May 2010

It's time for me to "journal" about our lives again. Good thing I don't have too many readers as to not bore them.  I have grand plans to print this blog into a book so Quinn has some sort of record of his life.  I decided that on each of my children's birthday's that dada and I will write them a long letter detailing who they are on each birthday.  That might be all they get.  And this dumb blog.

So we are day two of potty training--it went pretty well yesterday. I didn't feel like I was very consistent though... he had on pull-ups, diapers, and undies all in one day.  I decided pull-ups and diapers are just a reason to keep peeing in his pants and not in the toilet.  At least with undies he is quite aware when he's had an accident.  So undies it is, unless its nap or bed time.

Thurm finally has his garden in.  It's enormous, but he somehow managed to use the entire space.  He has been waiting since March for our neighbor to come till with his tractor.  The second Jim was done and driving his tractor out of our driveway, Thurm had his seeds and shovel and was planting.  Its awesome he's so enthused because I know we'll be eating some good food in a few months!

Speaking of food, I can't remember the last time I cooked. I can hardly bring myself to put a frozen pizza in the oven.  I think I burnt myself out.  I think I like cooking more in the winter when there is nothing else to do but line your body with fat to keep warm.

Our yard is so pretty right now. Not manicured, its a jungle, but still pretty. There are tons of bushes, flowers, trees, everything in bloom.  We planted raspberry bushes for our fence line between our neighbors house and ours. I think it will be a few years before its actually a fence line.  Thats the worst part of yard care... the waiting!

I have six more weeks till the baby is born.  My pregnancy has been really easy. Other than I've gained ALOT of weight. At one appointment my doctor said "I can tell you've been feeling good, because you packed on 9 pounds in a month."  That's right "PACKED ON."  It might have been an accurate and hurtful statement, but it didn't make me feel bad enough to not do the same thing the next month.  Cookies and fast food are not a good combo.  Usually at night I feel very large and uncomfortable.  The baby has been really active and kicks alot--that's my favorite part of pregnancy.  Quinn often kisses my stomach and tries to get a look at him by lifting my shirt.  I think he'll still be shocked to have a little brother one day.  I don't think he quite gets the concept yet.

Thurm got an assistant ward missionary to help him with his calling. Its been so awesome because the man recently got done serving a service mission with his wife. So he is gung-ho and has really been motivating to Thurm.  They go on missionary visits each week.  It makes me feel bad that I haven't done more to help. I did organize a youth service project for less active or part member families in the ward.  It went pretty good and we were able to do yard work for seven different families.

We have been reading two chapters a night in the Book of Mormon. Having a goal and a daily timeline has been really motivating. Its been alot easier this time to be consistent.  We have a schedule so if we miss a night we read extra to catch up.  For some reason this ward has really helped us grow spiritually.  I think part of it has been callings and partly its just a really friendly, involved ward. Its probably 80% elderly and I'm a huge fan.  They have the time and dedication to really serve and be involved in their ward. Its such a different feel from a young ward where everyone has busy lives and no time for each other.

My dad came down and helped us finish the final stage of bulking up the beams in our roof. Next we need to frame in a few walls, and find an electrician.  Then insulation, sheetrock, painting, carpet. I'm sure this will still be months away, but it seems like we have the hard part done.  At least we get to hire out some of the rest of it.  Then we can move onto what I REALLY want to do, our hole of a bathroom.

Thurm has one more week of school! Summer! The only good thing about being a teacher. We have a busy June. This weekend we are going to Idaho for Thurm's annual asparagus hunt. The first week of June I am visiting my parents just because I can.  Thurm has a 3-day seminar in Provo. Then its off to Bear Lake for a week. Then Thurm is doing a 5-day hike with his brother. Our whole month will be gone, and then the baby will come and I'm sure the rest of the summer will be a blur of nursing and sleeping.

WOW! Its 8:30am and Quinn is still sleeping! This never happens.

It's a good life : )

Potty training officially started today! I have been collecting all the tools over the last few months and decided it was finally time.  He is showing all the signs listed in the "What to Expect: Toddler Years."  We have pull ups, undies, stickers, treats, a tigger toy, a book on toilet training, and the coolest toilet seat ever. Thanks to Elise for showing me your awesome toilet seat!

So far, so good!

Thurm & I went to Pocatello for the weekend. It was my little brother's graduation from college, my birthday, and mother's day.  Mother's day felt extra motherly this year because I have a little boy, one on the way, and I was with my mother.  Thurm was sweet, per usual, and got me some great gifts.  He gave me a Broadway Hits CD set early so we could listen to it on the way up.  A glass 9x13 pan because every time I have to bake something in our crappy, rusted pans I complain about it.  And an hour massage at a spa! YAY! I don't think I'll be able to redeem till after I've had the baby, but that's when I'll be needing a break!  And I got great gifts, cards, phone calls, texts, hugs from everyone I love. Thank you : )

A woman in church yesterday gave a lesson on the history of the scriptures. It was fascinating and I was in awe of her knowledge. She told us that if we read 7 pages a day, which takes 15-30 minutes depending on your speed, you can read all the scriptures in a year.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine & Covenants in one year! I'm so excited! I've always wanted to read the Bible, but haven't been motivated enough to ever finish.  Right now we have a stake challenge to read the Book of Mormon in four months, which we are currently on track to do. So after we are done, we are going to just keep going to finish the other three books.

Quinn has been saying some funny words lately.  He is getting the verbal point where he is frustrated when he isn't understood.  He repeats and repeats until we figure it out.

Waffle: a-week-a-wok  (no idea how this makes sense to him)
Lotion: No-loz

Suggestions???

I need some help.  So we are going to re-do our bathroom at some point and I have slowly been gathering the pieces.  

1-My dad gave us some left over floor tiles from his bathroom-the grey 12x12 on the left and we have enough to do our bathroom floor. 

2- At a previous job I got this sink and a matching toilet for free.  

3-In exchange for a photo session, my friend bought me a shower curtain (floral print on right) with matching towels, bath mat, and green wall paint (sample on little card in the middle).  And somehow they all seem to match!!! 

4-So I bought a sample shower tile (16x16 grey that the shower curtain is laying on.  

But its all starting to match a little too well. I'm worried that the whole bathroom is going to be small grey/green square.  So what do I do? 

1-Change the wall color?  If so, what color? 

2-Keep our white sink  & and buy a new white toilet (it uses a ton of water and the tank lid is cracked). Sell the grey toilet and sink to pay for new white toilet.  

3-Pick a contrasting shower tile? If so, what color?  Does the shower tile color even matter because its covered by the shower curtain?

So all we need to buy now is a mirror cabinet, lighting fixture, and vanity for sink, and drywall.  

Lets hear some opinions.  Shauna I want to hear yours!