Have you ever…

seen frost quite like this?

This was my backyard on the 15th. I’d never seen anything quite like it and it lasted all morning because the sun couldn’t power through the thick, low clouds. My mom, who lives 10 minutes away, had nothing like it at her house.

fainted?

I mean a real full on faint. I had my first experience with it when I was kneeling in the temple listening to a dear, sweet old man share some of his wisdom to me and Jeremy. I was listening to him though I was really uncomfortable and wanted to sit down. I felt a hot flash coming and then a sense of queasiness. I thought about the location of the nearest garbage can and hoped that I could make it there in time. I then felt that tingly feeling of blood rushing to my head and tongue, kinda like a head rush after standing up real quick. I closed my eyes and titled my head forward in order to let the head rush past.

I then had a sense of relief and forgot about being uncomfortable.

Perhaps I had a dream or went somewhere else. Someone called my name, I think it was Jeremy and I said “What?” like he had just awakened me from a nap and I didn’t want to be bothered.  When I looked around  I could see a beautiful gold trimmed ceiling and sweet old man that I didn’t remember, kneeling over me.  I had no idea where I was. Jeremy could tell by the look on my face that I was completely confused and trying to figure things out. How I ended up on the floor was a mystery until someone complimented Jeremy on his nice catch.

Then I remembered where I was and what I had been doing. I was pretty embarrassed but recovered quickly with a glass of water. I was only out for 3 or 4 seconds but had felt like it had been hours and had lost all memory of where I was. What a crazy experience that was!

had to clean up after a child who ran down the hall vomiting on the carpet as they went running for your help?

I just did and it wasn’t pretty. In fact I’m really hoping this isn’t how my Christmas turns out.

reupholstered a wing back chair?

I’m just getting started with this project and I’m surprised how long it is taking just to take the chair apart. I’m being super careful because I was to reuse most things and use the fabric as a pattern but, sheesh, after millions and millions of staples my hands get pretty tired.

witnessed a birth of a child other than your own?

My sweet little sister just had her first baby. She went in for a scheduled induction due to her Cholestasis at 37 weeks. She only needed Cytotec gel to put her into labor which was a miracle in and of itself because she wanted a natural child birth. It was such a wonder to watch her handle her contractions. I just loved being there and couldn’t help but be touched in my heart over it all. In just 6 hours, she pushed her tiny baby girl into the world. Miracle, I tell you!

If you were wondering why my Sept and Oct postings were so few and awful you can now say “Oh, that makes sense. She must have been busy puking her brains out!” or perhaps you’ll think, “Gosh, I had my suspicions!”

So yes, I’m expecting our forth baby. It’s so odd to make an announcement over the internet, I know, but there really is no other way. I’ve been putting it off because it seems so weird. I’m due around the end of May although I’m not expecting this baby to arrive until the first week of June according to my previous history of lateness. So that makes me 15 weeks right now and I’m feeling so much better now that I’m into my second trimester.

Since I’m on the subject, I have some crazy, wild pictures to share. Now remember, I’m only 15 weeks. Actually, I took these photos last week on Thanksgiving day so I was technically 14 wks and 4 days along. I’m not showing at all other than my expanding love handles due to so much snacking.

Let me give you some background. These pictures were taken in the morning right when I woke up. My stomach is empty and my bladder if FULL. I also slept on this particular night on my right side.

Please don’t be grossed out.

I tried to get multiple angles/shots for the full effect. I’m completely lopsided.

Now, this baby bump isn’t very big. It feels like I have a grape fruit in my abdomin. This isn’t the normal lopsided baby belly of 30+ weeks. I haven’t even felt the baby move yet. This bump has to be my uterus being pushed up from my full bladder…

because… here’s the best part, when I get up, go to the ladies room, come back and lay back down…

GONE. Nothing left but some belly fat. My baby bump has disappeared into the depths of my pelvis, guts or whatever else is inside of me, hidden again until the next morning.

Crazy, eh? Have any of you experienced anything like this so early in your pregnancy?

Hello everyone, I hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving Holiday. We certainly did. I ate mountains of mashed potatoes and sampled every single pie I could. Delish.

Now it’s time to turn our focus to Christmas shopping and finding all those great black Friday deals.

While you are at it, make sure to stop by my shop because I’m having my annual black Friday sale and everything is 40% off with the code mandasblackfriday. I’m only running it on Friday (midnight to midnight) so make some time to snag some templates. They’ll make your life easier.

Happy shopping!

It’s Jeremy’s birthday today and I’m wish I could… do something… huge, wonderful, amazing.

Instead I’m making a lame-o collage of him in picasa.

His birthday wish was for me to not spend any money on him.

How unexciting.

So I’m left with my own resources which includes a homemade card and his favorite lasagna dinner and (if he’s lucky) some blue berry muffins might be included.

There’s not even a cake. What a winner wife I am.

Happy birthday, honey. Love you!

This year wasn’t such a good year for Halloween costumes. No family themed costumes here (but if you’re looking to be inspired for next year, you can check out some all-star ones here).

I put as little effort into ours as possible.

How sad. Isaac was Batman last year, and Leah’s pink poodle is a hand me down from Emma. The nice thing is that neither Isaac or Leah cared a snitch. In fact, Leah was in heaven. She thought being “Super Puppy” was the coolest thing ever and wore it a solid two weeks before Halloween.

Emma is old enough to know that we didn’t buy or make a new costume this year and most of her friends did. She was a bit disappointed with having to use something from home. In the end, though, I think she might admit that she was quite happy with her witch costume. Especially the make-up part.

If you are ever in need of some bright Halloween face makeup, considering using markers. They work very well! Just plan on scrubbing faces thoroughly for the next 3 baths. Ha!

Life is pretty crazy around here. Just signing in to say that I’m still alive and kick’n. We’ve been able to get out a bit and enjoy the nice fall weather.

I’m working on a real post so stay tuned.

Yes, I know. I’ve had a really hard time blogging lately. It may be due to my new full time job as 2nd councilor in the Relief Society or maybe I’m filling my life up with other important things but either way, I pretty much skipped the month of September.

Here are some highlights from the month.

Luckily I was able to go do this in the mountains…

before this happened…

Brrr. The temperature went from 80s to 40s in one day.

I might as well post about the first day of school. Nothing much exciting to say about it other than it’s arrived.

This girl of mine loves school (except math) and I hope she always will. Third grade seems to be when things get a bit more serious. I think I had the jitters more than her.

And this boy (who started a week later than sis) hopefully will like school just as much as his sister because he started Kindergarten today. I hugged and kissed him 20 times before he left.

Sigh. I couldn’t get a decent smile or a focused look from him. Oh well.

And because my first day of school pictures aren’t much different from Joe Shmoe’s first day of school photos I’ll add these next two for a little something more to look at.

Here is my Champion Potty Goer teaching her baby to go to the potty as well as she does.

And when my boy came home from his first successful day of kindergarten, we made cardboard box cars. Vrooommm. The box on his head is a helmet.

Way to be safe, Isaac!

I promise that there will be some scrapbooking soon now that school as started. I’m starting to get the itch.

Scratch, scratch.

I can’t do it all.

This week I have been completely overwhelmed. No matter what goals I’ve set for myself each day, I can’t seem to get the things done that I want to. I’m suffocating.

I can’t make raspberry jam and zucchini bread and have dinner cooked and ready to eat at a decent hour. My poor husband hasn’t had dinner in a week.

I can’t read books to the kids and clean the house.

I can’t wake up at 6:00 am every morning for my Ozone workout and expect to have energy that lasts through the day. Nap time can’t come soon enough.

I can’t take feed and clean up after the chickens, make sure there aren’t any giant zucchinis taking over the garden and keep my yard weed free. It’s impossible. (cleaning windows apparently don’t get done either)

I can’t plan fun activities during the day for the kiddos and keep on top of the laundry. Who needs clean underwear anyway?

I can’t keep up with Pinterest, my feed reader, facebook, and scrapbooking. Darn time suckers.

I can’t enjoy a new book on my kindle and post regularly on my blog.

I can’t mountain bike and rock climbing. Am I the only one who is sad about this?

I can’t make it to bed on time and enjoy the summer nights in Utah. I miss my porch and the stars.

I can find time to hug and love my kids though. That must always be a priority. But I can’t help but wondering if I’m doing it enough.

Tell me: How do you find balance in your life? What do you find yourself having to give up because you don’t have time or energy? Don’t tell me that you are superwomen and you can do it all. I wont believe it.