Wednesday, July 22, 2009

New Monument To Be Erected

"Pink, pink, no pink, you stink!!
No Girls ALLOWED (except Mom)!"

Yes, it's true. In case you missed the Plano emergency broadcast, it's more blue for this family. Ryan, Matthew, & I went to my Early Screen this morning, and there is a 95% chance we are having a boy. Because the genitalia are not formed yet, the doctor and tech measured the 1 mm of fluid behind the spinal chord. I'm only 12 weeks, so it was really COOL that they could already tell the sex! Ryan was a little bit on the sad side that his pink shirt had no effect on the results of the ultra sound.

And the other bit of news . . . we are moving . . . to Houston. Ryan will be teaching at Houston ISD (West Side High School) and coaching the wide receivers for the football team and possibly baseball as well. Things are still getting sorted through, but he has to be there on Monday, so . . . we better get them sorted quickly. We have prayed quite a bit over this decision, and although, it means leaving the ward we love dearly and our family, we know this is the right decision for our family.

We are grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives, and we recognize His guidance and influence. We are humbled by the blessings He has poured out upon us, and we pray that He will continue to watch over our little family.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Obviously, Mom!

Me: Wow, Matthew! Great job painting! Your picture looks like a beautiful butterfly!
Matthew: (Scowling) Mom, it's a submarine that is going to the bottom of the ocean, and a shark is going to come down with it, but a whale is going to get it.
Me: (Smiling and pondering) My mistake.

Top 10 Books

A friend did this on her blog a little while ago, and it's been on my mind since. So . . . the top 10 books which have influenced my life (as they come to me) or ones that I can remember most:

1) The Book of Mormon
2) The Peacegiver
3) Pride & Prejudice
4) Charlotte's Webb
5) Man's Search For Meaning
6) The Hiding Place
7) Twilight (I'm being honest--obviously not influential, but definitely remembered)
8) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (I haven't read this since high school, but I remember this provoked much thought and reflection.)
9) The Servant
10) You Are Special
11) Okay, I can't help it--Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
12) Oh the Places You'll Go

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Make Up Your Mind!

Pickles
Green Olives With Almonds
Pickles
Braum's Mint Chocolate Chip Shakes
Pickles
No More Olives!
Pickles
Braum's Banana Splits
Pickles
Braum's Soft Serve
Pickles
No Ice Cream!
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Nachos
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Chicken Caesar Salad
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Tomato Sandwiches
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Never Want To Eat A Tomato Sandwich Again!
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Nachos
Pickles
Cucumbers With Creamy Caesar Dressing
Pickles

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Honesty

I've sort of hidden from myself as of late. Confrontation is not a favorite of mine. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but I've struggled to be myself. I’ve struggled to overcome my feelings of being this monster while I’m pregnant (an emotional wreck without a cause and a bit of a rage-aholic). I’ve had to depend so much on my husband and his strength.

When my tongue has been unnecessarily sharp and my tone harsh, he’s brought me back down to the level I need to be. As I’ve looked over our finances and medical bills and murmured, “how”, he has carried me with his unwaivering faith. He’s reminded me that no mistakes I’ve made in my life are too much. I can repent. I can have a clean slate, always, if I will humble myself and turn to the Savior in fervent prayer. He’s put his arms around me and told me that I’m beautiful, though I feel like a beached whale. Upon return of errands run, I’ve found the house spotlessly clean—even that he’s detail-cleaned places I have avoided for weeks. Grilled cheese sandwiches or macaroni and cheese are pleasing to him. Hearing him pray brings the spirit into our home and inspires me to be better. He’s made me laugh and smile and cackle (a lovely family trait). In situations anticipated with much anxiety, he’s been there to guide me along, to comfort, and to help bear.

Before bed last night, it occurred to me how grateful I am that Heavenly Father love(s/d) us enough to place us in family units. I’m thriving right now because of my wonderful husband. He truly is my help-meet. Yes, he’s my best friend and I’m too attracted to him and all of those things, but marriage isn’t always about the fields of flowers and the roses. Sometimes, we have to carry each other until the other can stand on his/her feet. Sometimes, we have to remind them of who they are when they’ve forgotten.

“. . . As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places . . .” --Mosiah 18:8-9

Monday, July 13, 2009

Profile

Matthew: "Mom, when is your baby going to hop out?"
Me: "Hop?? Um, next year (Jan 26th to be exact)."We dropped some cookies to a house last night and apparently, I was visiting too long. Matthew asked Ryan if I was sleeping over.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Our Life

David prayed this morning that he would be nice to his brother and be nice to kitties.

Matthew told us last night that he won't tell lies about cleaning his room or tomatoes.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

I said "no" to Blue Bell mint chocolate chip ice cream last night for the first time--ever. AMAZED??

Because of the heat, we've had to create fun inside, do projects, clean, books, movies, stay air conditioned.

Matthew continues to be silly. Good blackmail for a later time.

Davey still says, "Luh loo", which melts our hearts. Sometimes we don't let him do things until he says it or gives us a kiss, because it's too sweet. Is that terrible?
Lately, lots of pain has taken over my stomach area and I feel super exhausted and weak. Add in the nausea, and we spend lots of days on the couch. Sorry kiddos!
Again, I'm weepy. I wish that I had more of a handle of when the floodgates were going to open--like testimony meeting. Will this ever happen?

A lady in my ward growing up used to say that a popsicle for dinner once in a while didn't hurt anyone. How about chocolate frosted cake for breakfast??
We've been trying to get to the park early enough before the sun is blazing. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that Texas's summer sun ever takes a rest. On the trek, our temps were 102 degrees in the shade, 109 in the sun, and a heat index of 117 degrees. That's total MADNESS!!!
Our days haven't been too thrilling, but our life is good. I love my boys.
I'm due Feb. 1st, but I will have the baby a week before on the designated Tuesday for c-sections. If you ask Matthew, he will tell you that we're having a baby sister. If you ask him, "Well, what if it's a boy?" Matthew: "I don't need a brother. I already have one. It's going to be a sister."
I've felt the need to write about virtue. It seems like so many friends as of late have chosen to dress immodestly for an occasion (including weddings, swim attire, formal occasions, etc.), and I've felt concerned and worried. I'm thinking of the standards spelled out in The Strength For Youth booklet. I'm thinking of the worldwide youth theme two year's ago in Doctrine & Covenants 121:45 and this year's special call to return to virtue. It's even been added to the young women's theme. When do we decide that our children are too old for a tank top or sleeveless shirt? I feel strongly that more than ever we need to return to virtue.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Hormones

I'm a pretty emotional person without all of the extra, crazy, out-of-whack hormones that come with pregnancy. So . . . factor that in, and life gets pretty interesting.

Before we knew we were pregnant with Matthew, I remember the first time I lost it. It was about 11 p.m. some random night and I jumped up from whatever we were doing in the family room and told Ryan I was hungry for an omelet. He looked at me entirely confused. I then explained that I wanted a chicken, onion, and cheese omelet. I began cooking, and Ryan walked into the kitchen.

Ryan: "So you're really making one?"
Me: "Yes. Do you want one?"
Ryan: "Sick! Seriously?! That's disgusting, and it's 11:00 at night!"

All of a sudden, my lips begin to quiver and I'm crying uncontrollably.

Ryan: "Are you crying?"
Me: "Yes." Followed by harder sobs.
Ryan: "Why are you crying?! Over an omelet??"
Me: "I don't know!"

Ryan then ran downstairs and called a good friend to ask him what was up with me. The friend encouraged him to look into a pregnancy test. Amazing.

While I was pregnant with David, something similar happened. I had a friend over and Ryan was leaving for a football game or headed into work. I had cooked chicken and rice and was pretty far along in my pregnancy. All of a sudden, since clumsiness and shakiness are a big part of me while pregnant, I dropped the plate of chicken and rice to the floor. I just stared at the floor.

Ryan stood there waiting to see what my reaction would be.

Ryan: "Ker, it's okay. It's not a big deal. It's just a plate of rice. We can clean it up."
Me: "No, we can't! It's not okay." Sobbing, again, uncontrollably.
Ryan: "Why are you crying?!"
Me: Again, "I don't know!"

Ryan just stared at me.

Yesterday, Ryan had just come home and was sitting on the couch. I was trying to get ahead by preparing dinner early. I put a big pot of rice to cook on high on the stove. Then, since it would be a while before it boiled, I picked up a book and sat on the couch. About 20 minutes later, I thought, "Wow, whatever is cooking in the kitchen does not smell very good. It smells like it's burning." And then, I continued to read my book. About 10 minutes later, it occurred to me that it was my rice. I ran over and took care of the situation, but felt really frustrated.

So . . . in attempt to calm down and still feel productive, I began making the chicken/sauce mixture. I quickly grabbed my ingredients and started (without the recipe). Ryan had already chuckled about the rice.

After watching me a few minutes, he says, "Ker, what are you going to use for chicken broth? Did you buy some or make some with Bouillon cubes?" I immediately stop in my tracks and realize I don't have like half of the ingredients needed for this recipe and I've already started mixing things. Deep breaths. Chest heaving a little bit.

I look over at Ryan and his eyes are dancing and he's on the verge of losing it from laughing. He starts to look away. I start to laugh too. And then . . . I start to sob. And then, I'm laughing again, and ultimately, crying a lot.

However, it's important to note, Ryan never once asked me why I was crying. Progress.

Five minutes later, I'm totally fine and confronting my chicken / Hawaiian / Chinese Haystacks situation. Chicken broth cans happen to be in our food storage. Happy day. Not the end of the world.