Updates on Us

Things sure have been crazy around here lately! Here is a quick rundown of what's new with Josh and me.

• We are still looking for a house.  The few that we have found that we actually liked have been short-sales, and those are tricky to get into.  We are hoping the First Time Homebuyer tax credit will be extended into 2010, but if not, we still plan on buying in the next few months.
• I have been busy taking, editing, and printing photos lately from various adventures.  I have a real-live session coming up with a friend of mine and her toddler son.  I would love to someday make photography a full-time gig, but for now I will settle for it being a much-loved hobby.
• I recently went on a hunting trip with my dad, and while tromping through the woods, I strained my lateral collateral ligament in both legs (it runs along the outside of each knee), which is in turn causing the meniscus of each knee to be pinched (the meniscus is the cushion in the knee joint).  I am using oral anti-inflamatories, and also an anti-inflammatory cream.  That is in addition to doing my own physical therapy both at home and in the clinic I work at.  All of this has put a serious damper on my hunting season.  Its hard to walk through clearcuts when each steps brings you to near-tears!
• I have just begun (today, actually) my Esther bible study by Beth Moore.  It took me a while to track down the book, but I finally found a local store that carries it.  I also downloaded the mp3's off of iTunes, and am all gear up to begin!  I already have three more 90 day devotionals lined up for once this one is completed.

That's it for now!  God bless!

Amy's Freshman Homecoming

Head over to my photography blog to see some edited photos from two weeks ago... she looks beautiful and sooooooooo much older than she really is!!

Blogging Women of Glory: Crystal, of "Boobs, Injuries, and Dr Pepper"

Note:  This week is a kind of two-for-one special!  I'm featuring two bloggers in one post!!


To preface this post, let me explain the concept of this weekly feature.

I plan to feature a different blogging woman each week, with highlights of her blog, interesting facts about her, and why I am addicted to reading her blog each and every day.

And yes, this may make me sound stalker-ish.

Publish Post

But I'm okay with that.

Here it goes!

Crystal of "Boobs, Injuries, and Dr Pepper"

If you haven't read Crystal's blog, you must.  Like right now.  She's hilarious.

And an excellent writer.  Her "Finley" story is awesome.

And the thing I like most about Crystal, is that she is real.  She has made some mistakes in her life recently, and has publicly dealt with them.  She confessed, discussed, and is moving on.  She didn't try to sugarcoat anything; she laid it all out on the line.  And I respect her for that.  Because well, that takes guts.

Crystal's husband, Chris, has his own blog too.  This guys is just as hilarious.  And he's just as honest as Crystal.  He commonly features funny videos and pictures he comes across online, and blesses us all by sharing them on his site.  Chris is also a great storyteller, and his fishing stories are the best!!

If you need a laugh, or some entertainment, check these two out!!

P.S. - I know, I know... I forgot to do a post last week....Go ahead and slap me on the back of the hand.

Wenatchee Hunting Trip

This past weekend, my dad and I took a trip over the mountains to Eastern Washington.  We have a family friend who lives there, and we planned to meet up with him and spend opening weekend of modern deer season scouring canyons and valleys for big bucks.

I didn't take many photos, because if I carried my Nikon around in my pack, it would be in a million pieces (I tend to be rather clumsy).  Therefore, I left it in the truck, and snapped pictures while we drove.  I did pack my old Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot camera, but the battery was almost dead, and it just takes crappy pictures.

Here are a few pictures I did take while up in the canyons near Rock Island Dam.

Wow... I just realized I took more pictures than I thought!

We didn't end up with any deer this weekend, but the trip was still definitely worth it.  Getting the chance to spend time with my dad is always a blessing.  He truly is one of my closest and best friends.  We got to spend 4 days straight together, doing something we both love, in some of the most beautiful countryside around.

Memories like that can't be beat.

Beth Moore's Esther Bible Study

I have been trying to run lately, mostly in the mornings before work. I planned to run today, since I haven't gotten to since Friday morning. However, hiking all weekend through CANYONS made up for it I think. And, my knees are killing me. Running tonight wouldn't have worked so well. I'll give it a shot tomorrow morning though.

I have decided to embark on the Beth Moore Esther bible study. I was actually able to find the audiobook version on iTunes, and have since downloaded it. Now, my plan is to listen to it while I run. I can make it through 1-2 sessions during my scheduled run time.

Anyone currently reading her book, or listening to the audiobook version? Wanna join along on my journey? Leave me a comment if so... I'm considering starting up a forum for this discussion!

Yes, I Am A Bad Blogger

I know, I know.  I am two days behind on posting.  But I've been busy!

My dad and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon for a 4 day hunting trip.  I am so excited!!  I have been trying to gather all my necessities, and trying even harder to stuff them into one small bag.

I will try to post pictures from this past weekend tonight or tomorrow morning, as well as try to catch up to the posts I am behind on!

I Hate It

I hate it.

I hate crying at random moments, for reasons not obvious to an outsider.

I hate knowing that right now, I would be 33 weeks, 4 days along with my first child.

I hate knowing that November 27th is quickly sneaking up on me, and I will not be spending those days in the hospital, with a warm, snuggly new bundle in my arms.

I hate seeing other pregnant women, who have never had the innocence of pregnancy taken away from them by a lost baby.

I hate knowing that I had every single detail planned out for this baby, and had those dreams ripped away.

I hate feeling like there was something I did wrong, something I could have done to prevent it. And feeling completely helpless.

I hate knowing that this has happened twice.

I hate the logical part of my brain, that says "Wait a few years. Wait until you are married to Josh, have a house, and have your career."

I hate the illogical part of my brain, that says "There is no need to wait. You should have this now."

I hate hiding it from people, hate feeling like I want to talk about it too much or too often.

I hate feeling like God has let me down. I know He has a plan for Josh and I. But right now, I think His plan stinks. I hate that I have a hard time turning my life over to God now. I know that God will only give me what I can handle. But right now, I'm feeling like I can't handle this.

Not Me! Monday

In keeping with my schedule, here is this week's Not Me! Monday!



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week, I certainly did not follow MckMama's lead by throwing a clean sock into the laundry hamper, because I knew its match was in there waiting to be washed, and figured "Hey, one more wash won't hurt it!".  I also did not make my boyfriend watch the "20 Years, 20 Duggars" special on TV.  I would never even dream about trying to hog the remote control!  I also did not act like a creeper, and get pictures with Jeremy, Molly, and Amy from "Little People, Big World".  That would just be tacky.  And I, would never do that.  Nope!

Add your own Not Me!'s to the list!

Feeling Frumpy

Do you ever have those days, or weeks, or months, where you just feel frumpy? Like you've gotten so busy with life, that you forget to take care of yourself?  I'm having some of those feelings.

People always say that once you meet someone, become serious, fall in love, etc., that you start to let yourself "go".  I never believed that.

Me?  I'm always going to put effort into how I look.  Gonna keep getting my pedicures, gonna keep getting my acrylic nails filled, gonna keep up with my every-6-weeks hair cut/color routine.  Gonna keep working out.  Gonna keep shopping.  Gonna keep tanning.

Yeah.  Freaking.  Right.

I have really been slacking lately.  Sure, I shower daily, dry and straighten my hair, apply makeup everyday.  But recently, I have lived in tennis shoes, jeans, and a t-shirt or sweatshirt.  No dressing up, no heels, no cute blouse-type tops. 

No coloring my hair.  No pedicure since I was preparing to leave for Hawaii.  No acrylic nails since the ones I got before Hawaii fell off.  Definitely no working out like I used to.  No shopping for clothes (except hunting gear).  No tanning.

And I miss all that stuff!  I miss feeling girly, and frilly, and getting dressed up.  I guess I haven't had much of a reason to lately.

Its hard to justify spending time on all that stuff, when I feel like its almost for nothing.

But then I realize something.  It isn't for nothing.

Its for me. 

And I am important enough to deserve that stuff!

So, here is my new plan:

Today, I ran before work.  And loved it.  I also painted my toe nails.  Shaved my legs.  Curled my hair.  Dressed up for work.  Made myself a mocha at home.  Tonight after work, I'm going to go tan.  Next week I have a hair appointment AND a massage scheduled.  And I plan on continuing to work out more.  And buy dressier, more mature, more professional-like clothes.  And get back down to the size I was before I met Josh.

Why?  Because I'm worth it.

Roloff Farm.... Here I Come!!

This weekend will prove to be a busy one!

Tonight, after I get off work around 7 PM, Josh and I have plans to either go to dinner, or to a movie, or something of that nature.

Saturday morning, Josh is going fishing, and I will be cleaning!  After he returns, we are going to watch his 10-year-old cousin J. play football!  I am so excited, because this kid looks so stinkin' cute at everything he does!  He's a hoot.  Then, we are meeting our realtor to look at a house!  I am VERY excited for that!!  Then, Saturday night will be filled with hanging out with one of Josh's co-workers and his friend.  We have a very full day planned!

Then, Sunday, my family is taking a trip down to Oregon to visit the Roloff Farm, from the TLC show "Little People, Big World".  They have pumpkins and all sorts of other attractions there!  I think Jess is coming with us too!  I wish Josh could come, but he will be busy working.

I plan to take my camera along everywhere this weekend, and hope to have lots of pictures to post soon from this weekend's adventures!

Ciao!

Recipe Box: No-Bake Cookies!

Today I am featuring a recipe near and dear to my heart.  My mom has made these cookies for as long as I can remember, and I know her mom makes them as well.  They are a combination of some of my favorite ingredients, and are a sort of comfort food for me.  They are also quick to make, and a great for a last minute dessert!

Please forgive me for not including pictures this time.... I will try to take some tonight to add to the post!

No-Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
4 tsp. dark cocoa
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
2 2/3 cups instant oatmeal
1-2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut (optional)

Boil the sugar, milk, cocoa, and butter for 1 1/2 minutes in a large saucepan.

Remove from heat, and add peanut butter, oatmeal, vanilla, and coconut (if you wish!).  Stir together.

Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto wax paper or aluminum foil.  Let cookies sit under hard.  Then, you can peel them from the paper or foil, and enjoy!

(And, if no one is watching, you can eat the dough still warm from the pan with a spoon!  Yummy!)

Happy cooking,

Blogging Women of Glory - The Pioneer Woman

To preface this post, let me explain the concept of this weekly feature.

I plan to feature a different blogging woman each week, with highlights of her blog, interesting facts about her, and why I am addicted to reading her blog each and every day.

And yes, this may make me sound stalker-ish.

But I'm okay with that.

Here it goes!

The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond


Ree Drummond, who calls herself "The Pioneer Woman", is a blogger from Tulsa, OK.

She is a superwoman, with a can-do attitude to match.  She is a homecooking-meets-gourmet whiz in the kitchen.  She can shoot photographs with the best of them.  She homeschools all four of her "punks" as she calls them.  She is married to her own personal Marlboro Man.  And I want to be Just.  Like.  Her.

I have been following The Pioneer Woman for quite some time, after being turned onto her blog from my cousin Amanda.  Even if her blog featured just one area of interest, such as cooking, or photography, or ranch life, or home and garden, I would still keep coming back for more.

She is just that good.

Ree is hilarious.  Hands down.  Just check out her post about a recent date with Marlboro Man.  She has the uncanny ability to say exactly what every woman has thought as some point or another.  And then, she makes you feel okay about being a crazy, hormonal, sensitive woman.  Because hey, she is too!

Then there are her recipes.  Ree is the reason I have gained 3 5 10 pounds lately.  Her food is just amazing.  So amazing in fact, that she has a cookbook debuting this month!  Find it on Amazon.com.  Just search for "The Pioneer Woman".

I could go on and on about The Pioneer Woman.... but then she might report me for stalking.

If you haven't read her blog yet, check her out!  (And buy her cookbook!)

New Features!

I am so excited to be debuting some new weekly features on my blog, as well as re-introducing an older one. Here is a tentative schedule for each week:

Monday:  Not Me! Monday
Tuesday:  My Walk With God
Wednesday:  Blogging Women of Glory
Thursday:  Recipe Box
Friday:  Randomness...

I'm hoping that by setting a schedule for myself, it will force me to blog more often.

Also, I've been considering giving my blog an actual name instead of just using my name.  Because my name is just kind of boring....

But we'll see.

So there it is!  Some changes like I promised!  Hopefully there will still be one or two more changes coming soon...

Get Ready....

Hopefully, exciting things will be happening soon on my blog!  I'm ready to make some big changes, and hope you all will provide suggestions/feedback regarding these changes!