Sunbeams

Sunday was Joel and my last Sunday teaching the Sunbeams (kiddos ages 3-4 years old) in our ward. We've had this calling since January and now we're finally moving to our house in Columbus for Joel to starts dental school in just 8 DAYS! So anyway- we've been teaching these 7 children for about 9 months.

Has it always been enjoyable? No!!! Did I get a little teary eyed saying good-bye to the kids yesterday? Most definitely YES!!!

Every Sunday these kids wiggle, whine, not follow instructions or listen, and a few occasionally cry! (No- we're not mean teachers... at least Joel isn't.) But so many times these kids will just melt my heart the way the care about one another when they hear one of the kids isn't there b/c they're sick. Or when they seem to not be paying attention at all to what we're trying to teach them & then one of their parents tells me they came home from church asking questions about what we've taught them.

Example: Carmen went home and asked her mom where Heavenly Father & Jesus live. Her mom replied 'Heaven'. Carmen then says, "Okay, good! That's what Sis. Skousen taught us!"

And most of all I'm going to miss their sweet spirits and loving smiles each Sunday. Because even when I'm having a bad morning and I'm a bit down b/c I don't have my own children yet (for some reasons Sundays seem to be the most difficult days in regards to this)... they give me this BIG SMILE or HUG and it truly makes me feel better, even if just for a minute or two.

I don't think I truly took advantage of the blessing and wonderful opportunity it was to teach these sweet children. Luckily when we visit Joel's parents we'll be able to see them again.

I LOVE THESE KIDS SO MUCH!!!

Joel, me, Griffin "my buddy", Carmen, Adra (she's related to us), Dean, & Ella

(we're missing Roman b/c he got sick during class & Zach b/c he wasn't there that day)

I'm especially thankful for this calling b/c it helped Joel completely jump on the "ADOPTION BANDWAGON"! We've had many conversations about adoption and even though Joel said we could fill the papers out I knew he wasn't ready. But after we had this calling for a month or so, Joel said to me, "Let's adopt! I was always fine with the idea, but after teaching these kids, I know how much I can love a child that isn't my biological child!" (this isn't word for word b/c it was a while ago)

Anyway, we had a low-key last Sunday with them b/c we wanted to just enjoy spending time with them. We gave quick lesson, colored our bunny pictures & stuck cotton balls on their tails, and then we had CUPCAKES!!! I made them as a "special treat" for the kiddos. They loved them of course. Then they gave me lots of hugs and they were gone!

Get the kiddos all hopped up on sugar before I send them home w/ their parents... 
aren't we such great teachers?

Griffin, Roman, Dean, Ella, Carmen & Adra

I love all those kids so much but my special little buddy, Griffin, seriously broke my heart yesterday! He's literally the sweetest, nicest, cutest kid ever! I'm just glad he was clinging to me yesterday and sat on my lap all through sharing time in primary. Thanks kids for helping me grow! (especially in patience... even though I'm still not the best at this)

Private Punches

Last Sunday, at the end of church Joel and I were watching the twins, Reid & Gage (our nephews). Their parents had to meet with one of our bishopric members so we were put in charge of keeping tabs on them. While we were talking to my "boyfriend", Aric, and Brad (my bro-in-law, Paul's buds) and the twins decided to start punch "fighting" with Aric and Brad. Cute? Yes!

Well, of course "Silly Brittany" {what Gage calls me} had to join in on the fun. So I said to Reid, "I'm gunna kick your bum bum!" I follow with a low (due to wearing a skirt) & soft kick to Reid's behind. This apparently is an invitation for Reid to transfer is fighting efforts towards me.

And now the FUNNY part of the story comes in!

"Haha! No, I'm gunna kick you in the bum bum!!!" - Reid

"I don't think so..." -me

"Fine... then, I'm gunna PUNCH YOU IN THE WEE-WEE!!!" -Reid

{Reid then precedes to punch me in the "wee-wee", catching me off guard!}

Reid- the "wee-wee" puncher (pic not from day of incident)

hahaha! I know...it's hard not to laugh, but of course I had to take the opportunity to "educate" young Reid about NOT PUNCHING PEOPLE (especially GIRLS) in the wee-wee... no matter how old they are!

Oh, poor little guy! He looked like a puppy w/ his tail between his legs. I didn't speak harshly towards him but I did have to give my "mean/serious" face so that he knew I was not joking.

I told him I love him and I'm not mad but he needed to understand that it definitely was NOT OKAY to go around PUNCHING people in their WEE-WEES! Private parts are not for punching.

You just don't bring those things up to kids until they happen. I saved Nick & Janine from that little talk to Reid but I'm leaving Gage to them. haha! I just thought it was SOOO FUNNY that out of nowhere he said that.

Where did he get/ learn/ think to do that from??? Ah well... it made for a good story!

Goodness... kids really do say the darndest things... especially those twinners!

The Hunger Games

I finished reading the books (all three) 2 weekends ago! I read all of them pretty quickly... Hunger Games: on the drive down to Texas, Catching Fire: 1/2 while in Texas (much to my fam's dismay) & 1/2 on the drive back up to Ohio, then I read Mockingjay that first week back in Ohio from vacation.

I ate, drank, breathed & literally slept The Hunger Games!!! Seriously... I dreamt (still do actually) about the goodness of the books and in my dreams I played none other than Katniss Everdeen. However, I didn't play it quite as well as I think Jennifer Lawrence will.

I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH!!!

I know everyone (accept my sis, Amanda) said they did NOT like Mockingjay, but I enjoyed that book thoroughly! I don't get the frustration with it? It was a great conclusion. Did certain parts seemed a little rushed to me? Yes. I think that happened in all 3 books a bit though. But overall, well done and now I'm just itching for the movies! I need something since HP has ended. 

I'm going from HP to HG... ah, that's right, I JUST DID THAT!!!

(WARNING: do NOT continue to read the post if you haven't read the books and plan on it!!!)

Oh and can I say I'm totally TEAM PEETA!!!

(and we all know there are going to be "team peeta" & "team gale" stuff everywhere)

I just wanted to get it out there now that I am "Team Peeta" and he is just the best! And I do NOT believe Katniss chooses him just b/c he's there in the end and he's an easy choice. She loved him and while reading all 3 books I always felt like she would end up with Peeta Mellark. Plus- Gale totally didn't want to be with her at the end or else he would've gone to District 12 like Peeta did. Gale made his choice to go w/ his career and therefore chose not to be with Katniss. 

Everything worked out wonderfully, except of course for those characters that died that we LOVED so much! Did it not just break your heart when Finnick scarificed himself? I might have teared up a few times while reading the books.

Hello, my name is Brittany, and I'm a HUNGER GAMES ADDICT!!!

I think I have a problem! First step, is admitting you have an issue, so at least I've gotten that far. I've tried to start reading other books now, but I just keep thinking about the Hunger Games trilogy. I cannot get into books since images I've conjured up in the head while reading (by the way when I read I have to make a movie in my head in order to get into it/ enjoy it/ remember it) are always for the Hunger Games "love triangle".

But I did start reading the Uglies last night. I think I'm finally able to get Katniss and Peeta out of my head long enough to not mix them up with Tally and Peris. I think I will like these books as well. Joel and I think these books will also be made into movies... b/c let's face it, every book is these days. Which I'm 100% ok with. Oh how I do love to read... and watch movies!

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES BOOKS... GET GOING SLACKERS!!!

We used how much water???

This is your current water bill:

Service dates: 07/07/11 - 07/11/11
4 days?
Wait, we weren't even at the house during those 4 days. Yet, somehow we managed to use some 200,000 + gallons of water... In 4 days. Needless to say, I felt there must be some error. Still, having such a surety that there was an error did not help me sleep any better the night after we received this. The next morning, I, Joel (Brittany wanted you to know that it is I posting this), promptly called the Water & Sewage utility company. The response from the lady on the other end, "why does it do this sometimes." Apparently, this has happened with this company on numerous occasions. I say get some new freaking meters. She deleted that bill and set our usage to zero.

Turns out that the amount we were billed is the entire usage since construction of the house in 2006. 5 years of water and sewer usage. I must say that, though it gave me a mild heart attack and a sleepless night, I was pleased that it was as easy as a 3 minute phone call to clear it up. The new joys of home-ownership... What have we got ourselves into?

P.S. I am actually very excited to be a homeowner. I have a lawnmower. And, a garden!

The Boy Who Lived

(i wonder how many people will have blog posts about HP & more specifically w/ this title?)

On Saturday, July 16th at 2:40pm- Joel, me, mom & dad skousen went to see the FINAL installment of the HARRY POTTER series... Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows- Part 2. To say it was ah-mazing would be an understatement! I loved it so so much... you don't even know!!!

***

I LOVE HARRY POTTER!!! If I could be a part of any book/ movie series, it would be Harry Potter... hands down! If you did not know about my HP obsession, well then... you do NOT know me at all!!! I use to wear HP underwear, I play HP UNO, I own all the books & most the movies (we're waiting for a blu-ray box set to come out & buy that... sa-weet!), and I have weekly dreams about the characters & going to Hogwarts... I think I must have been a HOGWARTS student in a previous life! Boy- do I wish that was true!
***

Now I don't want you to be fooled... just because I did NOT go to the midnight showing thursday of HP, that in no way means I'm not a die-hard fan! I just know my limitations & that I had to wake up the next day at 5:00am in order to get ready for work! I so wish I could've... but if I did I most definitely would've had to call into work the next day. Even though I was subject to seeing HP 7.2 on Saturday, it did not make it any less wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie!!! The only complaint I have is that it should've been 2 hours longer or been made in to 3 movies. How awesome would that have been?
As far as movies go... I'm not going to have anything to look forward to each year!!!

happy b/c it was superb!!!

All of last week seemed to go by at a snail’s pace b/c I was so anxious for the movie. I knew it would be a difficult time for me though b/c I have such mixed emotions about the whole thing. I was bursting from the seams with anticipation to see the movie, but the reality that THIS is the VERY LAST HARRY POTTER movie was at the forefront of my mind! My excitement was stifled by the sadness I felt for my journey with Harry, Ron & Hermione ending after such a long love we shared! (we had a good run while it lasted) This was a very bitter sweet weekend for me... one which I shall NEVER forget!

*tear* sad that it's all over! *tear*

If only J.K Rowling would write a prequel to HP about Harry's parents & the Order of the Phoenix dealing with Voldemort (oops... I mean- "He who must not be named") back then... I think that would bring me out of this depression of mine!

Don't you think that's a "BRILLANT" idea?

We had a good run Harry & me... but I guess all good things must come to an end! [insert cheese factor here] Except for me & my Joel Reuby! [end of cheesiness] I will just have to join Harry in our special world through the books now... but I've ALMOST come to terms with this fact! The books are fantastic so I cannot get into too deep of a depression.
I will just have to convince Joel to take me to Universal Studios --

The Wizarding World of HARRY POTTER!!!

that'd be WICKED awesome

Doesn't this just get you all giddy... yet break your heart at the same time?

(i apologize for the excessive amount of exclamation marks... but can you blame me?)

St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's Day is never anything special really. Don't get me wrong, I like it and all, but due to the fact that I'm not Irish and I don't drink myself unconscious, this day really isn't anything more than me wearing GREEN!!! But oh how I love the color green. It is my favorite color you know!

Oh and I do miss the days when people PINCHED those who did not wear green and participate in St. Patty's Day! This is a bonus of St. Patty's that i truly miss. Why can't i be in 2nd grade again? Ah well...

This year I decided to make a "GREEN" dinner!!! As in the color green. I thought it'd be something fun to do. Also, I had about 1-1/2 hours to waste until Joel got home from work and I never cook anymore (or pretty much since I married that handsome+amazingly sweet+excellent cook husband of mine) so I thought it might be nice to have dinner ready when he got home!

Well, I did it and it was a SUCCESS!!! Everything was delicious and everything was GREEN! We had fun with it and I think I'll probably do it each St. Patrick's Day now! I feel a new tradition emerging.

I made/we ate...
- tallarin verde (this is a peruvian dish that is mouth-watering)
- salad w/ cucumber+tomato+real bacon bits (i know it's not completely green but come on...that would've been a boring salad)
- green beans
- pound cake+mint chocolate chip ice cream (dyed the pound cake green b/c i'm awesome like that)
- GREEN "mocktail" (ginger ale+sprite+apple juice+lemon juice+2 drops green food coloring)

just the salad...nothing exciting

this is what I like to call the "GREEN HORNET" mocktail

the yummy meal

Joel thinking, "isn't my wifey the BEST!!!"

(really he was complaining b/c I insisted on taking pictures+he just got home from work & thought he looked grubby)

pound cake+mint ice cream=deliciousness

ignore the shine & deer in the headlights look

So we had fun with St. Patty's Day this year and enjoyed the delicious dinner I made!!! I don't want to toot my own horn or anything, but BRAVO BRIT!!! And I will oblige myself with a "pat" on the back (pat... b/c it was for st. patty's day... i didn't realize this at first but i made myself giggle so...what the hay).

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

GRACE KELLY

I love old movies! You know, the ones with Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, Jimmy Stewart, etc. The list goes on and on! Although I have not seen a lot of them, my "to watch" list is never ending. I just love the style back then...the clothes, the acting, etc.

Anyway, I recently received an email from my Aunt Lisa (she is the forwarding queen), which normally I would ignore, but I decided to take a glance at it and take this 10 question quiz which would let me know what movie star I am. As I'm sure you already guessed (based on the title of the post), I am...

GRACE KELLY!!!

She is absolutely the most BEAUTIFUL woman!!! I mean, look at her! I'm pretty sure she's universally appealing (at least as looks go). She's near PERFECTION! I just love her.

So this is what is says about Grace Kelly and why I am apparently "LIKE" her...

[You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine (canada dry for me though) are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday.  Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.]

a very SERIA christmas!

So this Christmas Joel and I made the 15 hour drive down to TEXAS with Grams & Papou Shapardanis. It was SUPER FUN to say the least! This was our first Christmas since we've been married that we spent it with my family, the crazy SERIA gang. We missed Joel's parents (especially since they had very few visitors for christmas this year) but loved having my ENTIRE FAMILY there!

10 adults + a 4 bedroom house = NEVER A DULL MOMENT! 

(plus my oldest sis, Karissa & her precious son, Roran (who I am obsessed with) were at the house the majority of the time)

Anyway, we didn't do anything super exciting but it was still fantastic being home...and in warmer weather! We went to the Dallas, TX temple and I wore a short sleeve dress without a coat... how amazing is that? I was in heaven!!!

Seria Christmas 2010 Activities:
-watched movies nightly
-had a Seria girls night while the boys played basketball at the stake center (we watched all 3 Twilight movies b/c Karissa had never really seen them). Oh one night we also watched all of North & South... yea we were up pretty late but Mr. Thornton transfixed all of us.
-played Wii Fit constantly...we brought it all the way from Ohio & got everyone addicted (my dad just bought one for my mom for her b-day)
-went to the temple...my grandparents work super hard at doing our genealogy so we all went & it was so special to be there together
-threw a Seria Shindig for old time sake (our house was the "party house" during high school. everyone always came over to hang out. it was so fun seeing so many of my friends for the short time we were in town)
-SHOPPED TILL WE DROPPED...the ladies of course
-played games+more games, but mostly the "name game"
-SERIA CHRISTMAS EVE PROGRAM 2010 (i always put together a program on christmas eve. everyone participates by sharing a talent, mom recites the Night Before Christmas, dad reads the story of the birth of Christ, grandparents share traditions they grew up doing at christmas in Greece & Germany)
-SERIA FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT...b/c who knows when the next time we'll all be home at the same time
-FHE w/ the Blacker family (we played "minute to win it" games...Kenna was the champion for sure)
-New Year's Eve Fondue Party w/ the family & my cousin Sasha's family... we adopted that from the Skousen gang
-Visit w/ the Kraus family (joel's sis, Liana+her hubby, Collin+2 adorable nieces, Lilly & Lucy)
-DANCE PARTIES w/ little Roran multiple times a day (roran absolutely loves dancing. unfortunately none of my videos were good enough to post)
-my sis, Amanda & I constantly fighting over RORAN PHILIP!!! this is a never-ending thing b/c we're OBSESSED w/ that child!!!

Derek & Joel

singing Away in a Manger in Spanish @ the Seria Christmas Eve Program

Joel got ice skates...he's super happy!

Joel & I opening presents Christmas morning/afternoon

Morgan, me, Kenna & Joel at FHE

Jared (bro-in-law), Joel, Dave (my good friend) & Derek: my adorable baby brother

at the Seria Shindig

RORAN PHILIP

he started this scowl thing which I'm pretty sure he got from his daddy

TEMPLE TRIP...notice no coats needed

mom, amanda, jared, grams, papou, me, joel, karissa & devin

Roran lookin' like a STUD!

Lucy & Lilly

lilly was apparently disgusted by lucy's poor little rash

Liana, Collin, me & Joel

we had fun w/ the Kraus fam. i showed them the best places to live (ie: where I want to live one day) b/c we want to live near them soon-ish

Devin (my bro-in-law) preparing for Fondue Night/ New Year's Eve

Joel, Jared, Amanda, Glen & Megan (my cousin)

Joel, me, Amanda & Jared toasting to the New Year!

Derek (the best little brother in the WORLD)  hittin' the road to head back to BYU-Idaho

SERIA FAMILY

clockwise: me, joel, devin, jared, derek, amanda, mom, dad, karissa & roran

SERIA SISTERS w/ their HUBBIES

SERIA KIDS

Roran at Target from Brittany Skousen on Vimeo.

Grams on Wii Fit from Brittany Skousen on Vimeo.

I seriously spent like 15 to 20 minutes saying this to Roran. Needless to say my throat was a bit sore afterwards. 

But he's a silly kid and a little entertainer/ mimicker. We had fun!

Anyway...we had a blast over Christmas with my family. A lot of memories were made and I'm glad I got to share some of them with you. Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas!

Posts to come...

So I've been working really hard on my post about the christmas holidays, so I have it saved for you to view...hopefully by tomorrow. But I have three videos I really want on there b/c they're that worth it, so I have to wait for them to upload on Vimeo. Anyone know why it's taking so stinkin' long???

Anyway, just wanted to let you know we are alive & well... and that quite a few posts are to come VERY SHORTLY!!!

Joel got into...

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 

SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY!!!

And we are ECSTATIC about it!!! It has been Joel's #1 choice since he decided to apply to dental school. We received the good news Monday, January 3rd in the morning while we were having a family breakfast before the rest of the holiday visitors went back to Utah. It was hilarious b/c we were talking with David & Emily (joel's cousin & his wife) just seconds before he received the call about how Joel could be accepted any day that week. It was serendipitous! 

So come September 21st of this year Joel will start dental school. His white coat ceremony is a few 

days before which will officially make him a BUCKEYE! 

He has mixed emotions about it due to the fact he, along with every family member on mom skousen's side, has always been a Michigan fan. I told him that he'll have to shift his allegiance to OSU but he 100% disagrees. I'm okay with him still liking Michigan but when OSU & Michigan play he cannot wear blue... he must wear scarlet & gray b/c I fully plan on it. Anyway, we agree to disagree for now. But we are super happy and feel blessed that Joel is able to further his education.

To celebrate Joel's acceptance mom & dad skousen took us to Montgomery Inn for dinner. It was delicious! I had never been but I've heard about numerous times so I'm glad I finally got to go. Joel and I shared the ribs b/c I guess that's one of their specialties...and I enjoyed it! Our waitress even put bibs on us...key word "she" put them on us! I thought it was funny.

notice how we're wearing scarlet to represent OSU?

So people have been treating to buy me a SNUGGIE for years now. I have protested of course. Yes I am constantly cold (i am like my mother) but come on...a snuggie? The name alone renders it to mockery. So due to the stupid name I am refused to own one. I mean everyone tried to buy me one: my hubby, co-workers, friends, parentals.

Due to my euphoria of Joel being accepted to Ohio State, while at bed, bath & beyond I said something which I thought I never would, "Joel, I will let you buy me a SNUGGIE if you buy this one..."

I know...but the snuggie and I were meant to be and now we're best buds! I love my snuggie!!! But there are some flaws to my new BFF therefore, I have thought of a new & improved snuggie which Joel thinks we should market as the CUDDLY!

As you can see we're already proud to be BUCKEYES and plan on making all our immediate family members get Ohio State paraphernalia. Beware family...especially you little Roran!

I LOVE THE INTERNET!

So our apartment complex cancelled our free internet...NOT HAPPY! But we'll be gone in two weeks, so we're just opting to go without for the remainder of the time. Right now I'm in the apartment lounge for a bit, but I hate coming here, so I will do updates when we're in Ohio... or if I desperately need a break from packing and decide to head to the campus library for a bit to visit Joel and blog. Not likely though!

I HATE MOVING!!! However, we are excited to move to Ohio and be near Joel's family and take advantage of Joel's parents never-ending hospitality. Moving/ packing stresses me out and I'm lacking the required motivation to get going on this packing business. Therefore, I will not have much spare time to post.  But I do have LOTS to blog about!!! So PLEASE stay tuned! To come...

• Joel's Graduation
• North Carolina Trip (with the Seria family...my fam if you didn't know that was my maiden name)
• Random stuff I must make note of for memory sake

It's really pathetic how out of touch with the world I feel when I do not have access to the internet. How sad it that? I know...extremely sad! But you know you'd be lost without it too. Enjoy your internet b/c we miss ours greatly!

My Apologies

I just wanted to apologize for my last post! My dad informed me that I shared WAY TOO MUCH information and that I'm not a pessimistic person so I shouldn't write posts which portray me in such a light. True...it was an over share and a bit depressing. However, I was NOT meaning it to sound pessimistic! I was frustrated and wanted to vent...SUE ME!

P.S. - I love you popsy! You're the best! Thanks for keeping me in line!

I also wanted to thank everyone for their kind words or encouragement, reminders to always have faith and that things WILL work out in the end! I have such amazing family and friends and I'm truly grateful for all of you. And if any of you are going through something similar to this and want to talk...I am always here for you! It's not an easy thing to face alone, which is why Joel and I decided to share our trial with you guys. Having family and friends there for you makes it seem less tiresome. And it doesn't matter how many times I hear your kind words of encouragement...they're helpful each and every time.

Oh, I had my doctor's appointment this afternoon. That was equally frustrating! Due to the fact that I started my per-per they couldn't check to see if I had a miscarriage. So I guess I'll never know if we were in fact prego. That saddens me b/c I think I'd have renewed faith, knowing that we could in fact get pregnant! My appointment was just for a consult and I was only in there talking to him for 10 - 15 minutes. Guess how much that's going to cost us? 110 DOLLARS!!! Yep, that's right...you read correctly! This is mostly why I'm frustrated. Having the parents I do, I immediately shared my thoughts that $110 for maybe a 15 minute visit is ridiculous and I didn't want to pay it! Alas, I lost the fight! I didn't have hopes that I'd be victorious, but it's still a hard blow to my ego and wallet.

I shouldn't have even gone to the appointment b/c I called early this week to talk to a nurse to see if I should come in and I talked to my friend, Sadie (who's a L&D Nurse) and they told me exactly the same thing, if not MORE than my doctor. It was a fruitless appointment to say the least. But he advised us to keep "trying"...hello... of course we're going to keep trying...WE WANT A BABY!!! Also that Joel should see an Urologist and that if in a few months we're still not successful for me to get an ultrasound to see if my tubes are blocked or if I have ovarian cysts. CAN'T WE DO THAT NOW??? Then, if nothing is wrong we should consider doing the IUI (intrauterine insemination).

Personally, I'm planning on skipping some of that b/c Joel and I cannot afford to see an Urologist b/c they tend to be pricy in the things they do. Second, as soon as we get the money to do an IUI, We're doing it!!! We don't want to go in debt for procedures. And during all this, Joel and I WILL be filling out adoption papers. We've discussed it thoroughly after this past week's experience and we want to start the process as soon as we move to Ohio and get settled a bit. So probably after our trip to Texas in September. Yay! We're excited to be taking our own actions to get a baby, whichever method that may be.

So we're excited to see what the future brings! P.S.- Joel and I are very happy and love each other even more through this experience! I don't want people to think that just b/c of this difficult thing we're facing we don't realize the good things in life that we have, like each other. Just in case anyone was wondering!

Roran Philip Delozier (my nephew)

Since this post is about babies, or that lack thereof, I decided to post this adorable picture of my nephew from my Texas trip this past March, for your enjoyment!

Slightly Depressed

Disclaimer: This may be slightly depressing and TMI for some of you…read at your own risk of being sad and disturbed!!!

So Joel and I have been trying to get pregnant now for almost 21 months now (pretty much since we’ve been married). Well, this month we were almost POSITIVE we were pregnant! I had some symptoms, I had slight cramping (which my doctor said is normal if you’re prego) and most importantly…my PERIOD was LATE!!! That never ever happens to me. It’s always 29 days after my last one and always the same consistency.

It’s predictable and dependable, if you will, and that’s the way I like it. Now I don’t like having my period b/c it’s also extremely painful for me. I have a special prescription from my doctor for the horrible cramps I get. It literally feels like a hundred (or more) knives are being repeatedly stabbed into my lower back! But this month, there was NO PAIN! So that added to my list of reasons why I thought this month was the month when Joel and I would finally get that happy and blessed news we’ve been hoping and praying for multiple times a day! It makes me want to stay in the fetal position for the entire 6 days I’m on my per-per.

Alas…my body SUCKS!!! It apparently thought it’d be super hilarious to get my hopes up and play a mean trick on me! Joel and I didn’t want to get to excited about it b/c I wanted to wait until the week I would’ve had my period to pass before we’d take a HPT to confirm the happy news we were sure we’d receive. If I have to go through this I would really appreciate not having cruel jokes played on me. I’d much rather prefer feeling the bitter blow of disappointment every 29 days that is my period’s arrival.

Riddle me this…period being days late (remember I said it is always on time), BBT raised for 12 consecutive days (they say if it’s raised for 18 or more days you’re prego), light spotting a day before the expected period and continued for 3 days, boobs enlarged, slight cramping, extremely exhausted, PEE A LOT, I constantly have an appetite, and I just had a “good” feeling…wouldn’t you think you’re pregnant too? I’m just so confused and sadder than normal b/c Joel and I both were so certain June had been a “successful” month! Also normally right before my period, I just have a feeling that I’m not pregnant and although it’s disappointing, I kind of already knew so it’s slightly softens the blow!

So today at work I run to the bathroom b/c I just feel a “flow”, which isn’t a good sign for us. And I have a flow! Not like my normal periods b/c it’s usually a raging rapid, but still, it is not spotting or implantation bleeding (I research a lot)! This also made it sadder to me b/c I didn’t have Joel there with me. I was all by myself in an old stinky bathroom on the BYU-I campus. I cried of course b/c going through all this has made me way more emotional than normal (even though I was always a good crier). We obviously won’t be taking a HPT since Aunt Flow decided to visit me. P.S. - June was my last month on Clomid so I’m depressed that that didn’t work for us. We were on it for 6 months for goodness sake!

On a positive note: I do have an appointment with my doctor this Friday so I plan on asking him what the heck is up and why my body stopped following its normal trend.

Anyway, sorry for the depressing post but I needed to vent to someone besides my sweet husband who doesn’t know what to say to me at times like this. I know he’s pretty bummed about it too! Plus, I haven’t updated in a while on how the baby making was coming, so I thought I’d let you know.

Side note: I was laid off and won’t have a job after July 30th. So if anyone wants to play in the day during our last month here (August), let me know. I tell you this b/c this means no more doctors’ appointments for Joel and me to help with the baby making. We’re on our own now!

Positive note: We are saving to do an IUI (intrauterine insemination). So if we’re not pregnant by the time we’re able to save money for that, then we’ll go ahead with the IUI. We’re also planning on filling out adoption papers in October (we’ll have been trying for 2 years by then). So keep your eyes and ears open for anyone who’s prego and considering adoption. They say the best way to have a child placed with you is through WORD OF MOUTH!!!

Congrats to the Faanunu’s who recently had a little girl placed with them! She’s beautiful! We loved talking to them about their adoption experience. They’re great parents already!

Lions & Tigers & Bears...Oh my!

A few weekends ago Joel and I went to the Idaho Falls Zoo with Joel's best friend, Alex and his girlfriend, Raquel who is from Brazil (not that that has to do with anything). We've been hanging out with Alex and Raquel a lot lately and we've LoVeD it! They're just so much fun and put up with us well, so its awesome for us. Alex, just in case we haven't told you enough...WE LOVE RAQUEL!!! She is so much fun and we'd totally be okay if yall got married.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun on our Idaho Falls Zoo adventure. I've never been to that zoo and in fact, I haven't been to a zoo in ages. The last zoo I went to was the Greensboro, NC on over 10 years ago. If you haven't been to the Idaho Falls Zoo, it is a very small zoo and I feel that it stinks more than most zoos. Or maybe it's just because I haven't been to a zoo in ages and when you're little you're not as disgusted by foul smells. Despite the retched smell we did have a blast walking around looking at the animals and goofing off.

Oh, there were these tiny tiny little monkeys of some sort and they looked just like itsy bitsy Gorillas. They were precious! I kind of want one now! They were in and enclosed area behind glass so I couldn't get a good picture of them. Boo! Also, if I haven't told you... I HATE ZOOS!!! My family is full of animal lovers and it really made me sick to see these animals locked up. It didn't so much bother me seeing the animals that were lucky enough to be outside (although their space for roaming was rather limited. Lions and tigers need land... they're roamers), but I was seriously almost brought to tears (yes...tears b/c I am a softy and cry easily) seeing those animals who were in the enclosed area without any space at all (monkeys need space to swing, run, jump, etc.) and they had no natural elements in there... no trees, grass, fresh air, etc. And yes, I am aware that a lot of those animals in zoos are safer than animals in the wild b/c they're protected, but I still hate it!

Yet despite my spats of freaking out that these animals were caged, we had a blast and enjoyed a day of warmth and sunshine. Too bad I still do NOT have a tan! And I probably won't get one at all this summer since I'm cooped up in a trailer all day without any sunlight.

Alex wrangling the Pheasants b/c they were trying to escape!

I don't blame them!

(or whatever those darn birds are)

Joel & Alex

Apparently I'm smaller than a Golden Eagle!

Alex & Raquel

(typical Alex face)

I LOVE this picture! It's totally how Joel & Alex always are!

"It's a GOOSE!"

(five points if you can name that movie)

Oh Alex-e-o!

Joel carrying me!

b/c in the "Australia" section of the zoo the ground was this red dirt & I was wearing suede flats that would have been destroyed.

Am I a pansy? Sure if that means liking to keep my things nice & clean!

See...we did see LIONS...

And TiGeRs...

(and BEARS but the picture is crap)

Therefore the title of this post is legit!

So Long...Farewell...

This post is long overdue, as are the majority of my posts. But I will not give my usually disclaimer that I'm not super blog savvy and I just don't make it a priority, although I wish it was. So on to the post...

Recently, between mid-April and beginning of June, a BUNCH of our friends have moved away from good old Rexburg! What's even sadder about it is that quite a few of these friends left 3-4 months after we really started to bond and become amigos. Those who have left us consist of: the Broadbents, the Hagges, the Ryan Briggs family, the other Briggs (Andrew & Cassandre) & the Wheelers (just for the summer, but still not sure if we'll see them before we move).

Before everyone left, we had one last hurrah! First we went out to Olive Garden with a group of us buddies to bid farewell to the Broadbents, Ryan Briggs family, Hagges & Wheelers. Unfortunately the Briggs & Hagges weren't able to join, but Sadie & I made them these cute little "road trip" baskets of goodies for their move! Ah thank you...we're awesome! In May Joel and I went out with the Broadbents to the always favorite, Texas Roadhouse. Then at the beginning of June the other Briggs: Andrew & Cassandre left us to head home to California. So we all went out to Wingers and then came back to my apartment and played games and just had fun goofing off and hanging out, and of course...eating more junk food!

Kam+Mallory Wheeler

Paige+Kevin Broadbent

Olive Garden:

Wheelers, Broadbents, Skousens, Sabins & Bowens

Skousens+Broadbents

Goodbye Briggs! We miss you!

Wingers:

Skousens, Becca, Nays & Briggs

Cory & Andrew

We cannot control what we do past 11:00 pm

(yes 11 pm b/c we're married & we don't stay up that late!)

Luckily we still have some good friends left that we hang out with... when our schedules match up. We still have the Sabins, Bowens, Nays, Stanfills, Maynards, etc. But it's just sad to me how we're all slowly trickling away! Joel and I will be the next ones to depart Rexburg! Although we're excited for the change and to be closer to family (in the same house...you can't get much closer), but we're going to miss ALL of our FRIENDS!!! But I've made it a goal to try to keep in touch with everyone (a special shout out to those who have kept in touch with me)! I hate losing touch with people and so I'm determined NOT to!

Well we love our friends...those who have already left us, those who are currently with us and those who are back home in Ohio and Texas whom we never see but always think of!!! You guys are the best! You make living in Rexburg bearable!

SO LONG...FAREWELL...AUF WIEDERSEHEN....