Be the Best You Can Be Week #18

Wow. I can't believe I didn't post for an entire week. Crazy.

Life has been busy and intense...and will continue to be so until...who am I kidding? It's always going to be busy and intense. But blogging is not exactly at the top of my priority list right now

How did I do last week?

1. Read Revelation. I missed a couple of days...sadly. And it's taking longer than I thought. So I doubt I'll make my August goal. But I'll keep reading it until I finish!

2. Baby projects. These are coming along great! I bought most of the last minute stuff that I need. I just have a few more things to pick up on Thursday. I started organizing the nursery today. I washed all of his clothes, blankets, bibs, burp cloths, etc. Most of them are all folded (all except the batch that's in the dryer right now and one that I just pulled out).

3. House projects. I'm getting so much done! My house is becoming more and more organized, and I LOVE it.

4. Take more pictures. Uhhh....okay. Didn't really do this one. I'll keep working on it.

New goals?

Once again, all the same.

Tomorrow I plan to finish organizing the nursery, put up my crib bedding, make a list of all the last minute things that I need, paint some cute canvasses for his room, decorate, organize a few things around the house, and prepare the hospital bags.

Menu?

Easy meals. Tortellini. Frozen lasagna. Subway. All my focus is going to preparing for this baby.

Have a great week! And don't forget to check out my new blog, Polka Dot Lane!

Be the Best You Can Be Week #17

How did I do last week?

1. Read Revelation. Once again, good so far.

2. Baby projects. Eh, they are coming along. Slowly.

3. House projects with Jess. We did like one together. I've done more by myself.

New goals?

All the same ones. So much to do, so little time.

And I'm adding a fourth one...take more pictures!!

Last week's menu?

Got all messed up. With Jess unexpectedly leaving...I didn't cook most of the week. And Tuesday something came up that caused me to not get home until after six. So I didn't cook then either. So basically...it was bad. I swear something is out for me to NOT cook.

This week's menu?

Tuesday: Easy enchirito, guac, salsa, salad

Wednesday: Chicken taquitos, leftover sides from Tuesday

Thursday: BBQ Baked Potatoes, veggies

Friday: Club burger with avocado ranch dressing, fruit

Saturday: Out

Sunday: Family dinner

Welcome Home

Wednesday evening, I got a sad surprise.

Jess called me on his way home from work informing me that he had to fly up to Utah in less than an hour. He was on his way home from work, he needed to finish up some work calls, charge his phone, and he'd be on his way. He wouldn't be back until Saturday.

Needless to say, I was really sad. We already had fun date plans for Friday night. I had plans for us that night, and the next as well. But they were going to have to wait.

Since there wasn't much I could do, I packed his bag, drove him to the airport, and prepared myself for my first few nights completely alone in an empty house. EVER.

The nights were very lonely. I slept without much problem (a big accomplishment for me and my scaredy-cat self.) But it was sad laying down to nobody beside me and waking up to an empty pillow next to mine.

But somehow I got through it all. Jess was where he needed to be, and I learned that I can stay home alone. I tested my limits.

And when I picked him up from the airport on Saturday evening, I had never been so happy to see him. Seriously. I know, pathetic. We were only apart for three days. But I never want to be apart from him. He's my best friend.

Plus, the car make-out was fabulous.

And then we had a nice night at home filled with take-out, a scary movie, and a chick flick. And I had someone to cuddle with before bed. 

It was perfect.

I love my husband. I hate it when he's gone. But I love it when he comes back. It helps me remember how lucky I am to have him in my life.

It still amazes me that I found him. I'm so blessed.

Thanks, Jess

I've been a bit frustrated with my abilities lately.

Lots of days I can't accomplish what I want to because my back hurts too bad to walk/stand or I'm so exhausted I have to retire early.

Basically, I'm having a hard time getting ready for this baby to come because of the pregnancy.

It's been really frustrating.

But Jess said something to me the other day that made me think.

He said something like, "Babe, you're making a baby. That's tough work. Don't be so hard on yourself."

And it's true.

At the end of the day, no matter what else I accomplished, I can still say that I'm growing a baby.

That in and of itself is rewarding enough.

In fact, it is a miracle.

And I feel SO blessed to be able to help create that miracle.

I feel SO blessed that Heavenly Father has trusted me with one of his precious children.

I feel SO blessed that He has allowed me to have this experience.

Today I'm helping create a sweet baby boy.

And that's enough for me.

Baby Ry

My baby is now due in less than a month.

Let me repeat that for you all...

Less than a month.

Yes, I'm planning on it taking him longer than a month to get here...

But in reality, he could come at any time.

It's so crazy to think that in just a short time I will have a precious baby here in the world, laying in my arms.

And not just any baby...

But MY baby.

So many days I am amazed at the fact that I am growing a baby inside of me. It's almost unreal. I still don't understand how it is possible. It's the greatest miracle out there, if you ask me.

Sometimes when I feel him kick, I can't help but marvel at the fact that he is there.

I love to picture what he will look like, sound like, be like.

I can't wait to hold him in my arms, to hear him coo, to kiss his head, to rub his soft skin, to play with his cute, little toes.

And I know it's going to be hard.

I know I'm going to be exhausted.

Beyond exhausted...

And there are going to be moments where I don't think I can do it anymore.

But it will all be worth it.

How do I know?

Because I already love him beyond words.

I already can't picture my world without him.

He's already changed my life.

(Photos courtesy of Natalie Wall)

And don't forget to check out my new blog, Polka Dot Lane!

Be the Best You Can Be Week #16

How did I do last week?

1. Read Revelation. Still sticking with it. I'm loving my little helper book. It's making it a LOT easier. But it takes me over a half hour to get through half a chapter.

2. Get through school without getting discouraged. I MADE IT! And with straight A's. Woooo!

3. Baby projects galore. I started one on Friday, went to get supplies to do some more on Saturday, and got more necessities for him. So I got a good start.

New goals?

1. Read Revelation. This one is sticking here until I'm done. And alongside it, I'm adding the goal to read my scriptures for AT LEAST 30 minutes a day. Our ward is going to be starting up this challenge. And I started today.

2. Baby projects. I can't wait to get everything done.

3. House projects with Jess. I wanna try to do one a night (at least on the nights we don't have other things going on) and one or two on Saturdays for the next two or three weeks. He isn't going to like this. But it will make our lives run much smoother once baby is here. I want the house to be all in order by the time Baby RyRy comes.

Last Week's Menu:

Epic fail. I did some of them...but not all. For the chicken crock pot recipe, go here. I did a post on my other blog with the recipe.

Menu for this week:

Monday: Oriental Chicken Salad

Tuesday: Chicken taquitos, salsa, guacamole

Wednesday: Enchirito, salsa, guacamole

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits

Saturday: Out

Sunday: I think dinner with family

Don't forget to check out my new blog, Polka Dot Lane!

One More Day

of this:

And then I can breathe.

I can craft.

I can spend time with friends.

I can get ready for this baby.

I can get house projects done.

I can GET READY for the day.

I can try NEW recipes.

I can do something other than study with several 5-10 minute facebook and blog breaks.

I can LIVE.

Finally.

Oh, and don't forget to check out my new blog, Polka Dot Lane!

Lunch Thoughts

While I was eating lunch yesterday, I had some deep thoughts.

Cherries, grapes, strawberries, and a peach

Peanut Butter and Honey on the best bread

I always say that I want to be more service oriented. I want to do nice things for people. I want to think more about others and less about myself. I want to do things for people that would make me smile if they were done to me. I want to make others feel special, loved, important. I want to ease someone's burden.

But no matter what, I always claim that I'm too busy to do this.

"I'll do it tomorrow. I've got a bunch going on today."

"I'll start next week. This is a CRAZY week."

"I can't possibly fit another thing in now. I'll get around to it."

But how long are the excuses going to last?

I'm ALWAYS going to be busy. Life isn't going to get any simpler. There will always be other things to do.

So why wait?

Why not start NOW?

After all, isn't the whole point of service to give of yourself--even though it may be hard to do?

I think I missed that.

So I'm starting NOW.

Who's with me?

Baby Ryan

I had another OB-GYN appointment yesterday.

And here's what I got:

 

Yes, pictures of Baby Ryan!!!

They are kinda blurry and hard to see because:

1) The placenta was in the way

2) My scanner decided not to work. So I had to take pictures of the pictures.

But isn't he so cute?!

He kept sticking his tongue out as you can see in this picture.

And then he made a pout-y face.

It was ADORABLE!

And basically...I'm obsessed with how cute he is.

For reals.

Only 37 days left.

Yay!

Be the Best You Can Be #15

How did I do last week?

Summer 2004

1. Read Revelation accompanied by my new insight book. Did this everyday. Except today. But I will before bed tonight.

2. Get through school without getting discouraged. I haven't done so well at this. We have 3 chapters for this last unit. I have now listened to all the lectures and read the corresponding chapters. Now I just need to study study STUDY all week. Problem is...I have NO idea what I learned. I'm mentally done. I just can't focus on it. I somewhat remember the last chapter, but that's only because it's on the reproductive system/development. I'm obviously really interested in how my little boy has developed and will continue to develop up until he is born. Plus, I've already been learning much more about this. So it's all kinda stuck there. But as for the digestive and urinary system...I just don't CARE anymore.

3. Baby projects galore. I WISH I had time for these. But school is taking over my life. So frustrating.

New goals for next week?

Summer 2005

The same. All three of them.

1. I wanna finish Revelation by the end of August. So this one will be on there until I do.

2. I can't let myself get discouraged. Thursday night at 10:00 (or sooner) it will ALL be over. Except for waiting for my grade to come in. That'll be stressful.

3. Baby projects. This week I hope to get at least one done. And that will probably be on Friday after school is over. But I NEED to get something done. I have so much to do before Baby Ryan comes.

Remember when I posted my menu on here for one week only?

Summer 2006

Yeah...that was cool.

But seriously. I'm getting so bad at cooking regularly. So I'm trying this again. This week...it will all be very easy, simple meals. But once school is over...I hope to try some fun, more difficult recipes at least a few times a week.

Monday: Spaghetti and salad

Tuesday: Chicken Crock Pot Meal

Wednesday: Chili (hopefully in bread bowls for Jess...he's been craving them)

Thursday: Hamburger helper. No...I'm not kidding. Jess and I have made it once...on our honeymoon. First meal we ever made together. We saw it at the store and got all sentimental. So we bought more. Mmmmm. And veggies.

Friday: Breakfast for dinner (waffles, eggs, and bacon)

Saturday: Eat out

Sunday: Philly cheese steak

Summer 2006

 Still no good pictures. I'm seriously going to start taking more.

But until then...see me years ago!

Have a great week!

Don't forget to check out my new blog!

Random Thoughts and Something New

1. Today in Relief Society we talked about something that got me to thinking. We discussed what it means to see the face of God. A quote from Les Miserables says, "To love another person is to see the face of God." I LOVE this quote (and this play, might I add). As we got into deeper conversation, we discussed that to see the face of God is to see the good in everyone. To see them the way that He would. To recognize that each and every person is a child of God, with the potential to become like Him. It really got me to thinking about how I view people. I could be better at this.

2. From the last post, about my cousin Courtney, some of you mentioned interest in buying her CD. If you are really interested, or if anyone else is, I got a couple from her mom. So if you want one, you can e-mail me {jessesgirlblog@gmail.com} and find a way to meet up. I can always get more as well. They are $10.

3. I know I haven't posted for the past couple of days...and here is why. I've been working on a little something new. A new blog! I love blogging about fun things like tips, crafts, decor, etc. But I didn't like having them all on this blog. I wanted this to be more of a personal blog, like a journal of sorts. Something I could look back on, read, and remember all my memories. So I started a new blog for all the "fun" stuff! This blog will still have random thoughts, lessons learned, be the best you can be, inspirational thoughts, and updates on me, Jess, Mr. Nash, and Baby Ryan. But it will be more focused on my inner monologue and life. The new blog, Polka Dot Lane, will center around everything girl. Stop on by to check it out. Here is a link to the first blog that explains all about what it will entail. Hope you enjoy it!