The End is Near!!

Well, I can honestly say it has been as busy as I thought it would be, but what I can't say is that I have gotten as much done as I had hoped. That's OK though, because it sure has been an adventure.

School ends next Friday, June 4th, and I can tell you right now, I will be so happy. However, one thing that despite all of my complaining that I have tried to do this year is learn as much as I can. Teaching other's children can be a difficult task I have discovered. So many times there are blaring problems that have what seem to be easy fixes, but are just out of my control. A teacher can only do so much. I am so nervous and excited to be a parent. I hope it helps me to have seen the results of different types of parenting as much as I imagine it will.

My piano recital was awesome. We had over 100 people (I know Britt, it is a small event compared to dance.. wink, wink!) and that was awesome for the kids. I had quite a few spill tears of relief, and even more who simply danced their way out of the building. But we did not have one memory blank, which was huge as for many it was their first performance. It was just over an hour, and that was long enough for my nerves. Hopefully if the recitals continue like that it will just help me continue to build, if not in numbers, in reputation. I love being known as the demanding, and yes possibly even "mean" teacher!

Tomorrow is my big Spanish event with over 90 kids and all of their parents! I feel unprepared, but on the same token can't think of what else needs to be done! I attribute this to pregnancy!!
Wish me luck..

And last but not least, I must announce that as of this last Monday, we could finally feel our little guy kick/punch/whatever-it-is he's doing! We were so excited! And since then, he hasn't seemed to stop. Last night it even woke me up, which makes me really nervous for when he is actually a much larger baby-in-belly and un-ignorable! We also hit... today... our halfway mark. 20 weeks! Hurray! It reminds me a bit of the marathon, not sure whether I am really happy to be halfway, or a little depressed.

I shared with a few of you some of my classic "parent" comments, but some are too good to pass up posting!

"Oh Ms. Stacey, I am so glad to find out you are pregnant! I was watching you this morning and I started to worry that something wasn't working out for you cause you were looking chubby!!"

"Oh look how fun, your belly is getting big! Don't worry, your whole body is changing!"

And my all time favorite... "You're pregnant? Well, don't worry, you can barely tell. It looks more like you are just really really really bloated." That one of course was a few weeks ago. Don't worry, I have ballooned out since then. Apparently all over!!

We are so excited for the upcoming summer. We hope to see you all very soon, and if you are really bored, come visit! We aren't even in the 90's yet!!

Today, I am grateful for Slurpees!

Four Years and Counting...

Is it possible?? Yesterday was our four year anniversary, and all I have to say is that these would be my top 10 reasons you know you are no longer a "newlywed" no matter how many years you are celebrating:

#10 - Getting dressed up really just means that you no have to blow dry your hair and possibly use a little product. And please, something other than sweats..

#9 - You remember your anniversary when your sister-in-law emails you to wish you a happy day.

#8 - The cards no longer talk about what will happen in the future as much as what has already happened... good or bad!

#7 - Due to children or children pending situations, a "night out" moves from eight to two in the morning to as soon as you get off work to an hour later when you are too tired to care.

#6 - "Out to dinner" means pick up pizza on your way home, use paper plates, and put the left overs in the fridge in the box to avoid any possibility of clean up!

#5 - You give dish towels instead of "something special to wear".

#4 - The dog makes his way in between you, drool and all, as you finally cuddle up together.

#3 - You struggle to remember what life was like pre-marraige.

#2 - You can't actually make any plans until the budget is balanced, the house is clean, the laundry is folded and the grocery list is ready for the morning, because if you leave feeling behind, all you will discuss is what you didn't get done!

#1 - You know that even if you don't dress up, don't get to go out, forget a gift, or work till the wee hours of the morning, the day will still be special because he will still love you no matter what, and you can always do better next year!

Happy Anniversaries to all those out there no matter their stage in life, and may there be many more to come!

And the countdown is on!

What you might be wondering is why the background? Well, I need some motivation! Jared and I were going over the calendar, after I had weighed myself, and things were not looking too bright! So here we go... changing the attitude! Pregnancy, sickness, and work can work together when I know exactly how long I have!!!

So... two more weeks of piano before the recital! That adds up to a total of 31.5 hours. Yeah! And then a two week vacation!

And as for school... if I survive field day, Mother's Day, the Spring Performance, 3rd Year testing, the Spanish Celebration (code for Stacey is in charge of putting on an event for all Spanish Immersion kids in the school), and the last week of school without going crazy, all will work out fine. How many days you may wonder?? 24!! I won't tell you the hours, as it's a little embarrassing that I know! School days that is... not counting the days I will be passing out in between.

Jared on the other hand has his own countdown going... that is, how many more days do I have to listen to Stacey whining?? I asked him what he thought and this was his reply..."Honey, that's not true!" He is a good husband, isn't he!

Happy May everyone! And may your month go by as quickly as possible!!

Is it May yet??

Spoiled would probably have to be an understatement. I have found the times that I most feel the need to write are when I am feeling very grateful!

To start with, the cat is officially out of the bag. I have not said it to really anyone in these words, but school knows, church knows (thanks to Jared being unable to lie to the Bishop... not sure what that is all about!) and it's only a matter of time before I can't get any baggier of shirts. So we are having a baby, and we could not be more excited. I am a ball of nerves, as always, wondering how to afford this, or schedule that, or even better, how to get out of bed or off the couch! Work seems to get longer and longer, which is weird cause the time hasn't changed, and food seems to look nastier and nastier, as the nausea has worsened as opposed to everyones predicted "it get's better" plan. The gratitude comes in when I know for a fact that I am married to a saint.

I generally get done teaching to head back to my permanent butt imprint cushion on the couch, with the dog dying to get out and no dinner made. Jared just stepped in, and all of the sudden instead of grilled cheese and macaroni I am eating peppered steak and green beans! I even caught him on a recipe website called "healthy dinners" and with an official "shopping list" which I am embarrassed to say I have yet to master. So we have once again pulled out the tv dinner trays, and I pick at my food (exept for the steak of course which I pounded) while Jared inhales his dinner over the sink so he can get to dishes, laundry, and whatever else he can think to do! Like I said, a saint.

Then there are the few rare moments where I feel great for at least an hour (usually a Saturday when I haven't been up all night with work nightmares!), and my hubby does things like patch the hole in my bike tire so we can go for a ride, and find a tee time so we can golf with my old boss and his wife. No worries, just a Executive Course, where I learned I am not supposed to feel guilty for falling asleep at 8:00 long before the chores are done because it is good practice for Jared. Not sure if I can buy into that one though!

Truly, I am grateful for all he has done for me. I feel like a wuss, but work honestly has been really difficult, and the fact that the end of school is near has not been much comfort as every day seems to get harder and there are plenty left. I don't know how there are women who do this without complaint (Brittani!). You all amaze me!

Thanks to all for prayers and thoughts, and Happy Birthday to Lydia. SO sad we missed it!!

Oh, and here are some pictures for Grandma Knudsen... thanks for saving his favorite toy... aka, his "cigar"!!

and even better....

Where to even start...

Sorry, no pictures again. I need Lindsey to move in and document my life as I am a horrible picture taker! Well, the last few weeks have been... interesting... and the next promise to be the same!

Spring break was AMAZING for starters, although I think I spent an entire two days laying on the couch recovering from what Jared lovingly called a "sleep deficit". I was a little (and by a little of course I mean a lot) sad that I was not at home in Utah enjoying the snow, but the 65 and sunny wasn't too bad. Jared got a free lift ticket to snowboard Brianhead, which he quickly and gladly accepted, and after reassuring me that next time I could come, off he went. He managed to come back with only one injury, for which I was grateful. However, I was not so grateful when I felt really really icky that night, and he couldn't walk! I must say, risking sounding spoiled and a bit bratty, I felt really REALLY grateful to have a husband that normally is amazing when I am sick!!! But his ankle is recovering pretty quick, and the dog is loving the dog park until he is walked again.

Other good news seems to be the best news ever. Just got back from the third ultrasound, and the Dr. sounded really positive for the first time! We may actually make it out of the woods with this baby! And.. the tech had a great guess for what sex it is... but I am not telling. I do have pictures though!! I'll have them this weekend, and we'll see what the fam thinks! Both Jared and I were laughing our heads off afterwards in the car when we both had the initial comment of, "Oh man, this is real!" to be followed with "That's unreal they can see all that at 13 weeks!" Baby weighed in at 2 ounces, and tomorrow we go back to my doctor for all my 1st timer questions. We are so so so excited, and a little bit more scared, but mostly grateful that everything is looking good finally.

So there is the update! School stinks, but there are only a few more weeks, and my co-teachers are being amazing about my lack of enthusiasm and overly-frequent potty breaks in the mornings. Other than that, hopefully no other parents know, at least for a few more weeks. Jared says he doesn't think I am showing, but I think he is just saying that so I don't freak out about being so fat!!

We are so happy and grateful for all that is happening, and we can't wait to see everyone! Hope all is well!!

Who is walking whom?

So I must share our latest adventure... probably the highlight of the neighborhood entertainment. Jared and I decided to walk the dog tonight together for family night, and as we realized it may not be the most fun activity we have ever done, we decided to make it interesting and try "long boarding the dog"! The best part was definitly when I almost fell off from being dizzy and off balance, and Jared almost crashed into a car! It is definitly a little tricky to stay on the board, while the dog is trying to figure out what is going on! However, just add it onto the list as one more way to exercise our animal, and potentially make complete idiots of ourselves! Yeah!

Today I am grateful I did not fall!

A Week to Remember

Well, I can honestly say I have never been so happy for a week to end. It was a great week, but a very exhausting week.

First, to Clint and Patrice, we keep you in our thoughts and prayers daily, and hope to come visit soon.

Second, to Justin and Lindsey, thanks so much for stopping by! It was so fun to see you two, and happy anniversary!

Third, this week has prompted me to be extra grateful for a lot of things... such as....

• Mondays where there is NOT a time change, as I have never felt it affect me more.
• Those rare days when I am NOT late to work, as I rolled in about 20 min late every day. Good thing I still beat the kids!
• NOT having to sit through what was described by Jared as the "world's most boring training meeting", as I was at home feeling SUPER nauseous instead.
• NOT teaching until 9:00 pm on Wednesdays anymore, as I finally caved and moved a few students to Monday.
• NOT coming home every Thursday, finally feeling good enough to clean for my poor husband, only to walk in to a wave of poop smell as puppy had a MAJOR "blowout" in his kennel, and on the wall behind the kennel, and the carpet in front of the kennel... you get the idea.
• Those times where I may not want to mop, but at least it doesn't make me cramp!!!
• Pizza nights on Fridays... no cooking or clean up!!
• Spring Break on the horizon... school is wearing me out.
• Loose fitting clothes as I was asked more than once this week by bold mothers, "Is there a bun in the oven?" or "Is this for reals? (while pointing to their own perfectly flat tummies)". Apparently, the cat is out of the bag WAY before I am ready to feel huge!
• And last but not least, a hubby who not only puts off work to spray down the dog and to spray off dog poop from kennels and towels, but a hubby who will NOT make me feel like an overdramatic sickly little prego who is a little emotional trying to figure all of this out(which I readily acknowledge I am, but it is quite different to be have someone else say it)!

I truly am grateful this week is over, and hope it has treated all of you a bit kinder! We miss you all and hope to see you soon!