White Christmas

We had a white Christmas this year! I think it was my first real one, and it was beautiful, we had about 6 inches of snow that fell all day long!

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with Dan, Jacob and Noelle (almost sister-in-law).




Starting with the events of Christmas Eve: we went to Church and it was a great service, they included scenes from Wonderland, the Christmas production and it was amazing! We had dinner at the Nygrens, Noelle's family. We had lasagna, apple cider and a warm fireplace. There was a new puppy there awaiting to be a Christmas surprise for a little girl. I pretty much fell in love with the puppy, it was a Bichon, a little white fluff that loved people. It was the friendliest, cutest dog I have ever met. I don't like dogs, so for me to like one is a big deal. I wanted to take her home.....

I woke up to snow on Christmas morning and made home-made baked french toast for everyone. Brett and I exchanged gifts, he even got one from the baby that said, "I love daddy." After that we went to Starbucks, I mean who wouldn't want Starbucks on a snowy Christmas morning, it was perfect. I sipped on my Chai and made home-made bread. It turned out quit delightful, and I was impressed by how well I was able to get the yeast to rise in such high altitude. The best part was eating a piece of the fresh home-made bread right out of the oven.


We spent some time out in the snow, playing with the dogs and taking pictures, I mean we had to for just a minute, it was Christmas! Brett made a fire and we cozied up in the living room and watch the movie "the Holiday." It was actually one of my Christmas presents. I love that movie, it is just so cute.




Dan made a ham for the Christmas meal and I made all of the sides; corn, twice baked potatoes, home-made bread, stuffing, green beans, and of course, dessert-an ice cream pie! It was fun cooking for everyone. I couldn't help but think of Fran at times, especially in the kitchen, cooking wasn't her favorite thing, but she was always helping and baking in the kitchen for Christmas anyway. She would have enjoyed Christmas this year......


We had a neighbor over for the Christmas meal, he is 77 and all alone, no family or anything. I couldn't help but feel sad for him, he lost his wife in 1999, he had one child that died right after birth, the rest of his family doesn't talk to him, and his dog died this summer....... my goodness can I start crying now. He said that last Christmas he was all by himself and he was really lonely, who wouldn't be. I am glad he was able to join us, he had some fun stories and seemed to really enjoy himself.

It was a good Christmas, can't wait for all the family to get here for Jacob and Noelle's wedding!

21 weeks: "mama pink"

I am 21 weeks now, which means I am more than half way there! I am feeling much better now that I am over morning sickness, the gastroentenitis virus, a cold, and a cold sore(so lovely, actually hideous). I am really enjoying being pregnant. All foods are basically good and I am hungry all the time. I love that life is growing in me! I feel the baby move much more now, and it makes me smile. Seeing the baby move in the ultrasound was so exciting, even Brett was amazed! He calls me "mama pink" now, since we are having girl.

One frustration is clothes! Argg!!! Clothes shopping is very difficult, I don't want to buy a lot of regular clothes that may fit now, because they won't soon, and maternity clothes..... yeah they aren't working out. I have tried on a few pairs of maternity pants, hideous, underwear certainly isn't cute anymore, and the shirts are un- proportional! Ok so the shirts and even some dresses look cute on the rack, but the arms are made for obese women! I understand that women gain weight everywhere during pregnancy, but that doesn't mean they get obese arms!! Even Brett thought the shirt arms looked weird, which means they really are. I can't button my regular pants all the way and I am using a belly band to help hold my pants up for now, it looks a bit awkward if I don't have a long shirt on though. I will survive, I know, I will just wear the same 3 things over and over.

It's a .......

I know you can all tell from this ultrasound picture, but the 2 lines means it's a GIRL! I am so excited! I was gleaming when they told us, and I just got a warm happy feeling inside. I had a slight intuition that it was a girl, but everyone around me insisted boy. My friend Carrie had a dream about the gender of the baby but she didn't want to tell me until I found out myself, her dream revealed it was a girl, so she was very excited today! Not totally decided on a name yet.....

I can't wait to decorate the pink and brown room!

girl or boy?

We find out tomorrow what we are having! I have had more people tell me they think it's a boy.... because somehow they know :O)

Thanksgiving in California

We couldn't leave without having Starbucks!

Our trip began at 4pm on Tuesday leaving in the car for a 17 hour drive. Well, that 17 hours turned into about 20, since they closed the freakin interstate! The weather was less than ideal driving through Wyoming, snowing, windy, blinding conditions. Brett did great driving, protecting myself and the baby. I am sure it was very stressful for him (you did great babe). We were finally within reach of Utah, clear skies, no more snow, good road conditions, and they CLOSED the interstate! What the heck, why now, with good road conditions? We had to pull over (it's 1am) with over 100 other cars where there were no services, nothing, just cold.

I froze for 2.5 hours, and was warmed about every 45 minutes when Brett would turn the car on. I tried to cuddle in my holey blanket and pile jackets up on myself to keep the heat in, but the bitter 4 degree weather penetrated the car and me! Finally they opened the interstate (now 2:30am), and we proceeded with no idea why it was ever closed to begin with. arghhhh!!!

Despite the drive we enjoy our trip. We spent time with our friends the Hornackes and their cute daughter Kyri. We at at In N' Out burger (of course twice) so tasty. We got to go to grandmas house, enjoy thanksgiving meal, time with family, and a hilarious white elephant gift exchange. Brett and I also got to enjoy a night in the ER together, because we Both checked in, so fun, but not really.

Don't worry we are all 3 fine (baby included). We thought we had a bad case of food poisoning but it turned about to be a virus called "Gastroentenitis." Brett and I woke up at about 1 am exchanging vomit sessions in the bathroom, it was terrible.... and then it turned to diarrhea and vomit. Brett laughed out loud while I was going diarrhea, no shame left there folks. It actually wasn't really diarrhea it was more like brown water coming out of my butt. We then laid back down and laughed together because we were both so sick. My mom heard this commotion and heard mom instinct kicked in and she took us to the ER (especially since I am pregnant)

Upon arrival to the ER Brett and I exchanged trips to the bathroom, just releasing more Bile, because that was about all that was left in our bodies. Somehow the front desk lady didn't notice Brett getting up every 2 minutes to vomit and didn't check him in, thinking he was fine. Poor husband, who was probably worse than myself, kept getting ignored (love ya babe). We were treated with IV liquids, an anti nausea med, an the babies heart beat was check and it was just fine. Oh not to mention we were there for over 4 hours. Now all we had left was a 17 hour drive back to Colorado. We survived and now just laugh at the situation, although I never want to do it again.

Despite the ER and the closed interstate I had a great time and was so happy to see my family and friends.


Cousins and Siblings

The Adults and Danny

My 7 year old nephew Danny with his Bling

Sarah, Kevin and Kyri

He hear's even the little ones

Funny story from last night:

I have been bugging Brett for a few weeks now to get his hair cut. We are going to see my family in California next week (yeah, so excited), and Brett's hair has very awkward, uneven bangs, and it's just getting mangy. He usually replies, "noooo I don't wanna cut it, I'm growing it out."

So last night as we are going to bed I start to remind Brett that he should get his hair cut before we leave. He picks up the Bible and says, "Only if the chapter we read tonight mentions hair." (Okay like that is going to happen)

I tell him, "Well lets continue reading in Acts, I think I am on Chapter 18." He starts reading the chapter and suddenly it hits me, "Oh my gosh, this is the chapter where Paul cuts his hair!" I am gleaming with excitement, I cannot wait for Brett to read the hair scripture.

Then Brett stops reading and says, "Wait a second!" He suddenly realizes that this chapter mentions hair.

I start laughing and bouncing with joy on the bed. Brett starts frantically reading to look for the word "hair." Then he says, " It's not in this chapter, it's the next."

I say, "No Brett, it is in this Chapter," so I grab the Bible and start searching for "hair." Then there is glorious redemption when I see a beaming light shining down on Act Ch 18. Vs 18. ".... Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken."

Yes! God spoke to Brett and told him to cut his hair! He even answers the little prayers. Thank you Jesus. I am still smiling about it. Brett is getting his hair cut on Saturday :O)

I am really excited to go to California! We are driving there though, not fun, over 17 hours in the car with a pregnant lady, and we are going straight through! We leave Tuesday afternoon and get there Wednesday morning. Brett dreads it more than I because he knows he will drive most of the time.


Looking forward to:
-Seeing all of my family!
-In and Out Burger
-Sarah, Kevin, and Kyri
-Making Thanksgiving food
-Brett getting to spend a holiday with my family for the first time
-Grandma's house (the coolest place)
-Day after thanksgiving shopping
-Starbucks the day after thanksgiving early in the morning
-In and Out burger again, because we will go there at least twice

17 weeks

I am 17 weeks now, that is only 3 weeks away from being half-way there! These 2 pictures are actually on the same day, I just show more in the afternoon and evening than in the morning, isn't that funny!

I feel like between the 16th and 17th week is when I finally started to show a little bit. It's that kind of belly showing that feels and looks more like I have gained awkward fat. I know you are all thinking, "no way Jenni it doesn't look like fat, it just looks like a cute belly." Well, for anyone who has ever been pregnant or is currently pregnant they know exactly what I am talking about. It's the, you look fat more than you look pregnant stage, where people who know you know you are pregnant, but to strangers you look like you have weird belly fat. I just want the belly that identifies I am pregnant.

I have had a few people tell me, "Oh Jenni it finally looks like you are gaining weight." I am never sure how to take that comment, I mean I definitely want to gain weight, but that is normally not a compliment. No, I am not in maternity clothes yet, although my books say that I should definitely be by now. I have felt the baby a few times, it feels like tiny gas bubbles, its nothing like ordinary gas. I am also feeling MUCH better (thank you Jesus). I thought I might be one of the unlucky women burdened with being sick all 9 months, but it has passed for the most part.

Brett puts his hand on my belly and prayers for "little baby" at night (that is what we call the baby). He has also scolded the baby a few times for making mommy sick. I like to rub my hand around my stomach and remind "little baby" of how much I already love her/him. Can't wait until December when we find out what "little baby" is!

Grade Cute

Isn't this the cutest picture! It is Brett in grade school and it makes me so happy to look at. If I were in 2nd grade I would totally have a crush on him :O)
I have my heart set on having a girl, but really after looking at this picture I would be so happy to have a boy too, especially if he looks like Brett! I love my husband.

update

I have neglected writing the events of my life the past few weeks, so here is my update .

We had a fall fun day with A & E Hinkle, we carved pumpkins (A. Hinkle got really fancy with Scooby doo), we made taco soup, we had dessert at Amanda's Fonda (so great) and we watched Fantastic 4 on the Hinkle's projection screen. It was a great day, and Brett and I don't remember spending a whole day with friends like that since Omaha. We love being with them.




After a lovely 70 degree day we had our first snow day. It was beautiful and fun. We got Starbucks before church (yummy chai), we went to Brett's dad's, we made pumpkin bread, and then spent the evening at the Nygren's (Jacobs soon to be in-laws) playing games and eating Lasagna.


Amongst other things last week we had Brett's dad over for dinner, I made pork chops and rice, with green beans, apples sauce, and sparkling cider. Wednesday night I went to a David crowder concert in Denver with friends (Brett couldn't go :O( ). We watched the Rockies sadly loose the world series. We looked for baby furniture-so expensive. I had a random craving for a New York Strip steak (I don't even like steak normally) and I had to have it that night at a good restaurant, so we went to Salt Grass and I had my $20.99 delicious NY strip.

Jacob, Brett's brother, turned 30, we called him the 30 year old virgin, because he is, thankfully he is getting married in January and that will soon change. Noelle, Jacob's fiance threw a semi-surprise party for Jacob on Sunday night, he kind of blew his own surprise by poking and prodding and asking too many questions. It was really fun though, and Noelle made cute little goody bags with treats for everyone.




I am feeling better, eating more, rarely throwing up, all which is good. I am not showing at all though. When my Doctor told me she was pleased with the way the baby is growing, all I could think was, "are you sure it's growing?" I did get to hear the heart beat, it was so cute at 150 bpm. I haven't gained any weight, but I haven' lost more either. At night I have an odd looking outty belly button, and Brett likes to poke it and laugh. Can't wait until I have a real belly!

Time with E.H.

Last Friday I got to spend some girl time with my new friend E.H. We met through our husbands who know each other at work and we have been on several double dates together (Amanda's Fonda, so good). She is so cute, a first year elementary school teacher, the children totally adore her and I love her stories. It is rare that I get time with just one girl, so I was very excited!

I met at her cute new house and for the first 2 hours we stood there and talked. I don't even think we sat down, we just chatted, it was great! We decided to go get something to eat and as we were discussing where to go it was obvious that we both love Mexican food and that would have to eat at On The Border. A 45 minute wait, but for 2 chatty girls that was no problem. I got my usual, a combo with one chicken enchilada and one chicken taco. I've had no problems with Mexican food while pregnant (thank you Lord).

After dinner we went back to her house to watch a girl movie, we really wanted to get Georgia rule, but of course it wasn't out on a Friday night. We got another movie, I can't even remember the name of it (not the best movie), Claire Danes was in it that is all I really remember. E.H has a projection screen movie theater in her basement with a huge, brown, sectional, comfy couch, it was great to just sit down there even though it wasn't the best movie. So fun and she grabbed me a blanket without me saying a word ( I always need a blanket while watching a movie), thanks for reading my mind E.H!

We chatted for a few more hours after the movie, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her. I also examined the neck rash she got from a necklace that had been stuck on her neck for 6 days (she had to cut it off, sad).

8 random reasons I know E.H. and I will stay friends, besides the fact that she is great: (in no particular order)

-We both love Mexican food, especially refried beans!
-We are both former Starbucks Baristas
-We both have naturally curly hair, but tend to wear it straight
-We love to watch "What not to wear" and all of the home design shows
-We both like New Found Glory
-We get annoyed when our married girlfriends can't hang out because their husbands are home
-We both get really bored after work while waiting for our husbands to get home
-We both have 3 sisters, and a brother who has been traumatized from growing up with too many women

Looking forward to the apple farm, carving pumkins and starbucks on Saturday with you E.H.

Last weekend

Last weekend my mom came to visit. It was a short visit, but good and very needed. We were able to make a trip to her favorite store, Wild Oats, were she was able to purchase her favorite orange/green tea (yuck, no offense mom).

We spent most of her time here going through Frans clothes. Now that was a task. I don't think Fran ever got rid of an outfit since 1970, I am seriously not kidding, there was a snap at the crotch silky bright wrap around skirt disco outfit. My mom just held it up....... pause and laughter. There were soooooooooo many clothes, and I am sure that I just got rid of her favorite shirt with no hesitations. It is weird to think, I mean I would be so sad if something happened to my favorite outfit, yet in reality it doesn't really matter, I can't take it with me. It just really put things into perspective. Four hours later, with 15 large black bags of clothes to give to the needy we were not even done. I still have to do the downstairs closet. Wheww..... that is going to be hard work. Thanks for your help mom I couldn't have done it without you.

We also got to eat at Mimis, which I had been craving for weeks. I enjoyed their French toast breakfast and was completely satisfied. Sunday night we did Egyptian Ear Candles, it was very fascinating. Ear candles are an ancient home remedy, I'm not actually sure what they do other than pull tons of nasty wax out of your ears. If you haven't done them before you should try them, it is really fun and interesting.

Other events included: lots of mother daughter time talking, watching extreme makeover home edition, showing mom around the new house, mom getting me water as I was throwing up, showing her where I work and eating.

Thanks for coming mom, I had fun.

I will never forget

I walked into her bathroom and saw her hairbrush sitting on the counter next to the blow dryer, her shoes were just sitting there with socks stuffed inside, she was just there, she was suppose to come home.....but she didn't.

What happened? What is going on? This is not real. How is the horse here? Was she by herself? Who found her? Why weren't we called sooner? The first night we found out was confusion. No one knew what had happened to her and that was the hardest. Each day following we seemed to piece together what had happened, getting clues from the people around us, from the neighbors, police, and the woman who found her. The only question that still remains, what spooked the horse? We will never know.

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions; extreme sadness, loss, sorrow, joy, comfort, love, reassurance, numbness, disbelief. I grieve for the loss of my mother in law, for our relationship, but more than that I grieve for my husband who lost his mother and I grieve for our child who will never get to meet grandma. It breaks my heart to think of Brett not having his mom...... he loved her so much.

What has helped us through this time more than anything is all of the support and prayers. We have been showered with love, with cards, with flowers, with prayers, with food, it has been unbelievable and we know that God is taking care of us. S & L, you will never know how much it meant to me that you drove out here from Nebraska for the service. I know we didn't get much time together, but just knowing you were there meant more than you will ever know. Thank you D.C friend for the thoughtful card, it was just one of many that was so encouraging. Thank you A & E Hinkle for being at the viewing and the service, and sending the beautiful roses. Thank you N & J White for organizing people to bring us food. You realize how great and important friends are in a time like this, and I was overwhelmed with all the love sent.

Frans life touched so many people, even one's that she never met. There was a women who drove by the accident and saw that Fran was badly injured, life changed for that women at that instant, she realized how precious life was and she was encouraged when she realized Fran was a believer. God can bring back life in the midst of death.

To Memories of Frances R. Goodlin
-I will never forget the cheesy potatoes and dill chicken that were cooked at every meal you made
-I will never forget you helping me pick out my wedding dress and then blessing me by paying for it
-I will never forget fart spray in the eldorado house while playing liverpool rummy
-I will never forget how much you hated cooking, but did it anyway
-I will never forget your excitement when I first rode Harley
-I will never forget snowbiz, and how you brought it for our wedding
-I will never forget when I moved to Omaha, and you found a bed for me an we had to drive across town with it strapped on to the top of your jeep barely hanging on driving 20mph.
-I will never forget how you let Brett and me live with you and Dan for free for 6 months and how excited you were that you didn't have to cook.
-I will never forget how much you hated when I made cookies, but loved eating them
-I will never forget that Brett was your favorite
-I will never forget when you got to see our "little peanut" on the ultrasound (our last memory together)

I guess you did go home after all, it just wasn't the home I was thinking of.

News flash!

I went to the Dr. again today, but I actually got to meet my doctor, how exciting! She is very nice, and caring, I really like here. First thing I heard when I walked in the door.... "Your new due date is April 22!" Surprise Surprise, my ultrasound determined that the age of my baby wasn't as old as they had originally calculated with my last period. I had a feeling that would be the case, because my period was irregular. I am excited either way. The only thing I was really looking forward to was being close to through with the first trimester, you know so the throwing up might stop soon, but I am a little further away that I thought (Lord help me). However, I have lost between 4-6 pounds, so I am glad I am not as far along as they thought I was.

Believe me I am really trying to put on weight, we are going to Red Robin tonight, here we come steak fries! OH and I splurged last night and had the noodles in company Wisconsin mac and cheese (delightful). You know how many calories that thing has??? Over 1000, I know that is horrible and I don't want to make a habit of that dish, but it was full of calcium, yumminess, and calories. Oh and I ate a chick fil-a today and only ordered chicken nuggets and a drink, but the lady just threw in some fries for free (she probably looked at me thinking "She needs theses.")

In Summary, I am actually only 9 weeks and 5 days, it is amazing that I had a positive pregnancy test when I was only 4 weeks along (It was from the dollar store of course, don't ever spend the big bucks on those things). So YEAH to April 22nd!

our little peanut

We had our first Ultrasound on Monday! Let me just tell you though, they make you drink 24oz of water 1 hour prior to your appointment and you can't pee!! Ok, it is one thing to ask a normal person to do that, but then to ask a pregnant woman is totally different. For one thing I don't think I have had 24oz of anything in my stomach for the past 2 weeks, I am lucky to hold down 6oz of water. Then on top of that you have to pee way more when your pregnant, so here I am holding 24 oz of water in my exploding bladder waiting to be called back to my appointment. I finally have some relief when I hear my name, but then for the next 20 minutes all they did was press hard on my bladder! Of course I had to have the student in the room, learning and taking longer for everything as I am about to pee my pants. She has to measure my uterus with the ultrasound, look at my ovaries, and something else that took forever.

Finally the man in charge came over and said, "let's look at the baby now." Few... I think I was starting to leak at this point. Then we saw it, our cute little peanut sized baby with a really fast heartbeat. The heartbeat is actually very normal and healthy at 176bpm. They would not tell use the exact age of the baby though, and said that only our doctor could disclose that information (I see her on Friday). The baby is hard to identify in the ultrasound, Brett kind of looked at it strangely and cocked his head to the side, the asked if there was two. Nope, only one, thank goodness.

It was so great to actually see the baby though! It makes it more real since I don't really notice changes in my body. I can't believe that there is a baby growing in me! I already love it so much. I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl (week 18 -20).


It's the small peanut shape on the bottom

The tragedy it is...

As many of you who read this blog know, my good friend SC and I have had a long standing connection with our blood type (O positive). Everything that we had in common, everything that connected us had to do with our blood type. I know it sounds silly, but it was more than that. It was the fact that we both had curly hair that we hated, it was the fact that our pasts had so many things in common, it was even the fact that we both hated shopping in nick nack shops, it was what we called our room in the tranquility apartment and it was the explanation for all of the crazy things that happened in our room (i.e. stereo turning on by itself). O-Positive was our bond.

Now we are both pregnant, so much fun, and actually only 6 days apart in our pregnancy. Yeah, another O-positive connection, to be good friends and so close in pregnancy is pretty rare. However, many blood test are done during pregnancy and blood typing is one of those tests. You can see where this is going....... we are not both O-positive..... After SC had spent a horrible night in the E.R (never good for a pregnant woman whose husband passes out twice), she was told by a nurse that she was O-negative! I find it funny that SC had such a horrible night but she really didn't break down until she was told she was O-negative and then explained to the nurse the whole story (I am sure the nurse thought she was crazy). What a tragic night. The funny thing is the SC's birth records say she is O-positive.

I told SC the news today, that my blood type came back as O-positive, we are no longer connected by our blood types :O(

Everyone has that connection with a close friend, that inside thing, O-positive was ours and now it is gone. It is semi-funny because it was such and inside kinda of joke, but it is sad, we can't relate everything back to that anymore.


(i know we are backwards)

Here we go

So, it has started for me. That horrible dreaded thing in pregnancy. I thought I just might avoid it, I mean I had gone 9 weeks without a single problem. But then it started... it actually just started this weekend with that "I just don't feel quite right" feeling. I thought eating would help, no I couldn't really do that. Well, what about talking a walk on a nice day, that should help, not really. Maybe just keeping busy would help, nope.

I realized things weren't getting any better on Sunday, when I couldn't get out of the car to get some juice (the only thing that sounded good), and then I took a 2 hour nap after church. Feeling slightly better around dinner time I made some wheat three cheese ravoli and a spinach salad. Spinach is one of the best things to eat during pregnancy it is filled with all kinds of nutrients. As I was making the salad, I realized that the smell of the spinach was slightly nasty to my nostrils, but I just figured I was being sensitive. So as I forced each bite of the salad down, I told myself how great it was for me and little baby, not to mention it was drenched in dressing to cover up the flavor. I forced myself to take one more big bite, BIG MISTAKE! I suddenly gagged and ran to the bathroom, then the whole salad came out (it look way worse in the toilet). Brett was great, he held my hair back, flushed the toilet, and got me some water. I told him "remove that salad from my sight now!" Needless to say that was my first case of morning or should I say dinner sickness. No spinach for me for a while. Side note: if something smells bad during pregnancy, DON'T EAT IT!"

The story continues to Monday morning at work, as I am telling a co-worker about my horrible spinach experience, I am getting grossed out just remembering the spinach. The next thing I know, I am hugging the work toilet while throwing up Cheerios and thinking about my spinach salad, not fun. There was relief after that, and then the feeling of starvation. Maybe this is just a fluke I tell myself, or not, because I threw up again this morning at work. It was horrible and painful next to that cold toilet, not to mention I spent to morning at home dry heaving nothing but air out. I think dry heaving is the worst thing ever created, why can't something just come out, it would feel so much better!

The barfing does seem only to come in the morning, which is good, because I don't have it all day. However, there are only like 3 foods that sounds good to eat: bread, potatoes and water. It is hard to get quality nutrients from those foods and they do get tiresome. Usually after throwing up I feel nothing but hunger, but want nothing to eat, it is a horrible battle. I was able to drink a Jamba Juice strawberries wild smoothie with a calcium boost this evening. Jamba Juice might be my saving grace. I hope this doesn't last long.

SC we can cry together and eat jolly ranchers.

first visit

Yesterday I had my first pre-natal Dr. Appt. It was a lot of blood work (about 8 viles worth), a urine sample, and a lot of questions. They estimated that I am about 9 weeks and my expected due date is April 3rd. I also have a low risk pregnancy, which is great. My mom went through 6 healthy full term pregnancies and I hope mine are as good as hers (although I don't want 6).

I also told my boss the news yesterday. I was slightly nervous, and I kept getting interrupted every time I would try to tell him, ughh it just made me more nervous. When I finally did get the chance to tell him he was so excited and congratulatory. He is so nice, I am glad I work for such a great person.

That's all for now.

L.C. I feel your pain

Now that I have this new condition happening in my body, that is being pregnant, I have come to notice some bodily changes that are hindering my lifestyle. My first one is the worst! My hair is so oily! Some people may not find this hard to manage but you have to understand that ever since I roomed with SC in the tranquility apartment I got in the habit of washing my hair every 3 days! (it's not gross, it's actually good for your hair, plus SC can go like 5 or 6 without washing) It was great! Do you know how much time that saves me, not to mention the extra hours of sleep I get by not having to blow dry and straighten my hair everyday. Well, now I can only go 1.5 days before I feel like my hair is a wet ball of grease and I could practically use the all the oil to cook some french fries in. LC, I feel your pain, always being the friend who has to wash your hair daily, and if you don't people think you got your hair wet during the middle of the day. Life is harder without the luxury of dry hair.

Next is gas. Yes without a question I have it daily for long periods of time. It's not just a little pshhhh it's lots of those or ripples, and they don't usually smell good. I can't control it, I just pray that I don't have it bad while seeing patients. I usually have to let a bunch out in between patients so I don't explode. There is a reason for this though. I heard that while you are pregnant food sits in your intestines longer to give the baby more nutrients, but it is actually rotting while it is sitting there forever, yum!

Next, is the booby fairy. The booby fairy has started to come visit, which actually isn't bad for me being that I have been an "A" cup my whole life. It's the one chance I have to fill out my shirts. However, the booby fairy makes my boobs hurt like a mother! Going down the stairs hurts or even my husband just looking at them hurts. Ouch, just writing about them makes them hurt.

I can't complain to much, I have yet to be stricken with morning sickness or nausea. I still have many months before everything grows out and I am stricken with stretch marks. I am really excited about this time in my life, and I hope and pray that I feel good through the duration of the pregnancy.

I will keep you all updated, I go to the Doctor on Thursday.

BFF

Kyri smelling the flowers

My BFF came to visit from California this weekend with her precious daughter Kyri. It was so much fun to have them here and show them where we live. I loved having a 1.5 year old around, every moment was exciting. She loved climbing on everything and going outside! She also loved Nemo, and would sigh and repeat his name wanting to watch it over an over. A few of my favorite phrases from Kyri:

-"Oh man...."

-"mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy", and she would always say it like 8 times in a row, never just once.

-"Ohhh daddy" with a sigh

-"Bock" which means "milk"

-"yeah!! (giggle giggle)" with enthusiasm after mom asked her if she pooped


It was great just having BFF to talk with after Kyri went to bed. We got to watch a few movies together, go to target (which is actually really fun), cook, eat junior mints, go to sonic for slushes, and just be friends. There is no one like a BFF. We still have so many things in common despite not living in the same state for 5 years. We both love to cook, we wear similar things, we love "So You Think You Can Dance (yeah Sabra), we like the same songs, and I really hope that I can be a great mom like she is. Time changes, yet so much remains the same.


Sonic Slushes!


Cooking time!


She is SOOO Cute!


Alice and Wonderland park


Here's to memories with BFF
-Cinnamon popcorn
-Beast Slurpees from AM/PM
-Dance parties
-Omaha-homies
-Lip Sync contests
-Five Iron Frenzy
-MxPx
-Cornerstone and burnt hot dogs that look like poop
-Spirit west coast
-Tots from sonic
-Shirts that we sewed to small and had to have your mom unstitch off our bodies
-Wearing our bras outside of our clothes and dancing
-Choir tour
-Joyful Joyful
-Butt Crack Heads
-Mr. Bailey's senior English class
-Sprite
-Junior mints
-Avocados
-Kevin and Brett
-JJ's green shirt
-Chevy's Nachos
-Ska Queens
-Black & White checkers

Love you BFF!

Pastor B.B.

I go to N.L Church and well, pretty much everyone is aware our church as been looking for a new senior pastor since the whole fiasco last November. Alas we have some hope and the pastoral selection comity has found someone who they believe will be a great senior pastor for our church. Pastor Brady.

Pastor Brady spoke at church for the first time today, he will preach the next two Sundays and then we as a church will vote him in (2/3 vote is needed). The vote thing is slightly silly, this isn't survivor, or American idol, or a popularity contest. I do understand that people want their say and to be a part of the whole process (prayer is good for that too), and it is written in the by-laws of our church for the congregation to vote, but at the same time I trust the choice the elders, the pastoral selection comity, and the over-seers have made. In my book he already has my vote, before he even spoke a word.

He did speak his first word today, can you imagine how nervous you would be, speaking in front of 14,000 people you have never met, all of which have some kind of expectation, mostly a high one.

He did a great job, his sermon was both insightful about his character and at the same time it was also a message out of the bible that we all needed to hear.

He had us all ears, engaged, laughing, and hopeful for a new future, a new start. This is a fresh new start and hope for our church and the kingdom. I hope that everyone remembers that it is not about a man, but Jesus. That is what we have all been saying the past 9 months.

We also went to the Q&A at church tonight, were the congregation was able to ask him questions, just to get to know him more. It was a great time, it was great to see that he is a real person just like all of us. Of course there is media everywhere, and one of the news women asked pastor Brady, " Do you sin?" haha..... I am sure they are trying to dig up dirt, but it was just funny to hear someone ask that. His response, "Of course I sin, I am human." (This did not happen during the Q&A he just told us of his experience from earlier that day.)

I am excited for this new time, and so glad that our church has stuck together through all of the hardship. Brady, I am glad that you God brought you to our church I think you will fit in wonderfully.

my first video

Alright everyone, I made my first video on my mac book. It was frustrating at times, and yes it is corny, but it's my first!

Where are you girl friend?

I cried on Sunday night, a good hard cry. My feelings were hurt, which made me start to cry, but what made it worse was that I felt like there was no one I could talk to about what had happened. Brett was out of town, I tried to call him, no luck. I had just talked to my mom, which was the reason I was crying (don't worry she is a great mom), so couldn't call her about it. And well, reality is that I haven't called BFF in forever about any sad issues, I just call her to see how life is.

I really just wanted a friend here in Colorado, someone's shoulder to cry on. If any of my friends from Colorado read this they would probably say, "oh Jenni you could have come to me." But I feel like a burden, like I would impose on someone elses time, like most people don't really have time for a new friend, so instead I just cried.

Being married makes having single friendships hard, especially if you don't already have them. Sure we hang out with other married couples, they are friends, but I don't really ever get to hang out with just girls, or a girl for that matter. We have girls night, which if fun, but I just want that friend that I can stop by her house, see how she is, talk if I'm having a bad, or just watch a girl movie.

Brett was gone to Missouri this weekend, which just magnified the whole reality of me not really having a close friend. I pretty much spent the entire weekend by myself (minus going to see the Borne Ulitimatum with 2 couples). I just wanted a moment to have a girl friend over and just be girls, have a dance party, watch a movie, I really didn't care I just wanted a girl there! If I still lived in Omaha SC or LC would have been over in a heart beat, I want a friend here like that.


It is partly my own fault, I could have asked around earlier to see if someone could hang out, but I want a friend that can be last minute, not planned out 2 weeks in advance. I did have someone say, "Oh I was going to ask you to go for a walk while my husband was at work, but I have other plans now." Why is it that she could only hang out while her husband was at work? I mean I do understand that, she probably doesn't get to see him much and quality time with her husband is very important, but I want a friend that can hang out with me sometimes even if her husband is at home.


I did really purse a friendship this past April, I was very hopeful, we had a lot in common, we clicked easily, and she seemed to really want a friendship like I did. Well...she just stopped calling. I called her several times, and she never returned my calls. Just thinking about it makes me sad.... I don't know what I did, but I guess she didn't want to be my friend.

My husband is my best friend, he is great to listen to me even when I ramble on about stupid stuff or cry for no reason.

I just wonder, where are you girlfriend?

First tooth story

I find it fitting since my name is tooth girl I must give one of my tooth stories every once in a while. Well this one is more like, worst mouth I have ever seen story.
Ok, so I subbed at another dental office for a few hours this week (Dr.R), it was pretty much the worst 6 hours of my life. After rushing from the dental office I work at, literally rushing, I was changing my pants in the car while driving a stick shift and eating my lunch, I hardly made it to Dr. R's office in time. Of course my first patient was a half hour late so the whole rush thing didn't really need to happen.
Anyway, first patient.... yeahh half our late, he had major bone cancer so we weren't going to send him home for being late. I felt bad too.... he just had this hopeless look, a look that made want to hug him and say "it will be ok", the look of cancer a look that is all to familiar f)or me. Well then he opened his mouth.... so sad. He pretty much had any and everything that could ever happen in your mouth all happening at the same time. To name a few things:
-Rampant decay (every tooth that was left in his mouth was badly decayed)
-Halitosis (bad breath)
-Ulcers every where, too many to count
-Xerostomia (Dry mouth) so bad that my mirror stuck to the side of his check and ripped off part of his oral mucosa because there was NO saliva)
-Bleeding gums
-Periodontal disease: aka gum disease (this is how your teeth fall out)
-Heavy plaque and food debris

You know how it feels to have just one canker sore, well just imagine them everywhere.... not fun. Also imagine trying to swallow with no saliva, or chew food with no saliva, also not fun. Dental lesson for today: Saliva is a necessary component of the oral cavity, it not only aides in the digestive process but it helps keep your teeth clean and prevent decay.

I literally didn't know what to do.... It looked like it hurt so bad.... I didn't know how he could eat. He said that spicey food really irritated his mouth, yah think??
So I got out a tooth brush and just started to brush, to get off the big stuff, it was bleeding everywhere and I am sure it hurt but he just bit the bullet and endured the pain. Treatment recommendations for this patient: none. The only thing to do is extract teeth as they hurt otherwise leave them alone.
I felt helpless, like there wasn't anything I could really do. With everything else going on in his body teeth became unimportant, yet the way they look probably made him feel worse about himself. People teeth are important, you don't realize it until you don't have them.

Watoto

Fredrick -12, Andrew -7


Brett and I had the privilege of hosting some orphans from Uganda East Africa a few weeks ago, they were from the Watoto children's choir traveling across the US. I was delighted at the thought of having Ugandan children stay with me, without having to actually be in Uganda. I met them after work as they nervously stood outside my office wondering what kind of crazy Americans they were going to meet next. Francis-12, Andrew-7, and their host Fredrick- 26, politely shook my hand and introduced themselves in the most adorable accent. I already wanted to keep them! Although shy at first the boys opened up once they say we had an X-box with a soccer game. A once quite house became filled with the excitement of 2 young boys experiencing the joy of a remote control and a 55 inch TV playing their favorite sport.
The next day Brett took them swimming and to Focus on the Family for some play time at Whit's End. I unfortunately had to work, yuck, and was looking forward to the moment that I would get to go home and see them again. When I came home Andrew ran into my arms and said, " I am so glad you are home." That was probably one of the most cherished moments of my life. From then on Andrew was attached to me, wanting to always have a hug and follow me everywhere, he even helped me fry tortillas for our taco dinner.

We went to The MILL (college group) that evening for worship, since Fredrick was around our age. They all enjoyed it praising Jesus, dancing, and lifting their hands. At one point little Andrew, who had to sit next to me, poked me and said, "I just wanted to tell you that I love you." Awwwww my heart melted and the only response I had was to squeeze him and tell him that I loved him too. This boy had me, in only 2 days, it was as if he was trained.
I loved every moment with those boys, they brought a joy that is undeniable. I didn't have enough hugs to give them for all that they have missed out in life. Both orphaned at a young age from parents who had AIDS, they were not forgotten by Jesus. I am glad that they have Watoto, an organization that found them in need and brought them in, to a place where they find life again, life in Jesus.

The Watoto Choir did their last performance at our church on Sunday, after traveling for 6 months. We were able to see Francis, Andrew, and Fredrick a few weeks after their time with us, it was wonderful! I couldn't help but tear up as I watched and saw the joy in their hearts, and all of their talent. They sang, " I am not forgotten, God knows my name." Francis even had a dance routine with 3 other boys, he did great, I am so proud.

Oh, I can't forget to mention the mangos!! That is all they wanted to eat, Mangos! Forget, cookies, candy and ice cream and just buy mangos! I think they ate a total of 11 during their 3 days with us.

Andrew, Francis, and Fredrick, I will never forget you.



Video Game Time


My Andrew


Andrew, Fredrick, Francis, Jordan (my brother), Brett, Jenni

Pikes Peak

At the top 14,110 feet. I am so glad I did it!

Yes, I did it! I hiked up to the top Pikes Peak (a fourteener) from the bottom of Barr trail. I was not alone in this adventure, Brett went and so did our friends Mike and Carrie (they are amazing). We started bright and early at 5:28 am, (had to wake up at about 4am to start hiking that early). We headed up all 4 of us with camel backs, power bars, transformer pant/shorts, and the will to go 13 miles up hill. About half a mile into the hike we realized we were already getting hot (mind it was 6 am) so we declothed turning our pants to shorts and peeled off our long sleeved shirts. Carrie and I had a goal, to beat the 9 year old girl up who started the trail at the same time as us.

Things were going well at the beginning, there was a race accuring that same morning on the Barr trail up to the Barr camp (half way point to Pikes Peak), so we passed many enthusiastic high schoolers who were supplying gatorade a water. One group was even dress as Blue Man Group so it made our hike entertaining. Once we made it to the half way point, we ate, we peed, we stretched, and then we were back on our way. Carrie kept our minds off the hike by keeping conversation, I don't know how we kept conversation for 6.5 hours but somehow we did (girls are good at that). Carrie is just an easy person to be around, when I met her I though to myself, "I really want to be her friend."

So we hiked hiked hiked, got to A-Frame (10 mile point) and then hell began. Three miles uphill at about 12,000 feet and increasing, with no trees, neverending switch backs, Carrie out of water, Mike falling asleep and just about every muscle in our bodies sore. It was the longest 3 miles ever!!!!! We made it though, and it was worth every exhuasting step. More than anything it was just long..... 6.5 hours of hiking.

Our totals:
6.5 hours
12.6 miles
7,510 feet. (Started at 6,600 feet -ended at 14,110 at total elevation gain of 7,510)
28 sore muscles
temperature on the peak 51 degrees
temperature at the bottom 88 degrees
(and we did beat the 9 year old girl)

















The sun finally came up




This is where we started at 5:28am