The move...
Well because I left the blogging world for quite a while, we have since moved to the Chicago area. Bryan got a new, much better job and started the beginning of March. The day that we moved in it was 10 degrees for the high, much different than the 50 degree weather we left in Tennessee. After the month or so that it took for the snow/ ice to all melt away, life started to feel more normal. It is amazing what being outside on a daily basis can do for your life with small children! Now 2+ months later we are feeling much more settled and are LOVING it here! We miss all of our family back south, but are so excited and grateful for our many new adventures to come. We have truly seen God in the details of our lives in this move and adjustment. More to come....
Recent Family News....
*Our little dude #2 finally arrived at the beginning of August. We couldn't be happier! I am finally at 6 weeks postpartum, although, I think they should say it takes 3 months to truly be at the end of postpartum. There aren't many people that I know who feel like life is even halfway back to normal until 3 months after a new little one comes into their family.
We are getting more sleep than 6 weeks ago, plus this little Love is a great sleeper. Definitely a huge blessing! My hormones are finally getting back to "normal" and I am just hoping that this time around I don't end up having thyroid issues again. They can be very frustrating.
Now that Bryan has been home in the evenings, I have TIME to excercise and even leave the house in the evenings! It is marvelous and long awaited. After 3 years of being very limited in my evenings, it has been a huge relief with my limited sleep as of late to especially exercise at night versus getting up so early.
*Bryan continues to interview for different jobs across the country and we are getting eager to know where our next step will take us. He has worked at his current job for the past 5 years and "ready for a change" is a big understatement.
*My sister Kristin moved back home ( yes!) from working in North Carolina for Four Seasons magazine for a year. It is so fun to have her so close again.
*My sister Katelyn is back out at school and is scheduled to have her 39th and FINAL spinal tap this week. She will be completely done with chemo in November! It has been a crazy 2 + years with our family and we feel so blessed that she is doing so well. But are even more excited that this process is ALMOST over, but I guarantee not as excited as she is.
* My sister Kimberly is a senior this year and that is just crazy! To hear her talk about colleges and such is insane and makes me feel so old:)
We continue to feel blessed and are trying new things and enjoying our current season, even if it ends up being a short one.
We are getting more sleep than 6 weeks ago, plus this little Love is a great sleeper. Definitely a huge blessing! My hormones are finally getting back to "normal" and I am just hoping that this time around I don't end up having thyroid issues again. They can be very frustrating.
Now that Bryan has been home in the evenings, I have TIME to excercise and even leave the house in the evenings! It is marvelous and long awaited. After 3 years of being very limited in my evenings, it has been a huge relief with my limited sleep as of late to especially exercise at night versus getting up so early.
*Bryan continues to interview for different jobs across the country and we are getting eager to know where our next step will take us. He has worked at his current job for the past 5 years and "ready for a change" is a big understatement.
*My sister Kristin moved back home ( yes!) from working in North Carolina for Four Seasons magazine for a year. It is so fun to have her so close again.
*My sister Katelyn is back out at school and is scheduled to have her 39th and FINAL spinal tap this week. She will be completely done with chemo in November! It has been a crazy 2 + years with our family and we feel so blessed that she is doing so well. But are even more excited that this process is ALMOST over, but I guarantee not as excited as she is.
* My sister Kimberly is a senior this year and that is just crazy! To hear her talk about colleges and such is insane and makes me feel so old:)
We continue to feel blessed and are trying new things and enjoying our current season, even if it ends up being a short one.
The Ending and Beginning all in one week....
Well, somehow Bryan and I have survived the past 3 years of life! I say survived because it often was surviving. When our little dude was 3 months old, Bryan started Grad school for his MBA, which he did at night while working full time at a less than desirable job. All the while, I was dealing with health issues brought on by our cute little dude, followed by one of my sisters getting leukemia ( gratefully she will be done with all her treatments in November!) , followed by serving as Relief Society President in a large geographic branch for our church, while Bryan served as our Stake Seminary Coordinator, followed by me having another miscarriage, and now ( at the end) a pregnancy that we are grateful for ( but one where at 39 weeks, I am still sick.) It amazes me as I think of everything that has gone on in our lives over the past 3 years, how we are all still alive and functioning, especially emotionally:)
But yet, I know how we are. We have grown closer as a family in more ways than can be expressed. We have been stretched beyond anything we could have foreseen or imagined and yet our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ have broadened in depth and gratitude for His empowering and enabling grace and Atonement. We may be bruised and battered in places, but we are SO grateful. And we are stronger and better.
Today was Bryan's last MBA class. I knew that eventually we would get to this point, but I don't think I allowed myself to imagine what relief and excitement would come from completing this process. It's the ending of a chapter.
And it's also the beginning of a new one. That is coming sooner...as of Friday:) Friday, I will be going in for another c-section to welcome our newest little dude (hopefully they are still right on the gender:)) into our family. I am filled with anxiety and emotion. I am grateful for Heavenly Father's plan of Happiness and for His timing. I am grateful that He is in charge and not me.
So I hope to be posting more in the weeks ahead with this new chapter that is beginning....
But yet, I know how we are. We have grown closer as a family in more ways than can be expressed. We have been stretched beyond anything we could have foreseen or imagined and yet our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ have broadened in depth and gratitude for His empowering and enabling grace and Atonement. We may be bruised and battered in places, but we are SO grateful. And we are stronger and better.
Today was Bryan's last MBA class. I knew that eventually we would get to this point, but I don't think I allowed myself to imagine what relief and excitement would come from completing this process. It's the ending of a chapter.
And it's also the beginning of a new one. That is coming sooner...as of Friday:) Friday, I will be going in for another c-section to welcome our newest little dude (hopefully they are still right on the gender:)) into our family. I am filled with anxiety and emotion. I am grateful for Heavenly Father's plan of Happiness and for His timing. I am grateful that He is in charge and not me.
So I hope to be posting more in the weeks ahead with this new chapter that is beginning....
We are alive!
Well if you want a picture update I finally put one on our private blog.
As for life as of late...we are on the countdown... less than 30 days until Bryan has his MBA! We are all beyond ready to have him home more and to be done with projects, homework and tests.
We are also of course on the countdown for baby boy #2 to come. I am officially at 8 months pregnant and I am still throwing up daily. BUT I am so much closer to ending that and getting a much anticipated addition to our family!
In the past few months we have had lots happening, we had a few mini family fun trips to the Atlanta Zoo and the TN Aquarium ( thanks to some awesome gift cards and coupons that were about to expire.) Our little dude celebrated his 3rd birthday- Cars themed of course. Bryan and I celebrated our 6th anniversary by going the Atlanta Temple and eating out at Cheesecake Factory. We also celebrated Bryan's 30th Birthday. I think he is finally getting adjusted to saying he's 30:)
We have tried to squeeze as much family time out as possible. This last semester has been very taxing on Bryan's time and we are ready to take it a little slower especially in the evenings.
The next time we post we will hopefully have some good news on our new little one.
As for life as of late...we are on the countdown... less than 30 days until Bryan has his MBA! We are all beyond ready to have him home more and to be done with projects, homework and tests.
We are also of course on the countdown for baby boy #2 to come. I am officially at 8 months pregnant and I am still throwing up daily. BUT I am so much closer to ending that and getting a much anticipated addition to our family!
In the past few months we have had lots happening, we had a few mini family fun trips to the Atlanta Zoo and the TN Aquarium ( thanks to some awesome gift cards and coupons that were about to expire.) Our little dude celebrated his 3rd birthday- Cars themed of course. Bryan and I celebrated our 6th anniversary by going the Atlanta Temple and eating out at Cheesecake Factory. We also celebrated Bryan's 30th Birthday. I think he is finally getting adjusted to saying he's 30:)
We have tried to squeeze as much family time out as possible. This last semester has been very taxing on Bryan's time and we are ready to take it a little slower especially in the evenings.
The next time we post we will hopefully have some good news on our new little one.
well...
I know it has been forever.
I am just not one to really record my thoughts and feelings via the internet when I am pregnant. I think part of it is because I can rarely stand hearing pregnant womens' rantings when I am not pregnant let alone when I am pregnant. I just feel like pregnancy usually brings out the worst opinions etc from almost any woman, mostly due to hormones. And I just prefer to not do that to myself or to complain, where someone can read about my low moments of the day. Also, the selfish part of me, can't stand reading about other women who have never been sick or who are only sick in the 1st trimester and complain about it. So I tend to opt out all together.
Anyways, as for an update...I am at 32 weeks, still sick as a dog, but soooo much closer to getting to see this little one. We still haven't decided on a name yet, but at least we have narrowed down a few options.:) That is HUGE for us! We are so indecisive with names.
Bryan is almost halfway done with his LAST semester of Grad school and turns the big 30 this week! He is still on the job hunt, with some interviews and leads...so we shall see.
Our 3 year old dude is growing like a weed and expressing his opinions even more openly:) He does take very good care of me and has been blessed with an extreme sensitivity to his mom's needs as this pregnancy progresses. It has been a huge tender mercy, especially since Bryan is gone so much with work and school.
I am just not one to really record my thoughts and feelings via the internet when I am pregnant. I think part of it is because I can rarely stand hearing pregnant womens' rantings when I am not pregnant let alone when I am pregnant. I just feel like pregnancy usually brings out the worst opinions etc from almost any woman, mostly due to hormones. And I just prefer to not do that to myself or to complain, where someone can read about my low moments of the day. Also, the selfish part of me, can't stand reading about other women who have never been sick or who are only sick in the 1st trimester and complain about it. So I tend to opt out all together.
Anyways, as for an update...I am at 32 weeks, still sick as a dog, but soooo much closer to getting to see this little one. We still haven't decided on a name yet, but at least we have narrowed down a few options.:) That is HUGE for us! We are so indecisive with names.
Bryan is almost halfway done with his LAST semester of Grad school and turns the big 30 this week! He is still on the job hunt, with some interviews and leads...so we shall see.
Our 3 year old dude is growing like a weed and expressing his opinions even more openly:) He does take very good care of me and has been blessed with an extreme sensitivity to his mom's needs as this pregnancy progresses. It has been a huge tender mercy, especially since Bryan is gone so much with work and school.
Cravings...
... With our first little dude, I craved anything bread. With this one, it seems like I am craving anything. I can have pizza 2 nights in a row and still want it the next week. I have had to eat something mexican weekly, particularly fajitas. My kind husband puts up with it. I crave things that are bread, but it is more carbohydrates than anything else. Some of the really bready stuff hasn't been able to stay in my system long enough to be enjoyed. I am ready for the cravings to at least subside...here's hoping.
I don't know what to title this one...
Today has been challenging, but yet I know it could always be worse:) I am quite irritated at my sciatic nerve, constant nausea ( but it is better than puking all day), extreme exhaustion ( I thought I was supposed to have a spike in energy sometime weeks ago), intense heartburn, and my hormones. I probably need to go and have my dr. test my lovely thyroid sooner than later again.
I am NOT however irritated at the little one growing inside of me, just wishful that someday I might be able to be the type of person who would say "I love being pregnant." That has never been my case and today I am so far from saying that that I should live on another planet.
Our clever little dude has been throwing more fits left and right, which has meant less naps for both of us and a lot more hauling, kicking, screaming him upstairs, around town etc., a pleasantry for my aching body. Oh, yeah and with Bryan being gone all the time, that means I have had the pleasant role of doing it all.
I cannot wait until Bryan is actually done with school and I can have a companion at home most nights again. Today I considered making a colored paper chain to count down the few months that he has left...today is one where close to desperation has been felt.
However, It is days like today where I wonder how in the world do people make it through without the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. It is through Christ that I really do receive strength and ability beyond my own, and that on days like today, I don't end up as a huge sobbing, depressed pregnant woman. I can't count the times today, that I have been able to just make it one more step, through one more tantrum, one more heave and ho, and although usually falling on the couch to breathe afterwards, I have always felt peace and comfort. On days like today, where it has felt like a "no-good very bad day", I have felt made able.
I am NOT however irritated at the little one growing inside of me, just wishful that someday I might be able to be the type of person who would say "I love being pregnant." That has never been my case and today I am so far from saying that that I should live on another planet.
Our clever little dude has been throwing more fits left and right, which has meant less naps for both of us and a lot more hauling, kicking, screaming him upstairs, around town etc., a pleasantry for my aching body. Oh, yeah and with Bryan being gone all the time, that means I have had the pleasant role of doing it all.
I cannot wait until Bryan is actually done with school and I can have a companion at home most nights again. Today I considered making a colored paper chain to count down the few months that he has left...today is one where close to desperation has been felt.
However, It is days like today where I wonder how in the world do people make it through without the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. It is through Christ that I really do receive strength and ability beyond my own, and that on days like today, I don't end up as a huge sobbing, depressed pregnant woman. I can't count the times today, that I have been able to just make it one more step, through one more tantrum, one more heave and ho, and although usually falling on the couch to breathe afterwards, I have always felt peace and comfort. On days like today, where it has felt like a "no-good very bad day", I have felt made able.
I realized the other day....
that I forgot to let all my blogging friends out there know.....We are having a BOY!!! Yep another little dude is coming into our family! We are so very excited! The practical part of me is so happy we can reuse so much of what we already have. I think Bryan was nervous that I really wanted a girl, ( albeit it is no lie that the Target girl section is to die for with cuteness) I would really rather have a girl when he is actually getting paid for his education ( that fact would at least help me justify all the pink goodness:)). We have started thinking of names, and all that has really come from it has been a long list:) We will get there though:)
It's a wonderful life...
Well, this morning I woke up sick again. No surprise really, I have been sick for the past 22 weeks. Yep, all day sick. Thank goodness for Zofran, modern medicine is literally a dear friend of mine. I just have to make sure my body will let it stay in me long enough to work. The medicine makes me feel human. My bed actually gets made from time to time:) This pregnancy is really similar to with our 1st little dude, I would, however, be really grateful for the sickness part to end before 9 months. But considering it didn't with our little dude, I am not counting my chickens before they hatch.:)
I will, however, give myself a gold star for the day because i actually exercised a feat almost impossible on other days.
But regardless of being sick, I am soooo very grateful to be a mother and to be having this second little one come join our family. I am so very grateful my Heavenly Father is giving me this opportunity, because I know not everyone gets the opportunity to even have one little one. And I am so very grateful for a son and husband who are so willing to help me "feel better."
As for life with my little family, it is beginning to get a little crazier:) Bryan will be officially done with grad school at the beginning of August ( Please insert the Hallelujah Chorus here!) I can't wait to have a husband who is just working! No homework, tests, papers, late nights and early mornings of studying! More family dinners! He truly is Superman!
With that change has begun an onslaught of looking for a better job in all ways possible:) We are eager to start a new chapter, that doesn't include school. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blesses us with the ability to do all the crazy, hectic things that have been and continue to be placed into our lives. When I look back on my day, I just sit in wonder that everything was made possible.
I am hoping that we will know where we will be going in the next few months before the baby comes. That would be very helpful for my sometimes OCD personality.
Besides the sickness factor for me, life has been wonderful. I don't have anything to complain about. I am married to a wonderful man and i have the kindest and most ingenious little son a mom could ask for. I have had to take things a lot slower, but I am okay with that. After serving as RS president for a year, when slow comes I have learned to relish it. The important things are all that really matter. I am beginning to feel old, as I see my youngest sister about to start her senior year this fall, but also excited as I see my 19 year old sister only have a few more months of chemo left and then she will be done!
We have been through a whirlwind these past couple of years, but I am so grateful for the lessons learned and experiences wrought ( the good and the bad.)
I will, however, give myself a gold star for the day because i actually exercised a feat almost impossible on other days.
But regardless of being sick, I am soooo very grateful to be a mother and to be having this second little one come join our family. I am so very grateful my Heavenly Father is giving me this opportunity, because I know not everyone gets the opportunity to even have one little one. And I am so very grateful for a son and husband who are so willing to help me "feel better."
As for life with my little family, it is beginning to get a little crazier:) Bryan will be officially done with grad school at the beginning of August ( Please insert the Hallelujah Chorus here!) I can't wait to have a husband who is just working! No homework, tests, papers, late nights and early mornings of studying! More family dinners! He truly is Superman!
With that change has begun an onslaught of looking for a better job in all ways possible:) We are eager to start a new chapter, that doesn't include school. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blesses us with the ability to do all the crazy, hectic things that have been and continue to be placed into our lives. When I look back on my day, I just sit in wonder that everything was made possible.
I am hoping that we will know where we will be going in the next few months before the baby comes. That would be very helpful for my sometimes OCD personality.
Besides the sickness factor for me, life has been wonderful. I don't have anything to complain about. I am married to a wonderful man and i have the kindest and most ingenious little son a mom could ask for. I have had to take things a lot slower, but I am okay with that. After serving as RS president for a year, when slow comes I have learned to relish it. The important things are all that really matter. I am beginning to feel old, as I see my youngest sister about to start her senior year this fall, but also excited as I see my 19 year old sister only have a few more months of chemo left and then she will be done!
We have been through a whirlwind these past couple of years, but I am so grateful for the lessons learned and experiences wrought ( the good and the bad.)
Things I have been learning...
As some of you may know, I have been doing an experiment with myself. I am not accessing Facebook for the entire month of February. I never really got hooked on Facebook until my sister Katelyn was diagnosed with Leukemia almost 2 years ago and I wanted to have a better way to communicate with her and send funny videos and links with her when she would be in the hospital and I couldn't be there.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think that there are great uses for Facebook( will post on that later), but I also think it can eat up your time and life like none other if not carefully regulated.
A little while ago, I started to notice some habits and things that needed more focus for myself. After some time, I realized that trying to forget Facebook for a bit could really be of help to me. After all, a real emergency would be emailed or called to me.
In return for "giving up" Facebook, I have been able to think a lot more about the important things. I have had a lot more real "quiet and still" time for myself....even with an energetic toddler. So for probably only me and my wanting to record these thoughts, here are some thoughts I have had so far:
* Money and things really don't equal true happiness, but valuable and genuine relationships, and wise use of my time do equal true happiness.
*Just because you may have several children doesn't mean you know everything there is about children or life nor does it mean that you are more experienced than those who have not had the opportunity to have children yet or who have a small number.
Because everyone is given different trials and experiences in life for their own unique growth; as well as to help others, not to compare themselves to them.
*Just because you are thin doesn't mean that you are healthy and happy. And just because you are overweight doesn't mean you are unhealthy and don't try to take care of yourself. ( there are several
different medical conditions- just ask some people with thyroid issues for starters).
*Being "Busy" is not something I want to be known as. And shouldn't be taken as a compliment nor should it be yearned for. Being productive though is very different from being "busy".
*Just because you do a lot, doesn't mean that all that you are doing is a good/ best use of your time.
*Just because some people may praise others for being soooo busy and for doing it all doesn't mean that what they are doing equals real value and real purpose.
*Facebook is not "LIFE" and your time should be monitored as such.
*Face to face or voice to voice is ALWAYS the best way to develop and strengthen relationships.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think that there are great uses for Facebook( will post on that later), but I also think it can eat up your time and life like none other if not carefully regulated.
A little while ago, I started to notice some habits and things that needed more focus for myself. After some time, I realized that trying to forget Facebook for a bit could really be of help to me. After all, a real emergency would be emailed or called to me.
In return for "giving up" Facebook, I have been able to think a lot more about the important things. I have had a lot more real "quiet and still" time for myself....even with an energetic toddler. So for probably only me and my wanting to record these thoughts, here are some thoughts I have had so far:
* Money and things really don't equal true happiness, but valuable and genuine relationships, and wise use of my time do equal true happiness.
*Just because you may have several children doesn't mean you know everything there is about children or life nor does it mean that you are more experienced than those who have not had the opportunity to have children yet or who have a small number.
Because everyone is given different trials and experiences in life for their own unique growth; as well as to help others, not to compare themselves to them.
*Just because you are thin doesn't mean that you are healthy and happy. And just because you are overweight doesn't mean you are unhealthy and don't try to take care of yourself. ( there are several
different medical conditions- just ask some people with thyroid issues for starters).
*Being "Busy" is not something I want to be known as. And shouldn't be taken as a compliment nor should it be yearned for. Being productive though is very different from being "busy".
*Just because you do a lot, doesn't mean that all that you are doing is a good/ best use of your time.
*Just because some people may praise others for being soooo busy and for doing it all doesn't mean that what they are doing equals real value and real purpose.
*Facebook is not "LIFE" and your time should be monitored as such.
*Face to face or voice to voice is ALWAYS the best way to develop and strengthen relationships.
Our exciting news!!!
Well, as you may have been noticing we haven't updated our blogs for a while now. It started with the holidays and actually wanting to live them. Then we had a lot of sickness and well we still do, but since we are in the safety zone of 13 weeks now we are excited to tell you that our little family of 3 will be adding 1 more in August!
COMING TO OUR FAMILY IN AUGUST!
We are so excited for this blessing! We are just hoping that Kara won't be sick the whole 9 months again. But I guess that is where gratitude for modern medicine really helps our perspective.
COMING TO OUR FAMILY IN AUGUST!
We are so excited for this blessing! We are just hoping that Kara won't be sick the whole 9 months again. But I guess that is where gratitude for modern medicine really helps our perspective.
Late but crafty...
A few of my Christmas renovation projects... a little late in posting:
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| An old tree skirt that I thought needed new life... |
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| A new life...via pinterest! Cost $3 for the improvement ( red fabric and burlap) |
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| A simple green wreath with some added flare! (Burlap, ribbon and berries). Cost $1 for the ribbon, had the burlap, had the berries. |
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| 3 old stockings that needed a new spin... |
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| Recovered in Chevron! I was really loving Burlap this year |
I want to make my own rap....
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