It's almost time!

Mike and I have been very excited ever since Mike found out he could take some time off from work next week. This means we will be able to see our families for Christmas this year!! We will get to spend time with lots of people and we can't wait. Hopefully the weather cooperates with us so our driving plans don't get messed up. Needless to say, things have been kind of busy around here. Lots of stuff to do before Christmas and before we leave town.
This Saturday will be Mike's and my 6th year wedding anniversary. Wow. That's all I have to say. I can't believe he's stuck with me for this long. :)
So, most of you know by now that we have another baby on the way. I am in my second trimester now, and things are getting better for me. Let's just say life really sucked the last couple of months (which was reflected in some past posts.) Seriously, pregnancy can really take a toll on a woman (physically and mentally.) But now that most of the sickness and fatigue has subsided, I'm looking forward to just enjoying Christmas and spending time with loved ones. If I can make it through the holidays, I should be good to go!
I've been having a lot of questions lately, regarding the birth of this baby. Perhaps I will share more about these in another post. But for now I better continue getting stuff ready for our trip this weekend. I hope everyone has a great Christmas!

I'm feeling more jovial

So the last couple of months weren't the best. I suppose it was a combination of things. But, on a happy note, ever since December hit, I've been feeling more into the holiday spirit.

Here is a recap of some of the high moments that happened in the last couple of weeks:

Made lots of snowflakes and snowmen, along with other miscellaneous Christmas decor to hang in the windows.

And when the sun hits in the morning and in the afternoon, it casts beautiful snowflake shadows into the house. Brings a smile to my face.

We had a leftover pumpkin from Halloween so I told Vessie he could paint it for Christmas. I told him to make it wintry and festive. This is what he produced.

Meet Montgomery. Montgomery is a 2005 Chrysler 300 ltd. He took the place of "Bling Bling" (a.k.a. the white Cavalier.) Bling served us well for many years, but it had come time to say good-bye. Mike found this beaut and the day before Thanksgiving we traded in Bling for Monty. Mike did TONS of research on cars and car buying, so our experience this time was much, much better than the last. It has been hard for me to feel "okay" with this car. I don't feel like it defines me as a person. It is like a rich old man's car. Nothing like sporty Burple. Although, it has a hemi V8 engine, which Mike is pretty stoked about. (Must be a guy thing!) Actually, since driving it around for a week, I'm starting to get attached to it. "Cheerio. I'm off to go sail my yacht."

We were pretty sad that we weren't able to spend Thanksgiving with family this year. We thought about making a trip to Missoula to a fun resort so we wouldn't have to think about the fact that it was Thanksgiving and we were lonely. But that plan fell through since Mike had to work the day before and the day after Thanksgiving. So we spent Thanksgiving day just hanging around the house. We ate tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. A pretty non-traditional Thanksgiving feast if you ask me. And for dinner we had Indian food (Mike's favorite.) Tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, and naan. The chickens thought they would get off easy this Thanksgiving, but they were wrong.

My dear friend Rachel gave us this delicious cheesecake with a brownie crust, which we ate for dessert.

After dinner we put up our Christmas tree and decorations whilst listening to holiday tunes. Vessel was pleased as punch about this. He is actually really excited about Christmas this year. When I tried to explain that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, he said "I will share his birthday cake with him!" So cute.
But anyhoo, the tree and decorations have lifted my mood quite significantly.

Lights onLights off

The Christmas table full of things given to us over the years.
Meet The Admiral. Our old washer gave up the ghost after only a year. We bought it used, but it should've lasted longer, don'tcha think? Of course, we had to replace it right around the holidays, because that's just how the cosmos like to rear their ugly heads and screw with your life...or something. We got this low-end washer (and by low end, I mean the lowest of the low) and still it felt like we had to pay a huge hunk of cash for this thing. Nothing like buying a really "cheap" expensive appliance, am I right? At least I no longer have to go to the laundromat! Praise the heavens for that. That's why I put this on the "highs" list.

That's about it for now. Here's to a great new month!

Lyric Likes

I have been listening to a lot of Neko these days. Such a beautiful voice and such beautiful lyrics. It's hard not to fall in love with her music. I've been playing this particular song over and over. Maybe because this is how I've been feeling lately. So tired, cold, numb, old, wishing I was the moon, far far away from here.....


I Wish I Was the Moon
by Neko Case

Chimney falls as lovers blaze
Thought that I was young
Now I've freezing hands and bloodless veins
As numb as I've become

I'm so tired
I wish I was the moon tonight

Last night I dreamt I'd forgotten my name
'Cause I sold my soul but I woke just the same
I'm so lonely
I wish I was the moon tonight

God blessed me, I'm a free [woman]
With no place free to go
Paralyzed and collared-tight
No pills for what I fear

This is crazy
I wish I was the moon tonight

Chimney falls as lovers blaze
Thought that I was young
Now I've freezing hands and bloodless veins
As numb as I've become

I'm so tired,
I wish I was the moon tonight

How will you know if you found me at last
'Cause I'll be the one, be the one, be the one
With my heart in my lap
I'm so tired, I'm so tired
I wish I was the moon tonight

Warning: Don't read if you hate depressing drivel

This house is driving me crazy. Since I've been so tired and sick the last few [insert measurement of time here], I've neglected a lot of the housework. I just haven't had the energy to do much of anything. I am at the point where I just can't stand it anymore. And it seems so stuffy in here like I've been breathing the same stale air for weeks. I wish I could get a burst of energy and just get everything cleaned. Everything around me is in such disarray and that just makes my mind crazy!! I love things to be neat, orderly, and CLEAN. I need something fresh to liven me up. A change of scenery. Maybe I need to rearrange the furniture again, or add curtains, or put up new pictures on the wall. Something....
I feel so empty today. I hate days like this. I didn't leave the house at all. I didn't use the computer (until now.) I didn't talk to anybody on the phone other than Mike. I feel so detached and isolated. It was even somewhat nice today. The sun was out and it wasn't too cold. And yet, I just hid myself indoors all day. I had no connection with the outside world. *sigh* I feel like I'm losing myself and losing sight of the big picture right now. If only I wasn't so tired....
I've been thinking about my mom lately. I miss her. I miss my memories of her. I just want to talk to her so badly. This time of year seems to get more difficult. Thanksgiving will be here in a few weeks. We won't be spending it with family (or probably anyone else for that matter) this year. It's a sad feeling when you're all alone. Then Christmas will be close behind. Another sad and empty holiday when you can't share it with people you love.
On top of the already sad day, the washer broke AGAIN. Water EVERYWHERE. Such a pain to clean up. The carpet was SOAKED through all the way down the hall. Then I accidentally broke the light covering and glass got all over too. *double sigh* Looks like I'll be spending my day at the laundromat tomorrow.
I know I shouldn't complain. I should be grateful for my trials. And I have actually been very blessed. I just have to get out of this funk that I'm in.

Halloween

During the weeks leading up to Halloween, he said he wanted to be a "scary clown" but at the last minute (right before I put on his make-up) he decided he wanted to be a "happy clown." So that is what he is!

Us Japanese folk with our clown baby.

Birthday Boy

Birthday cake consisted of chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles, because that's what he requested!

Blowing out the candles.

Opening the gift from Grandpa H.

A bulldozer!!

Opening the gift from Auntie Steph. His very own computer!

He also loved popping the bubble wrap. :)

Basketball piggy bank given to my sister from my mom. Steph decided to pass it down to the boy child.

Smart boy! Let's shake the money out!

Opening presents from mom and dad.

A Dora coloring book!

A digital camera!!

Pre-birthday presents when Grandma & Grandpa Bates and Great Grandma Miller came to visit.

Matchbox cars! Help me open them Grandma!


Colored pencils!!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Cheese Whiz

Okay, so we got some new family pics done and I just cropped myself to show off my new haircut. So enjoy this nice big head-shot of my cheesiness.

Grotesque

Here I am with the ugly little up-do I've been sporting lately. Once my hair gets to the point where I can pull it up in a pony tail, that's all I seem to do with it. I need a haircut! Something fresh, something cute, something EASY. Any ideas?

Family Outing Pt. 2