Hello!!

I decide that I should either update my blog or delete it. As you can see, I decided to just update it. So you're all stuck with me.

I guess it makes sense to update my blog since i finally have something interesting to talk about. The hubster and I are going to be parents!!

This really isn't a new announcement, I'm already 24 weeks 5 days pregnant. We had an ultrasound at 18 weeks. Everything looks good! The baby was moving around and we even got a dvd of our little "bean"!

Jared and I decided not to find out the gender of our baby. We hear a lot of people say that they could not imagine not knowing, but we really want to be surprised. Not that it's that much of a surprise, it will either be a boy or girl. Our opinion is that all newborns need the same things, diapers, sleepers, onesies and a crib. I really don't think it matters if they are instantly cloaked in pink or blue to give them that "gender identity". Plus, by buying neutral now, we will be sure to have things for their future sibling or siblings.

I will try to update the blog more often. I have some belly pics and may even upload the ultrasound video.

it's been a while...

since I've blogged.

The holidays were wonderful. We got to spend time with my family for Christmas and then took a trip North to visit J's family in January. There is a new addition to the family. Her name is Katherine Elizabeth and she's our new niece! Just like our other niece, Alexa, her birthday is right before Christmas. Our holiday seasons are just destined to be busy!

We stayed with his sister and her husband for five days. We were glad to have the opportunity to have an extended visit with them. We are also glad they were willing to put up with us for so long! Katherine is very precious and we are looking forward to spending more time with her. we don't want to be the aunt and uncle that live so far away that she never sees us. I have some ideas in mind of things to make for her so that even when we aren't around, she can still know we are thinking of her. So many ideas, so little time.

There is another new addition I'd like to mention. Two of our close friends just welcomed a baby boy into their family on January 13. His name is William and is such a handsome little guy! We are so happy for them and look forward to watching him grow. Hopefully we can provide him with a friend in the near future...wink...wink.

This year I decided not to make resolutions...per se...but rather goals that I'd like to achieve in 2009. The major thing I would like to achieve is to become better organized. I know what you're thinking..."but she's already so organized!". Apparently I have you fooled. My house is ruled by clutter. I really need some help. I believe part of the problem is our packrat personalities. We always think "I better keep this...I may need it". That has to end. Despite it already being the 30th day of the new year, I am declaring, for all who read this blog, that:
I will stop saving every scrape of paper that enters my house.
I will file bill statements and sort through old magazines on a montly, if not bi-weekly basis.
I will purchase and USE organizational items such as plastic containers and baskets.
My mantra will be "I don't want to die in a house full of clutter."

You are now all witnesses to my goal. Help keep in line. Suggest methods of dealing with coupons, mail and bills. Inspire me.

I thank you all in advance. : )

quiz

I was reading my friends' blog and decided to take this quiz myself. This is my result:

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm an Extroverted Tree Hugging Reinventer

thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house again this year. We had a smaller crowd than last year because Jared's family was not able to join us. His sister is 8 1/2 months pregnant and didn't think she could comfortably make the 6 hour car ride to our house. His mom also decided to spend the holidays up north. Probably the biggest change from last year was the absence of five small puppies in our home. Last year Thanksgiving fell four days after Maya had her litter of puppies. We told her that we were most thankful that we were puppy-less this year.
The meal went off without a hitch, except for the massive turkey that we had. It was three pounds bigger than what I ordered and therefore barely fit in the roasting pan. It all worked out but we are defintely going to be eating a lot of turkey! Last year we had a frozen turkey and it actually turned out better than the fresh one we had this year. It was also much cheaper. Next year I'm going back to the frozen turkey.
Other than the holiday not too much is new around here. Our friends Mike and Jacqueline had a baby girl on Tuesday, November 25th. Congratulations and welcome Cadence! All we have are text message pics at this point so once we get some in person I will post them.

this could be my dog...

see more puppies

happiness is...

I can't just narrow it down to one thing. Instead I will give you a short list of my current favorite things:

our newly added DVR option

fall-everything about it, even the cooler temps

my new knee-high steeler black and gold striped socks (compliments of the knitters at the Ren Faire)

knowing that I need to go shoe shopping for winter since I've been wearing nothing but flip flops since May

That's about it for now. My list changes often but those are the things that have made me smile the most lately. I just wanted to share. : )

imho

I'm not a big political activist, but I just want to share this website with people who may be looking for some info on Barrack Obama.