all kinds of crazy

am i the only one to write out my outfits

before i leave for a big trip?

 

 

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i haven't read a book since june.

how sad.

 

 

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have you any of you heard of a nation wide Target scam?

i googled it and just found something about a text scam.

but i heard on the radio this morning like 30 million people got their credit card numbers scammed from Target.

i was at Target on Saturday.

 

 

*******

 

why is our postal service so horrible?

i shipped my god-daughters Christmas gift monday morning 2 day priority.

the tracking shows "in transit" with a delivery date of yesterday: 12/18/13.

 

 

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i love the Christmas transformation of everything:

my house, decorations everywhere.

Christmas lights.

the spirit of the Lord is truly everywhere!

 

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it totally feels like a friday.

 

 

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Chris is on his way home!

he got an earlier flight.  he was suppose to be home tonight at 8:30pm.

but now he'll land at 3:30pm

i totally should have vacuumed last night.

 

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i always cry in church when i sing

Christmas songs.

specifically "joy to the world".

 

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i'm making corn casserole

for Christmas Eve dinner.

 

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Love Notes

Chris is currently in Houston, and has been since last Sunday 12/8, and doesn’t return until Thursday night.  The good news is, he in Houston for training for his new job!  This is obviously welcome news, and I’m extremely happy and proud of him, but this leaves me without my husband for 11 days.  This is the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other since we met!  It’s obviously necessary, but I miss him.  The hardest was the night he left.  I cried like a baby.  I sobbed during the Bronco game, and was so upset.  I’ve made plans during his absence.  To see friends, go to the gym, talk with friends and family, organize the house, and Christmas shop.  

Overall I’ve kept myself pretty occupied.  I’ve been able to catch up with my friend Michelle, and cousin Charlene.  I got to “meet” my newest second cousin Luke over Skype with my cousin Nikki.  So far, I’ve been to the gym 4 times and completed an hour long step class that my calves are still sore from.  My cousin Cheryl came down from Fort Collins Friday night.  We went out to dinner, and she stayed the night.  I had a fabulous facial from my friend Erin who has opened her own service.  I’ve cleaned up stuff around the house, and completed all of my Christmas shopping including wrapping all of the gifts!  So I’ve kept myself busy, but I do miss my husband.  I’m ready for him to get home.  He’s been working super long hours, and I know he’s looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, even though it’ll only be for a couple of nights, since we leave for Albuquerque on Saturday.  

When I got back to the house last Sunday night after dropping him off at the airport, I immediately had to go to the bathroom where I saw two little love notes.  One on our bathroom counter, and one on the toilet.  Later that evening I found two others while getting some dinner.  One in the fridge, and one in the drawer with the utensils.  While doing stuff around the house, I found two more.  One in the front bathroom and one on my pillow.  The next day I found two others, one in my work bag, and one on my car seat.  A couple of days later, when I finally sat down to do our Christmas cards there was one more on the kitchen table.  I’ve kept the notes out while he’s been gone.  They make me smile and when I see them I know he’s thinking of me.  

We’ve been able to chat a few times each day, and just about every night we’ve chatted via FaceTime.  Being able to connect and see each other as really helped throughout his absence. 

He got a job at HHS (Hospital House Keeping) as a Operations Manager.  Basically he’ll be doing what he was before.  The hospital he’ll work at is down south, which is unfortunate since he’ll have a rather long commute (again).  But we hope and pray that this opportunity will give him some career growth.  I’m super happy he has this opportunity but  I can’t wait to see him!

Hope Chest & Otis

Random post ahead:

I don’t consider myself a crafty type of person.  I’m not very handy with household things, or DIY stuff.  I don’t think I’m inventive in the kitchen, although I am getting better.  I think it is fair to say I get this trait from my mom.  My mom is the same way.  Growing up my Aunt Patti was the crafty one.  Always making me and my cousins Halloween costumes, making me try different foods, taking us out to do crafts etc….  My in-laws are like my Aunt Patti, and I’m so thankful for that!  Mary my mother-in-law is super awesome in the kitchen along with Grandma Mog.  Grandma Mog at 80+ years old she still crafts!  Sewing us beautiful pillow covers, both her and Mary made us a huge beautiful quilt for our king size bed.  She’s made us Christmas ornaments and decorations.  I’m amazed by it!  She’s even making baby Sweat’s curtain for the baby room!  Her brother (Chris' great uncle) made us this beautiful hope chest for our wedding.  It’s been at my in-laws house for the past year, and Chris and I rented a large SUV at Thanksgiving to transport it back to our house!  I love it!  I’ve never owned a piece of handmade furniture.  And to know that it’ll grow with us and our family is so heartwarming.  It’s big and made of wood, and the smell when you open it is amazing!  I love it!  So thanks to my crafty in-laws for all of these amazing things you have brought into my life.

with stuff in it already.

view from our front door.

Subject change.

Otis got a hair cut a couple of weeks ago.  His hair was a mangled mess.  The cats eat Purina cat food, which I read a long time ago is good for the hair, and Denali’s coat is beautiful.  Shiny and soft.  And for a long time so was Otis’.  But lately if just felt gross, and definitely not shiny.  So I figure a good wash was in order.  But what happened was a shaving.  I thought he was going to get his hair groomed.  A nice bath, and brush over.  When Chris picked him up from the groomer he called me and just laughed.  Poor Otis.  He looks so small.  Otis is not a social cat whatsoever, so I was little bit nervous that this outing would leave him scarred for life.  But he was the normal talkative cat when I got home, and was totally fine.  Denali on the other hand.  She didn’t like this.  I’m pretty sure she thought Otis was a different cat.  She grumbled and hissed every time Otis would walk by.  Thankfully her hateful reaction didn’t faze Otis one bit.  If anything Otis is milking this for all it’s worth.  Getting more cuddle time, and sleeping on our bed.  It’s pretty funny.  Denali as mostly adjusted, but she still sometimes hisses at him.  But at least now they can be on the same room or lap together!

Motherhood

My friend Emily just wrote this crazy blog about a crazy "day in the life", and she mentioned having a moment where she pictured "motherhood".  That got me thinking about how I picture motherhood and being a mother. 

My mom and I on my wedding day 10/5/12

When I first found out I was pregnant, I had two realizations that this baby was meant to be.  That the timing was right, and that baby would be ok.  That of course, doesn't stop me from worrying, but as this pregnancy continues it does give me some comfort.
The first was baby's birth month: May, and realizing that the birth stone for May is Emerald.  The color green symbolizes the Irish in me, and more specifically my close relationship with my Grandpa Egan.  My Grandpa passed away more than 20 years ago, but I still feel him looking down on me, taking care of me.  I wish I had a picture of it, but in my bracelet I wore on my wedding day I had a green stone placed in it, just so that I could feel my Grandpa with me on my wedding day.  One of my first jobs when I moved to Denver was an assistant Manager at the Fine Jewelery counter at Foley's (now Macy's), while I worked there, I bought my mom a beautiful Emerald ring, again just to symbolize her relationship with her dad.  And now baby Sweat's birthstone will be Emerald.  Who knew that a ring I bought my mom back in 2003 would turn into her very own Grandmother's ring 11 years later?!  Knowing that we had been trying for baby Sweat for 8 months, I truly believe we conceived this child with the power of God in the month of August, so that we would have our very own May baby, and that baby will have a little bit of Irish in him or her.

Secondly was this dream. When I first found out I was pregnant I had a strong intuition that baby was a girl, mainly because of this dream, and just because I felt girl. I've had 4 other people (including my mom) tell me they feel: girl. Then Chris had a dream that baby was a girl. But more recently I had a dream that baby was a boy, and a friend tell me that she feels it's a boy. So who knows, regardless we won't be finding out the sex until baby makes his or her appearance in May! Anyways, back to this dream. I'm so happy I wrote this dream down. Once I found out I was pregnant, I went back to the blog and found the original post. When I looked at the date on the post I realized I had this dream right at around the time Chris and I conceived (sorry if that's TMI for some of you) 4 years prior. Call my crazy, but I think it is crazy to have a dream about having a daughter, and then 4 years after you have that dream you realize you're pregnant with your first child. Especially when I look back and I think about where I was in my life in August 2009. When I read Emily's comment on what she pictured motherhood to be like, I instantly thought about this dream. Shopping with my child and my mom. Feeling so happy and content being a mom, seeing my mom as a grandma. Then I started thinking about my mom. And how I wonder if her being a mom is how she pictured it. Granted I definitely had my difficult teen years etc...but I thought how she was so excited when I was getting married, helping me plan the wedding, and then of course the wedding day. That I wonder if she thought to herself "this is what I pictured motherhood to be like" while watching me walk down the aisle with my dad, saying my vows to my husband. And now she'll get to picture me become a mother. Have a baby. Take care of this little life.

It's all extremely overwhelming. I spoke to my cousin Nikki last night, who has a 10 week old baby at home, to get the dirty truth on bring a newborn home. She said all the things would you expect. How life changing it is, how hard it is, and how great and rewarding it is. I definitely feel like it's an experience that I'll have to have myself. Their can only be so much prepping before a baby arrives. It's an adventure and a challenge I'm looking forward to. Although one of my fears is how awe consuming it'll be. How lost I'll be in new motherhood. How it'll just take over my life. Nikki mentioned how it's now the only thing she really talks about. With her friends, coworkers, family, husband. I can definitely understand because being a mom and taking care of a newborn are her main focus. But what about the rest of life? I know it'll be a balancing act, but I don't want to lose Chris as my husband, and I don't want Chris to lose me as his wife. I hope that we'll form into "Mom" and "Dad" but not forget where we came from.

I picture motherhood as remembering moments, seeing my child grow and shape to be exactly who he or she should be (one my daily prayers lately). I picture it to be challenging and heartwarming. I picture seeing Chris as the amazing Dad I know he'll be. I picture new fights and annoyances as we get to know one another as parents. I also see new love and admiration growing for this man I feel so blessed to be sharing my life with. I know it'll be a roller coaster. With highs of highs I haven't even come close to ever experiencing in my life, along with lows of lows of the same magnitude. The thought of motherhood brings me to tears, and I feel as though I have just barely touched the surface. It's going to be an emotional ride!

The Stockings are Hung...and it's cold

 So if you haven't heard, it's been super cold here.  We've been below freezing since Wednesday, and don't expect to get above freezing until Thursday of next week.  I don't like it. 

In other news, we've put up all of our Christmas decorations.  I loved seeing our new house transformed into the holiday spirit!

It was great putting up decorations with Chris.  Even though we won't be here for the actual Christmas holiday, it's also so heartwarming and special to snuggle up and just light the Christmas tree.

Thankful Thanksgiving

Chris and I traveled to Kearney, NE on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family.  This trip was long over due, as the last time we were visited Nebraska was last Christmas.
We arrived in time to have some dinner, and get reconnected.
On Thanksgiving morning Chris and I did our very first Turkey Trot.  I've always wanted to do one, and although it was freezing, I'm so glad we did it!  They offered a 2 mile option or a 5 mile option.  I wasn't comfortable doing the 5 miler, so we opted for the 2 miles, which I'm happy we did, because it was pretty cold and windy. 
We jogged a lot of the first mile, being at a lower elevation, and part of the first half was downhill made it easy.  The second mile however, was much more difficult.  We were walking into the cold wind, and it was all pretty much uphill.  Not fun.  But we did it, and it was a great memory for the both of us.

 We enjoyed a huge Thanksgiving spread courtesy of Mary (my mother in law) and Aunt Mary (Chris' aunt, and his Dad's sister).  Aunt Mary came to celebrate with the family from Kansas City.  We enjoyed all the Thanksgiving fixings, and shared our blessings.  My main blessing of course, is being pregnant, and carrying a happy and healthy baby!
Throughout the trip there was a lot of visiting and conversing.  This is a big difference in Chris' family that I love.  At Chris' house people gather in the living room and just talk.  It's so nice, compared to at my parents house where my dad is always in the living room watching TV, my mom in her room watching TV, and usually with me in my old room watching TV.  At my in laws house the only TV is down in the basement, and during our trip there was only about 30 minutes of TV watching.  I'll admit that Chris and I are big TV watchers, we probably watch too much TV.  But it's the exact opposite at his parents house.  Although it can be overwhelming at times, just sitting and talking is truly a wonderful family experience and memory. 
We did some shopping, and Marty (my father in law) took us on a tour of Kearney.  I believe he said Kearney is currently about a population of 30,000, but it's growing in every direction.  So we went to all corners of the little city, to see the expansions being made with both commercial and residential growth.
We played many games with Aunt Mary and Alice (my sister in law) on a couple of days.  And just had a great time.  Lifelong memories were definitely made.
Overall it was so relaxing.  We hung out with a couple of Chris' friends, and lost track of the time and day.  A vacation is truly a vacation when you don't have to keep track of time.
One morning we went on a family walk with the family dogs: Grace and Hope.  It was so beautiful.

Overall a great trip.  To have so much family and relaxing time made it a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.  As we drove away Sunday morning I started crying as I realized the next time we see them we'll have a baby, and they'll be grandparents.  It's so overwhelming to think about, that when I do, I can't help but get emotional. 

I'm beyond thankful for Chris' family.  I've been truly blessed to have some pretty awesome in laws.  Marty, Mary, and Alice are all so excited for this little baby, and I'm so excited to be apart of this exuberant family!