Life As We Know It

 Lots has happened since my last post. I haven't posted since August but an actual update on our lives here in T-town hasn't happened since last March! Wow, I should really get with it huh?

Where do I even start?

I am still working with my little dude, he's still keeping me on my toes. On top of my little dude I took a job at the high school as a special education para-educator. I absolutely love being at the high school, I just wish school started at noon instead of 7:55! Justin is still working at the Sprint Store. He enjoys it to an extent but would love to catch a big break and get out of retail.

I did my first 5k in June with Miranda and Haylie (my sisters-in-law) we did the Color Run and it was a lot of fun! As much fun as it was, I dont think I'll do that one again. The powdered color got EVERYWHERE and did not come off as easy as they said it would.

I guess here goes the REAL news :)

 If you haven't heard yet, we are expecting a baby due in May! We are super excited and scared silly as this is a whole new adventure we are on. This is not only our first child, but this will be the first grandchild for both sets of our parents. The craziness has begun already and we are quickly approaching the holidays, which I already enjoy but I am over-excited this year. As new parents-to-be we of course have nothing ready and are in the process of remodeling! Over the past month and a half we have totally changed our second bedroom. Once its finished I'll post before/after pictures! We find out whether we are having a boy or a girl on December 12! Which is about a week earlier than normal, all thanks to my cousin Anna for harassing my Doctor (Anna is a nurse so this is not completely crazy). But my family has got their wish of finding out in enough time before Christmas so they can go shopping. As of this week I am 16 weeks, which puts me in my 4th month. Our actual due date is estimated for May 5, 2013. However they have also told me the 7 & 8th of May. Honestly I would like to skip the first week of May completely as a due date but I have no control over that! As for names, we haven't a clue. We have a list we've made when we come across a name we really like but as far as any that are pulling one way or another, nothing. I figure once we know whether its a boy or girl we'll figure it out.

Im super excited about the theme in the nursery! We are going with a unique theme that nobody has even heard of which makes it better for us! We are going with Wookie the Chew by James Hance. They are more than I can even ask for. Justin and I have always joked back and forth about when we have kids and the nursery theme. I grew up on Winnie the Pooh and he on Star Wars. So his argument for a nursery theme has always been Star Wars themed, and I've always said it would be Winnie the Pooh, then my argument changed to I didn't care if Winnie the Pooh was holding a light saber but Pooh was going to be in the room. Then on Pinterest I came across this amazing art that was Star Wars characters as Winnie the Pooh characters, my first reaction....THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!! But in reality it is super super cute! We ordered two of the pictures as of now and have pulled colors out of them to paint the room. The two we chose are:

I obviously chose the first picture and Justin chose the second. But there are LOTS more that I would love to add!

I've been super tired but trying to truck along. I got hit early with some migraines that would have killed for an Excedrin migraine and 2 sudaphed to take to help. After the couple rounds of migraines I got hit with a really awesome cold of some sort. It was the most awful thing to have in the first trimester because I really couldn't take anything to help. My Dr gave me a very low dose of an antibiotic but I finally kicked it after about two and a half weeks. In mid October we had a really big scare where we found out I was having a hemorrhage in my uterus and it was recommended I take it easy for a bit. I am luckily showing no signs of any further problems of the sorts and could not be more relieved. Now that Im in the second trimester the hormones have picked up and the random crying has hit, and I could not be more eager for that to go away. As of yesterday I officially cried at a commercial on TV. None other than an airline commercial for American Airlines where they have military personnel board first and as the young woman is boarding a bunch of older men stand up and salute her. Put me to tears immediately. I am ready to feel baby move, I think I've felt a thump once but that is it. The last sonogram we had baby was in there having a party. Im ready for Dec 12 for the next sonogram and find out what baby is!

Well I think thats all the news we have for now, I hope as the holidays are kicking off everyone is doing well and are preparing for a great holiday season!

The List: Describe 5 weaknesses and 5 strengths you have.

Ok so I've decided I was going to do two lists in one because lets face it who wants to only focus on their weaknesses?

So here goes my list of weaknesses...

1. Say NO!
I have a hard time saying "No" If I am asked to help by certain people or involving certain tasks. I have a heart to help everyone and try to do everything even if it is out of my control. I feel that some of the time people take advantage of this with me knowing that I will give up my own free time and needs to help them.

2. Sleep
I LOVE my sleep. I love my sleep so much that I will wake up at the minimum amount of time to get ready knowing that I will most likely be running late just to have 5 more minutes of sleep. This also affects my apprearance, no makeup, pony tail and be on my way. I also have the weakness of if I am tired enough I will fall asleep anywhere including driving

3. Holding back
I tend to hold my feelings in so I do not upset anyone else even if they upset me. There is a line in a TBS song that says "the truth is, you could slit my throat and with my one last gasping breath I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt" and that is me to the fullest extent. To save the confrontation and the possible arguement I will avoid the topic to keep the peace. This doesn't mean that I forget about the situation but I will be guarded from that point on and continue smiling like everything is ok. Does this fix the situation? No. How is the other person supposed to know they upset me if i dont tell them? I have no idea. So to speak my feelings get swept under the rug.

4. ADD
I have diagnosed myself with Adult ADD. I find myself losing concentration to move on to another task and then will come back to the first task. I will start cleaning the kitchen and remember I need to do something in the office and then remember that I need to throw in laundry which reminds me that I need to finish the kitchen. This started some years ago and was especially difficult when working on school papers and projects. This is why I must have background noise when working on anything and will typically be doing 87 things at once.

5. Assessing myself
I am a bad judge of myself. I tend to be to harsh or not give myself enough credit. For example when I graduated from Washburn University and was lining up I had no idea I was graduating with honors until Diane gave me my chord. Looking back I should have known I was doing so considering my grades but I just was oblivious. If I fall short of a task I tend to beat myself up, and if I am outstanding at something I blow it off and shrug my shoulders.

Ok so here goes the list of strengths...(should be easier, I hope)

1. Open Minded
I am very much a person who does not judge the book by the cover. I do not judge based on a different belief system from my own. I try not to get snippy with the drive thru person because they were snippy with me, I do not know what they are going through to cause this behavior. I try to smile at everyone I pass by and say Hello when I can. I love talking with others about things I have never heard of or an opposing opinion of my own. I love learning new things and look forward to meeting new people.

2. Big Heart
I have a big heart that wants to help everyone. Where this is a weakness it is also a strength. I give some the benefit of the doubt giving them an opportunity that others may not have given them because until I am proven otherwise everyone deserves a fighting chance. I will continue to help you until I find out you have either used me or are backstabbing me and then your chance is over.

3. Hope
I have hope. Hope that one day that everyone will love one another, that one day there will be worldwide peace, that all children will get equal education, that no person has to live in fear, that nobody is left out based on race, religion, name, color, sex, nationality, age, disability, creed or veteran status. I have hope that everyone will do the right thing, treat others the way you want to be treated. I have hope that one day there will be no homelessness, no unemployment, no hungry. Hope, if there is no Hope, what is left?

4. Faithful
If you mean something to me whether you are family, friends, an aquaintenance and sometimes even a complete stranger I will stand up for you until I am blue in the face. Do not talk badly about any of the listed around me without some form of rebuttle coming from me. I get very defensive over those I love even when I want to bop them over the head for something. They may drive me nuts or make me mad but dont you dare talk badly about them. I once took on an arguement in a class between two other classmates because I could help the one girl argue her point where the other girl was being completely rude and close minded towards her for an opinion answer. I could relate to this girl, whom I had never even spoken to based on her answer and me being able to relate to that. From that point on I had that girls back no matter what, and we became friends. 

5. Generous
I would rather give than receive. I enjoy seeing the joy and excitement on others faces rather than my own. I think of all the things I'd like to buy/make/give to other people. The holdiays are always exciting to me. If I had all the money in the world I would still be broke because I would buy everyone I know presents, all the time. Everytime I go to the store I think about buying a new toy for my little baby cousin or for our friends with babies on the way. Im constantly thinking about buying things for other people, its a fault but at the same time I just think its just a nice gesture. (I think)


Ok so those were kind of painful. Its hard to pick at yourself.

The List: Describe a typical day in your current life.

I cant say this post will be terribly exciting but here goes:

1. Alarm goes off at 9:00 a.m.-hit snooze
2. Alarm goes off at 9:05 a.m.-hit snooze
3. 2nd Alarm goes off at 9:09a.m.-hit snooze
4. 1st Alarm goes off at 9:10 a.m. - hit snooze
5. Repeat above steps until alarm shuts itself off and Justin wakes me up at 10:00 a.m.
6. Eat Breakfast
7. Watch The Price Is Right (10-11)
8. Walk/Eliptical
9. Decide I'm going to get something done today but instead get stuck at the computer and watching reruns of Greys Anatomy
10. Shower
11. Eat Lunch before work
12. Leave for work at 3:15/3:20
13. Arrive at work 3:45/3:50
14. Work 4-8p.m. (table sessions, video games, jumping on the trampoline, swinging, running around to catch Little Dude, puzzles, match games, walking around the block, tickles, hide&seek, cuddles, marble table, reading, writing, and on and on)
15. Leave for home
16. Arrive home 8:30/8:45
17. Eat Dinner
18. Watch DVR'd shows
19. Watch the News (why? Im not sure)
20. While doing tasks 17-19 am on computer typically either on facebook, pinterest, or ancestry.
21. Finally call it a night anywhere from 11:30p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Im a night owl)

Repeat.

Rather sad I know.

Goals:
Get up earlier.
Go to bed earlier.
Get more done.

The List: Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

Again a list where things immediately come to mind. These are vague but here goes.

1. When the bottom of my pant legs get wet when its been raining outside. Especially when I am wearing flip flops.

2. Ignorance. I know people can't help it but the close minded ignorance peeves me beyond being able to explain it.

3.Bad Drivers. The lingering drivers in the left lane, the ones who feel the need to cut off people when there appears to be no reason, the ones who dont stop at cross walks when there is someone standing there, the people who feel the need to pass on the right side, or when there are signs that say to merge one way or another and fail to do so until there is no more room to do so.

4. Ripped Books. I cringe when I see a child rip a book or see someone rip or bend a cover. I know accidents happen but I like my books to be in the best conditions they can be. As much as I love the libraries and absolutely HATE the thought of them being extinct someday I would rather buy my own brand new copy of a book than get a used book.

5. I have to make the bed before I get into it. If it is not made a certain way I can't handle it.

6. Poor Grammar. Improper uses of your, you're, their, there, effect, affect are, our. When the weather guy on 27 news says "take your tornado shelter" when we are in a tornado warning...I mean really where am I taking it? 

7. People who post things on public sites and/or brings up certain topics and then when asked about or confronted about the situation state they do not want to talk about it.

8. People who get pets knowing they can't take care of them. Especially ones who get a pet and have to get rid of it and then get another pet because "this time its different" Pets are forever not until something else comes along. Pets get attached and removing them from familiar situations because of your own selfishness is not acceptable. If you don't believe pets get attached you are a pet peeve of mine.

9. People who know EVERYTHING and you can never have a different opinion of the topic from them.

10. When people assume and make judgements based on those assumptions.

The List: Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Well Im sure there are multiple that could be named here. But the one that first comes to mind is when I was in Junior High I was a cheerleader. During pep rally's I was in charge of the sound system for the drill team. The way the sound system worked was if you pushed the tape option twice it turned on the radio. There was no light that indicated that the button had already been pushed or not. So the pep rally was going on Mr. Brown one of our coaches had just finished his big pep talk to get the team and all the school and Im not sure who took the podium after him but as they said "Thank you Mr. Brown" I pushed the tape button on the stereo right as the song "Sheep Go to Heaven" by Cake came on right at the point where the song says "go to hell" so....she said "Thank you Mr. Brown" "go to hell" needless to say I hit the button again as fast as I could and realized the entire school was looking at me. I've provided a link to video for the song in case you've never heard it or want to reminisce.

The List: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

Oh wow. Its funny how certain topics immediately give you answers but yet you have a hard time putting words to it. Here goes my list.

1. Mom. She's someone who has ALWAYS been there for me. She taught me from the beginning to be me, don't settle. Mom is a woman who wont back down when someone says she can't or shouldn't and passed that on to me. Mom is one of the strongest persons I have ever known. She smiles when she wants to cry, she yells when she cares, and she encourages when you need it most.

2. Justin. Is my best friend. He balances me out the way nobody else could. He has taught me to be calmer, patient, and think about the alternative options. Justin makes me laugh when I need it most, knows when I need support and encourages me to be more outgoing.

3. Nana. In the 16 years I had a pleasure of knowing her she taught me to be strong-willed, independent, and not to back down when times get tough. She was very much our matriarch of the family and showed unconditional love.

4. Diane McMillan. Diane taught me how to let things go. She is one of the most beautiful spirited persons I have the pleasure of knowing. She taught me Health Realization and how I have the power to let things bother me or let them go and realize that its not worth getting worked up over.

5. Jeremy Landis. Jer taught me how to love Jesus. He was my 3rd Youth Minister. He had a way about him that I could relate to. Jer helped me through a difficult time and was very supportive.

6.7.8.. Jayda, Micheala, Braedyn. These three have influenced me in a way that no-one else could. They push me to be a better person. I want to be someone they look up to and can talk to about anything and everything. I want them to know that I care and will support them in everything they do.

9.10.  Evan (John & Veronica) and Ty (Scott & Jessica). These two families are inspirational. Even though not the same family or even the same obstacles they will face. These two sets of parents are the strongest, most heartwarming parents. They are strong, compassionate, and wonderful.

The List: What are 5 passions you have?

Well considering I started this more than a week ago I should try to make this list happen.

I feel like I am a pretty passionate person about a lot of things but when it comes down to listing them I am drawing a blank.

1. Patriotism. I am my Great-Grandmothers, Granddaughter. If you hear the national anthem, you stop, remove your hat, place your hand on your heart and look for the flag. You don't let the flag touch the ground. You show your support to those in uniform by smiling at them. When you find out someone is a veteran you say "Thank You" I dont care if you saw war or didn't. If you served for MY freedom, I thank you.

2. Pictures. Yes photography plays a huge roll in this but I am passionate about the pictures themselves. I have a fear of losing pictures. Especially pictures I can't replace such as pictures of grandparents or yearbooks. I think pictures are some of the most prized possessions you can have. You can't ever get the same picture twice as much as you try, it just doesn't happen.

3. Family. My family means more to me now than it ever has. Things are constantly changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not for the better. But they are family. We may not always like each other, and may not always see eye to eye. But they are family. I am an only child, my Parents mean the world to me. All of them have molded me to who I am today.

4. Raising Awareness about things that are dear to me. Down Syndrome, Autism and Child Abuse Prevention are my top three. I have found a passion for sharing these causes with others. I have been a part of Step Up for Down Syndrome the past 2 years and looking at our 3rd year. I have big plans for this year. I have always been interested in learning about Autism and have now jumped full fledged into it by now working with my little dude. And as far as Child Abuse Prevention, I have been passionate about that cause the longest. If you want any further information please visit. Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City Autism Speaks Prevent Child Abuse America

5. History. I have always been a freak when it comes to learning about history. I love visiting historic sites, historic buildings, hearing where people came from such as Ancestry. I think its important to learn history, without history we wouldn't be here. History molds us to who we are, how our families act, where we are going to go. Its everything.

Ok, so I could have elaborated a little more about each of these but lets face it, its taken me over a week and several hours to get this far. If you want to discuss any  of these in further detail, Let me know. :)