The Start of November

I have been able to accomplish so much in the last week.

How does she find the time, you ask?

I am not working. My contract ended at The Gates Foundation earlier than expected and without warning or explanation, but I know that everything happens for the best. For one, I did a little budget review, and it was costing me $500 a month in gas to drive to Seattle. Hopefully my next job will be a little closer to home. Secondly, I was having a very hard time sleeping the last few weeks, and work was stressing me out more than I really needed. So, I am feeling much more energized and healthy now that I can sleep with a little less worry.

I am also feeling very positive about everything after hearing my baby's heartbeat for the first time on Monday. I have seen it in ultrasounds, but at the last Doctors appointment I had, I got to hear it. Loud, clear and healthy. I am so thankful for that. We also set a date to find out the gender! I can not wait to start calling "it", "he" or "she".

So, even though things aren't working out as planned in the employment department, things are working out. I was able to help a neighbor out last night, and get the house cleaned and dinner made for Matty, who has been doing that for too long, and finally, I got started on the nursery.

I have had the design in my head ever since I found out I was pregnant, so it is so exciting to see it come to life! Our theme is "owls" but I don't want to go too overboard with them so right now I am just working on painting the walls and cleaning out the closet. I will get to the trinket buying when I have money again :)

Each wall is a different shade of green or brown that matches the rug, and then there is a cute tree painted on the wall right next to where the crib will be. I am in LOVE with it. I couldn't be happier with how well it turned out.Here are the dogs, Brimley and Brisbane modeling the final product. They have really enjoyed having me home to play with them all day.I am hoping to get a few more things finished around here before I head into job interviews and the working world. I love being able to get things done, but it doesnt bring in the money!

Halloween Party

Last weekend a group of us headed into Sammamish to listen to my Dad's band play at a costume party.

Eric as Trash, Alycia as Glinda, Gabe as a Chinese Man, Matt as a UFC Fighter, Sarah as the PO, Me as Elphaba, Tiff as a Witch, Chris also as a Chinese Man, Master Lee as a Rocker and Shelby as a Fairy.Its a really fun venue, and people go ALL OUT with their outfits. Its a great place to see them play. This year they dressed up as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Don't they rock!!?

Alycia and I went dressed as Elphaba and Glinda from the musical Wicked. There were a select few who figured us out, but we felt good about our creativity. I had a hard time with the green, but it worked out pretty well.Check out my belly in this shot! You can tell that this "Fiona" woman is trying to figure out if I am pregnant or just muffin topping out of my costume. I cant wait until its obvious!

Matt went as a beat up UFC fighter, and he had a little too much fun drawing on scars and blood.

I hope that he never REALLY looks like this...

My mommy was there too, and came as a super hot hippie. She even got to play the tambourine on stage :)

Happy Halloween to everyone!!

2nd Amendment

Some friends in our ward took us out Skeet Shooting with the Loftus's and we all had a great time! This was my first time shooting a gun, and I wasn't prepared for the "kick". I have the bruises to prove it!

However, I shot 8 out of 25 Skeets! I am pretty cool if I do say so myself. In the picture below, if you look really close, you can see the clay exploding from my shot. I didn't expect Alycia or I (Marlene had been a few times before) to shoot any since it was our first time, but we got plenty! Check out these ladies!

Matt got to start and he shot 9 "clay pigeons". Of course this event only solidified his want for a Remington, so that is what he will be asking for until Christmas comes. You can see the flame coming out of the barrel in this picture.

Eat a moose's heart out, Sarah Palin! Even though the picture is blurry, I had to share. I was feeling pretty tough with that shotgun.

Thanks to the Nebekers for taking us! We had a BLAST! (Get it?)

Routan Baby Maker

Thank you VW for giving me a Jetta, creating funny commercials, and for creating a website where I can see what my unborn baby is going to look like.

http://www.vw.com/vwhype/babymaker/en/us/

Do you see any resemblance?

Its kind of creepy...