A Much Needed Date Night.

I may not be doing the 25 blogs of Christmas this year, but I am suddenly feeling myself more inspired to post lately!

Mike and I feel so blessed to have some great friends! Our friends are not only people we can talk to and laugh and have a good time with, but they are also people who are EXTREMELY GIVING! One such friend (or friends, they are a married couple) are Matt and Monae. I have known Monae since high school. They are great people. They both work in the arts (At the Morrison Center) as (for lack of knowing their real titles) stagehands. These guys are always thinking of other people.
Last night, they had 2 shows they were apart of. They had been over working at the Egyptian Theater for Opera Idaho, and they had another show at the Morrison Center. Even though they are AWESOME, neither of them are able to be in 2 places at once. So they were WONDERFUL and gave Mike and I their tickets to Opera Idaho's production of Ahmal & The Night Visitors!
The opera (in English thank goodness since Mike HATES reading subtitles) was about a crippled shepherd boy, that is visited by the Wisemen as they journey to follow the star to see the Baby Jesus. They stop by this boy and his widow mother's home. It is very short but it was a great Christmas event. We loved it!
Afterwards, Mike and I decided to head to see another friend and went to Baskin Robbins for some SUPER THICK milkshakes! Yeah! We have grown to know the owners, Kim & Mark, and they are such an INSPIRATION! We enjoyed talking to Kim (Mark usually is working at the other store when we go) and seeing her.
So, thanks to some great friends, Mike and I had a much needed date night. We are trying really hard to pay off all our bills so money has been very tight. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up (a little) and head out. (Plus, Mike was excited because he had never been to the Egyptian before.) It is these kind of friends that really get you in the Holiday Spirit! They are all so wonderful and we feel so blessed to have them in our lives!
Matt & Monae~ We will have to take you guys out some time for all that you have done for us!

(I want to make sure others aren't left out~ we have a lot of other great friends that do a lot for us and we appreciate ALL OF YOU!)

A New Address for Your Christmas Card List

We are all so grateful to those who serve our country. A friend of mine told me about this and I wanted to share it with everyone here. If you have extra Christmas Cards, please write a little note in them for our military personnel. Then mail it to the following address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

With all that they and their families give up for us, I feel a stamp and my extra Christmas Cards is the least I can give up for them.

(Now I know how to get rid of that box I have left from last year!!! So I get a little decluttering done at the same time.)

A Small Baby Update/Journal

So, I don't want to be the person that bores everyone with baby talk, but we have had people asking for updates so here goes.

We get to (hopefully) find out the sex December 29th. We should have been able to find out before Christmas but the OB does the ultra sound himself and will be on vacation. I am too afraid to make any guesses on what we are having, so I am leaving it up to all of you to decide. (See the poll to the right, underneath are tidbits to help you vote.)

We started a baby registry at Target and at WalMart. Mostly to help me keep track of what we buy. Plus, if we buy and use the registry, we get 90 days after my due date to return anything. Not just from purchase date. It is very small, with basic baby gear on it until we know what we are having. I was actually shocked at how little neutral clothing, etc that they had.

We do have names we are thinking of. Mike was spouting them off left and right until I asked him to stop because one person who is not happy that the baby will in no way be named after them is constantly making snide comments. So, sorry, we will not be sharing those with anyone at this time. Maybe after we know the sex and decide on a name.

Other than that, all is good. I am still feeling great! I have really felt the baby move the last week! I think I was feeling the flutters earlier but I was too nervous to announce it. Even to Mike. Mike is a little jealous because he can not feel it yet. I keep reminding him he will soon. I have been lucky and still have clothes I can fit into although barely. I guess I should go buy some maternity clothes so I don't wake up one day and not fit into anything. (I did buy a few shirts that were dirt cheap already but no pants) I have a bella band though so hopefully I can use that for a while to make my pants last longer.

15 Random Things About Me

I haven't done anything like this in a while so here it goes. 15 Random things about the most boring person....me!

1) I LOVE cheese...specifically the individually wrapped cheddar ones from Tillamook...called tillamoos!

2) I turn my radio to the all Christmas music all the time station the day after Thanksgiving, but I do listen to my regular station for the morning show. A nice break from all the Holiday Carols.

3) I am completely BUMMED that Mike and I are not able to go to Texas this New Years!

4) I have been completely addicted to reruns lately such as What I Like About You, The Nanny, Malcolm in the Middle and even a little Full House.

5) I am no longer highlighting/coloring my hair, but I still have my natural blonde streaks so I am not sure anyone can tell.

6) I like to run the heater in my car but still crack the window. I think it feels good to get some fresh air coming in.

7) I can not imagine how a year or so ago I was able to do 101 of these random things about me because I am struggling with 15.

8) I am enjoying all the new friends I am making through pregnancy forums.

9) I like to wear fuzzy socks in the winter.

10) I keep my house really cool and then cuddle up on the couch with blankets and hot cocoa.

11) I am wondering why I agreed to sing with a friend for her works open house! I haven't "performed" for Christmas in almost 10 years.

12) I am keeping all my fingers crossed that we don't get a lot of snow in the valley this year. The last 2 years gave us plenty.

13) I am just a little bummed that we didn't go to Disneyland one more time before we got pregnant....totally worth it, but now will probably be 5 or so more years before we go again.

14) I often laugh at how IRONIC it is that the Jackson 5 recorded so many Christmas Songs when they are Jehovah Witness and do not celebrate Christmas....HMMMMM

15) I have not yet seen the first Twilight movie and personally, have no desire to see them.

I hope others will take a moment to list some random things about themselves. Not only do others get to know you but it really makes you think. It is not as easy as answering a bunch of questions in a tag. TRY IT!

5 Things To Be Happy About in December

1) CHRISTMAS COOKIES

2) FAMILY TIME

3) CHRISTMAS SONGS

4) TWINKLING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

5) PEPPERMINT CANDLES

and 5 bonus things since there is so much to be happy about this month:

6) CHRISTMAS CARDS AND LETTERS- I love reading what everyone is up to

7) CUTE SCARFS AND GLOVES

8) NO MORE TURKEY LEFT OVERS- one day is really enough for me

9) THE SMELL OF FRESH PINE IN EVERY PARKING LOT

10) HOPEFULLY FINDING OUT IF BABY ROBINS IS A BOY OR GIRL DEC 29th

(Mike is pretty sure he knows what it is- Answer my poll question if you want to guess)

The Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is here! I am SO excited! Last year, I took on a HUGE blogging task in doing the 25 Blogs of Christmas. I am NOT doing that again this year. While I loved that experience, it became more of a chore then a joy.

This year, I am making most of my gifts. I have some great ideas and I wish I could share them with you all now, but since most the people I am making them for, read this blog, I will have to save them for after Christmas. Thanks to everyone who gave me ideas.

If you are wanting a good site to find some great ideas check out THIS SITE.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope your dinner is more enjoyable then this guys!

May we all take time to share with each other what we are thankful for.

Over The Top Award

I got the Over The Top Award from my cousin Liz a little over a week ago. I am just now getting to doing something about it. (I know....S-L-O-W)
1.Where is your cell phone: On the couch next to me
2.Your hair: in a ponytail as usual
3.Your mother: is creative/crafty
4.Your father: hard working
5.Your favorite food: Steak
6.Your dream from last night: HMMM, don't remember but I have had some WEIRD ones lately
7.Your favorite drink: Mtn Dew
8.Your dream/goal: To be a great mom and live a happy and fulfilling life
9.What room are you in: living room
10.What is your hobby: Blogging, photography, scrapbooking
11.What is your fear: Not sure what to put. I have always put never having kids, but now that we are expecting....I don't know
12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: Healthy, happy, hopefully living somewhere warmer.
13.Where were you last night: At home watching the BSU game. GO BRONCOS!
14.Something you are not: crafty...my mom and sisters got all the craft skills
15.Muffins: blueberry
16.Wish list items: A home we own, a 60D Cannon Camera
17.Where did you grow up: Boise, Idaho...never moved away from this city.
18.Last thing you did: Worked on my Sunday School Lesson and our class's sharing time
19.What are you wearing: Jeans, cami (always have one on) and a t-shirt
20.Your TV:is currently on. Mike is watching King of the Hill while I blog
21.Your pets:Sage, our boxer/shepherd mix. She is a great dog. Unfortunately she is living with my parents right now.
22.Your friends: are wonderful and uplift me constantly. I miss those who are far away.
23.Your life: is going great. Very excited to start the next chapter of my life- parenthood
24.Your mood: good.
25.Missing someone: The Bolanders. We are so bummed we are not able to go down there this New Years for Drake's baptism. LOVE YOU GUYS!

26. Vehicle: Subaru Impreza AWD....LOVE MY CAR!
27.Something you're not wearing: shoes
28.Your favorite store: Not sure. We go to WalMart a lot, but only because it is close. I like Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant
29.Your favorite color: Deep purple, like eggplant
30.When is the last time you laughed: This afternoon. Mike and I laugh daily.
31.When is the last time you cried: I don't remember.
32.Your best friend: I have a few close friends. All are great supports. One is the most positive person I know. Another one is more like my sister then a friend, and has allowed us to be apart of her family, and the other is the one who is always up for a good time. Like Nashville.
33.One place you go over and over: Store wise: WalMart, Location: SLC and Disneyland

34. One person who email me regularly: My Dad
35.Favorite place to eat: Olive Garden, Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel

I'm going to pass this award on to:
Stephanie @ the Johnson Family Blog
Monae @ Backstage Center
Courtney @ The Tam Fam
&
Terrilyn @ The Houdek Household

I Am Thankful For~

My Family~ I am so blessed to have them

Mike~ my best friend and eternal companion, need I say more?

My friends~ they inspire me every day

The Gospel~ I don't know where I would be without the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan for us

Employment~ I know it could change in a heartbeat, but for now we are both employed by wonderful companies

Modern Medicine~ Our little miracle would not be on the way, if not for medical treatments that are relatively new

There is so much more I am thankful for, it would take pages to list it all. I feel like I have everything I could ever want/need.

I {LOVE} Thanksgiving!

It reminds us all of everything we have to be grateful for. Even during these hard times, we all are so blessed! I loved the Sunday School lesson for the SR primary last week. It talked about how even with all the trials the pioneers faced, they still gave thanks to Heavenly Father for their many blessings. Our trials seem so small compared to theirs, how can I not be thankful for everything I have! I hope we all give thanks every day, but ESPECIALLY this Thanksgiving.

Fall Pictures

I have been very blessed to be able to put my camera to good use lately and take pictures for several families for their Holiday/Greeting cards and presents. I am a strong believer that we should be constantly working to develope new talents (although for me this may not qualify as a talent...LOL). Below are a few of my favorites.

Fall Pictures

Being Sick is No Fun!

Ugh! I am going stir crazy. Thursday, I got one of those soar throats where it HURTS LIKE HECK to swallow. I came home after work, and was in bed (well, on the couch) all night, all day Friday and most of Saturday. I felt a lot better Saturday so I met up with someone to do some pictures for her. After that, I came home and took it easy. By the end of the night though, I was coughing like crazy. My ears were plugged and my nose is stuffed up. No fun! So Sunday, my birthday, I have stayed home and in bed. I am feeling better, which is good because I have to go to work tomorrow, but I still have a cough. I never got a fever luckily.

Other than that, we have led a pretty boring life recently. I am looking forward to the Holidays. Mike has been rolled over as an official full time employee at his work and is now getting benefits, paid time off and more. I am spending a lot of time decluttering our home. I am also going to try and get a lot of Christmas crafts done.

5 Things To Be Happy About in November

1) BIRTHDAYS!!!!- both mine and Mike's (busy time of year, good thing baby is due in May)
2) The smell of pies, turkey, and so much more.
3) Another full month of BSU FOOTBALL
4) Christmas Crafts!
5) The new Jeff Dunham Show (FUNNY!)

NEED HELP!- Christmas Crafts

So now that November is here I am starting to think about Christmas. I have decided that this year I want to make 90% of my gifts. I have already decided the few gifts that will be bought and have my budget for them, and for crafts. I have been searching tons of blogs and sites for ideas. I thought that one way I may get some great new ideas is from asking you~ the wonderful family that are so creative (AHEM JENSEN FAMILY MEMBERS~ THIS MEANS YOU) and also my creative friends. Give me some of your ideas. Right now I am going to do a large picture thing (not sure what to call it) of "The Living Christ" that has the Christ pictures surrounding it. Anybody that saw the one I made my friend Terrie of the Proclamation, it is a lot like that. I am also thinking of making some fun purses, etc out of old jeans or something. That one may require to much planning for me though.

What are some great home-made gifts you have either made or received? Leave me a comment with the idea.