Neffajawea

Double Digits!

2012-01-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Size of baby: According to thebump.com, our baby is the size of a large prune. This is so ironic to me. Read on.

Total Weight Gain: I haven't weighed myself this week. But I wasn't sick for THREE WHOLE DAYS (it was wonderful) and I also didn't *EHEM* ya know, poop, for THREE WHOLE DAYS (and it's not been so wonderful) so I don't care what I weigh right now.

Maternity Clothes: I felt validated when I read on babycenter.com that "you may or may not be wearing maternity clothes, but if you aren't, you may have noticed you're clothes are fitting uncomfortably tight." That is so true. All of the sudden everything is so snug around my waist. I have to remind myself this is my FOURTH pregnancy and I've been stretched out, so it's totally normal to be digging through our storage unit searching for those maternity clothes. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But probably by next week, I'll be wearing my favorite stretchy paints again *grin*

Gender: I'm still feeling boy. All old wives tales point to girl, but I tend to be in the opposite of those. For example, my uterus is really high. I'm sick all the time. I'm super emotional. Normally, these signs would point to girl. But I'm still feeling boy.

Movement: I remember this with the last two pregnancy: the uterus jumps. It feels like a baby kicking, but obviously it's not. It's fun and it's gets me excited for my favorite part of pregnancy: quickening. I love love that first little squirm. Can't wait!

Sleep: While my family visited over the weekend, I got great sleep. Last night, after they left, I couldn't sleep. It was horrible. I want them back!! They're my good sleep charm.

What I Miss: Nothing really. I'm getting a little bit more energy back and I had those wonderful three days where I wasn't horribly sick, so I think things are starting to look up!

Cravings: MEAT! I must need protein or human blood or something. Not even a good ol' boiled egg is cutting it anymore. I want a large slab of meat. We went to Famous Daves for lunch, and I purposely ate a light sandwich before we went so I wouldn't gorge myself on meat. It didn't work.

Symptoms: I'm getting that achy uterus stretching. I love it though, because I know it means little snapper is growing, and it gets me that much closer to not having to suck it in. I've started having more headaches, but I have a fabulous medication for them. My nausea is slowing down (minus last night and this morning) and I'm finally getting some energy back. Yay!

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing my dad and step-mom, step-sister and nephew. It was so nice getting out of the house and being with family. I loved having them over Sunday night. We had a blast at the Zoo and it just felt like old times again. But my most favorite part was a date night with Brett and waking up to zero kids in the house. I think we all needed the break and we all feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to our regularly scheduled program without killing each other. Always a good sign.

Appointments This Week: No appointments this week! Though I may be calling in for some help with my little constipation problem. It's driving me nuts!

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm just gonna say it. Pooping. Also, I'm wondering if my doctor will want to do an 11 week ultrasound. I think it would be awesome to see the baby again.

This Weeks Thoughts: I'm a bit worried about Chloe. She's so clingy and such a mama's girl. But I'm reassured by the fact that she'll be 2 when this one is born, and will *crosses fingers* hopefully have grown out of the clingy stage. Although, in the mean time, I love it.

Sibling Rivalry: The kids are still super excited. I need their excitement. They fuel me and get me excited. I love it!

Pictures from this Week:

9 Weeks

2012-01-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Size of Baby: According to thebump.com, little snapper is the size of a disgusting green olive.

Total Weight Gain: Thanks to morning, afternoon, early afternoon, early evening, evening and midnight sickness, and a healthy bowel movement, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight of "fat". I'm okay with this. I was worried when I had gained 7 pounds out of nowhere...

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing the same ol' jeans as before. Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly bloated, I do the whole rubber band through button hole thing. But other than that, I'm maternity clothes free. Still eying them, though.

Gender: I'm not gonna lie, I'm feeling "boy". Maybe it's all the kids talk, maybe it's just wishful thinking, I don't know. The other night Brett kept me up until 12:30 going over boy names. Ugh. It's gonna be a long 7 months.

Movement: As in "bowel" movement. Ha, just kidding. Nothing yet, though I'm sure it's getting a workout on my trampoline like uterus.

Sleep: My doctor gave me Zofran for my puke-a-thons. This makes me super sleepy. Plus, I am for some reason allergic to this pregnancy (just like I was with Cohen, which again makes me think "boy") I get super itchy and hivey so I've been taking benadryl as well. These two put together is better than any sleeping medicine on the market.

What I Miss: Energy and not feeling sick. I think Brett would like his wife back. And the kids may or may not want their mom back. I'd like me back. I keep holding onto the whole "second trimester" surge of energy. So does my housework!

Cravings: Today I am craving scones super bad. The past few days it's been disgusting fatty spicy nacho's from the gas station. I don't know what's wrong with me. Also fruit. I can't get enough fruit and thank heavens we live in Arizona.

Symptoms: I could copy this straight from last week. I'm so nauseous and so tired all the time. I've started the fun cramping and can't cough or sneeze too hard or else my "round ligaments" will all but tear from my body. I can't believe, at 9 weeks, this is a problem.

Best Moment of the Week: It's a tie between sleeping all day yesterday and having Brett take care of the house and the kids OR having Chloe pull down my sweat pants while puking. It was really funny. Or maybe it's a three way tie, because I also loved sitting up and talking about names with Brett. He seemed really excited for either gender. Love that man. OH NO WAIT! It's a four way tie. I'm going to have to say finding out a good friend of mine is pregnant along with me, AGAIN. We were pregnant together with the last pregnancy. She hasn't announced, so I won't say anything more =)

Appointments this Week: I have an appointment with destiny. My dad and step-mom are coming in and Brett and I are going to get away from the children, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER. I can't wait to have some time alone with my baby daddy.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Read above.

This Weeks Thoughts: I'm getting anxious about all the discomforts that come later on, and I need to let go of that. Like acid reflux. And stretching. And acid reflux.

Sibling Rivalry:My sister says my kids are acting out because they're reacting to the pregnancy. They're about to react to my fist. KIDDING! But seriously, they have been fighting all the time, and I've had it. I NEED MY 18 HOURS OF SLEEP PEOPLE! So I hope this isn't them reacting to the pregnancy, because it's gonna be a looooong 7 months if it is.

Pictures From This Week: I can't find my camera, lucky you! At times, when I'm super bloated and constipated, I look about 11 months pregnant. But when I'm doing ok and I can still suck it in, I look as normal as ever! Starting the next few weeks I won't be able to suck it in anymore and I'll just start having that "fat" look about me. Oh well. C'est la vie. Totally worth it in the end =)

MLK Jr.'s Time Traveling Watch

2012-01-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

So I picked the kids up from school today and was immediately regaled with stories of the brave and courageous Martin Luther King Jr.

I thought, "What an excellent time to start this discussion!"

So I asked Cohen to tell me all he knew about this American hero.

"He had a time traveling watch!"

*Jaw Drop*

Cohen informed me that in the movie they had watched, it started with a museum that was Martin's home. And then there was THE WATCH, and it started going backwards, and all of the sudden Martin wasn't dead anymore! He was a boy playing baseball! Baseball was his favorite sport, mom!

Oh dear heavens. So I gave it a try. I talked to them about how a long time ago there were people who were mean to people who looked different. And that if they had skin a different color, they would hurt them and sometimes kill them. And that Martin Luther King Jr. said that wasn't fair at all.

"Do you think Martin was right?"

Simultaneously, "No."

*Pinch Nose*

"No, kids, you're not listening. PEOPLE WERE KILLING OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY LOOKED DIFFERENT. DO YOU THINK THAT'S OKAY?"

Kembry, "I'm hungry."

Epic fail.

But at least I learned something from all of this. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a time traveler. Who knew?

8 Weeks

2012-01-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm "stealing" this layout from my friend April who just had the most adorable baby. She was diligent at documenting her pregnancy, and I know it's going to be something she treasures in the future. I wish I would have done this with the last 3. But no time like the present!

Size of Baby: According to thebump.com, the 4th whipper snapper is the size of a raspberry and weighs a whopping 0.4 ounces. Slow down fatty!

Total Weight Gain: Well, this is a wee bit humiliating, but despite throwing up everything I eat, I have still managed to gain 3 pounds. That's 1/4 of my total weight gain with Chloe.

Maternity Clothes: Even though it's only been 16 months since I gave them up, I'm not wearing them. Shocking! I long for them. I dream of them. But I refuse to wear them at only 8 weeks. I know they say with each baby you "show" earlier and earlier, but I think that's just because you're already fat from the one before. Totsy has been having some seriously great sales on way cute maternity clothes, and I'm smart enough this time around to know that it's important to feel pretty in what I wear. So I'm splurging, even though THIS IS OUR LAST BABY EVER!

Gender: No clue. The kids really want a boy, especially Cohen, because then it will "even things out" around here. Kembry wants it to be a boy so that she can "have a little brother." Which I think translates to, "Having a brother I can boss around."

Movement: Well, according to babycenter.com and thebump.com, little tyke is moving all the time, but obviously I can't feel it. As for me, I'm moving ALL THE TIME. A brisk walk is just what the doctor called for to help with those intense moments of exhaustion.

Sleep: Sleep has been interrupted by numerous pee pee breaks, intense nausea, bouts of vomiting, and of course, crazy weird baby dreams. The other night it was a dream of a zombie baby that I kept throwing around, and I could hear it's bones breaking. Needless to say, I'll no longer be watching "The Walking Dead" before bed.

What I Miss: I'm so happy we're having another baby, it's hard to think of anything I miss. This was planned, but I guess I'm bummed I didn't lose that extra 400 pounds before I got knocked up.

Cravings: Colorful vegetables, which, if you know me, is totally bizarre. I had my first fajita with peppers in it, and it was mad delicious. I eat tomatoes like apples, apples like apples, and pears are like currency in this house. Tonight I'm craving stroganoff and asparagus.

Symptoms: Horrible nausea, debilitating exhaustion, throwing up until acid burns my esophagus. You know, the usual stuff. I'm also having a lot more cramping and constipation with this baby (you're welcome).

Best Moment of the Week: Our 8 week ultrasound.

Appointments this Week: Just our ultrasound. If everything goes as planned and I've conquered the angry uterus, I should only be doing the regular 4 week appointments.

What I'm Looking Forward To: This is my last pregnancy. I've always enjoyed being pregnant. So I'm trying hard not to wish away this last time. So even though it sucks being sick and tired all the time, I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to it. I'm just embracing it and letting my house go to pot in the process.

This Weeks Thoughts: My brain is busy trying to form coherent thoughts. I'm already wondering where should we have the baby sleep and when should I put Chloe in the bunk beds. I know we have 228 days left, but with 3 other kids and a mountain of other responsibilities, I know I won't have much time to catch up on these thoughts.

Sibling Rivalry: This will be important for me to remember. The way the kids are. They were old enough with Chloe to understand what was going on, and I didn't document much except for a few things in my diary. Cohen loves watching the videos on babycenter.com about the growth of the baby. He touches my stomach and smiles and says, "It's in there now mom! It's gonna come out soon!" He's so excited. I can just imagine what kind of dad he's going to be. He may drive his wife nuts, or she may love it, but he'll be super involved.

Kembry is just ready to have someone else she can boss around, which I think is funny, because she already rules the house. But I think when the baby comes (and she'll be 6) she'll be ready to be a big helper. I just love her.

Pictures From This Week: No pictures this week. Just imagine me hanging over the toilet.

A Fun Eye Test

2012-01-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Recovery of Kembry

2012-01-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Kembry is recovering.

We all are.

She has bouts of absolute "fineness" followed by screaming fits.

I feel bad and annoyed all at the same time. "Use your words," I prompt her, but I only get more screams at my face.

Cohen isn't as kind. He's back to his old ways. Terrorizing her every second he can. A particularly rough teasing took place in the 2 minute drive from his school to the neighborhood market. It was followed by with a "stern" talking to in front of strangers in the parking lot.

Don't ya just love those?

Tonight she's having night terrors. This is following eating an undetermined amount of chewable melatonins. It's not her fault, they do taste delicious. I regret leaving them anywhere she may have found them. But I don't regret the sleep she's getting, she needs it.

And her breath. Her breath. Her breath is death. It's just awful. Just awful.

Chloe is taking more and more steps, and this is so encouraging, I could cry. She weighs like 34 pounds. I can only take so much!

My life has been taken over by Kembry's recovery and another something, but I'll blog more about that tomorrow. As for now, I'm watching a very light episode meant to make me laugh, and then passing out next to the best looking man in the house. Psht, the whole neighborhood for that matter.

I know you're jealous.

Blow Torches and Tonsillectomy

2012-01-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

I've been on a puking binge and my house directly reflects this. Plus, I've had children home from school for two weeks...and my house directly reflects this.

It is amazing, absolutely shocking, how much mess a 5 and 6 year old can make in a few short hours. Even if I wanted to follow them around picking up after them, which I don't, they tend to go in different directions. So, if you've ever taken a physics class you should already know this, but it is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR MESSES. I'd love to take a blow torch to the whole institution of house cleaning. It's easy to vacuum up ash.

On the upside, day care, er, I mean school starts tomorrow. Halla-freakin'-lujah.

Kembry does not go back to school tomorrow.

*Deflates happiness balloon*

She had her tonsils gently scalloped from her throat this morning. And I have to say, IT WORKED! I mean, c'mon, it's Kembry post surgery. We should be hanging from the rafters in terror as she Tazmanian devils her way through the house. But she's quiet and calm. Slightly whiney, which was too-be-expected.

And plus, PLUS, she got up every time to go to the potty. Let me back track...did I not mention that Kembry wets her bed? At 5 and a half. Her tonsils were so large that she wasn't getting enough oxygen to that mischievous little brain of hers, and therefore slept so deeply that she couldn't feel the sensation that she needed to potty.

Again, every time, under narcotics, she's gotten up to go pee pee. I'd call that a complete success. Totally worth the large $$$ amount we're shelling out, too. Think of all we'll save on sanity, pull-ups, and laundry detergent.

The Asterisk Updates

2011-12-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

*Kembry will being have her tonsils removed on the 4th. I got what I want, now I don't know if I want it. My baby, under anesthesia, getting cut open? $900? I just have to hang on to the hope that demonic Kembry will go down for surgery, and Angelic Kembry will awake from surgery.

*Going to McDonalds and the park tomorrow. It's going to be 72 degrees here. I am not hating this.

*The TV has been graciously raising the children while I've been down on my back, yet again.

*I still love hearing about people getting knocked up. Something is seriously wrong with me. I just don't care.

*Brett and I got called to teach CTR 5. I rejected the calling until Brett kindly reminded me that Kembry would be advancing in January and WOULDN'T be in our class. Okay, I accept =)

*I haven't taken down the 3 foot Christmas tree and I have no desire to do so. Moving on.

*Chloe is still not walking. This angers me and my weak discs.

*I've taken oodles and gads of pictures on the iPad and have no clue how to get them on my blog. Not that I was that great at putting pictures up before. Regardless, it's driving me bonkers!

The End.

Just Try And Tell Me Fast Food Isn't Addicting

2011-12-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Because I'm pretty sure I'm (secretly, so don't go blabbing this post to the whole world) addicted to fast food.

Here's some evidence:

I eat in secret. Like, I'll say "I'm gonna run to the grocery store for...tic tags. Don't wait up for me!" (Heh, fooled him!) And I do go to the store, but I also stop by In-N-Out.

I spend money we don't have on fast food.

I get grumpy when I have to cook dinner when really what I want are some trans fatty French fries.

My body is starting to reflect my abuse. It would be better if it was meth I was addicted to...but my love handles attest to my real addiction: ChicFilA waffle fries.

Oh how I dream of that sweet, tingly cold swig of coke after a particularly salty and delicious chicken nugget.

I've destroyed an organ because of my addiction, namely my gallbladder.

And I find any excuse to go. "What? Prince Whoever married Anorexic what's-her-name? LET'S CELEBRATE! McDonalds anyone?"

So if you really want to get me a present this Christmas season, make it a gift card to Carl's Jr. Or a stay at the Betty Butter Center. Oh, I mean Betty Ford.

Those Dagnabbit Tonsils

2011-12-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm currently compiling a case to have my daughters tonsils removed. Expert medical reports, USA Today articles, friends blogs...it's all gonna be there. Because I have a feeling Imagonna haveta fight tooth and tonsils to get them to cut my baby open and slice up her adenoids.

Doctors sometimes like to argue with me.

I know this has never happened to anyone before

*rolls eyes*

I'm ready to go into that doctors office with my mommy gloves on.

If any doctor tries to tell me she doesn't need her tonsils removed, they're gonna have to mess with mama bear. And mama bear wants a non-temperamental, sweet little rested angel. Not the angel of death I've been gettin lately.

And it's not that I know more than the doctors

(but I do)

And it's not that I don't trust the medical community at large

(I don't)

It's simply that I

A) know my daughter and know that she isnt sleeping well and that as she ages this tiny problem has turned into a huge mega beast.

And that

B) I'm always right.

Just ask my husband. *grin*

So don't pray for me folks. Ooh no. Pray for that poor unsuspecting doctor that's going to be meeting She-Beast.

Can You Smell That? Yep. Spoiled.

2011-12-12T20:29:00.002-07:00

We are a very spoiled family. Coming to you live from our very own iPad...can ya smell the stink?

A VERY BIG thanks to Papa Tim and Grandma Sandi for our new toy!

Back! Back you heathens! Mummy's playing!

So. Close. I Can. See. The. End...

2011-12-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Holy guacamole, Batman.

Brett and I moved so much today.

And we also lifted heavy furniture. Hyuck hyuck.

Couches, book shelves, boxes and boxes of crap, all in our new home.

And surprisingly, there's still a lot of room.

You know how when you look at a new home, and it's all empty and clean and pretty, and your imagination runs wild, "Oh the things I could do in here! 18 piece dining room table here, oh! And of course a china hutch here and over there. 400" TV goes here..."

But amazingly, we still have a lot of room. I'm excited because my whole married life we've had little-teeny-tiny-itsy-bitsy houses. This is no McMansion by any means, but it's still roomy, and I'm stoked!

Anywhoodle, I go sleep now.

Moving Is Laaaaaaame

2011-12-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I would have been happy to live in this house for the rest of my life.

Not because it was perfect.

Not because it was in the best location.

Not because it was in an awesome neighborhood. (Although, it is in the most awesome neighborhood.)

No, I would have lived in this house the rest of my life because...I HATE MOVING.

Do I look like I'm not lazy?

We've been tremendously blessed with the house we're moving into. Unable to find a home that Brett and I could both agree on, or, when we did, have that house ripped from underneath our greedy paws, we decided to rent a house until we could buy a house.

Well, that, and this house fell into our laps with a pretty price tag.

So here we are, blessed with our new abode, only minutes from our crappy apartment. And while it's nice that we don't have to rent one big truck to haul all of our crap, it still sucks to move.

Now I'm at a crossroads. Will he or won't he get help this Saturday? Will he or won't he rent a truck? Will he or won't he be getting laid? KIDDING. Trying to get the man-cub to do any of these organizational tasks is worse than ripping out Cohen's second loose tooth (oh please, won't you please just fall out?!)

I've lugged everything over that my weak little arms could carry, and now we live in skeleton bones at the apartment. I want to just take it all and let the rest stay here, but I can't carry, nor live without the following: my bed, the TV, food, my computer, and the internet. And couches. And my rocking chair. I need my big strong man to rally other big strong men and a truck to move most of my beloved items (that enable the laziness.)

I cannot. Live. Without these things.

So wish me luck as I endeavor to get Brett to make plans. Actually, if you could sacrifice a few lambs on my behalf, that would be awesome.

Yours Truly,

Stuck-in-an-apartment-until-my-husband-picks-up-the-phone-and-organizes-help-Kelly

130 By 30: Only B'cause I Love Ya

2011-12-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

My sweetest and dearest friend thinks she's fat.

*Rolls eyes*

She's not fat. But she's a health nut, and she wants to lose enough jiggly fat to weigh 130 by the time she turns 30 (next August). And I *pulls on collar* said I would do it with her.

When I made this agreement, I was high on a girls night, shoving fries and burgers into my mouth until I couldn't breathe. It was extortion, I tell ya! But I get encouraged when I see things like this:

This is one pound of fat.

That looks like it came straight out of my left love handle. I can imagine if I lost 50 of these. I could actually catch my runaway 1 year old.

I am convinced, however, that Brett loves being married to a chubby woman. The proof is in the cheesecake (and brownies...and cookies...and outrageous and delicious dinners...) The man doesn't know when to stop! So I downed my daily calorie count in two delicious slices of cheesecake yesterday.

The man KNOWS I have no self control!

So, dear sweet Tanya, you may just slaughter me on this quest of ours. The good news is you can eat me if you're close to starving. Bad news: I'm mostly fat!

So here's to a fresh start and a new day! Cheesecake milk shake, here I come! (What, I don't want to waste a whole cheesecake...I mean, it has strawberries on it!)

A Broken Back

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I cannot sue Chloe. I already get to kiss the cuteness outta her, that's all she has to give.

I have a broken back. Well, more specifically, I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and a herniated disc that sits on touchy nerves. It really gets on my nerves *hyuck hyuck* I kill myself.

And when I go to see the doctor, like every other month, I get the same lecture (while Chloe is bouncing on my lap, ironically):

Dr.: You really need to stop picking up heavy things, like babies.

Me: *Blank stare*

Chloe: *Drooling* *Bouncing*

Dr.: Try to stay down for a few days.

Me: *Blank stare*

Chloe: *Bouncing* * Squealing* *Gaining another pound*

Dr.: Ice and heat. But most importantly rest.

Me: *Blank stare*

Chloe: *Jumps off my lap, crawls under the table, starts pulling out plugs.*

I mean, are doctors blind? What he should have said was, "I see you have a Wiley 28 pound, 15 month old baby. Let me admit you to the hospital with a regular morphine and steroid drip. All the cable and hospital food you want. No visitors. Three days."

Boom.

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!

And honestly, I don't think it should take 8 years of medical school to get to that conclusion.

Medrol, Vicodin and Flexoril are this weeks best friend.

Between a Tree and a Hard Place

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

December is my month to shine.

It's the only time I get festive.

It's the only time I decorate.

I love twinkle lights and green garland and red and white striped Christmas tree ornaments.

I love my nativity scene.

I love the smell of cinnamon and pine.

But, I'm moving next weekend. And I have no desire to put up decorations for a few days, only to take them down again, and then put them up...again.

Contrary wise, I don't see myself moving into a new house and jumping right into the garland and tree skirts. In fact, I don't even know where those things are.

So I'm between a tree and a hard place. I don't know when I'll get to decorate, or if I even will. And it makes me feel...sad. Everything is different, and it would be nice to have some...sameness. To indulge in some nostalgia

So in the mean time, the in-between time, I'm going to put some of these together, and hope that I actually run into someone in need.

I guess this is a good opportunity to get back to basics this season.

Still, don't stare at me weird if you drive past the Christmas tree lot and you see me sniffing the pine...it's my way to cope.

Vogue

2011-12-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

This girl has super model blood. She's just missing 3 feet. And I'm pretty sure she'll never get those 3 feet, thank heaven.

In the meantime, the camera comes out, the inner Madonna makes her appearnce.

Vogue

And it doesn't matter what she's wearing, or how her hair looks, she will always strike a pose...

And you may be wondering, does it slightly annoy me that she looks gorgeous when she rolls out of bed wearing yesterdays clothes and hair do?

Slightly. And am I a little bit concerned that I've already given birth to "Kembry: The Sequel"?

Just a little bit.

But there's so much more to my girl than her gorgeous looks. It's just so hard to see beyond them, sometimes.

For example, she makes friends within seconds of meeting someone.

Her cousin Judy. It took the pair all of 40 seconds to become BFF's.

She's lovable and compassionate. She cares about anyone who is hurting or struggling or is sad.

She's charismatic; always the life of the party.

She's my little Jeany-Bean.

She's the apple of this mommy's eye.

And the cameras best friend.

Every Time a Bell Rings...A Winner Gets a Book

2011-12-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

*Ding Ding*

Random.Org

1 to 15

CONGRATULATIONS TO BETHANY @ The Finlinsons!

You're gonna love it. But Eden won't, there isn't too much tapeworm or intestinal blockage in it...

Email me your address at neffajawea at hotmail dot com

Thanks for playing everyone! I'll have another give away in J-J-J-January. Oh wait, it's not cold in Arizona. Woo hoo!

It's a Christmas Miracle...Or Just a Good Book Giveaway

2011-11-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

Awhile back I mentioned that a web-friend of mine had written an awesome book.

This is the first book review I'm doing based on a writer that is still living. I'm a wee bit nervous. She knows my address.

But no fears, Liz, I LOVED the book.

It was one of those Saturdays where you spend the entire day reading one book. You read it at stop lights. You stay parked in JoAnn's parking lot a little bit longer just to catch one more chapter (and to piss off the old lady honking at you to hurry. What? It's Mesa, people!). You let your family starve to death. You fake broken bones to get a few more minutes alone. Just me?

Anyway, I've passed the book around enough times, now, and I just want it to sit on my shelf. But I also want all my buddies to read it. SO A BOOK GIVE AWAY IT IS!

Here's how to enter:

Read the review. That way, you know what you're getting into. Unless you're like me, who will enter for anything as long as "FREE" is involved. I mean, really, why do I even need moon boots?

Follow my blog.

Leave a comment.

Boom, free book.

And the best news: Only 3 people ever comment, so your chances are goooooood.

And you have until...oh let's say 11:56 pm on Saturday evening, until the moon rises with the goat and the animal crackers wax lain. I'll announce the "winners" on Sunday.

Now on to the review:

I'm gonna sum it up for you. This is a memoir of how Liz met, wooed and married her sweetheart. It's about a friendship that is tested by the evil "C" word: cancer. It's about sleep-poking husbands and explosive pipes. It's about not being perfect in a world that demands perfection. Liz is honest and witty throughout the whole book.

Angela and Liz were "later in life" friends, as I like to call them. True love at the sighting of a book popping out of Angela's purse that Liz loved. They antiqued together, carpooled, laughed, and really cried. Their friendship is real. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Here is an excerpt:

"Is it possible to predict who our dearest friends will be? Can we make a list of qualities and say, "Any best friend of mine will be outgoing and preferably drive a low emission car because, you know, the environment is very important to me?"

I think we all know the answer. Friendships are no different than true love. They can't be planned or predicted; they come into our lives like great gusts of wind that knock things off the shelves and force us to stretch ourselves in uncomfortable yet beautiful ways. Sometimes friendship strikes like lightning and you know, instantly, that you and that person will be friends when you're old. You know that the two of you will be grumpy little old ladies shopping in Kohl's, arguing with the staff about sales prices and the proximity of the nearest parking space.

It was that way when I met Angela."

-Elizabeth Owen "My (Not So) Storybook Life: A Tale of Friendship and Faith

Near the end, Liz asks God "why"? I can't think of many people who haven't asked God this same question. And her answer is "to have gratitude". What a touching testimony. What a beautiful message.

This is an excellent book. It goes on the shelf next to all my other hard backed favorites. And I'm pretty sure it will be on yours, too.

Happy reading and good luck!

Physical Therapy and Gratitude Days...Many

2011-11-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

I had a great time last night at a girls night. I got high on Dr. Pepper and estrogen, it was awesome. We stayed out until midnight. I haven't done that since I lived in Utah and "watched" movies until 3 am, and then let my best friend walk home alone in the cold, dark, rapist-filled night. What? SHE INSISTED!

And then I stayed up until 2 in the morning talking to Brett about the meaning of life. There was a lot of giggling...erm, and of course, manly chuckling. We get pretty serious about the meaning of life.

Today I ripped off that stupid finger splint. My finger is killing me, but I think typing is great physical therapy.

Tomorrow we spend 6 hours on the road to Mesquite. Half way to our home-before-home. Time with family, friends, and kid-free hotel zones...I'm so gonna be in heaven.

So I am grateful for cars. For not having to spend 2 weeks to get home again. For portable DVD players. For a husband that jimmy-rigs the Wii to work in the car. And I am SUPER GRATEFUL for my shaggin wagon. Grateful that my children have oodles and gads of space between them. Their own space. Their own air. They couldn't poke each other if they wanted to. Awesome.

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and black Friday. Those two go hand in hand... fortunately...unfortunately? Whichev.

Gratitude Day 13 & 14

2011-11-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

There were many things Heavenly Father wanted me to hear tonight, and so He arranged for a babysitter to appear out of thin air at the last minute so that Brett and I could attend our Ward in White tonight.

We got really spoiled in Utah, getting to go to the Temple 2 sometimes 3 times a month. We haven't been to the Temple since we moved here, and it's been really rough. Shoot, we haven't even been on a DATE since August. Needless to say, we were in much need of a spiritual uplift.

I'm so grateful for the Temple and the peace it brings me when I'm there. I'm grateful for the personal revelation and knowledge I receive there.

I'm grateful for my eternal companion. I'm thankful to know that if I play my cards right, and endure all these trials, that I'll get to be with him forever. It was promised to me by someone who held the keys and authority to promise me such a thing. And for that, I am so grateful.

Mesa LDS Temple

Gratitude Day 9, 10 & 11 and 12, Why Not?

2011-11-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have a lot I'm grateful for, but I also still have a broken finger. So until next Wednesday and possibly a week or two of physical therapy, my posts will be short and sweet...and mildly crazy. Possibly a lot of mistyped words.

I'm grateful today for morning prayers. I love how they set the mood for the day. I love laying down and going to sleep with the Spirit, but I love even more going through my day with the Spirit.

I'm grateful that I have funny children. I love that they have a sense of humor, because I think that's super important in this day and age. I'm grateful that my family and I know how to laugh at ourselves.

I'm grateful for the energy I've been blessed with recently. Despite being sick, run down and burnt out, I've managed to stay upbeat. I even managed to clean yesterday. Cohen's response, "Wow, you're cleaning finally. Good for you!" (Please see "Sense of Humor" section of this post.)

Finally, I'm thankful for years and years of past posts. I've gone through and read some, and was reminded about other "hard times" I've gone through, and it definitely buoyed up my resolve to endure to the end. I really feel that was a special blessing from my Heavenly Father to remind me that I've been through hard times before, and I survived. So did all my kids. Really, a miracle in and of itself =)

I'm looking forward to being able to do my hair again, bathe the children, do the dishes and change a diaper without it being this huge production. I'm looking forward to washing my right hand again! Here's to next Wednesday and healed fractures!

Gratitude Day 8: "This, too, shall pass."

2011-11-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am grateful today to know that even though rough times happen, they don't last forever.

I'm grateful I've had a few experiences that have been awful, but have passed. So that now, because of those moments, I know I can get through hard times.

Just pop a couple Xanax and sleep through it all.

Just kidding.

Xanax doesn't even make me sleepy.

I can do sleepy all on my own.

And now we nap!

Gratitude Day 7: Tender Mercies

2011-11-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

It is a well documented fact: I have a bad back.

This past week was awful, but it could have been made so, so, sooooo much worse if my back decided to flare up.

And it had plenty of motive. I carried around 28 and 38 pound children for three days.

Can anyone deny it is a pure miracle that my back didn't flare up?

Tender mercies of the Lord, friends. Tender mercies.

The Terrible Awful WEEK

2011-11-06T10:14:00.001-07:00

When Brett got into the mini van Friday evening after a 4 day conference in Texas, these were the words of welcome he received:

"You will pamper me until I feel better. You will clean the apartment top to bottom. You will find a babysitter and take me on a date when I'm better."

Now, I know it wasn't Bretts fault that Kembry was sick and unresponsive to antibiotics.

I know he didn't leave the window open on purpose so that when I tried to close it, it came down on me like a crazy Kamakazi, break my finger and partially (fingers crossed, pun intended) severed my tendon.

I know that neither he, nor the sweet and amazing woman in my ward, could have predicted that the Urgent Care would be closed, or that Chloe would wake up with a horrible cough and stridor, and not be able to breathe.

Or that I would spend the next three hours getting my broken finger attacked by a wailing, tortured baby receiving a shot, a breathing treatment, and another shot. Or that my "Mommy Terror Levels" would reach "Code Red" as the doctor kept saying Chloe might need to be hospitalized.

While my husband partied it up in Texas. And didn't return my phone calls or texts.

How on earth could any of us predict that I wouldn't get much rest that week, and hence be susceptible to the Flu. 103 temps were running in our family last week, apparently.

And I know Brett would have loved to have helped the continual flooding from our kitchen sink, had he been here.

So, at the end of the week, I've never been so mad at the man I married eight years ago.

He had no way of knowing. Poor guy.

Now, I'm off to bed while he takes care of the rest. I've earned a nap.