30 Days of Thanks--Day 21

Today I am thankful for exercise.  I am trying to get back into my old exercise routine of walking.  Today, after walking a mile, I feel so good!  I am so thankful for the wonderful feeling that I get after I exercise.

30 Days of Thanks- Day 20

Today I am thankful for nursery.  Most days, Evan is awesome during nursery.  But today was very different. Evan didn't have a very good day in nursery, and I had to tote him along part of the 2nd hour, fulfilling my secretary duties while he "helped".  Hopefully I can get released soon, so I will be able to actually sit with him if he is being naughty during nursery. 

Outnumbered...

I don't know if I put this on the blog, but on October 24 we had our big ultrasound.  Of course, even though we gave ourselves 40 minutes to drop Evan off with a gal from the ward, our GPS didn't work, and we got lost.  Rick had to call the missionaries because he figured that they knew where the street was the best (it was off base).  By the time that we dropped Evan off, we had 10 minutes to get to our appointment, and the center was easily about 20-30 minutes away.  SO, we just went ahead, and got there at 9:12 (they cancel the appointment at 9:15--15 minutes or more late). 

We had a nice, long ultrasound and got to see how big our little baby was getting.  AND, it was awesome, because were able to very obviously see that we're expecting another little boy.  Right now, we're calling him "baby" and "brother" around Evan, hoping that he'll pick up on the words for his little brother. 

I thought for sure that we were having a girl this time... With Evan, I totally knew that he was a boy.  This time, I wanted it to be a girl.... really, really bad!  I thought that I was going to be heartbroken if I was having another boy, but when I saw that we were expecting another little guy, I felt so much peace.  I can't wait to see Evan with a little brother.  I honestly think he's too rough for a little sister right now!  But, I am so excited for little brother, who we have tentatively decided to name Logan (from Wolverine's character in X-Men... I don't know why I let my husband have his way!)  I just can't help that I really like it, even though it's a pretty common name right now.  So, I am going to be outnumbered come end of February/March! 

30 Days of Thanks- Days 18 and 19

Day 18-- Friday I was thankful for the amazing squadron that Rick is in.  They threw this great Thanksgiving luncheon for all the airmen and their families.  The food was great, and everyone was so nice to us, especially all those people that played with, talked to and helped with Evan.  Even the chief that made Evan a lot happier when he was throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of the dinner.  : )

Day 19--Today I am thankful for the family time.  I just love spending time with my family.  Some days I really like spending time with my friends.  But, most of the time I am so content to just be with Rick and Evan.  I love spending time with them and having family days! 

Playgroup Clarkland Farm Field Trip

We went to Clarkland's Elioak Farm for a field trip earlier this month.  Evan had a blast.  He went on a cow train, a hay ride, a slide, chased after a couple of chickens, saw a bunch of animals and went on a horseback ride.  I didn't bring my camera, but my friend Amy took a few pictures. 

My favorite picture.  Evan on the Cow Train

We had so much fun going to Elioak Farm.  I am so happy to be part of an amazing group of young moms and it's so nice to get to know each other. And, of course, to have Evan play with other kids.  I can't wait until we go on our field trip in December.

30 Days of Thanks- Days 14-17

Day 14- On Monday I was thankful for our home.  I guess the main reason why I was feeling so grateful for our home is because I woke up pretty early with Evan, exhausted while he was still running a fever. In the comfort of our home we were able to lay together on the couch and just cuddle while I dozed and Evan's little body fought his fever.

Day 15-  I am thankful for pay days!  Ha Ha!  I am the person in the family who loves to organize, budget and make lists.  And when pay day comes up, I sit down, go through my two favorite cookbooks, and I plan out meals for the two weeks. I am trying to get better to sticking to my meal plans, but I allow a lot of room for flexibility.  And, unlike so many women I know, I actually love to go grocery shopping for my family.  Providing my Rick and Evan with a yummy, homecooked dinner is one of my favorite things.  Evan knows when it is dinnertime... he runs back in forth from the kitchen to the dining area, and we start to set the table, he climbs up into his high chair, ready to pray and then eat. 

Day 16- I am thankful for prayer and The Book of Mormon.  Wednesday (the 16th) was a really had day for me.  Evan was so cranky all afternoon---mostly from his teething.  He's getting both of his bottom molars.  Evan teethes so fast...he doesn't do a tooth at a time, but usually 2 or more all at once.  I had to exercise all the patience I had yesterday...  I even had a meltdown making dinner because nothing seemed to be going right yesterday (Seriously, I cut my finger with a butter knife... who does that?).  My prayers for relief were answered through my amazing husband, and last night as I read my chapter in The Book of Mormon, I was still so grateful to have Evan in my life, even though I wasn't able to comfort him very well yesterday (nothing worked).

Day 17- I am thankful for the kindness of others.  We signed up for the Turkeys for Troops program that helps provide a food basket for the lower enlisted military members.  We of course qualified.  And when Rick went and picked up our 'basket' it was actually a $50 gift card to a local grocery store here.  My heart warmed considerably when I saw that gift card... Not only will we be able to buy everything for our Thanksgiving dinner, but we should be able to buy more groceries for the rest of the pay period.  I am so thankful for those people who show appreciation to the military, because not everyone is as appreciative.

30 Days of Thanks---Day 13

I am thankful for my hobbies and talents---those things that I have learned to do and love to do.  I love reading, writing lists and keeping a journal and blog.  I enjoy cooking good food for my family.  I love meal planning and learning more about how to shop frugally.  I am still a beginner sewer, but I am really starting to enjoy it.  Especially since my mom figured out what was going on with my machine.  I love exercising, and the feeling that I get (got) after I run and exercise.  I haven't been doing much of that lately, but I am looking forward to April/May to get the go ahead from my doctor to start working out again.  And my favorite hobby, is just spending time with my family.  There's nothing better in the world than just "hanging out" with the family. 

30 Days of Thanks- Day 12

I am thankful for good books.  Good, quality books are so enjoyable.  I have several books that are almost like old friends---I love rereading and reconnecting with the characters, story, and emotions.  I have been sick today, and so, just curling up on the couch with one of my favorite old books, has made my day so nice and relaxing. 

30 Days of Thanks- Day 11

Today I am thankful for medicine and health insurance.  Evan got sick today when we went to Applebee's for Rick's military appreciation thingy.  I just loved how kind the waitress was, from getting our food out quickly to making sure that Rick's meal was still free.  We gave Evan medicine when we got home, and if we need to take him to the hospital for an emergency, we have amazing health insurance as a great benefit.

30 Days of Thanks-Day 10

This is a little late... But, yesterday (11/10) I was thankful for good friends.  I've had to learn to come out of my shell since Rick joined the military, but I am so grateful for all of my friends, those that I grew up with, those that I met in college, those I met in Arizona, those I met in Biloxi, and my newest friends that I've met here at Fort Meade. Friends are always close to my heart, and I love that we have technology like blogs, facebook and email so that I can keep in touch with all of the wonderful people that I've met so far in my life.

30 Days of Thanks- Day 9

I am very thankful for technology.  Especially internet and cell phones.  I can call my parents or am at least able to communicate with them everyday.  When Rick was at Basic Training, the majority of our communication was through the mail.  He only called me about 4 or 5 times that he was there for those 8 weeks.  But I am so happy that we were able to stay connected through letters.  It made me realize how lucky I was to listen to his voice on the phone when he did call.  So, I'm thankful that I can keep in touch with family, friends, etc.  And I am so thankful for Skype... I am sure that I will be putting this to good use with Rick whenever he has to leave for extended periods of time. 

30 Days of Thanks- Day 8

Today I am thankful for sleeping.  I know this is silly but I just love laying in bed and getting sleep.  Sometimes it's a lot harder to get sleep than I'd like, but I love how it feels when I wake up from a nice rest.  :)

30 Days of Thanks- Day 7

Today I am thankful for knowledge.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be educated for free in this country, and I am thankful that I chose a moderately priced, good university to attend.  My school loans are not outrageous, and I have learned a lot from the things I've learned.  I am thankful that I also have a LOVE of learning.  I love learning to do new things, and to make improvements in my life, whether those improvements are spiritual or temporal. 

I have been really worried a lot lately about our country's education system.  I could just homeschool Evan, but I don't think that's a choice I should make yet (he's only 2 :) ).  But,  I am happy that I have the knowledge and means to prepare him for kindergarten and school.  Right now, we're just working on expanding his vocabulary, talking a lot to him about the world around, starting to work on crafts, and introducing shapes and colors.  Sometimes it seems overwhelming right now... I am worried that he won't be ready.  But, I also know that I have the knowledge and means myself to get him to where he needs to be. 

More pictures from Nana and Poppa's Visit

I am so grateful that my parents could come and visit our family last weekend.  We had a lot of fun, and we didn't do too much, so it was a really nice, low key, relaxing weekend for all of us. 

At my cousin's house in Silver Spring when we had the first snowfall of the year.

Sarah and Evan

Claudia, Uncle John, Sarah, Rick, Evan, Jared, myself, Dawn, and Andy

Another shot of all the cousins, Uncle John and in-laws.

Adding Aunt Cathy into the mix.

Evan playing with his favorite puzzle.

Evan and I---I don't look good at all.

Evan and I on the couch.

The baby clothes that my mom and Sarah bought for the new little guy.

Nana and Evan together before Nana left.

Poppa and Evan. 

We are looking forward to seeing the whole family (and Rick's family in AZ, of course) at Christmas in California.  It will be a lot of fun, and we'll even get to go to Disneyland as one big family also!

Happy Halloween! 2011

We had a fun Halloween.  This Halloween was Evan's first time going trick-or-treating.  It was a little chilly, but it really could have been a lot colder.  It had at least warmed up from the chilly weekend.  Evan wasn't a big fan of ringing other people's door bells.  He did warm up to taking candy and 'booming' (throwing) in his treat bag.

I really like this picture.  Too bad it's blurry. 

Evan liked his glow sticks better than the candy

Going trick or treat...

Another Good picture... except Evan.

In front of a nicely decorated house.

Hanging with Auntie Sarah

Playing with his favorite puzzle!

Playing with his cool car track.

spending his morning playing with his new remote control car from Uncle Aaron.

Hershey, Pennsylvania and Trunk or Treat

Evan and Sarah, ready to go to Hershey.

Outside Hershey Chocolate World

The little cow on the ride.

I don't think Evan really cared for the ride.

Really concerned on the ride.

Evan more interested in Sarah's coat zipper than the candy surrounding him

The candy wall on the way off the ride.

One shot of us outside... no mom

Another pic... This time no Sarah.

Evan loving the sundae.

Going for the ice cream sundae himself.

I wasn't too impressed with Hershey.  Our original plan was to go to Hershey Park, but the hours in the fall open too late for a pregnant lady and a grumpy old poppa who doesn't like traffic too much.  So we decided to go up and just take in the town.  And, we were a little disappointed.  I thought it would have been more small town, or more of a cute little downtown area.  We went to the free tour that was like a Disneyland ride and bought a few souvenirs. 

We went to Red Robin for lunch after, and ate. The waiters and waitresses sang "Happy Birthday!" to Evan and he LOVED it.  He also really enjoyed the hot fudge sundae that they gave him.  Rick and I enjoyed eating it as well.  :)

Evan loved sitting on Nana's lap in order to watch cars go round and round on the track.

My cat/cheetah outfit. 

Sarah and the cute little dalmatian

When we got home, we started on defrosting meat so we could make chili for our ward's trunk or treat.  Evan just sat in my mom's lap and watched his cars go round and round on their little track.  We went to the trunk or treat and had a lot of fun seeing all of Evan's little friends dressed up.  And I loved his costume.  I am also thankful that his costume was fleece (nice and warm).  Some of the kids looked at me funny though because of my costume.