It's a BOY!

Yep, it's a boy! Shane and I were shocked! We asked the tech to check again, after the initial inspection. He pointed out the area and said; "Yep, see all that stuff right there, those are his parts." So after an extended view, we decided the tech must be right. YEA! We're expecting the little guy with parts about Jan 14th, a week later than we had thought previously. Unfortunately, we did not get a photo of any parts, so that you could see for yourself, but we got some of his feet, hands, and a realllly blurry one of his face.

I'm feeling much better as far a sickness goes. I hope this trend continues.

That's our exciting news!

Where do you work?

Someone asked me that last week. I said "Nowhere." Obviously this isn't true. Because today, at 11:00 o'clock in the morning, I have a cake in the oven, a loaf of bread in the bread maker, dishes done and homemade chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove. Not to mention a second load of laundry going, a grocery list started (I need NOODLES for the soup) and a husband and preschooler up, dressed, fed and started on their day. Meanwhile, I'm contemplating recipes for the two and a half gallons of choke cherries NQ and I have obtained.


Okay, I admit that I'm not ALWAYS so motivated.




Then someone asked me "What did you do in college?" I say I was a communication student. Again, they get a little glazed, so perhaps I'll start saying: Do you ever watch TV, clip a coupon, hear the radio, look at a magazine, click through a website, buy anything on sale, know about events because you read the newspaper or watched the news, have you flipped through an owners manual, did you see the Olympics?? That's what I did. And I loved it. And I will hopefully return to that sometime, when my children are older, and don't need me so much. (And when I don't need them so much...does a time like that exist? I'm sure it must. Circle of life and all that.)



Also, to go along with the "Where do you work" question: I sometimes take photo's and do pretty cakes, mostly this is for fun and for a creative outlet. Do I get ultra competitive about it, or upset if someone doesn't call me....NO! I really kind of like doing it once in a while. Once I was even writing copy for a website from home. When I had time. It was perfect, but that job is over for now.

Why do I not worry too much about my current place in creating income? Because what I love absolutely most is being at home with my little one (soon to be two.) I love to hear him sing, and watch him learn and grow and I'm so glad I can be home with my midget and share in the wonders of kidlethood with him. It's the best world to be in. Do I change a lot of stinky pants and feel some frustrations: yes. Do I get a LOT of kisses, hugs and I love yous: YES! And I know what it is that my child is exposed to during the day. I know how he is being treated, what words are being spoken to him, the kind of care he experiences, what food he is eating. I can't put a price on that kind of assurance.

Where do I work? At home.

P.S. With my scheduled c-section set tentatively for the Jan 7th, today is my 'HALF WAY done with the pregnancy' mark!!

Choke Cherries

This morning the Petty's were awakened by lightening, thunder and plenty of rain! This means it's chilly in the house so we celebrated with cups of hot chocolate for our breakfast beverage. Nathan came into the kitchen, his bare feet on the the tile. He said "Oooooh! It's cold" and then skipped over to the kitchen rug. I wish I could have recorded the surprised glee in his voice. Then he noticed the robe I was wearing and asked if I was wearing a towel.

The view off the back porch, right before it started raining some more

Last night the light sensors picked up motion, it was the deer, eating my crop of choke cherries. Only successful thing that grows here at the Petty residence. The deer and the millions of grasshoppers DESTROY all other forms of plant life. Ornery suckers.

This week Nathan and I have been picking the choke cherries, when the weather is agreeable: not too windy, not to hot, not too rainy.

With this years crop and last years (still in the freezer) I should have plenty of berries to make something with. This is a fun proposition. I like making jelly, jams, syrups and the sort.

I've also been using my bread maker again to make some delightful french bread.

Nathan had his last swim lesson of the session. I don't think this session went as well as the last. He did fine with the time, but believe the class was a little large, and filled with five year olds. This made Nathan look like the runt puppy, always trying to find a place to sit or stand or see better. The last day he ended up in tears. It was 'free day' and his instructor had failed to notice that the little guy was waiting for a toy, and never got one. Over all he did great job. But I know he'd much rather go with me when he can be IN the water the whole time.

Shane has been busy at the Autoplex, cars are high, the economy is down and Cash for Klunkers is the biggest scam of the century. Just call and ask him about it, he has all sorts of insight. Let's just say there have been several sleepless nights as of late.

The baby has been fluttering around. I don't feel it much, unless I'm lying down and concentrating on it. And, well, there hasn't seemed to be a lot of opportunity to do that right now. I am excited for our next prenatal appointment. I will be doing the ultrasound soon.

Shane just related that Nathan is playing in our bed (he often does) and that Nathan had turned the electric blanket up to 10 and was enjoying the heat and flying airplanes. Shane turned off the electric blanket left for a few minutes and returned to see it back on, but set on a lower number. Funny little kid!

7 Year Anniversary

The timing of the Shepherd wedding was perfect for us to also celebrate our Anniversary, as our big day was the day after the Shepherd big day. So we booked ourselves a room at the Homestead and stayed for a wonderful night get away.

The Crater

My cute boys (before NQ kneeled at the waters edge and sustained muddy pants.)



Blowing bubbles in the hot tub




A very nice room at the Homestead (not the exact one we stayed in, but one pretty close.)

The Homestead - a band happened to be playing on the lawn that night, so we enjoyed it for a short time.

The Petty's in the Crater (we didn't have time to swim in it)

The ducks and gold fish of Fanny's Grill where we had our Anniversary Breakfast Buffet where Dad and Brooke joined us. Nathan ate 10 pieces of bacon, no kidding, and four slices of french toast. (He hadn't enjoyed the wedding dinner like Shane and I had.)

Some lovely Landscaping

The indoor pool where we had our pre-breakfast swim

I highly recommend the Homestead, not only because they have 24 hour service, a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tubs and a mineral pool, two restaurants, a gift shop, fantastic rooms and beautiful landscaping...but because they give you a large sample of fudge at check in. And it is the best fudge ever. Yes, we had a great little 12 hour (work free) private get away, with Nathan. And we wouldn't have wanted it any other way :o)

The Shepherd Wedding Part 2

Quin and Nicole Shepherd

August 8, 2009

What a beautiful day it was, so glad that we were invited to share in thier happiness!

Very talented Harp Player AND my cousin: Sarah!





The maids and men and flower girls of the wedding party

(6th from right and then continue right: Wyatt, Sarah, Austin, and Summer) the siblings to the groom!

The Shepherd Wedding Pt. 1

Quin and Nicole were married on August 8, 2009. It was a Beautiful day, and actually warranted some long sleeves amongst the guests! I have photo's from the reception at the Homestead in Midway, UT. This part of the wedding will include the photo's of family enjoying the evening. Part 2 will include the wedding party themselves.

Canning Crew with Mike F





Amy sporting a delicious slice of cheese

Feinsteins and Dad

The Bluth's with Mindy (mother of the Groom)

Annette and Brooke

Jasen and Lily (above)

Kristin and Avery

The Rivers of Rain!

Also at the end of July we had amazing rain! I mean coastal rains. Buckets and Buckets of rain. Shane said it was just like Alabama rain. I compare it to the time I was in Washington D.C. with Kathyness and Cody and we were in our wedding wear and soon were wading in water up to our knees in the gutters of the Mall. Anyway, it was serious rain. Our windows and door jams were all just running with water. We had towels out, bowls and buckets catching the floods. We had to take pictures off the walls so they wouldn't get ruined (or washed off.) Shane took care of the downstairs which tends to get damp, even in less torrential water events. The water washed away parts of the 'lawn.' The photos I have don't give it justice, but here is what the water rush looked like: