Generosity of all of you!!! THANKS!

I have been blessed all of my life by other people's generosity. I can remember growing up and getting hand-me-downs, which I loved, presents, Christmas trees, food, invited to paid events, money, etc. I have learned that it is okay and sometimes necessary to accept help and kindness from others, no matter how difficult it is sometimes.

Evan and I tried for a couple of years to get pregnant, which was a challenge because I have PCOS-polycystic ovarian syndrome, cysts on my ovaries and a hormone imbalance. I always wanted to be a mother, and it is finally my time. It has been a humbling period of time in my life, and I am grateful for all that I am learning.

To that, many friends and family and strangers for that matter have been so excited for us and asked if there was anything we need for us or for the baby. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!!! Recently a friend dropped off some adorable clothes for us and got me thinking of how lucky I really am. It was such a huge blessing, as we are struggling to save money right now, paying off debt and trying to get to the point where we don't have to live paycheck to paycheck. I have been very blessed by sooo many people's generosity and kindness, I couldn't say thank you enough!!!

So thank you to all of you. You are angels in our lives, and I hope to repay you all somehow some day. I know the Lord works through all of us, so thank you for listening to Him and blessing our lives. THANKS a million times over!!!!!

Babies, Baths and Bundles class

So I signed Evan and myself up for a few baby classes, and we had our first today. Babies, baths and bundles. It was awesome!!! We learned some things like how to dress, bathe, and soothe a baby from newborn to first months of life. The best part of the class for me was seeing Evan change the diaper and swaddle the baby in a blanket burrito style:) Evan is going to be the best daddy ever! Can't wait til our next class. Reminds me that I need to set up an appointment for checking our car seat...did you know that you should have your car seat set up in the middle of the back seat? I always wondered if there was a rule, and that is what they said, I am sure other people say other things, but that is what we will go with:)

26 weeks prego!!!

So, I think it is funny how you don't think you look so big until you see a picture of yourself, pregnant or just adding on a few pounds...sadly for me, when I smile my face gets very "cheery":) HAHA Well, here I am 26 weeks pregnant...wondering how much bigger I am really going to get...can't wait to see my feet again:) 14 more weeks:) and yes, I sport the pigtails a lot more lately..much easier and less work:)

I guess she is about 14 " now and nearing the 2 lb mark. The other night, I had ice cream for only the 2nd or 3rd time being pregnant, and she went wild. I saw her moving my belly like an alien was inside, and she kicked tons for about 2-3 minutes straight..what a silly baby!

A Day with Amy

So I got to spend the day before Amy's due date with her...check her out..She is so cute! Now she is just patiently waiting for her little girl to come...she is late:(


We started the day after her 40 week appointment, and saw Bride Wars. It is a cute movie, not one to buy, but a one time viewing is cute.

Then we went for really yummy and cheap Chinese food. $5.50 for an entree, soup, wantons and rice. It is up in Westminster next to Dairy Queen across from the Westminster Mall, I definitely want to eat there again..yum yum!
Amy is still in her nesting phase I think, we went and picked out fabric for the baby room Valence over the windows:)
Our two pregnant bellies! I am glad we are such great friends and having little girls at the same time:) We will have to take a picture again after we have both had our babies:)

Lots of Kicks!!!

So people have had many cravings during pregnancy, mine have mostly been Mexican Food and Pickles. I have not been craving sweets or even eating too many of them during my pregnancy. Tonight however Dairy Queen sounded really tasty so Evan found some free blizzard coupons online and went and got some yummy treats. We sat down and ate lasagna and salad, and then finished with some treats. I was already full from dinner so I had about 6-7 bites. About 2 minutes after eating my treat, Lucy started kicking me TONS for about 2-3 minutes. Evan came and watched and felt her kicks. She has been kicking for a while now, but nothing like this:) Watching my stomach go up and down was hilarious! She really must have liked the ice cream. I can't wait to give her an oreo blizzard again:) I love the feeling of the baby moving and kicking, such a special experience, one of which I am glad Evan can participate in his own way. Such an amazing experience! I have 15 more weeks:) She is about 14" long and about 1 1/2 lbs right now. I will post a picture of my growing belly soon:)

Homemade Hamburgers!!!

So Evan and I are trying to pay off debt and get into a house this year, so we are trying to not spend unnecessary money. One way of doing this is sticking to a food budget and using what is in our cupboards. For those who know me, this is very hard because I LOVE to cook, and with that buying particular ingredients can raise the price of the meal. So with the challenge of needing to be more creative and resourceful, we had a yummy dinner tonight, inspired by watching the Food Network competition last night of gourmet burgers and food in the fridge and freezer. I have never made a burger from scratch, seen my mom do it, but I haven't ever tried. So today I looked up a recipe, which I will post, and made hamburgers. We had everything, except for I would have loved more ketchup...now on the shopping list. I love veggies with burgers, especially when they are cut tiny and into sticks...even cucumbers...and those pickles, we are on our 3rd costco size jar since being pregnant:)

Evan asked me to add this to our favorite meal list:)

Hamburger Patties
Yields: 8 patties
1 lb. hamburger
1 sm. onion finely chopped
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. bread or cracker crumbs
Dash Worcestershire sauce (I use about 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp)
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
Mix all together. Take a small amount and make a patty. Fry until brown on both sides. You can add cheese at the end if you want cheeseburgers.

99 things

99 Things
Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. I hope that some day I will be able to sing well enough to want to do a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon. 1/2 marathon:)
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run. I'd have a very proud husband
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. Denmark
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied ...had:) haha
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant. But only because someone did it for us first.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistene chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
65. Gone sky diving. No way.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle ...does a mo-ped count??
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. I don't remember, but I think I did when I was little.
80. Published a book. Definitely something that I'd like to do.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. With Barbara Bush:)
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life. -i called 911
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby. soon:) April 2009
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

Pizza Toppings

I just wondered what everyone's favorite pizza is, and where to get it, or if you home-make it how?

Here are a few of my favorites:

Old Chicago:King of Hearts pizza: red onion, artichoke and tomato
My mom's homemade pizza: best topped with alfredo, sausage, spinach and red onion
Pizza hut: Plain old cheese pizza
more to come, but my mind is going blank...

An unexpected Christmas...

So, Evan and I packed and woke up at 4am for our early morning flight Monday morning. We got one of the last parking spots and got through security spotlessly. We were at our gate about 40 minutes before it was time to fly out, and then heard the dreadful news. We had to wait another 40 minutes to confirm that our flight was really cancelled. Seattle apparently was not prepared for the blizzard they were in and had no de-icer to help us land. So I cried in the airport while Evan ran with all the other passengers up to the customer service desk and got our flight changed. Unfortunately the soonest flight was 6pm on the 26th. I was sooo bummed, but there was nothing we could do. We waited another 2 1/2 hours to get our luggage back, and then headed home. Evan was soooo sick, we barely made the drive back...we immediately got into bed to take a nap when we got home, and I woke up to Evan throwing up, something he hasn't done for over 8 years...he was trying to make the ten year mark, but fell a little short. Poor Evan:)

It was actually a blessing to have to stay home because Evan had a little left to do for his Master's program. He had his Oral defense on Tuesday, and then woke up this morning and realized that he is now Master Evan!! YAY. He is finally done!!! We love that he is finally done! YAY hooray! Words can not describe how elated we are.

After losing 11 pounds from being sick, Evan decided that he wanted to eat for Christmas Eve dinner later on. We went to the mall and roamed the mall, and had lots of fun. Shared a smoothie since that is all either of us could handle, I was starting to feel sick too. We went home and had another afternoon nap:) In the evening I sat and cried for a little bit, sad that I wasn't with my family and enjoying the Christmas traditions that I had grown up with and planned on for this year, I guess change isn't my forte. Well, Evan was sweet, rubbed my feet, cleaned up a little around the house, and then we went to the closest restaurant open, Applebees:) It was really busy, slow service, but I was happy to have a warm meal, not cereal:) We got home and played yatzhee, Evan won every game, but I got pretty close. I fell asleep on the couch as Evan relaxed, and then went to bed.

We slept in and woke up to Christmas morning. We had already opened our gifts to each other before Monday since we didn't want to carry them on the airplane, but Evan had a surprise gift, a special pillow to help my aching pregnancy woes:) We ate crepes, talked to family on the phone, watched tv, played more yatzhee and some scrabble. Now we get to go see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Yay for Christmas!!

Well, I guess it is time for a new beginning. New traditions, and we are excited to have something new to share with Lucy next Christmas. YAY for change, I guess it is about time I learn to deal with change:)

So Happy Merry Christmas to all!!! I love Evan and am so happy that I got to spend this special holiday with him! I love that we get to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a special and incredible blessing to have in our lives!

Evan's 29th Birthday:)

So, it is Evan's last year in his 20's...yikeS! WE are getting older...

We started out with yummy pancakes...and his big boy vitamins:) I love getting the buttermilk pancake mix and adding fruit or tons of cinnamon and vanilla to make tasty pancakes.

Evan went off to work, and then picked me up for my 21 week appoinment. Our baby girl is healthy and active. If you haven't heard we are thinking of the name Lucy Elise.

We stopped off at Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a hand crank pasta maker and then to the grocery store. When we got home Evan played video games while I made yummy homemade cheese ravioli and blueberry cheesecake..YUM YUM. Evan helped me fill the ravioli, and learned that he isn't a bad cook:)

We had ravioli with pesto sauce and red sauce...Evan loves Pesto!

I couldn't resist getting him Wii pajamas:) Isn't he a great model..haha

Last Saturday we went to Boondocks, I will have to post his Dance Dance Revolution picture...he is actually really good. We also enjoyed some yummy ribs from Damon's Grill, a place he went to out in Ohio on his mission, and has wanted to eat there ever since:)

Christmas Traditions

I love the traditions my family had growing up. I love hearing about traditions of other families, cultures, etc. So if you would like to share some of your favorites, I would love to hear them. I would love to get some ideas to implement for my little budding family next Christmas when Evan and I will have our first Christmas at home with our 8+ month little girl:)

Some traditions in my home growing up:(My mother is from Denmark so some of them are based from there)

Christmas Eve
We would start out with a yummy dinner, sometimes with friends from Church or the neighborhood to share with:

Clam Chowder (the best ever!!!)
Salad
Pumpernickel and Rye bread with liver-paste
Crackers
Olives and pickles
Yummy Punch

Then we would clean up and meet in the Family Room to read the Christmas story from the scriptures. (My dad and mom would be very emotional while it was read) Our beautiful tree would be next to us, and we could admire the beautiful decorations. We would follow that with Christmas songs. Every year we drew a name of a sibling, and on Christmas Eve we would exchange that gift. We usually had a $5-$10 limit, since the kids were buying the gifts with their own money. We would sometimes have a gift for our parents too.

Then we returned to the dining table to have our dessert, which was a game with Danish Almond Rice Pudding. The pudding was made into a creamy pudding, that we sometimes added a strawberry or raspberry sauce to. It had many blanched, chopped almonds mixed through the bowl. Then, with everyone sitting at the table, my mother would show the desired WHOLE almond and mix it in the bowl. Starting youngest to oldest, the bowl was passed around and we could only take one scoop to place in our bowl. When my mother said go, we all ate as fast as we could trying to find the almond, and careful not to bite into it. If you finished your bowl, you could get another scoop in hopes of finding the almond. Many years, my dad would get it, keep it in his mouth and then sneak it into one of the younger kids bowls. Some of the family would hold it in their mouth the entire game to trick us, until the rice pudding was gone and we all wondered who had it. Now that our family has many grandchildren added, my mother will sometimes do 3-4 almonds. Whoever finds the almond gets the "almond gift" which is a small toy or candy. I LOVE THAT TRADITION!!

We usually have ongoing puzzles, dominoes, scrabble or some fun game to play, and we just hang out the rest of the night. After we all go to bed, Santa comes out to put presents under the tree. All kids know they HAVE to stay in bed for the rest of the night.

Christmas Day
Our rule is that you may open your stockings, but not your presents. So that way, those who want to sleep in can, and others won't be wishing they had more sleep, like Santa and Mrs. Claus. You also could not wake anyone up..we didn't want any grumpy kids on Christmas Day:)

My mother had Grapefruit, scrambled eggs and Julekage(pronounced Yulcah) for breakfast. It was the best!!!! I guess it depended on the year, whether we ate first or opened presents first, or when you woke up. The Julekage was the best! It is like a flat cinnamon roll, made with cardamom(a spice similar to cinnamon) and we would slice it up, broil it and spread butter on them...YUM YUM!!!

Once the whole family was together we would open presents. We would take a picture of each person opening gifts, and we did it one person at a time so we could all enjoy the time together. I like that rather than everyone just opening and finishing in 5 minutes. We would hug the person it came from and it was fun seeing what everyone got. I loved to see Mom and Dad open presents, they would get very emotional.

I rememeber a few gifts from childhood. Link bracelets, a pink and purple tape player, my own bag of HUGS candy, Levi jeans and some shirts, books, cabbage patch dolls, my little ponies, a watch, I am sure a lot more, I just can't remember right now(I guess I can blame the pregnancy:)) Some years growing up in South Texas, we would all get an envelope with money and then we would make a day out of going to Mexico or the Ropa Usadas(used clothing stores) to spend our money, I think it was usually $10 -$20. I loved spending those days with my family!!! While we only got one or two presents, it seemed like the best thing ever!!! I remember one year in Logan, Utah, I was younger than 6 years old, and we just did not have money at all, and a man from the ward came dressed as Santa, and delivered BAGS of gifts for our family..what a sweet thing. I was too young to know what was happening, but it was truly a very charitbale thing done for my family.

After present opening, we all cleaned up, showered, played together or with our gifts, and hung out. Our turkey would be cooking in the oven all day long, and we would have our Christmas meal, which resembled Thanksgiving.

Turkey
mashed potatoes
cranberry salad
cranberries
stuffing
rolls
green bean casserole
yams
yummy punch
pies
and other sides

My mom is one of the best cooks I know!!! She would also have danish cookies made up for all to snack on, and some years we would go carroling and deliver cookies to friends.

I remember some years, where we just didn't have money at all for Christams, and our hometeacher would bring us a Christmas tree, and we would magically have a present for each of us. Some years my parents would ask us if we would like to have presents or get presents for other families in need. Those were some of my favorite Christmases. I am pretty sure my parents still had something for us, but it was so special seeing others get presents and be sooo happy. I love having people over and sharing meals with them as well.

One Christmas imparticular, we had a woman and her two twin sons stay with us for a few days. They were living in a place that was a beginning of a home never finished. It had three walls, concrete and cinderblocks held it together. They had no heat and no food. We also had a man in similar circumstances stay with us, I loved playing chinese checkers with him. It was great seeing all of them open their gifts of sweat pants and blankets and heaters and other things. I will never forget my parents sacrifices or their willingness to serve others. I learned about service from watching them, and seeing them do it out of love and expecting nothing in return. I know our family has been blessed and helped out many times(we are a family of ten children), and I know they loved giving back when they could.

Anyway, sometimes our traditions change, but each year is wonderful and special.

I can't wait to go home this year to spend it with my mother and a few of my sisters.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!! and I will post pictures of this Christmas fun in a couple weeks:)

It's a girl!!!!

We went in today to find out the sex of the baby. I laid down on the table, and waited for the warm jelly to be rubbed on my belly. I was laying down with one hand on my head and one on my chest. When she started the ultrasound she noticed that the baby was imitating me
:) Well, after all of my dreams about little boys, and finally settling on a boy name, and all of our family members starting out with a boy, we are having a GIRL! We are excited and a little shocked, but after seeing some gross teenager boys the other day, we are quite pleased:) YAY hooray! And as of now, I am still due April 29th, and am 20 weeks today. YAY for little girls! I guess the funny thing will be that the technician was wrong and the baby really is a boy. She was doing the splits though, so we are pretty sure the technician was right:)

Too close to home:)

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Here is a yummy soup recipe, easy and can also be made in a crockpot.
My sister-in-law introduced this to me in college, and I have loved it ever since. I am making it today on this cold snowy day:) Yum Yum!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

6 cups water
10 oz frozen broccoli (the tree part tastes best in the soup)
1 large package hash browns 32 oz
5 chicken bouillon cubes
1 can cream of broccoli soup
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 1b Velveeta cubed

Boil water, broccoli, bouillon cubes and hash browns. Simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft, mash with spoon or potato masher. Add soup and cheese. Simmer for 20-30 more minutes. Stir frequently.

Settlers of Catan and Crab Dip, what more can you ask for:)

So we just had a great dinner, with great crab dip and learned the coolest game from Amanda and Steve Biles!! Settlers of Catan! It is a must buy! Definitely worth giving for Christmas this year!!!:)

This is the crab dip recipe..sooo yummy!!!

Crab Dip-Amanda Biles

8oz cream cheese
whip in mixer with garlic and worcestershire sauce(your own desired amounts)

once mixed, spread in dish
cover with cocktail sauce
spread broken up imitation crab on top

Serve cold with club crackers or ritz...YUMMY!

Sugar and Spice or Snails and Puppy Dog Tails?

We are going in to find out the sex on December 9th..any guesses? We would like either one, I have been dreaming about boys, but girl names pop to my mind..we shall see:)

Snow, and why I love it so!!!!!

So if you didn't already know, I am in LOVE with snow. Evan and I have MANY great memories in the snow, and here are a few more reasons why I LOVE snow!!!

1.It is beautiful, especially the first snow
2.It is like starting over, a clean slate
3.You can keep cold food outside and not worry about it spoiling
4.Hot chocolate goes on sale, today at Albertson's Nestle is 4 for $5, and I have coupons on top of that!
5.People don't tease me as much for listening to my Christmas music (that I started listening to in the Summer)
6.It means Christmas time is near, the birth of our Savior is celebrated, and I get to see my family whom I miss!
7.I get to make Julekage(a danish dessert, my mom's from Denmark)
8.Even more reason for making homemade soup and bread
9.I don't have to rake leaves for a while;)
10.SLEDDING!
11.Evan's warm kisses and cuddles when we are outside
12.Christmas lights come up
13.I get to stay inside and curl up in front of a nice movie, especially chic flics or Black and White movies.
14.Coats, mittens, scarfs and hats....so cute!
15.Snowmen
16.Snow Angels
17.Egg Nog, the best kind is at WholeFoods! Yum My sister-in-law and I tried at least twelve different brands last season, and we found the best! It is at Whole Foods, and in the glass milk bottles...YUMMY!!!! (to bad this year I can't have any since I have a baby growing..until next year:))
18.Christmas break, and hanging out with Evan
19.Shopping and sales become more fun!
20.Silence, watching the snow fall, feeling peace and joy and the love of our Savior. He is real! We are not alone, and like the clean slate of the snow on the dirty ground, He is there to clean our slate if we take advantage of the Atonment, and ask for forgiveness, and to feel the peace and love from our Savior!

There are many many more, and for those of you who need to hear some negative;)....
1. Hard to drive in
2. It turns mushy and black
3. Flip Flops are harder to wear in the snow;)

Amy and Hilary

Happy Garage Sale Day!

So we decided that since we are going to rent out the basement, we needed to find a place for our belongings, and since we haven't touched our stuff since April, we decided to sell it, so we are in phase one of de-junking and selling. We are posting on craigslis, having a two day garage sale, and will eventualy ebay the things we know we can get lots of money for.

Being pregnant and sick all of the time, I have not had the energy or physical ambition to prep for this weekend. So from all of the things that Evan, Linwood and Ben helped carry up from the basement, Amy Cobbley came over to rescue and help me:) YAY We laid out and priced everything, and as I write the sale is happening. So far with the early birds, I have made $90. Off to sell more to my next customer.

Cheers!

Loving Life!!

There are so many reasons to love life!! Here are 12 of them in no order:
1.I am so happy that I am who I am.
That Evan and I are sealed together for eternity!
2.I love the new bread that I discovered at Costco, and like switching off from baking to buying.
3 I love that I saw the Moon this morning, what a great welcome to the day.
4.I love fried eggs, toast and strawberries for breakfast.
5.I found out that they sell pancake batter in a whipping cream canister(I will have to find a picture). http://www.batterblaster.com/
6.I love that I am pregnant despite the sickness and other things that come along with it.
7.I love that Evan loves teaching and is good at it!
8.I love friendly faces and warm hellos.
9.I love my family.
10.I love finding money I thought was lost or spent.
11.I am a daughter of God.
12.I get to laugh.