Friendships & Baby Showers
I am so grateful for all of the amazing women that are my friends. They all have so many great qualities that I can appreciate and enjoy individually and collectively. Recently, many of my friends have been able to spend more time together as a group. Within my circle of friends there are quite a few women who are pregnant. It is nice to be able to share in the experiences of pregnancy and to celebrate the creation of a life with them. To help and support one another as we prepare for the new arrivals we have been enjoying the occasion of Baby Showers.

When a few of my friends approached me with the proposal of having a baby shower for me I was quite surprised. I truly had not expected it especially since we were having our second child and another girl. When we had our first child so many amazing people came forward and literally showered us with all that we needed and more. I felt so much love from so many people. While my circle of friends had gone through a lot of changes since my first child, due to geographical moves, I still felt a little embarrassed about inviting more people to buy us gifts. My friends assured me that they truly wanted to have a shower for me and for the new baby and that it was a special time that should not be ignored.

Again, I am so grateful for my friends! I am able to enjoy their love and support as I prepare for another amazing change in my life. What great blessings! Thanks to all of my friends and to my Heavenly Father who knows me, who knows what I want and what I need, and who wants me to be happy.

My Baby Shower
My shower was so much fun! There were yummy treats and some very thoughtful gifts. Everyone had a chance to express their creativity as we decorated onesies for the baby with potato stamping.

We were all getting really creative here!


The results were amazing!


I was able to convince everyone to claim theirs as they posed for a picture (but I failed to convince anyone to switch their artistic onesie with mine).

Happy Valentine's Day!!

This Valentine's Day was made special thanks to my kind and loving husband and our adorable little daughter.

My husband gave me a manicure, a pedicure, and a hair brushing! It may or may not sound incredible and impressive to you, but he really does know how to do all this and he does it really well. I would take his manicures and pedicures over the mall nail salons anytime! Where and why did he learn all this you may ask? Well, let me explain.

It goes back to our honeymoon (4 years ago). My soon-to-be husband planned an amazing ending to our week of honeymooning. For several months prior he planned and prepared all that was needed for spa treatments ranging from manicures and pedicures to facials and sea-salt body scrubs. He researched each spa treatment on the internet and learned how to do each one! He even bought all the essential products. On the last day of our honeymoon he presented me with a spa day packet and I got to choose whatever treatments I wanted and the following day he offered me a full day of pampering. He did a great job then and since he has continued to offer me spa days three times a year over the past four years and with all this practice he has gotten even better!

In addition to all the pampering today he also brought me a beautiful planted pot of red tulips. He knows I love flowers to brighten our home.


Cookie Making With My Daughter

I have a confession to make; until this week I had never made sugar cookies. I had never even used a cookie cutter. Now this is probably not fully accurate, because I am sure that my mother and maybe even my father sat me down as a young girl and made sugar cookies with me and I probably used cookie cutters too. However, as an adult I had never attempted this on my own.
For those of you who know that I really do enjoy baking this may be a surprise to you. I have made thousands of cookies in my life, but for some reason I have always felt a little intimidated by the "sugar cookie."

I read many recipes for sugar cookies and all (or most) of them required a long period of chilling in the refrigerator for the dough (at least 2 hours) before they can be baked. Although I really do enjoy the process of baking, I also really enjoy the sampling of the goodies. So, I would always choose a cookie recipe where I could be assured of a yummy sample, after assembly of the ingredients, in about 10-12 minutes. Although the concept of delayed gratification was intimidating in itself when it came to sugar cookie making, I was also a bit intimidated by the process of rolling out the dough and cutting them into shapes while trying to keep the dough chilled enough to maintain optimal processing. Furthermore, the cookies needed to cool before they could be iced and then there is the complications of choosing the consistency and color of the icing and whether or not to use sprinkles, what kind and what color. Perhaps I should mention I have slight issues with perfectionism.

Well, images of sharing the experience with my daughter of making sugar cookies in cute heart shapes with icing and sprinkles overruled all of my hesitations. It took us three days, but we did it! I must admit that my two year-old does not exactly have a mastery over delayed gratification either but it was well worth all the work, time and even the wait. Elizabeth and I also got a chance to share in the rewarding experience of offering up some of the special treats with our neighbor friends for Valentine's Day.

I am so grateful for my family!

CARD MAKING FUN
For the past couple of years I have enjoyed making my own greeting cards. It allows me to explore my creativity and is a lot of fun! For Christmas my fantastic husband went out on a limb (I have never mentioned or asked for one) and bought me a Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cut & Emboss Machine. I was a little intimidated at first but I have used it a few times now and today I made a card for a friend using the flower and letter cutouts.

A Big Shot-Out to my Husband for a great gift
(pun intended of course)!

NESTING
I tend to be a bit of a complainer and a pessimist at times where my husband is more of an optimist with one of his motto's being "Everything will work out."
At this stage of my pregnancy I am particularly uncomfortable in the evenings and at night. With lots of grunts, groans and sighs I was not surprised one evening recently when my husband asked me what I liked about being pregnant. I thought about my answer for just a minute or so and I said that I enjoyed feeling the baby move around, except when she is poking or kicking my vital organs and ribcage (again I had to add a little pessimism -yuck). However, I forgot to mention another added bonus to pregnancy.

The following is a pretty good description of what I am currently experiencing:

(Excerpt is from parentingweekly.com subtitle PregnancyWeekly)

"Nesting Instinct"

"Around the fifth month of pregnancy, the "nesting" instinct can set in. This is an uncontrollable urge to clean one's house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world. Females of the animal kingdom are all equipped with this same need. It is a primal instinct. Just as you see birds making their nests, mothers-to-be do exactly the same thing. The act of nesting puts you in control and gives a sense of accomplishment toward birth."

Although I am almost into my 7th month of pregnancy, this "nesting instinct" is really great! I have actually always enjoyed cleaning (except for doing dishes and the bathroom is not my favorite either) but I am not so much into actual organizing. So for the past few weeks I have not only felt the desire to clean and I have mostly had the energy to do so, but I have begun to organize areas in my home that are in dire need of order.

I experienced this feeling when I was pregnant with Elizabeth, but not as much as I am with this baby. In fact, just about everything is "more" with this pregnancy: more nausea, heartburn, constipation, fatigue, soreness, and rashes to name a few.

I am also getting pretty excited about meeting this new baby, welcoming her into the world and into our little family. I am looking forward to the feelings of love for the baby that I know come from Heavenly Father. With Elizabeth I felt them most strongly at our 4 am feedings. I really don't care what time they come with this new baby. I will cherish them regardless of the hour!

Birthdays and Holiday Preparations Galore!
I have been very busy preparing for Christmas while at the same time hosting parties for my daughter and my husband who both have December birthdays. It has been a lot of fun, but I am just about ready for Christmas to come so I can take a break from all the planning and preparing and just enjoy the good fruits.

Our Tree:
A real tree is the way to go for us! The smell is amazing.


Christmas Decor:
This ceramic tree was handed down from my mother. My mother loved Christmas and always went all out on decorations. I inherited quite a few of her decorations and this is one of my favorites.

Nativity:
These nativity scenes were both my mother's.

I especially cherish the ceramic Avon collectibles. The set is actually bigger, but I did not want to pack all the pieces into a small space and take away from it's beauty.


More Holiday Clings:
I love these things!


Graham Cracker Creations:
Each year we try to come up with something bigger and better. This year, with my husband's building expertise and my creativity we made an edible Christmas tree.


Hand-Made Wrapping Paper:
With Elizabeth's little hands and some finger paints we made these wrapping creations


Elizabeth's Birthday Party:
I really enjoy hosting parties, so this was a lot of fun for me. Although, I sort of wish we could have her party in say February or March when there isn't so much else going on!

Birthday Party Prep:
This takes longer to put together than it looks.


Enjoying the yummy (yet boxed) cupcakes mommy made. Unfortunately, it is hard to recreate the yummy texture and taste you get from a boxed cake mix.

*We have also taken our own family pics, I have wrapped almost all the Christmas presents and I have sent out my Christmas cards! Still more to do of course, but oh how sweet the fruits of my labors when it is all over.

All that being said, I am grateful for the true reason for the season and that is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all the amazing sacrifices He made for us and the wonderful blessings we can obtain if we follow Him.
He gave us a true example of giving with love.


May we all feel the Spirit of this holiday season, share our love with those near and far, and remember the Savior who gave all.

Candy Maker?
Not me!
I received this candy making kit as a gift and thought I would give it a try.

The box showed some cute holiday candies and lollipops and the directions seemed so easy! Just melt the chocolate candies in the decorating bags (included in the kit) and then use the handy paint brush to decorate the molds (also included in the kit).

So when it was time for Elizabeth's nap I thought I would whip up the candies, pop them in the refrigerator and then take a little nap before she woke up.

Nice thought eh?!

Not even close to reality. This was the most difficult project I think I have ever tried! The plastic molds were a very clear, cheap plastic, and it was near impossible to see the designs on which I was suppose to paint the different colored melted candy. Which brings me to the paint brush - not helpful! Furthermore, the candies did not all melt the same. For some reason, the white "chocolate" was way too thick and would not melt down to a workable consistency. In addition, the candy hardened fast and I could not keep up. Furthermore, I just barely had enough candy to fill the molds.

After over an hour of happy candy making I had a product to put in the refrigerator. However, although I had some idea that they were not going to look like the picture on the box, I had no idea how bad the final product would be. The final product: Not too bad from a distance and in the cute colored bags (included in the kit).



Yes this is suppose to be a Reindeer.

Saving the best for last:

Santa!

Would I do this again if given a chance?
Of course I would!
Happy Holidays!!

ULTRASOUND
It's A Girl
Today was the big day. I was truly excited to find out the sex of our upcoming "bundle of joy" and to see the miracle that is happening inside of me! I have been feeling the movements of the baby everyday now for a week or so and I am ready to identify even more with this little one by assigning (her) a name. We had previously picked out a boy's and a girl's name for our first child and had planned to use the boy's name for this child, if appropriate, but we had not identified another girl's name. So now the name search has begun. We are open for suggestions.

DECORATING
For The Seasons
I have always enjoyed decorating but it is much more fun now that I have a child of my own. Yesterday we started on our Thanksgiving decorations. I saw several craft ideas online for turkey's and I decided to make some of my own (with inspiration from the others I found online). I really like the way they came out and Elizabeth loves to get her hands traced so she had a great time too!


We also had fun decorating for Halloween this year. Elizabeth and I did some arts and crafts, I brought out some of my old decorations, and we had a great time with our new window cling stickers.

We decided not to carve the pumpkin this year, but we will be making yummy pumpkin muffins and cookies real soon!

There are yummy candy corn in the little pumpkin. I am not really into candy (of course chocolate is not in this category at all!) but I do like my candy corn once a year.

Old Decorations - a Funkin pumpkin and, my favorite, my mothers' ceramic pumpkin - it lights up too!

These window clings are great. They came in a big pack that includes Halloween, Valentines Day, and Christmas themed clings. I am looking forward to December for the next batch! The really good news is they were only $5 at www.lakeside.com


Inside and Outside arts and crafts and more
window clings. "Who's that in the window?"


We also had a great time coloring with chalk on the front side walk.

Let's Catch Up
I made it through the First Trimester!
I am in my 16th week now and I am feeling so much better. I am within the "normal" range again physically, emotionally, and mentally. Although I had similar symptoms with my first pregnancy, everything has been a bit intensified for this one. I will not get into the symptomatic details, but for the past three months I have really just wanted to go to bed, stay in bed, and wake up when it was all over.

I am so grateful for my fabulous husband who has pampered and cared for me through it all. While at the same time he has put up with my wining, complaining, and overly emotional states. Although much of these "symptoms" are also within my "normal" range, they too were intensified over the past three months. Also, I am grateful for my daughter. Although I cannot say she was sympathetic to my needs - she is not even 2 years old- she gave me great reason to get out of bed each day and to at least try.

Some recent thoughts . . .
I have a great friend who often inspires me. She is very goal driven and consistently tries to be self-aware and self-actualizing. Years ago when I was going through formal education in Social Work, I too was very goal driven and strove to be self-aware. However, as time has passed and my professional career path has been delayed, for the most important and the most challenging role I will (for)ever hold - motherhood, I have become less focused on personal goal setting. As for self-awareness, learning to be a good parent, wife, and becoming a new person in the process has made me very aware of some new and old weaknesses.

Just recently, I have taken a half step back and looked at how I am doing. If I am happy. If I like who I am and who I am becoming. Which has led me to this point; it is time to set some personal goals. One of my first goals is to "start simply". I realized that I have become more of a pessimist and I am not as happy as I would like. Recognizing that this is a choice, my first new specified goal is to laugh more - read funny books, find the humor in things whenever and wherever I can, and seek out others who have a sense of humor and can laugh with me. I also want to help my daughter to find the humor in things and to laugh more with her.

So, for any of you readers who would like to support me in this goal - I would like to invite you to share with me a funny thought, story, joke (clean jokes preferred) or even just a smile :- )

VACATION
Yellowstone National Park
This was my first visit to Yellowstone. We had a fantastic
time and I look forward to visiting again sometime.


We saw many amazing geysers, springs & mudpots.

"There it goes!" Elizabeth picked up on this saying
and it stuck for the whole trip. She is still saying it!




The waterfalls were amazing too!





Bison, bison everywhere!



A little too close for my comfort!

This Post was originally written on
August 12th, 2008. The news is now
out (for the most part)

On Sunday, August 10, 2008 I took a home pregnancy test and you guessed it, I am pregnant. This is a planned pregnancy and it is not my first, so I was not completely surprised. However, I am amazed at the variance in feelings that swept over me as I stared at the little blue line forming on the test strip. It was actually a bit similar to the feelings I had the first time I was pregnant with my daughter, except this time instead of being anxious about what I did not know, I was just as anxious about what I did know!

During family planning discussions, my husband and I both had agreed to having two children (if so granted) and then we would discuss the possibility of more at a later date. Then we had our first child. A sweet little girl who has brought us much joy, but also has contributed to multiple frustrations and disagreements, inexplicable pain, sleepless nights, self-doubt, guilt, and a myriad of other feelings and emotions that were unexpected and frankly unwelcome. To avoid the not so gentle poking of guilt, I will again reiterate that our little daughter is greatly enriching our lives (what doesn't kill you makes you strong - just kidding - sort-of). She is growing fast and I am truly enjoying watching her learn and develop her physical and cognitive skills step by step as I am afforded the opportunity to stay home full-time to care for, teach, and nurture my daughter.

I thought of all this in the few seconds it took for the little blue line to completely form on the test strip. As if outside of myself, I looked in the mirror, took a deep breath, and said out-loud "Okay, here we go." Not as if giving my okay at this point would change anything, but I mentally, emotionally, and physically committed myself to accepting and embracing all that was to come, both the good, the bad and the ugly (not the baby of course - all babies are beautiful right!?).

So now the excitement and secrecy begins. Pregnancy protocol says that you should wait at least 12 weeks to share the big news because of the risk of complications which are noted to be common. Not everyone follows this protocol, and frankly I am torn whether to tell or not to tell. It can be overwhelming to know something as incredible as "I am pregnant!" and not tell anyone, except my spouse of course. At church I pretended in my mind to drop the exciting news during almost every interaction I had. Each Sunday I make calls to family and you can't imagine how many times I spilled the beans in my head during those conversations. So, to get it out of my system both me and my husband (hmmm, maybe he is experiencing the same pressing desire to spread the news) tell each other frequently throughout the day that we are pregnant (i.e. "Honey, guess what, I am pregnant!" or "Did you know that I'm pregnant?" or my husband will tell our daughter that "Mommy is pregnant!" etc.,). It is a fun game to play and does seem to relieve the pressure to tell just a tiny bit.

To Begin The Day and My Blog

This morning was a good example of a day to have started out with a piece of chocolate, not just any chocolate, but a 60% extra dark Lindt, Lindor chocolate truffle. If I would have known this mornings events, I would have popped that truffle in my mouth as I rolled over to shut off the alarm! Now that, what I hope are the worst of, today's events are over it is too late to even imagine eating at all today not to mention savoring a piece of chocolate.

Okay, yes I am exaggerating a bit, but I want to emphasize the importance of utilizing the power of chocolate at the most opportune moments in life. If taken at key times we can unlock a power within us to take on and seize almost any moment of any day. With this said I now present my blog. Aptly titled "Another Day, Another Piece of Chocolate." No, I will not be simply exploring the decadence of chocolate, but I will reveal some of my life's moments that were enhanced by, motivated with, or resulted in the savoring of a piece of chocolate; or in the case of this morning's events a missed opportunity for utilizing the power of chocolate to make things just a little easier to endure.

"This Mornings Events: A Missed Opportunity for Utilizing the Power of Chocolate" :

Disgusting, Gross and Stinky! Are the three words to best describe what happened. It began shortly after my Handsome Husband left for work and forgot to take out the garbage - it's trash day. Not a normal occurrence by any means, so I thought, "No big deal, I'll mention it later and he will renew his commitment to always remembering this duty." While garbage alone can be pretty disgusting this particular garbage outing was below normal standards of dealing with garbage. The sustained 90 degree temp's of the summer had heightened not only my senses, but the senses of over a million fire ants and one small spider. Surveying the situation I armed myself with bug spray and a pair of garden gloves. Mission accomplished, but gross.

Inside the house again, I decided to begin a little house work. Entering the kitchen, I noticed some disgusting bug (roach) droppings on the counter. Gross! I love living in the warm climate, but the bugs here are relentless. It is embarrassing, but I don't know anyone who does not encounter any bugs in their home in this climate. So, I proceeded to clean the counter, moving the appliances and such when I realized that under the knife racks there are often a significant amount of these droppings. Again, Gross!! I then tapped the knife rack on the counter and sure enough a baby roach came falling out along with, you guessed it, more bug droppings. Did I say Gross enough yet?! Okay, so I thoroughly cleaned the knife racks and proceeded on with my morning.

Time to change my daughter's diaper, also pretty foul, but I am mostly use to it since she is over a year and a half (19 months). However, as I was using the handy dandy Diaper Champ, I realized the pail was full and also needed to go out for trash day. I had forgotten how entirely disgusting this was! I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my Handsome Husband for his willingness to serve his family each week on trash day!