In the News

I know it's been a few weeks since I last wrote, but I was hoping that the next time I wrote in here I would have baby pictures to show. Unfortunately, for me, I am now 2 days late. 2 days late and no signs of giving birth anytime soon. I think he must be too comfortable in there. Oh well, if I don't have him by the 31 they will induce me. I must say that I REALLY hope to go before then.

Happier news though is that Kaily is POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She does great except for naps and night time. She will get there though. Anyway, she decided on Jan 15 that she wanted to use the toilet and not her diapers anymore. She has never gone back since and if you ask her if she wants a diaper on she will tell you in a very matter-of-fact tone, "I am not a baby, I don't need diapers!" I can't tell you how happy I am that she just decided to do this all on her own. I wasn't even going to approach the idea until after the baby was born. I'm glad she has a mind of her own.

Other news...We decided not to apply to SUU. The information they sent us on the classes Clint would need was unclear and after doing some investigating we found out that he would have to take 3 more classes than we thought he would have to. Knowing he couldn't get the three done before classes started in Aug we opted to try for the Spring, if we need to. We did apply to Weber and will also still apply to UVSC.

Other than still being pregnant, I am doing well. Kaily keeps me really busy with the many books she wants to read, playing My Little Pony, getting the baby stuff ready (which means to Kaily taking it all apart and trying to put it back together) and the many other games she likes to play. I have been trying to make dinner every night so that we don't have to go out. I have tried to schedule my menus, but the truth is I now just plan on what I want for the week and leave it at that. I can't seem to follow a schedule for meals. So, in case you all are wondering what we may be having this week, until we have the baby that is, I have posted it here.

Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Jello and Rolls--This is what we had today.

Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish rice (left over from last week), Rolls and a side Salad

Spaghetti & Salad

Left overs

Now all I have to do is figure out what to do for Family night. I think we might have Kaily make a poster for the baby for when he comes home. She loves to draw and color, so I think that's what we might do, we'll see though. I know tomorrow she has asked me to make blueberry cornmeal pancakes. They are her favorite.

One down...

We finally got one of Clint's applications out. We are so excited, it's the one to Weber State. We should find out in March if he is accepted. The next one to go is SUU. That one has to go out on Saturday and then we find out in the end of March about that one. The last one we have to is for UVU, formally known as UVSC. That application isn't due until March and we find out in April. So hopefully by the end of this semster we will know where we are going to be for the next 4 years, at least. 


Yesterday we had an early birthday party for Kaily. Her birthday isn't actually until February, but I didn't want to deal with it then. So, we had it now, before my life turns upside down. I put her hair in curlers and she looked like, well, I think she looked like she had Shirley Temple hair. It was really cute. When her real b-day comes around then we will just a have a small family get together at Grandma's house. 


It has finally snowed enough to make a snowman. Kaily and Daddy had a blast making this one. Kaily insisted that she get to help put the eggs on the snowman. I honestly think Clint had more fun putting it together than Kaily did. She can't wait to build another one and every time she sees snow falling she beggs to go make one.

Changes

20 more days left, that's all I have until our baby is born. It seems in so many ways that I'm not ready and in other ways I can't wait. Does that sound terrible? I hope not.... It seems like the closer it gets the more tired I become. I can always tell when it's 4:00, I can't keep my eyes open. The bad part is that Kaily takes her nap from 2-3 and by 4 I want to sleep. Thankfully, Kaily is really good about letting me take a 15 min power nap with out getting into trouble.

Kaily has started a new phase in her development. The defiant one. It's driving me crazy! For the most part she is a great kid, but sometimes she whines for no reason, other than to try to get me to pay attention to her. I wish I knew what to do with her when she's like that. At least she doesn't throw tantrums as bad any more.

Clint started school on Thursday. He did pass his CNA exam and will be looking to get a job in that department in the near future. I think I enjoy reading his text books more than anything else right now. I know that sounds weird... Shutdown is almost done at the Temple and then he will go back to working nights. It's been really nice having him home at night. I'm with Kaily all day and then when he goes to work sometimes it's hard to stay sane all night long. It'll be interesting when there is two of them and Clint is never around due to school and work. I think we'll be okay though.

It's amazing how others trials can put your life into perspective. I have recently had the opportunity to talk with a variety of people who are going through various challenges in their life. I am so grateful for the gospel and all that it teaches us. Honestly, I don't know how people can manage without the knowledge of the atonement. It gives us such amazing peace. I know we don't live in the best apartment and we don't have a ton of money, nor do we have a lot of stuff, but the truth is we are truly happy. I am so grateful for Clint and his example to me. Yes, he does drive me crazy sometimes, but what husband doesn't. I can see him learning and growing is so many ways, it's actually very awesome to watch. In watching him grow I see myself growing also. It's funny to me when people complain that their spouse is no longer the person they were when they got married. How many people do you know that stay the same over the years? I figure as long as the growth is for the better, or it's something one is willing to work on than what's the problem with them changing? I guess what all this comes down to is that I am thankful for my life, even the challenges I face. It IS all about the journey.

A year gone by

I can't believe another year has gone by. This pic is of the Parthenon in Athens Greece, I thought is was beautiful! So much has happened this year. We have been very fortunate and are very grateful for the many things we have been able to achieve. I wanted to take this time to look back at what this year has brought us and some things we are grateful for...

We are so grateful to be able to watch Kaily grow in the gospel. She is a constant reminder of why we are here and what we can become. We are grateful for the knowledge we have of our Savior and his life. I am grateful I was able to teach about him and his Apostles this last year in Gospel Doctrine class. I was able to learn so much and have my testimony strengthened. I think that covers all our blessings also.

This year we were able to go to Disney World to watch Clint run their Half Marathon. Our goal is to have me do it next year, 2009, and he will try for the Marathon. It was great to see him work so hard for something and be able to do so well. It took him less time than he thought it would and if he had known more about what he was doing he would have done much better. We had a great time with some of his family that went with us. My highlight was dancing in Animal Kingdom. I was chosen form the audience to dance with an African group. It looks like my Latin Dance and Ballroom dance came in handy. If you want to know more you'll have to ask. (= Kaily had a great time looking at the animals there and thought Disney World was the best place. She talked about it for days.

In June we went to Havasupai. It is a village by the Grand Canyon. The hike was 10 miles down and when you're pregnant it can seem longer. The falls are beautiful and I am so glad we went. This trip we also did with Clint's family. It was kind of a family reunion thing. We will definitely do this again. The hardest part for Clint was packing Kaily down and the hardest part for me were the 3 miles of 40% grade switch-backs at the end of the trip. Hopefully next time I will be in much better shape and not be caring a baby in the tummy.

The rest of the year has been filled with getting Clint through the semester of Physiology and doctors appointments. We are VERY grateful to be done with one and almost done with the other. The baby is due in 3 weeks from tomorrow! It's hard to believe that. Now if we can only get the Nursing applications out then I will be worry free. Happy New Year to everyone and we wish you the best.