017-02-04T15:45:43.699-08:00Gestational Diabetes: week one completeI'm telling you, this is both a blessing and a curse.<br />
<br />
Things I miss:<br />
Chocolate.<br />
Muffins.<br />
Sub Sandwiches (but I don't really eat those much during pregnancy anyway because of the stupid listeria scare with the deli meat. Ugh).<br />
Ice cream with hot fudge.<br />
Brownies.<br />
Rolls.<br />
Crackers.<br />
Pasta.<br />
<br />
Things I don't miss:<br />
Extra pounds.<br />
<br />
I'm serious. Since starting my gd diet, I've LOST weight. Which, technically speaking, isn't encouraged during pregnancy. But I'd already gained a little too much, so with the weight that came off, I'm just about where I should be weight-gain-wise. And since I have to follow the diet for the next five-and-a-half weeks (or 38 days, if I get to schedule the c-section on the day I want. But who's counting?), only the baby is going to gain weight.<br />
<br />
So far, baby girl seems to be doing great. At my last appointment, the doctor did an NST (non-stress test, which was non-stressful for the baby, but since I couldn't find a sitter for my two boys, they were in the room vying for full view of Octonauts on the iPad. Mom was a little stressed). Her movement and heart rate were perfect. She's very wiggly, which is very reassuring to this high-anxiety mama.<br />
<br />
The doctor was VERY pleased with my numbers this week. I only had 1 reading over the limit (165. The two-hour glucose limit is 120) and it was because I had a bowl of canned chunky chicken noodle soup and five, yes FIVE Ritz crackers. Every other time, my numbers have been awesome just with diet and light exercise. He did say it might be harder to control as I get closer to my due date and the placenta gets bigger. We'll see.<br />
<br />
For now, I'm going to keep at it and indulge in a few of the things I AM allowed:<br />
<br />
1. Surprise, surprise, cereal!! I have to measure out less than a full serving and I have to eat it with almond milk but this is seriously no big deal for me. I get my Cheerios and a huge plate of scrambled eggs. Hooray!!<br />
<br />
2. A late night snack. I'm not kidding, they TELL you that you NEED a snack before bed in order to keep your morning numbers low. Woo hoo!!! And my go-to snack of choice? Oikos vanilla greek yogurt! It's SO yummy, has tons of protein, and even with the sugar, my morning numbers have always been normal (and the doctor said those are the hardest to control, so yay!).<br />
<br />
3. All. The. Almond. Butter. I. Want. I'm allergic to peanut butter so I eat almond butter instead. Sometimes a spoonful to hold me over between snack and meal time. It's the best.<br />
<br />
On to week two.<br />
<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-22099631992433931132017-01-31T16:24:00.000-08:002017-01-31T16:24:09.336-08:00It isn't my fault. But it kind of is.For anyone reading this post because you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I'm going to tell you now, it ISN'T YOUR FAULT. This happens to pregnant women who are perfectly fit and eating right. Sometimes the placenta just gets in the way of your body absorbing insulin. It's a disease, girls. A manageable, temporary one, but a disease nonetheless. It happens to the best of us.<br />
<br />
Wish I could say I was the best of us.<br />
So, yeah, it wasn't my fault. I ate horribly with all my pregnancies and never had a GD diagnosis before. But this time, coming off the holidays, eating carbs without restraint, and pounding the M&M's several times a day, I hadn't done myself any favors.<br />
<br />
Don't beat yourself up, even if you did pound the M&M's. Oh gosh, I miss M&M's.<br />
<br />
After being diagnosed, I hit up Dr. Google. Which is, of course, not always the best idea. I got some ideas on what to eat and what not to eat but my information was fragmented, skewed, and frustrating.<br />
No sugar, no carbs. Lots of protein, lots of veggies, fruit sparingly.<br />
<br />
Okay. Fine. Let's get this started. I quit eating sugar (duh) and bread, loaded up on vegetables (go me!) and made sure my carbs stayed low, low, low.<br />
<br />
I was miserable. I was moody, tired, and after about two days of eating this way, I started getting symptoms of dizziness and confusion. I couldn't think straight.<br />
<br />
Then I did the best thing I have ever done for myself and my unborn daughter: I went to a gestational diabetes training class. Best two hours and $100 I have ever spent on my health. At least until I can start drinking Shakeology and running again. But I digress.<br />
<br />
This class was so enlightening. I learned that I COULD eat carbs. My body and my baby NEEDED carbs. No, that doesn't mean I could go back to pizza, Cheerios, or even a huge fruit salad. I just needed to know what I could eat, WHEN to eat it, and how much I could have.<br />
<br />
I also learned how to check my blood sugar, which is seriously NOT a big deal! I received a glucometer for free from the instructor of my class. It came with a sample of lancets and test strips. Poking my finger really didn't hurt. I could barely feel it. And it's fascinating! I get results in five seconds.<br />
<br />
I also learned that exercise, even just a twenty-minute walk, doing some brisk housework, or dancing in the family room with my kids, was a great way to keep my blood sugar regulated.<br />
<br />
After only twenty-four hours on this new regiment, I am feeling 100% better. I have more energy, I have ZERO heartburn, I'm sleeping better, and I am just a nicer person to my children. And with my new diet (which allows me a little whole wheat toast in the morning if I want!), my blood sugar levels are right on point. If I can keep this up, I won't need to do insulin, which will be so great (even though the insulin demonstration at my class was really cool and having to take insulin would so not be the end of the world).<br />
<br />
In six weeks I can have this baby. And all of this will go away. I can have a milkshake and a sub sandwich. But you know what? I don't want to lose these new good habits. I want to see what will happen:<br />
<br />
1. I get preeclampsia after having my babies. It's happened after every single one of them. Even after baby #3, where I was in better shape. It will probably happen again because doctors don't really know what causes it, but I'm curious about what this strict diet and a little extra exercise will do.<br />
<br />
2. I'm 34 years old. Losing the baby weight is sure to be tougher than when I was 28 or even 30. What about this time? How's it going to go?<br />
<br />
Time will tell.<br />
Six weeks.<br />
It feels. like. forever.<br />
<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-34317016261358690002017-01-28T16:01:00.000-08:002017-01-28T16:01:00.166-08:00Failed glucose test and sugar fastsHere is the start of my experience with gestational diabetes:<br />
Went in for my one-hour glucose test. I tried to eat well and drink enough water beforehand but it wasn't really a huge effort. I failed, but only by a few points, according to my doctor. So it's back to Sonora Quest for the dreaded three-hour glucose test.<br />
In the week beforehand, I went on a sugar fast. I tried to eat lots of protein and drink lots of water to, ahem, "trick" my way through the test.<br />
<br />
Ladies, if you're reading this because you're facing a similar situation, please don't fall for that.<br />
<br />
Either you have gestational diabetes or you don't. You can't cheat the test. And even if you could, why would you want to?? To avoid having to eat right and exercise? Pregnancy isn't an excuse to eat whatever the crap you want! (Believe me, I thought it was). To avoid the treatment? You guys, seriously, it's NOT worth it. Take the test, get your results, and continue on with your life.<br />
<br />
I had the three-hour test done on a Friday. That next Monday, which was Monday January 23, my doctor called me personally.<br />
<br />
Oh no. This is bad.<br />
<br />
"You have gestational diabetes," he said. I was DEVASTATED. A few minutes into the phone call, I started sobbing. Why can't I just have a normal pregnancy?? No joke. I've never had a "textbook" or "normal" pregnancy. There's always been something.<br />
<br />
I had an appointment to meet with my doctor the next morning. So after a whirlwind of google searches trying to figure out what I could and couldn't eat, crying in my kitchen the next morning because I couldn't have my bowl of cereal (I'm not kidding. Cereal is my life), I went in to the doctor.<br />
<br />
He's incredibly sweet, comforting, calm, and understanding.<br />
<br />
I am incredibly neurotic, emotional, and feeling so alone. We've been having problems with insurance so I was stuck in a terrible place, needing treatment for a disease that could potentially harm my baby or me, and I couldn't pay for it.<br />
<br />
My doctor and his staff were, as I said, amazing. They worked out the details of what I COULD start with, helped calm me down, and reassured me that everything was going to be okay.<br />
<br />
Deep breath. Okay.<br />
<br />
Next post: This isn't my fault. But it sort-of is.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-23938822032105722212017-01-27T15:47:00.002-08:002019-02-02T04:56:28.260-08:00Been a few yearsMy last post was in August of 2013. My mom died later that year and I just didn't have the desire to blog anymore. Add school and another baby in 2015, and I didn't have the time, energy, OR desire to blog. So here's a little update on my life, in case you're curious, even after three and a half years of silence:<br />
<br />
My husband graduated from dental school in May of 2014. He's working full time as a general dentist now and he loves it. He's great at what he does too. I look at him and wonder how I got so lucky.<br />
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We had another little boy in May of 2015. Born via c-section and almost three pounds lighter than his big brother. He's 20 months old now and seriously the sweetest little boy ever. His big brother is now four, in preschool, and is equal parts sweet and horrible.<br />
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I graduated from BYU-Idaho with honors this last December, with a degree in University Studies. Though I minored in English, I discovered I actually hated analyzing literature (at least, the kind they were making me analyze) and decided to focus more on graphic design, which I LOVE. I'm now, very slowly, starting my own freelance design business.<br />
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And in about six weeks, we are expecting the final member of our family: a little girl!! We can't wait to meet her and are so filled with gratitude that our boys and our angel Ella will get a little sister.<br />
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Another reason I've decided to start blogging again is because I want to document a little journey I'm on. Five days ago I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and it's my hope that the struggle and discovery I've experienced will help to encourage and comfort other moms out there who face the same annoying little complication.<br />
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Next post: Failed glucose tests and sugar fasts.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-22340210450049562912013-08-14T13:55:00.001-07:002013-08-14T14:00:37.624-07:00Been a whileI just don't have time to blog anymore. With school, the Bub, and family, I can't keep up. So here's a quick update on the last few months:<br />
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~Bub is crawling everywhere. He turned one last month. Getting huge.<br />
~Bret is working hard at school. Gets along well with clinic partner. I get to go in and have him clean my teeth tomorrow. (SO EXCITED! No, really, I'm not being sarcastic. I love getting my teeth cleaned and I get to have this super hot guy do it. Score!) Should I take a camera? Might that be cheesy? Yes and yes.<br />
~I'm trying to decide on a major. After lots of thought, prayer, soul-searching, and decision changes, I'm leaning toward business management. I know, so not me. That's kind-of why I want to do it. Also doing a little bit of writing... and starting to feel like I want to self-publish. This won't happen for a long time though, folks so don't start looking for my book on the shelves. Yet.<br />
~And to conclude, here's a grouping of pictures of my sweet baby boy, from birth to one year. We'll hang this up in the house. Too cute not to.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-16698579695528259052013-04-03T18:06:00.001-07:002013-04-05T06:15:59.676-07:00ONE by Leigh Ann KopansIndie authors get some serious props from me.<br />
Why?<br />
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They invest <i>their own money</i> into publishing their book. Not only their own money, but their own sweat, grit, tears, and possibly blood.<br />
They pay for editing. Of all kinds. (Yes there are different kinds).<br />
They pay for cover art.<br />
They pay for marketing.<br />
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At least, they do if they're doing it right.<br />
And who's doing it right?<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Leigh Ann Kopans. </span><br />
Author of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> ONE.</span><br />
I just finished an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMv3tJFjGq4IS9e4kikg7llzpmLiY57xC-UnHUMGxhOLLFOaqQbvQXgei7hhxaH4xEkZNVVIgV-MBsmH7SWlJuZ-FOjufA-1X-rc8Pi4QzAH1LFWqwRXU8Gm1NlHXmldJhbYX_aEVyo8/s1600/trishaONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMv3tJFjGq4IS9e4kikg7llzpmLiY57xC-UnHUMGxhOLLFOaqQbvQXgei7hhxaH4xEkZNVVIgV-MBsmH7SWlJuZ-FOjufA-1X-rc8Pi4QzAH1LFWqwRXU8Gm1NlHXmldJhbYX_aEVyo8/s320/trishaONE.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.iceybooks.com/2013/03/one-by-leigh-ann-kopans-cover-reveal.html">SOURCE</a></div>
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Here's a synopsis of the story:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.7817671592347324" style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly, or even drift along like a freaking ghost - too bad all she can do is float up and down. When almost everyone else is a Super, with at least two powers, or a Normal, with none, being a One is the worst kind of in-between. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All Merrin has ever wanted is to land an internship at the Biotech Hub. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over news of Hub President Fisk’s experiments, hoping she can get close enough to his research on the manifestations of superpowers to finally figure out how to fix herself.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other. Merrin’s over the moon - Elias is as good at kissing as he is at helping her fly. Better yet, her mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub’s internship short list. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But when the Hub kidnaps Elias, Merrin discovers The Hub’s sick experiments could take away even their measly single powers - Fisk’s interest in Ones like them might even be lethal. If she stands up to Fisk, she not only risks Elias’s life, she’ll also destroy her chances of ever finding a way to fly solo – of ever being more than a One. </span></b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's why I liked ONE:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">~I love Merrin. She's hard-core. She's angry. She's independent. She's typical. She's unique. She's freaking brilliant.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">~I love Elias. He's just so.... <i>cute</i>. And sweet. And smart. A loyal and devoted friend and brother. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">~There are characters I loved to hate and wanted to smack in the face. Scenes that left me sighing. And wishing I was a ONE too. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's why I <i>loved</i> ONE: </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The climax is exciting. The characters are real. They care about each other. They have flaws, but they grow and learn. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the love scenes are just... *sigh*</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another reason I loved this book:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Young Adult fiction nowadays, IMHO, is going down the toilet. Books meant for teenagers are full of sex. Some argue that this is a "reality" for teenagers nowadays. <i>Bull</i> <i>crap</i>. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can tell you right now that it's not a reality for lots of teenagers. I wasn't sleeping around, that's for dang sure. And as a married woman, I don't want to read about it. Not in detail. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">No Fifty Shades of Gray in my house. Ever. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Call me an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy, but this is how I feel and I think there are lots of moms that would agree with me. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So then we have Merrin: strong and determined. She falls in love. Yes--in <i>love</i>. Normally I don't buy the whole teenage I-can't-live-without-him "love" (even though I was a huge sap for it when I was a teenager), but this time it worked. I bought it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So when things start "heating up" between Merrin and her romantic double, she finds herself uncomfortable. This, in my opinion, is the reality. What a REAL teenage girl would think and feel in this situation.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it gets better. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Merrin <i>voices her discomfort</i>. *high five!* She doesn't just go along with it in fear that her boy will drop her like a hot tamale. She speaks up. And what happens? Her boy respects her enough to control himself and step back. Restraint. I loved it. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not to say they didn't <i>want</i> each other. Well, duh. That's a reality for sure. But they exercise restraint. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Highly recommend this book. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is some swearing in the book, just to warn you in case you're sensitive about that kind of thing, but it's about a PG level and fits with Merrin's personality. I wasn't bothered.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #391f02; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Available June 11th.</span></span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-15035683096678631032013-03-28T18:25:00.000-07:002013-03-28T18:27:20.228-07:00Ch-ch-ch-changes! So many changes around here!<br />
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Last week, I went into Little Bub's room to get him out of his crib after he woke up from a nap. And I had to run and grab the camera because he was sitting up in his bed! He's been sitting on his own for a long time but I'd never seen him do it in his crib before. Time to move the bed lower!<br />
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You can tell he wasn't happy I ran out of the room for the camera instead of getting him out of bed.</div>
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Little Bub is 8 MONTHS OLD!!! I love that little curl on the side of his head. </div>
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He makes this face a lot and says "oo oo" like a monkey.</div>
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Another change: Our boy has his first tooth!!! You can just barely see it in this monster-smile face. </div>
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AH! Love him.</div>
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Another change: Little Bub is MOBILE! Army crawling and rolling and going all over the place!<br />
I tried to upload a video of it but blogger is being stupid.<br />
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And... a change that isn't going to last. No, really. It's NOT. </div>
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Bret and his buddies decided to do "Mustache March." He grew his goatee at first. Then the plan was to shave all but the 'stache on "Mustache March Day" or whatever it is. </div>
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At first I liked his goatee. But it doesn't quite match the rest of his hair so it doesn't really "fit." </div>
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Then he shaved all but the mustache. </div>
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I love him dearly and I think he's the hottest thing ever....</div>
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But the mustache does. not. work.</div>
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We've had a lot of laughs over it though. Good memories.</div>
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But even Little Bub knows this thing is creepy.</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-14668945190678936982013-03-11T10:46:00.001-07:002013-03-11T10:46:25.236-07:00Wordless Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-24057745693283238472013-02-18T14:35:00.001-08:002013-02-18T14:35:45.426-08:00Ella's RunEvery year we do Ethan's Run, a race to benefit and raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects. This year, Ethan's (a CHD angel) incredible mommy wasn't able to organize the run. I was disappointed because I was looking forward to finally being able to run my first 10k in honor of our Ella. But Ethan's mommy needed to rest and take it very easy because of her pregnancy!<br />
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Needless to say, she's completely forgiven. (And she and baby are doing great!)<br />
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But what to do about running my 10k?<br />
Well, I couldn't organize a run. I had no idea how to do it and I lived too far away to do "Ethan's Run."<br />
So I did my own.<br />
I called it Ella's Run.<br />
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All I did was choose a day, map a course, invite anyone who wanted to come, and train.<br />
It was small. Very small. I knew more people would have been there and participated in the run if not for scheduling conflicts and/or pregnancies! But I knew a lot of people were thinking of Ella and Ethan and many other CHD angels and warriors. And that was the whole point.<br />
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Here's pictures of that day:<br />
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My mom and nephew sporting their Remembering Ella shirts from last year's Ethan's Run. Waiting for us to finish the run.<br />
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An extremely cute group of boys. The two on the left are mine. :)<br />
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Little Bub and his cousin E. No, he's not standing on his own even though he looks big enough to do it. The kid is gigantic.<br />
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Here we come! Finishing the first half of the race. Me and my awesome friend Leigh. She's wearing her Remembering Ella shirt from Ethan's Run 2011. She ran by my side for 90% of the race even though she could have gone a lot faster. I'll never forget her support.<br />
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And here I come at the end. 10k. The first one ever. Ran the whole way. Roughly 70 minutes.</div>
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Glad to be done. Proud of myself. I did it for her (and for me.)<br />
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And here's my sister, her boy C, Leigh, Me (red faced and gross), and my Mom.</div>
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I miss my girl. Shed a few tears that day. We'll be back again next year, running our hearts out.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-55470014730598180782013-02-11T06:36:00.000-08:002013-02-11T06:36:43.458-08:00What's going on?I don't know about you but January flew by like, I dunno, a crazy hummingbird on honeysuckle steroids or something.<br />
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So here's what we're up to:<br />
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~We needed some family pictures for a special photobook on Bret's side of the family, so we had his sister <a href="http://adeleheslington.com/">Adele</a> take some pictures for us. Turned out beautiful!!<br />
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~I've started school through BYU-Idaho Pathway. It's going well and I'm enjoying it! We have weekly gatherings with other pathway students in the area and they are ALWAYS so awesome and uplifting.<br />
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~Little Bub is now eating solid foods (some of the time), sitting up on his own, and trying to crawl. We also think he's trying to push out some teeth. He sure is a cranky little stinker lately. But man is he adorable and generally a happy kid.<br />
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~Not much else going on. We started using Tide laundry detergent. We have to use the free and clear kind. The other kind makes us break out. And I bought regular almond butter last week instead of the freshly ground kind from Winco. Just to change things up.<br />
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Wow we're exciting people.<br />
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OH! And I finally saw the Hobbit!!! Oh my gosh you guys I was almost crying in the theater. It was that awesome. I felt like... <i>I'm back! I'm home! Ai laurie lantar lassi surinen!!</i> (That's elvish for Ah! Like gold fall the leaves in the wind.)<br />
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I'm such a geek.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-30137458516233720562013-02-01T05:12:00.002-08:002013-02-01T05:12:48.859-08:00Six months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't even....<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-36910087112592202742013-01-09T04:52:00.001-08:002013-01-09T04:52:23.312-08:00Ella's BirthdayShe would have been two. Probably running around like crazy. Maybe even talking up a storm. Loving on her baby brother. Learning, growing, trying my patience.<br />
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We bought her new flowers. We gathered at her grave. They sung Happy Birthday (I couldn't bring myself to join in.)<br />
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They released balloons.<br />
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I hugged my boy.<br />
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Still a hard day, but a day filled with gratitude. And even some smiles.<br />
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I love my family!<br />
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Here's my dad tying a pink balloon to her gravestone.<br />
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Everyone came to show their support. I am so grateful for them.<br />
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(from left to right) Bret, his sister and mom, Little Bub and Me, my dad, and my nephews L and C. Little C brought his bubble blower to blow bubbles for Ella.<br />
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Isn't that the coolest thing?<br />
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Getting ready to release the balloons.<br />
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And off they fly!<br />
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Cute Little Bub and Grandpa.</div>
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My mom holding Little Bub, Me photobombing the picture, and my sister holding her baby E.<br />
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Thanks for the pictures, Mom.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-33403826642042259762013-01-02T05:18:00.000-08:002013-01-02T05:18:20.518-08:00Little Bub and Rice Cereal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few days after Christmas, we gave him his first taste of rice cereal, mixed with breastmilk. </div>
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He did pretty good!</div>
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"What's Mom doing and why is Dad taking a picture?"</div>
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"Um... okay. I guess this stuff ain't too bad."</div>
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"What? Do I have something on my face?"</div>
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"P.S. I'm way too stinkin cute for words."</div>
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"CHOMP! Yum."</div>
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Oh those cheeks. Those cheeks!!<br />
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Our next attempt at solid food will be vegetables. But probably not for a few more weeks. Rice cereal's on the docket till then.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-43243314872279551832012-12-31T04:53:00.000-08:002012-12-31T04:53:05.692-08:00Updates.Half a month since I last blogged. Busy? I suppose so. Unmotivated? You betcha.<br />
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Here's some stuff:<br />
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Our adorable, gigantic boy turned 5 months old!<br />
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Is it just me or is the monkey getting smaller?<br />
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Cannonball!<br />
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Christmas was SO much fun! My favorite tradition is our Christmas Eve fajita feast and gift exchange. There was so much laughter, movie quoting, and photo-bombing.<br />
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See exhibit A:<br />
My hilarious younger brother photo-bombing a sweet picture of my brand-new brother-in-law with one of our nieces.<br />
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Exhibit B:<br />
My mom is just too cute.<br />
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Exhibit C:<br />
The newlywed expresses her excitement for life in the middle of a rousing round of tortilla-cooking.<br />
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Sparklers! I smuggled a couple boxes from my sister's wedding reception. A fun activity for the kids, along with some s'mores. (Sparklers and s'mores... seriously, could this night get any better??)<br />
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Christmas Day! Little Bub's first Christmas. I can now say with much happiness that Christmas is most definitely more fun when you have kids. Even little ones.</div>
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Little Bub got a Thomas the Train toy in his stocking!</div>
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Being cute. He can now roll over and sit up with assistance.</div>
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My beautiful family, backdropped by the ASU Christmas tree. I'm wearing a "Remembering Ella" shirt. </div>
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Little Bub taste-testing his present from Granny and Grandpa.<br />
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My SIL Brianne got a pose-able hand for artists. We got a few laughs out of this while she pretended to be "Judy" from the SNL skit of the Lawrence Whelk show. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Seriously, look it up, you'll pee your pants. </span><br />
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And we got my MIL a photobook of all her grandkids. I'm still patting myself on the back after this one. They both loved it. I think it will have to become a tradition.<br />
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We missed our girl especially on Christmas. But she was with us and we had a wonderful, fun day filled with great memories, laughing our heads of, and all our family.<br />
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Coming up next: Little Bub's first taste of rice cereal and Ella's birthday.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-5260752049200386972012-12-14T10:56:00.002-08:002012-12-15T05:13:20.392-08:00I am in shock.<br />
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Heartbroken for people whose lives are forever changed.<br />
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Angry that someone would use their agency to commit such a horrendous act of violence.<br />
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All that I know for sure is that God will take these innocent angels into his arms<br />
and He will judge the wicked.<br />
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For now, prayers will be offered for the families in Connecticut who have been affected by this atrocity.<br />
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You are in the thoughts and hearts of everyone in this country.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-68107548125338068332012-11-28T15:22:00.003-08:002012-11-28T17:42:27.418-08:004 monthsThis kid, I tell you.<br />
<br />
He is so much fun!<br />
And SUCH a good kid. Holy cow.<br />
We went to the doctor today. He had to get a shot. He cried for about ten seconds. Then he was fine and dandy.<br />
Do all parents think their kids are just the amazingest?<br />
Here are the stats:<br />
Height: 26.75" 95th percentile<br />
Weight: 16.2 lbs 59th percentile<br />
Head Circ: 17" 86th percentile.<br />
BIG boy!<br />
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And here's some cuteness:<br />
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My Thumb-sucker!</div>
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Hanging out with Dad. He was holding the bottle of water to his mouth and we thought it was cute but couldn't get a good picture of it.</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-4781678615220356402012-11-22T06:05:00.002-08:002012-11-22T06:05:54.413-08:00Typelings postMy post on what I'm thankful for can be seen on the Typeling's blog:<div>
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<a href="http://typelingsaz.blogspot.com/2012/11/you-can-learn-lot-about-person-by.html">http://typelingsaz.blogspot.com/2012/11/you-can-learn-lot-about-person-by.html</a></div>
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Head on over, hope you enjoy!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-55154701962897747662012-11-18T08:03:00.000-08:002012-11-18T08:03:41.790-08:0029 Reasonswhy I love you<br />
<br />
1. You took me to the temple to be married.<br />
2. You're the father of my babies.<br />
3. You're a fantastic father to our son on earth and to our daughter in heaven.<br />
4. You ease my fears.<br />
5. You make me laugh.<br />
6. You're great at handling money<br />
7. You've taught me how to be great (er, better than I was) at handling money too.<br />
8. You're smart<br />
9. You like old cars.<br />
10. You work hard.<br />
11. You're kind to people we come in contact with.<br />
12. You fulfill your priesthood duties.<br />
13. Sometimes you let me hold your hand.<br />
14. You like movies.<br />
15. You don't get annoyed when I quote movies.<br />
16. You're supportive of my artistic whims.<br />
17. You always say "thank you" for the meals I cook.<br />
18. You take care of your possessions.<br />
19. You put up with my emotional craziness.<br />
20. You are good to your parents. And my parents.<br />
21. You love the Lord.<br />
22. You served a mission.<br />
23. You like to plan and you're good at it.<br />
24. You're honest.<br />
25. You have a great bod.<br />
26. You have a great smile.<br />
27. You always encourage me to do the right thing.<br />
28. You're patient.<br />
29. You're mine.<br />
<br />
This list wasn't hard to come up with. And I could go on and on.<br />
<br />
Happy 29th Birthday, Bret.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">It's a shame I can't ever call you "old man."</span><br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140696241655225229.post-47345491125533815382012-11-15T05:19:00.003-08:002012-11-15T05:19:55.556-08:00Disneyland HangoverSore muscles.<br />
Aching back.<br />
Homesick for the smell of churros<br />
and Pirates of the Caribbean.<br />
Sharp memories of Mickey Mouse and Mater.<br />
<br />
I must have a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Disneyland Hangover</span>.<br />
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Warning: a ton of pictures to follow. In no particular order.<br />
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we're in the front row. </div>
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Hollywood Tower of Terror.</div>
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Waiting in line!</div>
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King Arthur's Carousel</div>
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Look closely... it's the evil Queen.</div>
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Big Thunder mountain!</div>
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Splash Mountain aftermath.</div>
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Yay! People to ride teacups with me! (Bret hates this ride.)</div>
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Have you heard of these? They're amazing!</div>
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A place to feed and change your baby.</div>
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And just outside the Baby Care Center, you might meet some friends.</div>
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Bert, Mary Poppins, and some weird hunchback with an adorable baby.</div>
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All snuggled up with blankies from Grandma and Great-Grandma.</div>
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He was an angel. </div>
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Hanging out with Daddy.</div>
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Cars land was just too cool.</div>
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Me and the Bub on Flik's Flyers. He got to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh, and Haunted Mansion too!</div>
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We bought the Bub his first Lightening McQueen! (Saving it for his birthday.) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks Granny!</span></div>
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Little Bub and Granny. :)</div>
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We had SO much fun. I didn't want to leave!<br />
Weather was gorgeous. Parks weren't too crowded. We stayed in a hotel across the street. Got to do just about everything we wanted to (Indiana Jones was closed. :p)<br />
Special thanks to Granny for all she did to help make this trip happen!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857711562597839692noreply@blogger.com1