July activities part 1

Did I mention that Daniel and I went on a road trip a couple weeks ago?  No? How clumsy of me.

Not that I post regularly enough for my absence to even be noticed...

Anyway very early a couple Wednesday mornings ago, we got all loaded up and drove with my two younger brothers to Driggs, ID.  Our route looked a lot like this...and took about 14 hours.

Even though we made good time, and had no traffic it was still a long day! When we pulled our tired bodies into Grandma Green's driveway in Driggs, it was such a relief to be there.  My Grandma Green is the sweetest little lady, and it had been three years since I'd seen her last.  One of her traditions is to make a quilt for each of her grand children that get married.  There were several weddings in 2006, and she had just finished our quilt in time for us to take it home with us.

 

This quilt is so beautiful and I know how much time Grandma puts into a quilt.  I'm pretty sure I'll always love it!

The next happening on our road trip was when Daniel and I ventured to Rexburg. I should explain that we moved from Rexburg 3 years ago, and it took me all three years before I was ready to go back, even for a visit.  One of my best friends and former roommates still lives there, and was kind enough to take some time off work to hang out with us.  When we moved from Rexburg, they hadn't completed the Temple, so I knew it was going to have to be one of the first things we checked out. 

After checking out the temple, we gave my little brother a quick tour of BYU-I, where he is thinking of attending in a couple years.  There have been so many changes on campus that I hardly recognized a couple of the buildings.  It was neat to be back, and I remember why I loved going to school there.

We finished our little trip to Rexburg with all you can eat pizza at Craigos.  It was to die for.  I have missed that pizza more than anything else about that town.  I had way too many pieces, so if you think I look pregnant in the pictures above, I'm sure it was exemplified after stuffing myself with lunch.  We also picked up Sonic happy hour drinks on the way back to Driggs.  I love that place.  We got three huge drinks for $2.69. 

Clearly the high points of my trip involved more food than should be consumed in one afternoon.  I had to pack it all in though, because we don't have either a sonic or craigos in Olympia, and it's hard to justify a 14 hour road trip just for pizza.

The next couple of days were spent at a huge Green Family Reunion in Teton Valley, and because I'm not the greatest blogger ever, I didn't take a single picture and don't have much to say about it.  It was very fun to see cousins that I haven't seen in years, and I got an awesome farmers tan.  I think it comes with the location. 

I'll have another vacation post of last weekends activities coming up soon, so stay tuned for a camping trip at 25 weeks pregnant!

a lesson learned

Don't you just love it when things work out? 

On Monday evening, I had my first moment of panic about becoming a mother.  I'm not sure what set it off, but I was momentarily terrified and anxious.  I know that six and a half months into a pregnancy isn't the time to start second guessing ones decision to start a family, but I was nervous.  Daniel, calm as always, pointed out that nobody is ever really ready for a baby, and you make it work ready or not.  As true as his words were, they didn't help too much, and I still felt worried about all the prep work that hadn't been done. 

I was overwhelmed thinking about all the options and decisions that need to be made.  What will she sleep in, where will we put her, the list went on and on, eventually spiraling down to my potential ability (or lack thereof) to mother.  In my prayers that night I specifically asked to be blessed as I try to prepare to be a mother and that things will work out.

The next day I felt guilty about these negative thoughts, like somehow our baby would know that for one night, I was worried, that I questioned whether we had made the right decision.  It left me feeling shaken most of that day.  Like I was living in a fog.  I didn't like it.

On Tuesday, I set out to do what I do best when feeling unsettled.  I whipped out an excel spreadsheet and made a list of what I had determined to be baby essentials and their cost both new and used.  (Something about that excel page just puts my mind at ease...)     

On my list I had:
Bassinet/co-sleeper/cradle
Crib
Swing
Changing Table
Dresser

The next step in my plan was to take that list and try to visit some yard sales this weekend and see if anything came about, when my mom called me at work this morning.  She and my dad, (both work for the public schools and have summers off) had been out at a yard sale and found a crib, changing table and dresser all for $35 and they were in good condition and pretty new.  Even my used, low cost estimate for these items was at least four times that much.

After a couple cellphone pictures and phone calls exchanged Daniel and I made a quick decision that this is going to be the best deal we'll find, and that we'd be crazy not to snatch it up.  Yes, the crib set is white, and we'd been looking at a cherry/espresso finish, but that doesn't really matter.  Heavenly Father knew I was worried about being prepared, about finding a good deal, about getting these little details figured out, and he prepared a way. 

I'm trying to be better about acknowledging His hand in my life.  Seeing that He actively guides me and watches out for me, and this was a perfect example of that.  I'm grateful for this experience and grateful that my parents were in the right place at the right time looking out for me.

I love it when things work out. 

my plan of attack

For the first time all summer, it has been hot! I love summer, and I don't want to complain about the sunshine or heat.  So I've been creating a plan of attack for surviving the long hours stuck at my desk

For those who don't remember, I work in an old brick building and when the sun comes out, it's a lot like an oven.  On these warm summer days, it's hard to stay cool at work.  Yesterday I tried my luck with an icee from Target. It was good, but melted really quickly, and wasn't quite what I was looking for.  Today on my lunch break, I had to get gas, and since the Costco closest to my work, is conveniently close to Jamba Juice, and I had a $1 off coupon, and a gift card I couldn't resist.  I didn't even mind waiting in line for Gas at Costco, as I got to enjoy the air conditioning a little longer.  I'm also looking forward to a meeting in an air conditioned building in an hour.

More than any of that however, I'm looking forward to 5:00, when I can get off work and go swim at my parents pool.  I went last night for an hour and a half and it was quite refreshing.

Here's to hoping the sunshine sticks around for the weekend for more swimming!

On trying to convince myself that I'm awesome

I've been feeling frumpy the last few days.  I'm not sure if I need a hair cut, or if I'm still in the 'is she fat or pregnant' phase or what's going on, but it all boils down to me feeling frumpy.  So I decided to throw out my usual routine and get up earlier to spend a little more time getting ready.  See if it makes a difference.  I know 6:30 isn't that early, and it's not like I get dressed in the dark.  It gets light outside at what seems like 4:30 in the morning.  But today I had a surprised awakening of sorts.  It's currently 10:51 AM. It has been a very normal morning so far.  In the middle of a phone call with a rep. at one of the collection agencies we work with I looked down and noticed that in fact, I'm wearing two different shoes. I'm starting to think that this whole getting up earlier thing is doing more harm than good.  If it's not the solution to my frumpyness I'm at a loss as to what is.


For now though, I'm rocking mis-matched shoes...I did have a good laugh about it with my coworkers, and plan on going about the rest of my day like normal.  If people notice, maybe they'll think it's as funny as I do.  I'm going to chalk this up to doing my part to make somebody else laugh today.

Trust me, if  I had my camera at work, there would be a picture!

another letter

Dear Baby Girl,

Thanks for keeping me company last night.  We were both awake around 1:00 in the morning.  I was up for my first bathroom trip of the night, and couldn't quite drift back to sleep due to itchy eyes and a runny nose.  Allergies are so fun.  I'm not sure why you were awake... restless legs perhaps?  That would explain the kicks and somersaults (which I adore).  I rather enjoyed our first early morning session, and I'm sure it won't be our last.  I look forward to many more in the future.  If I'm going to be awake at night, I'm glad you're there to hang out with!

I love you!

Mom.   (doesn't that sound weird, yet wonderful?) 

happy is what happens, when all your dreams come true

Today Daniel and I went out to lunch and enjoyed delicious pizza, after the big ultrasound.  The deal went like this: If it was a boy, we would eat at the restaurant of his choice, and if it was a girl, we'd eat at mine.   If you remember from my last post, I was pretty sure it was a girl, and he was certain it was a boy.

When the time came this morning, I had butterflies in my stomach and was more excited than Christmas morning.  We waited patiently as parts were measured, questions were answered, and watched in awe at ultrasound technology.  


Over and over again I'd catch a glimpse of a little hand with perfect little fingers.  Each time I was reminded of what a blessing this is.  It's marvelous that without conscious effort on my part, my body has been supporting this little baby.  This sweet little baby which will change and bless our lives in ways we can't imagine.

Meet our little Girl!

Making her grand debut around November 5th, 2010!

If you can't tell, I'm completely in love!

is this asking too much?

Dear Birds outside my bedroom window,

If I wanted to wake up at 4:30 every morning, I would make sure to set my alarm.  As it is, I know you're happy to see the sunrise, but I'd rather sleep.  Maybe if it's not too much trouble you can make a new nest somewhere else?!  There's a wonderful forest just at the other end of the parking lot which I think you would find quite suitable.  Any objections to this request will be considered between the hours of 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM.

Thank you in advance,

Alicia

pink or blue

It's almost surreal that on Friday I'll be half way through this pregnancy.  Along with that 20 week milestone comes a little peek at the baby.  On Monday morning, we'll have the grand unveiling, if you will, assuming this little one cooperates. I'm hoping that once we're able to assign a gender, this will trigger the urge to get started gathering baby supplies.  So far we've been putting it off for later.  I have a feeling that later is now fast approaching. 

In true blogger fashion, I put a poll on my side bar.  Take a minute to vote on whether you think we're having a boy or girl.  I'm thinking girl, and Daniel's convinced it's a boy.  Of course we'll be happy with either, but it will be nice to put and end to the debate!

it's like a skunk attack, but green

This morning in an attempt to be a little more healthy than usual (and because the thought of vegetables no longer makes me gag) I packed some baby carrots and celery in a baggie to enjoy with my lunch today.

Now, 6 hours later I can't get the smell of celery off of my hands, and after smelling celery all morning, it doesn't even sound appetizing, in the least. The carrots were delicious, but don't even talk to me about celery.

I've tried washing, hand sanitizing, and lotion, but no luck. I figured I could look online and see if there were any remedies for getting rid of the smell of celery that might work. When I googled "how to get rid of the smell of celery from hands" the only things that popped up were tips on how to get rid of the smell of onions and garlic, by rubbing celery on your hands. At this point, I'd almost rather smell like an onion!

Hopefully by the time I get home from work, I'll be able to kick this smell, or at least have found a way to fix it!

Thankfully there's nothing significant going on. I'm ready for a nice slow day after this last weekend, and if an attack of celery is the worst I have to deal with, I guess I'm good to go.

Scenes from a Sunday afternoon.

I have a picky husband. He won't eat a lot of things, even if they're totally delicious. Surprisingly, one of the things he's extra picky about are chocolate chip cookies. I like to try a variety of chocolate chip cookie recipes, one of my favorites calls for a box of pudding mix. I've experimented with pumpkin flavored pudding, to make special pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, vanilla, and even chocolate, and each time Daniel eats them, but doesn't love them.

A couple weeks ago while at a thrift store, my wonderful aunt Cindy (not sure if Mike was there too) ran across an almost new Bosch compact mixer. She got it for a steal of a deal, and gave it to us. I've always had a stand mixer on my list of things to purchase in the future, but that day of in the future doesn't seem to come. Thanks to Mike and Cindy, we're now proud owners of a Bosch!

What better to do on a Sunday afternoon than try out my new mixer, with a new cookie recipe!

Daniel loved these cookies, and I also thought they were delicious. For the record I didn't have bread flour, so I used regular, and it worked just fine. If any of you are looking for a chocolate chip cookie recipe that we both loved, here it is:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

shared by joythebaker.com

recipe from Alton Brown

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups bread flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.

Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 9 cookies per sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 4 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

So much for that Friday night

After a surprisingly good day at work, I was in my car leaving the parking lot. In an attempt to be grateful for the good day that I had, I said a silent prayer of thanks. Thanks that my Friday was productive, quick, enjoyable, and that my day was good.

Less than two minutes later an idiot pickup pulls out in front of me. (For those who don't know, Daniel and I own a Hummer 3.) I didn't have enough time to slow down for this careless driver, and I hit his pick up with my Hummer. We both acknowledged that it was his fault, but he doesn't have insurance. It's a lame situation. (don't even get me started on uninsured motorists)

It was more lame, sitting nervously in an urgent care room for an hour and a half (thankfully everything is fine with the baby!). Secretly I was hoping they'd have to do an ultrasound to confirm everything is OK, and that I might be able to find out whether this baby is a 'he-tus' or a 'she-tus'. Alas, for exactly a month more, it would appear that our baby will remain a gender neutral fetus.

To make everything more OK, and because it was 10:00 and I hadn't eaten since lunch time, Daniel and I got taco time. The realization I've come to, is that when a crappy time threatens to get the best of you, it's just fine to eat your feelings.

This is something I've never done before.

I'm going to share a recipe!

Are you excited?

OK good. First, a little background on this recipe. I grew up eating granola with my cereal, mixed in with yogurt, and even plain, long before it became known as a 'hippie' food. The granola I ate was home made and delicious. Now granola has a bit of a different connotation, but I still love it.

Over the last few weeks, I've been thinking more and more about this granola, and getting the itch to make some. So on Sunday, after a failed attempt at a nap, I pulled out the ingredients and a very large bowl and got to work. I wish I could bottle the smell of this baking granola and send it to each of you. I'm sure this would encourage you to give it a try.

Zoom Breakfast Granola
1LB (approx 5 cups) Zoom
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups wheat germ or oat bran
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 cups flake coconut
1 1/2 cups raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds (I usually add more)
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup honey
2 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease well, two baking sheets. In a large mixing bowl combine first seven ingredients. In a small pan, heat oil, honey and vanilla until mixture begins to bubble. Stir constantly. Thoroughly mix the liquid with the dry ingredients. Divide and spread evenly between prepared baking sheets; bake uncovered 20-25 minutes or until coconut is browned. While baking stir 3-4 times, redistributing granola in an even layer. Remove from oven; Stir occasionally while cooling. Store thoroughly cooled granola in an airtight container. Serve in a bowl with milk or cream. Makes approx. 14 cups.

If any of you try this recipe, let me know if you like it! If you don't, I'll take your granola for myself!

More on that

Pregnancy this time...

Has been much less nerve wracking than I worried it would be. Not to say I haven't been worried and nervous. It just wasn't extreme. I figured I'd be a crying mess the majority of the first trimester. I really wasn't. I was surprisingly calm and peaceful about the whole thing. Except for when I get the results of my thyroid tests back. Each time they seem to get worse, and each time I worry. Each time the midwives assure me that the baby is fine, it's my body that's adjusting (slowly).

I have been more nauseous. I even threw up once (I know it's gross, but it's kind of like a badge of honor!) I still don't have much of an appetite, and I'm incredibly picky, but not nauseous anymore. I wouldn't however, recommend a cruise during the first trimester. Even if it's the tail end of the first trimester. Something about the rocking of the ship made the morning sickness much worse. I ate a lot of rice krispies on the cruise. My family enjoyed the food a lot more than I did. It's a mystery to me that I could train for and complete a sprint triathlon last summer and not lose a pound, but something about being pregnant for 4 months has helped me lose 6 or 7.

Even though I've lost weight, I'm starting to look pregnant, much more quickly than I expected. I went to Ross last weekend and got some maternity clothes. On Sunday I wore a cute new top and embraced my new look. Even if it's earlier than I'd planned, and let's be honest, it's not all that noticeable, I'm loving it. I think it's a relief for Daniel that I'm enjoying this time and these changes.

I'm very much looking forward to feeling this baby move in the next couple of weeks. I keep trying to pay really close attention to that general area, but I'm still waiting. Patiently.

I'm trying to remember that each day is a blessing, and I don't want to wish this by too quickly.

a bit of a funk

I'm feeling overwhelmed this week.

Lots of changes and lots to do.

It was manageable until Sunday evening, and then I could tell this week was sure to be a doozie.

So far I'm right.

Work has been chaotic, but I saw that coming. Each day I pray for a positive attitude, that I'll be able to make it through the day. Yesterday there were tears involved. I wish I didn't care so much. That would make it easier. Each day there is too much drama. It makes me wonder how much I am supposed to take. At what point do I draw the line and say enough is enough. How bad do I really need health insurance? and a paycheck?

I'm supposed to teach Relief Society on Sunday. Normally this is fine and I really enjoy it, but I'm feeling so busy this week, that it seems like it'll be a stretch to get my lesson ready and up to scratch by Sunday morning. Also, I've now been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Like anybody wants to hear from me twice in one block of meetings...Please!

Next Saturday I'm in charge of decorations for a Stake Women's conference and I can't even begin to think about all of that yet, but I can't afford not to.

Thank goodness I've had a little more energy since coming back from vacation. Otherwise I think I might be drowning instead of just treading water. As it is, I'm managing to stay afloat.

But last night, as I was in bed, feeling sorry for myself and fighting back tears I made Daniel help me come up with a list of things I'm grateful for.

The list went something like this:

Our baby. (yes, we're expecting again. I'm almost 15 weeks!)

Wesley

The sunshine we got over the weekend

The lovely spring flowers I planted on our balcony

The Sunday afternoon nap I took in the sunshine on our balcony

Fresh fruit

Only working 8 hours a day

Not having a car payment

Good friends in our ward.

People being SO excited for my pregnancy. It really does buoy me up and make me happier!

Not living in Idaho anymore (I know it has been close to 3 years, but this still makes the list!)

Jamba Juice gift cards Daniel got me (got one this morning to help me through the day)

The perspective that all the drama at work really isn't huge in the eternal scheme of things

Having my whole family home and together

My sister Rachel has a really awesome boyfriend and I'm happy for her

Being able to afford to get my hair cut whenever I want.

Getting to ride the cable cars in San Francisco

At the end of this list, the tears were gone, and I was feeling better. It's amazing how counting your blessings makes life sweeter.

to hold you over

We had a great time. But it feels so good to be home. Being on a boat for a week has left me wobbly on dry ground. I am currently lying on the couch, and it feels like it's rocking like a boat. Not sure how long it will last, but until then, I feel like I'm still half way on vacation!

on what makes me.

I like listening to Lady Gaga while I fold laundry.
My laundry playlist is similar to my exercise tunes.
I also like Celine Dion. I always have.
A lot of people don't like her. I do.
Along the same line as Celine, I like Thomas Kincaid paintings.
I can listen to songs that I like over and over and over. For hours. For days. Until I get my fill, and then I move onto a new song.
I may have an unhealthy love for my cat.

This was last night. He hopped on for what I like to call a kitty back ride.

Pretty sure he'll miss me this next week.
I'm also pretty sure he'll survive.

Spring Survey

four shows I watch:
1. House
2. Modern Family
3. The Cosby Show
4. Lost

four things I've learned from the past:
1. Stay as far away from drama as possible
2. People are what matter, not things
3. I would rather spend time with family than anything else
4. Little annoyances in life aren't usually worth the energy spent on them.

four places I would like to go:
1. The South Pacific
2. South America
3. Hawaii
4. Africa

four things I did yesterday:
1. Worked :(
2. Had a birthday hamburger at Red Robin
3. Got gas at Costco. we have an endlessly thirsty car.
4. Had our home teachers over

four things I'm looking forward to:
1. Leaving on vacation on Saturday
2. Going to San Francisco on Monday
3. June 21st
4. Summer!

four things I love about spring:
1. Flowers, on the trees, on the ground, everywhere
2. Warmer weather
3. The beginning of fresh fruit season
4. Green grass

four things on my wish list:
1. A good haircut (hopefully tonight)
2. Good weather on vacation
3. A sunny warm spring and summer with lots of days off (definitely a wish!)
4. June to come quickly

four people I tag:
1. Nicole
2. Heidi
3. Lauren
4. Anyone who needs an idea for an easy post!

Scenes from a Sunday afternoon.

What's blue and brown and cute all over?

My latest sewing project of course. It took forever, but it's darling, right?

Skipper lounging in the sunshine

And Wesley itching his face on the screen door

Someday my life won't be like this.

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I had a realization that someday, as far off and impossible as it seems, I will have a very different life. Whether it includes staying home with children, going back to school, or anything else, it won't be the same as it is right now. Right now, I have a pretty good routine going and I want to document it for the record, so someday, when my life is different, I'll be able to look back and remember the days when I got up at 7:00 and was at work less than an hour later. So for those that care (and I can't imagine that there are many of you), here is my daily routine (maybe with too many details):

5:30-5:50 wake up naturally and take thyroid pill without getting out of bed (must be taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating=lame). go back to sleep
6:50 alarm goes off, press snooze for 9 minutes
6:59 get up slowly, go to the bathroom to get started with morning hygiene
7:00-7:10 bathroom routine including: morning nasal rinse, straighten my hair, find clothes to wear.
7:10-7:20 finish hair, put on makeup, wake up Daniel
7:20-7:30 have a small bowl of cereal or piece of toast. Make smoothie in "to go blender" for morning snack at work.
7:30-7:40 make lunch/snacks for work, get everything together and run out the door.
7:40 Daniel drives me to work (we only have one car, so he drops me off at work, comes back home and gets ready for work himself)
7:55 get to my desk, log on to computer, start the work day
8:00-12:30 Work...lots of different stuff happens. phone calls, loan adjustments, students with questions, it's always a variety.
12:30 LUNCH! Lately on my lunch break I've been going on a half hour walk around campus, to get out and enjoy fresh air. Then I'll come back and eat my lunch in the cafeteria and listen to a book on my mp3 player. The cafeteria has a sun room, and there's a certain table I like to sit at, where the mid day sun warms me up perfectly and I could stay all day.
1:30-5:00 More work. Blah.
5:00-5:17ish Daniel picks me up and we go home :)
5:20-6:45 usually I ho-hum about what to eat for dinner. I go through phases of menu planning, but lately it has been less planned and more sporadic. Last night we had salad which took all of 10 minutes to make. It still took about an hour to gear up to do it though. Dinner making is not one of my strong points lately.
6:45-9:30 This isn't really scheduled time. If we have errands to run, we get them out of the way, sometimes we visit my parents, lately we've been watching and LOVING episodes of Modern Family. Last night I worked on my lesson for Relief Society on Sunday.
9:30-10:00 Shower. This is the most important part of my day. This is what allows me to wake up at 7:00. Without showering at night, I would be a grumpy person in the morning.
10:00-10:30 I'm usually doing my going to bed routine (which Daniel says takes forever) It usually involves brushing, flossing, lotion, chap stick, scriptures and prayers. That doesn't look like such a long list, but somehow it does take a while.

So I'm sure this was super boring, and my blog is kind of crummy lately anyway, but I wanted to document this so that years from now, when I wonder what my days were like when I was young married without any children, I'll be able to look back and remember.

March

Isn't it weird, how many of the little details of each day are so easily forgotten with passing time. I look back on the last month (longest blogging break yet) and can't remember what filled those days. I know I've been busy, but it's almost like I can't account for where I was, or what I was doing for an entire month of my life. So here's an attempt to remember a few of the happenings.

In the beginning of March I helped with the Relief Society Birthday Dinner. (this is one of my 3 1/2 callings).

Daniel and I had a couple more social weekends, playing games and having dinner with friends.

I survived another month of office construction. There is plywood, dust, paint residue and chaos all over my office. This has been going on for three months now, and was supposed to have been completed a couple weeks ago. I'm still surrounded by this clutter, and the only benefit I've seen has been a few extra casual days. I've gotten to enjoy my jeans more than in the past but I'm just not sure it's worth it.

I ate a lot of baked potatoes.

I made my first pork chop (notice it is pork chop, not chops, because Daniel did not partake), and did not get trichinosis. I was a little concerned about this, but I trusted my meat thermometer and it all worked out deliciously. Thanks to my parents for the George Foreman for Christmas. It has been convenient, to say the least.

Also in March, I enjoyed some sunshine. I found a good half an hour walk that I take on my lunch break. Getting out of the office for some uninterrupted fresh air is a beautiful thing. Of course now that it's April, my favorite month, the rain is back making up for all those days of stolen sunshine.

We did not follow our hypothetical budget very well, and have implemented immediate changes. Sometimes it's hard trying to save money!

I spent A LOT of time working on a cute sewing project. I'll have to post a picture of my creation, because it took so much time, but turned out darling.

I watched the Prince of Egypt twice. I've also been reading the story in Exodus. I'm loving learning about the Old Testament in Sunday school this year. It makes me want to re-read Orson Scott Card's Women of Genesis series.

That's all I can think of for March. It was a long one, but I enjoyed it well enough.

So far, I'm loving April, even with the rain and wind. My birthday is in a little over a week, and in a couple weeks I'm taking a fabulous vacation that I'm really looking forward to. It involves a week on a boat in the Pacific Ocean and lots of Delicious food!

Stay tuned for more regular updates (hopefully) and pictures (maybe)!