5 Passions & A State Test

This post is for my series, 30 Things My Kids Should Know About Me.

Reading
Probably my favorite activity and how I spend most of my days. Also, the reason I want to become an editor. So I can read all day.
Writing
I write a lot. I write in my journal (I'm about to start my 30th any day now), I write on my blog (well, type), I write notes to Dalin, I write letters and thank-you cards, and just recently, Dalin and I each started Gratitude Journals for one another (I'll blog about that later). I love writing and would like to write a book someday--when I have the time (Haha! Like that will happen).
Painting
I have always been fairly blessed with a talent in art my whole life, mainly because artistic genes run in my family. I never used to think that being artistic was cool--in fact, I used to think it was a pretty useless talent. I enjoy doing art for fun, but I've always thought a career in art seemed ridiculous (much to my parents' dismay--they have always wanted me to become an artist or illustrator). Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I think it might be a fun way to make a little extra money. I'll share more on this in another post.

Just recently, my little brother made an art gallery of my work in his bedroom (my old room). I thought it was really sweet of him :)

Teaching
I love teaching. If I could have picked all the careers I want to do, teaching would definitely be among them. I loved teaching Primary for a year, and now I love having the opportunity to teach my daughter. Right now I am teaching Tenley to speak Spanish, American Sign-Language (neither of which I'm fluent in), to count, colors, shapes, the alphabet, body parts, to sit up, to stand, to listen, to talk, and to have as great a love for reading as I do. Teaching an infant involves a lot of repetition and the progress is slow, but I know that my efforts will be rewarded if I am patient and persistent as a good teacher ought to be.

Reading with my baby like we do every morning.

Laughing
I love to laugh! (Saying so always reminds me of the song in Mary Poppins with Bert and Uncle Albert). I probably laugh way too much. It used to get me in mild trouble at church and school. I just can't help it though! I laugh my way through life. People probably think I'm weird because I have such a broad sense of humor--I kind of laugh at everything. One of my favorite quotes is by Marjorie Pay Hinckley: "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh." This quote is kind of my motto. That, and honoring the words, "Live, Laugh, Love." Because what things could make one happier? I count my successes as a mother  daily not by how much we did that day, but how much I made my little girl laugh. I really hope I can teach her to love laughter.

I just love these lyrics from Mary Poppins:

We love to laugh! (ha ha ha ha!)

Loud and long and clear

We love to laugh

So ev'rybody can hear!

The more you laugh!

The more you fill with glee

And the more the glee

The more we're a merrier we!

★   ★   ★

For fun, Dalin and I took this interesting (slightly controversial) state mood test, which, with ten simple questions, determines where you should live. 

Basically, Dalin took it first and got Tennessee. 

Then I took it and got South Carolina. 

Then...Dalin took it for me and got Georgia. 

And I took it for him and got Washington. Random. 

We thought it was funny that three of the states are tucked away into the southeast. I especially thought it was weird because I had been telling Dalin a few days before that we should look into schools in North Carolina because I just have a good feeling about that place (I've only driven through it on family trips to Florida so I don't know much about it other than that the weather is lovely) and all three states are touching North Carolina. Maybe it's just me, but I thought that was weird. Or a sign. Or something.

Anyway, the test was fun to take and so I thought I would provide the link so you can take it! But then you have to comment (pretty please!) and tell me where it said you should live! You can take it for your spouse, too, if you want!

TAKE THE STATE MOOD TEST HERE!

Let me know where it says you should live (and what you think about it) by leaving me a quick comment! 

The Christmas List

Let's be honest--November and December are both like the fastest months of the year (that is, until about the week before Christmas) and somehow it is already the Adam of November (I guess tomorrow would be November Eve--if you don't get my stupid joke, just tell me haha ;). Anyway, if you haven't begun your Christmas list, now is the time to do so! Especially if you, like me, need plenty of time to think of gifts and find great deals (or make them if you're crafty!).

I don't want to spend a lot of money this year (haha because we don't have it) so I plan on doing my best to make most of my gifts. I wish I could share my ideas, but my family reads this thing more than anyone and I hate ruining surprises.

But for the same reason I can't share their gifts, I can share my wish-list which includes mostly home-made items:

1. A small hand-held drill (for drilling holes in wood and screwing in screws)

2. Wooden fridge alphabet magnets

3. A quarter ring (a ring made from a silver-edged quarter, instructions here)

4. One of these babies for New Hampshire and Idaho

5. Some simplicity wood nativity people

6. Pretty much anything on my Pinterest...particularly my *Create, Paint, Make* board

(located here)

7. A trip to Orlando to see my family and go to some theme parks. (Really, I just want this one more than anything ;)

This is me...forever ago. And this could be my baby girl in a few years! 

I feel like most of these things are do-able for my parents or brothers, so if you want to make me something (because I don't really just want "stuff"), here are some good ideas! Mom, make Dad, Payson, and Donny look at this please!

What is on your Christmas wish list? Anything immediately come to mind??

By the way, if you need a quick Halloween-related laugh, check out this video from the Ellen DeGeneres show. She's hilarious.

Fourth of July Weekend & 36 Weeks!

As you may have been able to tell from my latest album on Facebook, Dalin and I spent the Fourth of July with his family here in Provo. They stayed in our apartment which is infinitely cooler since they hooked up the A/C unit the Ritchie's (previous tenants in our apartment) left us. I was anxious because the A/C unit looks old and was quite dusty from sitting on the porch for the last year. But THANK HEAVENS it works perfectly. We would be dying without it. 

Our weekend included Fourth of July attire, a visit to the mall, movies, golf (for the men), fireworks, hilarious games, dining out, a day trip to Lagoon Park and Lagoon A Beach, Church, and Sunday dinner. Walking down University Parkway toward the Stadium of Fire to watch the fireworks and spending more than eight hours walking at Lagoon might be too much for some pregnant ladies...but not for me, though my feet truly ached at the end of every night. I almost wished we had saved those trips until 38 or 39 weeks so it might have helped my labor along because I guarantee the baby would have dropped at least a little. Plus, playing games like Bea Arthur and Group Pictionary would have been enough to get my labor going probably--we laughed so hard during both games that my abs were aching by the end of the night. It was such a fun time! We seriously had a blast and were not looking forward to our family's return to Boise. 

In other news, I had my 36 week appointment (which involved the strep B test--which was nothing at all) on Monday, during which my doctor checked my progress for me (he was already doing other things so I thought, why not?). He said I didn't seem to be dilated yet (which is good I guess, since it would have been a full month early) but I was 50% effaced (which means my cervix is thinning) and that is good. It must be from all the walking. Seriously. Overall, things went well and Dr. Pace told me he fully expects me to have a good experience without complications. I sure hope he is right! 

Pregnancy updates at 36 weeks: 

Weighing in at a ripe 133 lbs

My stomach measures at 34cm

I'm 50% effaced (but no dilation and only slight dropping)

A few stretch marks appearing (Dalin claims they aren't noticeable, but they are to me)

Experiencing occasional tightening or most likely, Braxton Hicks (not painful, just noticeable)

The right side of my lower back is sore (I think from how I've been sleeping on it)

Peeing frequently (but not very much...so annoying!)

Baby girl is as active as ever: kicking, stretching, hiccuping

Baby prefers the right side of my belly--she's almost always over there

My feet are at least a size larger (hopefully temporarily)--I couldn't even get them in my sister's Toms!

Now there is nothing I can do but be patient and pray that (for my sake) she comes a little early or on time. Dr. Pace is vacationing next week, so as long as she comes after 37 weeks, I'll be happy!!!!!!

Do you think baby girl will be early, late, or on time? 

Were you early, late, or on time? (I was like 9 days late...)

This post is just because

Why are there always seagulls at Burger King? It's like Burger King imports them...they probably do actually...to clean up all the spilled fries outside. I just thought of that today when I was getting breakfast there (don't worry, I went to my spin class after and burned all the calories anyway). We're nowhere near the ocean so why are they here??

Also, my pregnant belly has done it again. I tried on my new maternity shirt last night (it's from Target and I really love it) for Dalin, then I just went to the stove for a second to check the food and my dang stomach rubbed against something oily. So then I had a nice spot right on the front of the shirt. Quickly I soaked it in warm water and rubbed some Goo Gone on the spot (and some splatters that made their way onto the shirt from the frying pan), then I hung it to dry on our shower rod under our heater. So then, the next morning I do the same thing and when I come back from class in the morning, it is almost dry--there are only a few spots left. So I put the shirt on and head to work and what the heck--the spots never dry. Apparently they were grease spots from the Goo Gone because they never dried. And they look worse. Ahh!! Luckily the shirt has a bow I have been trying to hide them with.

Anyway, it's been beautiful here in Provo today. I seriously can't think of anything to complain about for once. I am no fan of Utah, but I will say that if the weather was always like it was today, I probably wouldn't hate it. Also, at work we had a barbecue and lots of people signed contracts with me, so that was a plus.

I installed a car seat in our car today. One, because someone wonderful gave it to us yesterday and I wanted to see if I could get it hooked up correctly, two, because we don't really have room for it in our apartment, and three, because I am just so excited to have a baby and I am already wishing she was here!!!!
I'm not sure what else to share...my belly and back are aching from the weight of my belly which is annoying and a tad worrisome since I'm just over halfway through. I cannot even imagine getting bigger than I am. I will probably need a wheelchair. Oh, and I just remembered that I am still mad that Target had NO maternity pants for a small person. Umm...sorry I'm the size of a teenager, but what am I supposed to wear for pants??? I've been wearing yoga pants like every day and those feel fine, but I want to wear jeans so bad! Target only had size 2 and XS, both of which were wayyy too baggy. I am not kidding. They looked like Aladdin pants on me. I sent a picture to my mom because they looked so stupid. I really do not want to spend very much money but it looks like I have no choice. I'll just buy one good pair and call it good. I did buy a belly band at Target, but I have yet to use it. I feel like it would be uncomfortable to just have unbuttoned pants on underneath that thing all day.

Before my belly grew, I went to Motherhood Maternity one time and tried on like four pairs of pants. Naturally, the only ones that fit me in width and length (I have short legs so pretty much all the pants are way too long) were the most expensive. I may just have to suck it up and spend the money on them though because I am running out of pants!!!!!!

Well, I need to go get things done around the house but if you have any ideas or suggestions for acquiring small maternity pants, I would appreciate it! I think I will probably just resort to dresses and yoga pants for now. I guess I had better get some laundry done...sigh

I hope everyone had a nice Thursday! 

Day 16: Friday Night Dates & Laughter

 
We had a great, great date last night (Friday).  I cannot even begin to express how much I enjoy spending time with my husband (obviously a good thing...).  He really is my best friend and we always laugh so much when we're together.  Dalin always thinks of the funniest things to say and I try my best to keep him laughing, too.  We certainly are far from perfect and sometimes argue like we've been married fifty years, but we are quick to apologize and quick to forgive. I think that is the best way to have a happy marriage. That, and loads of laughter.

Anyway, we went to see "Let There Be Light" on campus. Both our lovely cousin Paige Petersen, and our good friend Anthony Miller are in the BYU Concert Choir. The performances were beautiful and the Spirit was very strong particularly during the hymns about Christ (which the majority of them were!).  I think my personal favorite performance was when the Concert Choir and BYU Singers sang "Morning Has Broken" together.  I absolutely love that song.

After the concert, we met four other couples at Red Robin for dinner.  Anthony and Mallory came, Jason and Eva, Derek and his date (who was from Boston!), and Andrew (new friend) and Allyson. We had a blast playing hang man and trying to name various countries. We told lots of stories and shared lots of laughs.

Then we stopped at the Creamery to pick up some ice cream and headed to Jason, Anth, and Derek's apartment to play some games. We started with "Reverse Charades." Most hilarious game ever. We laughed until our throats were sore. Then we played my game--which I took from my favorite Aunt Molly and Uncle Andy--"Bea Arthur." We laughed some more and finally had some ice cream and hurried out to our car at 1:30am so we wouldn't get towed.  It was a wonderful night.

I am thankful for Friday night dates and for laughter!

Things you might not have know about laughter:

Those who laugh frequently tend to live YEARS longer than those who rarely laugh!

"Statistics show that little kids laugh 400 times a day. One study showed that grownups laugh only eleven.  Proverbs tells us, “Laughter is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”  Now there is medical evidence to corroborate that theory.  Volumes are written today on the therapeutic benefits of laughter.  

Dr. William Fry of Stanford University Medical School likened laughter to a form of physical exercise.  It’s like jogging on the inside.  It lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, improves lung capacity, massages internal organs, increases memory and alertness, reduces pain, improves digestion, and lowers the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenalin.  It’s good for the muscles involved in laughter, your chest and abdomen, and it exercises those muscles not involved.  Dr. Fry said that laughing 100-200 times per day is the cardiovascular equivalent of rowing for 10 minutes.  I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather laugh than row.   

Besides physical benefits, laughter also has psychological gains.  It teaches us to be out of control, brings us into the moment, helps us transcend our problems, brings us closer to people and helps us think more clearly."

LAUGH!