Garth & Kat…the remake...

We've had the privilege to have my best friend Sarah Rogers and her son Miles stay at our house since the end of January (until mid March when Sarah gets married to Myke Olsen- 3/14/14). It's been so much fun for all of us! It's like having a sister wife (except for sharing the husband) - someone to watch Reese when I need to pickup carpool for Jovie, an instant "cousin" for Jovie to play with, cooking dinners together so that it actually makes sense to cook, staying up late and talking, watching the Winter Olympics and crappy reality tv (the Bachelor- Juan Pablo!!), etc!

So, Jovie and Miles share a special love for Legos! We just went two weeks ago to see The Lego Movie in theater and just loved it! They play Legos the minute Miles gets home from school (unless it's Minecraft on the iPad) and talk mini figs, sets and pieces. 

Well the other night before bed these two goof balls were looking through Jovie's Lego book and started mimicking each other about the sets and how many pieces were in each one and it got me busting up laughing! 

Doesn't that video remind you a bit of this Saturday Night Live skit of Garth (Fred Armison) & Kat (Kristen Wiig)!

(I couldn't get any videos on YouTube, but I needed a picture for the memory! haha)

I love these two together. They are such good friends. And it makes it even easier when I'm great friends with his mama too. 

Resolutions...

I've thought long and hard about this...and I've decided to actually do things that are humanly possible. I'm kind  of a mess when it comes to "realistic" goals. To a "normal" person, my goals are quite lofty- to me, they are doable. Are they REALLY doable, you ask? Some, yes. Most, no way. I aim too high, and in the process feel like a failure when I can't do them. Why do I do this to myself?!! I'm NOT a failure. I can stick to things. I can finish projects. It's just REALLY hard for me!!! 

So, in an attempt to resolve some things, here is my 2014 resolutions list! (In no particular order)

1. Blog at least once a week.

2. Stick to a house cleaning list!

3. Finish one craft project every 2 months! 

4. Complete 1/2 Young Women's medallion. (I've already gotten it as a YW but now want to do it as a leader!)

5. Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover!!

6. Read all book club books (about 20 books this year- including both book clubs I participate in)

7. Pray each day for instruction on how I can better serve The Lord. 

8. Go to the gym 3 days a week (or other form of exercise!) 

9. Track and lower sugar intake! 

10. Hold Family Home Evening EVERY week! 

11. Better execute meal planning- write out meals for the week, shop for and cook at least 3 dinner meals! 

For now, this seems like a good list!! Here goes nothin'! 

In other news- I am a lucky lady. I have two adorable kids who LOVE each other and an amazingly talented and hard working husband- all of whom I am incredibly grateful for!!

Weekend in paradise...er- Williams, AZ Part 1- the town & Bearizona

This was a much needed getaway for our little family. Why was it needed so bad? Well, we have been doing fertility treatments since last June and timing is (literally) everything!

I bought a Living Social deal last October for my birthday in November- but we just couldn't find a weekend to go. Then In-Vitro started and there were appointments after appointments, church calling commitments, and other issues...so, no trip...until now!!

So the trip included a two night stay at the Days Inn in Williams, AZ and 2 adult tickets (worth $20/each.) to Bearizona (sort of like a mini Yellowstone National Park! Not to mention being an hour drive to the Grand Canyon, which we have wanted to see for a long time!

So this post will be dedicated to the town of Williams, as well as  Bearizona- which was totally cool. So, we pulled in to Days Inn, and the first thing Jovie said was "SNOW!!!!" She was ecstatic. Even if it was probably a week old and melting. She and Blake had to have a snowball fight!

We drove through the town of Williams and I just loved this mural that we passed. It was just a sight.

Mini Yellowstone - AKA Bearizona

I loved this place. The cool thing was that you drive through the park in your car, and they give you a speaker box that you put on the dashboard that tells you all about the animals you are seeing and changes each time you go into a new exhibit with different animals. Pretty sweet. It was like having my own park ranger in the car. 

The American Bison- crowned in glory!

 The White Bison were really neat- never seen one of those before!

Rocky Mountain Goat- I asked this guy to say "cheese" and he did.

Alaskan Tundra Wolf- they were pretty content just laying in the middle of the road. 

America Burro- these guys were quite friendly.

Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep- such majestic animals.

Black Bear- a big mama out for a stroll.

This one we spotted hanging out on top of a den. So close! 

 Fort Bearizona was the walking section of the place- much like a zoo but a much smaller scale. I loved it because there were animals I had never seen in a zoo or even in the wild! This Red Fox was just gorgeous.

The rooster and hen were cracking me up. I guess you could say they were having a mohawk sort of day!

 Jovie is obsessed with pine cones. I guess she shares that tradition with my family. Every time we'd hike as a family- if a pine cone was spotted, a war was started. Who knew they would be so fun to throw?

Jovie getting all sorts of weird up in here. Evidently, she wanted to be an animal too.

They also had a petting zoo with goats, ponies, chickens, etc.

Jovie even found some snow to throw. It was hard dodging the "chocolate chip" and "peanut butter" looking snow. Lets just say the goats left their business any and everywhere.

Jovie "cock-a-doodle-doo-ing" back at the roosters

There were about 10 bear cubs inside this cave (you could go behind this cave and see from the inside angle and they were all snuggled up into a big pile. These three cubs decided to emerge for a stretch and some fresh air. 

Raccoon- these little guys were so cute, I could hardly stand it! So inquisitive. 

The Swift Fox- evidently it didn't feel the need to be swift. Crazy eyes!

Porcupine- This one must've been in a fight, cuz it wan't about to leave its perch at the top of the tree.

Canadian Lynx- it had unusually large paws. 

Badger- This crazy little guy wanted to just bask in the sun. 

The best part was going into the gift shop and seeing 8 week old brother and sister bear cubs in a little incubator. We were all enthralled! The girl had pink nail polish to identify it as female! 

Overall our day at Bearizona was a blast. We went through the park twice and through the walking area twice. And each time saw something new and exciting! Great place for a family and not crowded at all. That 55 degree weather didn't scare us off a bit. 

Butt shots- Day 2 and good news!

Man, now my butt is equally sore, on both sides!! Thank goodness for ice packs, numbing cream, and heating pads all night. I'm sure when I wake up tomorrow it will feel like I've done lunges across the country. Except, I haven't done anything except for light walking...Dr's orders. I have a hard time being told NOT to work out especially since I've done more exercise in the last 9 months than the last 9 years!!! And I'm gaining back a few lbs that I worked SO HARD to lose. Oh well- pregnancy is worth it!!

Blake has proven to be quite the phlebotomist!! I'm lucky to have a tough husband, not a weak person like me who passes out getting an IV put in or who panics when people bleed or barf. I definitely married up!!

Today we got great news. Out of the 21 eggs retrieved yesterday- 10 have fertilized and 3 are partially fertilized! I am so grateful for this experience. I know that whatever happens, I know that it is what we were supposed to do. I've learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of...and mostly that I'm much stronger than what I give myself credit for.

Now, I just have to get through 12 more days of progesterone butt shots and the worst (hopefully) will be behind me!! (Get it??? ... behind...)

****Oh, and the embryologist called and said that 1 more egg did well, and is able to be frozen!!! That is fantastic news for today! The possibility of one more baby is a beautiful, humbling thought!!****

And also, a great big Happy Birthday to my brother Eli- who turns 39 today!!! We had a great day playing his favorite game (and becoming my fave too) Dominion, Jovie got to play with her beloved cousins (Indi, Isaiah, Jazlyn and Jaycee) and we celebrated with pizza, wings and caramel brownies!
Jaycee smiled and cooed at me and that was so great! What an awesome day!

Egg transfer x2!!

So this morning at my egg transfer the dr and embryologist showed us our two best eggs and that they weren't quite to the level they had hoped to be at, so instead of only transferring one egg they recommended we transfer both!! This came as a surprise and shock from the doctor, but really it's been in my head the last few weeks of this process! The other eggs they were going to continue to watch and give us details tomorrow on their progress- to see if they would be freezable or not!

Blake has been great and supportive today especially. I know the thought of having more than one baby at a time is a very real possibility here, and it may just be extremely overwhelming to Blake. Of course don't discount me, having twins (or more) sounds crazy, but I know what an amazing daddy Blake is and I have faith that Heavenly Father would point us in the right direction for support in each other and those around us! I can do this!! There is nothing in life I want more than children and I know that when the time is right that we will be blessed with those sweet spirits ready to join our family here on earth. Even though Blake and Jovie didn't get to come into the procedure room while they put in those two embryos- they were eager to see me when it was done. (And the process wasn't bad at all- kind of like a trip to the OBGYN)

Of course Jovie wanted to be near me because she was worried, as well as excited to know if I had "brudders or sisters" in my belly. Kids really do comprehend more than we know! Love those freckles and baby blues!

I had to stay stationary for a while so Jovie kept me company and it sure was nice to have my family rooting for me! 

THINKING POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!!

Splitting cells...

Well, it's always an exciting/nerve wracking/scary feeling talking to the embryologist (Sherry) on the phone. I want to remember everything she says, but I have THE WORST short term memory ever!!

She said today that out of the embryos that are progressing there are 6 today that are up to par with the option to implant/freeze- so that is good. She said the others are progressing a bit slower but they may just catch up in two days when I go in for my appointment. We are on day 3 so at this point many are at the 7-8 cell stage. This pic below helps to outline all of what's happening. Luckily for me, it's all happening in a petri dish, instead of (ironically) in my one remaining left tube. The picture is basically accurate of my body! :) 

Sunday (Day 5) is the big day. And I can't wait!

My little monkey...

In an attempt to be more spontaneous and talk about what's going on in my world on a daily basis...well, this is it. Tuesday means "park day" in my house. Sand, sweat, smiles and sunshine. Today was actually frigid. But since we've had "the funk" in my house, we (haven't seen the light of day for a while) had to get out and just BE outside. I needed the sun. I could have done without the wind, but beggars can't be choosers.  I love getting to spend time with friends and their sweet kids. It's just what the doctor ordered (even if I was still hacking up a lung and Jovie had snot running down her face). 

This was Jovie's first time going all the way across the monkey bars. She's gotten close before, but today she made it the whole way by herself. I couldn't be more proud. My big girl. She's almost four and a half and she does and says the greatest things...on a daily basis. I just love her.

Decorating the gingerbread house...

This year is the year of "gingerbread". For whatever reason, Jovie was super obsessed with gingerbread "things", so I finally got smart and bought a pre-assembled gingerbread house at Target. 

Best. Decision. EVER!

I love how focused she is when she does anything "crafty". She loves to glue, cut, write and use markers. Still isn't really a big fan of coloring, but to each their own. I can add this to her repertoire of things she loves to do. It MAY have something to do with the fact that she gets to eat candy and frosting as she goes, but I could be wrong about that (but I seriously doubt it). 

 Could this face look more angelic? Well, maybe minus the vampire teeth. :)

She is so proud of the end result. It does look pretty great (if I do say so myself). 

This little stinker couldn't help but start licking the frosting "icicles" from the roof. I guess I will have to display it against the wall. :) I'm glad she loves to do stuff like this, because quite frankly, so do I. One little way for us to bond. I just love my Jovie girl. 

Another year older...

The last 6 months have been...well. busy. Which helps me cope with the fact that I've tried doing 3 rounds of Artificial Insemination (IUI) in the hopes of getting pregnant. Two of those attempts have had positive pregnancies, and almost immediately turned to miscarriage. There are days of complete frustration and loss, but I'm trying to remember the "BIG PICTURE"...the one I can't see, but ultimately the Lord can. More often than not, I've wanted to curl up in a ball and forget all this crap is happening...yet, I know the Lord is preparing me, and reminding me that it's about needing to rely on the shoulders of the Savior when I am about to fall.

I know that this particular trial in my life is well designed. Believe me, I've struggled in other areas throughout my life...but this, having children, is the ONE area I have no control over...and that is why this will be MY BIG TRIAL OF LIFE!! This is what will keep me humble, and relying on my Savior, Jesus Christ.

This time of year makes me very introspective. Mainly, because I turn another year older (21- isn't it weird how I keep staying the same age)...and I keep wondering if my vain worries of teen hood are actually going to come to fruition (the one where when my kids are in high school I look so old that their friends think I'm the grandma instead if the mom). I guess regardless, now isn't the time to be worried about that, it's the time to enjoy my current family, and forget about what I can't control (like having babies). I'm lucky to have a supportive husband, who also has had to deal with the heartache of miscarriage alongside me.

On another note- I'm starting in-vitro. Blake and I have taken a few months to weigh our options and our reproductive endocrinologist says that this should be the best option for our family. It's hard not to be impatient in moments like these, but I know that good things come to those who wait.

Artificial Insemination (IUI) round 3...

Well, this time I've been hopeful. I figured it was a good sign to be traveling to my birth place (Petoskey, MI) right when I'd find out if I was pregnant or not. After being on vacation for a few days I had to go to the lab near the hospital to have my blood drawn. (On a side note, this is the 2nd month in a row I've had them draw my blood while sitting up- as opposed to laying down!! That's HUGE progress for me and my queasy stomach!)

Well- the office called that afternoon and gave me the news...PREGNANT!!! BUT, my hcg levels were only at a 32 (again pointing out that its safe to be between 50-100 at 4 weeks). So they had me come in again 2 days later- Friday August 3rd (same day Blake flew from Detroit to San Diego to go to his cousin Trevor Briggs' wedding). Well, I wasn't able to go in to the lab until late afternoon and unfortunately the lab in Michigan wasn't able to fax the results to my Dr in AZ before closing time- so we had to wait ALL WEEKEND to get the results. Talk about stressful. Well, by Monday the Dr called and said that my Friday results we're good- my hcg doubled to a 65, so everything was on track for a good pregnancy! Plus I was feeling SUPER nauseated all weekend so that was good in my eyes!

But they wanted to monitor me until my hcg levels were at 1500 so I had to go in Tuesday to do another blood test. I was feeling prettying good at this point especially since this was my 3rd time in the lab sitting up in the chair--- without passing out!! YESSSSSSSSSSS! I got the call late that afternoon. My hcg levels dropped to a 5. So... another miscarriage. Week 5.

It's crazy how elated you can be in one moment one day... and a total wreck the next.

I think it's time to move on from the medical procedures and just focus on other methods. Not sure exactly, but fostering has really started to burn into me lately. And of course I have always considered adopting, since the day my very own sister gave her baby up for adoption 14 years ago. I was blessed to be living with her through her whole pregnancy, and I truly believe that babies are divinely placed with the family they should be with...for eternity!

I guess when one chapter ends... another one begins.

Update IUI round 2...

Well, I got the news...it ended up being a biochemical pregnancy. So, I guess the positive is that the speem and egg are doing what they should, but just aren't implanting for one reason or another.

I guess 3rd time's the charm. (Hopefully)

Artificial Insemination (IUI)...round 2.

So, we tried out insemination for the first time last month. Not successful. Sad? Of course. Awful, actually. But, I am more and more astounded at the kindness of people who live in my neighborhood and who just plain care about my family and I. Aimee Teerlink and Kate Winsor have been my angels since moving in to this house. I honestly don't know what I'd do without these great friends in my life. They aren't the only ones either...just the ones I can mention at this point.

So, upon trying another round of insemination, they upped my Clomid from 50 mg to 100 mg. Man, that stuff really puts me in a mood...geez. Watch out, world!! Good thing I only had to take it 5 days.

Just for memories sake, I'm going to document my monthly routine for IUI.

Days 1-3- Period
Day 3- Ultrasound (to make sure there aren't any cysts on the ovaries caused by Clomid)
Days 3-7- Take Clomid
Day 10- Get Booty (for better lack of words)
Day 12- Ultrasound (had 25 mm follicle on left ovary- none on right ovary). Did trigger shot (which tells your body to ovulate) that night- Blake did the shot and everything went smoothly- as smoothly as can be when your husband is stabbing you with a needle. Guh- I hate needles. Maybe this whole process is supposed to teach me to be tolerant of blood, needles and shots. Geez. Also... get booty.
Day 14- IUI DAY! I actually got to watch them on an ultrasound insert the tube with semen up into my uterus. That was a trip. At least I know it is getting done properly! Oh- and Jovie witnessed it too (hopefully these won't be one of those horrific memories of childhood that she doesn't figure out until she's 30)...she was playing on the iPad for the most part, but of course she was curious as to what Dr. Zoneraich was doing with all of those "things".
Day 28- Blood test to determine pregnancy. Well, last time one of the nurses called at about 1pm- with the negative pregnancy news. This time, I waited until 3:45pm and finally called the office cuz I couldn't wait another second- and the receptionist said Dr. Larsen would be calling with results in a little while. Ok, so at 4:30pm he calls to tell me the pregnancy is POSITIVE!! But (and yes, a BIG but...) he said I MAY have what is called a (bio)chemical pregnancy. He said that my HCG level was at a 12, but a normal pregnancy is between 50-100 at this stage. It is possible that everything will be just fine and that if my HCG numbers quadruple by Tuesday- when they do another blood test, then the pregnancy is a GO!! But if my numbers go up, but don't quadruple, there is a possibility that I may have ANOTHER ectopic pregnancy. guh. Or, if the HCG numbers go down, then this biochemical pregnancy is happening. In essence, it just means that the sperm and egg joined, but had issues implanting (sometimes is a genetic thing)- which will end up in miscarriage (but really feels and acts just like a period). So, we wait...Tuesday tells it all.

I'm really trying to stay positive. Obviously, I've got babies in heaven trying to make their way down here...I just have to be patient on the timing. It's (mostly) out of my control. It's up to the Lord's time and His will, and my humility and faith.

That said, it freakin' sucks having Blake just leave out of town today to Atlanta to record an album for Her & Gold until Tuesday morning. I just hope no weird crap goes down while he is gone. I can't do that again- it will (for sure) give him a complex about ever leaving me home by myself again.

Krazy Couponing...

So, in the past two weeks since my surgery, while I was down and out only able to sit- I decided to watch video on demand and see the show Extreme Couponing on TLC. When I was growing up my parents did light couponing, but NOTHING to this extreme. I really think it's an art form. Really truly amazing. If you haven't seen the show, watch it...really!

I've always gone through life loving to get a deal, but I don't LIVE for it! After watching a few episodes of the show I thought- the people are MOSTLY crazy, but they do have some gumption!! I've always felt sort of cheap, or lowly when using coupons- I guess I never really knew you could get things totally free and even sometimes MAKE MONEY couponing. 

So I saw one episode of Extreme Couponing with a gal they call "The Krazy Coupon Lady" (yes, it pains me too to see crazy spelled with a "k") and I thought- she's a young mom, she started a website with a friend, and gives free advice on how to start couponing, continue couponing, and all the deals each week for many grocery stores, drug stores and supercenters. I thought it really was awesome!! 

Well, now 3 weeks later I've started this whole couponing thing, and each day I get better at it!! I've really learned a ton from the book "Pick Another Checkout Lane, honey", that they co-wrote, and I've already started stockpiling tons of non-parishables, cleaning supplies, and food for just a FRACTION of the retail cost! 

So today was kind of an awesome day shopping at Walgreens. Below is a view of all that I got.

Now- do you know what I would have spent if I bought this all at retail price & no coupons???

$183.24

Did I pay that much??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

I only spent $61.73!!

That is almost 70% savings!! 

I'm glad that I've been given an opportunity to help save some cash around the house without having to go outside my home and get a job. This is totally something I can do. It takes some time at first, but I know with practice it will get easier!

The last 3 weeks I've gone grocery shopping and saved between 50-65% of the retail cost each trip to the store. It really is becoming life changing. I don't think I'll ever get to the "Extreme" level, but I may just get a little bit "krazy" now and again!!

crazy day...crazy few weeks...

I'm doing alright people. That is the bottom line. Just for the sake of keeping a record here is the story as far as I can tell it. 


I had a miscarriage in January and felt like I knew I would be able to get pregnant again soon. I found out April 5 that I was 5 1/2 weeks pregnant and was ecstatic! It didn't feel like the last time. I felt like this pregnancy was going to be ok. On Saturday April 9 I started to have the all-too-familiar bleeding (red and heavy) and I was just sure I miscarried again. Well, the following Sunday and Monday I took a home pregnancy test and they both showed up as pregnant. I called my doctor immediately Monday morning and he had me come in on Tuesday to have an ultrasound and blood test done to check my HCG (pregnancy hormone) levels. So after the ultrasound my doctor confirmed the pregnancy was no longer "viable" (so....I miscarried....again). 


Or so they thought.


I went in again on Thursday to do a follow up blood test. Friday noon I had some weird sharp pains in the middle of my lower abdomen- not bad enough to lay me out- but they hurt pretty bad. It only lasted for about 5 minutes, then went away. Friday afternoon I get a call back from my Dr. to tell me the results of the blood tests. 


Tuesdays HCG levels- 530. Thursdays HCG levels- 890. WHAT THE HECK? (when you aren't pregnant your HCG should be less than 3!!!)


For someone who didn't have a baby in my uterus those levels are VERY HIGH!! Well, Dr Huish says..."it looks like you are still pregnant, but usually we like to see the 2nd HCG number double from the 1st HCG number, and since it didn't quite double we want you to come back in on Tuesday for another ultrasound and blood test." 


Holy roller coaster of emotions!!! pregnant...Not Pregnant....PREGNANT!!! (In the mean time- I've been playing hostess while my parents have been in town with some of their friends, having swimming parties, celebrating Blake's 30th Birthday and having bbq's at our house! Also, Sunday my dad left to go back to Colorado, and Monday Blake, Scott, Chelsea and Shauna left for Orlando FL for a business meeting of a marketing company that they would have on Wednesday morning. 


Ok- so Tuesday I went in for the ultrasound and blood test. I didn't have a consultation with the doctor scheduled after my ultrasound, so the tech said my dr would call me back by Wednesday afternoon with the results. On Tuesday afternoon I reluctantly said goodbye to my mom as she flew back to Colorado that night! 


Wednesday morning 4:00 am April 20, 2011: Jovie starts crying so I bring her into my room and lay her in the bed next to me, since Blake isn't here. As I lay in bed I start getting a horrible dull pain again in my lower abdomen. At this point I am now 7 1/2 weeks pregnant. I get intermittent sleep between 4 and 7am and then Jovie wakes up. I still have a horrible pain in my stomach and when I go to use the restroom I could barely get out 5 drops of urine and when I wipe I notice bright red blood. That's when my body started tingling from head to toe. It was a horrible sensation. Fear just came over me and I thought I was gonna pass out so I layed on the floor for a minute or two. By then, Jovie came into the bathroom and saw me on the floor- I tried to calmly ask her to go get my phone on my nightstand- but I think me completely pale, lying on the floor kinda freaked her out and she just paced around me trying to pull me off the floor. I knew something was severely wrong with me at this point because my body was still tingling and I was feeling horribly faint. I decided to run and leap onto my bed to get to my phone. I called 911- CALL FAILED!! I thought to myself....I'm gonna die right here in my room and Jovie is going to be the only one here watching her mama die!!! I finally got through to a dispatcher who stayed on the phone with me while I crawled down the stairs and dragged myself to the front door to unlock it so the paramedics could get inside. An ambulance came and took me to the hospital. Luckily my bishop who lives across the street saw the ambulance and came over to check on things so he was able to take Jovie until Blake's sister could come pick her up. Thank heavens for good people- especially being there at the right time!

So once I got to the hospital they ran a bunch of tests and did an ultrasound. Thankfully my sis-in-law Jaime was able to come sit with me in the ER- it was so comforting having her there with me! By about 10:30 am (PST) Blake and the rest of the family were able to switch their flights and come home early and be home by 5:30 pm (PST). At about 11:15 am my doctor, the radiologist and the ER doctor determined I had an ectopic pregnancy (baby implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). I basically could have died if I would have waited any longer to go to the hospital. My tube could have burst and I would have bled internally. Very scary stuff!!!

So at noon my brother Eli and Bro-in-law Rajiv came to give me a blessing before my surgery at 12:30 pm. Blake had no idea that I was even having surgery since he was in the air before I got the news. So he found out on his layover in Kansas City that I was mid surgery. I felt so horrible because I know that must have totally freaked him out! By 2:00 pm the surgery was over and I was in recovery until about 4:00 pm waking up to see a good friend Barb- Nielson (from Blake's home ward/book club) who works at the hospital pass by my bed and recognize me!! So we talked for a bit and then Jaime and Kayleen came in to check in with me! It was so nice to see faces of my loved ones!

So surgery went as well as it could have. They did a laparoscopy- which is just 2 small incisions in my abdomen and 1 incision in my belly button. They ended up needing to remove my right fallopian tube and the baby as it was too damaged to save. But I will still have two good ovaries and my left tube so I should still be able to bear more children. Hopefully.

I was able to go home at 4:30 pm which I was just happy to be in the comfort of my own home at this point!! Hospital beds can be so uncomfortable! Thankfully I had Jaime, Jason and Rajiv here to help out with Jovie and drive me from the hospital. Blake got home at 6 pm with everyone and I was feeling very grateful to see him and everyone else. I'm gonna be down recovering for a few days but overall I'm feeling pretty good and am in good spirits!

Thanks for your love, concern, prayers, etc. I've got great friends and neighbors who have shown the true spirit of Christ-like love and charity. Thank you for everything. You don't know how much this all means to me. 

The little things...

Sometimes it's just great to see people conquer their fears...for Jovie, it just happened to be goats. She loves dogs, ferrets, cats, chickens, etc, and will pet just about anything. But when it came down to hanging out with the goats at the petting zoo, Jovie just wasn't having it. We've been reading lots of farm books and singing "Old Macdonald Had A Farm" and maybe that was easing her into liking goats, so either way it was success. She wanted to pet every single goat (literally) in the zoo. It was sort of obnoxious, but I was happy to go with it. It was sort of endearing- even though goats are pretty creepy with their rectangular pupils. She just kept pointing and saying "this one" to each one she wanted to pet. I love childhood excitement!

Come and gone...

I can't believe February has already come and gone. I don't even feel like I have anything to show for it!! I guess a lot of my time has been spent reading, praying, thinking, driving, singing, chasing, laughing, cooking, entertaining, babysitting, planning, etc. etc. etc. Life is busy. And I only have one kiddo. I do enjoy the downtime. I know it will be limited once we have more children. But for now I am enjoying things. I love watching Blake interact with Jovie. He is so good with her. He makes her giggle ALL THE TIME. It is so cute. Exhibit A. I am one lucky lady.





In other news: A few weeks ago I was called to be the Assistant Ward Choir Director (to become the director in a month when the current one moves out of the ward). I was really excited and thought..."This should be easy...I've sang in choirs my whole life. I know music. I love music. I love church music. This should be a snap." Well, I actually love getting humbled. I needed the humbling. Directing choir music is HARD. Harder than I ever thought. I've always been on the receiving end- getting the feedback. Now I'm giving the feedback- and it's tough!  I need a music 101 refresher course, evidently. Well, I've said some prayers. Not very many people have shown up to choir practice in the last few weeks. We were scheduled to sing a version of the hymn "Love at Home" on Sunday. I was so worried no one would show up. I am lucky to say that my prayers were answered. There were almost 20 people who showed up and it sounded amazing!! I directed the choir and didn't mess up. That was some sort of miracle. I know that music brings the Spirit, and lifts the soul. I needed some lifting.

I know that it would be weird to have children that weren't musical since that is such a huge part of mine and Blake's lives. Well, Jovie is no exception. Since she was very little she has responded well to music...she bobs to the beat, she claps, she sings, she dances. I love this. It makes me so happy. I caught a small part today of Jovie singing "I Am A Child Of God". It helps remind me that I'm not totally failing at this thing called "Parenting". I am a teacher. I am a Mother. I love her.

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays...

Packing. Packing. More packing. Moving. Moving. Unpacking. Unpacking...and more unpacking. Vacation. Back home in the new house. More unpacking. Go, go, go. This has been my first chance to sit and really write out what has been going on. The last month has been a blur. Crazy, in fact. Remind me never to move during the holidays. Actually, I'm never going to move again. EVER. I will die in this house. That is a fact.

It all started after Thanksgiving. I had felt like I was doing really well on getting things packed. Really, the problem was all of the nick knack stuff (not that I didn't know this would be the problem)! So, the Monday after Thanksgiving we rented a truck and hired some movers to help us move to our new home in Queen Creek, Arizona. It took 2 trips in the biggest U-Haul they had to get all of our things moved, but that did the job. An hour into unpacking the truck, some ladies who live in our cul-de-sac came over and introduced themselves and where each of them lived, along with dropping off a spaghetti dinner. How did we ever luck out to move into such a fantastic neighborhood?? Honestly, this is where we were meant to be! Anyways, after moving everything into the new house we had to return the truck that afternoon and Blake and his entire family left that night to fly up to Idaho for his sweet Aunt Connie's funeral. I was so sad not to be able to support the family, but time just wasn't on our side. I stayed back here with Jovie and unpacked boxes and finally Blake was home 2 nights later! I was so relieved to be able to sleep in the (NEW) house with my husband. It felt so weird without him- and even a bit scary since these were all new noises in the house. On that Friday we left for California to do a little mini-reunion with all of my family. 

California was a blast. It was just what the doctor ordered. We rented a house in Anaheim and had the most fabulous time with my family. We made meals at the house, watched movies, played at the park, created gingerbread houses, laughed, cried, took pictures, went to Disneyland and California Adventure for 2 days, played Phase 10, and made a whole lot of memories! We were there for 5 days and time just flew by!

Carpenter Clan 2010

Kimball Family 2010

We are forever

Jovie and Uncle Eli playin at the park

Indi tried eating the whole pizza....haha. yeah right!

Yo Ho Yo Ho A pirate's life for me! Isaiah loved singing that!

Jovie LOVES Minnie!

Carpenter Clan at California Adventure

Blake & Jovie on Toy Story Mania ride

Kay & Rob Carpenter (Mandy's parents)

Indi & Snow White

Camille & Cinderella

Callia, Papa and Tutu

Nate & Camille, Blake & Jovie, and Papa & Callia

Jovie, Mama and Belle (the 1st princess Jovie actually LIKED!)

Cori & Indi bumping in the cars!

Katy & Camille on the bumper cars!

Mandy, Blake & Jovie on the ferris wheel. 

Papa, Tutu, Indi & Katy loving the ferris wheel

Nate ACTUALLY smiling!

California Screamin' roller coaster practically melted off their faces!!

 When we got home the night of the 8th from California (which was my mom's 60th Birthday-- Happy Birthday Mom!) we got to unpacking more and more. At this point it didn't feel much like December, let alone the Christmas season so I decided to get the Christmas tree put up. So, thinking that this would take me a day at most, I proceeded to remove the pre-lit white lights and replace them with LED colored lights that I had bought just after Thanksgiving- as we had had problems with the fuse blowing the last 3 years. Well, it didn't take me a day to do the tree...it actually took 5. FIVE DAYS!!!! Really. No joke. So, I'm kinda hardcore at stringing lights on the tree (I blame my father) and I actually ran out of lights after stringing up the bottom QUARTER of the tree. At this point there were already 1200 lights on the tree. Seriously. I told you I was hard core. (And I actually thought that many lights could cover an entire 9 foot tree.....sheesh). So since the LEDs were from Wal-Mart I had to buy more of the same kind. But no...there were NONE to be found in this Wal-Mart, nor 7 more Wal-Mart's that I traveled to that day. The last Wal-Mart of the night I went to had some mini colored lights but were teardrop shaped (that were kind of faceted on the outside)- so decided to buy 17 more boxes. That should do the trick. Well, I got home and tried them out...they looked weird next to the other lights. Crap. So, out of frustration decided to hatch out a plan in my dreams as I slept. The next morning Blake had a brilliant idea of taking off every other strand of the one type of lights, and then replacing them with the tear drop lights. After doing that I was very pleased at how it turned out. SO BEAUTIFUL, in fact.
But here is the kicker. What is funny is that the day after stringing up both types of lights and finishing the tree I was in a different part of town and needed something from Wal-Mart and decided to pop over to their Christmas isle to see if they happened to have had any of the original lights I needed. Lo and behold- an ENTIRE pallet of the mini colored lights sat in front of my face...almost taunting me in a way. It took all of my will power not to cry...or do something that would have resembled Clark Griswold from Christmas Vacation when his lights wouldn't turn on. Deep breaths...in...... pssssssshhhhhh....out. It was done. I was THIS close to buying them all, taking off all of the tear drop shaped lights from the tree, re-stringing up the new lights, and returning the other ones...but that would  have just been plain ridiculous! My hands and arms couldn't take one more second of getting scraped, cut, and gauged from the tree branches. I looked like a cutter, for heaven's sake! So, that was my 2010 Christmas Tree debacle. Just retelling that story was as exhausting as it felt.

So, here it is the....hmmmmm, what day is it? Either way, it is a few days shy of Christmas and I can actually say I've done a pretty good job decking my home in Christmas, as well as making my home really feel like home.

I've actually almost finished Christmas shopping and sending gifts! There is still SO much to do, but at least we have had time to test out the spa (yes it works!!), jump on the trampoline, watch Despicable Me in the theater room and get all of Jovie's toys unpacked and played with. We have already met lots of people in our neighborhood and gone to a church Christmas party and are very excited to be at this stage in our life! We feel so blessed to be here in our new home and hope our old friends still make the drive to hang out and our new friends stop over at their hearts content!