Home

On Thanksgiving, 2 of my mom's employees joined us for lunch.  As the conversation was going at the table, one of them said that he didn't really feel like anywhere is home - not Utah, not where he grew up, not any of the other places he had lived.  He said he was still looking for that place that just felt like home.

That has actually had me thinking quite a bit over the last few days.  Honestly, I do feel like Utah is home to me.  The last time I was in New Mexico, it certainly didn't feel like home, even though I spent the first 18 years of my life there.  But Utah does feel like home.  What doesn't feel like home, though - is my actual house.  I think that is where my problem lies.

When we bought this house, we had envisioned living in it for a few years, fixing it up, and selling it.  We said over and over again - 3 years tops.  Well, come spring, we will have been here for 5 years.  But it's always just felt like a temporary home - somewhere we are living until we move into a house we want to be in for an extended amount of time. 

Now, the plan is to be here for probably another 2 years - until Josh has been at his job long enough that we can qualify for a home loan.  (It  complicates things since he works on commission!)  Then we will find somewhere that we plan on being for awhile.  But in the meantime, I'm tired of feeling like I can't wait to get out of this house.  And I'm ready to do something about it.  There is still a ton of work that we need to do on this house, and most of it, I can't do myself, but there are some things that I can do.  Before I stopped working, I told myself that I'm going to go from room to room and de-clutter and re-design everything.  I want to make this feel like home, even if it is only for a couple more years.  It may take me the full 2 years to make it through the whole house, but I am so determined and motivated right now!!  So stay tuned for home improvement/decorating posts to come!!

(P.S. - today is the last day of November.  I actually made it through the whole month of posting!  Ok, I did cheat once, but still - I'm pretty proud of myself!  I'll still try to be more regular with posting - but I can't guarantee that it's going to be on a daily basis anymore!)

A Pickle

 

Abbi has been on this weird kick lately.  Everyday, when I ask her what she wants for lunch, she'll say a pickle.  But the thing is, she doesn't really like pickles.  She'll sometimes take one bite, but that's all.  But still, she just keeps asking for them.  I don't know if I'll ever understand the mind of an almost 2 year old!!

25 Weeks

Ok, you asked for a picture of me this week, and I tried.  I really did.  But I couldn't find my point and shoot camera, and taking a picture with my regular camera on self timer proved to not work very well.  So I'll try again next week!!

And really, I don't have much new to say this week except for these Braxton hicks contractions are going to kill me.  They don't necessarily hurt, but they are not comfortable at all.  I was actually thinking today about how completely different my 2 pregnancies have been.  If we couldn't find out the sex of our children through modern medicine, I would still know this was a boy because this pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Abbi!  There have been both good and bad things about this - at least I haven't swelled up yet - I can still wear most of my normal shoes!

We still don't even have a list of names, and I still haven't even started deciding how I want to do his room.  And time seems to be flying by faster than ever.  I really need to get on top of it - he's going to be here before I know it!

I Make Pie

 Not the best pictures, but I'm so glad I captured this memory...

I was in the kitchen the night before Thanksgiving preparing the dishes that I was taking.  I had given Max his dinner, and usually, if Abbi sees his bowl on the ground after he is finished, she will pick it up and put it on the counter in the kitchen.  Well, out of the corner of my eye, I see her pick up the bowl, but off she ran with it.  I called to her to see what she was doing, and after a minute or so of no response, I went out to see what she was up to.  She had pulled a step up to the side table, had put her blanket on the table like a tablecloth, and she was playing with the bowl and the remote.  I asked her what she was doing, and she said:

"I make pie, mama."

All I could do was laugh!  She was using the remote as a spoon, and then she would put it down and shake her little fists like she was adding ingredients.  It was seriously the cutest thing.

And when Josh got home from work just a few minutes later, he was a good daddy and got her a big bowl and some utensils from the kitchen.  She had a blast "making pie", tasting it, and letting daddy taste it too! 

Thanksgiving 2010

Oh, how I love Thanksgiving!!  This year, we spent the day with my family.  And what a great day - and food! - it was!!  Abbi loved playing with her cousins, and I always love having time to sit around and talk to my family.

Of course, there was lots of food.  (And for some reason, I always end up taking more pictures of food than I do of people!  I really need to work on getting more people photos...)  I stuffed myself on brie and crackers before the meal even began!

We had all the traditional Mitchell foods - which I was so glad for!!  Turkey, Goodman fruit salad, cranberry salad - and it was all delicious!

The kids had fun at the "kids" table, (complete with crayons to write on the table!) and even ate some of the food.  But I think they were mostly interested in finishing so that they could go play!

It was a delicious spread, and...

this pregnant girl cleaned her plate!

 After the meal, the boys migrated to the theater to watch football.

The kids found plenty to keep themselves busy.

And of course, the girls sat at the table talking - and eating!!

I love my family - what a great Thanksgiving!

Book #68 - Rebel Angels

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)
Libba Bray


Blurb:  Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. . . . The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship. But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.

Length: Long - 548 pages

Notes:  I listened to the first book in this series, and I remember thinking that I probably would have liked it better if I had read it instead of listening to it.  So I decided to go with the book version for #2.  In some ways, I'm glad I listened to the first one now, just because I now know how to say everything, and it was easy to get that English accent in my head while reading!!  And I don't know if it's because I read this and listened to the first book, but I liked this second book a lot more than the first.  It's a long book - at almost 550 pages, but it kept me interested enough that it took me just about a week to read.  (Which is good, considering the last book I read took almost 3 weeks!)  I can't wait to read the third book now!

Random quote : "Sometimes we seek that which we are not yet ready to find."

Recommend:yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 323-329

 Crazy haired girl with a comb - a bad combination!!

 Say Cheese!!

 Yes, Abbi is going through a stage where she likes to take her clothes off.  And yes, she loves to comb her hair (see the first picture above...)

 We could seriously have a coloring picture of her every day - that's how much she loves to color!

 Snack Time!

 Newest snack she loves - oranges.  She ate an entire orange herself!!

Play time!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have so much to be thankful for!!

• A beautiful daughter who brings so much laughter, love and sunshine into my life every single day.
• A husband who I am so in love with and who is a wonderful husband and father.  I am so grateful for how hard he works for our family and for all of the love he gives us.
• A new baby coming into our lives in a few short months.  I love him so much already, and I've never even met him!
• An amazing family who has always been there for me.  I am grateful for all of the help they have given me, especially these last few months.  I'm grateful that my sisters are my best friends and that I know I can always call my mom for advice!
• Parents who are still so in love and aren't afraid to show it.  I am so grateful for their example.
• Wonderful in-laws who are so helpful and giving.  I know many people have a hard time with in-laws, so I consider myself especially lucky to have Josh's parents in my life!
• Friends, both near and far.  I know things change when you get married and start having children, and it makes me especially thankful for friends who are still friends, even when time is precious!
• The gospel and all that it entails.  I am thankful for the knowledge that I have that I will be with my family for eternity.  I am thankful for answers to prayers and for the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  
• My dog.  I know that probably sounds silly to some people, but I really do love my pup!  I love how excited he will get every time I get home, even if I was only gone for a few minutes.  I love how he always loves me - no matter what!
• My camera and the many, many memories it has captured.  I am so thankful that I can look back and see my life in photographs.  I have such a bad memory  - I know I'd be lost without the pictures that I have!  I am thankful that my posterity will have the opportunity to get to know me a little better through the pictures and the stories.

I have been so blessed!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wordless Wednesday - the View

Snow Soup

I've been watching Kacy's kids for a few days while she is out of town.  Abbi loves being with her cousins!  I am always amazed at the simple things that keep a toddler entertained.  This time, it's snow.  Both Finn and Abbi wanted a bowl of snow, and I think eating snow kept them occupied for a good 30 minutes!!  All they wanted was bowl after bowl of snow - they would just sit together and take their time eating it!  Gotta love kids!

24 Weeks

(Well, it looks like no picture today.  The website I was borrowing pictures from has changed, and I can't copy the picture anymore.  That's ok, though - since I didn't really like them anyway!!)

I seriously just had to go back on my blog to last Monday, because I couldn't remember what week I'm in! Either my memory is really going fast, or I'm just super tired right now. Or this time is just going by so fast that I can't keep up with it!

I had my 24 week doctor appointment late laste week and everything looks good. I am measuring right where I should be, and his heart rate was around 150. It's always a relief to know that everything looks good!

I've been having tons of Braxton hicks contractions. I don't really remember getting them with Abbi, but I have them at least daily with this little guy. I wasn't sure that's what they are since it is still so early, but the doctor said that is what they probably are! It's not really painful, mostly just uncomfortable. I'm carrying this little guy so differently than I carried Abbi, so I'm sure that's why there are some things - like this - that are new to me this time around!

Angels and Waterfalls

As Thanksgiving draws closer and closer, I find myself watching for the little things every day that I am thankful for.  I have so much.  Even though this last year has been one of the hardest of my life, I can't help but sit back and see how blessed I really am.

Today's little thing to be thankful for:  I am watching 2 of my neices and a nephew while my sister is out of town.  As I was putting the girls to bed, Kirra said the prayer and she prayed that "we can dream of angels and waterfalls."  I am thankful for the example of little children - and tonight as I say my prayers, I'm going to pray that I dream of angels and waterfalls!!

I saw this YouTube video on another blog, and thought it was perfect.  There are so many things to be thankful for!

Book #67 - The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Kim Edwards

Blurb:
On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret.
But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night.

Length:  Medium - 397 pages

Notes:  Well, I can usually get through a book in about a week. Sometimes a little bit longer, sometimes a little bit less.  This one took me almost 3 weeks.  Now, I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant and get so tired every night I lay down in my bed to read, or if it was this book.  I have to admit - it didn't totally grab me.  The first few chapters were great - they had me wondering what was going to happen and wanting to see where the story went.  And then it kind of just - flatlined.  I thought the writing was good, the story just didn't have a whole lot in the middle that kept it afloat.  I almost felt like it would have been better if the author would have condensed the middle chapters way down.  It wasn't a bad book, but I am glad to be done with it!

Random quote : "You can't stop time; you can't capture light. You can only turn your face up and let it rain down."

Recommend: ehhh, I'm not sure on this one...

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 316-322

 Sleepy girl!  It was a long day...

 A really bad picture, but a memory I want to remember.  I had some plastic cups out when I had some family over, and when they left, Abbi wanted to drink from one of those cups so badly!  We let her drink from a "big girl" cup - and I couldn't believe how grown up my little girl was!

Bad flash again, but at least she looks at me when I'm taking her picture!

 This little girl is obsessed with her winter coat.  Whenever she sees it in the closet, she has to get it out and put it on - no matter how warm it is in the house!

 Such a sad girl

 Dancing in our pjs to Mickey Mouse 

Playing at the park- trying to enjoy what's left of the decent weather.

And She Sleeps

One of the hardest things for us the last few weeks that I was working was that Abbi was sleeping horribly.  She wouldn't let me put her down at night, and when I finally did get her down, she would never sleep through an entire night.  She'd usually wake up in the middle of the night, and I'd either be too tired to get her back down, or she just wouldn't go, so I spent many nights with her in my bed.  I had a suspicion that it was because she was away from her mommy and daddy all day, and I think she was having some separation anxiety.

Well, I'm pretty sure my suspicions were right, because she is sleeping like a charm now.  It's been about a week since she's waken up in the middle of the night at all, and getting her down is so much easier now.  (I still have to sit with her until she is out - we really need to tackle that next!)  But I can't tell you what a relief it is for me to not be waken in the night and not to have to share a bed with her!  (She is quite the bed hog...)

And not only is she sleeping better at night, but nap times are so much easier.  In fact, she has to remind me that she is tired many times, because I'm not paying attention to what time it is!  Today, I was working on the laptop at the dining room table, and all was quiet.  I worried because it was almost too quiet, so I turned around to get up.  And I saw her there on the floor in the kitchen - she had made herself a little bed with her blanket - and I could tell that she was ready to go down!  I'm glad I had my camera right there with me, because it made me laugh that she chose the tiled floor of all places.

Yay for sleep!

Wordless Wednesday - Ready for Dessert

Giving Up???

I was just getting ready to get into bed when I remembered that I hadn't posted yet today.  And then I realized I have nothing to say - which leads me to believe that I might not make it through this month of posted every day.  Because if I continue to post, you get random, pointless posts like this one.  I may be giving this up....  but we'll see.

23 Weeks

Ok, first of all, I've decided that I don't really like these pictures that compare the baby's size.  Because this week, it's because the baby weighs about the same as a mango.  I didn't realize mangoes were just over a pound.  And why do they compare length sometimes and weight other times?  Oh well, at least it's a picture to go with the post...

But this week, this little guy should be weighing in at just over a pound, and measuring 11 inches long.  He is definitely a mover and a shaker.  There are times when I am just sitting and he will kick so hard that I feel like he moves my body!!  But I love feeling him move - that's always been my favorite part about pregnancy!!  I can still wear my wedding ring, but I can tell it's not going to be for much longer.  Which makes me sad.  Because with Abbi, it was several months after she was born until I could put it back on.  And I decided I look huge.  There is a woman in my neighborhood that just announced she is pregnant - she is due 5 days after me and I had no idea she was pregnant.  There is no hiding my baby belly - I feel gigantic!!

Why I Believe

I was actually going to post a different video today on Thanksgiving, but they showed this video in church today and I just had to share it. This woman has actually been my visiting teacher for awhile now and is such an inspiration. She lost her leg many years ago after a softball injury. What a strong woman!

Now What?

Now that I've committed to blogging every day this month, I feel like I have nothing to say.  Which is funny, because before, I felt like I always had something to write but never the time/motivation, and now I find my mind blank.  Go figure...

I do know that I'm excited for Monday.  Yesterday was my actual first day back as a Stay At Home Mom, but I had a blogging thing that took most of the morning, so I felt like it wasn't really my first day back.  All I know is that I'm going to start tackling about a million different projects in the next couple of months - or at least as many projects as this tired, pregnant body will let me!

On that note - do you know how hard it is to find a cute boy's nursery vs. a cute girl's nursery?  I found about a million different ideas online when I was pregnant with Abbi, but now I'm not finding any inspiration for this little guy.  I think it's going to take me awhile to even clean out this room before I can even start, but I'd like to have some sort of an idea.  Anyone out there have any good ideas or places to look for inspiration??

{Abbi-a-Day} Days 309-315

 Putting crayons in her Halloween pumpkin!

 I took Abbi with me when I did Janell's family pictures.  Abbi was feeling left out, so I took a few of her.  It was so cute because Asher came over and was showing her that she needed to look over at me!  (I also decided to do some funky post processing on this one - it's fun to do from time to time!)

 There is something this girl loves about dressing up and layering as many items of clothing she can on.  Here she decided to see how many baby legs she could fit on her arms!

 She is definitely getting good use out of that costume!

 Hanging out while mommy gets ready

 I finally found something that makes her look at the camera.  The flash!  It makes for a worse picture - but hey - she's looking at the camera!!

Playing in the leaves!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 5th Anniversary to the man of my dreams!!  In one way, I can't believe it's already been 5 years, but then I feel like I've known him forever.  I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father to our children - I'm one lucky girl!!

We had decided not to get each other anniversary gifts, but my husband gave me the best gift - better than any diamond ring or box of chocolates - I now officially get to stay home and take care of my little girl and prepare for this little boy that is coming.  I cannot think of a better gift.  I am so grateful for how hard my husband has been working for our family!!

Wordless Wednesday - The Look of Fall

I thought this was supposed to get easier...

This week is not going fast enough. Today was a rough day.  This morning, I kept talking up the babysitter to Abbi so that hopefully I could drop her off without any tears.  Well, any time I'd mention the babysitter, she would start crying and clinging to me.  I could tell she just did not want to go, and it put me into tears.  I finally gathered the courage to take her, and of course, she screamed as I tried to leave.  It breaks my heart every time.  But I left, knowing that I only have a few days left and we both can do this.

I went to pick her up this afternoon, and I could hear Abbi crying as I came to the door.  The babysitter said that she cried on and off all day today, which she has never done before.  And once I had her, she did not want me to let her go.  I keep trying to justify making tomorrow my last day, but I know that any little bit of money right now is needed, and it's only 2 more days.  It just breaks my heart that she is struggling with this so much.  I can't wait to be at home with my little girl!!

22 Weeks

When I was first pregnant with Abbi, I remember getting onto all kinds of pregnancy message boards.  Sometimes it was good, and sometimes it was bad.  As I got online tonight to get the picture of how big this baby is, I was reminded why I stopped visiting those message boards.  There was a link to a post of a pregnant woman, and I almost cried reading her post about some defects that were found on her son in utero.  It's so scary to think of the things that can go wrong - I am just so grateful that everything has been going well with this baby!!

22 weeks - I can't believe how time flies.  He is still carrying really low, which has me worried about the comfort level as the weeks go by.  It's already hard to stand up or go down stairs because my belly feels so heavy and like it is pulling.  I don't really know how to explain it, but it's not comfortable!!  My ring is starting to get a little bit tight, but overall, I don't feel like I'm swelling very much yet.  I'm hoping I don't swell nearly as much as I did with Abbi!!

Playing Catch Up

I feel like for the last few months, all I have been doing is playing catch up.  I'm always behind on things.  For every thing I cross of my list, another 2 or 3 things gets added.  But I guess I'm glad to say that I have at least kept my head above water and I'm still treading!!

One thing that has fallen behind is this blog, and that makes me most sad of all.  This is the only journal record of my life I'm keeping right now.  Ever since I really started keeping this blog, I have been so grateful for the memories and milestones that I have recorded.  I can't tell you how many times I've sat down and gone back over the last couple years of our lives.  But unfortunately, life just got so busy lately that this was not a priority. 

But as of today, I am officially caught up!  I've gone back through all my pictures from the last couple months and I've remembered as much as I could.  And it's all recorded now.  And since it is November, and November is National Blog Posting Month, (NaBloPoMo), I've decided that I'm going to try to post here every day this month.  Just to get back into the habit.  And hopefully it will be easier since

this is my last week of work!!!!!!

 I can't tell you how excited I am.  Usually on Sundays, I have a little bit of dread, knowing another week is starting in the morning.  But I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow, because it's my last Monday!  I want to get in there and get it over and be able to come home to my baby girl and spend some good quality time!

So hopefully after next week I'll have some good things to blog about as well.  I have all kinds of activities and field trips planned for us.  I want to make sure I take advantage of the next few months, because I know it's going to get a lot harder to go out once there is another little family member!

The Things Kids Do

Now that Abbi is talking so much, I've really been meaning to start writing down the cute and funny things she says.  But of course, I've been letting life get in the way, unfortunately.  I've made a resolution to change that, though!

Here are just a few that I have remembered over the past couple weeks.  I wish I would have written everything down sooner, because I know I've forgotten some!

*In the picture above - I was talking to Josh on the phone as he was on his way home from work.  I wasn't even paying attention to Abbi, but after I got up, I looked up and saw that she had been getting out all of her books and standing them up.  Crazy kids!

*I don't really get too angry in the car when I drive, but I admit that sometimes I get frustrated.  I guess one of my favorite things to say is "Come On People!" because the other day while I was driving, we were sitting at a stop light.  I wasn't saying anything - I hadn't even said anything about drivers or traffic that day, but out of the blue, Abbi says "Come On People!"  I look back at her and she just burst into laughter.  I couldn't help but laugh with her!  (And I guess I need to be careful what I say when I'm driving!)

*Speaking of driving, we were going through some construction one day, and I told Abbi that the traffic was yucky.  She immediately started saying "Ewww, stinky!"  I guess she associated "yucky" with her stinky diapers!

*When Josh is on his way home from work, he'll usually call.  Part of that phone call is putting the phone on speaker so that he can talk to Abbi.  One day, he asked her what she was doing, and she said "I make mess daddy!"  She is smart, because yes - she is good at making messes!!

*We've been trying to get her used to the idea of a baby and we tell her that there is a baby in mommy's belly.  Well, when I was in the shower, she went into her room and took out a basket full of socks.  It had every size, from newborn to her size.  When I got out of the shower, she brought me a pair of baby socks.  I told her those socks were to small for her and they were for a baby.  She walked up to me and held the socks to my belly and said "here baby brother!"  I could have just melted!

*We got home one afternoon, and Abbi said "I miss daddy."  Another melting moment!