Crossfit Mania

It has begun. My loving husband gave in, and allowed me to buy a Crossfit 101 6 session class. I returned a sweater dress that I got from Santa, and instead of buying more clothes, I used some towards the signup fee and some for a "Crossfit Untosppable" T-shirt.

I am 4 sessions in and feel good about it. I have always been one to want to be healthy, workout, and exercise. Around this time last year, when I felt my aging body get flabbier and flabbier, I made a goal to become the healthiest and strongest I have ever been, so here I am. I have never looked forward to working out so much. Coach R makes the workouts fun, and pushes me like my big brother, Coach Kusick. Since he is two hours away, and don't have the ability to workout with him, I am sticking with Coach R. And I have not been let down. It's like a competition each time I workout. It's always something different. Since I never competed in highschool or college, this is just downright exhilerating.
Last night we had a workout, called something like a triple.

Three rounds, 12-9-6, Thrusters, Box Jumps, and Sit-ups. Goal was to do it in correct form as quickly as possible, and I finished in 2:25. Next time I will do more weight. Most workouts, I have the slight feeling that I could vomit because I have pushed myself so much. Last night, it was almost easy. Which makes me realize I am getting stronger, and am enduring.

So, I previously had a goal of 10 pull-ups, which I was able to reach last September/October. I randomly do them off and on, but haven't really pushed them lately. I feel like I have slacked off, and I didn't want to to do that. Well, a goal was to do a full WOD with pullups in it, and I am going to somewhat attempt tonight.

Three rounds of 9-6-3 Pullups, Pushups, Squats. I don't go back to the Crossfit gym till Thursday, so I need to use my time off wisely.

Over the last several months, I have read so much about Crossfit. From pros and how everyone should do it and uplifting personal stories. But then some people call it crazy. Absurd. I can say from my personal experience I love it. I still have to deter a bit because of my hip, and I know I am going to have frustrations from that in the future. Plus, I need to back up my brother who made me promise to do sternum pullups vs. kipping in my workouts(this means I need to get on the ball), and if I ever do a one-up it has to be on the rings from there on out. Ok, Jason, will do.

The funniest part about this Crossfit, as I read more about it, it actually just plain reminds me of my family and how we grew up as kids. Handstands, pullups, lifts, walking on your hands, monkeybars, handstand pushups, wall climbs, timed lawnmower sprints. These are things that we did for fun daily growing up in the middle of nowhere. I have to give the props to my Dad. He was an athlete all his life, and continues to weightlift to this day. Had I mentioned before he is 60 and just did 46 pullups on Saturday? He made that stuff fun for us. It definately built on the already competitive nature we had, but who would have thought we would carry this fun stuff on to our kids. You know Ben and Jonna are wanting to do pull ups on the bar right after me right?! I think its awesome.

There is the theory behind Crossfit of 'Tabata'. My understanding is to be able to do a hardcore workout in a short amount of time vs other workouts would be taking up 45 minutes to an hour. Example Running on an eliptical....thats not really much fun either. You build strength and endurance and wonder how that was possible in just doing a 10 minute or less workout. What's best about this theory, is coming from a very busy working Mom, this is perfect. It actually couldnt be better.

So, I will continue to grow, continue to workout, and from time to time, post my goals and my downfalls on this track of my life. It has made me realize all things are possible....even the fact that some day, some day maybe a long time off. I could own a gym and sell those supplements I am constantly preaching to my friends and family about.

All is well in Holee land.

True Balance

It is so hard to find balance in my life. True Balance is ideal. Of work, kids, exercise, husband, and fun. I can only say one thing. This is a daily reproach to finding balance. I need time for myself, so that I can enjoy my kids to the fullest. I can't imagine being with them 24 hours a day, and being a good Mom. Bless the mothers that can. But not me. I need a break. It may be a workout. It may be an hour of vegging out in front of the tv after the kids go down, and before I wander to slumberland.

If I get that.I am a better Mom. I sware to you. My kids enjoy me more, and well I enjoy them more. I crave the weekends. When I know the schedule slows down, and I can plan activities with the kids. Not rush to get out of bed, get both kids to school and daycare and still arrive to work at 730 on time. Weekends...this is sleeeping in and making a huge breakfast of eggs and bacon and Jake's favorite is Mickey Mouse Pancakes for the kids. FAMILY NAP time! Need I say more. We always have something going on that is fun.

I have learned that when Ben really enjoys something I am doing with him or taking him somewhere, he stops to say, Mom....Mom...listen.. I love you! I mean that melts me. That is his way of saying Thanks for being AWESOME MOM! I love it.

Ok, and sometimes I don't have that balance. Patience is on this short stick, where I start yelling and then stop, thinking I should slap myself for losing it. Whining from the kids. OH man, that gets to me. Jonna is a pro. It often can make me snap. And not pretty. Little girls have some drama!! I think God has another son in my future. Although, the tenderness from sweet Baby Jonna and that hug she gives me when she thinks I have a sad face....Well, i can't live without.

Two nights ago, I had a perfect blog post of "true balance" all written up there between my ears. About finding it, and sharing it. Today, I still strive for it. It's a friday, and I am Stoked about walking out these doors at 430pm and starting my weekend. I have put in a good 9 hours. Worked out, ran some errands, and it's time to celebrate with my kids. Well, it starts with a parent teacher conference with Ben, but following that, I am taking my butterfly and cowboy to enjoy time with Grandma Deena, Trunk or treat, and eat some really good chili and soup!

Then sleepy time with both kids and a favorite saturday morn, we will wake to Jake getting home from work!

Sunday, Coach Kusick work out!

Sometimes it is hard being a parent

It;s just hard. Like when you wake up for the second morning in a row after seeing every hour of the clock with your little girl who has been sick. It's hard when that same morning that you are so sleep deprived you have every wish in the world to just climb back into bed and go into work late. It's hard when that same morning, you begin to get both kids ready, and they want to challenge and battle every little thing you say or try to get them to do. From temper tantrums, grunts, meltdowns as they throw themselves to the ground, or throw a toy at you. They don't like what they are wearing, Jonna doesn't want her hair put up. Ben doesn't like his shorts. Jonna hates that I put the lid on the cup and didn't let her. Ben doesn't want to wear socks, and he is cold. Jonna thought it would be a good idea to sneak away to Mom's room and plaster mascara all over her face and dress. Ben thinks he needs a peice of candy for breakfast before his actual breakfast. Ben wants his Dad cuz he is at work and Mom finally has had it and says, "GET IN THE VAN OR I AM LEAVING WITH OUT YOU!"

It's hard when you think you deserve more recognition. It's hard when you don't know what end is up, what end is down, where you are going, where you are coming from. What should you make for dinner? Do I have enough time to stop at the store on lunch, or clean out the van that has crackers, orange peels, tissues, cups, blankets, toys, crumbs, all over the place? What should I do next? Running in circles all the time. Sometimes, I remind myself to stop and BREATHE!! I can't even remember the last time I was able to pick up a book and read. Oh, how I love to read.

Lets' get down to business. Slow down, and just stop thinking in fast forward. The real truth is it's all so worth it. Really, who would I have enjoyed my mother's day with and went on a walk with accross the river bridge on Mother's Day while Jake was working. My kids.

As we headed home from Gma's house on sunday, I drove over the bridge as I do almost every day and saw the new bridge walk way, where all the families were taking a peacefull stroll admiring the river. So, what did we do? Mama parked the car, and said lets have an adventure! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was it.


Almost to the top! I really thought I would be carrying Jonna a lot. It was the end of the day around 6pm, and they had both had their fill of playing. But nope, they both trekked away.


Did I mention how terrified I felt walking on this bridge while Jonna and Ben both felt the need to put their fingers underneath the fence and wiggle around admiring the huge river several hundred feet below. I think I have a small fear of heights. I wanted to stay RIGHT in the center of this walkway. Not my children. They felt the need to walk right next to the side of the fence that faced the river making sure to stop and lean into the fence to get a real good look.


Breaktime on the way down.

Seriously with two sweet kids like this that take a break to come give me a hug and say they Love me all the time. I mean me. Their Mom that sometimes forgets Ben's bookbag, or Jonna's diaper wipes for daycare. Oh, or did I mention when I pulled Jonna's elbow out of socket trying to keep her from falling down the stairs.
I would be lying if I didn't tell you how completely overwhelmed I feel sometimes. Even feeling like I fail as a parent, yes, those are the times, when I ask, "What am I doing wrong?!" or More so, "What can I do better?!"

Every day is in a adventure, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Okay, I am lying. I wouldn't mind a full nights' sleep. Sometimes, it is a little hard being a parent.

A Workin Mama!

It takes two kinds of working Mothers to make this world go round. Stay at Home working Mothers. And Mothers working out side of the home. I am in the second category.

Why haven't I posted in so long? Well, time seems to get a away from me, and as soon as I think I have time to sit and write. I find something else to do that is more on the priority list.
This is my prop's to myself for how hard I have been working lately. I am EXTREMELY busy at work and ok, a little stressed. And I come home, to take care of the kids'. They are my world.

I find time to present to hundreds of people throughout the state, and still go home, and play "lion den" with my kids. What is Lion Den you may ask? Well, it's Jonna, Ben and I's little game to create a big tent over the furniture, which is our lion den, and we crawl in and out of it, hop and growl on all fours, chasing away monsters (named Mugsy) and gathering food for the cub, (Jonna).

I find time to work forty plus hours a week, and make homemade meals and build superhero figurines out of playdo, and have them fight with each other. One in Ben's hand, one in Jonna's hand. After each time, that one is clobbered, I rush to make another.
We find time to have campfire roasts with hotdogs and marshmallows. Ben's favorite food group could probably be SMORES!

I find time to work through my lunch some days, and go home on time, to read my kids books everynight, and go over flash cards during bath time. Not an evening goes by that we don't play duck, duck, goose, or Hide and Seek.

****Hide and Seek: There is nothing cuter than walking behind the closet door after counting to ten, with Ben sitting, hiding his face behind his hands, giggling soflty, as Jonna gleams up at me right next to big brother, with the biggest grin on her face. Then Ben screams, "YOU FOUND ME!"

I make people happy with their retirement, I reconcile lots of numbers, and get to talk to all assortments of people in a 9 hour period while my kids learn and play with their friends at daycare and school. I rush to get out the door everyday at 430 to pick them up in minutes, walk with them holding hands, hugs, smiles and kisses later to ask them how their day went.

We rush home to absorb minutes left of daylight, by making huge leaf piles and jumping in them. Jonna and I bury Ben as he giggles, and says, I don't want to eat the leaves!! We have races, (I usually let Ben win, but one day, it won't be about me "letting" him). Jonna loves to chase after and try to run her fastest that her waddling legs will carry her.

I work out some days on my lunch, because if I want exerchise, that seems the most feasible time to get it. At home, we eat dinner every night at the table as a family, whether Jake is home with us or not. We have bathes every night, sometimes with bubbles. Ben shows me how long he can hold his breath under water. Jonna tries too, but then ends up drinking a big gulp, and laughing at herself, thinking she really did do what Ben just had.

I even find time to have silly face picture time with them.


I am a workin Mama, and I think I am okay at it.

Always on my mind

Vacation. Vacation is on my mind. A beach, rolling waves, sand between my feet, ocean breeze, warm air, swimming pools, swim up bar, a pretty little drink with an umbrella.

We WILL vacation next year. Where....who knows, but it will have every one of the above mentioned.

Jake and I need it. We need to get away, and have a honeymoon. Who says you can't have honeymoon's more than once after you are married. Trips like these make your marriage stronger, more fun, and it definately gives you a pick me up to get back to stones we built our marriage on. "Let the love shine through".

The defined dates are set. June 1-5, ready or not checkbook, vacation is coming.

Well, Christmas is coming first, which is on my mind too. I have done super fabulous well on getting shopping done early, and budgeting, wheeling and dealing to get the BEST christmas presents at the BEST price. I love it.

The favorite game in the house right now.......Duck, Duck, Goose Baby! Ben's all time favorite. He prefers to be picked GOOSE every single time. Jonna sits right in the circle with us grinning from ear to ear, and holding back excitement, waiting to hear the word, "GOOSE!" when she knows as soon as that word pops out of either of our mouths, CHAOS! Ben runs, Jake or I run after him, Jonna runs, and this produces a lot of screaming in delight.

Simple things like this make me real happy. All is well in the Holee Realm.

Guacamole and Strawberries

I need more sick days. Sounds odd, but yesterday I stayed home with Benjamin because he was running high grade fever at home the night before and the morning when he woke up. Put some ibuprofen in him and he acts fine, but rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours for fever to break before sending them back to school.

So, we decided to take full advantage of it. Which included watching spiderman episodes, and feeding our face with homemade guacamole and tortilla chips. Then we moved on to strawberries, and episodes of National Geographic of "Tigers of the Snow"

We followed that up with a FAT nap, and woke up to Jake and Jonna getting home. Jake went to lay down for a nap. Jonna decided that wasn't in her plans. So, Ben, Jonna, and I went outside to absorb some rays on the swingset and in the grass.

Yes, I do need more sick days with my kids like this.




I am biased, but I think he gets cuter every day.

Smiles. What a cheese.

The mark below her nose, is yet another battle wound. Jonna had a match with the concrete at daycare, and well the concrete won.

learning experience

Life is just one big learning experience. I don't know that I don't ever stop learning new things or just being reminded of old things. The reminders are good for me just to keep me in full gear.


Just to name a few:

Sometimes a funeral can actually be uplifting, even when they are sad. They are truly celebrations of one's life, and what better way to go out with a bang than having your 30 grandchildren and 32 grandchildren there to commemorate you.

Visits with Papa Doug and Grandma Deena are wonderful for the kids. Family is so important and you can never spend enough time with them.


Delivering a ham to someone can almost always make them smile.

Life would be a whole lot easier on everyone if people would take responsibility for their actions.

But sometimes, you have to literally hold someone's hand to help them get through.

The Nike symbol on Ben's shorts means that he "Saves the Day!"

Sometimes the best thing to do with your husband, is to suck up the fight you are about to have or you are in, and let the 'love shine through' that your relationship was built on. It is what it is.

It's a lot more fun to play with toys half naked than fully clothed.



Happy Monday all!

Bad Mama!

It's me...the Mom who complained about how horrible her toddler was the other morning. Guess who got a call cuz my poor baby boy was crying holding his ear that afternoon at school. The teacher calls me at work and says...Something is just not right with Ben. I walk in to pick him up and he is still in tears and the teacher is holding him and walking him back and forth to try to soothe him. MAMA comes to rescue. I get tears in my eyes. There is nothing absolutely worse than seeing your child and pain. I am seriously praying on our way to the doctor while I listen to him sob to just GIVE IT TO ME! LET ME BE IN PAIN, so he doesn't have to!!! Headed to DR. after quick trip to store to dose him with ibuprofen, and what should they find? A double ear infection. Well, nice Mom! Way to tune into your son. It could have been a better doctor visit. Alas, guess who hasn't had his well check up since he was two. That meant a nice little shot in the leg. Gaaa reat! I love holding my 39lb, 39 inch long, son down while they stick a flippin needle in his leg. It went quick. Ben is 90% height and 90% weight. He must be taking after me.......Ha! He is his father's son.

So, he is better now. We headed home that afternoon. And I cuddled close to him as we took a long afternoon nap. It was good for both of us ;)!

So, life is all well in Holee realm again. Jake's back home. Gma Deena is visiting. Life is good!

Now, if I could just talk myself into going to the gym on my lunch break??!!

This is what we do...

My dear hubby and I have seen each other about 6 hours since last Tuesday. I had been dreading all of our time away. But I realized, well, I told myself....what is the use to be negative. Doesn't solve anything and sure doesn't make it any better. So, it has been okay. Just really excited about him being home. So, I am on day 6, and Day 7 is in sight. He will be off tomorrow morning for four spankin days! Finally. I have had lots of quality time with the kiddo's. We have found all kinds of randomness to do. Number 1, Mama takes pictures. Number 2, spend time with my family. Highlights were bikeriding (wink, wink) and my kids helping Papa OOO-sick with his lawn jobs. We even were able to celebrate Dad's 59th Bday. MY dad may be 59, but he still goes like he is 25.

So, this is how it goes...

Just another weekend at the Kusick house.
Jonna helping Papa drive the truck.

What are you looking at?

I got it under control, Papa.

My handsome fella, sometimes tells me he would like to be beautiful. I have seen a lot of beautiful men in my day. I think I am okay with that.

Two skipping ladies down the street on a walk to the store.

Just another day in the life.


What do you get with one toddler bike and bunch of Kusick girls. Look at Katie's skill.

Lots of awesome fun.

Who would have thought this could be that much fun.

Terressa had the most "difficult to attempt" award. Her legs happen to be the longest of the girls.

As she flows though the wind!

Model Natasha up next.

Pure Joy.

The master himself.

Wouldn't be "the Kusick Girls" if my Mom didn't have her turn....

This lady will be 56 the end of this week.

Quite Impressive.

I think we may have inherited her legs.

But this little lady, inherited my smile. Underbite and all.



Life is pretty good.

Oh bla Di, O blah Dah.

Cool in his sunglasses.

My curious Two year old.

Why is it so much fun to wear your pants on your head?

Eskimo Baby Girl!

She sat in her stroller half asleep watching Ben and I ride bikes.

This is a picture we took for our Five year anniversary. Just proof that we are still alive after putting up with each other this whole time!

Writing CUZ I CAN!

I have sooooo very much to catch up, and as I sat to decide what this post was going to be about, the thought crossed my mind that there will be no subject, but I am just going to write about the random "going on" in this Holee girl's life.

Okay, so I am pregnant we just found out about a week ago.......How far along you ask...hmmm, not really sure, but I my guess is 6 or 7 weeks. YAY, for babies!!!

Okay, So really I am not pregnant, but I should be because every person I know is, and is due in this next year, whether it be in three days, or in 7 months!!! And do you notice any jealousy here. Well there is! I know we can't be pregnant right now, only because we couldn't afford it, but I have come to realize, that the next time I am, a lot of my friends and family will be or are already totally done with having kids!! Tear tear. Yes, this Mama is gonna be in her thirties still popping out kids, but that is okay. We have both decided that there is no way we can only settle on having just two kids. Ben and Jonna need to have the joy like Jake and I experienced of having more than one sibling. Now will I go as far to have 5 like Jake's mom or 10 like my Mom, heck no, but I know we will at least have one more! Some may call us crazy, but I dont' see our lives any other way! We will be broke, but it will be well worth it! LOL!

Next stop...My baby Jonna. She is going on seven months. Really? how did that happen, cuz it really feels like yesterday, my baby girl was a little tiny infant, that could only cuddle with her Mama. Now she wants to sit up, "try" to wrestle with her brother, attempt to scoot while on her belly, moves backwards in her walker, eats three meals of baby food a day, and has growling contests with Ben. She also likes to watch Ben hurt himself or cry. Yes, she thinks it is hilarious and giggles. Ben doesn't always think it is funny when she laughs at him, but he has learned that if he runs into a wall, and screams OUCH, Jonna will burst in giggles. Haha, The love he has for his sister.

Benjamin, 2 and 1/2. Sharp as a knife. He counts to 11 or 10 I guess you could say. It goes like this, "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,8,9,10!" and it ends with a YAY!!!!!!!!!
He has a real nice shakin leg dance, where his entire body will stay stiff, but then he will shake his right leg, and as he does it he is staring at it concentrating really hard. It kind of reminds me of Forrest Gump for some reason.
He has a favorite pair of bright orange mesh shorts, he would wear every night if we let him, and a monster truck t shirt, that Terressa gave him a long time ago, that he also would wear everyday with his orange shorts if we let him. I love it that it is mid winter and 20 degrees out and my child wears shorts and tshirts. No Bd.

Reasons I like to be a mother to a two year old: I can rock on a "pillow built" sailboat in the living room, and shoot at sharks, and save my son when he falls into the water. As I scoop him up from the floor, while he says Mama save me! Mama save me! Then, when he secures him self after putting his Imaginary seatbelt on, he sighs, and says, "THANKS MOM! You saved me!"

Or when we use Jake and I's bed to jump on when we run away from the dinosaurs that lurk in the kitchen and living room. One of their names is Mugsy (who happens to be our 2 year old Boxer). We hide under the covers until they are gone, and then go try to find them again with our self made "Hand" binoculars, only to make it halfway to the living room and scream, "AHHHHH, they are gonna get us!"

Or when we use race cars to play "house"..... hmmm sounds intersting doesn't it? Well, the cars talk to each other, play in the park, fall and need help, cry for their Mommy and Daddy, and eat icecream.

I know I am still a child at heart, cuz believe it or not, I look forward to cruisin
on a sailboat in the living room with my son.

Talk about being cranky and sleep deprived though. Jonna likes to be up almost every hour of the night. Makes it difficult when you are the only one at home, to answer her. It will get better I keep telling myself. But lack of sleep can take a toll on a marriage. Jake and I are constantly battling on who is more sleep deprived. That is a whole other ballgame there.

Marriage: please review
Sometimes, it isn't always a walk in the park. Would I change anything? No. Just a reminder to me to make today the best day that I can as a wife to my hubby.

It is still darn old winter! I am ready for summer, a vacation or something. I have failed at making it to the gym for two weeks in a row. And I am totally looking forwad to a day off next Friday. This is the crazy time of year for work, so it is nice to have a break in grand scheme of things.

All random things in the Holee realm, and but all is well!

Many blessings to all of the wonderful Mothers who are having babies this month, or have just recently!

Mommy Madness and more!

So Mother's day is coming, and I just sit here thinking about all the mothers I am close too, and how awesome it is just being a mother, so HAPPY EARLY MOTHER'S Day to all those ladies.

I am in trouble for not putting a belly pic up, but I will get one soon. To tide you over, here is some of my cuteness:




So, about the Mommy Madness, I have a friend that was nominated to test drive a Chevy Travers for 8 weeks, pretty cool, and all of her adventures plus videos will be on here. To follow up more this is Lori's blog..

Kind of exciting, just every day Mom's doing some advertising for Chevy. It is fun to watch the videos, and all the different Mama's out there with their kiddo's. So, here is my "GO LORI!!!" And don't forget to vote for her also.

Props

It is hard to be really sick, tired, and miserable and take care of your toddler by yourself. He hasn't been bad. Did you know though that little boys can be occupied with the simplest thing as a kick ball over a 1/2 hour at a time. And, actually, after a skipped nap yesterday we both went to bed by 6:45. I'll take it!
It's hard to not get rest, be up coughing most the night, and go to work because you have deadlines, and it isn't really an option to call in sick. Plus, I am pregnant. But that really isn't a problem, except our little girl is probably getting jostled uncomfortably by the coughing jolts. Well, that and since I don't use my stomach muscles at all and havn't much for the last six months, it feels like I have done a million and two sit-ups.
And the added hotness of having a huge lump swollen under your chin from the enlarged glands adds a whole new meaning to a double chin. Each time I swallow, I cringe with pain. Wanna lose weight? Get a sore throat so bad that the thought of swallowing actual food scares you! Don't even think about talking. As I hear my phone ring 10 million times, I think really? Today? couldnt' you just wait and call tomorrow or even better yet, the next day?

Oh my! Ok, enough complaining. But I am just gonna go ahead and give myself a little pat on the back for being such a trooper and diligently working away. What will I do for lunch today? You guessed it, nap-time.

Dreamin

I have had the most amazing dreams lately about our little girl. Two nights ago, I dreamt of my C-section delivery and everything went so well. I have been wondering so much lately what our little girl is going to look like and it makes me so excited! Well in my dream she head a full head of brown hair and was absolutely beautiful. She was so tiny, and I just snuggled her close and talked to her and she smiled at me. It was a pretty amazing dream.

So, there are some positives to these vivid preggo dreams. It's almost like the real thing!!! But I know the real thing is going to be 100 times better!!!

The differences in my dreams now verses my dreams with Ben were I was always a superhero in my dreams with Ben. I was out saving the world, family, husband and anyone else you could imagine. I was out on adventures in the rain forest, climbing mountains, jumping down waterfalls, and fending off wild animals. My dreams now seem much more calm as of so far. I almost wonder if the adventure dreams related to the fact that I was having a boy. I dunno.

She is my little dear. Moving ever so soflty around in my belly. She kicks, punches and rolls. She sits way, way, way low and I probably have to use the restroom like 20 times a day to relieve my bladder. It's insane. I think she sleeps alot cuz she goes through episodes of being wild and then she calms down and barely moves at all. Last night, Jake had his hand over me on my belly in the middle of the night, and she started going wild, kicking at his hand, it was kind of funny. He may have been half asleep, but he quickly rolled over probably thinking, come on little girl, quit kicking me, it's sleep time.

I have also found a new favorite song for our little girl, we listen to often. It's called "Daughter" Performed by Loudon Wainwright III in the movie Knocked UP! This is still a hilarious movie to watch and even better if you are pregnant watching it.

One other song, I kind of dedicate to Jake, Ben, and our little girl is off of the P.S. I Love You Soundtrack,
"Love You 'til the End" Written by Darryl Hunt, Performed by The Pogues.

Check em out. You'll become a huge fan!!

Overall, feeling well and doing great!

Bubble time!

I've watched this several times now, just to get a good laugh!

Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin....into the future

Man, times just seems to be flying by. Between work, home, Jake, Ben, family, babies being born, anniversaries, and birthdays, I can't believe how quick everything passes.

My bro and sis n law are going to have baby Isaac any week now. Ava, older sis, turns two this weekend. Cous Elle turns 6 next week along with Jake and I's four year anniversary and Grandpa Doug's birthday too! Plus, Alyssa, Braddock, Jessica, and Jake all just had birthdays. That is like 9 awesome events in just over a month. Wow! Hopefully, I didn't forget anyone's because well,I have been known to do that lately.

This pregnancy seems to be going pretty quick too. I can't believe I find out in less than two weeks what the sex will be of Baby Holee! I am so ecstatic! I don't remember being this excited with Ben, but I am sure I was! And Baby Holee has been going wild inside my belly. So active, kickn, rollin and rockin. I was thinking i would be carrying her higher, but I am second guessing because I feel lower and lower as I continue to grow. Maybe I just have a short torso.

Thoughts this morning, I remembered having probably about two years ago was how awesome it was to be able to carry a child in your womb. I feel pretty darn blessed to be growing a baby inside of me, and how great a connection it is with your child. I mean what a job to be granted. I feel that each movement is the baby's way of communicating with me in weird way. I do kind of feel bad for Jake because he doesn't get to feel, experience, or be reminded by a little kick that we have a baby growing. It is so random, that every time I think I want to tell Jake to feel the baby kickin, she stops. It will be soon enough that we will see a little leg or arm push outward from inside, so we can look forward to that.

Just a small flashback to around this time last year, Ben was between 7-8 months old:
________________________
March 8th, 2008
Benjamin is 8 months old! I can't believe it. A short update: He is crawling quite skillfully now. He has learned to roam the house by himself and cause mischief. Mom and Dad are using the words "No No" quite often.

He has yet to cut his first tooth, but I can tell he is still trying. Still knawing away on his thumb and whatever else he can get in his mouth. His new word to say now is "na-na-na-na." He mixes it up with "Da-da-da-da" He still loves to grunt while he is concentrating especially when he is pulling out Dad's chest hair and sitting on his shoulders playing with Dad's bald head.



________________________

My little baby isn't a little baby anymore:(. Good thing I am making another one:)

Could someone please cut my mouth out?!

OH MY GOODNESS! So, I had a day off yesterday and spent till about 10:30am of it at the dentist office. I have four cavities that were found in a check up back in November. Unfortunately because I was in my first trimester then, they were unable to do any of the dental work till I hit second trimester when Baby Holee was in the "safe" zone. Well, the first two they drilled away at yesterday. By the time they were done, I wondered what portion of tooth was left. He said he had to drill quite close to the "pulp" which was going to cause me some major discomfort in the healing process and I have a possibility of absess. I am thinking, Great! Why not?

So, last night while sleeping in the recliner sitting up because I was unable to lay my head down from the throbbing of my mouth, I dozed off and in my sleep, I guess I decided to chomp down with my teeth. I went unglued, and pretty much would have rather had someone cut off my left toe than feel what I was feeling. Unfortunately I am also only allowed to take tylenol verses any anti-inflammatory because I am pregnant. According to something I read on-line "Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) interfere with blood clotting and increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding for both mother and baby. Toward the end of pregnancy, they hinder production of the hormones that stimulate labor, so that labor may be dangerously delayed or extended."

After a good hour of crying and pacing the floor, and several pain inflicted Braxton Hicks contractions, I decided I best call my OB to see my options. She sleepily called me right back after a page was sent to her and advised me to try a one time dose of 800mg of Ibuprofen. Assuming I wasn't going into labor or having internal bleeding, it would be all right. I did and 1/2 hour later I was in snooze land till about 6:30 this morning.

No other way to describe the evening as horrendous! I hate tooth pain worse than any other pain in the world. And lucky me, I have an appointment Monday morning to fix the other two. Good thing is they aren't quite as deep. THANK GOODNESS!

Looking Back

Last night, Jake wanted me to watch this talk by a president of a university in Utah(BYU) It was recommended to him by his Dad, and he had watched it a couple weeks ago and said it was really good.

So, I did, and Man, did I get a lot out of it. One of the main ideas was about looking back into the past and trying not to dwell on it. But to focus on where you are now and your future. What a great reminder. A saying I have used often is "make today the best day you possibly can, because we no longer have yesterday, and we may not even have tomorrow" I gave a small speech in one of my business courses in college, and it's main focus was that statement. Everyone in the class was required to give speeches that day and mine was the only one that had the entire class clapping along with the teacher after I was done. I remember feeling a little "caught off guard" as I walked back to my desk. But I also felt that there was a lot of meaning to what I was saying and I relayed that to them.

So, the speech I watched last night I used it to relate to my marriage. Marriage. Marriage is not always a walk in the park. Now, that doesn't mean I would change anything in the world about it. Jake and I are headed towards our four year anniversay this month, and it has really got me thinking. We came a long way. I can't imagine doing it with any other man #1. We do have trials. I have come to believe it wouldn't be marriage otherwise. You put two people together from two completely different lives and they evolve together. But it takes time and I am the first one to say we are still growing. But even in our worst times, do I ever want to look back and take away what we have together? No. I want to make it better, the best, awesome! The only way to do that is focus on what we can make of today, and what we make of tomorrow, God willing. Fact of the matter is if we all did this in our marriage, think about how grand it would be. Not just as an individual making the day the best day ever but making it the best day ever as a husband or wife.

I will be the first to say that the "newness", excitement, and romance has dwindled quite a bit if not all since those days that we were dating. We have our moments still, but nothing like it used to be. And boy, do I miss it. But should I really focus on what once was or focus on making today the best ever. I mean really Jake and I are so blessed to have each other, Benjamin and our little Baby Holee. That in itself gives us every reason to be an award winning husband, wife and parent. We have a mature love now, that I have never experienced in my life and it is actually quite comforting. But we can only make our marriage what we want it to be, not anyone else. The speaker stressed over and over again and quite gruffly how detrimental it can be to a person in a marriage for one partner to sling the past in the other's face. And then in a revolt, the other will sling something back. It may be something from last week, last year, or even two days ago. We all know that gets us no where!

The only thing I want to be looking back on are the grandest of memories of our family. It excites me to think about having two kids, watching them grow, and then Jake and I watching our grandchildren grow. I mean really, look what we have to look forward to. Why would we strive for anything different.

I'm smart, right?

I really enjoy blogging, but I just haven't had as much time to do it as I wish. And there is always my dilemma of having this amazing idea and wanting to blog about it right away, then time passes, the thoughts pass, and it never gets blogged.

So, I have been catching up on some of my reading of other people's blogs which I thoroughly enjoy. It's kind of like my daily news of other people and their lives. I like reading people's thoughts, daily adventures, and even their venting. Sometimes, it even inspires me to write.

So, in my pondering, I decided I would review some of my most previous writings, and I realized, my blog has consisted of mostly Ben, and my pregnancy. Not that this is a bad thing at all, and I feel these two things in itself could entail a 1000 page novel, and Ben is only a year and 1/2. But there is more that goes on in my head than just those things. This is when I realize I have been getting caught up in the crazy busy days of our everyday lives, work, bills, sleep and eat.
#1, I am so ashamed to even write about this, but I will. Tuesday the 27th was Jake's birthday. Walked out of the house that morning, gave Ben and him a hug and kiss goodbye, and didn't even think or remember to say Happy Birthday. Yes, I forgot, until about noon on that day - that it was my loving husband's birthday. That is so, so, so, soooooooooo sad!! And I pride myself on remembering birthdays. I am always, or at least try to be, the first one to call and wish any of my 9 brothers and sisters a happy birthday on their special day. Even if it is 6 in the morning! So, needless to say, I made up for it that evening, by bringing dinner home, baking a surprise cake at work and brought it home, and just trying to give Jake a little break. You know my awesome husband didn't even get upset. He just says to me with a little laugh(a laugh I have grown to love), "it's okay babe, I know you have had a lot going on." Now if that didn't make me want to cry, I don't know what would.
There are no excuses. I have been taking on more responsibility at work, which means a lot of training, and I won't lie, it has been a stressful week, but it should never result in me forgetting the love of my life's birthday!!!

So, this is where I stop, breathe in and out, and slow the heck down. Life has been kind of like a jumble of hours, minutes, bedtimes, bathtimes, deadlines, sleep times, alarm clocks, watching the clock, and mealtimes. That sure doesn't sound like a full-filling life does it?!

We have visits every so often from missionaries at Jake's church. For those that don't know, I am Catholic, and he is Morman----And no, Mormans do not believe in polygamy, just an fyi. It is kind of like a stereotype that people have about Catholics and their child-molesting priests. That is the only way I can compare. You do things like that in the church, you get kicked out--- But back to my point, what I have found is that my beliefs do not sway far from their beliefs. In fact, a lot are pretty close. So I thoroughly enjoy learning, reading and just practicing my faith. And well, when they come to visit, they spread a good message. I will always practice Catholicism, but I still appreciate these missionaries visits. I think in a way it was God's way of giving me a swift kick in my patooty to get back into gear!

Anyways, back to my title of this post. I have always prided myself in thinking that I am a pretty smart girl, worked pretty hard to be where I am today. I still think I have a lot going for me. Don't get me wrong, I have made some mistakes in my life, I am human, but ya know, for the most part I consider myself on top of things. I love writing and hopefully plan to construe a little bit more in my blog posting than the same old thing. Now, don't think you are going to get out of reading about Ben and my pregnancy, well because really those are very too big things in my life, and really always will be. But I think I am more apt to share other things even if they are random thoughts about life.

So, all have a good weekend. We are headed to KC to visit some friends and family. Ben may even have a chance to do some wrestling on the mats at a tournament his Uncle J is coaching at. We all know how he loves to wrestle, so I hope to get some pics.

RANDOM

I have been super busy at work and keep saying I am going to blog about certain things, then I get side tracked, and never do. So, some random thoughts/ongoings in the last week.

1) I am officially out of the 1st trimester, which is a relief for me, mostly. If I were to miscarry it would most likely occurr in the first.

2) I feel great. No more nausea for two complete days now. Not even an episode. Did wake up with the worst heartburn I ever felt last night, but it passed.

3) Ben has six teeth, with I think 10 more coming in. Poor guy! Has been miserable. Up at night, and just doesn't know what to do with himself.

4) Ben said "football" last night, as we were playing catch. He is saying words more and more, which is so exciting.

5) I can no longer button hardly any of my pants. I purchased two belly bands on ebay yesterday, and they can't get here soon enough. Everything else fits, just not around my little belly. From what I can see, I haven't gained weight yet though.....

6) For several weeks, probably back to almost 11 weeks I have been able to feel 'baby G Holee' move. I feel slight flutters. It is so much more recognizable this time, cuz I know what to look for.

7) Yep, I said Baby G Holee, cuz I am making bets I am having a girl!!

8) My friend Jana called and left a voicemail confirming this today, stating she had a dream last night that I was having a girl.

9) I have been working my patooty off at work like no other and it has been very rewarding. I like challenges, and I truly love rising to the occasion.

10) My two favorite men in my life brought breakfast in bed to me on Saturday morning, just for the heck of it. It blew my socks off, I think he did that one other time in my life, and it was when I was pregnant with Ben. Eggs, bacon, OJ, and cinnamon rolls.

11) Which reminds me, I still love Cinnamon rolls in this pregnancy. I have yet to fill the craving of Cinnabon yet, but I will work on that.

12) The warmer weather couldn't get here soon enough. Ben and I need play time outside.

13) In the mornings, as I have been driving to work..... I have been feeling like an ant of the antz movie, watching all the scurrying cars off to their jobs each morning in a rush. Some singing to their music, some with stone faces, some with smiles, some with sad faces. And I imagine how each and everyone of us have our own lives and we still intertwine all together.

14) I still have a major pet peave of reckless driving, especially when it effects me and my baby G. Let's just say Mama doesn't always have the nicest things to say when I am cut off.

15) Listen up for the Bill that is supposed to be passed in the US by our new president for Partial birth abortions to be required to be done in all hospitals. I think it is tragic. If you don't know what a "partial birth abortion" is -Read up on it. If that isn't murder, I don't know what is.

16) On a positive note, my Mother who used to work for a non-profit Pro-life organization was told a story by an old co-worker, that a mother decided to keep her 14 week gestation baby after seeing an ultrasound and watching her child suck her thumb and then literally reach out palm up towards the mother's hand as she had placed it on her own belly. This happened six days ago.

17) Life is good, I feel good. I am blessed. And it can't get much better than that.