Birthday dinner for Seth

Today was an awesome day. It all started with a session at the Temple. Last Sunday Mike decided we needed to go, so right then and there we called to schedule a babysitter so it wouldn't be put on the back burner. Mike and I made the 9:00 session, and boy has it been a long time since we have done one. So long in fact that we didn't know they changed to sitting mostly instead of standing. I think the last time we did a session was July 2007. Don't get us wrong we have been to the Temple since then, we just always do initiatory, sealings, or baptisms. After we got home we hit Lowe's so we could buy the remainder of things for our room. The completion date keeps getting pushed back cause we don't get as much done cause of 2 crazy kids.

Later tonight we had the Ludwig's over for dinner. It initially was just supposed to be dinner, but Seth's 30th birthday was last Friday and I wanted to try out this cake that I saw on Picky Palate so it became a birthday dinner for Seth. We bought him a Nerf football and some toy handcuffs. For dinner we had steak, that Mike bought the other weekend for $90, baked potatoes with all the fixings, Cesar salad, and green beans. All-in-all it was a good time. The girls played while the adults chatted...I think we have a nice friendship happening.Side note-For all of those that are wondering I had my urology appointment yesterday, and they scheduled a CT scan also. The radiologist tech said she really didn't look at the scan, but that I can call my doctor on Monday to find out the results. I think they aren't technically supposed to say anything cause when I had stones back in November the radiologist tech said she couldn't see anything, and then after the E.R. doctor consulted with the actual radiologist she came back in and told me that I had the 3 stones and the cyst. So you know...I just have to wait and see, which I am okay with cause no matter what happens I can't change it, and if I do have more I know that I am a pretty tough cookie to handle it.

Stone...Maybe.

Just an update for those that don't know. I have been having right flank pain this month. It isn't every day and when I do have it isn't all day long. Finally yesterday it was the last straw, so I asked Mike to give me a blessing. In that blessing he said that I should trust the feelings and promptings I have been given, which I immediately thought was that I have at least another stone. This morning I called my urologist and I scheduled an appointment for 10:00 tomorrow. The nurse told me that the dull ache I am experiencing is probably me passing fragments, especially since the ache seems to come when I drink an overly abundant amount of fluids. I hope my feelings are wrong, but it is better for me to go in and make sure if there is one it can be taken care of before I get pregnant again.

Running

So in an effort to lose my 5 pounds before we get pregnant again I have started exercising again. Saturday night I hit the eliptical trainer for a half an hour. Yesterday for our so called FHE we hit Home Depot to buy some finished wood, door, and paint for our bedroom. While we were there, Lexy, texted me and asked if I wanted to go on a walk. I wanted to, but it was already hitting 8:45 and didn't know how late was okay with her so I asked her what about Tuesday. Well during the day she was busy, and so we decided to go at 9:00 last night. We did a big loop around our sub division that equaled out to be 4 miles. Lexy and I talked about how we have weight goals and that we were going to be each others support so in the middle of walking Lexy says, "by the way when we get to there we are going to run." We ran about a mile total last night which is a lot for me since I haven't done that in FOREVER. Anyway, we are going to do this every night for 6 months Monday- Friday. Well she is here I need to go.

22. Have lunch with friends from my old ward

Noah, Jill & Emily & Danger, Daria

On Friday I decide to host a luncheon with some friends from our old ward, like we used to do. I woke up Friday and it was snowing and I thought people were going to cancel. Luckily the only one to cancel was my friend Carrie who decided to stay home since she didn't know when her daughters school was going to be released. Daria came with her 3 kids. Noah, Danger, and Aubri. Jill came and boy were my kids so glad to see her. Emily just loves to chat and Mordecai wanted to walk like crazy to her. I made broccoli cheese potato soup and cheddar bay biscuits. It was good to see them and catch up, so I hope we can keep this going even though we all have moved.

24. Special Night with Emily

Yesterday we had some friends from our old ward over for lunch and they brought their kids so Emily was tired by the time they left. Well I had her sit with me on the couch, and before I knew it she was asleep. Since she napped, unusual, I decided to let her have a special night. She has been asking for the last 3 or 4 months to watch the 'Lion Movie' (Chronicles of Narnia). Mike and I have been hesitant since we knew it was a little old for her, but last night we gave in. For some reason we got started late and so she wasn't in bed until 11:00, good thing she had a nap. We had popcorn and drinks on the couch, unusual for us, but! on top of blankets. I think she had a good night.

101 things

So Mike's cousins wife, Tiffany, has inspired me to do this list. I am definitely stealing some from her list cause lets face it 101 things for me to come up with has been hard.

The Mission: Complete 101 pre-set tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific with a result that is either measurable, or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of stretching on your part.)

Starting Date: April 16, 2009
Completion Date: January 22, 2012

Here it goes:

1. Don't yell or get frustrated/angry with the kids for 24 hours.
2. Sand hardwood floors.
3. Stain and Seal hardwood floors.
4. Get pregnant.
5. Have a baby.
6. Make curtains for kitchen and living room.
7. Take family pictures for 2009. Completed 7/2009
   
8. Vacation somewhere besides Utah. Completed 8/2009
9. Plant my garden. Completed 5/12/09
10. Update our bedroom. Completed 5/10/09
11. Update living room.
12. Finish family room.
13. Buy new carpet runners and door mats. Completed April 2009
14. Buy living room furniture.
15. Save $10 for each completed item on this list.
16. Buy noodles for food storage. Completed 5/12/09
17. Can my noodles for food storage.
18. Get life insurance for me.
19. Start savings accounts for the kids.
20. Go on a date with just Mike and I. Completed 6/19/09
21. Read the Book of Mormon in 6 months.
22. Have lunch with friends from my old ward. Completed 4/17/09
23. Have a girls night out.
24. Have a special night with Emily. Completed 4/17/09
25. Stay within budget for 6 months.
26. Send out Christmas cards and letters.
27. Make it to the Temple 6 times within a year.
28. Make 72 hour kits.
29. Scrape basement stairwell ceiling.
30. Paint basement stairwell ceiling.
31. Paint basement stairwell walls.
32. Read 10 new books.
33. Teach Emily to read.
34. Rip out raspberry bushes.
35. Clean out garage. Completed 9/2009
36. Buy new bedding for Emily. Completed 5/2009
37. Buy new bedding for Mordecai.
38. Buy and actual bed for Mordecai.
39. Buy dinning room chairs.
40. Finish buying and replacing wood blinds.
41. Finish my FHE board.
42. Make a new bumper for new baby.
43. Make/buy 6 baby gifts.
44. Mail/deliver baby gifts for Kim, Hannah, Cherstin, Wanda, Suzanne, & Carlie.
45. Get back to pre-baby weight.
46. Read Conference Ensign cover to cover.
47. Send out baby announcement.
48. Finish my cable knit hat.
49. Finish my regular knit hat.
50. Buy a dresser for Mordecai.
51. Replace windows in the rest of the house.
52. Don't speak or think negatively for one WHOLE day.
53. Paint the interior of our home.
54. Bear my testimony. Completed 5/31/09
55. Hang stuff on my walls.
56. Make and buy blog book for 2009.
57. Get a pedicure. Completed 5/15/09
58. Buy summer clothes for Emily. Completed 4/18/09
59. Go camping.
60. Make or buy a duvet cover.
61. Go to Utah in 2009. Completed 7/2009
62. Record video of my kids dancing. Completed 5/30/09
63. Have a birthday party for Emily.
64. Have a birthday party for Mordecai.
65. Sale toys. Completed 5/9/09
66. Wash all my windows this summer.
67. Go to the Zoo at least 8 times this year (need to get my usage out of my pass).
68. Shampoo my Trailblazer. Completed 6/20/09
69. Wash my car.
70. Detail my car. Completed 6/20/09
71. Plant flower pots for the front of the house (we need color up front). Completed April 2009
72. Sign Emily up for dance class. Completed 4/13/09
73. Sign Emily up for Gymnastics. Completed 10/16/2009
74. Travel to Tennessee to see my parents. Completed 8/2009
75. Lose 5 more pounds before I get pregnant.
76. Go to an amusement park.
77. Finish painting my laundry room/closet. Completed 6/2009
78. Put linoleum in the laundry area. Completed 6/2009
79. Wash the kids car seats. Completed 6/20/09
80. Make/buy a swim bag. Completed 5/8/09
81. Make/buy a bag to hold grocery bags. Completed 5/9/09
82. Do something special for Mike. Completed 5/12/09
83. Have a family reunion with the Bainbridge side.
84. Play my flute once a month for a half an hour for 3 months.
85. Prune the bushes.
86. Rake out the leaves under bushes on the rocks.
87. Make jam with the fruit we grow.
88. Finish the Twilight Series. Completed 5/26/09
89. Give away a Book of Mormon.
90. Install the Ludwig's doorbell. Completed 6/3/09
91. Attend a Kickboxing Class 20 times.
92. Teach Emily how to ride a 2 wheeler.
93. Finish Mordecai's baby book.
94. Finish Emily's baby book.
95. Perfect a piano piece.
96. Pay for a complete stranger.
97. Go on a hike with the family. Completed 7/4/2009
98. Buy and have installed a new CD player for my car.
99. Try a new food.
100. Teach Emily how to swim.
101. Fix the light in the basement

Now everyone feel free to do their own. Not going to lie it is hard to think of things, but well worth it.

Fireplace

BEFORE:


ITS DONE!!!! The tile on our fireplace is finally done. Now all I have to wait for is the mantle, but that will probably have to wait until we are done with our bedroom. I forgot to tell everyone, we are sleeping in our guest room, because on Saturday we moved out of our room so we could scrape, paint, and hang our fan by the time the summer comes. Anyways, what do you think?

AFTER!!

Zoo

Mike and I decided to buy a Zoo pass this year in an effort to get out of the house this summer and enjoy the outdoors, so yesterday we had a zoo day with some great friends. We were joined by Wendy, Allison, and Carter Jensen, Kristal and Lanae Campbell, and Lexy and Hannah Ludwig. I think the kids had a good time as well as the moms. On the way home I asked Emily what her favorite part was and she said "The train"... I should of known that. We also did the carousel, which Emily was still afraid to get on an animal that actually went up and down, oh-well maybe next time. Mordecai loved the monkeys and being with all the kids. Okay now time for some pictures
Wendy, Kristal & Lexy Allison, Carter, & Wendy

Easter

Easter Egg Dyeing 2/11/09