Our Week.

Our Week.

Having any sort of plan during the weeknights totally kills our flow and lately we’ve had such a good flow of things, and dinner time and bed time. And scripture study time that it’s been really stinky when a night goes a little bit off of what we were planning on. With that being said, it doesn’t mean the nights aren’t fun when we have plans. Just means I am 33 weeks pregnant and a little bit meaner than my usual self. I love 8:00pm bedtime and I love having dinner at home more than I like eating fast gross food. That’s only good for lunch ;)

Monday night we were really excited to celebrate FOUR with the one and only Jane Jane McNaughtan. Ruby has a celebrity crush on this girl, similar to me in 89’ on her mother, Lester Jean. I don’t know why we’re so obsessed with these two, but we are! Luckily for me the love is now mutual, but Jaynie is still a little unsure considering she said, “why does Ruby like me so much, Mom?”. The party was right up Ruby’s ally, we had Hotdog on a Stick which is my personal favorite, so I was already impressed. After we went to Build a Bear Workshop (thanks for that correction, cousin Halle). And the kiddos made their own bears. Ruby was having a tough time deciding between the pink princess bear and the smurfette. She ended up with the princess bear and I realized how lucky Ruby was that a-Dad is in charge of finances b-he is the biggest spoiler I know (besides maybe Nana, Leslie and Aunt Kay!). Ruby totally ate it up and I was the most impressed I’ve ever been with a birthday party.

After the festivities we bowed out to get a crunchwrap supereme, my third that week. And headed home as fast as possible because if you should know, I turn into a witch after 9pm. Literally.

Tuesday I canceled my eyelash appointment (trying to learn the lesson that nights aren’t good for us!) and made tacos. Nic had meetings and wasn’t able to enjoy being at home, cleaning the house, a normal bedtime routine. But he did get to eat tacos which made him a happy camper. It’s hard to have him away all the time doing things for his calling but I am glad he is willing to serve those around us, because I’m not. Just kidding.

Before school I had to go turn in my computer for jetBlue and that was a little heart breaking. I’ve come to terms with my separation, but I still feel a little void in my heart. I know that it’s probably the best thing for my family, and it’s also seeming to be really good at relieving stress on me. But it still makes me sad, I want to be a contributor to my family and feel like the burden is even more on Nic’s shoulders not that my $100 a week was much, it was still something and I just feel a little disappointed. Nic cheered us up by meeting us for lunch at Pie 5 which is his favorite close to work lunch place. It worked because nothing makes my day go smoother than seeing my little cutie in the middle of it.

Wednesday night we met at the Swensen’s to enjoy time cuddling with McCoy and had breakfast for dinner with our favorites. I miss them, it’s weird how much busier life is for us lately, because we used to do a weekly visit. It’s now monthly, but we are so happy to have them in our lives. They are the funniest, most generous, and kind people I know. I am so lucky that Nic grew up next door because I think they played a major role in defining who he was and what he wanted. Now it’s fun to have babies (almost) the same age and go through life with them on their second set of kids.

Thursday Ruby and I rushed to the Dillards sale because lets be honest, nothing beats a Dillards sale. We shopped our little hearts out for Nic. He is my favorite to shop for, but he wasn’t in the shopping mood when he met us to grab Ruby for her first official fieldtrip and our time was wasted, I was late for class and I decided no sale is worth the chaos of going 90 mph on I-15.

Ruby’s fieldtrip went really well. AH! My baby goes on fieldtrips. I am so glad she has the kind of Dad who will take off work to be with his girl. Ruby looked darling and insisted on wearing a bandana in case she got to ride a horse. She was a little worried that the Big Bad Puff would blow down the pigs houses, but Nic sent me pictures of her holding his hand and I literally beamed with gratitude for this little family I’ve been blessed with. I can’t believe we are growing even bigger and more full of happiness.

I came home early from school because I was sure I had strep throat, and took a bath. I missed my Ruby but was able to take a three hour uninterrupted nap which doesn’t really happen for me because who has three hours and usually my body won’t let me sleep that long considering the constant aches of my hips. Nic came home and took care of me, and I still felt crappy but so happy to have company feeling crappy.

Friday, Ruby and I cleaned our hearts out and stayed in pajamas until after 5pm. I dusted every room, and scrubbed every floor. Which would have been just great except we left our windows open during the dust storm of the century and all of my efforts were foiled. Such is life, right? It’s usually that Ruby spills yogurt or chocolate milk on the floor moments after mopping, but this time the only person I could blame is mother nature.

Nic had scheduled me a massage, because he’s nice like that and he is sick of hearing me complain that my hips are going to break off my body. The massage was nice, but what is with these people thinking you came there to get to know them. I don’t wanna talk to you! We went to dinner after and I was pretty sure it was the perfect Friday night.

Saturday was busy and less productive, especially since it was re-cleaning every surface because of the dirty and dust that invaded our life. But, we made chili, homemade oreos, and lots of dip for friends to come over and watch the Go Utes! I love hosting a little party, and especially love when the game is close, I HATE BLOWOUTS! So it was really nice to see the Utes win and a happy husband. Ruby was the cutest cheerleader in town. She seriously, KILLS ME! How did she get so cute and so full of energy/personality.

Sunday we laid around and I was tired because of the busy week and the looming week ahead. It’s not that I don’t love my life but I feel like it’s groundhog day everyday and I’m so excited for my bub to be here and for him, Ruby and I to just be best friends and do fun things together! But, I do love school and I’m so grateful for this opportunity! It’s going to be a lot of hard work the next few weeks, because my body is giving me grief and school just seems to get busier. Why don’t teachers spread it out for their kiddos. Mean!

The Three Things I Learned on My Mission.

The Three Things I Learned on My Mission.

There were plenty of things that Wisconsin taught me. Plenty of experiences that shaped me to become the Mother, friend, daughter, wife, child, member, neighbor, or human that I am today. Things that I don’t recognize now, but I recognized then. Things that I do recognize now, that I never thought about then. I am sure this will be a pattern and years from now I will still think of the mid-western state of Wisconsin as my own personal, Holy Place.

I have often thought that Wisconsin was sacred ground. A place where blood, tears, and sweat were shed. I never have felt that my mission was hard. It was fun. It was happy. It was a trial. It was faith building. It was friendship building. It was the most perfect place and time for me. August 1, 2007 until November 29, 2008 was one of the greatest times in my life.

Nic and I laughed last night as we ate Taco Bell (second time in three days!) that we both discovered the ol’ crunch wrap supreme from our missions. And how grateful we are if that’s all we learned. But luckily I learned a little more.

PLAN

I learned how important it is to spiritually create something before you actually do it. If it’s something as simple as thinking up a grocery list and planning what meals you are going to make. I think the odds in my case are 90% better that we will actually have dinner at home then if I didn’t spiritually create the idea of a meal plan. That’s something that applies now to my life more than ever. I have to think through my days, my weeks and my months to make them happen. But it has a lot to do with spiritually creating goals for myself too. Creating goals that I will serve those around me before I actually do the service.

This happened just a few months ago, when I was continually thinking of my sweet MIL, Tami. Tam Tam (as Ruby calls her) is going through a divorce. I think any divorce is ugly and painful and sad. But this makes me even more sad because of my immediate (as in, I know this person so well/they are so close to me and my family) connection to one of this relationship. I had the idea or thought or prompting (didn’t recognize that then) to go and visit her at work. To go work next to her (she had just started at jetBlue). Of course I thought it was a nice gesture. But then I didn’t realize that spiritually planning to help her, would affect her so much. She always talks about how helpful that was to her and in creating a good situation out of a bad one.

And of course my story of Lori Edgar and the Leatherbees caramel sauce. It still hits home so many times a day. And I love the Lord for teaching me these things through fun experiences and not just through trials.

BE ACTIVE IN THE GOSPEL AND BE ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH

Truth be told, I thought all Mormons were the same before my mission and still before I got married. I thought there was a pamphlet on how to be a Mormon, and if you were you would follow it. I mean if you were committed to the gospel you were doing what you should. It was a lie. A hoaxe. Many of us Mormons get by with the bare minimum. But, there were families in Wisconsin who took me in and loved me and showed me that the bare minimum doesn’t get you far. It takes time, effort, money, energy to be active in both the gospel and the church. One isn’t sufficient and one will not bring happiness without the other.

Thank you to those who loved me enough to teach me this. I love you, forever you have shaped my life. Including Mama and Papa Barr who gave up their life for three years, grandbabies were born, children were married, missionaries were called but they left those things to serve ME! And I wanna be more like them every single day. So I’m starting by going to the adult session of Stake Conference. Because President Barrett said that is where the elect hang out, and I wanna be numbered with them.

THE LORD BLESSES US

Oh my goodness! I think the phrase I used the most in 18 months, (besides “get me out of here, get me out of here, get me out heeeere” thanks Imogen!) was “THE LORD BLESSES US!” He takes care of his babies. He is the ultimate Father. And I saw it so often, so frequently was I blessed because of his care and his understanding of me, and what I needed. I have felt his hand in my life every day of my mission and literally every single day after. He doesn’t leave me, even when I’m feeling down and dirty and out and not worthy, he will never leave me!

Anyway… just a little break from doing what I should, you know SCHOOL WORK! But I love to talk about my mission. And I felt like I better write this down now before I forget how grateful I am for the great state of Wisconsin.

Our Week.

Our Week.

We took Grandma Scooby to the eye doctor first thing Monday morning. I think that it’s nearly impossible to get anywhere on time, let alone on time at 9:30am. We have really worked on bedtime (8:30) and showering/baths before bed. I feel like a tradition has started, which has been really wonderful. But we broke tradition Sunday night which created a little chaos on Monday morning. I just have to keep remembering that planning and preparing pays off.

I read for school, while Ruby was awesome playing with her toys during the FOR-EVER it took Dr. Okelberry. Scoob treated us to a brunch and we just love spending time with her anyway. I love that Mama of mine. I know she has the welfare of her girls all the time. The situation with Dommy and her kids has been paying a toll on my poor Mom. She is sick about it, and it shows in all she does.

We got down to Orem and to Kids on the Move. Nic had talked me into staying at school until 5pm to get homework taken care of. It has been really nice to not rush and just have that time to study. I love my Nic, he is so great about seeing a need I have and trying to fill it or make it easier for me. We got home and my best helper made dinner with me. We have really stuck to the meal plan, and it’s been so nice to have an idea of what you are making before you get home and have it ready to go.

The rest of the week, was pretty similar. Nic has meetings on Tuesday nights now and is usually gone two or three nights a week. I can’t believe that school is done for him (for now) and that he still is barely home. Hardest worker. It’s hard on him too, but I am so glad he is committed to working hard for our family and doing what the Lord would have him do.  It’s hard for me to have to be “single” momma a few nights (and of course all days) of the week. But there is no job that I’d rather have.

I haven’t hit the minimum at JetBlue yet this quarter so I was pushing for all form of VTO, it’s been a lot of work. I picked up mostly graveyards, which traditionally are the easiest to VTO. But it is still really time consuming having to chase it. I have been able to pick up almost 80 hours in the last week or so though, which was really good to have the flexibility to do that.

School is going really well, like the more and more I think about it the luckier I feel to be doing what I’m doing. I love the field of communications and love learning about theories. It’s been so motivational to me to be back in school in such a different spot then I was before. I feel like an outsider at times, eight months pregnant, and 27. But it’s been really good to me, and I have seen the Lord’s hand in so many things that have made me feel comforted.

It is hard to leave Ruby but she is really learning a lot. She speaks a lot better already which is so strange because she could talk great before. But she now uses more complete sentences more often. We love that little Ruby and she is full of so many funny things. She says and does the funniest of things and it’s great to be in her presence because we always feel the spirit and always feel the positive around her.

Thursday night I worked all night and the phones/systems were all down or working crappy with jetBlue. I went into my one-on-one and found out that I actually don’t work for jetBlue anymore. I was pretty much devastated and couldn’t believe what happened. We are still in the appeals process so I don’t know where/if I should disclose information about the experience here but it’s been a good learning experience for Nic and I. Again, and as usual he was really supportive of me and made me feel good about my life.

Ruby and I spent the afternoon with sweet Morris and Brynne. They are the very best and I love having them in Utah. Something Brynnie and I talked about that I keep thinking about over and over again is that marriage is HAPPY! I love being married and I love the life I lead with Nic. I don’t understand this talk of marriage being, hard. Life can sometimes have trials, but the marriage part of life is so happy and good. I feel so lucky and blessed to be the wife to my sweet husband.  I have missed Brynnie and her constant encouragement. Love her! And I just wish I could steal that baby or at least borrow him until November!

Nic got off work early and we came home and rested. I was feeling pretty discouraged and I loved the surprise of him coming home early, it made me feel really great. We went out car shopping with Tami that evening and to dinner at Ruby’s favorite, “The Fountain”. We were talking about where to go for dinner and Ruby said, quit fighting guys lets just go to The Fountain. We couldn’t quit laughing. What two year old chooses Mexican food. But it was delicious and we haven’t been there in a few months and so we’re trying to trust the Rubester more.

Saturday morning we headed to the farm at Thanksgiving Pointe for Avynlee’s birthday party. Ruby was in absolute love with everything about it. She loved the animals, the idea of being at a birthday, the presents, the games, the face painting. It was seriously so fun to watch her and I am so excited for her birthday in just one month! L love my little girl.

We met Meg and Nic for lunch at Chili’s after the party, then my parents needed help with a broken pipe in the backyard, and then… we got home. Nic went to priesthood and I fell asleep. We finally made it to Stake Conference after dropping Ruby off at my parents.. It was perfect, and just what I wanted to hear. More so, what I needed to hear.  Our date nights are pretty fancy, because since Nordstrom Rack was closed, we hit Taco Bell and Harmon’s.  We came home and watched the second half of the Utah game. And cried ourselves to sleep over the loss.

Sunday was just like every other Stake Conference, we slept in. Who are we, thinking 10am is too late to go to church. But really, without fail. But we did get some needed sleep and think that it’s probably for the best since two babies make sleeping in even harder than one. Stake Conference wasn’t a loss, it was a gain and we learned a lot from Elder Neilson and President Packer.

After we stopped to get the Rubester. Love that girl, and love missing her. It makes my heart grow fonder. She is doing so great and learning so much. She loves spending time with the Gram and Gramp. They are good to her too. She had the cousins over and I think that the three of them have a special bond, because they are cousins. I have always felt that way with my cousins, even though they are much older or much older. They are your family and you love them.

                                                                                                                        

Sunday was full of meetings and less relaxation then we wanted or needed. But it was good and we fulfilled our callings which help us to be more active in the church and of course encourages us to be more active in the gospel. Oh how much we have to work on and improve on and I feel so lucky to be doing this with my Nic by my side.

Sunday night we spent the evening with Gram and Mitch. We ate steak, my fav and talked about families. I love that I am part of two families now. It has taken a while, but I feel like I have two moms, not just one. Which is helpful because who couldn’t use another person to love you and worry about you and care for you. It’s also great because my “Mom’s” are different and love me different and I need all the help I can get.

Sunday night we got home and got ready for another busy week. We watched our show, “Walt” and just about died that we are still watching such a horrible show, and hope that one day we’ll repent. But we only have two more episodes. HA!

My LIfe.

My Life.

It is 7:53 pm on Wednesday night, Ruby is in the bathtub. Nic is doing home teaching reports in the office. I am sitting on my bed looking at a book that I need to read for school. The dishwasher is running, the floors are swept, and the night is drawing to an end. My belly is getting to big to rest my laptop on my lap. It’s like the screen is too far away. My eyes are tired, and I think they’re getting worst. Because I can’t tell the number 6 from the number 8 when I work.

I am tired, my feet are a little swollen and my heart is very full. The past three weeks have been insane. Busiest three weeks of my life. But I’m actually swimming and not sinking. I don’t know how I worked full-time. I would never be able to do that again. Not after having the experience of being a stay-at-home mom. Being away from Ruby for four or five hours a day Monday through Thursday has been hard. But it’s also been great. I can see how she is growing, and I have really appreciated my time with her more because of it.

It’s hard to believe that in just seven weeks I will have a baby laying right beside me. (If I can steal him from his Dad’s hands). Nic is the ultimate baby daddy. He loves the little tiny babies. He wakes up with them, feeds them, changes them, and just can snuggle all night and day with them. I am worried that this boy might not even recognize my face because his dad is SO excited to have him.

I just feel so lucky to be where I am. I am the mother of almost two beautiful children, who are healthy and love me. I am the wife to the most selfless and loyal person I’ve ever known. We have two reliable cars. We have families who love us, amidst trials and tribulations that they face.  We have good jobs that we love, and a promising future. We have a home that is small and crowded (and a storage unit in my parents basement) but it’s a Holy Place that I find refuge in. We have friends and a ward who serves and loves us. We are lucky.

I am grateful for the Lord. And my testimony of His great plan. For temples and the chance we have to live in a valley where temples sit on every hill. For my sweet Ruby who sings, “I Love to See the Temple” every day, because we are so close and that reminder is so frequent.

I don’t know where the next year will lead us, but I am confident in the hand of the Lord that will guide us to where we need to be and help us to become who we are supposed to become.

Our Week.

Our Week.

It was a short and successful week. Besides the fact that as usual Nic was gone most nights, far too late. The poor guy can’t catch a break. He waited 27 years to have the nights free and not have to be in school. But I think sometimes he would rather be in school then running around like a crazy person.

Monday night we had Baby McCoy and the fam over for a last family BBQ. We realized that it’s become kind of a tradition and it was so fun to see our favorites. But, of course the babe slept the whole time and Ruby and I agreed it would be a “good idea” if when they baby wakes up Maxine calls us. HA! It was just a great day, of doing nothing and being with great people. Plus it was a bonus to not have school or work or ANYTHING going on outside of the house. It’s just the thing we needed. Especially to rev us up for the following week that would be busy.

School is continuing to go great. Katy has helped us on Tuesday’s and it’s really the nicest thing to have Ruby taken care of. I enjoy my Monday/Wednesday classes a lot more than I do my Tuesday/Thursdays. School is busy, but I feel like a whole new student. Which I am, I am not here just for me. I am not here for the social part of college either. I feel more serious, I feel good. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be, and doing what I am supposed to be doing.

The meal plan mama is going well too. I feel like I’ve perfected/or tuned my system really well and we are all enjoying it. I am enjoying having a plan and having the ingredients. Ruby is loving being my best helper, and she REALLY is. I haven’t tried very many new recipes. Which I should do, but I think I will start a six week rotation, and then keep perfecting it. So far we are on week three, and it’s such a success. Success for our budget, our health, and our family time. Nic loves having a lunch everyday and has been so cute at thanking me about it. My mom wasn’t/isn’t much of a planner so it’s REALLY been great to see that I am capable of doing it. I also learned that I don’t mind buying things we use. Like Ruby loves chocolate milk, and we can buy it. Because we use it!

I went to YW and we did work at the Food Bank. It’s so amazing to think that people need this. Someone there asked if I would take a box home, and I think it was more of a hypothetical question but I was grateful that I don’t have a NEED for it. People are starving, and I’m making meals of my choice. Lucky! The YW are great, and I love getting to know them and the other leaders. People are all different and it’s strange to serve with people that aren’t like you. Because in life we mostly are around people we choose to, people we have things in common with. But in the gospel, in serving in the church, you don’t get that as much. Because you are put with people you need to be with. And not everyone is Hailey. I love that, and I want to be more like them. It’s fun to see what their lives are like. Especially since we’re in the condos so over 100 people live in my same house. And they are all sorts of shapes and sizes. It’s awesome.

We had Tam over for dinner and sent her off to Chicago to tend the Jones babies. She was so nervous and it’s so cute. Just because I’m so used to stand-by travel. But, the Jones’ are a different breed. And luckily she got on, and had a great experience. But again it made me reflect on how we are all made up so differently. It’s good to see how good Nic and I are for each other. It’s such a balancing act. Because we are SO similar yet we are so different and a big part of that is just the make up of where we grew up. Just miles away from each other, but into really different homes.

We had a great weekend, and ended up not going to the Utah vs Weber game, but luckily they still got a W. Nic golfed, and we went out to dinner. We watched way too much TV and played with our only child, at least for the time being. It’s so crazy that this time will end so quickly.

On Sunday we had my Mom and Dad over for dinner, it was delicious. I feel like I’ve perfected the roast! My parents are the best, and I loved being around them and hearing about them. They are so funny, and the thing I like most is how much they love Ruby. 

We finished the night and week or I guess we started it being together. And we were on to week three of school and seven more weeks until baby!