The Earley Bird is Not so Early

My baby is growing up...tear.

2011-08-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

Elle is now 17 months old. I wonder how long it will truly be acceptable to refer to her age in months. Like can I get away with calling her 50 months old? Probably not. That actually sounds older than saying she is 4. Oh gosh!
So anyway we have bee doing a lot of changing and growing lately. She has started gabbing quite a bit. Some of it makes sense, the rest leave her daddy and I puzzled at her statements looking at each other bewildered. Usually she says it with sound conviction which makes me laugh so much. As with every toddler her favorite word is "no". :)
This weekend we said good-bye to the paci. She has done pretty well actually. She slept all through the nights, but we are struggling on the naps. Hopefully just a few more days and we will be back on schedule. She has not asked for it once, but was a bit cranky this weekend. I also think she got another tooth.
She is also showing a lot of interest in her potty and when others go potty. I am not ready to go through that just yet. She is really so young, but I am sure this winter it will be time to tackle the potty.
Oh Eleanor I love you so.

Baby it's HOT outside

2011-07-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

Elle Loves LOVES L-O-V-E-S going outside!So fun except we are going on about day 30 of 100+ degree weather! Lately we have been filling up a kiddie pool and sitting with her in it, which amazingly enough keeps it from feeling unberable!

She also has gained a new love for sliding. She will try to slide off of everything, from chairs, the stairs, in the bath, it is pretty darn cute!

Road trip!

2011-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

We are headed to friends wedding in Texas this weekend! So excited to be off work out of the state and with my family! I will try a few mobile blogs while we are gone:)
It is insane trying to pack for a one year old staying in a hotel! What if she wants this or that? What if we have to change clothes five times a day, don't forget the meds and thermometer... On and on but we did it and are on the road to Dallas, Texas!

I can't figure out how to add pics from my phone... Any tips? It won't let me add.

Happy Fathers Day!

2011-06-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

I don't think that many fathers will read this, but Happy fathers day!
I am grateful for my dad who taught me so many valuable lessons in life. He taught me to be nice to my sister and others, he showed me by example how to have a relationship with God, he taught me how to laugh and "rough house" (poor dad with two girls no so much fun when we ended every session with huge alligator tears), he taught me how to be disciplined, how to play basketball, soccer, softball, even how to bowl, he tried to teach me football but I just never caught on, he taught me how to drive and even helped me know what I was looking for in my future husband.
I am so thankful for the husband who is already a wonderful and loving father to my daughter. He changes her poopie diapers (even from the very first one), gets up in the middle of the night with her on the rare occasion she wakes up, takes turns on the weekend getting up with her so I can sleep in, he helps bath her, plays with her, never complains when I want to run somewhere by myself. I love that he loves to get her in the mornings. It is their special time. Even after a year I can already see the love he has for his daughter and the commitment he has to her to be the Best Dad possible for her. I love you honey for this!

Elle with Grandpa!

Family Pic. Elle loves her daddy!

My very own organization station!

2011-06-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

we are finally making small steps to make our house feel like home. Hung a few more things on the wall and created some organization. Recently I was looking at a blog ohbrooke and saw this cute idea for a magnetic board. J and I have been searching for the perfect chalk board that is magnetic, but they are so expensive. I stumbled upon a picture of her office and saw the perfect solution. I emailed her to see what it was she exactly used and the next weekend we went out and bought the supplies from Home Depot: a 2x3 sheet of stainless steel and some wall molding/trim. Joe framed out the sheet and we hung it on the wall! Poof an organization station of my very own!! I need to find some chalk markers to make it complete but I love it.

What I wore

2011-06-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had a wedding in Ada, OK. It was fun to see some family and Elle had a blast "dancing" to the music. Okay she really just ran in circles and waved her arms, but we got some head bobs in there too:). I forgot my camera but I did remember to take a picture at the end of the day in my dress. Usually I am in scrubs or a sun dress or work out clothes so I thought I would document. It was after a 2 hour car ride each way, wedding and dinner so I am surprised I looked as decent as I still did.

self portrait. I had bangs cut recently. I like them, but I am not good at getting my hair cut on a regular basis so it gets annoying when they grow.

awkward pose. This is my dress from my sisters wedding. We all wore it with a blue cardigan and cowboy boots. I love it, I have worn it a couple of other times too!

favorite necklace from Collected Thread. I got it as a graduation present from nursing school.

Happy Friday ya'll! Counting down the hours till I get to be home with my sweet girl for two days straight!

Making Cookies in My Kitchen

2011-06-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

So tonight after work I grabbed dinner from Big Truck Taco. Yum! Then we went for a walk and then put Elle to bed. I love how cuddly she is right before bed. We always read and sing. Usually "You are my Sunshine". She loves to rock and if I stop before she is ready she starts rocking back and forth herself. When it is time to put her in her bed, I say the same prayer I have said over her since birth. I made it up. I hope she always lets me say it. After we put Elle down I do get some 'Me" time. Tonight was spent making cookies for work and reading on the internet between bake times. They turned out okay, but I almost went out and bought the cookies, but am to lazy to get in the car, and too cheap:) So I made them, from scratch. To me this is easier, and I didn't have to find my shoes:)

Taken by my iPhone. My tiny yet updated kitchen. Literally it is like a 5x8 box. I could use a bit more prep space, but it sure is pretty even if it is usually messy!

Being real

2011-05-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

So Joe and I had a conversation last night. The more blogs I read, the more I feel inadequate. The more facebook posts I read, the more boring I feel.
My life is not a fairy tale. It is far from it. It is my life, I wish things were different, but I am blessed to be living this life. This is not the life I dreamed of or the way I ever thought it would be. Am I happy. I am learning to be happy and content. I love my God, I love my husband and I love my daughter. Because I love these three things, I will do whatever I can to make them happy. Right now that means working full time to pay off debts, to be a partner in my marriage, to figure out how to be a mother and example to my daughter, and to use the skills I went to school for. Someday that will hopefully change. Debts will be paid of, we will be able to live on one income, and I can focus on being home with my babies like I always dreamed crafting away and baking cookies. However right now that is not reality.
We don't sit on the porch watching the sunset after a beautiful home cooked meal, drinking wine or enjoying ice cream and listing to Ray LaMontagne. That sounds nice though. Our house is usually a mess, and it will take years to "decorate" it how we want. We even have a housekeeper. Since I am at work for over 8 hours each day, the last thing I have energy to do is scrub the floors and bathroom. The small price I pay so that at least I can sit for a few minutes each day is worth it. Though the cleanest our house ever is, is during that 4 hours that no one is home. And I am forever doing and folding laundry.
I have more to say about how unpicturesque my life is, but I deleted. I have decided that I like my life, I am happy, I am learning to be happy. I did not picture this nor plan this life, but it is mine. I had a lot of fun racking up my debt too.:)
I have been doing a lot of thinking about "life". I want to be known as a real person, I want my yes to always be yes and my no to be no. If you ask me how I am doing I will tell you, the truth. I ran into someone a few days ago at the store whom I had not seen in a few years. We caught up a little, hugged and as I was leaving they said "please pray for me my dad is dying, pray for my dad...." It was real. They could have just said all is well, but instead they told me what was real in their lives.
God teach me to be honest and real. To praise your name every day and to tell others of how good your are! Help me to live life like it matters, to realize the weight of my choices as before I choose them. Give me strength to pay my debts back, to love my family and my enemies. I want to live a life that matters to You and not to the world.
At the end of the conversation with my husband he jokingly challenged me to write a real blog. To quit posting "the pretty" things, post my kitchen the way it always looks, post what I wear to work(hint...scrubs), to write about my life, my boring life. Sooo...I think I will. If you want to know the real Christi then check in from time to time. I do understand though if it is a bit boring and you don't. I won't mind cause this is not for you, it is for me:)

my family

Elle's Room

2011-04-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

So we painted Elle's room sea glass green and got new carpet. I love the wall color! I think when I was in college I babysat a kid with a room this color and new I would want my first baby's room to be the same color.

We added some girly curtains from PBK, some wall art (the sign reads "you are my sunshine" which I have sang to her since she was in the womb"

There are a still a few things left to do, like refinish her rocker, which is next to a beautiful Armior we found at an antique store. All her pretty dresses go in there.

and paint this dresser, which I outfitted with some fun nobs I found at the craft store:)

The New House!

2011-04-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

I know many of you (all 5 followers and one reader) are dying to see and hear about our new house! We moved in just before Thanksgiving and are still settling in. When we moved in we still did not have a kitchen or downstairs for that matter! The master bedroom or "suite" as I like to call it is actually the attic converted. It is huge. Basically the size of the whole downstairs! Before we moved in they finished painting this area and putting in new carpet so we basically lived up here till just before Christmas. Let me tell you it is not fun making baby food, meals and doing dishes in the bathroom...kinda grosses me out!
Ready for the tour!?!
Our new house was built in the 1920's. We are the third owners! Here is a pic of the front. Hopefully this spring/summer/eeek fall we will install sprinklers and do some landscaping. We need some trees out front! Also the cute little lamp stand isn't working so we need some repair. I also want to get some furniture for the porch, but that maybe next year:)

Before we bought the house all of the floors were carpet and the walls were all cracked and the kitchen was scary. We did a "renovation" tore up the carpets in all the living areas, refinished the wood floors, added a book shelf, repaired the cracks and added a light texture and painted. We also put in a utility room as they just had the washer and dryer hanging out in the hall before.

Now that we have "moved in" we are in the process of decorating. Here are some before and after pics. I will have do do a room by room post with decorating:)
The front of the house:

The back of the house:

Kitchen

Breakfast nook:

Dinning Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Living room

Elle's Room

Office

Not pictured is the guest room and bathroom.
So these were all before pics! Can't wait to show you what we have done so far...hint...I hate red paint and white walls:)

long time no post

2011-03-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

So yeah I know...where did time go?!??
Elle is now one... Maybe its time to pick up the blog again?
In this past year so much has happened.
1. Had a child Eleanor Jaquier Ann Earley 3.10.10 7lbs. 3oz 19 inches long at 6:54pm
2. Learned/ing how to become a mother, the thing I was most scared of.
3. Watched my sister marry her love
4. began the painful process of going back to work
5. injured my back
6. started a new job at an OBGYN clinic which if I have to work then I like this job a lot.
7. Had back surgery
8. put house up for sale
9. sold house and bought new house
10. renovated new house
11. turned 29
12. celebrated a year full of firsts and loved more than I ever thought possible
13. got my very first new car
14. met many of my "new mom" goals...cloth diapering, making all baby food, and breastfeeding for a whole year!
15. worked on becoming a better wife
16. committed to work on becoming a better me that I like.
It has been a very busy year. I feel like I owe you a lot of pictures. We are still struggling with our internet connection and with the move we lost our cord to up load pics...but huzzah!!! I just found it! So here is a pic to wet your appetite and maybe I will do a few picture posts. I have been decent about putting pics on facebook though:)

4 months and some change

2010-07-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

So we are at 18 weeks on Wednesday is that possible? Life is going so fast. We had our four month check up, she is a little girl 25% for height, but only 12% for weight. The doctor said he is not to concerned because she is meeting her milestones and actually passing them...she eats every 4 hours, sleeps from 9pm till 7am, rolls front to back and back to front and then across the living room when the mood strikes, she has killer grasp as Joe and I have both experienced with our hair and she is the happiest baby most of the time. I absolutely love her smile and now her giggle. I do all sorts of crazy things just to get one more smile out of her. I love it! So now that I have bragged on my daughter I will leave you with a few pics. I really should update daily with interesting stories, but time goes so fast and when i do have two hands, I seldom have the energy to remember the story that I blogged in my mind earlier that day.

Elle and her cousin. She is kindda jealous of him when her Grammy carries him and she is in the bouncy seat or floor...reports are that she cries or yells when she sees this, hence her trying to boot the boy out of the pic:) we might have to work on sharing a bit earlier than the norm.

tummy time!

Those eyes!

HI

2010-07-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

So Elle is now 4months old...picture post will come later. :)
Life happens so fast around here. I have a new job. I start Thursday. I will be working for an OB clinic doing triage nursing. I am really excited and can see myself really liking it. I always wanted to be a Labor and Delivery nurse, but then I got pregnant and now I have a bad back. Most places require you to work 12 hour shifts at first and at night to do L&D, so for now I don't think L&D is for me, however I think that the OB clinic is a great fit. I hope I am right!
What is up with my back?
Back in May I started having lower back pain which progressed to numbness and tingling down my leg and hip pain. After trying to just "get through it" for a while I finally went and saw a Doctor. (the chiropractor did not help...might have made it worse). He did an MRI and diagnosed me with degeneritve back disease and a herniated L5 disk which was pressing on my sciatic nerve...no bueno. He sent me to a doctor to have an epidural steroid shot which helped for about 4 weeks then wore off. I go this Wednesday to have another, and am hoping for the same effect but that it will last a bit longer. It has been hard. I am not a pain medicine type of person...hence having Elle without meds,and the fact that I have chosen to breastfeed limits what I can take, but sometimes the pain in my back is so debilitating I don't know what to do. If I could lay still or sit, then I am pretty pain free, but that is not realistic. My "best" time is in the morning...so I try and get stuff done then and rest some in the afternoon so I can make it till night. This is not life. My doctor said the only "cure" will be if I can strengthen my core muscles...so I am doing lots of exercises and looking at starting a pilates class. I have hope that it will get better and am trying to cling to that hope. So that is my back issue...

Don't worry Elle post to come very soon!

Elle is 3 1/2 months old!

2010-06-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

I know I know I am such a lame blogger. Life is crazy busy as always, and the computer where I upload pics is in Elle's room so when I do have time (during naps) I don't dare come in here:)
She was having issues napping today so she is in the swing, leaving me a quiet house and free computer:)
I have been back at work for about a month. I hate it, every minuet of it. I thought working 3 days a week and having 4 off would be doable, but it is hard because I work 12 hour shifts, so when I work Elle's sleep/eat schedule gets all off and then we spend my off days trying to exist and both of us rest. It is not working. So I decided that since I needed to work, maybe I should try a different job. Starting Monday I will be working 9-5. No weekends or holidays. This way Elle can have a better sleep/eat schedule and more consistency, and hopefully I will not be exhausted on my days off.
She is such a gem. She goes down about 9pm and if I let her sleeps till almost 7am...did I mention she is 3 1/2 months old? I didn't think this would happen till she was in school. I keep reading that they should be going to bed even earlier as they get older. (Now that I have bragged she is gonna start waking up in the middle of the night right?)

She is still so tiny. Some of her 3 month old clothes just swallow her! But she is doing crazy things like rolling front to back and back to front, jabbering away, eating her hands, smiling, and now she tries to stand when I put her in her tub...Her Grammy and I both agree she is growing up too fast. I am so excited to see the doll she is becoming but I hope she stays little forever too!

Two months old!

2010-05-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

They say she has my eyes..
Elle is two months old tomorrow! She is getting so big yet is still so small. I mean to post every day, but in the end I would rather hold her and stare at her just a little while longer. We are going to Las Vegas this week. I can't wait. I have never been there before! Last month we went to Long Beach for my sisters wedding. Elle adored her Aunt Chelle. For now a picture post will have to do. Maybe soon I can have real thoughts to go with the pics!

Elle and Chelle at the airport...the first time they met.

Elle and Chelle on Wedding day

1 month old

2010-04-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Elle is actually almost 2 months old now...I can't believe it. It seems as though we have hit something good though. She is a lot less fussy! Praise Jesus! She has started to smile and loves to coo and stare at the ceiling fan. She loves her swing. I love her swing too cause it has saved my life. She is sleeping 6-7 hours a night on her own. Insists on her schedule...sadly this one wont really work when I have to go back to work cause she eats right when I have to leave for work so we are going to start trying to shift it an hour back so I get one last cuddle with her before I go.
I am totally in love with her and each day become even more attached. You would to if you got to see her every day!

Birth Story

2010-04-11T16:15:00.001-07:00

Birth Story
The day of my first due date (March 9) I was miserable. I felt like I had the flu and I felt huge!. I went for a walk, picked some weeds, chatted with the neighbor, went to hobby lobby and Babies R Us to get some more walking in. Everyone I met had the same question. "When are you due?" I would miserably but in my cheeriest voice reply "today". Joe had told Elle that she could come out that evening after his final.

Apparently she is quite obedient.

I kept thinking that it would be funny if as soon as Joe was taking his final my water would break. Well, Joe came home from work gave me a kiss and left for his final. About 10 minutes later the phone rang, as I went to answer it, MY WATER BROKE!!!!!

My sister in law came over and sat with me while I debated whether to call and tell Joe before his final. We ended up talking and I told him. He called his professor and decided to go ahead and take the final, since we knew it would be a little while before we needed to go into the hospital and we didn't want his final looming over our heads when we came home. Sarah and I watched Lost, I cleaned up, finished packing my bag and made Elle her first birthday cake, or cupcakes, to take up to the hospital. At this point I was having irregular contractions that were not very intense between 10 and 15 min apart.
Joe came home, and my back was hurting so we decided to "think" about going in. We called our parents and told them I was in labor and we were thinking about going to the hospital, but not to come up cause we knew it would be a while. About midnight we decided to go into the hospital, when we called our parents to let them know, they were already on their way up...(not very obedient)
When I got there we had to walk around the hospital and then find a working elevator. We finally did that, then the we had to wait to be checked in. Sooo frustrating! They didn't believe me that I was in labor because at that point my contractions had stopped. I decided to let them "check" me, thinking to myself that for sure I would be about a 7. Nope I was a 3, with no contractions at this point. If my water had not broken I would have gone home, but instead they sent me to a labor and delivery room where I was told that if I didn't deliver by 6am they were going to start pitocin. NOOOOOOOOOOO.
That got me moving, I was up walking, doing stimulation points, acupuncture, anything and everything I could. When the midwife came in at 6am I had dilated to a 4 but that was it. We bargained with her not to start interventions and bought ourselves two more hours. This basically went on all day, slowly progressing and bargaining for more time. Finally at about 5:30pm my water had been broken for 24 hours. We begged for 2 more hours. We got one. I was only at about a 5 still, but completely effaced.
Joe sent out a message to friends asking for prayers, called our Bradley instructor for some advice, and I finally laid down for a few minutes. We decided I should get in the bath to see if I could relax.
As soon as I got in the water I started having contractions about 3 minutes apart, mostly in my back. At this point we had discovered my cervix was posterior and that was what was holding up birth. I stayed in the bath for about 20 min, but my back pain was getting to intense so I got out. Some time in the bath I remembered my pelvic tilts from class and daily. I remembered the purpose of these was to help your cervix get anterior. So as soon as I got out of the bath I got on all fours on the bed and started doing tilts. The midwife came in the check on me and told me I had dilated to a 6 but the baby was dropping so she agreed to hold off on pitocin. Sometime during our talk my contractions started being one after another. I remember telling Joe I can't do this anymore and I was to tired. A few minutes later my body was pushing and I couldn't stop it. The midwife was still in the room and checked me and sure enough I was completely dilated and pushing. She got the nurses to the room and a delivery kit in the room asap.
I was still on all fours and not able to turn around because of the pain. I was so tired that they raised the head of the bed and had me lean over it when i was not pushing. I remember thinking how painful labor had gotten, but that it was going to be okay and I could do it. I think my wonderful husband kept telling me this. With each contraction everything got more intense and more focused. Joe and a nurse were putting pressure on my hips and guiding me through my pushes. Finally at 6:54pm on March 10, 2010 the daughter I had dreamed about my whole life and been preparing to meet arrived! Eleanor Jaquier Ann Earley. 7lbs 3oz 20 inches long.
She was perfect! It was interesting turning around to hold her. I remembered as soon as she was out feeling huge relief and crying "give me my baby", Joe cut her cord (the same husband who before I was pregnant was not sure he could even be in the room at her birth) and we held her. He "named" her, as we had been keeping her name from everyone so that we would be the first to name her. She was so alert and so peaceful. I have never ever felt the way I did at that moment, and still can not put words to it. Euphoric does not even describe the feeling. The midwife and doctors were "cleaning" things up, and I didn't even notice or care.
After I was ready Joe went and got our family and we had a little celebration, cupcakes and all to celebrate our new girl.

So labor lasted about 26 hours. I was so exhausted, but someone asked me if I would do it again. (they asked me this the same night) and I totally would. And I would totally do it as naturally as possible. Hopefully we have learned a few things and won't take so long next time. We have learned to relax, and next time I think I will be on all fours earlier:). One thing our classes taught us is that the birth you have is the one you make happen. You have to be your own advocate, and be educated. If not then the doctor/midwife will do what is best for them and in medical standards what is best, but not always what you want or what is best for you. If the Dr/midwife tells you you can think about something that they say they need to do, then they don't really need to do it. So you decided if that is what you want or not. In the end do what is best for the baby, not what you expect and all will be okay. I am excited to do it again, in a few years. I am also learning that the harder thing is being a mom and learning your new baby. That labor was nothing compared to the trials that mothering has already brought, but every minute from the very beginning is so worth the love we have for our little girl!

Outing

2010-03-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

I love this face, I melt and laugh and feel wonderful every time I see her!

Today we had an outing. I went to Target and Babies R Us all by myself. We did okay. I don't know why I am terrified of having Elle cry in public. Just thinking of it I get a hive on my forehead.

Whenever I hear a upset child or misbehaving child in public I cringe. Soon I know this will be my little girl. I better get over it! Here's to having a few more outings this week and Mommy (me) learning how to cope with a crying baby in public:)

Pictures of Elle

2010-03-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to post, but like a lot of things in my life it just hasn't happened. oh well!

When Elle was 6 days old we had a great photographer and new friend, Catherine Gikas, come and take some pictures. They turned out amazing! Go here and go to the proofs page, type in Elle as the password and enjoy the most beautiful baby in the world!:)

Eleanor Jaquier Ann Earley

2010-03-16T09:42:00.001-07:00

She is here. This sweet sweet girl has stolen our hearts.

Eleanor Jaquier Ann Earley
Born March 10, 2010 at 6:54 pm 7lbs 3oz, 20 inches long.
We love her so much. We are still getting settled in but hopefully later this week I can add a few more pics.

Projects

2010-03-09T14:30:00.001-08:00

To help pass the time I thought of a new project,recover the glider my mom is letting us use:
Before

After

You can't tell but the fabric I used is blue gingham. It totally changes the chair. I though it would take quite a while but I think the whole project took about 3 hours!

What will she Look Like?

2010-03-03T02:36:00.000-08:00

So it is 4:30am and I can not sleep.
This is what I did:

Joe as a newborn

Christi as a newborn

Bullet at about 30 weeks
I wounder who she will look like?

Waiting :)

2010-03-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

I am trying to be a good sport. Trying to realize that when Bullet is ready, she will be here and that will come very soon. I am trying.

Here are some things I did today to pass the day:
Made a song list of Relaxation music *taking suggestions
Went to Green-Bambio to look at cloth diapers. We were waiting for their store to open to get them so we could show local support. I am so excited to have this store so close to us!
Mopped the kitchen and bathroom
Laundry
Played on the internets
Worked on some crafts
Sat on the birth ball
Did pelvic tilts and squats
Walked around Target. Bought a Dove Candy Bar

Any suggestions to help pass the time is welcome as well. I wish it would warm up a bit and I would go on more walks!

Shower

2010-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

My friends from House Church threw Joe and I a lovely couples baby shower. It was fun to get dressed up! It was very much just an evening gathering, to help make it green and take away the awkwardness of opening presents they requested that gifts be brought unwrapped. I thought that was a nice change.

Projects

2010-02-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

So while I have been on "House Arrest" I have been getting things done. Bullet's bag is ready, my bag is ready, Husby's bag is ready. Snacks are packed, house is cleaned, nursery is done for now, clothes are washed, car seat bases installed. I am ready, so now I am just hanging out till she decides to join us. I have started on a few projects. I just finished our wedding memory book, from 4 years ago. I also made some shower gifts. I learned how to sew in 8th grade and pretty much that was it. Last birthday I got a sewing machine and I have been putting it to use. I made some burp cloths (not pictured), some aprons and tea towels! All very easy beginner projects. I am having fun creating them, so hopefully this will be the start of a new hobby:)

PS. Blood Pressure is down!

It's the Freakin Weekend Baby!

2010-02-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

Today my counter says I am 37 weeks! 3 weeks or 21 days till due date! I can already tell you that baby bullet is much lower then she was and there are other "signs" going on. I really hope that means it will be shorter than said 21 days. I told her she could come on Sunday, or the 25th, that is my grandmother's birthday:)

Her nursery is pretty much ready, Saturday, Joe and I will grab the last remaining items we need and we should be done:)

I am working on house cleaning, though it is hard to do when you are on modified bed rest and you can't bend over cause someone is blocking your way. My mom is going to come over and help a little there.

I have been working on some sewing projects so hopefully I will remember to take a few pics of my finished products and post them later today.

Happy Friday!

Reality

2010-02-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

So being on house arrest, as I call it, isn't too bad. I have gotten a lot more organized. Tonight I was washing her socks and some newborn onesies and blankets and it was like "whoa soon I will be putting these on a tiny body". Reality has set in. I really can't wait to meet her, well maybe a few more weeks, I want her good and strong!

Are these not adorable?

House Arrest

2010-02-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

So labs did not come back squeaky clean. I am not on bedrest yet, but on "house arrest" more or less. The midwife said lots of rest, stay calm and we will check labs again next week. So I guess that means lots of book reading, and knitting/sewing for me. Oh fun! Maybe I will pick out a project from The Purl Bee

Shower(s)

2010-02-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

I have been so blessed the past few weekends. Some of my girlfriends from Crossfit organized a Baby Shower for me at Cuppies and Joe. It ended up being a joint shower with a friend who is expecting her second boy in May. Here are a few pics:

The girls who helped organize the shower: thank you again!

It was very sweet and intimate, with lots of yummy cupcakes:)

This weekend I had a second shower thrown by my sweet Sister-in-law, and two longest and best friends besides my sister (who helped from afar in CA).
Megan, Sarah, Me and Jamie

Yummy Cake: See the baby foot prints on the tummy!

We played some games and the guests all decorated a square for a quilt that will be made for baby bullet! So sweet!

My camera didn't get very many pics, I am hoping my mom has some more for me soon and I will make a collage or something.

I feel so lucky and blessed and overwhelmed by all this pink surrounding me now! (well that and some orange:)

Update

2010-02-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

I forgot to update you on the blood pressure issue. Labs are all great, but the blood pressure is not. I have been taken off work for this week and we will check back in with the Midwife on Friday. Booo! So for now I am doing some laundry, playing on the Internets and writing my thank you notes.

Contest

2010-02-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

My friend is working on getting a new book out and put up a contest on her website. Click here for a chance to win a Barns and Nobel Gift card!

well shoot

2010-01-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

This week has been discouraging as far as being prego goes. Friday at my Midwife appointment I had high blood pressure 132/93 it has been 110/60 consistently all pregnancy. Then that afternoon I did something, I don't know what, and messed up my back and caused pressure on my sciatic nerve causing tons of pain and tons of numbness. I went to the hospital, but really there is nothing they can do for a pregnant woman, other than a non-stress-test:). I have been icing and heating and exercising it. I feel the best when I am standing. It is getting better though, so hopefully we will not finish out this pregnancy with pain (well until the very end).
I went today to have my blood pressure re-checked and it is still high 120/90 :(. This all happened in one week. So now I have to do some lab tests to make sure I am not developing pre-eclampsia. Oh what fun. Please say some prayers for me that everything will be okay. I promise to be good and rest more and drink my water and quit stressing! If you have any suggestions for me shoot them my way!

On a fun note I had my first shower. I took pics so I will post that tomorrow!

(almost) 33 weeks and counting

2010-01-20T17:47:00.001-08:00

Joe was making me laugh in this picture...I love him

Anniversary #4

2010-01-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

Last week Joe and I celebrated being married for 4 years! These years have gone by fast and they are years I would never give back. I love my husband more and more every day and with each year we grow up a little more and deeper in love. This was also kindda our "baby moon". We had a good time but were both exhausted as our pipes froze that morning and Joe spent the day under the house insulating them and trying to keep them from re-freezing once they were thawed.
I forgot to take pictures (I looked hot though-all 31 weeks of me and bullet. I might get dressed in the same dress tonight and take a pic just for kicks!) First we went to Redprime Steak in Downtown OKC...loved it!
Next we stayed the night at the Skirvin

We had a great time and I look forward to many many more years with my best friend and amazing husband. He is gonna be a great daddy!

Strollers and Carseats!

2010-01-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

We ordered our stroller and car seat! It took me quite a while to decide on what I wanted, there are so many options and so many prices. I wanted to be wise with my money, have a very functional stroller, and of course it had to be orange :). The car seat was easier, since the stroller uses only one car seat. I had looked at the car seat a few times before I found this stoller and I think it will work perfectly with our needs.
So with out further a due:
The Maxi Cosi Infant Seat

The Quinny Zapp Stroller

Both are light weight and have good ratings. The stroller folds up to 69 x 27 x 30cm and then stores in a bag! When you are needing to use it as in infant seat you remove the seat and it configures to hold the car seat, so yo are not having to deal with tons of bulk for such a little person. I love it and am so excited for it to come in the mail!

Christmas

2009-12-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas is technically gone...we still have one more celebration to be had which means more good food and family! We spent Christmas Eve snowed in but ventured to my mom's house to see family on Christmas day. It was wonderful to see extended family, my sis and her fiance, grandma and mom and dad. We had good food, good time and lots of presents.
The day after Christmas we went to Kanawa, OK to see Joe's extended family. It was a good time. Bit of a scary drive but I am so glad we made it.
I am glad the hustle of Christmas is over, but sad the family has begun to leave town and life will soon return to its busy fast paced self again. Oh well :)
Traditional Kid Picture:

My Family

Gradad and Jan in Kanawa

It Snowed!

2009-12-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

It snowed...no it blizziarded here! It was crazy! We missed Christmas Eve festavities, due to the inability to see outside, so we ended up making these up on Christmas Day. We have one Christmas Celebration with Husby's mom, which will be New Years day. Here are some of the pictures from the Great Snow Storm of 09.
During the Snow Storm

The Morning After

The Dogs Discovering the Wonderful Snow

Trying to make it to Mom's house Christmas Day

Week 27

2009-12-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

Time is going by so fast...I am 99% done Christmas shopping, the tree is up, I get to see my sister soon and Christmas is just around the corner! Tomorrow I am taking my GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) pray for good results! They do this test to make sure you do not have gestational diabetes. Also tomorrow is my first appointment with the new Midwife. My insurance was not cooperating with the Dr. I had had for 10 years, so we had to switch. I am choosing to have a positive attitude about this all, but really it is just annoying to me to have to get to know someone new.

We are hoping to set up the nursery wall (our house is so tiny she only gets a wall...maybe two) after Christmas and then we are going to register. Sooooo crazy! I have been spending hours trying to narrow down my stroller and car seat choice. I am pretty much decided on everything else. I will post some of that later. For now, Merry Christmas!

A day of rest...

2009-12-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been going going going. Even when I go to bed my thoughts wake me up. I just can't seem to stop. Something that I have been bothered by lately is my lack of being in strong relationships. It seems like work, chores or my preoccupation with what needs to be done next to get ready for Bullet has taken over my ability to be a friend or be a good wife.

But this week has been a little different. Today was perfect. J and I woke up, relaxed, ate some breakfast, planned our day, went Christmas shopping in a very relaxing way and then came home at the roast I had cooking and watched Elf while wrapping gifts.

Friday I got to meet a friend for lunch and worked on calls to friends who I haven't talked to in a while.

So here is to slowing down a bit, being intentional and working on being a better person who is preoccupied with real people instead of my "to do list"

Baby Shoes

2009-12-04T19:51:00.001-08:00

The cutest shoes you ever did see! I got them over thanksgiving holiday at a cute little store called Tullips. I can't wait to see little Bullet in these!

Growing

2009-12-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

So Bullet is a little over a foot long. She squirming and pushing and kicking and hiccuping a lot. I am growing and pushing and kicking a lot too :) Here you go Nat and Chelle...

23 weeks

24 weeks (those are not pit stains!!..I think its a shadow)

25 weeks

26 weeks

So two books say I am 27 weeks and then two say I am 26 weeks...I don't know...she will come in March when she feels like it:)

Christmas Wish List

2009-11-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Wish list for Christmas:
This Duvet Cover: Queen

A new Ipod Nano (my engagement ipod mini has died:()

Some Smart Wools Size M

A new purse like this one:
Slippers Size M/8

Some Gloves: Like These

A Chair for Bullet's room or any baby goods are also welcome:)

Conversation

2009-11-23T13:05:00.001-08:00

Last week I went in to project mode and did a lot of cleaning, my mom called and here is how part of the convo went:
Mom: What have you been doing
Me: oh, just cleaning the dust boards and all the windows
Mom: You sound like you are nesting
Me: I guess, I just want things done and don't know when I will have time after bullet comes
Mom: I was doing that with your sister right before she came, down on all fours washing the floors and stuff. Normally you don't do lots of "nesting" stuff till right before.
Me: I'll be too big by then to get down and clean the floors
Mom: Yeah, that's probably true.
Me: Thanks

I seem to be getting bigger every day, hopefully so is Bullet!

Fears

2009-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

I recently had a conversation quite a few conversations about what I will do for work once Bullet comes. Right now the plan is to go back to working as a nurse where I am at now. One of the main reasons is that I am under contract till June. One of the things that comes up in conversation is "do you like it (nursing)". My answer is always the same. I love it, however it is very taxing physically and emotionally. The physical is obvious, you are on your feet and running for 12 hours at a time. The emotional part is harder for people to understand and something I never considered before I started.

You have to give 100% of your self to complete strangers at all times. The people I take care of need me, they need 100% of me for the 12 hours they have me, sometimes they want more. It is hard because when I come home I am 'empty'. My husband is very understanding of my need to completely veg when I come home, but sometimes it is hard on him, especially when he needs me too.

Recently I have begun to realize that this is what motherhood will be like, but it won't end at 12 hours. That is what I am scared of. Can I do this? I'm not scared of birth, I have seen lots of births, we are taking Bradley classes, I have been through a lot of tough things in my life, and also subject myself regularly to what some call torture (crossfit). I am hoping, praying and believing that things will go the way we have prepared for them to do and if they don't, then I know it will be okay. But what I am scared of is being a mother.

I have been 'nesting" a lot already, cleaning, finishing projects from 5 years ago, planing the nursery, diapers, feeding, child care (thank you to my husbands sweet mother who will be watching Bullet along with her cousin!) I am trying to get me time in a lot, because I want to be ready to be there for the rest of my life for Bullet (and her future brothers and sisters).

I know nothing will truly prepare me. I know that it will be okay. Hopefully we will soon have some better options for my job that will allow me to focus more on my family but still allow me to work to others in need. I can't wait to meet baby Bullet and be her mother and I can't wait to love someone more than I have ever imagined possible. I know with that I will make it.

I am growing and so is Bullet

2009-11-13T13:22:00.001-08:00

I am around 23 1/2 weeks now...so crazy. Bullet is around 11 inches and a little over one pound! I feel her moving and kicking and swimming all the time. Joe talks to her a lot and has gotten to feel her kick or punch a few times. It is really cool!
Here are some shots of me growing...mainly to appease my sister and Nathalie...love you girls!

10 weeks

19 weeks

22 weeks

Baby Bullet Anounced

2009-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

OK...so a few weeks back:) We had our parents and Joe's sister and husband. (mine lives in CA) over for homemade chili and corn bread and pumpkin pie and spilled the surprise of the sex of our little Bullet.
Here is how we did it:
First I took the sonogram pic where they pointed out she was a girl and got copies made,
then decorated them with a cute pink bow and wrapped them up in newborn diapers.

We had everyone guess what they thought she was and then at the same time they all opened the diaper. It sounds cheesy but it was fun way to celebrate with our family:) We got it on video too! Sorry for the bad lighting!

Fall!

2009-10-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

We have been busy busy busy!
Highlights of this fall/past few weeks...
1. Found out we are having a girl, her name is bullet until further notice :) Pics of how we told our family to come.
2. A fun OSU football season!
3. Went to the U2 concert!

U2!
4. Girls weekend with my in-laws!
5. My birthday! I have had a wonderful 28th birthday. Started with a mani-pedi, moved on to Girl's get-away, yummy dinner with my husband, a UFC fight with friends, breakfast at Cafe do Brazil (love love love), historic home tour, dinner with my parents and fun gifts including my new camera, some maternity clothes and an OSU yard sign, lunch with nursing school friend, purchase of tulips to plant tomorrow, dinner with my Sis-in law (husby in in school tonight-so he spoiled me this weekend with lovely flowers and yummy perfume!) and a relaxing night at home!

flowers from Joe
6. One more day off before I go back to work! Tomorrows plans include gardening, knitting, reading and some more shopping!
garden sign!

The Results are in.......

2009-10-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

We are having a girl!!

My Days off update!

2009-10-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my mom and I made a trip to Calie to visit my sister and help her with wedding planning. I had a blast but I am soooo tired. Can't show you many pics cause they are top secret. But there are a few. I am still not showing all the time, which is funny, but I think I felt the monkey move the other day. It felt like a real butterfly in my tummy! So fun1 We find out next week if it is a girl or boy monkey. Stay tuned!

Chelle Practicing her first dance :) j/k octoberfest was happening behind us.

The engaged couple!
Family Picture (Me, Joe on the phone, baby in my tummy)

Yummm...Fair Foooood!

2009-09-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

Now that I am feeling a bit better I am going to try and update a bit more. Though I suck at taking pictures...well, my camera is ancient so it's not fun to take pictures. I am working on finding a new camera though.

This weekend was a pretty productive one:
1. Made 3 pillows: my first sewing project since 8th grade!
2. Held a very precious baby for hours!
3. Bradley classes began (very impressed by my husby who took notes the whole time)
4. OSU game- sat in the club seats and ate my little heart out!
5. Lovely walk with the dogs
6. Purchase of an antique German Armoire for the baby! (so proud of Joe and his negotiating skills!)
7. The Great State Fair of Oklahoma- ate my little heart out some more! And people watched a lot...though I think Sunday is the "normal" peoples day...that or work has desensitized me :)
8. Finished with an episode of the band of brothers: Why could we have not had these in high school, I would have actually learned something.

Here is to one more day off!

Baby Pics!

2009-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

We had our first Ultrasound this week. It was so fun. I didn't cry but sure got all misty. But it kindda made me laugh. Baby looked like a little sea creature monkey type thing. My favorite animal is monkey and I plan on incorporating that somehow into the nursery. I am also in love with sock monkeys so we will see. The pics were pretty good. Much more developed than I thought! See for yourself...

I have also started trying to figure out what type of baby supplies I am gonna get...Starting with the crib and furniture, because this weekend is the Just between Friends sale here and I wanted to see if maybe we could save some money...so I have been researching on consumer report and my neighbor gave me a book called "Baby Bargains". I already had some ideas in mind so that is helpful, now I just have to get husby to agree.:)

Three's Company :)

2009-08-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Suprise!
So I have some big news!
Joe and I are expecting our first baby! I am due in March and we are so excited!

I haven't really felt up to blogging lately due to being so tired or not feeling quite right, but we had our doctor's appointment today and everything looks good!
Just wanted to share the fun news! Have a good afternoon!

Christina Earley, RN

2009-06-21T16:33:00.001-07:00

So I did it! I am done, no more tests, sleepless nights, hours of painful study, only freedom to do whatever I want on my day off an paychecks ahead!

I have started working as a Surgical Specialty nurse. We take care of people before and after they have surgery and need to stay overnight or a few weeks in the hospital. I have already found great joy in helping comfort people, answer questions, and wearing my new badge that displays RN in big letters after my name! Don't worry I won't tell you details of my job, because it is gross. I am even forbid to talk about it too much at home, because someone has a weak stomach, but I love, love it!

We are going to Kansas City, MO this week to celebrate with some friends. I have never been to Kansas City, any suggestions on fun things to do?

P.S. Sorry for the delay in posting, I have been running non-stop since I found out I passed.

I can see the end

2009-06-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

"IT" is almost here. I have had many emotions regarding "IT", but the one I am trying to capture is that calm peace that I got the day of my wedding. (I really do think somone slipped me some Xanax that day cause nothing botherd me, even when my new manicure got all chipped and I was mad at the photographer, I just whipped out my nail polish remover and new polish and redid my nails, and then tried to suggest to the photographer some pictures to take instead of taking the pics of the fire extinguisher and food. I admit the food looked great, but I would have rather had pictures of the people in the wedding.) I also keep picturing seeing a license number next to my name and repeating to mantras "I can do this, I am a smarty pants" and "Safety ABC: airway, breathing, circulation"...it is starting to work. During my study breaks I have been checking out some other blogs aside from the ones on the side of the page here are some other ones to check out!
Creature Comforts
iDIY
Cup of Jo
JemeryandKathleen
Design Sponge
The Birdies Nest

Memorial Day and I have a board Date!

2009-05-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

So once again I really should be studying, but I just wanted to share with you that I have a board date! June 9th at 2pm. The test can take up to 6 hours depending on how many questions you get...the minimum is 75...the max is 250. Apparently the test can start to tell if you passed by question 75 and it stops the test once you have achieved a passing range. I am praying mine will be 75! I have a of studying to do till then! Memorial weekend was fun.
We...
Played some golf
Went to the in-laws for lunch
Enjoyed the Paseo Arts Festival and my friend Shannon sang:)
Planted shurbs...will finish next weekend and show some pics...though I forgot to do the before:(
Relaxed!
Joe and I at the golf course...I was told to stop taking pics..hehe (by husby not by rules)

Graduation

2009-05-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Three Generations of Nurses! (Aunt, Me, Grandma)

Nursing School BFF

So I am done...well almost, the party won't officially start until I have passed boards, which will require a bit more studying. Boo... But I did graduate from nursing school! The school has a big ceremony which I skipped, but the nursing program does a small pinning ceremony where you dress up, wear your white lab coat, say a pledge, hear some speakers, walk across stage and then get pinned. It was nice, my grandmother pinned me. She is a nurse too! For me that was the best part. Some of my family came and it was good. But like I said the real party won't start till I pass my boards. I will keep you updated!

Some Ideas

2009-05-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

So last year my cute puppie Gus, ate the end of my duvet...being in nursing school I had no time or money, so I patched it up and went on. Well the time has come to find a new duvet or bedspread and redecorate. You can see the color of the old one in my last post....Now I am not a wiz at photo shop so I can't do a mock up, but I while I have been "visiting" other blogs I found this one and I really like it!
Some other options are...

What do you think? Any other ideas? I am also thinking of making my own...and then the possibilities are endless! I will keep you updated, but yea or nea on the options above?

Hello There Blog

2009-05-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well there is a long list of things I could write about, graduating, finishing finals, having my gallbladder out, sleeping, reacting to my pain pills...all those are fun things, but really not that interesting:)
Lately I have been spending a lot of time on my bum related to the previous mentioned removal of a non vital organ. I am 27 and can not believe I have had this surgery. I believe the culprit to destroying my gallbladder is actually celiac disease....I have been eating gluten free since I found out that my GB was bad, but what was done was done and it was causing me lots of pain so out it had to come out! However, I am still gluten free and will remain and it really does feel good. I am actually on the road to loosing the lactose in my diet as well. I am a conspiracy theorists and now a food freak and am determined that gluten and lactose are out to get me, and I will not admit to defeat!

I will be blogging about my food/health journey here...actually I already have been doing so since January. The method of fitness my husband and I have chosen, crossfit, which I absolutely love and although it may seem crazy to others, it is the best thing that has happened for our marriage, really emphasizes that you can not just workout to be fit, but that your diet must be balanced as well. Anyway I have been following the zone and working my way to eating more paleo which can be seen on my other blog.

Okay, back to me sitting on my bum! I have found an insane amount of blogs out there that are just fascinating...really this is better then reality TV! I have wasted countless hours re-decorating my house, planning a wedding, and just looking and reading. I love it! One thing I noticed is that many of these blogs reference each other. Quite interesting, but is it unoriginal? But really what is the point of being original when something has already been done well?
So in the coming days, weeks, months...I will be a bit original and also show you all a bit of what I am viewing and entertaining myself with!
See you all soon!

3 weeks and counting!

2009-04-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

So I am almost there, its getting rough and not so fun to be around as I am getting antsy and all I do is study, but here are a few highlights from the past few weeks:
1. This past Friday, April 17, 2009 at the age of 27, I did my very first pull up ever!!!! I have been working towards this for 1 1/2 years and I finally did it!

2. I am officially going to be working as a surgical specialty nurse at OUmed as soon as I get my license, and I get to work the day shift not the nights! I am really excited about this as there are some crazy surgery's we do here, since it is the teaching hospital. I will take care of patients before they have surgery and then after when they have to stay for a couple of days/weeks. Very interesting.
3. I have 3 more tests, one clinical, and no more lectures...I can't believe it!

Well now my brain has gone to mush and I can't think of anything else, though I am sure there is more. Its all that studying.

5 weeks to go!!!

2009-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

So I am at about 5 weeks till I take my final and am done with nursing school. It is weird. I scheduled my month to give me plenty of study time and also keep my stress levels down cause weird things always happen to me when I stress out...like my lip gets fat for no reason, I get a beard of hives, my gallbladder starts spazzing, I start crying for no reason and think the world is ending...these are all the reasons I never did take that darn MCAT... The problem is I have NO MOTIVATION. Instead I have started on projects that I had listed out for the summer when I was a "free woman" again. I tell myself to stop that, but self doesn't listen well.

So this week I am making a "to do" list that is for nursing school only, with a few options for "study breaks" that are low time wasting and necessary...like clean the house, or go for a walk. I hope it works...please pray for my MOTIVATION to kick in. See you in about 5 weeks! (because blogging and facebook are not on the list of necessary or low time wasting...I get sucked in!)

Checking in

2009-02-06T15:57:00.001-08:00

Well I am in my last semester of nursing school and I am pretty much consumed with that and work. I still read "my blogs" my version of the old lady watching "my shows" but that is about it. I shouldn't even be doing this, but I can't help myself. I have been working hard though to find some balance...it includes going to House church and meeting up with friends, and going at least three times a week to CrossFit. So if you don't see a good blog for a month or so...or really there is never a good blog here but I guess an update, know I am reading yours and being entertained:).

Weekend Get Away

2009-01-13T05:57:00.000-08:00

Joe and I thought it would be fun to get away before the last semester of my nursing program starts and to celebrate our 3 anniversary and his 27th birthday.
The first night we stayed and one of our favorite get a ways, The Cedar Rock Inn. We ate a fantastic dinner and breakfast and just relaxed. Saturday morning we went to Utica Square and shopped and looked around, ate lunch, had coffee, sat, read, talked, enjoyed having nothing to do.
That night we went to Bartlesville and stayed at The Price Tower Inn. We had a great time here and the room was so sweet. I wish I had gotten a picture. We stayed on the 13th floor with windows on across 2 walls. It was really cool. Well, now its time for school again and I will probably be disappearing even more as this is my last semester! Wahoo! I will leave you with a few pics just for fun!
My new hair cut

Joe and I going out to dinner

Me being strange...as usual

The New Year!

2009-01-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

Well-life has been a bit to crazy to post a best of 2008 list for me or even a recap, but I look forward to 2009 being a bit more productive, less chaotic, healthier, more creative and full of new adventures!
Here is my To Do list for today: eeekkk
Gather Transcript requests for grad school
mop floors
Dust house/clean bathroom
Clean out utility room (making into new sewing room!!!!!)
Buy paint for dining room
Walk dogs/crossfit
Movie

Ohh that is an exciting Jan 1 2009 list for ya!

Vacation

2008-12-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

It feels very strange to not have a "to do" list. So of course I created one. It only has 4 things on it and 3 of those can be done at the exact same time. It also feels strange to not be lugging around my coat and gloves and to see people wearing scarfs for "fashion" instead of functionality. I'm not gonna lie...I love it!
I am In Long Beach visiting my little sister until Sunday and have had a good/restful time. I mentioned to her that while I was here, I was not into doing the "touristy" California adventure, I have already lived here and done that, but what I wanted was to see her life, meet her close friends, and relax. I have do just that. I forgot my camera, but I think I will borrow hers for a bit tomorrow. Here is a list of a few things I have done so far or will be doing:
Have read 30 chapters in "Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent- I highly recommend this book
Knitted half of a scarf-we have a long trip home so I am sure this will be done soon
Taken naps
Had yummy desert, drank wine and spiked nog and played scatagories and visited with "friends"
Gone for a bike ride to a coffee shop and then walked and sipped on coffee
Ate lunch with a good College friend
Went shopping/looking really at Urban outfitters/anthropologie.
Hung out with two sweet (as in cool) kids and played Mario Kart- I kicked some a$$ (not really but Ari still high fived me)
Ran at the Beach
Went looking in vintage/thrift stores
Drank some yummy coffee at another coffee shop
I will be enjoying two Christmas Parties
Eating at the place my sis works
A bit more wandering around town
Enjoying a Christmas Service while my talented sis plays in the orchestra
and finally
Driving 20 hours home-I am excited to make it home as I really do miss Joe and wish he was actually here with me. I am so proud of him! He just finished is 3 semester of Grad school and is doing so well and working so hard!

Cough, Cough, ekkk, ehhhh, ouch!

2008-12-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

Yup this was me this past week, well still is. I have a terrible cough that will not go away. It is not in my chest, but in my Laryngopharynx. I am a very violent not cute sounds like a dog who is attacking you type of cougher. It is very embarrassing and hard to control. So anyway the other night I was hacking away, and all of the sudden my butt shot out a stabbing pain. That is right, I coughed so hard I pulled a butt muscle! So I layed down on the couch and rested for the evening and worried that I had just ruined my christmas break, because I couldn't walk without being in severe pain. Anyway I got up to get something and I of course coughed again and my knee popped and then the pain was gone. True Story!
This is what I think happened. I think I must have messed up my iliotibial track/band which attaches to the gluteus maximus, so it was pulling that muscle and when I popped my knee everything fell back into place.

Because I should be studying :)

2008-12-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

So I woke up early to start studying and to clean up the house a bit before my mom and grandmother pop on over...and here I am wasting the precious moments on the internet. I'm so addicted it is sad.
Well I thought I would post a pic of my Pecan Maple Spice Pie I made for thanksgiving. I would say it was a hit, however if you are from Oklahoma especially a small town, you don't like things changed on ya...so lets just say, people with developed taste buds loved it. I found the recipe in my Williams Sonoma Holiday Recipe collection, by the way making pie crust in the food processor is the best thing ever. I will never ever go back. Homemade and convenience in one!

Needed breaths for the weary soul

2008-11-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Geezz! That title sounds pitiful huh? Well I made it through nursing semester 3. Only the final is left on December 8. It is comprehensive and there is no new material for the next two weeks and as I stand right now I will be passing (even if I fail the final and make a 70)... Praise Jesus! We had our last module test this morning and I walked out with tears in my eyes just sure I had miserably failed. When the instructor took my exam and said "Happy Thanksgiving" (mind you with a Stuffed Turkey hat on her head), I was not sure what to do. Happy Thanksgiving??? Don't you mean "how do you like that pencil I just jabbed into your carotid artery a bazillion times or do you want me to shoot you or strangle you?, I am fine with either." Okay violent thoughts not good. I just stared blankly at the instructor and her hat, let my exam fall from my tired little fingers and left.
I sat in the car for a few minutes and cried and whined and then I went and got a pedicure. Just what I needed to help me forget the pain I had just endured and help the time pass until they posted the grades. I read Instyle and about Meg Ryan, who is one of my favorite actresses, licked my wounds, took my car to get clean after I had spilled my smoothie in it and then came home to check the grade.

I passed! But I am still kicking myself for three questions that I missed that I totally knew, but as I do so well, second guessed myself and picked the wrong answer...at least I passed and I am done and I can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday!

This is what I plan on doing:
1. getting ready for finals
2. working
3. Baking two Pecan Pies (I have a bit of When Harry Met Sally going in my head right now...you know the Diner scene...just before THE SCENE)
4.Bake some Yams and throw together a fruit salad
5. Pre-exercise so I won't feel soo guilty eating too much on Thurs and Fri
6. Eat two Thanksgiving Dinners and spend some needed time with the Families
7. Watch OSU beat the snot out of OU!!! GO POKES!

Im sure after some R&R my post will be a bit more upbeat :)

1+1=???

2008-11-05T18:48:00.001-08:00

So recently I started volunteering at a DHS shelter, I would love to say that I just really felt the need to give of myself and found the shelter on my own. I can't. I am volunteering due to a bribe from my instructors at school for 20 extra credit points. I know I'm smhuck!! I do plan on continuing my time at the shelter once my semester is over. So at the shelter I have done various things like iron Halloween costumes, face painting, holding week old babies and the hardest, tutoring school aged children. This is the hardest because my heart breaks every time. Recently I was trying to help a 5th grader with long division (one of my favorites) and realized that he couldn't not even do simple addition or subtraction problems. Believe me at first I thought he was pulling my leg because he wanted me to do his homework, but when it became evident that he did not understand what minus meant I knew we were not going to be successful at finishing his worksheet.
So what makes me mad is that he is in 5th grade and no one is fixing this. Instead he just keeps getting ignored and passed along. Where are his teachers, where is the magical wonderful mentor that he should have to help him learn and do his school work. No where, because in the real world, that just doesn't happen. At least not in the real world of DHS custody. At first I vowed to myself to come back every day at teach this boy his mathematics, but after talking to the case manager learned that he was off to a foster home and then would be placed back at his home in a month or two. Because of the "rules" there was nothing else I could do but cry and pray that he makes it...that there is a magic fairy out there that will bestow him the gift of mathematics.
On another note, I got an influenza vaccine today. My arm feels like it is about to fall off and my head hurts. As a consolation prize the nurse gave me a sucker. Who says 27 isn't too old to get rewarded for being a good girl at the doctor! Now because I got "the" shot it is only a matter of weeks before I come down with the aweful-I will die-my bones are hallow-please kill me know-flu. I didn't have a choice since I work at the hospital. Well, I kindda did, but to be honest I think that it will be better if I get the shot then if I don't, being that I work at a state hospital and we see some funky things.
Ok...two days left and then some weekend to be had!

Ninjas, Star-wars and Gas Prices oh my

2008-11-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

So as promised here are some pics from the weekend.

Friday I helped paint pics on some kids from the shelter where I am volunteering, while I couldn't post pics of my wonderful work (I did 2 vampires, a Cinderella, and a witch) I could post my little "ninja" getup. My friend from school and I decided to get into the spirit and paint our faces too. Luckily I don't still have a red ring around my eyes!

Joe's work always throws a massive halloween party for a United Way fundraiser each year. They go all out as you can see and give huge cash prizes to winning costumes. Joe's Department went as characters from the "Death Star" scene of Star-Wars. I always told Joe it was fine if he really really liked Star-Wars, but I drew the line at dressing in character, well uhhh It was for a good cause???? right?

Finally, don't you wish you lived in Oklahoma!!! Look at those gas prices. Part of me wishes I could fill up a few barrels and store them for a rainy day at these prices.

Week end Review

2008-10-30T22:19:00.001-07:00

Well I had a good birthday. For me, getting older is a bit hard, but It is all good. I started the weekend with my parents and Grandma at the Cheesecake Factory. Joe had class Friday night, so he couldn't make it. Saturday morning we went to crossfit and then watched a heart breaker of the OSU vs. Texas game. We were so close boys! Then Joe took me out to dinner where we had our first date. We were right on the lake, and there was a beautiful fire going. It was very nice (said in Borat voice). Sunday (the day) we went to brunch at Cafe do Brazil, yummmmmmmy!!! and then went on a home tour in the historic neighborhood right by it. We ended the night eating some yummy pizza and watching a movie that I won't name, but it was funny! Overall it was a great day/weekend.
This week was a bit hard though, three papers, and exam, three quizzes, and a group presentation due Monday have worn me out! I have to finish proofing my papers and work on literary reviews tomorrow, but I can't believe I got all that done this week!
I am very much looking foward to this weekend...here are the highlights;
1. face painting for the kids at the shelter I volunteer at (I'm gonna paint my face like a ninja!)
2. Halloween party with friends (Joe is dressing up for work and for the party!!! I will be posting some pics!)
3. OSU vs. Iowa with the Wheat's! They are finally here in OKC for a bit and we get to meet their daughter finally! (maybe some cute baby pics will be posted as well!)
4. Relax and sleep in!
Okay, go have a fantastic weekend!

Fall, East, Growing up and figuring it all out.

2008-10-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

So lately I have had this urge in my heart/stomach/bones/brain this feeling of what I want to be "when I grow up". Lately I have also been watching way to much TV and movies. I can't put it into words, or picture, or even a simple outline...I have tried many times.

My favorite thing to do when I am bored in class lecture is to, 1. Make a to do list 2. make a plan 3. do long division, multiplication and addition with and with out a calculator. I know its weird. My classmate Donna, who has sat next to me for 3 semesters in a row...we even sit next to each other when we take our tests or it freaks me out, just laughs when she sees me doing these things and whispers "I need a break too".

So lately my #2 has been trying to make this five year plan even 10 year plan of "what I want to do" or "what I am feeling". I just can't do it. Here is a list of the things going through my head/heart right now. It is very odd though and so far from what I have been/becoming. I am so confused.
1. East-like New York, Vermont, Connecticut
2. Fall fashion-i know right... so wierd
3. Being a mom-like a totally involved crafty, PTSA, volunteer, go to lunches, take the kids everywhere mom
4. Opening a shop where I sell: yummy treats, things I made (earings, kitted things, sewen things, painted things), live acoustic music and really good music in the background. I even drive by a place every day where I want this place to exist.
5. Owning a really neat house with more rooms, and a big porch and awesome landscaping with hydrangeas and tall trees
6. Being adventuresome and traveling with my husband
7. song "You are God" by Charlie Hall
8. Chicago and neighbors
9. babies
10. finishing nursing school and Joe finishing his MBA/MIS program
11. Drinking wine with dinner
12. Having my stuff finally together.
13. Speaking another language fluently
14. Not being a nurse practionier or being one...i dunno

So this is my list...it is a new list for me and out of order list and a strange feeling list.
K...now all mighty smart ones...make this make sense for me okay?

It's My Birthday...Month :)

2008-10-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

So no, I do not usually start celebrating my birthday a whole month early or...19 days early...but They started it! Yesterday I got a little postcard in the mail telling me to come in for my free gift for my birthday. It just so happened that cute little Mili has been a bad girl lately and ate part of my black Reef flip flop. I have still been wearing it and my husband cringes when he sees them on my feet, she really just took out a small bite out of the topish that you really can't see. She also ate 2 pairs of my husbys smartwools. Which is another reason to go to Backwoods...plus I have been wanting my own smartwools. I got a pair for running today and wore them to the gym and oooohhhh they were awesome!
Anyway when I presented my "birthday post card" with my purchases, this is what they presented me with...

Is that not cool for a birthday gift from a store?!?! I love Backwoods!
This is the Ospray Veer
I can not wait to put it to good use!

I'm it!

2008-10-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have up until today or yesterday I guess been a tag virgin...thanks Cari!
So...here is my first "Tag"

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Going to High School at Putnam City High School
2. Working at Pioneer Pies as a Hostess and the Limited Too
3. Driving my 1989 Honda Accord with flip lights (thought it was the cutest)
4. working on the yearbook staff
5. stressing out about Trigonometry and English III

5 Things on my To Do List:
1. Make A in nursing
2. Call eye Dr. (my eyes are getting sooo bad!)
3. Go to Cowboys vs. Texas A & M....Go POKES!
4. Get laundry put away
5. figure out what to make with my butternut squash I got from my food co-op

5 bad habits:
1. Chewing Ice
2. Saying like
3. Not listening enough and letting my mind wander while I'm in a conversation
4. Sleeping till the last minute
5. Spending to much time on the Internet

5 Places I have lived:
1. OKC
2. Denver, Colorado
3. Santa Barbara, CA
4. Chicago, Illinois
5. I spent 3 months in the South Pacific (Samoa and New Zealand) during my junior/senior year of school

5 Things I am listening to right now:
1. My husband playing NCAA 2005 football...i do not understand
2. my dog, Gus, snoring
3. This evening on the way home from work NPR
4. the buzz of the computer
5. yesterday I listened to John Mayer and John Coltrane

5 words I hate:
1. f#@! (I cringe whenever I hear it...can't believe I even typed what i did)
2. test
3. pop quiz
4. the total of whatever I have purchased at Target
5. kiddo

5 Jobs I have had:
1. substitute teacher
2. receptionist
3. Project Coordinator at Benmark West / Corrigan and Company
4. Project Manager at Visual Inventor
5. Lab Tech/Nurse Aide/ Nurse Student

5 Things I have eaten today:
1. zone breakfast bar
2. coffee (way too much)
3. Kashi frozen lunch (shrimp lime cilantro) first time and it was really good
4. plum
5. charcoal oven burger for dinner (I am so bad...but it was really nice:))

5 Websites I visit daily/often:
1. gmail
2. blogger
3. facebook
4. osuokc.edu
5. myspace.com

Okay..now I have to tag?? Chelle, Emily and Paige your are it.

R.I.P. Marcus Dupree II

2008-09-28T11:43:00.001-07:00

Today one squirrel has left this grand old land. Today we have lost Marcus Dupree II. He lost his battle with life, when Mili or Gus, a German Short Haired Pointer, finally caught Mr. Dupree after months of roaming freely in the Earley's backyard.

I just have to say...Way to Go Mili and Gus! I am so proud of you! You Finlay got that mean squirrel who ate my flowers, destroyed my Mums, and taunted you all summer long! You did what God made you to do!

So...this is what happened. Joe and I came home and as usual I went to check the backyard to make sure our little chillin's where still there and not causing any major damage. There my beautiful babies where, resting under a tree looking so debonair.
Then I saw this squirrel tail, moving up and down the tree. I though "oh how funny, that dumb squirrel is taunting them yet again", but then I noticed how calm the dogs were and thought, "how odd, normally they would be pointing and ready to pounce". So I opened the backyard door not really thinking to see what was up...Gus came galloping toward me all happy that I, his master, was home. Mili came right behind him, with a DEAD squirrel in her mouth.
I quickly turned on my heels screaming the whole way and slammed the door. Somewhere in the midst I screamed drop it, and of course being the very smart obedient dog Mili is, she did and looked at me like "what, not supposed to chase squirrels?". Joe came running at the sound of my scream, and being my hero cleaned it all up with out chasing me with the squirrel...like most boys do, but he is a man so that is out of the question for him. Anyway I realized I should praise my pups for a job well done, which they were sooooo proud of. So all day long I have been praise them and now they have huge egos.

Needless to day I have "some good ol' hunt'n dogs" on my hands and now a backyard to be feared by those mean little squirrels.

Go Pokes!

2008-09-07T07:06:00.001-07:00

BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN.
So Football season is here. Yesterday we attended the home opener for the OSU Cowboys. We have season tickets so this will be what I am doing on Saturdays until after Thanksgiving. It was a really fun game! Often this surprises people that I so willingly go. I go cause I like the atmosphere, I enjoy learning about the game, the people watching is phenomenal, and my husband loves it and I want to do something fun with him.

Yesterday we drove up there, ate lunch, walked around, bought T-shirts, went to the beautiful stadium and watch the game. It was great! We won 56-37!

Now I have to study for my first semester exam! eeehhhhh. Pray for me tomorrow at 9 am...and today if you like I will need some extra study smarts...though don't worry I have been studying all week like I good girl...I wouldn't leave my grade up to your prayers...no offense :)

Bike Ride and flowers

2008-09-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

(So I took down my last post for now...it just seemed so materialistic I couldn't stand it. I will have to think about my actions for right now. )

Being Labor Day weekend I seem to have this extra time on my hands. I could be getting ahead in my studies and preparing for my first unit exam of the semester, which is next Monday or I could be being totally careless and doing things like going to eat at Ted's, buying crazy amounts of bulbs to plant in my garden for next spring, making pancakes for dinner with my husband and watching Parenthood. Seriously watch...I'm pretty sure Steve Martian's family in this film will be eerily familiar to what Joe and I will produce...(some day far far away like in 5 years or more ).
Even thought this might not have been the most productive weekend, these moments are times that I really do cherish right now. I feel like my husband and I have found a wonderful rhythm of life where we are working together to make life happen and getting things done and having a blast at the same time. I love it.
Now back to the wonderful nursing homework that I have put off all week.

My wish list

2008-08-30T10:46:00.001-07:00

Ok it's back up...I feel better about posting it after a pep talk from Paige.

Lately there have been a few things I have been "dying" for. My husband never seems to think I need these things...but I want them so bad!
Here is my Birthday/Christmas wish list: I want this Pottery Barn
Shower Curtain
Maybe some towels to match too!
This Robin-Egg Blue/teal Teakettle
from target or one just like it. I have a cute stainless steal one that i love but i use it a lot and it has burned marks on it and I am in love with this color.
This very nice beginners sewing machine from target.

Cute Pattern/Project book by Amy Butler. This will help me get started and excited about sewing! I am already excited but a little scared! You can buy this here.

This Car MP3/CD player form target. Mine doesn't work at all! The CD player always says error and I can't listen to my I-pod in my car so I always find some reason why I need to take Joe's...usually doesn't work.

And finally this super neat Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner. Since I am always washing my hands and using the rub sanitizer at the hospital my ring always looks cloudy. I tried it in the brokstone store and it was a miracle.

So I guess I sound a bit greedy but I really want these things. I have been keeping a mental list all year long and now it is less than 2 months till I turn 27 so now I can make a list! I am such a little kid! Also a target/tj-max/or starbucks gift card or fun jewelry would be ecstatically accepted!

Step 1

2008-08-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Ok...I will confess. I am a blog Stalker. I am so ashamed. I just can't help it. I look at peoples blogs I don't know. I love pictures and creativeness. So in my attempt to make myself feel justified. I will now list the blog's I stalk and will work on leaving nice comments when I can.
I recently found Making It Lovely. This site is soo cute! I think I am in love with it because I have a bungalow house and I am "re-doing" my house too. Though she is much better and I would hire her in an instant if money grew on trees. I love her ideas for planing and just her creativity inspires me as well.

And as promised here are some pics of Joe's closet.
We didn't get good before ones...but here are some good after shots:

Closing Time

2008-08-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

So summer (well school free summer) is almost over. It has been a crazy one at that. We did lots of weddings! Lots of friend gatherings. Lots of house projects. One that I am very proud of is we "redid" our closets. We took it all out, cleaned the closets, painted, and then made them more functional. Put bars and shelves and drawers where they were needed. It was awesome...here are some pics...

This is my closet before.

and after

and another after.
I will post pic of Joe's later...It really helps at keeping the room clean. I love it! Well school starts Monday. I will be learning about birthing, babies and psychiatric people. Oh fun! This is the last year and then on to nurse practitioner school!
Life is good, busy, and fullfilling right now. It feels good and I am very blessed and thankful!
Peace...pray for Georgia

I've been found

2008-06-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Joe and I at the Wedding

So I guess there were some people dying out there so I need to post in order to safe them from their life threatening illness. :)
Life is very busy here at the Earley homestead. I have also become an awful photographer so most pics are not worthy of posting.
We just got back from ATL. Joe was a groomsman in a wedding for one of his college roomies. It was very fun to get to meet the other roommates and their wives. Lots of laughs but also comfort. All of these individuals were either getting their masters or climbing the career ladder, which happened to go hand and hand with their life's passions. It was encouraging! Here it seems like instead its buy a house have a kid or two and that is life. Some of the couples had kiddos, but that didn't stop them from living a passionate life.
I have just realized that often times I am so unhappy here is that I lack some of the push that I need to make it through nursing/practitioner school. Instead I look at life and friends around me and want a bigger house and a baby bump. But as I sit back and examine my life I am not there yet. Though I do love baby's and I'm in awe of people who have them.
So I have spent the past days researching schools again and making folders of my prospects. I need to apply in the fall for next year. It is exciting!

The girls who gave me some inspiration!

I will put more pics on facebook to see. Any one have any suggestions for a good place to load them all on the web? Also Paige, just finished the Glass Castle and loved it! Need more suggestions!

On Spring break

2008-03-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well it is almost over. Very sad. I worked quite a bit and have been trying to write an ethics paper in the mean time. That and reading fantistic blogs of very creative people. Maybe if I didn't spend my time reading these and instead did crafty things I would feel better, but allas my motivation to "get crafty" doesn't last long as the newest Housewives comes onto Brovo and I am sucked into the pathatic TV. CANT TURN OFFF TV
On other news. Joe took me away to the cutest B&B this weekend. We spent our wedding night there and it wa just amazing. had a lot of fun and relaxed:).
I also decided that today I needed to start watering my garden as my tulips are blossoming and broke the water faucet and had to have the plumber come out STAT!. Luckily the Home Warrenty covered the $400 dollar bill and we walked away only paying $65. It all started when I decided to spend the lovely day reading my nursing journals out on my porch swing, and then of course I noticed that my garden needed some H2O. Very bad decision. Got to love that warrenty business!
Well tomorrow is Easter and we will be joining Joe's mothers side of the family in good ol' Konawa, USA.
happy easter everyone! Don't eat to much candy!

Things I fear

2008-03-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

I had an experience that brought about some things I fear. Some are serious and some are just plain weird. In no particular order:
1. Falling. That movement where your legs go opposite directions or you are seeing the ground way to fast. Or even the thought of it....ohh scary.

2. Walking in on someone in the bathroom or being walked in on while using the bathroom. I swear I check under the stall like 12 times before I will actually try the door. I also constantly am checking to make sure the door is locked when I am on the inside. (This stems from an experience when I was 10...I walked in on a midget in the Wal-Mart Bathroom....I couldn't see her legs...she cackled...ahhhahhhahha Im gonna get you...as I ran of the bathroom almost peeing my pants.)

3. Sleeping through when am supposed to be at work. I usually start checking my clock about an hour before I have to get up on days I work. I hate it. Especially since on work days I wake up at 5am...ouch.

4. Getting a disease. Being in nursing school I have diagnosed myself with just about everything. My husband now rolls his eyes when I tell him about this disease and the symptoms and then proclaim...I'm kindda worried.

5. Living in a "dirty" house. Ok this is not really a fear but a dislike. But seriously the reason behind is that I do not want germs on my stuff. Ask my college roommates who saw me make my Bed 99% if the time because I didn't want people to sit on my sheets or dust/germs to get on them.

Ok that is all for now. I am going to go talk to my hubby and walk my doggie.

What I want to be when I growd up

2008-03-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

Soooo I am supposed to be studying for nursing exam III. Here I am. Just got home from a wedding. It was ok. It was a friend of Joe's not mine. But there were a few people I knew there. I actually ran into a girl whom I have not seen since HS. Usually I despise these run-ins. This time I did not. It was refreshing. I didn't even really know the girl in HS. I was very shy and very... I guess unapproachable. I think I still struggle with this but I am getting older so it’s different. Anywho...she is a nurse now. She had such a light in her eyes as she talked about it, you could tell she loved it. It is so fun to see people find their "passion". It made me think about why I am doing nursing again and how the school part of it has taken away from the reason why. It made me remember that I want to "be with people when they need a caring heart the most", I want to help in anyway I can to make their suffering a bit more bearable, I want to be used in the bringing to life, the healing and the passing of people. That is why I want to be a nurse. Not to make money, or have prestige, or do cool things, or only work three days a week. I want to be "used". So with that I think I will go get me some liquid magic and study. (I mean coffee).

Growing Up

2008-03-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

I keep trying to grow up. You would think that by 26 you might have a few things figured out. Like how to balance life, how to not eat bad things, how to save money, how to grow relationships, how to keep your house clean and get your bills paid on time and file all the paperwork to get your taxes done. You would think that by 26 you might feel like an adult instead of a teenager stuck inside a body that is starting to turn ridged with a slowing metabolism.
My mom did it. She had two kids by this time. She had a job and a house and was "grown up". She had been married for 5 years and didn't have "issues" she wasn't still in school, she didn't wounder what she would be "when she grew up" ...she was there.
I am still a kid. People are often taken back when they learn I am 26. They swear I can't be a day older than 21. When am I going to feel grown up. I have been having this inner dialog with myself lately. About how I need to get my act together and wake up earlier and get the house cleaned and spend more time studying and get the bills/budget better controlled, and cook healthier dinners and work out more and be a better wife and friend. I think about how crazy it would be to have a child or even two. I don't know how I could do it. I am still so selfish and lazy. I watch TV way to much and look at blogs, facebook, myspace and xanga way more than I should. I should be being productive...but I am not. I can't figure out how to make it there. Advice?
To top it off...my face is breaking out...what the heck!!??? I am 26 and I paid my dues. I had many a bad zits. I remember one in 9th grade when my Geometry Teacher asked me what was on my nose...I was mortified and a bit anoyed. I replied ever so quietly..."its a zit or something" like it was no big deal but 12 years later I can remember that moment ever so clearly.
So I am going to keep trying to Grow Up. I need help...a prayer...some guidance....some accountability...
Cheers to all the 26 year old grown ups out there...can I be like you when I grow up?

Structure

2008-02-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

My life lacks structure. I am a fly by the seat of my pants impulse decider whatever makes it happen type gal. This in turn has attributed to (in my opinion) high levels of anxiety, high blood pressure, and a low bank account balance. I do believe this state of mind that I posses is related to: 1. I'm just a gal that can't say no.... (Oklahoma) 2. Nursing school 3. a like husband 3. loving life and not wanting to miss out on any of it 4. a house that seems too small.... though it should be just perfect. So I have decided to fix this by 1. Have a schedule....a very detailed schedule where study hours, showers and free time are even on it 2. learn to say NOOOOO even if it might really be important to do but can wait till I can actually enjoy doing it or at least do a decent job. 3. be dedicated to going to the gym and eating much healthier. 4. cutting down on work hours (not helping in the low account balance scheme of things) 5. tell myself no to those lovely little indulgences like a new shirt or coffee from starbucks all too often 6. open a separate bank account only for flexible expenses i.e...groceries, eating out, shopping, entertainment 7. rest and have free time where I blog or play with the dogs or pick up knitting again or watch TV or talk on the phone. With this in play I hope to have a bit more time to continue to develop my marriage and who I am still becoming instead of feeling like my life is on hold for the next 1.5 years. (did I mention that I am seriously thinking about continuing on to school for another 3 to get my Nurse Practioner)....when oh when will it stop! But this makes me feel better...makes me feel like my blood pressure is dropping and that life is bearable. With that said...free time and lunchtime are over and I need to crack open those books before its time for the gym.

A good thing

2008-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you all know that a very very good thing happened this week...
www.chipotle.com has graced the OKC with its presence! We ate there today for lunch...ymmmm! Joe and I shared a buritto! PS. Is this not cute!

time after time

2008-01-15T16:45:00.000-08:00

Okay now I have a whole eighties routine running through my head....here comes Debbie Gibson. I always wanted to be just like her and wear those awesome skirts and tights and beleive me I always tried to get my bangs just like her. My mom would always try even harder to get me to idolize Amy Grant instead which in ways I did. We had this hair do that was called "The Amy Grant" (sides up in a small pony tail). Now when I try to do that look my ears always look too big.

So school has started and the race is on. I just sat through 50 minutes of a profesor using metaphores to make the same point. 50 min of my life gone and what was the point. READ THE BOOK...look I said it in less than 10 sec. I am excited about my class though. Anatomy with cadaver disection. Gross? No way....Creepy? maybe......Awesome? OH YEAH!

I also started Nursing 2 and I am scared. Basically this is me saying bubye for the next 5 months. I keep meaning to post some pics but have yet to upload my camera. I will soon and basically that will be it. I have also decided that something has to go. xanga, myspace, facebook or blogspot. what should I choose? It is hard because I have different reasons for all of them but pretty much none of them are good ones. just more ways to waste my time.

Puppies

2007-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

SO I love my dogs! Joe loves to torture the dogs! They are almost 8 months old!

Vroom

2007-09-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

So we broke down and purchased a mega piece of home equipment (this was a result of the dogs eating...yes eating the original). A vaccum, no I mean a Dyson. What is so great is that it is pink. The Dyson company donates $40 dollars to breast cancer research if you buy the pink vaccum. I already tried it out and it really is a wonderful gadget. I also think the pink makes a difference. It is a vaccum that knows it did something wonderful!

Study Study thats my Buddy!

2007-09-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

The dogs have been locked up and I have been studying like crazy, mixed with a little work, class, and of course a smidge of fun. This will pretty much be my life for the next two years. 2 weeks down 15 to go till Christmas break...I think I can...I think I can. Other things in life? Joe is in school getting his MBA. Dogs are getting huge. We have been going to doggy school. We graduate next Saturday! My dogs can come when called, sit, lie, roll to their side, and walk at the knee when on a walk, oh and my favorite settle. They really only do this if I have a treat or they want to. Lets just say this month we have gone through alot fo treats. I walk them about 3-4 times a week and Gus loves it when people have the sprinkler on. He acts like a toddler without their diaper on. Its so cute. First exam is in t-minus 1 days so say a prayer for me on Tuesday around 8:45.
that is all.

Rain Rain Go Away!

2007-08-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Yup...it rained here all right. This is an hour away from my house. We made cnn.com with this one. The real time video is much more entertaining. Gotta love it! "http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/weather/2007/08/19/frazier.ok.chopper.rescue.kwtv">. Gotta love it!

Walks

2007-08-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

"If every man helps his neighbor, than who needs help?"
Right now we have decent relationship with our neighbors. All people living directly around me, I love and I know. I do not like however this one lady on my street. Why? Because every morning as I walk by her home with my two puppies, her three little rats..ahem, dogs, run out to the middle of the street yapping all the way up Gus and Mili and then growl. Gus and Mili are sweet and just stare like "what's your deal? wanna go for a walk?" and then comes the lady. Always half dressed out her door yelling at the dogs as if they understand. She never comes and gets the dogs, just yells and screaches...then as I have been doing since the first instant I pull hard enough to finally get my dogs to come and start draging them up the street toward the park. I have tried a different way, but then I have to cross a very busy street and I don't like this, all I want is to get to the park so we can go for our walk. I keep praying a) she will shut her door b) that somehow I have grace and not hate toward her. Grace is not here only the feeling like I want to punt her little rats and tell her off. Keep praying.

Jazzy

2007-07-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Joe took me on a date Friday. We went to a Jazz club. I loved it. He brought me these flowers too! It is so easy to forget that married people need to still "date", sure we go out to eat and to shows and do stuff, but we do not "date". So this past friday Joe planned a date and kept it secret. I think we may try to do this at least once a month.

Fore!!

2007-07-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today I played 18 holes of golf with Joe, my sister-in-law, and her boyfriend. We had a good time. It's been about 3 years since I put my sweet clubs to practice, so I was a bit rusty...good thing we were just playing for fun! I am now sunburned...even though I used spf 45 sunscreen. Oh well, I usually tan so I hope this will fade to a nice golden.

The Rain....

2007-07-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

It has been raining here again. I do not like the rain when it rains for days, when my dogs refuse to go outside therefore have accidents, and when I am too scared to drive because I can not see out of my car. I do however love thunderstorms. I absoutely love them. I missed them so much when I lived in California. So here's to the rain...Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day! (or never)