Warning - this is a very whiny post - you've been warned

I am feeling whiny today. I have a nasty cold. Well, the nose has stopped running, but now it's all built up behind my eyes and it makes me feel like my eyes are being sunken into my skull. Just the look of the computer screen hurts my eyes. Oh boo hoo, I know. Like I said, I'm whiny.

This past weekend was a good one (even though this stupid cold started to manifest itself on Friday evening.) On Saturday we slept in. I talked to my sister for almost 2 hours(on skype) before I even emerged from my bed. Than we got together with B's dad and went for coffee and to do one errand. We came home and had intentions on leaving again to get some more of our to do list completed, but we quickly found ourselves relaxing on the couch....and then I quickly changed my location to my bed and had a nice long leisurely nap. I could tell I was definitely coming down with something because 3 hours went by rather quickly. When I finally dragged my sorry self out of bed we watched a movie (Elf) and then it was shortly after that I headed to bed.

On Sunday, we slept in again. When we got up we went and did some running around. I have to say I love Bulk Barn. Even though I don't buy anything when I go there I just love it for all it's possibilities. 8 different colours of chocolate wafers (you know the kind you put on the roof of your gingerbread house). They even have sprinkles in bulk! Sprinkles!!! So exciting! When we came home (I still wasn't feeling well so I just plunked myself on the couch and played my new favourite online game "Settlers of Catan." This isn't new I know. I have played it before, but the site I use to play it on shut down. But I searched for it and came across this new to me site and signed up. B would say I'm addicted. I say, it entertains me while your football games and hockey games are on. So take which side you will.

After a while the phone rang. We had invited several people to come over to watch the Grey Cup, all in which declined. Well some of our friends had asked if they could still come over and we of course said yes. I told B to tell them that I was sick and they could stay as long as they wanted but I may or may not disappear into a slumber bliss. (Turned out that I was able to stay awake just until they left and then went straight to bed). It was fun to watch the Grey Cup with friends. B asked me before the game started who I was going to be cheering for (since it was both my favourite teams playing). I said the Lions and then they won! So exciting. I love that they not only won, but they won in their own city (Vancouver). That hasn't been done since 1994 by....guess who? The BC Lions! That's right people! It was a sweet victory.

Wow, that was a very whiny post. Well...I did warn you. On the brighter side of things...let's look at the current countdown:

3 more sleeps until December (officially can set up the Christmas tree)

4 more sleeps until my Christmas party

4 more sleeps until Friday

18 more sleeps until Christmas break begins

18 more sleeps until B's Christmas party

23 more sleeps until my new niece is born (on my side)

25 more sleeps until my niece's birthday (B's side)

27 more sleeps until Christmas

34 more sleeps until New Years Eve

Just to name a few...I know I've missed something in there. It will come to me, probably after I post this. Oh well. Hope you're having a fabulous day.

P.S. I just had a shower and it made me feel sooo much better! Still have a headache, but my sinus' feel better. :) Things are looking up!

Michelle

A very rough week

This past week has been rough. A lot of things have been happening regarding B's job that has brought on some not-so-needed stress. I hate seeing him so stressed out. It makes me worry for his health. (One of his co-workers' wife had a miscarriage at 4 months) On top of that we have been informed that one of our friends who is expecting in March slipped and fell on the ice and is now on bedrest until she hears otherwise from her doctor. My step-sister is also on bedrest until Dec 21 when her baby is due for a c-section. It just makes one worry for those they care about. And in case that wasn't enough one of B's uncles passed away from a heart condition yesterday. It came as a shock and it really upset us. We are just finding ourselves dumbfounded with all this negativity.

Today, after I dropped B off at work I was heading to my work when a car turned left in front of me, except he didn't have time to turn (especially since there was a bike rider crossing the cross walk) and I had to slam on my brakes. I honked my horn for a very long time (until he actually cleared the intersection) because he really scared me. He didn't have an advanced turn and the light was green for me. I don't know what he was thinking but he didn't even seem to care. That made me really mad. That's when I lost it. Everything that had been building up this week came out of me like a flood gate. When I got to work the receptionist asked me if I wanted to go home. I said no, I need work to be my distraction today. She gave me some candy (she's so sweet).

I'm glad I went to work today. The little guy I was working with I actually sent home early (his boogers were yellow - that's an instant send home). So instead of going upstairs and doing some paper work I opted to stay downstairs and do some tidying in the toy closet. It was a great stress reliever. I didn't have to think, just organize. I like things when they are in their place and you're able to find things you're looking for. It just makes life less stressful. When I was done it looked pretty. I don't expect it to last until the end of the day, but I left feeling a little bit put together.

So all in all, I just ask that you keep the DeGroot family in your prayers as they are dealing with a great loss. Pray for peace and wisdom and that we are able to celebrate a life that will truly be missed.

Until next time,

Michelle

Beginning of weird combinations

November 23, 2011

Tonight B and I went out for dinner since he was going to be going to his live launch (which usually goes to the early hours of the morning). So he made some time for some wife time before he had to go back. He asked me where I would like to go. Anywhere was the option. I picked ABC Restaurant. He was like, seriously? There again? He thinks I'm an 80 year old trapped in a 30 year old body. What can I say I love the Thai Chicken salad. It's so incredibly yummy! When we got there, however, my hormones took over for the first time regarding food and weirdness. I ordered the Thai Chicken salad, with a side of mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. The server looked at me like I was a nut bar but made my desire come true. When she brought it out I mixed the cranberry sauce into the mashed potatoes and had my first weird pregnancy combination. It was delicious!!!! My salad was equally as good. After dinner was over we went across the parking lot and got some starbucks (I still have my free gift cards for there for using "swagbucks"). It was a lovely evening.

Than I drove B back to work and headed home. As I got home my energy level quickly faded. It was after 7 after all. And now I'm very much ready for bed and it's 8:30. So pathetic. I'm looking forward to the energy burst the second trimester is suppose to bring on.

Today I was looking back at our journey and I felt pain for my February self. However I felt hope for that self as well. At that point in time I was just going through a miscarriage (Feb 17, 2011). I was 5 weeks along. It wasn't until August 2011, that I ovulated for the first time since January with the help of Clomid and Metformin. Not only was I in a state of mind that was so lonely and confused and angry and sad for 7 months, but I wasn't even to be a part of the "game". It's one thing to not become pregnant month after month, another to not even have the chance because your body won't release the egg and just stores it. My body has a hoarding problem! But thank God he created smart scientists and lead them to help people in my situation. I am so thankful that some people have the calling to help those who are baron. I found hope in Hannah's story (1 Samuel 1). I prayed a lot, but still struggled with my earthly emotional self. I am so thankful that I am now 3 months along. I still find myself doubting that it's real. I went for an ultrasound yesterday and saw the baby moving around, jumping and rolling over. I love the pictures (there's one where it looks like baby is giving a fist pump!). At the same time I was shocked, "It's really in there?" Was one of the things that crossed my mind and possibly my mouth. It's so weird. I will not take advantage of this time. It's a miracle and I am so excited and scared and I can't believe God is entrusting us with this little soul to nurture and help grow into a man/woman in his image. I guess I'm a bit emotional and I am so taken back that it's real. We will be having a baby in 6 and a half months (give or take a few weeks ;) ). I am thankful that I already knew about my pregnancy when mid-October came (when February baby would have been due). That time of the year still hurt but I was able to get through it a lot better than I had imagined. This baby doesn't replace the one we lost. But he/she does give us a new outlook of hope.

I think I'm just rambling now.

Until next time,

Michelle

Princess for a day

This past week went by super duper fast. I don't seem to recall most of it because it went by just that fast. All the kids I worked with were having great days (all except one shift where he was super tired and gave me attitude). The following day I worked with that same kid and he was a hoot. He insisted that he should be called Mario for the day and that I should be called Princess. I wasn't going to argue. Funny enough as I walked into work that morning one of my co-workers called my shoes princess shoes. They were Mary Janes but it had snowed a lot the night before and she thought I should have been wearing my boots(which I don't have - gotta remember to get some). Anyways it was very fitting that I was called princess for the entire session! I mean any time he wanted to get my attention instead of using my name he would call me Princess. It was so funny and so cute. He was so motivated if I called him Mario so I gave into it for the day and it was so much fun. We went on many mario brother adventures that day.

Now it's Saturday and what have I done today? A load of laundry. Yep, that's it. It has been a very relaxing day. B and I had some long over due cuddle time and a lazy day. He's now shovelled the driveway and is in the process of putting up our first string of Christmas lights above the garage. So exciting!!! I've had Christmas lights on a balcony before (living in apartments and a condo) but I've never ever had Christmas lights on my house!!! I am so excited!

Did I mention that it snowed a lot this week? Well it did. And we still don't have our winter tires on our car. We have them in the backseat, just haven't actually put them on yet. The last few days have been nerve racking driving. But slow and steady has gotten us from point A to B safely. The other day it took me 50 minutes to drive home. (It's normally a 20 minute drive). We were going 20 on the highway and I was quite ok with that. When I pulled into the garage I heard the radio host announce that 8 cars had gone off the road where I had just been not 10 minutes earlier. Whew! Was I glad to be safe and sound at home.

Well, that's all I got for you for now

Happy Winter everyone!

Michelle.

Remembering the weekend

Friday was a fun day. We started the day out by going for breakfast to celebrate B's mom's birthday. I had the "all you can eat waffles" I had one! haha. It was all I could eat...they're so filling! I remember growing up I was never allowed to get the buffet bar because my parents said I could never eat enough to make it worth it. Afterwards we stopped in at B's grandparents house to say a quick hello. They are so sweet cuddled up on the couch together. After our visit (they were heading for a nap) we stopped in at Costco to see what we could see. It was fun. I was able to find a new purse cover for my miche purse for only $20! (You normally have to mail away for it and with the shipping and everything they usually run at about $25-$30 a piece and you have to wait for it to come). I was very excited because it just happened that earlier that morning I had said to myself I wonder if I should get a new one for Christmas and walla! That very same day they just happened to be having a promotion in Costco. Who knew!

After our Costco trip we headed towards the Westside when we got a text message from a friend of ours asking if we'd like to meet up for lunch. Sure why not! So we went for lunch with our dear friend Tom. After lunch I was oober tired(still not feeling great from the day before) so when we got home I layed down for a "nap". It was more like a hybernation as it lasted 3 hours. When I woke up B was diligently getting things done in the yard and came in and asked me if I wanted to go to the hockey game since he couldn't get rid of the tickets. I said sure we can go for a period or two. When we got there Cam(my brother) and Becky (his wife) were there and between periods we would get together at the top of the stairs and chat. It was fun. I was actually into the game a little and I surprised myself. I don't normally pay attention and this time I couldn't help but cheer and mutter things to myself about the plays. During one of the intermissions I went to the washroom and saw one of the girls I work with washing her hands. She didn't recognize me at first so I walked over and pretended I was going to use the same sink as her at the same time even though there were 6 vacant sinks around her. She was a little startled at first and then she laughed when she realized what was going on. I love being a pest!

After the game we headed over to B's parents house. I called them before heading over to see if the birthday party was still going and when B's dad answered the phone all he heard was "butt cheeks". I had just finished saying to B, "I can see her butt cheeks" when a group of girls (obviously dressed to go to the club) walked by and one of the girls' shorts were so short I could literally see her butt cheeks hanging out. Anyways, this started a little bit of an awkward conversation on the phone so I explained to him what I was talking about. After coming to the conclusion that the party was indeed still going on we headed over and hung out until about midnight. Then we headed home and crashed.

That was Friday. Saturday I woke up early (for a Saturday - 8am - considered sleeping in on the weekend). Becky and I had made plans to go for coffee at 11. 11:30 came by and we still hadn't gotten our act together so around noon we decided to up the anti and go for lunch at White Spot. We had a great visit and then headed off to Walmart to pick up a few things. It was a really fun afternoon. When I got home I had another nap (it's the weekend right? So why not?!) Than when I got up B made fun of me and said he knew that was going to happen and that the house wasn't going to get tidy. Well....when he says things like this I have to prove him wrong so I put in a load of laundry, did some dishes, cleaned up the kitchen and then he put in a movie and my ambition was gone. Who can clean while "The Lion King" is on? It was funny to watch it cause I think we were both a little tired and our laugh out loud meter was at an all time high. We were singing along and just having a grand o'l time. After The Lion King was over we put in another movie, "The Nightmare Before Christmas". We both hadn't seen it before and I have to admit it was a tad bit scary! (I'm a wuss ok?!) It was pretty good though and we throughly enjoyed it. After that movie was done B put in another (our Disney order just arrived yesterday so that's what's up with all the movies) but I was too tuckered out to stay up. It was already past midnight after all so I headed to bed and he stayed up to watch.

Needless to say we didn't make it to church today. However I did get the floors cleaned, the washroom cleaned, the bird cage nice and clean 2 loads of laundry done, and went through my drawers and closet and did my 6 month purge and update my blog. On my too do list still - clean the second washroom (I normally do them at the same time but B was doing some work in the one washroom so I didn't do it yet) make some cookies, go grocery shopping(I don't do this until about 7pm on Sunday evenings because then the store is dead!), take out the garbage and the recycling and put them at the curb, clean out the fridge. Oh and I have to put some plants into some new pots since the wind knocked over my plant stand and broke 3 of my favourite pots :(

Well, I guess I should go and tackle the rest of that to do list. Until next time,

Michelle-lee

Another week come and gone

Feeling so icky today so I left work early :( I sure hope that I feel better in the morning. I came home and slept for 4 hours straight and when I woke up I still felt crumby.

I am looking forward to tomorrow morning, it's mama B's birthday and we are going to the Jammery for breakfast. If you don't know what the Jammery is than you have not lived. It's a very yummy place. I already know what I'm going to order, all you can eat waffles (even though I can only ever eat one maybe 2 of them -they're big!) with made right there jam on it. I think I'm going to go with 4 berry...so yummy!!! So excited!

This past week was a good one. Other than Monday. Oh Monday. A lot of us girls at work had a rough day with the kiddos that we worked with. I think part of it was due to the time change. They were being forced to stay up an hour later than normal and then they still wake up at the same time as before which is an hour earlier now according to the clock. Geesh! It was brutal. I came home and went directly to the shower. B knew it had been a bad day since I didn't even stop to chat (He had been home sick). The rest of the week the kiddos that I worked with were

angels. We actually had such a great week. Until today when I wasn't feeling well.

Let's see anything else to report? Nah. I can't think of anything else.

Have a great day

Michelle