Christmas Eve and Sunday

So we went and had a fabulous time at my sister-in-laws, JaNae, for Christmas Eve.  I was asked to do a soup (so we picked homemade chicken noodle) and I so badly wanted the Christensen side to try the banana pudding salad/dessert.  I think it's a dessert, but the Wrigley side that I got the recipe from call it a salad.  But it's awesome regardless of what it is.
We enjoyed soup and bread and dessert along with great games.  We did some bible trivia, which I found I am really bad at.  I need to study more!!  And we loved the games that Katie brought.  Win it in a minute.  You got to love the video of Chad below.  He had to shake all the jingle bells out of the box tied to his butt in less than a minute.  So fun!!


I did one where there were 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 jingle bells in small boxes and had to put them in order by shaking them to figure out which at the least to the most. She also had a candycane hooked to a pencil with a string so the crook was down.  You had to hold the pencil in your teeth and then pick up other candy canes that the crooks were hanging off the edge of a stool.  Also had one with a fuzzy ball on a string that was tied around your neck and then you put vaseline on your nose and the idea was to swing the ball up and get it to attach to your vaselined nose, without touching it with your hands.  So much fun.  Katie did great with the entertainment value with that game.
Then we got to sing and do a great Christmas devotional.  It finally felt like Christmas to me.  Wonderful job JaNae and a great way to spend a little time with our 2 missionaries on their way out in the field.  Chase and Shandarae's last Christmas at home before the leave on Wednesay the 29th of December for Czech Republic and GA Atlanta North missions.  On Sunday we got to listen to them speak in church and have a fabulous dinner at the Junior High, where Chad won the lightning game!!  What a great day too!

Ultrasound

So our ultrasound is coming up on Thursday.  Any predictions on the gender of baby we'll be getting coming the end of May 2001?  We've got our poll on the right!!

Lots of thoughts

So yesterday was a day that had lots of things running through my head.  Maybe it's cause it was my niece's birthday, and maybe not...I'm not sure, but Yesterday was the day I would've been due if I hadn't miscarried.  I think as to why I remember this so well is because there were lots of my friends and family that were expecting also right around the same time.  So over the last few weeks to months, I've been able to celebrate the births of some really cute little babies and look at lots of cute little baby pictures.
I guess for some people this would be a difficult thing,  and in a small way it is, but as I had written before we were surrounded and supported as I could not believe.  It was a time that Chad and I grew closer together as we mourned the loss of little one.
And over all I guess the biggest thing that was running through my mind is the blessing to be pregnant...again and so soon!  Even though this pregnancy has been so much more difficult, as far as sickness and tiredness, I guess I can count that as a blessing to be reassured that I'm still pregnant.
So now that I'm just getting done with the first trimester (14 weeks), I'm feeling quite a bit better as far as sickness goes, and we finally feel a little more comfortable telling everyone that we are expecting.  I'm a little sad that I don't have a cute little ultrasound picture to share, but here they don't do an ultrasound to verify the pregnancy.  (I miss that from Pullman). So now here goes all the planning once again, and that means I need to get to arranging Kherrington's room and finally get this picture I have in my brain out where others can see it.  (hopefully it'll look as nice as it does in my mind).

So now, when should I transition Kherrington to a toddler bed if the baby will be born at the end of May?

4th week of Thanks

#22-For an awesome snow storm to really bring in the holidays and getting Chad sent home from work early that day.  Was nice to have him home at 3pm instead.
#23-For my Mom and Dad, who came the night before Thanksgiving and stayed til the day after.  They helped us get our house put together for the festivities the next day.  Mom shoveled our driveway, which is no small feet.  We can fit 6 cars on our driveway if needed, so that gives you an idea of how big.
#24- For family who travels our way, since Chad was going to be on call for Thanksgiving.
#25-For a husband and dad that did all the prep work of setting up tables while my mom and I were busy in the kitchen Thanksgiving morning. And then having a husband that cleans up the house after most everyone was gone.
#26-To have a temple so close and to finally get back there.  We had the opportunity to go through the temple with Chad's niece Shandarae, who is going on a mission next month.  I was able to reflect on my own endowment, and the greatest of that day.  How things change and how it becomes such a place of refuge and revelation!!  So glad to have it less than an hour away. Just need to make it a priority to get there more often.
#27-For more family, Chad and I had the opportunity to and visit all but one (and we talked to them on the phone) of his siblings and at least part of their kids over this weekend.  It was good to visit them all and catch up.  We get caught up with the day to day life and don't get to visit as often as we'd like.
#28-For a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  With all the snow that we've been receiving it's been a lifesaver in letting us accomplish all the visits we made this weekend. Not only does it get us to point A to B, but entertains Kherrington and makes traveling so much easier!!
#29-Warm home!! Not only did it accommodate most of my family for Thanksgiving, but it keeps us warm and very comfortable and has lots of space for all our stuff.
#30-Great jobs, Not only does Chad have a steady job, but I am able to work as needed as for 2 hospitals, Pullman from home on occasion and then EIRMC 2 times a month.  I love it.  Not only that, but I'm getting my vinyl business up and running and am loving the great excuse to be creative again!! Now to just keep up with it all.

3rd week of Thanks

#15-Grandparents and free babysitting.  It's so nice to know that Kherrington is well taken care of and loved while I'm at work!! Plus it's nice on the pocket book!! Thanks Mom and Dad!!

#16-For family that lives close! I worked this day and didn't get off until well after 8:30.  Little did I know that Chad was REALLY sick, but lucky for us, Derik and Andrea (Nephew and his wife) came over to do laundry that night and was able to nurse Chad on his way to health while Kherrington and I were on the way home.  Let along leave me awesome Enchilada's for dinner!!

#17-To have Chad home.  Even though he was sick it was nice to get some extra time that we don't usually get with him.  Been a long time that it's just us 3 for an entire day.

#18-For health!!  Chad was able to go back to work today, even though he wasn't 100%.  I'm grateful to have such a hard working husband, that feels it's important to provide for his family.

#19-For flu-shots.  Somehow Kherrington and I didn't get that nasty bug that made Chad spike a fever of 102.2 all Tuesday night and remain sick for well over 48 hours.  I think the flu shots we received did the trick!!

#20-Great Co-workers of Chad's.  Chad was supposed to be on call most of this week to cover the Dr. on vacation (making 2 weeks in a row of on call), but Dr. Rantala was nice enough to take several of the night of on call so Chad could rest and recover!!  So thoughtful.

#21-A Sunday without extra meetings.  Chad was able to stay at home the rest of the day after church.  Been a long time for that too.  But he did have 2 calls that required him to go to work.  One during church and the other just as were about to sleep. Bum Deal!!

Second Week of Thanks

#8-For Family Home Evening. Even though we aren't the greatest at taking advantage of it every week, but just listening to a conference talk together sure makes me feel better.
#9-I didn't end up having to work on Tuesday last week, since the person that was orienting me ended up sick.  Not that I didn't want to go to work, but it gave me an opportunity to work at home for Pullman, and give a little more time to clean the house.
#10-Mail-  I got my first paycheck from EIRMC this week, which was a nice addition to the bank account with all the other expenses going out.
#11-Extended family!  We got to go to my cousin's football game for playoffs for state along with all the rest of the family.  It was great to see cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparent's!
#12-For great parent's who come to help put up Christmas lights, clean out the garage so we can fit Chad's car back in the garage, cook us dinner, and watch Kherrington so we can go out on a date for my birthday.
#13-Time with siblings.  My younger brother and his family came over for dinner with my parents.  It's good to spend time with them and strengthen those bonds!
#14-For being one year older.  As much of life's changes can come I'm greatful to not have any health changes this past year.

So we found a cute little witch costume at a garage sale earlier in the month that we couldn't pass up.  So I thought that I'd borrow my mom's costume and be matching.  Well as it got closer to the trunk or treat for our ward.  I realized that we would be smarter to put her in the costume I bought the year before because it would be warmer.

So Kherrington went as a ladybug. How appropriate since that is what her nursery has been decorated with since she was born.  She made an adorable little bug.  But didn't really want to hold still for a picture.  So this is the best one that I got. The others she was crying cause Chad had to hold her away from the camera so I could get her in the shot.

Chad and I were totally exhausted by the time Halloween came around that we were lucky that we even went at all.  So Sad Halloween used to be my absolute favorite.  As a kid I used to sort through my candy and then put my favorite in this little red mailbox that I had and then I lock it so my brother's could steal it.  What a fanatic!

Kherrington loved going to the ward Halloween party and getting in on the Carnival and running around the gym with the other kids, the Chili and Cornbread, and finally the trunk or treat.

So here is Kherrington's new favorite candy. Reese's Peanut butter cups.  Big surprise!  Chad and I both love them.  She loved eating the candy, but has been pretty good not to beg for more.  If she sees it she's asking for some though.

First week of Thanks

#1- I'm so grateful that Chad usually only has 1 week of call every 3, instead of the every other he has done the last 4 weeks, and that he's done for 2 more weeks.
#2-The flexibility that being a nurse provides for me, and that I don't have to work everyday and miss my child's young years.
#3-For a supportive husband that helps clean the house when it just doesn't look like it's been done that day. Happens more often than I care to admit.
#4-For a involved dad of my child, Thank heaven I don't have to do everything for her 24/7, and that I have a help meet!!
#5-For the abilities that Heavenly Father has given me.  Chad and I did trim work in my parent's living room and down the hallway.  After they re textured, repainted and remodeled.
#6- For living close enough to get in on my new nephew's blessing this last weekend.
#7-Time to spend with family. Got to listen to a child's testimony on Sunday and she stated, "I know that my family loves me!" I'm grateful to know that myself and love the time I spend with my family.

Kherrington update

So I realized that I haven't really posted many pictures lately.  Kherrington is growing so fast and is so intelligent.  She totally answers all the questions you ask.  But if her answer is a "yes" all you get is a head nod.  But you better believe that if the answer is no, she says it.  One of her most used words.  She also can say grandpa!  It's so cute, while I've been at work that last few weeks, then Kherrington stays home with Grandma Joos and we go the night before so we don't have to wake up at 4:30 am to get to Grandma's and work on time.  She get so excited to see her grandparent's.  I love to see it!

And this is here new favorite seat!!  In the fridge, and most of the time I can't get her out of it.  Really funny!  So I have to be careful to see how close she is before I open the door, cause who knows how long it'll take for me to get her out of it and I can guarantee she's not happy when it happens.

She also is on a straight milk kick.  It's all she want to drink and it cut into her appetite if I'm not careful.  She does love to eat potatoes, rice, broccoli, and green beans.  Other things she loves are chips of any kind, tacos, and Subway sandwiches.  We just recently found the Subway one out, but loves to eat it just like an adult.

She is also on a huge animal kick, expecially dogs.  This summer my grandparent's came for a visit to my parent's and brought their little pug "Pug" with them.  She was so nervous when he was around, but would seek him out with an adult whenever he wasn't within seeing distance.  It's now gotten to the point where she has to pet every dog she sees (with an adult though, not brave enough to do it on her own).  Chad and I have been slowly been getting used to the idea of getting a dog, so now we have to go through all the options of dog breeds that will work for our needs.  We need a dog that can be outside, not a huge shedder, and not extremely high energy.  Anyone have any ideas?

 Kherrington loves to go visit Chad at work so she can see the dogs that are kenneled there. 

Here are her 15 months stats now that they are a month old.

Weight:  20 lbs 12 oz

Head circumference: 18.5 inches

Height: 30 inches

  

The last week (Several weeks ago)

All that is left of the garden and that's just cause it'll be on my front porch in a matter of days in 2 bunches!!  

So this was after getting rid of the lettuce and 2 tomato plants and this is what I still had left to tear out.  Thanks heaven that I'd already pulled the pumpkin patch the week before cause the garbage can was really full after I finished.

This is one plant of regular tomatoes....all green, but I have eaten quite a few since they've ripened!  I'm in heaven, reminds me of the tomatoes that came from my Grandpa Joos'!!

What was left of the lettuce.  Next year we're not planting 3, 1/2 length rows of lettuce.  I was always finding someone to take some and I still had a lot go bad at the end.  But it was delicious and easy to grow.  I figured I saved quite a bit just from the lettuce, but we got sick of salads by October!!

So between all of this I've been completing two big super saturday orders, a picture frame with vinyl for an auction, and trying to get a few Halloween projects of my own completed.  If you want to see some of them jump over to my craft blog.  Daisydotdesign.blogspot.com 

Not to mention that I was rehired on my old floor at EIRMC, so I started orientation and have been up there 2 days a week for the last few weeks.  I'm so excited to be working back there, (only 2 shifts a month), but I'm exhausted...and so is Chad.  But we did have lots of fun between all of that.

We got to go to my aunt and uncle's cabin for Chad's birthday and had a few days of rest in between the craziness.  It was hard to even come back to reality.