Happy New Year

We are having a party on New Year's Eve again this year. It should be fun! Happy New Year!

My Best Friend HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Hooray! Bethany comes home on Sunday! I can't wait to see her!

I am getting the BEST Christmas Present EVER!!!!

We had dinner at the Sample Room last night in Northeast Minneapolis with Luke's family. Great place...a must try!

Dear Mom...

Thanks for dinner tonight it was nummy! I am glad I am working in Maple Grove now so I can come over more. LOVE YOU!

**I recently found out that my mom is a blog stalker!** :)

Ana and I need to know........

How do you upload pictures quicker!!! Does anyone think it takes forever to upload pics to your blog!?

Here are some pics. from Thanksgiving Night at the Outlet Mall.......The gang was: Me, Luke, Sari, Ryan, Abby, Charlie and Jill. We had a great time and everyone got great deals!

Cousin fun!

Our trip to Burger King at 12:30am!

The dorky hat that Jill loved.

No I am not drunk, just exhausted from a long Thanksgiving day.

Favorite Things at Christmas

Real or Fake Tree: Fake - much easier. I love the smell of real, but let's face it. It is A LOT less work to have a fake tree.

Hardest Person to buy for-Luke, I just never know what to get him.

Mail or Email Christmas Cards- Mail for sure. I love collecting them and reading peoples letters and looking at family pictures.

Favorite Christmas Movie or Show - White Christmas. I used to even watch this when I was little and it wasn't Christmas time. I always wanted to wear one of those big red dresses and have a white muff......I should have lived in a different era.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate - I don't dislike Egg Nog, but I LOVE HOT CHOCOLATE!

When do you start shopping for Christmas - Well usually after Thanksgiving, but this year it will probably be the week of Christmas. I have been so busy at work and our weekends are jam packed too.

Clear Christmas light or colored - Clear for the fancy tree in the living room and colored for the fun ornaments tree in the basement. Oh, the traditions we carry on from our parents :)

Favorite Hymn - Silent Night (is that a hymn?)

Most vivid memory of Christmas - When I lived in Brooklyn Park we had a real fireplace. I cam down to get my stocking on Christmas morning and they was a real boot print in the ashes in the fireplace. I knew then Santa was really real! :)

Best Holiday Treat - any type of Christmas cookie! I love cookies!

Favorite CD or Artists - Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is You" song and her whole Christmas CD

Must-Have's - A time where I play Christmas carol's on the piano.

Star or Angel on the top of the tree - Angel....however I have a really nice star my sister gave me, but I use it as more of a decoration for Christmas.

Quirk that most people wouldn't know - In my car I have on Christmas music from Thanksgiving through Christmas Day.

What's on your wish list this year - a Necklace I like at a certain Jewelry store!

Snow

I couldn't wait to get home and get outside to shovel. I know that seems a bit ridiculous to most, but I LOVE the snow and like being outside playing in the snow. Even my dogs get excited to play out in the snow. Big snowfalls remind me of spending time with my dad. He always let me come outside and shovel with him. I used the tiny little red shovel that scooped about 2 cups of snow at a time. Then we would always end up playing in the snow. Good memories. I love snow!

My Mess

My friend Suzy wrote a great blog about the messes we have in our lives and being there for each other. I have been trying to hide my mess for the last couple of weeks because it is too painful to deal with. I find that if I don't have to talk to anyone about it or email anyone, then I don't have to think about it and it isn't as much of a reality.

The week before Thanksgiving we went to the UofM Maternal Fetal clinic and met with a Genetic Counselor and Dr. there. The Genetic Counselor thinks that Luke and I carry this gene that no one knows anything about, that is why we haven't been able to have a healthy baby. They believe it to be a recessive gene in us, and that it wouldn't matter if we have a boy or girl, both sexes would be affected by Anencephaly. They gave us a 1 out of 4 chance of us being able to have a healthy baby. They told us that our best options would be Adoption, Sperm or Egg donation.

Those options may be easy for other people, but for me they are not. They are very hard and make me sad. I realized that I am mourning the fact right now that we can't just "have a baby". It isn't that easy for us and that is hard and sad for me. I love my husband and we desire to have children or both of us. For some people that is hard to understand, but it make sense to us.

We realized that we are not ready for either option, Adoption or Egg Donation yet, so we are going to try 1 more time.

I am on folic acid for 1 month and then the Dr. is going to test me and see if my body is metabolizing Folic Acid. If it is not, then they will put me on a different kind and see if that helps. If I do have folic acid in my system, then they are more sure that it is a recessive gene that we carry. Anencephaly is such a rare thing that no one really knows much about it. Unfortunately the news the Dr.'s gave us at the UofM didn't sound that promising in us having a healthy baby. However, something in me doesn't want to give up yet. I feel like we need to give it 1 more shot. Maybe that is God telling me to hang in there, I don't know. But even after all our loss there is a little hope left in my heart.

The thought of losing a baby for the 4th time breaks my heart. But the thought of just not knowing if we gave it 1 more shot, that would haunt me as well.

So I have to be on folic acid for at least 3 months before we even can start trying. So we will see what happens. I am just praying that the 4th time around will be a charm. We'll see.

I am bored.......Luke has had hockey every night this week. My routine is to come home, walk the dogs, eat dinner, work out, and then watch a little TV with Luke and then off to bed. Boring! Nothing too exciting about that. I am not feeling the whole "go work out" thing tonight, so we'll see if that happens, but I know I should cuz I am lazy on the weekends.........We'll see......

And It's RED!

I was able to get my hair done for FREE yesterday, yes, that is right, FREE! Lisa who I get my hair done by asked if I wanted to be a "hair model" while someone from Aveda came to show them new techniques. It was really fun to watch how they did my hair and to get my hair done for FREE!!!!!!!!! THANKS LISA!
Ok, so it's not the best picture........a) I was driving, b) you can't really see how red my hair is, and c) my phone takes REALLY CRAPPY pictures

It has been a busy week at work with everyone wanting to get closed before Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to the weekend. Luke and I have a date on Saturday night after his hockey practice....downtown Minneapolis to a restaurant, reservations at 8pm....I can't wait. Now I just have to figure out what to wear! :)

That is all for know......keep us in your prayers as we head to the UofM on Friday morning for a 2nd opinion w/ the doctors at the Maternal Fetal Clinic.

Get Shred

So tonight I started Jillian's 30 Day Shred along with a couple co-workers of mine. I bought the dvd a while ago, did it here and there, but am actually going to try and stick to the 30 days now with the support of co-workers. The video is only 20 minutes long. However, after doing level 1, my legs feel like jelly!

The nice thing is that right now my lung capacity is high since I have been going on the Elliptical 3-4 times per week for 30 minutes.

We'll just see if I can stick to the 30 day shred......let's hope! :)

Hi Friends, It has been a while since I have really blogged. Things are going well on the home front. We found out that the baby we had was a boy. His chromosomes and pathology were all normal, so that is very good news, means we can have kids.

We are just waiting now for our appt. to be scheduled at the U of M's Maternal Fetal clinic for a 2nd opinion on what we do now.

Once I know more I will update you.

Things that have helped keep me going is the amazing amount of support we have from our family and friends........thank you everyone!

A Day of Rest

I am taking tomorrow off of work and I can't wait!
A day all to myself to do whatever I want to do.....Hooray!

Happy Halloween

BEFORE....

AND AFTER!

We had a Costume Party last night......it was a blast....Unfortunately I didn't take that many pictures, but here are a few!

After a long weekend it was right back to work I went! I definitely will have put in well over 40 hours by the end of the week.

I am doing ok. Waiting to get test results back from the doctor to see if it was a boy or a girl and if the baby had normal chromosomes.

Luke has been really busy lately. He is coaching the Wayzata Squirt A Team for hockey this year and they have been having practices on Mondays and Wednesdays for the month of October to get the kids ready for the season. So, Luke hasn't been home those days until almost 10pm. I guess I will soon learn what it is like to be a "hockey mom" without a kid in hockey.

Other than work for me and hockey for Luke, things are going fine, just plugging away at work and trying to be as "normal" as I can be.

I never posted any pics. from our weekend in Duluth, so here are a few.

She Said "Yes to the Dress"

We had a great weekend in Chicago. On Saturday afternoon Sari said "Yes to the Dress!" For any of you who watch that show on TLC, "Say Yes to the Dress" you will understand. It was a great weekend, good food, good company and Great Shopping!
After Sari decided on her dress we enjoy some Prosecco at the Walnut Room at Macy's.

The highlights of our trip were:
**Sari finding her dress!

**Seeing Clinton Kelly from what not to wear....Yes, my mom went chasing after him :)

**Meeting our cousin Charlie for lunch

**Good girl time w/ my mom and sista!

It was a great weekend and fun to be in a different city.

It's back to work I go

I had a very difficult day on Sunday. I went to church with my mom and thankfully had Ana to sit next to me for support. I had a few melt downs during the service but survived. I was proud of myself for making that step, it was a hard one.
I am learning that I have never really dealt with any of the loss's I have had and now have to. I can't find other things in life, work, relationships, etc. to replace or push aside dealing with the grief that I need to work through.

I started back at work yesterday and was thrown right into it. I forgot that I left at the end of the month and had a lot of cleanup to do on all my files being back. I really am enjoying my job but desperately miss everyone at Executive that I used to work with. I miss that family atmosphere.

I know it isn't much but I gained a little wait being pregnant and to make myself feel better I started working out again this past Saturday. I ran Saturday and Sunday my 2 mile loop and then the past 2 nights went on the Elliptical for 30 minutes. My goal is to run in a 5K on Thanksgiving morning! I forget how it is so hard at first to get started working out, but once those endorphins get pumping it feels great. I am hoping that working out will also help my energy level and keep me sain. I feel like I can get out aggression or something when I exercise.

Thursday my mom, Sari and I leave for Chicago. We are staying right on Navy Peer and will be wedding dress shopping for Sari and just plain old shopping. It should be a good girls weekend and good bonding with my mom and sister.

That's all for now........GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Life goes on

My mom looked over and chuckled at me as I sat in the waiting room of the hospital holding the book I have been reading in my hand. "Why did you bring a book?" She aska, I replied, "Because remember last time how long I had to wait in the waiting room." We both kind of chuckled then at the ridiculousness of me bringing a book. Maybe it was for comfort or to try to make myself feel better for what was ahead, I don't know. Of course then about 2 minutes later a nurse called my name and I was back changing into a beautiful purple gown that hooks up to these tubes and inflates your gown to keep you warm.
After getting all the normal information from me, I met with my doctor and then the anesthesiologist. I made sure this time to let everyone know that they cannot give me an IV in my left hand, it doesn't work and they HAD to use my right hand. (Last time they poked me 4 times in my left hand before going to the right and I am never able to give blood from my left arm either...weird) Also, I made sure to let the doctor know that I get really sick after anesthesia, they said they would give me different medicines to help with that.

Luke wasn't able to be with me yesterday because it was the last day of the month and last day of the quarter for him, which was just fine with me since I would just be out of it after surgery anyways.

Getting my IV went fine, I wiggled my toes as normal and closed my eyes as I felt the "prick, then burn" as they try and gently explain it. So purple gown on, robe around my shoulders and IV in my right hand, I walked with the nurse anesthetist to the OR. I got in the room not much bigger than our downstairs bedroom here with bright lights all around me and a table of all the different tools my doctor would need. The nurse had me lay down on the OR table and they stretched my arms out on each side of me. Next thing I new I was looking up at this big lights and the tears just started coming. Again, for the 3rd time, I would go home from the same hospital without a baby in my arms. As that last thought went through my mind, the next thing I new I was back in my room slowly waking up. I can remember my doctor coming in and saying that everything went just fine. Thankfully this time the anesthesiologist took many precautions to help me with nausea so I wasn't getting sick after I woke up.

So yesterday my mom got me home around 3pm. I was in bed the rest of the day waking up here and there as my mom left and Luke came home. I nibbled on a couple crackers and drank Fanta (a must have in the Peterson house) and thought how I hated this part. I hate the part where now I have to move forward. No matter what life goes on just as it did before and I am left for the 3rd time now without a baby and this time without knowing if that is a possibility for Luke and I for the future. Thankfully I have the rest of the week and weekend to take the time I need emotionally and then starting Monday, life is back to normal....or Life Goes On. That is just the reality.

I had a 12 hour day at work yesterday to try and prepare for being gone for the next 3 days. Thankfully I have great co-workers and a manager that is very understanding. Though last night I slept horrible waking up here and there and dreaming about work. It is the end of the month, so SUPER busy for me.

This morning I woke up and had to take medicine to start thinning out my cervix, yes a little too much info.....but I can already feel myself cramping. It is sad. So today at 10am my mom and I leave for the hospital. I am really scared this time for some reason. I for one just hate hospitals and it just feels like I am reliving everything over again and again.

I am sure everything will go just fine. Thanks to all friends and family for your prayers and support.

Taking Time

I decided I will need to take the rest of the week off after Wednesday's appointment. I not only need to take care of myself physically but emotionally. Now is the time to be sad and deal with grief, not later. So that is what I intend to do. I am not going to just sit and mope, but I am going to actually allow myself to grieve. Something I didn't do well the first 2 times and something I need to do to take care of myself now.

Score Zero for 3

I got in the car Friday morning and was listening to K102. Of course the first thing they start talking about is a Retreat Center called Faith's Lodge. A couple started it who lost their daughter and it is for couple's to go who have lost children. Well this guy wrote a song about his daughter and put it to music. Yes, at 6:30am, there I am already crying on my way to the doctor. I didn't torture myself too long. I heard the first sentence of the song and changed the station right away.

We sat their in the waiting room not understanding how doctors are really the only professional that can get away with taking their lovely own time in getting to you. At least that conversation made the 15 minutes we had to wait not seem to drag on too long.
We met with a tech for the ultrasound, after about 20 minutes of a level 2 ultrasound the doctor came in and confirmed the information we were expecting. Our 3rd baby has a very rare neural tube defect called Anencephaly. The doctor talked to us for a little bit about our options and then asked a question, "So do you have any living children then?" "NO" we replied as tears streamed down my face. That question was like a knife to my heart. At that point I felt so broken and hopeless. Will we ever be able to have "living children" of our own? I don't know.

I actually went to work yesterday after our appointment. I of course had some moments of tears, but survived until 4:30pm. Luke and I headed to Hawks in Monticello for some nice fattening burgers and when we got home the only thing I wanted to do was go see my adopted kids, the Olin's. My neighbor has 4 kids, 3 girls and a boy. We spend a lot of time with Matt and Angie Olin and their kids. I love that their kids know me so well that when they see me they start running and saying, "Hi Ali". So I headed to the Olin's and sat on the couch with all 4 kids and watched Baby Einstein. It may seem odd to you, but that was exactly what I needed. It made me feel so much better having those kids snuggle up against me.

So many questions go through my head about the future. I mean lets face it. This is/was my 3rd pregnancy. That is A LOT on a woman's body, even if you don't make it full term. And not to mention all the crap this does to me emotionally.

I have so many questions and will hopefully get answers. Luke and I will probably have testing done on us to make sure our Chromosomal makeup is OK. We are going to ask to be referred to the UofM so we can see specialists and get this figured out!

Surgery is scheduled for me on Wednesday at 11:15am. My mom is taking the day off of work to be with me and then I am taking Thursday off work as well, my doctor said I will probably have a lot of cramping since I will be almost 14 weeks.

This morning I woke up and walked into our front guest bedroom to open the blinds. I turned around and saw the bassinet that my neighbor and I bought together and it obviously is at my house now because it was supposed to be my turn to use it. Tear started flowing. I am sure I will have many of those moments in the coming weeks. But I just keep telling myself that I made it throught losing 2 babies, I can make it through 3.

Please continue your prayer for us as I know they will be much needed in the coming days and week. I will let you know how I am doing.
As Luke said to someone on the phone ysterday, our score is zero out of 3 right now, hopefully someday that score will have a positive for us.
For now, it is one day at a time.

Life Is Not Kitties and Marshmallows

I am sure most of you have seen that commercial by now for Windows 7, where the little girl makes a slide show. Every time I see that kitty surrounded by marshmallows, I think about life for some reason and the thought goes through my mind that life isn't just kitties and marshmallows.

So Luke and I had a WONDERFUL weekend up in Duluth. We spent Sat. morning watching my dad come through the finish line. Had an annual meal at Angie's Cantina right in Canal Park and then headed w/ the dogs to Goosebury Falls for some sight seeing and hiking. However, we did realize after being there for about an hour and a half that it really isn't as neat and exciting as it was when you were a kid.
Luke surprised me Saturday night and we had dinner at Pickwick's...I had never been there before. We at wonderful smoked whitefish and enjoyed way too much food. A stroll along Lake Superior and we were exhausted.
We came home on Sunday and Luke watched football as I of course took a nap.

Sunday was actually a hard day for me. I think it was the anticipation of knowing that it was this week that I will hopefully find out the destiny of this baby.

The last couple days I have had some very strange dreams and get stressed just thinking about Friday. I am expecting bad news, if good news comes, then great. But I am just not willing to set myself up for more disappointment, I have had enough!

So after Friday I will update again and let you all know how I am doing. Work is going well as I have been SUPER busy, which keeps my mind off of life, which is good. Actually I am still sitting here at my desk and it is 10 to 7pm. So I need to finish this and get home and get some rest. I am back in the end of the month craziness!

Well I hope you all are doing well. I will update when I have more info!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

An Update

Most of you have heard by now, as I did even post last weekend and then deleted it out of sadness, anger and frustration.
Luke and I are pregnant and found out last week that they are 75% sure this baby has a neural tube defect. Our first child, Brian, died of a very rare neural tube defect, anencephaly, we lost him at 21 weeks. We have been extremely saddened by this news. However they aren't 100% sure of the neural tube defect, so we go in next Friday, the 25th of Sept. to have another level 2 ultrasound to hopefully find out the news as to if this baby will be able to live.

Like I said in my previous blog, but deleted. You friends and family can carry the hope for me right now. After the last 2 pregnancies I don't have many hopeful thoughts, but then, God can do miracles......so maybe there is one in store for us, I don't know.

There have just been so many life changes in the past 3 months that this makes things overwhelming. After leaving Executive Title I worked for 2 months at the Recruiting Firm I had worked for before, The Right Staff. I realized that it just wasn't the industry for me and thankfully found a job 10 mins. from home at a Title Co. I am loving my job and it keeps me super busy and my mind of the stresses of this pregnancy. However, it was stressful leaving my previous employer, finding a job, realizing it wasn't for me and then finding a new one.

I tell Luke that if I could make it through 2 lost babies, I know I can make it through a 3rd, but it won't be easy. Questions come up as what will the future look like for us for a family, and I don't know. A lot will depend on next week.

Needless to say we have had a lot going on in the past couple months and I haven't done the best in updating. But this is it.

As for now, we are just trying to cling to each other and God and help each other through another difficult time.

This weekend is our annual weekend up to Duluth for the Rollerblade marathon. I was supposed to do the 1/2 Marathon, but with everything I think I will just take the Finisher T-shirt at the end :) After we watch my dad come through Saturday morning we are planning to head to Goosebury Falls and do some hiking.

On a very happy note....this last weekend I went w/ my sista and mom to start looking at wedding dresses for Sari. We had a good time, and took some fun pics in the dressing room of some crazy dresses Sar tried on.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will update you as to when I have more information and how I am doing.

And just so you know, I am doing ok. Thanks for your prayers, they help me through each day!

How Do I Sleep Without You?

The song "How do I live without you" is in my head, except for the words, "How do I sleep without you" should be the words for me after last night. Luke left yesterday for a golf weekend with some neighbors. So after I went to the grocery store and chatted w/ a neighbor I was in bed by 9:30PM and just could NOT fall asleep. Then when I did fall asleep I kept waking up every 1-2 hrs. It was horrible.
Then I had this crazy dream that I was at someone's house and there was a tornado. I ran down to the basement under the stairs and curled up in the fetal position while the tornado swept by. As I looked outside the window and saw different things flying by, A horse, a cow.....just weird. Then I went to my house and Sadie and Hogan were running around outside and the roof had blow off my house and everything was everywhere. Whew, what a dream!
Thankfully that was NOT true.

I am heading up to my cabin this evening for the weekend. I can't wait to sleep in and just relax. Have a great weekend!

What I am praying today

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen.

Good times to come.....Hooray!

FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crabby Pants

I am SO crabby today. Watch out people!

A post for Bethany

Dear Bethany.
You have been gone for a long time. I miss you! The reason for this message is to inform you that we are exactly 14 days and counting from the Great Minnesota Get Together, i.e. the STATE FAIR!!!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, this will be the 2nd year in a row without you and Kurbi, I am not sure how I feel about this. I mean, come on now.......don't you think you should just hop on a plane and come home just for the fair! HELLO!!!!!!!! ;) Ok, of course I am kidding. But I do want you to know that again this year, you will be missed. We will eat deep fried pickles in your honor!

Love and miss you!!!!!!!!

My dogs ate my mascara this morning! SO ANNOYING!!!!!

My Drive

Things I enjoy doing on my 1-1.5 hour car ride to and from work.

1. Listen to music
2. Drink coffee
3. Talk to people on the phone
4. Think about all the things I could be doing at home instead of driving
5. Watch stupid people on the road who don't know how to drive
6. Ponder why people can't just drive fast so there is no traffic
7. Have the car completely quiet so I don't have any noise
8. Think of what to make for dinner
9. Worry about other stupid drivers hitting me
10. Try and get a tan while driving

As you can see my drive is not too exciting. Any suggestions on how I can make it better? It is starting to get to me............

I HATE Mondays!

I am so tired! We had a good weekend, but exhausting! Pretty sure I can't stay up until 2am anymore! I still have not recovered.......let's hope these next 3.5 hours go fast!

Nothing to Say

My sister told me to update this. I told her I have nothing to say. She told me to say, "I have nothing to say!" There ya go folks!

A Weekend in the Silhouette Room

We spent the weekend at the Arbor Inn in Prescott Wisconsin. I was very surprised. We had a wonderful weekend and the owners John and Deb made us feel right at home.

We had our own private entrance w/ a hot tub and a 4 course breakfast each morning.

Friday night we enjoyed a bottle of Champagne and wonderful carrot,cream cheese cake on the porch. We then went for a little stroll around the neighborhood and admired the beautiful homes and then enjoyed the hot tub that night under the stars.

Saturday morning we woke up to freshly baked scones outside our door, coffee for me and tea for Luke. After our 4 course breakfast in bed we hopped in the hot tub before we headed to Troy Burne golf course. Troy Burne is a Tom Lehman course and is gorgeous. We had a fun day of golf and then headed back to the Arbor Inn. I showered and Luke got to know the owners over a couple new kinds of Beer that only Wisconsin has. We then headed to Muddy Waters for dinner and back to the Arbor Inn to enjoy the evening. They had these very cool hammocks there that 2 people fit in, so we took advantage and fell asleep in one for over an hour and a half! The golf that day sure wore us out.

Sunday we woke up to another wonderful 4 course breakfast. I then had an hour massage and we packed up and headed into Prescott. It is a small town right along the river. It is actually right where the St. Croix and Mississippi river meet. We had a great weekend together and it was a great surprise!

PS - there are no pics. of Luke and I because I forgot my camera! Can you believe it!!!!

A Happy Monday

Today I started working at our Bloomington office. And to my surprise this morning there was a bouquet of flowers delivered to me from my wonderful husband. The note read, "Happy Monday...I love you, Luke" Isn't he the best ever! I am so lucky. I can't wait for this weekend to be able to go out of town just him and I! :)

Birthdays

I am HORRIBLE when it comes to my friends birthdays. Maybe it is because I hate my own birthday, but I just never remember people's birthdays. It is not that I don't care about my friends, it is the fact that my mind is missing a piece to help me remember people's birthdays, I swear! So I called Ana last week because I knew her birthday was coming up. She told me her birthday was on Sunday. Well I was at the cabin all weekend and totally spaced it out on Sunday! I feel SO HORRIBLE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANA! I LOVE YOU DEAR!!!

Then my neighbor Erica's birthday was yesterday. She is always so sweet to remember my birthday or Luke and I's anniversary, things like that. Well I called her yesterday and she had to tell me it was her birthday. I felt SO HORRIBLE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA! I LOVE YOU DEAR!!!

Ok, so saying that now, definitely does not make me feel any better, but what can ya do!

On a side note - my boss came to my office yesterday and told me that we would be moving to work out of the Bloomington office. So Monday I start in Bloomington. I am a little nervous about the drive, but I am sure it will be ok. The nice thing is that Luke works in Bloomington a couple days a week, so when he is there we can probably have lunch together!

We have a busy weekend ahead. Friday night we are having dinner with the Sorbel's. Saturday morning we drop the dogs off at the groomers at 9am and then head to Luke's grandmas in Roseville for a pancake breakfast. Then we decided we are going to go and have dinner on Saturday night at Mill City in St. Michael. It is a little hole in the wall type place with AMAZING burgers! Then Sunday is Sari and Ryan's engagement party at my parents house. So that is our fun filled weekend. Luke and I are really looking forward to dinner with the Sorbel's as we haven't spent time with them in way TOO long!

That's all for now! Until next time! :)

Oh how we rely on the Internet

So today at work our Internet has been down on and off ALL DAY LONG! It has been SO freakin' annoying. They will work for about 30 mins. then be down for over an hour! I have felt SO unproductive. That's my story.

I realize I have been really bad at posting lately. Sorry friends!

Things are going good for Luke and I. We have been keeping busy in the evenings with taking care of the yard and running...yes, both of us running! Hooray! :) We went to the Outlet Mall last weekend and both got a new pair of tennis shoes. The best part of the deal is that we only spent a total of $104 for both pair! The Outlet Mall does have good deals once and a while.

The last week of July, first week of August Luke is suprising me and we are hopping on a plane and going away for the weekend. He gave me a list of 5 cities I could choose from...New York, Boston, Miami, Las Vegas and San Francisco. He told me I could choose 3 out of the 5 of where I would want to go. I chose Boston, New York and San Fran.....I thought those would be fun cities to spend a day and a half in. So I will let you know after our trip where we go. He said I won't know until we are at the airport and he hands me the boarding pass.

Work is going well for me. I really enjoy being back in the staffing world and TRS has changed so much since I was here a couple years ago....for the better!

This weekend Luke has the Monticello CC Club Championship, so he gets to play all weekend and so I decided to head up to the cabin with my dad and the dogs. It is only going to be my dad and I and the 4 dogs until Sunday, so that should be fun. I am looking forward to relaxing and bringing a good book with.

A Good Surprise

I had to work today.........Wa Waaaaa....However we got a call at 10am letting us know that we could close down the office at Noon! Hooray! T- minus 14 minutes until I am on my way home and up to Big Birch Lake....I CAN'T WAIT!

I started reading the 1 year Bible. My goal is to be in the word daily. Every day has a part I read from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. I am reading in 2 Kings right now and it is really not that interesting. All I can tell you is there were A LOT of Kings that did not follow the Lord. (It tells you this a lot) Hezekiah was a good king though :)

Those are my thoughts for you. Have a safe and Happy 4th of July - T -minus 12 minutes now :0)

Weekend of R&R

I am SO looking forward to heading up to BBL tomorrow afternoon for a weekend of Rest and Relaxation. It is definitely MUCH needed.

My first week back to work @ TRS has been great. I am happy to be working with some great people and excited to start recruiting again.

Plans for this weekend include golfing, being in the sunshine (let's keep our fingers crossed) and reading my book.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July........wear your life jackets!!!!!!!

Many Changes for the Peterson Household

It has been some time since I have actually taken the time to write about my life. I have had many changes in the past couple of weeks.

1. I no longer work at Executive Title.
2. I was unemployed for 2 days and then decided to go back into the staffing world. I am working again for The Right Staff.
3. I have continued to run and Luke and I are actually running together now. I can go about 2 miles without having to stop to take a breathe...this is a HUGE accomplishment for me!
4. Google calendar is my new best friend
5. I have a new cell phone # (was getting out of country calls)
6. Luke and I are seeing the importance and blessings of a husband and wife that pray together.
7. Luke lost his Iphone last night - NOT GOOD!
Ok, so those are some general updates that give you a snapshot into what is going on.

I am very excited to be back at a job that will offer me a lot more challenge and opportunity for growth. I LOVED what I did at Executive Title, however it didn't give me much challenge and was very stressful. I am looking forward to working w/ people more face to face as well as doing recruiting.

In regards to Google calendar....if you have not tried it out, you should. It is WONDERFUL!

Nathan Junker

Today I found out that a friend from college died. Nathan Junker will be missed. My heart goes out to the family, Sam and her 4 kids. Luke and I were at their wedding and Luke sang and played the piano at their wedding. You don't think that things like this will happen to people you know, but God has other plans. Our prayers will be with the Junker family in the coming days.

Update on Pokegama Lake Drownings

The Itasca County Sheriff's Department says two people drowned on Pokegama Lake in a weather-related swimming accident.

The victims are 30-year-old Nathan Junker and 63-year-old Albert Hermiston. Both men are from Grand Rapids. The sheriff's office says the two men were close friends and had gathered with some church friends on Sunday.

Authorities said that weather likely caused the drownings. High winds created three foot waves on the lake on Sunday.

The men saw that a group of youth in the water were getting too close to a dangerous drop off area. They went out to bring them in. One of them gave a child a life jacket. Authorities said that it's likely that was a life-saving move.

The group of kids got to safety, but the two men were overtaken by waves.

The 9-1-1 call came in around 5:30pm on Sunday. The report was that Hermiston was floating in the water, and Junker was missing.

Hermiston was brought into shore by boat, to the docks at nearby Zorbaz on the Lake. Over a dozen people ran to help hold the boat, while he was lifted onto a stretcher.

An off-duty firefighter performed CPR, and Hermiston was brought to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Junker's body was not found until 8 p.m. on Monday night. About twenty people used boats, sonar, and an underwater camera to look for him. But the cloudy skies, high winds, and rain made the continued search difficult.

Finding this out today saddened my heart......it made me think how I need to appreciate every day that God gives me, each day is truly a gift.

A New Beginning

This is what I feel like I am being given a chance at......A new beginnig.

Thank you God for your Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy. In Christ we can become whole again!

My Next Adventure

See the link below as to what my next adventure will be! :)

http://www.minnewaskatriathlon.com/info.php


August 1st - Here I come!!!!!!!

A True Post

It has been a while since I have actually taken a lunch break and today I have a nummy Italian sub in hand, music playing and am breathing from work for about 10 minutes.



I decided during this 10 minute break that I will update my blog.


Last night I was up until about 1am. My neighbor Angie and I (well her 90% and me 10%) are having a garage sale this weekend as it is Albertville "Friendly Days", where we GET FRIENDLY ! :) So.....because it is Friendly Days they have HUGE city wide garage sales ALL WEEKEND! A Garage-Salers Paradise! We were up putting all of the millions of kids clothes out on tables, my clothes, household items, Christmas stuff and maternity clothes. I took a few picture on my cell phone last night to show you all the crazy size of this garage sale. The pictures really don't do this justice as the tables go ALL the way down the driveway on Both Sides!

This week has been pretty jam packed for me. I am getting my hair done tonight, which is always an exciting thing for me! Tomorrow I will probably be at work late because I am taking the day off on Friday to do some garage sale-ing of my own on Friday morning and then to sit at the garage sale for the rest of the day on Friday. Friday is actually my 5 year wedding anniversary. We aren't doing anything too exciting except for going out for Sushi, which is my favorite. Saturday morning is my 5K run (let's hope I make it!) and then I have a pool party for a friend I work with Saturday afternoon and then we are supposed to hit up Friendly Days in Albertville on Saturday night.

I feel like I have been seriously in a whirlwind since the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. The worst part is that it is already the 2nd weekend in June and I haven't even been to my cabin yet. For those of you who know me, that is a HUGE deal as I am up there almost every weekend once Memorial Day is here.

I am hoping I can make some cash at this garage sale, but of course that will just be used to go buy more clothes :) Oh well! Hope everyone is well! Until next time!

Learning to Run

Most of you know this about me, that I am NOT a runner.

I have decided that I want to actually RUN the Albertville 5K Run on June 13th. So, this weekend I started running. I have a 2 mile loop that I have been running. Ran it 3 times this weekend and actually enjoyed myself. Who would have thought I would enjoy running!?

So my goal is to at least finish 3.1 miles in 30 minutes, I figure that is decent since I am NOT a runner :)

So if you ever feel like a run.......let me know, as I am learning to run!

A Break Much Needed

I am SO freakin' excited that I have 3 days off of work. I did let the idea of coming in this weekend cross my mind to work on stuff, but WTH?! I am not doing that! I need a break!
Plus I HAVE to get my house ready for the party next weekend.

For those of you that don't know Luke and I are hosting a couple's shower for Ana and Adam and their baby to be. We are doing it BBQ style.......I am SUPER excited. If anyone knows where I can get some red and white checkered table clothes, let me know! :)

Pretty sure it is 6:30pm and I haven't even left yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!

So Much for 9-5

You know the song, "workin' 9 to 5...." Yeah....that is definitely NOT my life these days. Work is very busy....hence the no blogging.....................WA WAAAAAA :)

My Garden

Worked outside ALL day yesterday. Woke up today w/ a sunburned nose.....But doesn't it look beautiful! Ok, well it will look better when it is all blooming.

Not Ending

Ok - so I am not ending my blog.......but I am taking a break.

Final Blog Coming

I have decided that I am going to be ending my blog..............The final blog will come soon...........stay tuned.

Monday

I had a great weekend. Got a ton of yard work done and went to a co-workers graduation party. Very fun!

Monday is not so fun..........work is busy and our power already went out and then the copier/printer/fax broke...........

what's been going on

So.....in the past 3 weeks I have lost 8 pounds. I haven't even been trying to lose weight, but I have been stressed with work and life in general and I think that has been a key factor in this happening. I stepped on the scale (which I didn't own one of these until about 2 months ago) and had to take a double take when I looked down. It is weird to lose weight when you aren't trying.....kinda made me nervous at first, but then I thought, oh well. I just want to make sure I don't keep losing weight, because I definitely don't need to.

I haven't been very good about blogging lately, because I have been so busy. I have been putting in almost 50 hour work weeks every week for the past 3 weeks. You may not think the Real Estate market is that busy, but it is picking up. March 2008 to March 2009, the amount of home sales increased by 30%. That is actually a pretty significant number in 1 year due to where the housing market has been. Also, interest rates for loans right now are at an all time low and with the new Obama program everyone who can is refinancing, keeping me VERY busy.

I am thankful however for my job. I am happy that I have something to pour myself into right now. If I didn't I think I would be having a lot more difficult time with life.

Life has been stressful because I have been feeling very isolated lately. In my neighborhood Luke and I are the only ones without kids. Out of all our friends (who live in this country) we are the only ones without kids or pregnant. I do not resent my friends for this, however it puts me in a very different place in life. I love kids and will play with kids and what not, but as you mom's know, I can't full understand what it is like for you because I don't have a child of my own on this earth. Now by saying this I am not asking for a pitty party, I am just trying to help you understand my mind and what I am working through right now.

I have also come to a conclusion that I am done "trying" to get pregnant. It is entirely too stressful for me and to emotionally difficult. So I am just going to live my life and let life happen. I mean, let's be honest, I am 27 years old....I am still very young, what is the point of rushing?

So with all this said, these are the things that have been going on in my world as of late, busy at work, busy at home and just plain feeling busy. I have found a great relaxer in all of this.......A bubble bath, a beer and a book.............aaaaaah! You should try it, it's heavenly! :)

A weekend with out my man. He leaves on Thursday for a golf trip and then is dropped off in Milwaukee on Sunday night for work and comes home on Monday night.


I am looking forward to:
-sleeping in
-lying in bed w/ the dogs
-sleeping in
-shopping
-having a sleepover w/ my girlfriend

Basically doing whatever I want to! Horray! It can't come soon enough! :)

Pretty sure I think I may be 27 when I have my first heart attack!

Work SUCKED today!

Not feeling very bloggish lately.

2 Years

It has gone by so fast. I still feel the ache in my heart of losing my first child. I don't have much to write down, but a lot of thoughts in my head.

I want to move to Iowa

I am still here! Just SO busy at work that I have no time to blog! Sorry friends. More to come!

Wonderful Weekend

I had a FABULOUS weekend up north. I think I had a glass a wine in my hand the second I walked in the door. The girls and I just hung out and drank our favorite drinks....wine, screwdrivers and beer were being served :)
Saturday we stumbled out of bed, got ready and headed into Pequot Lakes. We entered a crazy craft store that I fell in love with and then broke the bank at the Fun Sisters on the Lake.
After our outing to Pequot, I tried my hand at beading......I do not consider myself a bead-er, but I had SO much fun doing it and think I have a new found hobby! I was home just before 2pm and of course did what I do best in the afternoons....took a nap!
After laundry and a wonderful steak dinner I sunk into bed on Sunday night thinking about my wonderful weekend.

Now I have California with my mom and sister to look forward to. We leave tomorrow night and come home Sunday. I of course have not packed and will therefore be frazzled tonight, but oh well, I am going on vacation baby!

Let's Hope Swimming Does a Body Good

Last night I went to the Monticello pool and swam with my neighbor Angie. I am sure we were a sight to see as we get in the water in our speedos, swim cap and goggles. We swam about 1700 yards, which is just over 60 laps. I forgot how much I love to swim and what a great workout it is. After our cool down we decided to take a couple runs down the water slide. It was sooooo funny.....we were both screaming as we went down. The lifeguard on duty was just laughing hysterically at us. After the slide we went into the hot tub to make the joints feel better.
I can't Wait to go swimming again tonight!

The weekend was fun. Friday night neighborhood scrapbook party which included some wine and my dogs running loose around the neighborhood for about an hour and a half. My Sadie baby is so freakin' smart. We never lock the door when we are just at the neighbors, but have to now.......she opened the door going out to the garage and probably realized she couldn't get outside that way, so then she proceeded to open the front door. All this happened while Luke and I were both at the neighbors. So my dogs had a fun Friday night as well! Thankfully they stuck right around the neighborhood.

Saturday I was able to watch my new little neighbor Grant Martin for a little bit, then I ran errands and hung out w/ Luke and the guys Saturday night.

Sunday was a spring cleaning day for me. I spent most of the day cleaning the house, I got a lot done! We had my Papa, Sari and Ryan and Luke's parents and Grandma Joyce over for a Spaghetti dinner.

All in all a good weekend.........I head up to Brainerd this next weekend.....I can't Wait!

It just hit me today that I am going to be gone 3 weekends in a row!!!! AHHHHHH!

I leave the last weekend in March for a friends cabin in Brainerd for a girls weekend. The weekend after that Sari and I are in California and the weekend after that Luke and I head to Iowa for Easter with his family. So yeah, lets just say I realize that this next weekend is the only time I will be able to get anything done around my house for a while. I have some projects I want to work on.

That's all for now!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!!!!!!!!

To all of you Irishmen and women - Happy St. Pat's day!!!!!!!!!

I still have not posted pics. from our Park City trip, I am a slacker!

I have seriously started writing on my blog like 4 different times, but haven't finished. So here are some recaps for you on life in the past week or so.

My sister booked her reception sight - Mill City Museum. We went and visited on Saturday, it is such a neat place! I can't wait for August 7, 2010!!!!!!! Then I had my first Greenie at Jericho's (Totally don't know if that is the name of the bar or not!) but it was some green drink that was pretty tasty!

Saturday Luke and I spent the day together - it was nice, we haven't done that in a long time.

Sari and I are going to California in April. We leave April 1st and come home April 5th. My mom's work is flying her out there for an Ultrasound conference, so we are going to be staying w/ her and lying by the pool for 3 days straight! I can't wait. It will be a great girls weekend away, and we will even be able to see our cousin Shauna who lives in San Diego!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!

I had a cat at my house over the weekend. I named him Mr. Kitty (I decided it was a "he"). He was wandering around the neighborhood, so I put him in our garage, gave him water and food and a litter box that he eve used! He ran away on Sunday because he was afraid of Sammy the Beagle next door. I definitely would have a cat if I could!

That is about it for now! Hope everyone is doing well!

Congratulations Sista

I have been waiting to tell everyone until my sister told all her friends.

MY SISTER IS ENGAGED!!!!

She got engaged on our family vacation!

I'm Home

1. Got home just fine

2. Had a great trip

3. Trying to get through my moutain of papers at work

4. Will post pics and more when I have time!

I sit and feel like I am running 100 mph because work is SO busy and crazy. I am going to be coming in tomorrow for a couple hours to get stuff done for when I am gone.

Erica is going to have her baby while I am gone.....That makes me sad that I will miss her little guys birth. But thankfully she lives next door and I can go over there and hold him whenever I want........get ready Erica! ;) I can't wait to meet little man Martin!

Crazy

Today is a crazy day at work! AAAAAHHHHHHHH!

Round 2

So last night I picked up a book and opened it....then I heard the words of Bethany ringing in my ears..."Read Harry Potter, he won't let you down!" So I picked up Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and started from where I had left off, about 248 pages into the book. Thankfully I remembered where I had left off. I don't know why I ever put the book down, it was just getting good!

So Bethany, you would be proud, I am reading Harry Potter again. I am hoping to finish book 4 and then book 5 while I am on vacation!

Tonight we are going over to the Martin's house to watch LOST. I can't wait! I LOVE LOST!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Heart Day!

We had a fabulous Valentine's Day! I went shopping with Erica at Target to obtain the needed items for our Fondue Night, cleaned my house and then got ready for our Valentine's Night with the neighbors!

Our night was a definite success and a ton of fun!!!!!!!!!

V-day FUN!

I can't wait for Saturday night. We decided to get together with our neighbors and have a sit down dinner of Fondue. Angie, Erica and I got together last night to plan out our menu and then we made Valentine cards for our hubby's......shhhhh......dont' tell them, it's a surprise.
Of course it was just an excuse for us to pull out our scrapbook supplies and stamps! It was fun.

I am reading Multiple Blessings right now by Kate Goessling, you know, the TV Show, Jon and Kate +8! It is a really great book so far, I am just cruisin' through it. For those of you moms that want a heart warming story, for sure this is a must read!

I need a book to bring with me on vacation. I bought the first book in the Twilight series, but I am not too sure how excited I am to read the book, vampires scare me!

That is all for now. Have a good day!

Tonight I brought around the cupcakes I made last night to my neighbors. I am cheesy and drew hearts on the papers plates in red marker and wrote Happy Valentine's Day.......I really need a kid so I can do these fun things with him/her!

I went to Costci (aka Cosco) tonight w/ my mom........They have SUCH GOOD DEALS! I got a 3 pound box of cereal for about $6 and at Coborns one small box is over $4! So I stocked up on toilet paper and other necessities. I thought the work week would slow down after today and yesterday, but I have a feeling it is just going to be crazy busy until I leave for vacation. Speaking of, I leave in exactly 11 days! I can't wait! Skiing in my sweet outfit here I come! Oh you just wait, I am going to look SO sweet in my new outfit....black pants, pink jacket, black ski helmet and pink goggles......I can't wait. I mean seriously, I will even post a picture of what I have been skiing in lately and how I just don't usually match AT ALL!

ok......Do you see what I mean! Grey snow pants, black jacket, bright orange neck gator, camo hat and white goggles........so sad!

Weekend in Bed :(

I basically spent most of my free time last weekend in bed.


Friday night I was able to make it to the neighborhood scrapbooking party, which probably didn't help my sickness because I was up late. Then Saturday morning I slept in a little, well I got up and just felt like crap.

This week just feels like it is going to be a long one, but we'll see. Last night I didn't leave work until almost 6pm. I got home, made good ol' taco salad for dinner and then decided I wanted to make cupcakes for Valentines Day. So I made some w/ pink frosting and I am going to bring them around to the neighbors tonight.

My mom never gave me NyQuil, she just never believed in giving that sort of medication. Well the past 2 nights I have been coughing going to bed, so Luke told me to take NyQuil. Maybe it was the fact that I have never taken it before or what, but that stuff knocked me out like you wouldn't believe! It was great. I have had 2 really good nights of sleep........now lets hope I don't become addicted ;)

This is from June of 2007......

Sari, Me, My cousin Sarah and Shauna!

Last night I spent the night helping my neighbor Angie with her birth announcements for little Jackson boy. It was fun to make them.

Tonight is neighborhood scrapbooking party. I am going to have to take a nap beforehand so I can make it. I am convinced that I got my cold from a co-worker.....I am going to hide in my office today.

Well that is all. I have a busy day at work! Have a great weekend friends!

What I get done when you are gone

I realized that when Luke is not home I am able to accomplish so much around the house. Not only do I get a lot done, but I am just more motivated to get stuff done. I think I don't have someone around that I want to hang out with so I can focus on Laundry or cleaning up.

My biggest petpieve in my house is having a messy kitchen. Most of you know that as you sit there in the kitchen and talk to me and I wipe down the countertop numerous times :)
So I was able to get my kitchen all cleaned up last night.

I feel like I am getting sick, so last night on my way home from work (which I didn't leave until almost 6pm! ugh!) I stopped at Walgreen's and picked up some cough drops and a Neti Pot. I tried out the Neti pot last night and I must have been a sight to see! I had my head hanging over the sink pouring this thing into my nose......I know, beautiful picture I am painting for all of you! :) But I do feel a lot better this morning.

Tonight I am heading to my neighbor Angie's to help her finish up birth announcements for little Jackson boy....he is so cute!

This weekend we don't have too much going on. I of course am going to get scrapbooking in.

So to sum everything up...........I get a lot done when my hubby is gone......:)

Just what the Doctor Ordered!

Today was an emotional day for me. I felt out of control in my head all day at work and of course it didn't come out until I was at home with Luke. Well I had planned on spending the evening w/ my neighbor Angie going to the dollar store i.e. the dollar scrapbook store and JoAnn Fabric's.
Our neighbor Meghan came as well and it was just what I needed. I needed that girl time to get my spirits up and put a smile on my face. You know those days that your husband just can't do it..........that's when you need your girlfriends. So thanks Angie and Meghan for turning my night around and putting a smile on my face. I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief!

Not much to say

I am distraught over still not having a cell phone!
I swear every day I read about someone else who is pregnant.
I have had some really strange dreams lately.
My dogs finally got a couple walks in this weekend.
I of course scrap-booked over the weekend.
I was able to spend a lot of time w/ my neighbors kids over the weekend.
This was the first year Luke and I stayed home and watched the Superbowl just the 2 of us.
I still have many mixed feelings about if I should stay on BC or not.
I am going to start teaching piano lessons for sure in the spring.
I love that I get to see my sister just about every day now.
I am finally backing up all my pictures on discs, hopefully before my computer dies on me.
I realized that I wrote a whole Christmas card, addressed envelopes but never brought them to the post office.
I visited my Grandparents over the weekend and they knew who I was and my Grandpa even told me he loved me when I left.

That is a good note to end on.

T.M.I.

This is probably just way too much info....but I don't know what to do and am SO frustrated.

I have been on B.C. since I lost little angel #2. However....I have been having my "friend" every other week sine before Christmas! It is SO frustrating. I am going to call my OB tomorrow, but what the HECK is going on! After talking to my mom tonight she said that maybe I should just go off of the pill. I thought, yeah, maybe I should.....But then I sit here as tears well up in my eyes scared out of my mind.

It was easy starting to try for #2 because in my mind nothing bad was going to happen again. But now, after everything we have been through, I don't know if I can handle much more. Just the mere thought of becoming pregnant and the unknowns for Luke and I scares the crap out of me.

I want to start a family more than anything. But is now the time? And with that comes so many scary things in my mind.

I also think about great things too....like how I had so much fun with Ben on Saturday and that someday I will have a little guy or girl of my own to laugh with and take pictures of and read books to. But the uncertainty of putting something out there again to be taken away and feel heart ache and pain weighs so heavy on my heart.

So I guess my hope and prayer is that I will have peace if we are supposed to start trying.

And about my "friend" every other week........that is what is TMI for everyone to know :)

Weekend Review

I had a great weekend. I spent Saturday watching Marty and Jessie's little guy Ben. He was SO good. Never cried once. We had fun playing with toys and reading books. I even did a great job changing his diaper 4 times thank you very much :)

Here is a pic.

After my adventures in babysitting I went over to my neighbor Angie's for dinner and to scrapbook. I do have a severe obsession with scrapbooking. I put some of my pages on my facebook page, reason being they are pics. from our trip to Las Vegas w/ the Kurbis' :)

Sunday I headed to Archivers for more of my favorite activity and then Luke and I went to our favorite spot for dinner, Rancho.

The bad news about the weekend is that my cell phone broke. When I plug the charger in, it won't charge. Damn phone! Anyways, it looks like the place that you plug the charger into on the phone is bent/broke....so of course stupid Tmobile is telling me that is considered "external" damage so they won't give me a new phone even though I have had my phone less than 1 year! GRRRR! I am hoping that Luke will be able to work some magic today and get me a new phone.

Luke gave his resignation on Monday. He is now a banker again, now working for Associated Bank and a Business Development Manager or something like that. Way to go LUKE :)

So that is all for now..........I am hoping to get a new phone soon......we'll see :)

Sista Sista

Today my sister started working with me here in my office. She is working about 20 hours a week, but it will be fun to have her here! (I actually started singing in my head, "Sisters, Sisters...", you knowl, the song from White Christmas!)
So cited SISTA!



So here is my week recap.......Said goodbye to our BF's on Monday, went snowmobiling on Tuesday, watched LOST and had dinner at the Martin's on Wednesday, Luke went snowmobiling on Thursday and I watched Private Practice and balled my eyes out...It was VERY emotional, Friday, today, Sari starts working with me and then we are having dinner with Ana and Adam at 3 Squares in the Grove.



Tomorrow I am babysitting Marty and Jessie's baby boy, Ben. I am very excited to spend time with him, he is SO freakin' cute and such a happy baby. I am just afraid of one thing.....changing a diaper! I seriously have not changed a diaper since babysitting in High School, so yeah, a little nervous about that part! But I am going to bring him over to my neighbor Angie's house cuz she has tons of toys :)



Saturday night I will be enjoying my favorite past time, can anyone guess what that is? Scrapbookin' baby! Oh yes, I will be trying to get caught up, I am WAY behind.



Sunday we don't have any plans. I am hoping maybe Luke and I can get out snowmobiling.



Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I hate Goodbye

Last night we said goodbye to Kurbis and Bethany. Yes, I shed a few tears, but controlled myself from sobbing uncontrollably.

I will miss those 2 like crazy! We are so blessed to have them in our lives. I don't know what I would do without them. Even though I am sad that I won't see my dear Bethany for a while, I know we will keep in touch and be able to communicate. My goal is to give her a weekly update of our lives.......whether she likes it or not :)

I have some fun pictures and will post them tonight from last night.

So, Goodbye Kurbis and Bethany for somewhere around 365 days! We love you guys!

Can I go Home YET?

It is time for me to go home. I am truly exhausted. I am going to try and workout tonight...I haven't in way too long. Once you start it is easy to keep going, but it is the starting part that seems to be hard for me.

I am hoping that maybe I can convince my sister to come over and work-out with me, maybe that will help me get back into it. Not to mention I hurt my knee this past weekend so I am afraid to workout on it........ANYWAYS!!!!!

I am really looking forward to my first baby shower on Saturday. Now 1 year and 9 months later I feel ok to have a shower for my neighbor Erica. She is having a boy, he is due to arrive on February 17th, but I have a feeling she might go early, we'll see :)

Anyways for her shower we are having all the neighborhood ladies over (i love that I call us ladies and the oldest of us isn't even 35!) and then we are doing what we do best....scrapbooking! We are putting together pages for Erica's scrapbook so all she has to do is add photos. It should be a lot of fun. We are doing it in the morning and then having brunch. I am really looking forward to it.

Well that is all for now.........hopefully my sister will come over tonight :)

10 things

I feel like my blog posts have been SUPER boring lately. I apologize. I just feel like there hasn't been a whole lot to write about.

Well today I have a couple thing to write about, so here I go!

1. Luke had a 2nd interview today, so we should hear by the end of the week whether or not he got the job. For those of you who don't know, w/ the economy the way it is his current company has been struggling and he may not have a job for too much longer, so he is being proactive in looking for work. He is going back into the banking world. It is kind of a breath of fresh air knowing that my husband will be "Luke the Banker" again. I mean, lets be honest, the guy could barely turn on a computer and all of a sudden he knows everything about high-tech sound equipment, weird. So I am really praying hard that this position works out, it would sure answer A LOT of prayers!

2. My work has picked up. Things were slow for me here for a while, but now with interest rates dropping a lot of people are refinancing. We are even so busy that Sari might be coming to work with me for a couple of weeks. Oh, yeah, Sari.....(aka SISTA) lost her job a week ago last Friday. She was bumbed but is hoping for a job she will truly like.

3. I finally took Christmas out of the house yesterday. Not only did I do that, but I totally cleaned the upstairs as well. I really want to rearrange my living room, but I have no clue how I would do it....any suggestions?

4. Kurbis and Bethany are leaving soon. Their flight date right now is set for Jan. 21st, but it will probably even be pushed back a little from then. I feel bad for them that they have had to wait SO long to be able to leave.

5. My neighbor Angie had her little boy Jackson on Jan. 2nd....he was 8lbs. 15oz. and 21 inches long...he is SO cute.

6. I found out that my levels are good. I only have to get my blood drawn for 3 more months, Feb, March and April....then Luke and I should be able to start trying again. But right now I am not sure if I want to start trying right then....we'll see. I am enjoying just Luke, Ali, Sadie and Hogan time. The 4 of us just lay in bed and cuddle, its fun. I love my babies.
It is funny, we got Hogan the year that we lost little Brian......every time I hug Hogan I am thankful that God gave me that dog, because he is such a cuddler and when I get sad that I don't have a baby to hold and cuddle, I have Hogan.......he's Momma's boy!

7. I CAN'T WAIT for LOST to start, it starts on Jan. 21st! I used to be such a hypocrite of the show, and now I can't wait to watch season 5! it seriously is the best show (well nothing can beat the Sopranos) that I have ever seen.

8. It has been snowing since I stepped foot in my office, which was 8:15am this morning.......I LOVE SNOW!

9. Ryan's car got rear ended on Saturday night. They are waiting to see if it is totalled. Poor guy, it is a brand new car too. It was a hit and run, the car was un-driveable....the pictures are crazy.

10. I hurt my right knee on Friday night. I had to ice it all weekend long. It is feeling better now, but it makes me nervous then for our ski trip in February, hopefully it will be ok.