5 months of Oliver

It doesn't seem possible that 5 months has already passed since we brought this little man of ours into the world and in to our lives. Over the last 5 months we have learned a lot. The first month we learned that we could be parents. All of those fears we had while Oliver was baking in my belly seemed to disappear once he was here and of course new ones replaced those. Galen transformed from my husband to my rockstar baby daddy, while continuing to be an amazing husband. I surprised myself in those first few weeks at how quickly I went from some girl to mommy. I have loved every minute of it. Those sleepless nights, the cuddles, the slobber, the vomit oh and one can't forget the being pee'd and pooped on, but nothing beats when he looks at me and smiles his big smile or giggles. Every minute of it has been an amazing blessing. I have become a softy, sometimes I find myself teary eyed over how much I adore him. Oliver has amazed us in these past few months and continues to daily. He is already sitting up, rolling over, Army crawling (just a few feet) and getting a personality. Oh yes and he has been teething already :( no teeth to show for his pain just yet though. He adores mornings. He is my alarm clock, between 7 and 8 every morning he wakes up jibber jabbering and giggling. My heart literally melts, as I roll over and look in his cradle at him kicking and grabbing his feet. All I can do is smile. No matter how tired I am or how badly I just want 5 more minutes of sleep I hear that and then he smiles at me and nothing in the world matters but that moment with him. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love this little guy. It physically hurts (good hurt). I also never knew I could love Galen more than I already did. But my heart continues to be filled with love by these two boys.

Most recently, we have learned what it is to be a working mom and a nursing working mom at that. This is still a chapter we are writing.

You love to sit up and stand, you chew on your hand all the time, you talk a lot and giggle a lot. You are so curious. You love to look out the window in the car. You love birds. Lately you don't like to be put down unless someone is right there. Sometimes you "fake" cry until one of us comes in to view and then you stop and smile or giggle. I think you may have us wrapped around your tiny little fingers:) You have found that pulling mom's hair is fun. You seem to recognize your name. You play with your toys all the time and bath time is still your favorite. Your favorite book is still "Green Eggs and Ham". I love to snuggle and play with you and just watch you grow. Mornings are our time. You melt daddy's heart with your smile and you always have a big cheesy grin for him. You are such a blessing. We love you so much.

Love you to the moon and back a bajillion times little man!

XOXOX

Mommy

16 weeks...and it's a....

Boy!! We got to find out at our 16 week appointment that you were in fact a little boy!! This time you looked just like a little baby. You are the size of an avocado but you look just like the baby we will soon snuggle. Your umbilical cord was between your legs but the tech says your a boy!! So daddy and I have been trying to come up with the perfect name for you. Daddy says he is gonna teach you to golf.  The dr. says you look great and says the next time we will look at all your organs and everything to make sure you are growing perfectly.

Morning sickness has pretty much gone but mommy had the flu for a week (week 15) and couldn't eat for 5 days and lost a lot of weight. Mommy and daddy were terrified, daddy called grandpa Carl to find out what we should do and he had us get some pedilite to stay hydrated and to call the baby dr. So we did and the since we had an appointment a couple days later they said they would check us out then to keep doing what grandpa Carl said. We were still worried when we went in at 16 weeks but dr. assured us you looked healthy and had a strong heartbeat. So that made us feel better. But we were still left worried about you.

Mommy got clumbsy around 18 weeks. She was taking the trash out and was going to let Mack (your doggy) out with her and then a little kid ran by so she turned to push Mack back in and slipped off of the little step and pulled the door shut on her middle finger. It hurt really bad so she went to the dr. the next day and it was shattered. Mommy gets to wear a splint for a month. Lots of people tease her that she flipped the wrong person off.

Now we are almost to our 20 week appointment. I finally got a belly. I went to Salt Lake without daddy and I came home and he was like holy cow, baby grew!! Yep you sure did! Now, I get these little weird twinges/bubbles/spasms/bumps, consistently for the last few days and have a hard time sleeping cuz I get so excited when I feel them... I am not sure how to explain them but I think they are you. I feel them mainly at night when I am sitting or laying down. I decided you take after Grandma Leslye as she too is a night owl. We get to see you again in about 2 days. I am so excited to see you again. I am so excited that I will soon be able to really feel your kicks and know it is you. I just love you so much and can't wait to see you. Mommy and daddy still can't decide the perfect name for you. But we will.

Morning sickness and our 2nd ultrasound.

The morning sickness got worse around week 8-9 and they gave me anti nausea meds so I could keep food and water down. It helped. But still I was thankful I could tell you were still in there growing. We went to our next appt. It was about 10 weeks. We got to see you again because I had a cyst in my first ultrasound and they wanted to monitor it just to be safe. We were surprised to get to see you again but super excited. This time you looks like a baby. Daddy filmed it and we tried to send it out. You flipped around and did somersaults like crazy. I laughed and said no wonder I have been sick all this time:) Again, we were even more in love with you, you were so real now. I would rub my belly and daddy kissed it and we talk to you. We are so excited to meet you!!

Your first picture....

At 6 weeks we had our first ultrasound of baby Melina. It was just this tiny little grain of rice. But had a super strong heartbeat. It was amazing. Daddy cried, mommy cried and we just held hands looking at the screen! Dr. said that everything looked great and explained the risks and had us make our next appt.  We were on a high... it was getting real. We saw you, you were really in there, growing!! I was still terrified that something would happen. Soon after this I began getting morning sickness. I threw up all day long. But every time I threw up I was reminded you were in there and you were growing and that morning sickness was a good thing. So when I couldn't see you, I still felt some comfort knowing I was throwing up because of you. We loved you instantly! We guessed that you were a boy but we just wanted a healthy baby we didn't care if you were a boy or girl. We were just so excited to have you.

First dr appointment...

I called Monday morning and told them I was pregnant and they made an appointment for a few days later. We went in and they did family history and blood work. Galen asks if they are going to do a pregnancy test and the PA says no that home tests these days are pretty accurate and since by now I was almost a week late, all signs point to yes. So he clarifies so we are gonna have a baby? She's all yep and he smiles and says "I just wanna make sure we are really gonna do this thing!" She giggles and says yes you are!! We leave and are super excited but still so nervous. I think every time I pee'd I made sure there was no blood. I was terrified actually.

Story of how we got here....

I was reading some of my journaling from about this time last year. About this time last year I was just being diagnosed with massive complex cysts and hormone issues and possibly had cancer. I was also told that I would probably never have a baby and for sure not on our own. One dr. called it PCOS because of the amount of cysts I produce but said I didn't fit the norm for it. So really they don't know what it is/was but just wanted to give it a label. I was immediately started on Clomid and told if we wanted any chance of having a baby it was no or never....

After about 5-6 cycles of Clomid and still lots of pain and no results and a Dr. that didn't know why he was seeing me. Let alone he told me I might have cancer and needed to be screened for the next year... I found a new dr. This dr. gave me hope when I had lost it. He told me looking at my charts and stuff that he didn't see anything that was too concerning or that ruled out kids. He ran blood tests, ultrasound and got me in for a HSG scan to make sure I didn't have other things going on that were being masked by my cysts and what not. Then he called me a couple days later and said my hormones were a lot more normal than the past and my ultrasound showed my cyst was smaller but still there and explained that the cyst can make their own hormones or stop normal production. So he recommended that I remain on some kind of fertility treatment due to no success with Clomid and that my progesterone was on the low side and agreed that I should start trying now due to the history of complex cysts and all that. But first Galen had to be checked too... Poor Galen. He was a trooper but I felt bad for him and his sperm test. The next week we went in and Galen was normal so we were able to continue with his treatment plan. He put me on something beginning with a L and said that the good news is that for the next 90 days due to the HSG my fertility would be hire because it clears your fallopian tubes and your uterus out and then add the other fertility meds I would have more of a chance. He explained that normal people have a 15% chance of getting pregnant each month and I was way below that and this would put me back up to about a 10% which is pretty good considering. So we waited and start the meds. He said in 90 days we would re-evalutate because with conditions like me he doesn't like to do the same thing for more than 3 months. So Galen and I talked and with the emotional state I was in after months of Clomid and the strain it put on me that we would due the 90 days and then decide. In my mind it was 90 days and then stop because I didn't think I could take it anymore.

It was a Sunday the first of July... I was off work and we were headed to breakfast and then grocery shopping and so since I needed to fill my meds again and you have to test before taking them I was like I gotta pee so I will just test and call in my RX so we can pick it up while we are on that side of town. Instantly it was a pregnant sign... I looked at it in disbelief, it had only been 1 month.... I walked in to Galen's bathroom and set it on the counter cuz I couldn't talk and he flips around and says is that good? that's good right? And I finally get out we are pregnant! He hugs me and says he loves me. We tested again a few times just to be sure. All were yes!! He was dying to tell people so he texted his family and I sent mine a pic of the pregnant test. His mom called immediately and was so happy. My family didn't respond... Finally I call and my mom's phone wasn't getting the picture. After sending it multiple times I finally sent it to my aunt and SIL. Luckily my whole family was together and they were all so excited. My mom is really the only one that knows what all I have went thru and I probably haven't even explained it all as it was so hard to talk about with out crying so most of them were in disbelief that we decided to have a baby.... but oh sooooo happy and excited!!! I was nervous about telling anyone before 13 weeks because of miscarriage and what not but Galen was like we need the happy news and we need the support if something bad happens so that made me feel better. We told a couple close friends too and then waited till the 12 weeks to tell the world after the dr said it was very minimal chance to miscarry now:)

Round 2....

Here we come... No babies this month. I am fairly certain I still haven't ovulated so I should probably make an appointment if I don't again this month but honestly I am so sick of drs... plus I am dreading my next visit as I have to have blood I am getting so much anxiety thinking about having to start the clomid again. Holy crap it makes me so stinking sensitive and depressed. I know that why I/we are going through seems so horrible and so sad but then I hear about other people that have had so many miscarriages and so on that this seems almost like cake. I know that is weird but my heart goes out to these ladies. I am thankful that we are being given the chance to at least try on our own before I can't have kids even if we only get to have one healthy baby I will be happy.

That is actually the first time I have really thought that out loud. I know that eventually if the pain keeps up I will have to have surgery and most likely that means removing my ovary and possibly both depending on the size of the masses/cysts. Growing up I was always around kids and never really thought I would be a mom because I was so into wanting a career, to travel etc... all things that having kids wouldn't be "easy". Then being told you may never be able to have your own kids is something I don't know if you will ever get over and it is so true you always desperately want what you cannot have. Every day I am thankful for Galen and thankful that he was adopted into an amazing family and can truly remind me that it is not over, that we still have options.

I know as hard as this is on me it is probably even harder on Galen. I tend to push people away and I hate to talk about my feelings especially when they make me cry. I know he wishes he could stop my pain (emotional and physical) but it's so hard to express to him how thankful I am for him and everything he does. I know that yoga has helped me find something to occupy my mind and I am in a much better place than I was a couple months ago. 

I left my heart in Montana...

If home is where your heart is my home is definately UTAH Montana....I miss the wide open, the smell of the mountain air, waking up to the river rushing by and the sounds the mountains have... Don't get me wrong Utah has it's perks but it has nothing on Montana's beauty...  I love going home and seeing my family but it always seems a week is not long enough to get done all I want. All the fun things, like floating the Coeur d' Alene river or huckleberry picking rather eating huckleberries, camping ok campfires and fishing... Who would have thought I would say I miss fishing. The girl that felt so bad for the fishies that she kissed them better before throwing them back in the water ya that girl... I miss fishing! Eating fish no, eating sushi yes! Weird I know... But I really do miss Montana this time of the year... well and Fall to but other than that you can keep your winters Montana! I like my sunshine!!

But most of all I miss my family! I miss my grandparents and I miss my cousins and picking on my little brother and listening to my older brother tell stories (if you know him, this may suprise you as he doesn't talk much). I miss And I miss my Sunday morning breakfast with my parents and my brothers and sitting around my grandparents table talking and enjoying each other.... but now I have a cute little nephew and a cute little niece that I love so much and wish I could see every day!!

Luckily while I was home I got to attend my little nephews birthday party, we had a family BBQ the only family member not in attendance was my husband.... G we missed you! :( but that's ok he can't avoid MT forever LOL! I pretty much had an awesome week and wish it would have lasted for-ev-ER!

From the coast to the forest and so....

The Oregon coast might just be one of my favorite places....  It has all my elements I love...minus no Palm trees :( ok and well it needs to be warmer but it does have the ocean and waves and pine trees and awesome views so this is why it rates amongst my favorite places in the world.

 Galen's mom took us to the Coast Friday where we spent a beautiful afternoon. We brought Mario (the dog) who was so excited he could hardly contain himself. It was pretty bright so I got a few shots but most didn't turn out so well... But we got to see the ocean and well that was worth an exchange for crappy pictures.

Eagle Creek... A hike with Galen's parents and of course Mario!

 Seriously doesn't the picture^ (above) look like it is in a jungle some where or something??? Well my friends it, is not. It is however, just outside of Portland. PS. I sacrificed my body to get this shot... that is I fell in the water and boy was it cold. I think my feet are still water logged. If I get thirsty on the flight home I will just squeeze out some feet water and have a sip...JK that's gross!!

 We crossed that creek...Yes we did... OK OK.. there were cement stepping stones about 5 ft up the creek from the logs so it wasn't as intense but for my coolness you can still imagine I crossed this intense monster!

 One of my favorite things about hiking in Oregon is that there is moss on everything... I wish pictures could capture it as I see it in my brain... This is how I see it.... Well first let me tell you I was skipping along side Galen on the way back down and just started singing the Wizard of OZ... So that tells you right there it is magical and wizardie (yes I made that word up) So back to my discription... This moss hangs from everything and it's like at any moment the trees and rocks are going to come alive and dance or something like forests in cartoons. You know when you were a kid and you thought all trees had faces on them that talked... Yes this is what hiking in Oregon reminds me of! So hence why I was skipping along side my husband as we were hiking back down.

On this trail there were many, many waterfalls but this one is the most awesomest one ever. It is called Punch bowl. What it reminds me of is that intertube ride at the water park that whips you side to side (the one you always try to see if you can make it to the top) and then spits you out into the pool... This is natures version only on crack! This would be one bad ace ride!

Love=Like+Like

It has been some time since I have posted but I have been super busy at work. That is my excuse and I am stickin' to it.

My sweet husband brought me home the CUTEST vintage suitcase! What husband would subject himself to PotteryBarn?? (yes his co-worker wanted to stop but he still gets full credit in my eyes) After all, he did call and ask if I wanted anything. Then when I said I don't really "need" anything, he still suprised me with an awesome gift. Yes that's right my husband rocks! The best part is he picked out an awesome gift with no help from me. He knows me too well! It is perfect and it put the finishing touch on my stack of random vintage suitcases I have! Needless to say I love my husband and I love that he never fails to amaze me! G you are amazing! (not that you will ever see this but in case you do. You are the best!)

Thursday was a pretty awesome day,  suprise gift from PotteryBarn and I also scored a sweet table at the DI (Utah's version of Good Will) for $6. Can you believe that?? I still can't but don't worry I will post some before and after pictures when I redo it. I also found some stencils that I will be painting on my wall to make faux wallpaper. I am very excited! 2 reason's, first my walls need something different and second wallpaper sucks to peel off so when I get tired of it I will just have to paint over it! Sounds perfect to me!

Sail away with me...

Spring is in the air....Well, not so much in the air but in the stores. But I am still dreaming of the warm days and cool nights, the sounds of the ocean, the breeze floating the smell of the sweet salty air past your nose. On top of that, I have found the perfect shoe for my summer attire! I adore them and can't wait to see them sitting in my closet waiting to slip on my feet.
You can check them out here...
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat380151&productId=0419_1785
I can't wait to get these super duper cute boat shoes. There is also a cute, cute blue and white stripped sun dress there I want too. Then, I just need a sailboat. Who wants to buy me one and teach me how to sail??

I am so stoked for the nautical theme that is in this Spring. I do love me some strips. Add in blue and white combo to that and I am in heaven. Oh how I adore this combo. Old Navy has gotten in some cute skirts and what not and I can't wait to use my super cool employee discount and buy me some cute new outfits. Check out whats new at ON here...www.oldnavy.com

Recently, I have been on a search for a cute leather cross body purse for when we go to Hawaii and SCORE, I found one tonight. My husband was so kind to buy me this super cute purse for $10 at AE. Yes, you read that right ten buck-a-roos. I think that is the cheapest purse I have ever bought and I adore it. You might find it weird that I bought a purse specifically for Hawaii but oh if you were in my brain you would understand.

So I must share.... It is my sole purpose in life to accumulate as many cute handbags and shoes as I can. If you know me, you will know that I have an addiction. Unfortunately, these handbags are usually very large and in charge. Coach is my BFF. If you don't own a COACH handbag, I highly recommend running out and buying one. I also adore my Doonies oh man now I want a new Spring bag...Shoot rambling again... Back to the story.

In years past I have always brought my big old handbag with me to Hawaii and have found that it is extremely inconvenient to carry this big handbag around along with my tote for the beach and all other stuff you must take to the beach. So this year, I plan to condense the big a$$ purse and use my cross body. One might ask why I don't just use my purse and not bring the tote. Well, I must tell you, you can not go to the beach with out a beach tote. duh! At least that is the method to my madness and what I tell my husband. Plus I don't want my tanning oil to dump and ruin my purse :0) So there you have it my version of crack.

You are the Apple of my eye...

For Christmas Galen and his family got me a Macbook and let me just tell you.... Apple knows what they are doing. Why did I wait so long to make you part of my life?? Everything is just so simple and amazing. I will never go back now. Yes, I am one of those people! Now, I am not so patiently waiting for the Iphone to be released on Verizon... Feb. 10th can't come fast enough. Now go buy a Mac

res·o·lu·tion (rĕzˌə-lo͞oˈshən)

Picture from Emma Clements blog...via www.bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com this picture made me smile so thought I'd share it.

res·o·lu·tion (rĕzˌə-lo͞oˈshən) 

noun

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.

* thank you google for clearing up the definition for me!

After reading the definition of resolution. I pondered what I want to resolve to do this year... Last year, I had a bunch of goals. Some I achieved, some I changed and some I said what the heck was I thinking and decided to say no thank you and move on! 

Thinking about this year and what I want I thought, what is important to me?....Family, health and happiness, these are the things, I care most about. So it is decided. That is what I am going to focus on this year. I would love to do some traveling. I want to see the world and I hope to scratch a country or 2 off my list this year. hint hint babe! *coughing (Europe, Italy)! That would be nice! Or, I would love to go volunteer in Africa and bring home a cute little African baby to adopt. That would be an amazing experience. So many choices.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy year and that is what I am going to strive for this year! I wish you the best of luck on what ever it is you resolve to do this year!

Goodbye 2010....

I'm having a little trouble saying goodbye, as I feel like I just said hello to you! Even though I feel like this year was packed full of new adventures, loss and births, it feels like it just began. Let me see where to begin.... In February we said goodbye to Galen's Auntie. She was such a special lady. I am glad I was able to meet her a couple times and see how much she loved all of their family. She was a wonderful lady and so funny. While it was an awful time for Galen and his family, I did get to meet his cousins that I had never met in the almost 8 years of being part of Galen's life. We went to Ohio for the funeral and Galen and I got to see Ohio in the winter. It was beautiful! Galen wants to buy a farm house and move there. I am ok with it as long as it is an amazing farm house and I can visit home whenever I want. Maybe 2011 will bring us closer to this dream of owning a farm in the middle of now where and just enjoying life....

In April, we took a mini vacation to Oregon to see Galen's family and celebrate their family friend Gough's birthday.  I would post pictures but just realized I don't have any on this computer...

We also celebrated Galen's birthday and my parents and I bought him a bike. We took lots of bike rides and saw lots of new places around here. One ride in particular we were on a trail that was called rock writings so of course we thought there would be "rock writings" but we road and road and could not find any, so we ditched the bikes and hiked. We walked and walked and didn't find any so we turned around. Galen was in the lead, THANK GOODNESS, and he came up on a snake. Of course he told me not to come any further and I knew right away what was going on. So me being the smart person I am got off my bike picked it up and began to run out of there! Fight or flight... Flight is what apparently took over.

During the spring I also said goodbye to one of my favorite professors as she passed away from cancer. I have never watched anyone deteriorate and actually pass away from cancer, which was tough for all of her students and I am sure it was even more tough for her and her family. While I am thankful for all I learned from her and the chance I had to know her and have her be part of my life, I still am mad or sad (not sure) that someone so great and so young was taken so early and had to suffer as she did. But I am so thankful at the same time for all that she taught me and all that I learned. I thank you Adi for being part of my life and teaching me so much.

In May Galen's mom came to visit for a weekend. We took a hike in Zion and of course I ran into a snake! What the heck is with me and snakes!?! I hate them, I hate them... Lois told me snake must be my totem and so I googled it and well it sounds very much like me so I guess that is why I must run into them all the time.

At the end of May/ beginning of June, I went home for a visit... I finally got to meet Holly's little boy and we hit it off. He loved me. In fact he loved me so much he dumped water and apple juice all over me! It was pretty funny! I got to spend a week with my mom and dad it was a blast even though it rained all but maybe 2 days. I also got to see my brother and his very pregnant wife.

June.... huh, I don't remember what happened in June. I guess it wasn't too exciting. In July we met Galen's mom at Capitol Reef National Park. None of us had ever been there and it was so amazing. It was super cold and rainy but beautiful. Galen was sick and spent the weekend at the cabin sleeping and Lois and I hiked and hiked and hiked some more. We took lots of pictures and enjoyed to outdoors.

At the end of July my niece Cassidy was born. It was totally amazing to talk to my brother and hear how happy he was and how excited to be a dad he was.

August I celebrated my 28th birthday...Can you believe I am almost 30? I am kind of depressed about it! For my birthday I got a plane ticket to go home and meet my niece. She was perfect in every way! Mostly because she looked just like me as a newborn :) When I got back we went from summer to full swing holiday at Old Navy and the rest is a blur.

At the end of October my mom, my aunt Cathy and Theresa came for a visit and to see "Thriller" at Tuachan. It was so much fun, we hiked, we, shopped, we cooked, we ate, we laughed and oh did we laugh! It was fun. I love when my mom comes to visit! I miss her so much. She is truly my best friend and I enjoy any time I get to spend with her. I love you moo!

On November 24th Galen was diagnosed with diabetes. He has responded wonderfully to the meds and change in diet and what not and is doing much better. Needless to say though Thanksgiving wasn't the best it could have been. It was Galen's last binge on junk food and day 2 of knowing he had diabetes so we were really unsure what to do, what to expect or really anything and everything.

December has flown by.... We spent Christmas in St. George with Galen's mom and dad. It was a quick visit. Mack was super excited for Christmas, he was just like a child. He woke up really early when he heard Lois out in the kitchen cooking and then ran back and forth jumping on the bed until I woke up. Then it was on like donkey kong... Once I wake up on Christmas morning there is no stopping me. Now, we are here on the last day of the year and I am thinking where did the time go???

But I am excited to see what new adventures 2011 brings. So even though I say goodbye to 2010 not knowing where you went or even when you began. I say goodbye and I say hello to 2011. I am looking forward to the new adventures and the new chapters we will write together. I am thankful for the wonderful friends and family Galen and I have.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

This year Galen's mom and dad came to St. George and spent Christmas with us. We hung out on the 24th and then we got up bright and early Christmas morning and opened presents. Mack was so funny he heard Lois up cooking and so he had to come check things out and then it began. In and out of the room bouncing on the bed trying to get us up. I was ready though....Galen on the other hand would have rather slept all day. After breakfast we went for a hike up at Zion National Park. It was a beautiful crisp day and perfect for a nice walk. After all the flooding we have had lately there was a beautiful waterfall that I have never seen before. I took lots of pictures.

We got bamboo flooring which I will post pix when we install it and I got a macbook which I <3 it is a-maz-ing!

{Maternity}

I was able to get some maternity shots of my friend and her husband and their little bun in the oven! I love taking maternity and baby pictures everyone is just so stinkin happy! Congrats you two! 

A few of my favorite things....

While the Holiday's make me extremely homesick, this is my favorite time of the year. So I find myself sitting on my couch thinking of my favorite things.... Glitter its so pretty and I adore it. I love the smell of Christmas trees. Or in our case since Mack would eat a real Christmas tree we opt for a fake one with some Bath and Body works evergreen wallflowers. I love shopping as most of you know but what I really love is shopping for others and finding a fun gift. I also love decorating and I really love Christmas decor. Oh and of course I love to bake and eat all of the yummy foods this time of the year. I also love finding the perfect wrapping paper to wrap my gifts in and then hearing the crinkle and rip as you tear it off Christmas morning. I love when my dog lays on my feet and keeps them warm. Christmas movies are part of my list too.

I love waking up on a crisp morning and finding my slippers and a sweatshirt and cuddling up on the couch with a nice toasty drink(coffee, apple cider, hot chocolate, tea etc) and a bowel of hot oatmeal. I love that my dog waits not so calmly as I down as much oatmeal as I can and then he gets to finish it off.One of my new favorite things is waking up smelling my husband cooking breakfast for himself, this may sound silly but it makes my heart sing to know he is taking care of his diabetes and knowinng this is the most important meal of the day. So most of all my favorite things would not be complete without my family and friends.

Another chapter in our life....

Galen's bloodsugar levels are getting better and better. He is adjusting to the whole diabetes thing well. He is really postive and taking everything in stride. I am so proud of him. He told me the other day that he could let this beat him or he could beat it and he isn't the first or the last person to get diagnosed with diabetes and he wasn't going to let it get him down. I know it is going to be a journey for the next few months until we figure everything out and and even bigger journey for him until he gets everything under control but I know he will come out on top. We are blessed to have such a supportive families.

I am thankful......

So the last few days Galen hasn't been feeling well and his dad suggested he have his blood sugar checked. So he went to the doc yesterday (Tuesday) and they ran a bunch of tests and today (Wednesday) he found out he has diabetes. We won't know until the rest of his test get back if it is Type 1 or 2. So for now he has to check his blood sugar and take insulin at night. I am sure he will have to change what he eats so thank goodness we have been eating a little more healthier and it will just have to get more healthy from here. I am so thankful he actually went to the doc because normally he puts off the doc until the last minute. * I have always found this strange since his dad is a doctor and yet Galen hates going to doctors....I guess maybe it is unfamiliar since he has had his dad his entire life where I am used to seeing someone I don't know. Back to my story...He is ok, I think in shock as am I. I know his dad has always worried about that for him but I guess I felt like he is active its not like he sits on the couch and drinks beer all day, he has started eating better and but I guess it just goes to show you things like this don't discriminate and you just have to take it in stride and be thankful you have your life and you know what to do to improve it.  I am very thankful that it is something he can manage and he is going to be ok once it gets under control. I just hate the feeling of unknown and I hate that he doesn't feel good. So in honor of Thanksgiving and being thankful. I am thankful for my husband and I am thankful for our families and friends and I am thankful that we know what is wrong and it can be fixed.

Needing Christmas cards..... read my post and you can learn how to get 50 cards for free!

If you are shopping around for a great place to order your holiday cards I have the place for you...A couple years ago I stumbled across Shutterfly.com when shopping around for Christmas card ideas. When I arrived at Shutterfly, I had looked at many different sites and many different designs and none were ones that I wanted. Then, I began scrolling through the cards on Shutterfly and found so many I loved.

 I was so happy with the way mine turned out  and how quickly they arrived, that I even ordered a photobook to use as our guestbook at our wedding. Which P.S. is the best idea I have had thus far...It was a great way to share all of the bridal and engagement pictures we spend so much money on and now we have an extra one that we could use as a coffee table book. That is if we actually used our coffee table. LOL!

The thing I love about Shutterfly the most is the affordability as well as the new designs they have each year. My favorite are the flat stationary photo cards which I will be using this year. Sorry, I can't tell you which one, I don't want to give away my suprise! But I will tell you, I love the card stock ones and I think everyone should order those. Although, the flat photo cards have some really cute designs this year. It will be a tough choice! I wish I had kiddos because I would totally take advantage of the story cards, I think that is such a cute way to share about what your family has been up too. In fact, I think I will talk my mom into those ones since we have added a cute little niece to our family this year! Oh that would be fun for her to have myself, my brothers and parents each share a few stories about our families! Yep, I just sold my idea to her, I know it! You can find your very own design by going to http://www.shutterfly.com/ and if you visit   http://bit.ly/sfly2010 you get a chance to get 50 cards free!