Yay for good news!!!

I’m back! I’m blogging…my dad says, “it’s about damn time.” January has been a crazy month for me. It turns out I’m pregnant. I say that as though I had no idea…and that’s not true. We planned and it happened so quick I was shocked and excited and shocked, and mostly excited! I found out the day I got to Cancun that I was pregnant. I tested abnormally early and got a positive and couldn’t believe my eyes. God was just telling me a bit early so he could make sure I was extra careful on my trip. Unfortunately I may have been so careful that I didn’t get my full fun out of Cancun. Maybe some day I’ll return and try again. I was a nervous wreck. It is my first child and I wanted this so badly I didn’t know what was acceptable. When we were on the speed boats the ocean was so choppy I kept telling Zach to slow down because I was afraid he was going to knock the baby loose. Poor Zach. When we went zip lining I thought the harness would suffocate the little fella’. I had to decide, me or the baby…well that’s what I thought I was choosing between. Turns out I was too scared to fall so I wouldn’t loosen the harness. I really wanted to though. Also turns out stuff like that doesn’t suffocate babies. If anyone’s unsure about child bearing call me, I’ve researched it all! When we got back from Cancun the sickness kicked it. Thank you for not letting me be sick in Cancun. In the last month I’ve lost about 10 pounds. Maybe a couple of those pounds were lost in Cancun because I was afraid of much of the food. Ok so in January I’ve lost 8 pounds. I love to eat, I loved to eat. I never want to eat again. I really don’t. I have aversions to almost every food known to man. As I sit here there is nothing I can imagine eating that would make me happy. I lied, a lemon. I peel them and eat them like oranges. Those are yummy. Don’t worry hygienists in the family, I brush after! I told my parents the day we got home from Cancun. In dad fashion I heard, “it’s about damn time”. I wonder on days if I’ll get more than that but I think that means “congrats, this grandchild will be my favorite”. Sorry Cori, there’s only room for one! Just kidding, I don’t think Launa or Teiha could get beat out! Anyway, I wanted all my family and friends to hear the good news. I’m 10 weeks today and so excited. The doctor said I was pretty much out of the danger zone so that’s why I’m announcing it now. I know anything can happen so keep us in your prayers. I’m so excited and I feel like at this point in my life I’ve never wanted anything so bad. We had an ultra sound today. I didn’t scan the picture but have a pretty good idea of what I saw so I drew it for you all to get an idea of what my little baby looks like. It’s not to scale, apparently it’s the size of a Brazilian nut. Whatever that size is. That’s according to my weekly pregnancy calendar I get emailed to me! I love you all!!

Cancun!!!

Yay!! I’m finally writing a blog. I’ve been so busy with finals that I haven’t had time to write anything, nor have I had any motivation. Audrey, this is for you…now when are you going to update? I know finals are over, don’t kid yourself.
Zach and I went with some friends to Cancun for a week this last week. The each day on the trip one of us would say to the other couple “so, are you going to want to be our friends after this?” ha ha…we had soooo much fun. I’ll tell you EVERYTHING that happened but that means it’s going to be a looong blog. Dad says I can talk and I’m showing him it’s true.

The front of our hotel

The view from our balcony
When we got there we checked into our hotel and we were early for dinner so we decided to just walk around and acquaint ourselves with our new surroundings. There were Iguanas everywhere. They were huge too!

We walked to one of the big markets where they sell things and Preston, one of the people we went with, allowed me to believe that I could barter with anyone. He said that I could literally name my price and they would sell me whatever I wanted. Are you kidding me? Is it true? I’m here to tell you it’s not true. I wasn’t even shooting low on my prices because I was feeling bad for these people and they seriously kept laughing in my face. “You too low, you gotta let me make money. You are crazy, you don’t know what you’re buying here…this is real cotton…” Blah! I didn’t buy anything because I couldn’t even believe they laughed so hard. Rude. The next day we went on this boat tour where you take a speed boat through the “jungle”, maybe 16 miles they say, to this place where you go scuba diving. Let me tell you what an experience that was. I have always loved water. I love going to the lake and wake boarding and swimming and everything that comes with it. I lived not far from a beach for many years and to my knowledge I would always get in and have me a swim. Well, here we are in this gorgeous ocean about to scuba. Don’t you worry…I jump in the water and I’m pretty sure my scuba gear isn’t even on, therefore I have yet to put my head in the water. Yep, sure enough I see a shark. I start screaming, “Shark. Shark.” Zach grabs my arm and tells me to calm down. There aren’t any sharks. Ok so maybe I didn’t see a shark but I’m pretty sure at the time I thought I did. Then all of the sudden I realize there are tons of fish right next to me…uh duh…what did I think we were going scuba diving to see? Sunken ships? I started crying and really wanted to go back to the boat. After Zach calmed me down again I got brave and continued with the scuba experience. It really was an amazing experience and I’m so happy that I did it. I come home to find out from my mom that when we went to the beach I was scared of the ocean then too! Oops… The next day we went zip lining through this most incredible jungle I have ever seen. It consisted of 11 zip lines through the jungle 120 feet off the ground. I am deathly afraid of heights…I know, you’re thinking it seems I’m afraid of everything…it’s true, I am! I graciously let our guides know that I was freaking out and they took such good care of me! It was the most fun I’ve ever had. After we zip line they take you on a mountain biking trail. It was neat but the only thing I learned from that is I hate exercise and that’s why I’m getting fat. Now that’s not a very good life to live. I just have to figure out what to do about it. Most likely call the Mendenhall’s for help and learn to run or something! I’ve noticed Stacey and Ryan have gotten pretty good and I’m thinking there could someday be hope for me too! Anyway, the mountain bike trail took us to this sink hole or “cenote”. It was several hundred feet deep of natural water, no salt. It was amazing. There was a zip line that you could take in, but there was quite a drop. I never got in because it had snakes and…well…it had snakes! Later that night my amazing friends entered me into a singing competition. Don’t worry, I won. Yep it’s true. I know dad, I’ve been trying to tell you it’s my calling. I mean sure it wasn’t about who sung the best, it was about who knew the most songs, but is that really the point here? We did so many things this week scuba, zip line, boat tours, mountain bike, lay out, eat, swim, boogie board, almost get killed by the boogie board, bleed because of almost getting killed by the boogie board, convince myself a shark would find me if I’m bleeding in the ocean, run out of ocean, trip on rock, get stung by something that’s not right (that was Zach by the way) and it was such a good time to just get away from reality…work, school…um, well work and school! The locals in Cancun are so much fun to be around and they teach you so much. We asked so many questions and they were always gracious enough to educate us. I learned on this trip that I’m not graceful and I had many injuries not necessarily worth discussing. Know that I’m ok and we made it out alive. However, the plane ride home was horrifying and I’m embarrassed to say that I cried. So what you guys learned from this trip is that I’m a crybaby. You can also take with you that I have the most patient husband on earth who will get me through anything with so much love and attention I wouldn’t know what to do without him. It’s good to be home and eating good food again!

Some random snake we found at the mall named "Tiny"

Holiday Tag...Thanks Amy!

I just got so excited!! I’ve never been tagged before…ever! I’ve always wondered what it was like to do a tag.

Top 3 Vacations
1. Cancun – I assume…I’m going in 6 weeks so I will later confirm.
2. Georgia – since that is where my fabulous family resides.
3. Not a huge traveler so I’ll stick with the two for now!

Top 3 Favorite Flowers
1. Daisies – My wedding flower.
2. Lily's – Another wedding flower.
3. Birds of Paradise – Also part of my wedding.

Top 3 favorite comfort foods – I would like to preface this with it’s really rude to make someone pick their top 3 favorite comfort foods…
1. My mom’s fried chicken and fried potatoes.
2. My mom’s meatloaf – I’m not just making that up either.
3. My mom’s enchiladas.
4. My mother-in-law’s chicken with lemon chive sauce.
5. Bagel sandwiches.
6. Plain bagel extra toasted with garlic schmear.
7. Pickled cherry peppers.
8. My mom’s fried pork chops.
9. Lot’s of other food I’m sure my mom would fry for me
~This my friends is why I had to quit my skinny jeans!

Top 3 Places to Shop
1. Nordstrom – mostly for the Mac makeup…ADDICTION!
2. Gap
3. Yep, no more of a shopper than I am a traveler. We’ll call it good at two.

Top 3 Opinions About Halloween – I will try to keep the Halloween Grinch to a minimum.
1. Carving pumpkins is lame!
2. I don’t even get candy because I don’t have kids and the candy I do buy the kids come to my door and steal. AND when they come to the door I feel all awkward and wonder what I’m suppose to say. Ugh…I’m working on it I swear.
3. I do love to decorate my house for Halloween. I just don’t love the un-decorating. Hey, for the most part that was a non Halloween Grinch thing to say. I think I’ve made progress.

Top 3 Opinions About Thanksgiving
1. It helps me remember everything I am thankful for and reminds me to count my blessings.
2. It’s a day I usually get to spend with family and for that I am lucky.
3. I wish I could take naps because it does get a little lonely after dinner. Everyone wants to take a nap yet none of the men let me change the channel from football because they claim they are “just resting their eyes”. Whatever, I swear I will get a hold of the remote this year.

Top 3 Opinions About Christmas
1. It is seriously the most amazing time of year. The spirit in the air is fabulous!
2. I love Christmas music and started listening to it on Saturday right after I was sure Halloween was over. I would transfer straight to Thanksgiving or Kwanza music but most the songs I know that go with those Holidays are from Adam Sandler and aren’t always appropriate.
3. Snow makes me happy and especially on Christmas day!

Top 3 things I look forward to during the week
I have a pretty uneventful life as it stands right now. Work, school, school, I guess there is some work in there…and then there is school. Oh I do get to see Zach some. Wait, do I? Yeah, I think so. Okay so I look forward to seeing Zach.

Top 3 Events Happening This Week
1. My month end late night – probably coming Wednesday!2. I get to see Aida on Friday with my mother-in-law and cousin-in-law and I’m soooo excited. It’s tied for my favorite musical next to Mama Mia!
3. Stefanie’s house warming party – go us..it’s her birthday…Oh, well her house warming party I mean.

Now I am going to tag......Marcy Cheney, Stefanie Eberhard, Audrey Cheney, & Andrea Gray!

I am not a quitter...Well, I wasn't!

I want to make it clear that I am not a quitter. I’m not, I swear. Ever since 7th grade when I quit the swim team and shortly thereafter tried to quit the track team and my dad made it clear to me that quitting is not the answer I have not been a quitter. I do not intend to start now. There is the time that I quit the diet…and the gym…and the skinny jeans but those were just unreasonable requests and I do not feel that these quits count! I have been begging Zach forever now to carve pumpkins with me for Halloween. I think every year since we met. Then time passes and no pumpkins get carved. This year I bought the pumpkins and the carving kit and we were on our way. I was soooo excited. I cannot even begin to share my excitement. We picked our stencils and we were off. Um, well Zach was off. I did my first cut into the eyebrow – ugh, I was seriously so annoyed. I could not believe how boring this was. I cringe at the thought. In fact after this post I do not intend on ever discussing or participating in pumpkin carving again. I’m not kidding, try me. After my quick moment of despair happiness sunk in. I knew that Zach was dreading the night the entire day so I was sooooo excited to give him an easy out. After just seconds from the start I told him that I was bored and he was lucky because I wasn’t going to force him to carve pumpkins with me. Wow, a man I thought I knew so well blindsided me unexpectedly. I got the same speech from him that I got from my dad in 7th grade. “You need to finish what you start, blah blah blah.” Luckily I hadn’t carved my pumpkin an ear yet so I had someone…something to tune out the lame speech with me! I quit. He couldn’t make me carve that most retarded pumpkin. I have a life you know. After much guilt tripping I finally gave in and carved the stupid pumpkin. Oh I don’t know if anyone has ever mentioned this before but I’m incredibly stubborn. I was not about to carve the stupid stencil. That would take way too much time and precision. Instead I turned the lame pumpkin around and carved my own little 30 second face. I just finished my art class this summer I was at least cut out to free carve. And I did..I think I clocked me at just under 30 seconds. AND 30 minutes later Zach was finished with his. I must say he did an excellent job for someone who was dreading pumpkin carving. After all was said and done he said he would do it again next year. If anything good came from pumpkin carving it was just another agreement on how to raise our kids. We agreed that I’ll take them to theme parks and he can carve ridiculous pumpkins. I will never carve another pumpkin. Maybe I’ll paint one next time!

Here is the stupid stencil of what my pumpkin was supposed to look like.

This is me making an extremely good judgment call and overrulling my stencil.

Zach's perfect artwork...he really surprised me. I'm a proud wife.

Our perfect match!!

Welcome to Texas

I had to go to Houston, Texas a couple weeks go for a business trip. I was so excited because of course my other favorite people live there. I cannot tell you how long it’s been since I have seen my cousin Audrey. Actually I can, it was the Cheney reunion the summer of 07. So there you have it, it’s been too long. Audrey and I always got a long so good. When I spent the summers at my dads Audrey and I were stuck at the hip. She was the trouble maker and I was the peace maker. Wait, is that how it went? Audrey made the drive and picked me up from the airport when I arrived on Wednesday. We went back to her seriously darling house and before we did anything I took out my detective notebook (you know, the little handheld notebooks that fit within pocket protectors) and took notes on all her decorating ideas. Before you know it there won’t be a bit of difference between the two houses. Aud - your amaze me with your decorating. I have a feeling Jimmy helped!! Then Audrey made me a gourmet lunch; a hot pocket. Not something I have successfully cooked, therefore it was gourmet. After a while we went to Uncle Tom’s and Aunt Cindy’s. I was sooo excited to see them. I’ve always had a really special relationship with my Uncle Tom and will forever be grateful. It was so nice to visit with them both for such a long time. They called in dinner from this delicious Mexican restaurant. It just so happens that Mexican food is my favorite! They must have known. Before and after dinner I got to play with Audrey’s perfect little children Landon and Emma. We caught two tree frogs and by we I mean Aunt Cindy and Landon. That was right up my alley considering I’m addicted to frogs of all sorts. I had so much fun playing with them and I find myself now missing them. I’m so happy that I got to spend time with this side of my family. Since we moved and they moved shortly after we have had very little time to sit and chat. Thanks Audrey for driving me around the city, thanks Jimmy for giving up the wife for an evening to drive me around the city, and thanks Uncle Tom and Aunt Cindy for having me to your house for dinner. It was the best; you guys are all the best. I love you!!

Um, seriously, how cute is she? I can't even handle it!

Emma

Yep, again...amazing. Audrey, I cannot believe you created her. I guess with Jimmy's help I can believe it. Just kidding, it's no shock to me.

The family, minus Jimmy who is taking the picture. Thanks Jimmy!

My cute neices and Halloween = Disaster!

Around mid October Cori and Brandon invited us to go with them to take Launa and Teiha to a little kids spook alley thing that a woman from Cori’s work put together. I told Cori from the very beginning that it was a bad idea. I have never been around two kids that are so afraid of their own shadows…besides myself at age 5…through 22. Last year we went to dinner with them around Halloween and there was a Frankenstein in the restaurant and they freaked out. Teiha LITERALLY forced herself to fall asleep at the table because she was so scared to have to see him. He was the nicest Frankenstein ever too. So funny. So because of this experience I just knew that Launa and Teiha couldn’t handle a spook alley, even if it was for 2 year olds. Bless their hearts. So we get there are they are doing ok. We get to the front and there is this witch that told the girls that if they are scared they just yell “boo” and the scary people will leave them alone. We walked through the first 5 steps of the spook alley and came to another witch who basically wanted to tell them their future. She asked them to come closer and they started screaming from the top of their lungs…sweet Cori decided that was the funniest thing she has ever witnessed and couldn’t stop laughing, at her own kids. My heart broke and I just started yelling “boo”. We walked the remaining 45 steps saying, “boo, boo, boo, boo, boo, boo, boo, boo”. I was carrying Teiha because she would not let go of me and I think Zach had Launa…maybe Cori did. Anyway, the poor people working were probably incredibly bored for that 3 ½ minutes. They were forced to completely stop participating for the time being. When we were done we were laughing so hard. We asked Launa and Teiha if they had fun and I think because we were laughing so hard they thought they better say they did. So of course since it was so much fun we asked if they wanted to do it again and they were very quick to yell “no, but we did have fun.” Uh huh, sure ya did! The rest of the night Teiha kept asking if the scary witch was going to be where she could see her. I think for a week straight Teiha inquired about witches and other scary creatures. So sad and sooo funny all at the same time.

This is Teiha as a pretty witch... not sure where her hat landed.

This is Launa as a pretty witch; how cute is her little pose?

Me with both of them. They are seriously perfect!!!

U of U Game!

Oops…I have not posted in a loooong time. My bad. Not that anyone cares! Several weeks ago Zach’s fabulous sister Heidi and brother-in-law Jon along with their son Tyler and Jon's brother Todd so kindly invited us to share in their season tickets to the Utah game. It was a lot of fun. I quite enjoyed myself because Heidi is a people watcher as am I. We did a lot of talking and a little game watching. I learned that they have a lot of yummy treats there and if you go with a 4 year old you actually have better excuses to buy and eat those treats. Did I already mention they were yummy? But did I mention how yummy they were? Once the Utes had a fairly large lead I went with Heidi to take Tyler (our cute nephew) to see the fountain. There was a humungous beast employee …humungous is explaining the extent of her beastliness, not her size…she seriously unnecessarily yelled at Tyler not to put his hands in the water and made the little fella cry. Then there were like 5 other kids being much more dramatic in the fountain than Tyler was. She very much annoyed me, but such is life when you share a world with beasties! So I don’t have great pictures to accompany this post but I’ll share what I have…

Zach and I in our freshly purchased Utes gear!

My cute darling sister-in-law Heidi... I don't know why it looks like John is hiding, he loves getting his picture taken. Must have been a fluke.

Like I said before my brother-in-law loves getting his picture taken but something must have gone wrong with the camera...he'll be happy to see that I at least got a really amazing profile shot of him and really Todd too!

Thanks guys for the invite. We had fun!!!