Snow Day

Know what sucks? Waking up on a Saturday morning and looking out the window to see that it is actively snowing heavily. Don't get me wrong; it was beautiful to look at, but by the time it had finished there was like two added feet of snow on the ground in addition to what we already had.

Know what else sucks? Kurt is in Utah for the weekend for army drill.

Know what else sucks? Having to shovel your driveway when you're pregnant and you have a bad back. 

I really considered calling someone to help me or ignoring it and accept that I was barricaded in my house, but I couldn't let myself. I got out my shovel and snow clothes and headed outside. 

This is the first time I have tried to use our new snow shovel. It's a pretty heavy duty industrious one, and I'm not surprised that Kurt's big strong muscles have no trouble maneuvering that thing around. I, however, am not so strong. It was hard to lift that thing even without a bunch of snow on top of it. Because of this, I had to get creative with how I was going to move this snow. 

I tried levying the handle in my arm pit and using both hands to scoop and move the snow. 

I tried putting the shovel on the ground and pushing it like a snow plow. 

I tried getting a shovel-load of snow and then kicking the shovel towards the place I wanted the snow to end up.

I even tried using it the proper way, but had little success. 

I finally decided that the shovel was hardly worth all the trouble. I then set it aside and went to a pile of snow. I bent my knees and put my hands down on the ground. I then proceeded to push the snow through my legs similar to a dog digging a hole in the ground. This, I found, was my most effective way of snow removal. 

All these methods made me extremely tired though. I took at least twenty breaks because I found that my back was aching and my heart was racing. Oh yeah and I was gasping for air. How pathetic right? I'm sure one of my neighbors was filming my whole affair and laughing hysterically. Everyone keep their eye open for a youtube video. I'm sure I looked ridiculous. 

I refused to give up though. I'm too proud to ask for help, I didn't want to be a prisoner in my own house, and I didn't want to think of myself as a pansy. Even though I wanted to give up many a time, I didn't. I stuck it out. It wasn't the finest work on the street or anything, but once I had gotten the mountain behind my car down to what I thought my 4-wheel drive could manage, I called it a day. 

Kurt called me shortly afterwards and I told him about what I had just undertaken. He thought I was a weirdo, of course, and wondered why I hadn't asked for help... Uhhh... because I don't need it, duh! No that's not what I said. I just kinda shrugged and said I had thought about it, but didn't want to be a wimp. We talked for a few more minutes and then hung up. 

About an hour or two later, I was in my room when I heard some weird noises outside our back door. I thought maybe some snow was falling off the roof or something, but it kept going. Then Tom-Tom started barking, so I knew something had to be going on. I got up and went to the door and cracked it open. There was our home teacher shoveling my snow! He had already done the entire driveway and was just finishing a path to the door. He had gotten clear down to the concrete even. 

 I gasped and said, "George, what are you doing??" 

He smiled at me and said, "Your husband called and said you needed some help with the snow."

"Oh my gosh! You are so kind. I really appreciate your help. Can I help you finish?"

"I am actually done. You gave me a good head start. Good to see ya!"

I said good-bye and was so grateful to have such an awesome home teacher. He really is a great guy. I was also grateful that my husband thought to call him and ask him for help because I was too proud. Even though we could have survived with my crappy snow removal, I did the bare minimum. It was so nice to have someone come and really go the extra mile. It just reminds me of how blessed I am to be a member of the church where I have so many resources and people willing to help me. I guess this whole post (in a really long, roundabout kind of way) is about me acknowledging my blessings. I'm soooo lucky. I'll blame it on the pregnancy, but I feel emotional just thinking about all that I have and probably don't deserve. It's amazing what Heavenly Father sees fit to give us when we can survive on so much less. I'll wrap this up with some pictures of the snow when I first opened my door and saying that for Right Here and Now  I am 100% happy with who I am and the life I have, because I have to admit, it's pretty stinkin' awesome. 

Poor Tom-Tom did not like these winter winds and wanted back inside pretty promptly. I have to admit it was pretty cute seeing him hop around and dip down beneath the snow.  

You can't really tell how deep my foot print is, but it went up to about my knee.  

I could hardly get in my shed! Luckily the shovel was near the door.  

Yeah that's our utility meter. Tom-Tom won't be able to get tangled up around that thing for a while. Yes!! 

This is how deep the snow was behind my car in the driveway. And on top of it all, when the snow plow comes down the road, they create a nice little mountain for your to overcome in order to escape. How sweet! 

I am standing in front of the shed surveying our driveway and the work I have ahead of me. Yippee!

You + Me = 3

For those of you that haven't heard... Kurt and I will be expecting a new addition to the family on September 15th!!! I cannot express how ecstatic I am. I mean, this is what I have been waiting and preparing for my entire life. I don't know if most girls dream about being a mom as much as I do, but it's really all I've ever wanted. I was beginning to feel discouraged after 6 months of trying, but we got our little Christmas miracle! Kurt could probably do without me talking about it every second of the day, but I really can't help it. 10 and a half weeks into and it's still all I think about. I haven't been to the doctor yet. It's a really long story as to why, but in short our insurance wouldn't cover us unless we go in March. Right now I'm planning on probably around the 5th or so. I hope I'm not a terrible mom for waiting until the second trimester to see a doctor... Kurt and I just can't afford to go without insurance though. I have been trying really hard to take care of myself though... minus exercising. I could probably stand to do better in that regard. I'm practically a vegan right now though... well more like on the Mediterranean diet where I eat nuts and stuff. Anyways, I have been taking my vitamins, been trying to get plenty of rest, and at work I am on my feet running around all day, so I figure that counts as a form of exercise, right? Luckily, I haven't experienced too much nausea or morning sickness. I had a cold for a week and a half and am still dealing with a cough and some mucus issues, but other than that I feel great! 

Poor Kurt has been dealing with my selective diet the last few weeks. I haven't had any strong cravings or aversions; food just doesn't taste as good as it once did. In fact, it's kind of hard for me to be eating at all. I have a very low appetite, but my rumbling tummy is a constant reminder of how hungry I am. I have only gained two pounds so far... not quite sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. No bump really to speak of yet. My tummy is a little pudgy but I think it's mostly from being bloated. I'm already trying to wear bigger clothes so that I can't see the dreaded muffin top. No worries though; I'm anxious to have the real bump and can't WAIT to show it off. Here are a few of the landmark moments so far :-)

 It may be faint, but that is definitely a plus sign!

After I found out the big news, I didn't have a lot of time to think of a way to tell Kurt. We got a phone call to go hot tubbing, and since I can't be in hot water I had to be crafty and work with what I had at home. I pulled a Rhodes roll out of the freezer. I grabbed some blue food coloring and a toothpick and drew a baby face on the roll. I put it in the oven and waited for Kurt to come home. When he got there he asked if I was ready to go to the hot tub, and I said "Almost. I have something in the oven though. Could you get it for me?"

He went to the oven and pulled out the pan. He thought I was playing a game or something. He asked, "What is it?"

"It's a bun," I said.

"A bun?..."

"Yeah.... in the oven...."

"A bun in the oven.... OHHHH!!... Really?"

Followed by much cheering and hugs. 

Kinda silly for a last minute thing, but I wanted to at least try to be creative. 

More pics hopefully soon to come. 

Working and school and pregnant is not an easy combination, but for Right Here and Now I am happen to do it so that my family will have a better future. Besides, more good changes are on their way. Details to come!

My Dog is Better Than Your Dog

Yes this post is dedicated to my beloved pooch, Tom-Tom. He is the best dog in the world and totally deserves to have a post on my blog completely devoted to him. I am around different dogs quite a bit, and I have to say that my dog is truly the perfect match for me. He is well behaved, rarely barks, great with kids, doesn't cause trouble, and is the BIGGEST lover I have ever encountered in a dog. I look at other dogs and am constantly grateful for mine. I don't think I will ever be able to replace him. He is one in a million. My favorite thing about him is that he is always willing to give me kisses and love me whenever I need it, but is totally obedient and spends time in his own bed whenever I need him to. Plus check out how photogenic he is! I mean he is a star.

Cutest face ever!

This is his model pose. I call it "La Tigre"

 I love that all he wants is to be close to me. He will spend hours laying by my side while I do homework or watch a movie. He is just content to do nothing but snuggle. He is the cutest and my lil baby. Some of you are reading this and thinking I am obsessed and in love with my dog. I'm really not. Recent events have just made me realize how good I got it with him though. He really is my little angel and baby, so for Right Here and Now I am cherishing this little guy. Love you Tommy Boy!