a new look, fall, and other things

 

We headed up to Cascade Springs this week for our yearly fall drive and walk. We've been going since we were dating a few years ago and always look forward to it! Hubby has been going since he was a kid with his family and I'm happy to say that we still carry the tradition on.

 

 

I wanted to get some cute photos with Jimmy while we were there, but unfortunately my carsickness kicked into over drive the farther up the trail we walked so we ended up not staying too long. Its not uncommon for me to get slight motion sickness on curvy roads but I assumed that it would go away once in the fresh air. It didn't this time and I'm wondering if it had something to do with the elevation or something I ate previously?

 

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My sister convinced me to take the ponies on a trail ride last Saturday morning. It was a blast! I took my old pony, Sugar Lips, that my parents still use for riding lessons. We went bareback (no saddles) around the dike by the lake. We cantered (horsey ran) a lot and I didn't even fall off! I was sure I would because its been a while since I've done that. Plus we were laughing so hard because we looked so funny on our full speed ponies taking a run for it. I am sure feeling it in my legs and abs this week. But it was so worth it! 

 

 

 

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After our ride, Jimmy convinced me to go rock climbing up the canyon...Yeah, I have NO muscles this week! I really wasn't in the mood and declined to climb for a while because the only rock we could climb was one I was mad at. (I can't get very far up it at all). I finally just went so Jimmy would stop inviting me. I was on the rock for ages and was so irritated that I was struggling so much that I was determined to beat that dang rock. Before I knew it I was sitting at the top looking over the tip of the temple and fall leaves covering the valley! I'm glad my Hubby knows me and pushes me to try new things.

 

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Also, last week my brand new Silhouette Cameo came for me in the mail! Woo hoo! I've been wanting one for a while now and saved up some baby sitting money for it. Whew! I'm still a newbie and just trying to figure things out but I can tell it will be well played with and loved. That last sentence just sounded like someone was talking about a baby or something.

 

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And just one last update for y'all before you get too bored with my looong post. I've been getting migraines and headaches the past couple of weeks. They've been lasting all day and continue to get worse as time goes by. I watch my diet and water intake very closely and knew there were no changes there. I keep trying to figure out what was going on when I noticed I consistently get a headache when looking at any type of screen. Since I work in front of a computer all day and the headaches were getting worse pretty quickly, I made an eye appointment per my hubby's and mom's advice. For a girl who comes from a family that doesn't have any vision problems, I received really weird news. We found out that my right eye is far sighted while my left eye is near sighted. My vision is still pretty good but my eyes are constantly trying to "fight" with each other and adjust, causing headaches. So I was kindly ordered some special little reading/screen glasses to help my head not hurt all day.

I figured I might as well have fun with them if I have to live with them so I tried on like a hundred of funky and fun glasses. The girls at the front desk had a ball helping me try them out and narrow down my options until I picked these ones (and please excuse my awkward face)

 

 

 

 

I LOVE my little cat lenses! And I just noticed I'm wearing a leopard shirt under as well. I guess you could say I'm a sucker for anything leopard print. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lets catch up with some random things

I've kind of fallen off the social media planet lately. Just been stuck in my own little world doing my own thing. I'm keeping busy busy busy. Its a blessing and a curse, really. Still trying to work on prioritizing my schedule and to do list. I was so swamped for a few weeks right when we came home from our trip with starting up more work hours and our house projects. Whew! Now that we are officially done with remodeling for a while, we just crash on the couch in front of the TV on our spare time. Maybe we will get bored in a few days and find other ways to keep busy. WHO KNOWS. We obviously have a "busy" issue. Tips anyone???

In other news beyond thinking about remodeling...

-I am loving fall! I got 4 fall cardigans the other day with price tags of $3.99 on each of them! Woo-hoo!

- I finally created a craft closet the other week. I. love. it. I still need to make it look cute before I post pictures. But it is so much fun to work in!

- I need to get my teensy porch decorated for fall. I'm not much for swapping out the indoor décor but the porch is something I always enjoy decorating for the holidays.

- Speaking of holidays, maybe I can convince hubby that we need Christmas lights this year? I've never been able to convince him. So the sad, grumpy, house of ours will most likely look a little Grinch for yet another year this winter.

- And OH MY GOSH. The other week our Toyota Corolla stopped working. We were too busy to get it towed to the mechanic with everything going on so I just drove our spare truck. Well, we finally got it in over the weekend and GUESS WHAT. Turns out a rodent had chewed through the wires of our car. Let me repeat. A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH THE WIRES OF OUR CAR. Oh of course, why shouldn't that poor little rodent be able to snack on our car parts?

just popping in

A post from Kailie?! Whahhh!????

 

I know this blog has been neglected lately, and I'll just blame it on everything else but me. ;) We've been busy busy busy over here getting ready to head off on a little MUCH NEEDED Disney vacation, prepping our house for remodeling which will officially start as soon as we get back, and we both extended our work hours. Hubs rocks 60 hours a week like its no big deal. He amazes me. I, on the other hand:

 

 

 

 

 

I hope to get back into the swing of things around here soon. I seem to be more updated on Instagram because its so quick so if you are on there, catch up with us  there @kailiebreit

a long overdue post. aka what's been happening around here?!

My healing is going so well! The first 1.5 weeks was hard. Yuck. I'm so glad I'm out of that phase. But as soon as week #2 hit, I was feeling so good! My mom, sister, and husband took such great care of me, that helped speed the healing up a ton. I soon felt like I was well enough and needed to get back into the routine of life. So off we went, moving back into our home. Jimmy spent a lot of time deep cleaning the house and yard so I would be a happy camper to come home to. We've been blessed with some tasty meals from ward members and that was a huge help while I was trying to get caught up on my to-do list...slowly.

 

I got bored this week and went back to one of my jobs. I knew I would be okay for a couple of hours especially since I would just be sitting down doing paperwork. I also had a doctor's appointment. My doctor reminded me again of how much trauma my body had just gone through, and that he was very pleased with how well I was handling it. Plus he did his evaluation thing and GUESS WHAT. Doc was so amazed at how well I was doing that I got cleared a month early! He said it takes most patients 6 (or even 8) weeks to recover the amount I had recovered in 2 weeks! The priesthood is real! And prayers really do work! I feel like I can't thank everyone who included us in their prayers enough. But I'll say it again. THANK YOU for your prayers and well wishes. I am at the point now where being active and returning back to my regular lifestyle will actually help my body finish up healing and get back on track. Whoo hoo!  Hubby's response was, "Let's go rock climbing!" (I'm not ready to move quite that fast, babe.)

 

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We've been spending a lot of time outside in the evenings. Hubs has been doing his nature photography lately and I'll go along for the fresh air. Until I get too scared of the skunks. Then I'm jumping and heading back to the car as fast as I can while hubs gets a teensy bit frustrated with me that I might be scaring the wildlife. But I do enjoy snapping a few phone pics while I'm out with him.

 

 

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We also celebrated our two year anniversary together. We had previous plans to play around in Moab but since I needed something simple and "healing friendly", Jimmy surprised me with a little picnic in the park. It was so sweet and cute of him.   

 

 

I LOVE being married to this man. He is so sweet to me and keeps me laughing everyday. I'm so happy I get him all to myself for the rest of eternity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

these are my thoughts. in no order that will make sense

Its been almost a week since I had my life threatening experience. A week of laying in bed, looking out the window and replaying what happened that scary day. Its what I think about most. I cannot help it. The memories of dripping in my own sweat and crying out in pain. Oh, the pain. Something I will never forget.

Like feeling like the life is draining from you.

Watching Jimmy's face as he watches the monitor flash that my blood pressure is dropping. Feeling his never ending grip on my hand as if to tell me that he will hold on if I won't. Sensing his stress and worry.

Being told that I am in fact, not infertile. But that this baby is killing me.

Immediately being prepped for emergency surgery. My first surgery at that.

Being so scared. But feeling the peace and comfort of my father and husband blessing me.

Having another episode of pain while getting wheeled into the operating room.

Waking up crying, shaking, and scratching my face. Having nurses crowded around me telling me that I was so brave and apologizing to me.

Being wheeled passed my parents and husband to hear my mom tell me how I was a momma and that it was a big baby.

Having nurses come in all night long because I had lost so much blood.

Mumbling to every nurse who checked on me that I was not infertile.

Remembering what its like listening to my doctor tell me how close to the line I had gotten. He kept saying how much my body had gone through. And how there was so much internal bleeding. My lungs were inflamed, making it hard for me to breathe.

He held up his fist, explaining that the fetus was as big as my uterus, which is equivalent to my fist. He then pointed to the small end of a pen, and told me that was the size of my fallopian tube. And that is where the fetus had developed.

He could not believe how well my body hung on. The whole thing could have gone wrong in so many places, but he told me he is amazed at how well I pulled through.

I cannot fathom how a fetus survived that long in there. And for those few months I had no clue. No sickness, still running around doing my day to day activities. Its just crazy.

 

 

I keep trying to figure out the reason for all of this. A lot of me feels like it is a lesson of hope to us. That even though you might feel like you are so lost in your own trials, Heavenly Father already has his plans set in motion. We just have to remember to keep trusting in him and not give up.

 

Right now I am doing okay. This week has been very rough on me. But I woke up this morning feeling better than I have all week. I am still in pain and my tummy is covered in bruises. It hurts to breathe and I still need help with simple day to day things. But I am learning to not rush myself and to put my situation in God's hands.

 

Thank you so much to all of your sweet support and kind words! I cannot believe how much help we have gotten. Thank you for all of the prayers and encouraging messages. I read every one of them every day and it keeps me going. So thank you thank you thank you!

a little of who i played with today and more

 

very social goats

 

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Naughty bunnies

 

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My parent's new dog (who barked at me the whole time)

 

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Swollen lip and sporting an ugly fever blister. Yuck.

 

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Chickens who are following me around today

 

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To die for kittens

 

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I just realized that I spent a lot of my day playing with animals. Who needs a social life when you've got fury friends? Haha, I guess thats just the ranch girl in me talking.

 

I've had a gross fever blister on my lip this week. Swollen and all. Awesome. Hubs stares at it and then tells me its yucky. Thanks man. So flattering. Anybody got some awesome tips to get rid of it?

 

We've been pumping iron this week. Hubs got some nice weights. We lift while we watch our shows at night. Hubs laughs when I do it. But he looks at my muscles too. I make sure they get real nice and manly for him when he's looking.

 

I've been working on my little business lately. Hopefully I can get things up and running soon so I can make it official!

 

Anybody know the best place to get discounted Disneyland tickets? Hubs and I are hoping to go this summer. *Crossing my fingers*

 

 

 

 

To see my overloading happenings on instagram, follow @kailiebreit

Leave your name and I'll follow you too :)

 

 

you know its spring when...

 

 

You "need" new workout clothes. LOVE the bold prints and pretty colors. I plan on wearing them a lot while biking this Summer. I've realized having cute and fun workout clothes gives me more motivation to sweat.

 

 

 

The blossoms are starting to bloom. Jimmy pointed out this small detail yesterday during yard work and I actually stopped to admire it. Crazy how many beautiful things surround us daily but we don't even notice them.

 

You realize barbecuing is so much easier to prepare than having to cook something inside. Since we are out doing yard work and trying to get the garden ready all day, we might as well. And it guarantees a good meal cooked on a grill.

 

 



 

You put hours into your yard and garden. This is actually the first year that I have volunteerd to weed all day. I'll admit, it feels great to see such a difference after! Love these early spring flowers.

 

 

When you have this kind of a wreath on your door. I think we've come to the conclusion that Kailie loves color. And floral. Lots of pretty colors and floral.

 

 

 

 

YAY for sunshine, warm weather, pink skin, and (hopefully) lots of hours spent outdoors this summer! :)



when pinterest fails you

I sure do love easy hair-doo's. I spend a total of two minutes (at the most) on my hair everyday. Curling it with my snazzy curling rod is my fastest style yet, minus my single braid I often do too. But even now that seems to be taking up too much of my morning. So lazy, I know.

 And on Pinterest,  I keep seeing all of these "No heat overnight curls tutorial, guaranteed to get you gorgeous giant beachy waves with no work!"

Whatever.

I've tried so many of them, with each failing me.

But this week, this week I thought I really had a chance at pulling one of the tutorials off.

I showered at night like I always do (again, it saves me time in the morning and I don't like the thought of getting into bed all gross)

Then I spent waaaaay too much time trying to figure out that dang rope braid thing.

Whoever can get that on their first time has pure talent.

I hopped into bed telling Jimmy that I already knew I looked like I belonged in the Brady Bunch.

I blame that on the braids coming down in front of my ears.

I slept all night long.

Then the next morning, excited to see my beautiful voluminous curls, I gently started taking out my rope braids.

And instantly, in that moment, I gasped.

Like my hair was dying to get out of the braid, it all just poofed out at once.

Like really poofed.

It almost looked like I had an afro.

An afro would have looked better on me.

No, it down right looked like I had a poodle laying on my head.

A giant fat poodle.

And I couldn't get it off.

I ran downstairs to the bathroom to try to fix my hair with anything I could find.

I thought water would work, but instead I run into Hubs, who took one look at me and said, "You look like Raggedy Anne!"

Of course this had to happen on the morning we are already rushing out the door.

So the only thing I could do was to braid it all back in one single, (non ropey!) traditional braid.

I was hoping this would solve my problems.

But I went from looking like I had a full on poodle over my head to looking like I had sprouted a poodle's tail over night.

Because at the very end of the tight, frizzy braid I had just wrestled with, was one giant, puffy, puff ball.

 

And that my friends, is how I went about my day.

because people have asked

This post is really long. There is just so much I have to say....

 

I feel like I've opened up a lot about my health. I used to never share with anyone about my battles with infertility. And my crazy wacko hormones. But I'm learning that the more I open up to others, I find networks of people who can relate to me in some way. And because (at least for now) I have decided to take a more natural approach to my situation, people start to get really curious. I have seen a lot of doctors, had a lot of consultations, I even had a consultation for in vitro. Not that we were really considering it, but I wanted to be informed and keep my options open anyways. Because my body can't quite get this whole hormone thing right (it all stated with insulin resistance), it most likely would not be able to carry an infant to full term, especially because of the lack of progesterone I create. And, high chances are, that if I were to carry an infant to full term, it would prob be low birth weight and very nutrient deficient. But I try to not worry about that right now. Today we are focusing on actually getting my body to have a complete menstrual cycle. And absorb the nutrients I feed it. Just one day at a time.

 

I do not tell you this stuff to make you pity me. I do not pity myself. In fact, there are times when I am grateful for this trial. I have learned so much about health the past few months. Sure it would be nice to have perfect health, but seeing as that didn't happen, I've learned to see the positive side of things.

 

So here is my plan. I've got to heal my gut. If I can heal my digestive system, rid my body of toxins, actually absorb the nutrients, and create a happy climate for my reproductive system, then I'll be able to have a healthy baby- without all of the meds. I'm not knocking out western medicine at all. Because I am still in the beginning stages of this, and am completely open and okay with getting some help from doctors if needed. And, I am seeing a doctor right now who tests all of my levels, and gives me guidance in a more natural approach.

 

I'm doing it mainly through the GAPS diet with some Paleo diet as well. Mostly a primal diet. Real food, not junk. No preservatives. No canned or boxed food, not that we used much of that stuff anyways. No refined sugars or carbs. No commercial animal products. No high starches or gluten.

I could go on and on about what I can't have, but I'd rather focus on what I can have. Haha.

 

Basically I have been eating a lot of veggies, REAL meat where the animals see the sun, aren't treated of antibiotics or hormones, and preferably ate a natural diet. The same goes for all other animal products. I eat fresh fruit, though I try to not go overboard, because its still sugar. I enjoy all kinds of nuts too.

 

I have to take it one day at a time or else I get overwhelmed. And when I am doing well, I feel great! My meals are pretty simple but yummy and I feel like I am finally starting to get the hang of it.

 

Some yummies I've been wanting to try...

 

Pancakes

 

 

Pizza

 

 

just fresh herbs and cream cheese over cucumbers, yum!

 

 

Peanut Butter Cookies

 

 

 

 

Rustic Bread

 

 

 

Chocolate cake

 

 

 

 

 

I keep the majority of my recipes and ideas on Pinterest. Here are a few of my boards if you are looking to eat a little bit more healthy.

 

Main Dishes

Snacks

Desserts

 

 

 

MMMM! I'm getting hungry looking at these pictures. I'll be documenting this journey and track my progress on here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I'll try to answer them!

 

K seriously though, I'm now starving. Bye.

 

Can't think of a witty title for this post

My inspirations to get some spring crafting started for my house. Isn't this picture gorgous! Photo credit here

 

 

- I've been pretend house hunting this week. We've still got to stay in this house until J is done with school. But I want a change. And to redecorate a house. But I like the decor in my house the way it is. Most of it. We could probably mix things up a bit. Hence the spring crafting. 

 

- Spring is in my bones. I was so happy waking up this morning when it was sunny at 7 am! And the little birdies are chirping on the other side of my glass door. Ahhhh, a change of seasons is a comin'.

 

- We (mostly Jimmy, but I did help!) started some of our seeds for FHE this Monday. They are already sprouting! Much better than last year! We are probably going to go overboard on the garden. I got a dehydrator for Christmas so I plan on dehydrating and canning everrrrything. Especially since I have cut so much out of my diet. Homemade tomato paste anyone? Yup, I really meant everything.

 

- I made my own tomato sauce this week. With a bag of fresh tomatoes. And some soft basil leaves. Plus garlic, onion, and some Italian seasonings. Soooo easy and so yummy. I have been eating big giant bowls of that stuff with my spaghetti squash "noodles." Guilt free and tummy approved spaghetti.

 

- I need to jump on the spring cleaning wagon. Its all I think about at work. And then I come home and always seem to get distracted. But don't worry, I make lists. And more lists. And someday all three bedrooms will get cleaned out, I'll actually have a functional sewing/crafting space, and instead of reorganizing my kitchen I pin a bunch of recipes to one day make in my organized kitchen. Sounds logical, right?

 

 

and we are all jumbled up

Loving this new headband I recently made. Can't get enough of this floral trend.

 

 

I'm trying to get back into the habit of blogging on a regular basis. I've gotten in a rut where I think if I don't have anything super exciting or new to share then its not worth writing down. But then I look back on last week and I can't even remember the little things that happened! Geez girl! So I made a goal to get on the computer and just write about anything and everything that feels appropriate. And we all know I'm really good at rambling on and on about nothing and hubs knows its possible for me to talk his ear off and when I was a little girl I- ANYWHO...

 

- I've been so sick this entire winter. Cold/cough/sore throat thing. I'm over it. Summer? You there? Please make your grand appearance sooner rather than later. Thank you.

 

- Monday morning I had a nose bleed (another reason why we need to get out of this dry weather, anybody else having these a lot?). Well, we were already running late to go shooting because I didn't sleep the night before (again, thank you sickie germs), Jimmy had flags, our super reliable and newer corolla's engine lights flashed on so we had to take it in to the mechanic. (More on that later) and we needed to drop by Walmart to pick up a few things. While I was trying to take care of my nosebleed, Jimmy offered to "draw on my makeup" for me. Haha, cute! He pulled out my eyeliner and just got started right away. I thought he did a pretty good job ;)

 

- On Saturday our corolla started shaking and the engine light came on. Mind you this is a nicer and newer corolla. We took it to the Toyota mechanics. After taking it apart and putting it back together multiple time, they came to the conclusion that it was low quality gas. Yeah...I've been filling that thing up with Costco gas because its like 10 cents cheaper...looks like we are back on Chevron.

 

- I stopped my last fertility treatments in December. Honestly, I'm super relieved that I'm not on the drugs anymore. Hubs was actually the one who said he didn't want me back on them. Plus it was all actually making my health decline more and more but the docs wanted to keep upping my doses and add more stuff in and test out some hefty shots and start pumping in some fake hormones even though they admitted that the last treatment was not good for me and whew! You see where I'm going with this? So I dropped everything cold turkey and am now going to go on a natural/herbal/healthy diet approach. I feel much better about this.

 

- I need to go make some din-din now. We're testing out a chicken cooked in apple juice recipe. Super easy and healthy with 3 ingredient ? Yes please. (Recipe here- note- instead of buying the juice, I'm just juicing an apple myself for the health and flavor benefits. Hopefully it works.)

 

Looking forward to my night off with the hubs! Happy almost weekend everyone!

"its okay, momma"

*Warning: this is looooong and jumbled up post with raw and personal feelings. Read only if you think you can handle me ;) *



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For the longest time I have been bugged with a little voice at the back of my head that tells me to write a certain post about a certain subject. One that is very personal to me. One that I personally wouldn't just post for the world to see. But for some reason I keep feeling like I'm supposed to write. Who knows? It might help someone else in the same situation. Or it might help me meet someone who's going through the same thing. Or maybe just the therapy of writing down my thoughts is what I need. Now, before I get throw my whole life out there. Let me make one thing clear. DO. NOT. PITY. ME. Geez I really hate that. That's what Mr. Hubs is for ;)


Infertility.

There. I said it. Can we leave now?

Just kidding.

Its so tricky figuring out how much to say and what to say. I feel like you aren't supposed to talk to people about stuff like this. But then that little voice pops in again and bugs you to talk about it. Plus, I really don't like talking to people face to face about it. Its just awkward and usually the person I'm talking to starts to "feel bad" for me and sometimes they cry for me or try to tell me encouraging words and I'm just standing there like, "Stop it you really don't want to crack this egg"  and then everything is just all depressing and weird. So. Just let me ramble and then we'll move on?

But anywho, that's not what this whole post is about. At least, those aren't my intentions.


I had an Ah-ha! moment yesterday. A big Ah-ha! moment.

 My whole life I've wanted to be a  mom. I remember in elementary school when I would fill out those "about me" papers and I got to the question that asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up. Without hesitation I would always fill in, "a mom" with wobbly handwriting. There was nothing else I thought about for my future. Rewind years before that. We found a family home video that recorded us older siblings meeting our baby sister for the first time at the hospital. I sat on that bed with my momma and kept patting my new baby sister, wrapping my arms around her, and shoving that darn binky back in her mouth because dang it, that's where it was supposed to go!

So fast forward to the present. I am told after seeing what feels like a bajillion doctors that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS- actually very common) and after being on what feels like even more than a bajillion meds and basic fertility treatments, I am "infertile" and will most likely need help with in vitro fertilization and/or redo my entire hormonal system with synthetic hormone shots. (Don't freak out, remember!?) After thinking, praying, and talking it over with the hubs, we both felt that wasn't the route for us right now. Luckily my momma has a passion for health and nutrition (hi mom!) and has been so kind to help me figure out my body with a more natural approach.

OK, blah blah blah I know I'm rambling. We really need to get moving.

ANYWHO, while surfing Amazon for more books that help you balance out hormones and conceive naturally through your nutrition, exercises, and lifestyle changes (On a side note I've actually felt a lot better this month, BOO-YA!), out of nowhere, I was hit with this overwhelming knowledge that I am a momma! I just don't have my babies here at the time. But somehow I could see so strongly in my mind my babies looking down on me. With physical body-like attributes. And I can hear them saying, "Momma calm down! We're coming when we are ready! We promise!" And out of all of that, the strongest feelings I have are comfort and happiness.

 My eyes have been wet writing this. Wet because I can't help but feel blessed and comforted through this whole experience.

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I told Jimmy last night that I'd be having 100 babies, because we aren't leaving even one behind.




SO, where am I supposed to be going with this? I'm not really sure. I can't tell you exactly how it all works out, and you can bet your dollar that there will be hard days, just like anyone else. We are all given our specific trials to overcome, and this is just mine. All we can do is keep our trust in God and push through it with our best efforts. Because really, I know it will all work out in the end.

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*All writings are my personal feelings and I am very sensitive on the subject. We each handle life in different ways and this is what's helped me the most. Please be kind. I know I'm taking a deep dive posting this and I hope I won't have any regrets in doing so.*





Happy almost Thanksgiving my friends! The hubs can tell you all that I've been rather annoying around these parts, its the holiday spirit, duh! "Oh, the weather outside is frightful......" ;)

A new blog post, WHATTT???

 

 

I've been absent from the bloggy world for a few weeks now. Oops. Here's the sad truth: I was getting caught up in life. I feel like I shouldn't be busy...but then I find myself to be pretty busy. Minus today. Today I worked my morning job for oh, like a half hour. Then I strolled on home, where I made mental plans to deep clean my entire house. But, that hasn't happened yet. And in a couple of hours I will head off to my other job where I will give up my lovely weekend to seat people at their tables so they can eat some yummy food. Jimmy says, "I think I will go see a movie while you are working." I stomped my foot with my hands on my waist and said, "Not fair!" In which Mr. Hubs just laughs because apparently "that's cute."

 

Blogging has always been a favorite hobby of mine. Is it even a hobby? I don't know. But we'll say it is. Anywho, I've been a teensy bit stressed and caught up in the "business" side of blogging that I may have forgotten the whole reason I loved it in the first place. I haven't been posting stuff because I get too worried that people "won't like it" or that I'm not following the current trends or blah blah blah. SO...I confided in Mr. Hubs and told him how much I have loved blogging, but that I didn't feel right about it being more of a business for me right now. Who knows, I may feel differently later down the road. Knowing me, it probably will happen. Between these two reasons, I've decided to take down my sponsor positions and just focus on what I do best: where I ramble on and on with multiple grammar mistakes and show you awkward photos that shouldn't see the light of day.

 

See that photo up there? I got myself a new hair-doo. I've been whining to the hubs for like ever about how I needed a new cut, but that I was all of a sudden too scared of how it will turn out (Coming from a girl who would grow her hair out long then chop a whole 12 inches off every year), and that I knew the hubs didn't really care for the styles I wanted. He kept telling  me to just go get it cut and that he'd love anything I did. Well, that was like months ago. Then yesterday he said, "I'm getting a haircut, come with me, let's go." So on a whim, off I went! I was pretty irritated with 1 inch of a trim turned into 5 inches trimmed off. And then I kept feeling like I was a five year old all day. But oh well, it'll grow on me.

this might be too deep for you...

The last thing I want this post to sound like is whiny. And its all jumbled up. But its just what's been on my mind. So here ya go....

I somehow manage to get "those" plates of baked goods delivered to me a lot. Its just one of the joys of living in a neighborhood with nice moms who love to bake. Again and again I find myself accepting batches of coconut macaroons, cookies, sweet munchies, etc. Its always so nice of the other women to think of sharing some with me. Tickles me pink. Today in church I was talking to one of the sisters' in the ward about yummy food. I had mentioned that I was craving cinnamon rolls without really thinking it through. I was delivered 2 cinnamon rolls later today. This sweet sister didn't know how much that meant to me. It lifted my spirits. Just one of those things that I really "needed."

This week I had been kind of down. Just one of those weeks ya know? Little things here and there. I had 3 of the 4 corners of my mouth numb due to cavities (how do they STILL get in there???), I felt sick and had a cold and sore throat, our curious little rabbit got out of his cage, made his way to the neighbors' yard, ate something that made him sick, then got attacked by the dog. We woke up one morning with a disgusting smell throughout our whole house. We figured it was a dead mouse somewhere so we pulled everything out of the cupboards in hopes to find the mouse. Fast forward to that evening. mice nests and a mouse fiesta inside the fridge and dishwasher. And the nest caused the fan to stop working in the fridge. We ended up ripping appliances out of the walls. The house smelled so bad, I felt sick to my stomach, my face was numb, I had a sick and injured rabbit, and I was inhaling as much fresh air outside as I could- it was all I could do to keep myself together.

Our neighbors were yet again so sweet to us. Running over to help with the plumbing and disconnecting appliances, digging out the yucky nests, bringing over their tools, and offering up their fridges and dishwashers for us to use. Amazing. Count your blessings, darling.

After washing my house with bleach, multiple air fresheners in use, open windows, and eliminating the yucky problem, our house is smelling dandy and...clean. 

I don't even know where I was going with this post. It seems a bit silly to me to write something like this one here. I promise I don't mean to sound like a Debby Downer. But I still felt like I should write this.

My point is- This week more than anything, I've learned that you need to be in tune with those you are around. Like the sweet sister who brought me a nice treat today. I didn't even mention anything about my week, yet she knew I could use the thoughtful handmade gift. And our neighbors who endured that disgusting smell just to help us out, or loaned us their tools knowing they probably would get ruined in the process, or offering up their own appliances so we could still have food to eat.

So I just wanted to say Thank You. Thank You to everyone who has ever been kind to us. I receive so much positive feedback on this blog daily. But I never get tired or think less of your support and kind comments. Every one of them makes my day.  

And my one goal for the week is to be more aware of other people's needs. And no more mice or injured rabbits, that's a good goal. :)

The Fourth of Course

I know, I know, everybody is blogging about what they did for the fourth. But because its my favorite holiday (next the Thanksgiving) and we actually took a few pictures, I figured I might as well do a little recap over here.

The past few days have consisted of Thai food, ice cream, family, the new movie "Brave", Pier 49 pizza, ice cream, a delicious BBQ feast, sick to our tummies full, ice cream, water fights and games, glow sticks, fireworks, and finding a scared pitbull pup in our car. Poor thing must have run away from home and found refuge in our car. All in all it was great! But lets not talk about the neighbors and their fireworks fest. Its still going on- at 1 in the afternoon, two days later. And that is why you'll find us catching up on our sleep late in the morning this week.

How was your fourth?

babbling babbler

I've been a camera slacker. We have been doing some fun little things this summer but I've just been having too much fun to pull the camera out! I will regret this, I already do.

We've been spending so much time outside lately- how nice that's been! But you'd think I would have gotten a tan by now. Oh well, I'm pretty used to fair skin on myself. 

I feel like somehow that darn summer heat has drained the creative juices out of me. My crafting is not up to par, and blogging? What's that? The only thing I know these days are where the frozen peas are located in the freezer and what the front of the fan looks like. Its how I keep cool, ok?

My hair smells like campfire. We ventured out again on a little camping trip last night with some friends. Everything went well minus the fact that I shivered all night- Jimmy was sweating and wouldn't switch sleeping bags with me. I was quite the bear when we woke up. I just keep telling myself that I have to go again until I get the hang of this big boy camping business.

I switched jobs. I accept change really easily and love starting fresh. I'll miss the girls I worked with but really look forward to something new. Besides, working with family and a pay increase is always nice. And did I mention I'll be out of retail? Triple high five.

I make a lot of grammar mistakes on this blog. Jimmy thinks it's funny and I don't really care to go back and change things once I post. So chuckle away my dear.

Speaking of that man- my new favorite part of the day is when I go to bed and there is a little index card sitting on my night stand with his teeny tiny writing on it saying a nice little note that has to do with why he loves me that day. Awwwwww. Usually I read it, squeal, then set it down on the little stack with the rest of the index notes. He's a good one, that man.

happy anniversary to us!

A photo dump of what our weekend looked like. If you make it to the end- treat yourself to something sweet.

It took me a whole year to finally give in to camping- Jimmy's camping. The kind of camping where  you stuff everything into a backpack, hike till you find a secluded spot, filter your own water from the stream, improvise your proper restroom habits, pray you don't wipe yourself with poison oak, and cross your fingers that a bear doesn't smell your garbage way up in the tree kind of camping. But I surprised myself and Jimmy with my mad fire building skills (Ok he actually started the fire, but I built it, that counts right?) and my ability to not whine while I ate my dinner with the bugs and dirt. And then I really surprised everyone when I said, "Lets start doing this every week, this is fun!"

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After our little camping trip, we spent the next day hiking around. And then I got stung by a fat bumble bee. And boy oh boy did I cry. And screamed. Because it stung me in a place that might make some of you faint (ahem, woo-hoo region) And it burned like fire. And I cried some more because I always swell up like Aunt Petunia on Harry Potter when this happens. (quoting a kind friend) But Jimmy was so cute and said, "Here! Lets pretend your in labor- squeeze my hand as hard as you can...breathe!!!" (I still don't know why he said that) And when I told him where I got stung, he joked that I'd have to "drop my drawers." And then I laughed...hard. And pretty soon there were no room for tears, just lots of laughs while be gathered some wild plants and doctered me up. By the way- did you know that the milk from dandilions is used on stings to help with inflamation? And the sap from pine needles is used for disinfecting and sealing the sting up? Pretty cool. I will never tease you again for reading all of those weird "How to Survive in the Woods" books, Jimmy. Because you sure saved me. My sting is just fine now.

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When everything calmed down and I felt better, we hiked around some more. I walked behind Jimmy and one of the hikes we choose was a little adventurous- you have to crouch down because there were a lot of tight spaces and trees. Every few minutes or so Jimmy would hear me scream, then he'd turn around really fast and find me stuck with my hair tangled up in another branch. What I do for my lover.

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We then made our way down to the Manti Pageant. Ate at a delicous little diner and drove around looking at houses and property, making lists of which ones we said we'd buy someday. Were suckers for small towns. Then we heard there was a big fire a few miles away so I prayed it wouldn't come ruin our weekend. I'm sure the pageant itself was great- we wouldn't know though because we ended up snoozing through so much of it. I think I really wear Jimmy out when I come along on his adventures. Its a good thing he loves me.