Friends

I just thought I'd take a sec and say that I'm so thankful for my wonderful, sweet friends. I had a funny thing happen to me at church. Brian and I just got called as permanent primary substitutes after we have already been subbing in primary for about 9 months. We like doing it fine, but most of the time it's me subbing alone, which is kind of hard when you have 7-10 kids that you don't know and don't have time to get to know since you're only a sub. Anyway, I'm not sad that we got called, but I do get overly excited to go to Relief Society when I can. So, last week I made it until Saturday without getting called to sub a class. I was sooooo excited, until Brian called his home teachee's and she needed a sub for nursery. Blast! Fortunately I could still go to RS, so it was still fine. This week, I decided not to jinx myself and wait until Sunday to be excited. Well, Sunday morning came and I could have jumped for joy. I read the lesson, thought about all the questions in the manuel and felt completely prepared for church. I was ecstatic!! So, we get to church and as I'm playing the postlude music (I'm the organist), the primary pianist comes up and tells me that she's sick and is leaving. Well, I just started to cry after she left. I was so bummed and a little angry that now I have to sub on the spot and find out at church....no thanks! Anyway, my dear friend Lindsey was luckily standing by me to make me feel better until I was able to get my composure for a second. (Haha. I'm laughing to myself cause pregnancy hormones are so ridiculous.) Then, I go up to Brian to tell him that I'm not going to class with him and....well.....basically started to sob. He was so sweet and came to primary with me to sit at the piano with me. He gets a kick out of the Sunbeams, so we started to laugh after a little bit. Anyway, church was fine, but I didn't really get anything out of it other than 3 hours of playing the organ/piano. Hopefully being a permanent primary teacher substitute doesn't mean that I'm their second hand pianist....since that's not part of the calling.

Anyway, there's my background story. I really was fine and probably just tired and having normal pregnancy emotions. However, when I got home, Lindsey called me and told me not to make dinner and that she would make dinner for me. My goodness, I was really ok, but she is one of the most thoughtful people I've ever known, so she brought us such a yummy dinner. An army portion size of spaghetti (my favorite), YUMMY chicken, and green beans. Thanks Linds!!!! Then, my friend Kayli called and invited us over for dinner too also saying that I shouldn't have to make dinner. Since we couldn't do both, we went to their house for games last night and had a blast. They're both so sweet and so giving! I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends. Thank you girls! I love you both. Don't worry, I will try much harder not to cry in church just to avoid that false appearance of a "hard day." :)

Dear Work.....

If I could write a letter to every person in the company that had a say in anything, this is what I would say.

Dear Work,

I hate, loathe, detest, and despise you every single day of my work week. You used to be a helpful and almost nice place to work. We didn't have to take calls every second of the day, we could leave notes in accounts with ease instead of being rushed and still not finishing, we could have at least 30 seconds of sane time in between stupid callers, but sadly that is not the case anymore. We grunt workers have no say in anything and I'm sad that you feel like we have to be miserable all the time in order for the company to be more marketable for future selling purposes. Fact of the matter is....I hate you. I hate working. I hate going to work and I've never been so ornery leaving everyday. I used to be able to work 40 hours with ease....and now 10 hours seems to be a huge trial. I wish that we mattered more to you so that you could be nicer to us low-lives in the company. Sad.

Anyway, I still am grateful that you give me money and that I do have a job, but when I leave I will never recommend anyone to work there and I will remember always the painful memories of my job. Please be kinder.....if only in my dreams I guess.

Sincerely,
Stacy


(Now, I know this will probably get back to my manager since I have a wonderful friend that is married to him. :) Just remember that this is a small vent post even if it's "slightly" true to life.)

Storytime and Emotional Advice

These are the funniest pregnancy symptoms I've read for a while since they're actually and finally true to life:

• Mood Swings, which may include irritability, irrationality, inexplicable weepiness.
• A feeling you're not quite together- you're scattered, forgetful, drop things, have trouble concentrating.

So, I really haven't been one of those crazy pregnant women you hear stories about. The first trimester came and went with ease. No morning sickness (thank goodness), no crazy emotions, regular food cravings, no out of the ordinary weight gain, clothes just getting slightly tighter. All in all, I would say it's been pleasant and I know that Husband has been grateful too. However, a lot of things have changed with my second trimester transition. Still no sickness (yay!), CRAZY emotional weepiness, pants don't fit very well (the buttons have gotta go)...and so on. So, here are my two funny stories:

Story #1: A couple weeks ago I rented Monster's and Aliens since I thought Brian wanted to see the movie. Brian kept telling me that he didn't want to watch a movie that day, so I kept waiting. Family Home Evening came around and I was SO excited to sit down, relax, and watch a movie. Well, he told me, finally, that he was ok with watching a movie, but he didn't really want to see that particular one at all because it looked stupid. Ok, sure. Well, I would usually be ok with that explination, but for some reason I felt completely rejected. He played a video game while I watched the movie and sobbed all the way through it. It was an ok movie with some funny parts, but I couldn't laugh because it just made me cry harder. After the movie I went straight to bed. Brian came in shortly after and hounded me to tell him what the matter was. Fifteen minutes of being super closed off, I burst into tears and explained that he didn't want to spend time with me anymore and that he would rather play video games than do anything with me. He apologized that I felt that way and let me know that my assumptions weren't true. Of course he was very empathetic and made me feel much better, but only after I cried hysterically.

Story #2: This was the day after the previous story. I remind you that I can't think straight anymore. So, we're laying in bed and I start telling Brian that I've never been a best friend to anyone before. He started saying that I was being ridiculous, but I've always been a kind of third wheel with all of my best friend-ships. I all of a sudden wanted someone to ask my advice and only mine, to call me after an important event, to be the first to know something. Brian suggested that I hang out with my friend Kayli more. This is where I started to bawl. Doesn't make sense does it? Nope. Anyway, he asked me why I was crying and this was my response, " She's way too smart, skinny, tall, and so nice! She never says anything mean about anyone and she's such a hard worker! She won't want to hang out with me. I'm boring and I'm sure she wouldn't have a good time." Sob sob sob. He told me that I was indeed being ridiculous, that I can't compare myself to how skinny or tall she is and that it would be a good thing to hang out with someone who doesn't gossip. After crying for a couple minutes, I came to my senses and we discussed the topic in a logical way. Conclusion: I love my friends, all of them, but I am always willing to make new friends too. Funny, I always knew that.

Then a few minutes later I started sobbing again saying that I don't know the Book of Mormon well enough to teach them to my children and that I was going to be a horrible mother. He thinks it's ridiculous everytime I say such things. Whatever. Anyway, he asked me who King Noah was and I gave some stupid answers and continued to cry harder. He then asked to to tell him the story of Abinidi and after I repeated the story....I realized that I did know who King Noah was. I stopped crying after that and was fine. Thanks Brian! :)

So, after these two events, we decided that I need to get more sleep and have since gone to bed before 11:00 and I have done much better!

Now, to make this post even more lengthy, I will explain the "Emotional Advice" portion of the title and apologize to anyone that I have already offended or vented to. So, I've started to feel bad for my poor older brother, Jason, for all of the dating advice I have given to him. Afterall, I dated and was able to con someone into marrying me, right? Well, I now understand that other people may have some answers, but he may just want to do things his own way. I will try to only give my advice or opinion if he asks for it. Now, don't get me wrong, I feel so bad about the way I've viewed things lately, but I just got so sick of taking advice last week. I didn't want other people telling me what to eat, how to exercise, what to wear, how much weight I should be gaining, and whatever else you can think of. My doctor has told me what I can and cannot eat/do and I felt like I had my mother to go to if I ever needed advice. I love my sweet mother. After having a conversation that made me particularly irritated, I called my mom and asked what in the heck is wrong with me. She just laughed and told me that it was normal and just to do whatever I wanted and what works best for me. So, that's what I'm doing. No more getting upset at advice or suggestions. I'll just smile and say, "I'll do what works best for me. Thanks, though." I feel much better about it and much less hostile. So, sorry to those who have given me advice if I acted indifferent or rude....I didn't mean to. Example, my dear, sweet aunt is also pregnant and she told me that I HAVE to call her WHEN I have lactation problems and that Brian MUST talk to her husband about the birth before we have the baby just because they had a totally different experience than what they thought it would be. Instead of being gracious, I was completely irritated and confrontational. "Why do I HAVE to do that? I don't want to. You were pregnant with your first once before and did it, so let me have my turn. I don't want your pregnancy, I'll have my own, thank you!" Okay, that's not word for word, but that's exactly what I wanted to say.

So, those of you who have actually read through this ridiculous post, please know that I am still a nice person....I think. I'm trying to be as normal as possible and I haven't turned into a monster yet. I think Brian is open to receiving gifts and cookies since he's dealing with my emotional problems. :)

Baby Baggage :)

I know, I know. I don't have a baby yet; however, I LOVE this diaper bag! I got a gap gift card from my wonderful brother and sister in law and I knew just what to do with it. I'm not patient enough to wait two months to find out the sex of the baby and buy baby clothes, so I bought a cute bag instead. I hate those black, boring, suitcase feeling, ugly diaper bags and I wanted something that felt like a purse too when the little tot comes. Love it. I used it as a primary bag on Sunday and it was great. Thanks Jeff and Mary!! :)

2009 in a Nutshell

Thanks to my friend, Kateka, I'm copying her format for this cute post idea. (Thanks Kateka). I thought it would be fun as well to reminisce about last year for a minute or two.



Funnest Event

• Disneyworld and SeaWorld with Brian's family


• Playing the coin battle of the new Mario game with my brothers.


• Finding out that we're pregnant!
• Park City vacation with Brian

Biggest Purchase

Well, we were doing pretty well all year, but we just caved and bought a piano.

Favorite Movie(s)

• TAKEN!!!!!!


• Wolverine


• Star Trek!!!!!


• Transformers 2


• Harry Potter 6


• UP


• Avatar

Least Favorite Movie(s)

• Race to Witch Mountain- complete waste of time! Ugh!


• I Love You, Beth Cooper- didn't even make it through 20 minutes. We turned it off.

Favorite Celebrities: I'll do both genders. I hated Zachary Quinto just because he was such an evil villain in Heroes, but I fell in love with him when he played Spock!

Also from Heroes, I think Kristen Bell is just so cute.

Least Favorite Celebrity: Mylie Cyrus. She just bugs me.

Guitly Pleasure(s)

• Mint Kara chocolates...YUM!!!


• Banana republic. :)


• A new found obsession with The Biggest Loser

Saddest Moment

My mom had to put our dog down. We had her for about 10 years or so. I cried all day. :(

Sickest Moment

Luckily I haven't been sick at all this year. I guess if you can call sweating to death in Florida for a week an illness, then I would say that.

Favorite Song(s)

I'm a musical kind of girl, so I have LOVED listening to Shrek- The Musical Cd. Some of the songs are weird. I also love the Star Trek score.

Oh....I LOVE the song Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble! If that could be sung to my everyday I think I would melt. :)

Songs I Hated

I can't really think of songs I hated. I don't listen to the radio much just because it bugs me. I like my ipod and cd's because I like them all.

Biggest Surprises

• Being pregnant! YEAH!


• Half of all of my other friends being pregnant too.


• Brittany Murphy dying....sad.


• Being called as the ward organist when I've never learned how to play the organ.

Achievements

• I'm still at my current job. Yes this is an acheivement because our workforce department sends people home all the time, makes it busy, thus making me completely CRAZY!


• Painted our apartment by myself....oh minus the ONE wall Brian painted.


• PAID OFF OUR CAR, STUDENTS LOANS, AND ALL CREDIT CARDS! YEAH!!!

Things I've Learned

• Even though I've tried to be a patient person, I still have a long way to go.


• Getting out of debt is soooo hard to do and staying out of debt is a big toughy too!


• Having goals is actually a really good thing for me. Usually I give up right away, but if I stick to them, then I'm really good at accomplishing something even if it takes months.


• Pregnancy means that you have to pee in way too many cups!


• Waking up to eat and pee in the middle of the night is NOT fun! Nor is eating 6 small meals a day.


• Fiber is essential to your health, but I dislike it very much.

In 1 word (or a couple words) 2009 was: A LOT of working

In 1 word (or a couple words) 2010 will be: Different and exciting

I am looking forward to:

• Spring and jacket weather with flowers!!!


• Having a baby bump; finding out the babies' gender; and then being a new mommy!


• Quitting my job! YAY! One more year left....


• Teaching piano lessons

My Hopes (Resolutions) for 2010:

• Be in bed by 10:30


• Read my scriptures everyday, but pay more attention while I'm doing so.


• Go to the temple every month


• Do some more of my family history


• Eat more fiber, even if by force


• Exercise 3 times a week


• Have a more positive attitude and be less dramatic


• Be nicer and really try not to "vent" aka gossip

Anyway, that's my year in review. It was so fun, but I'm so excited for a brand new year!

Holiday Fun

We had tons of fun this Christmas! We stayed here in Utah since it was my families Christmas year. We were lucky enough the spend some time with Brian's parents, who were visiting their families for the holidays and we had a blast playing games with them (even though I lost every single one). It was just so nice to relax and not have to work. I've definitely needed a break from work and the holidays were just the thing I needed. Brian and I opened our presents on Christmas Eve so we didn't have to pack everything and of course because Brian couldn't wait one more day. :) Our goal this year was to spend WAY less than we did last year and I'm so glad we did. We had more of a holiday spirit and it was fun to enjoy the things we did get instead of getting tons of stuff just because we thought we wanted it. I think we'll try to go for even less next year! I posted just a few pictures (mainly because I hate waiting for them to load). :)

Brian's Mario game that he wanted SO bad. It's a lot of fun!

Ugly picture, but here's most of what I got for Christmas from wonderful Brian.

We LOVE the game Dominion! We had one of the games, asked for the other and the expansion and now we have all three and LOVE them! Thanks brothers!

We got a couple of new additions to our family recently. My parents just got two golden retriever puppies just for fun and they're soooo cute! I love puppies. Sorry I don't have pictures! The little girl is super cuddly, fat, and docile. The boy is a theif! He steals every toy anyone has and is super rambunctious, but they're both so fun.

Our other new addition was kind of a whim! I have been wondering what I can do for an income once I quit my job because I still want to help save...especially since we'll have a baby and be a little (ok, a lot) more poor. The only thing I can really think of that would be perfect is to teach piano lessons. The problem was that I only have a little 61 note keyboard, which I have loved, but it won't allow me to teach piano. So, I started looking on KSL and Craigslist for a used one and couldn't really find any for a price I was willing to pay on an old used piano. I would rather use the money for a new one if I'm going to pay that much. So, looking turned into serious looking really fast. We went to some piano stores and had a lot of fun just looking and not really wanting to buy, but when we were ready to leave Brian said, "Well, I want to buy it. Let's do it." I thought he was kidding, but boy was I wrong. I told him we should think about it for a few days and/or just wait a couple months. Needless to say, we went and bought it the next day. Here it is:

I absolutely LOVE having a piano! I missed playing all the time! It's a wonderful de-stressor for me and now I can really practice! We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday as well!