JaNuArY

Quick Earl Update: I have an ultrasound on January 31 (the day I leave for Hawaii). I meet with my lady doctor the week I get home from Hawaii. So we'll see what Earl has been up to since Christmas.

On to the more fun update: Everett!

He is such a fun little person. Every day is different because he's always learning new things.

Words: whoa, dog, hi, ball, bye bye

Favorite foods: fruit (any and all of it), sixlets, pancakes, carrots - I'm sure there are more.

This little guy is pretty independent - he can entertain himself, but also likes to play with others.

He loves to "share" his toys with Chewy and he loves to give Chewy his rawhides and chew toys.

 I don't know what it is, but I love pictures of kids when they are looking down. It's the chubby cheeks! They are kissable cheeks.

 Kill me. He looks like such a big boy. 

 Playing after church.

 I caught him hugging his wood animals.

 His BM and BD (birth mom and birth dad) sent him a fun package for Christmas Included were even gifts for Nic and me (tie for Nic and a beautiful handmade scarf for me). 

Playing with one of the gifts:

 Our front, main room has these big lovely windows. They give lots of natural light, but it's not so great when you're trying to watch a movie/TV during the day. We bought some great, room darkening curtains. 

I love them - they give the room such a different look.

 Playing with another toy from BM and BD. He was pulling some great cheesy faces.

We will enjoy our little goober for a little while longer before we leave in 1 1/2 weeks for HAWAII!!!

I will miss him...a lot...

EaRl

I had been struggling with on and off abdominal pain for a few months. 

On December 24 it was constant. Of all the days, C-Eve. :(

Into the ER I went...

Question after question. Blood draws. Urine samples. Ultrasounds of different types.

Come to find out I have a cyst on my right ovary. 

After 5 hours, I was sent home with some pain meds and to keep an eye on it for 2 weeks.

We missed all of the C-Eve festivities. We got back up to my parent's house just in time to put Everett to bed. He got new jammies from G&G Stewart. He had lots of fun with G&G, Ben, Sharon and boys.
(HUGE THANK YOU to G&G, Ben and Sharon!!!)

Thankfully we didn't miss ALL of the festivities. Still ate great food, played BINGO, and got new jammies.

Nic named my cyst Earl (think of a Dixie Chicks song...'cause Earls gotta die)

Fast forward to today...I am still in pain, so I'm working on getting into see my Dr.

I'm thinking she'll want to do another ultrasound to see what Earl is doing. Maybe?

Typically these cysts come and go as they please, but don't necessarily cause pain (thanks Earl).

I have quite a few questions for my Dr so hopefully I can get in to see her soon...

ChRiStMaS 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS...at least in this post.

We spent lots of time at my parent's house with my brother, Ben and his family. 

Nic and I missed out on part of the C-Eve festivities thanks to Earl (that story for a different post). 

I was in the ER for 5 hours finding out that I have a cyst on my right ovary: Earl (name courtesy of Nic).

We got to my parent's house just in time to put Everett to bed and play BINGO.

We spent Christmas morning at our own house opening up presents and stockings.

Cutest little reindeer. 

 Merry Christmas from Chewy!

 Nic hiding behind a sweater.

 Everett was a good boy this year and Santa thought so too.

 Making music on the Xylo Fish.

 Everett got better and better at ripping open the paper. He would lose interest when the presents weren't toys. He knew this next one wasn't a toy...it wasn't.

 I'm interested in this one! 

I sure do love my 3 boys.

We spent the rest of the day at my parent's house. Eating. Being lazy. Family time.

Our Christmas was definitely MERRY! 

ReSoLuTiOnS

HAPPY 2014!

I can't believe it's the end and a beginning. I always have a hard time with the New Year's Resolutions. It's great and all, but at the same time, we should always be striving to have goals.

Nic asked me (on our anniversary 12.27) what some of my goals are for the new year.

Uh....hadn't really thought about it.

Of course he had and explained some of his goals.

We talked about goals that we wanted to accomplish in our marriage/family. It got me thinking...

What do I want to accomplish in 2014? 

Here's what I came up with: 1 goal per month. 12 goals (well not technically). They are attainable and I have the time to accomplish them. If I'm not perfect, that's ok. The reason I say "not technically" is because one of my goals I'm not giving myself a month to complete. I started the Book of Mormon a few months ago, and I will finish it this year! I will go through spurts of reading everyday, and then I will stop. So this one is an ongoing goal. 

On to the list:

JANUARY: Read the Ensign. All of it. Cover to cover. Not just the first presidency and VT message.

FEBRUARY: Read 1 new book (I'm a slow reader).

MARCH: Write 5 handwritten letters.

APRIL: 30 Day Marriage Challenge (Pinterest find)

MAY: Turn off all electronics 30 minutes before bed.

JUNE: Find a cleaning schedule (like this one) and stick to it!

JULY: Finish Book of Mormon.

AUGUST: Find 5 new Gluten Free recipes and try them.

SEPTEMBER: Don't use cell phone while driving. No texting. No phone calls (unless emergency).

OCTOBER: No soda during the week. Only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

NOVEMBER: No eating after 9 PM.

DECEMBER: Hold FHE every Monday.

Here's to a new year! The past is in the past. Let's see what the future holds.