More Belly Shots!

"Getting Settled In"

I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Until I was 4 we lived in 3 different houses. At 4 years old we moved into the house which is still the residence of my Mother. We rented that house for 16 years paying $300.00 a month on a 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 car garage home by the Airport. After that many years we had a good standing with the landlord and he proceeded to give us an offer we couldn't resist. He would sell us the home for $23,000.00. It was appraised at $48,000.00. My parents bought it. My Dad was a pack rat. Our home always looked like we had just moved in! He always had something in the house that didn't belong. Like a motor in the dining room or a carburetor in the living room. I could never have friends over due to the chance of being slammed with a lawsuit for injury. Mom and I tried to keep most of the stuff at bay and make the house seem clean and livable but it seemed like a hopeless case.

At 19 I moved into my first apartment. Yes! I am away from all that junk and can make my home the way I want--Right? Wrong! That just gave my Dad another place to put junk. He was always trying to give me stuff he thought would help me out. Well, don't get me wrong, some stuff did help--like the couch and table--but most was just junk to me. I finally got my point through. Just as I started to feel "Settled In" for the most part and had gotten the clutter under control I met Michael and got married. This started the never-ending process all over again. We moved in together after our wedding to a house--3 bed, 2 bath, NO garage. We paid $550.00 a month in rent. My laundry room was in my dining room which was a part of my kitchen. In all actuality I had no dinning room. We lived there for a year and never really got much of anything unpacked. We then took the stuff that wasn't unpacked--which saved me the trouble of packing it--and then packed the rest and moved again. This time we moved into a duplex in Broken Arrow where we paid $650.00 a month in rent. It was a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car garage--Yet we never could fit the Mini-Van in. I think that was due to all the boxes that never got unpacked during that year of residency. After almost a year there Mason decided we needed to redo the kitchen and buy new dish towels so he set the kitchen on fire. We moved after that. Our next location....My Mothers' house. We got a storage unit for all those boxes that never got unpacked and moved the necessities to Mom's. Michael and I and 3 kids in a home with my Mom and her boyfriend and my Dads' leftovers. (Dad still had most of his junk in one of the 3 bedrooms and all of the garage. He had moved out though.) Mom and Jimmy (the boyfriend who is now fiance) had one room. Michael, Melody and I had another room. We put Caleb and Mason in the partially cleaned out 3rd room where they shared space with all of Papas' stuff. Towards the end of our stay we ended up moving Amber and Tyler into the house as well. We ALL shared ONE bathroom. I think that part sucked the most. We never settled into that house. It was nice to be there though with my Mom and having her help while Michael went to Nevada for a job. We spent about 9 or 10 months at Moms'. Michael moves us to Nevada!

Think of all the stories of the Pioneers who traveled to Salt Lake or to the U.S. or wherever. They had to leave a lot behind and go to an unknown place and start all over. That was the kids and I. We arrived in front of a house in a little neighborhood in Fernley, Nevada. Fernley is about 32 miles east of Reno. The house was big enough to house us all. It was a 5 bed, 3 bath, no garage home. Here we paid $1100.00 a month rent. The garage had been converted to the laundry room, bathroom, and 2 of the bedrooms. We had a huge pantry, 2 living areas and a fireplace. Our backyard was big enough for the kids to burn off some energy--the only draw back was it was half dirt and half rock with a bunch of goat head plants mingled in. After discovering the winds and goat heads of Nevada we couldn't make them play out back unless it was for a punishment. We never go barefoot here! We all fit nicely in the home and never hurt for a bathroom when the time came. We also never got settled in all the way. Just as I started to get boxes unpacked we went on vacation to Oklahoma and for our trip back brought half of the remainder of our stuff back with us. I was doomed! We lived in this house for 2 years! The longest time in our marriage to be in one home. Yet despite the duration of time there I never got us "Settled In". We learned toward the end of our 2 years there that there were other houses on the market that were nicer and cheaper! Well at 6 months pregnant we decided to move into one of those nicer cheaper homes where our rent would be only $1000.00 a month in rent. I have decided No Matter How Long We Live Here We Will Never Be Settled In! I think being "Settled In" is like finding someone who is "Normal". It doesn't and won't ever exist!

Our new home is 5 or 6 years old. It has 3 bedrooms, an office and a den, 2 bathrooms, a Huge kitchen, and 2 living rooms. Micheal's favorite is the 3 car garage with the 3rd being a pull through. Mine is the fully landscaped front AND backyard. Now I can kick the kids outside and know that they are safe and can have fun without the dust storms and goat heads. Michael and I also love the master bath--It has a Huge walk-in closet, a garden tub and double sinks. The left side of our house is on a cult-de-sac. We take up most of it with just our yard. Our neighbors even though we haven't got to know them yet seem really nice. Our house has a very pale green siding on it with a lavender front door. We also have a big beautiful fountain in our front garden as well as a little pond in the backyard that has a fountain in it with a goldfish. The kids love watching the goldfish. Oh I almost forgot--We have a gas stove in the house! We love cooking with gas and have not had that luxury with our other homes. Another luxury is that it is not all white inside the home. Our landlords bought the house originally before it was even built and modified it a bit. While living in it they painted some of the rooms with splashes of color. We have a pretty pale yellow kitchen, a couple of the accent walls are sage green in the living area as well as Melody's room, and the master bed and bath have a deep dark red on some of the accent walls. It does liven the place up a bit. We really love our new home and hope that someday you all will get to visit it and bask in its unsettled splendor. But until then I will still make an attempt to "Settle In" to the house. It will just be a slow process.

Third Trimester Tales

I am in my third trimester! My time is running out on getting things ready for the big day!

We just moved into a different house and that has caused for more work than a normal nester would have to do during this final curve of the pregnancy track. Putting a house together is more than I should be doing right now. However, I am not doing it all alone. I have many (and mini) helpers helping me each day with this task. Hopefully I will have most of it done before the baby comes.

On a more happy note: The baby is doing just great! Movement is felt ALL THE TIME! Hiccups occur atleast twice a day. It is fun to watch all the little kicks and rolls. I am getting big and gaining weight rapidly now. My due date is on Dec. 11th but I always go late. I talked to my wonderful doctor and he said that he usually doesn't let his patients go past 10 days. This puts me not going past the 21st. No Christmas Baby! Hopefully I won't have to be induced and Chloe can keep her day just to herself. I am hoping for the 17th myself. Michael and I were sealed on that day in 2005 and this is our first child to be born since then. I think that would be special. But by the time the 11th comes and goes I am sure I won't really care on what day as long as it comes soon.

The kids are doing great despite all the kaos that is going on in our new place. Mason has learned how to write his own name and is learning to write other things as well. Melody is working on the letter E so she can spell her name too. She has all the other letters mastered just not the tricky E. Caleb is reading all the time. He is mainly working on his spelling. That is something HE wants to master. Caleb also just earned his Bear in scouts. He is so excited. We worked so hard. I am proud of him. Mason can't wait to turn 8 now so he can be in scouts as well. Melody just wants me to get rid of the belly so she has a lap to sit in again.

Well I had better end this post...the baby has decided to sit on my bladder again!

Belly Shots!

Here I am at 16 weeks. (This was done with Calebs' cheap digital camera he got for Christmas so if they aren't clear that is why.) We got a little cheesy with the pics. Melody loved it! She is going to be a great big sister!

I've been tagged!

by PJ


What was I doing 10 years ago...
I was about 6 months pregnant with my first child. I had just completed the 10th grade and was trying to enjoy my summer the best that I could. Being pregnant in Oklahoma my main job was to stay cool in that heat!


What was I doing 1 year ago...
Trying to entertain my 5 children who were out of school. Wishing that they would rather stay home and clean house than go and play.


5 Snacks that I enjoy...
No bake Cherry Cheesecake from Jello
Chips and dip
Home baked anything--well almost anything
Before I was pregnant is was Reese's and Pepsi
Goldfish!


5 Songs I know the lyrics to...
I am very quick at picking up the words to songs. I love music. If I have heard the song I know the lyrics.


5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire...
Buy land
Build a dream home for me and one for my mom
Hire a cleaning lady
Go on a few vacations to places I have always dreamed of
Put the rest in savings


5 bad habits...
Yelling
Cursing
Eating unhealthy when not pregnant
Not always finishing what I started--like housework
Being late--which I wasn't that way until I became an Eastman


5 Things I would never wear again...
Stir-up pants
Anything with puffy pant on it
Tube tops
Home-made vests
Anything with a western print


5 Toys I love...
The computer
The Game Cube
Barbies
Hotwheels!
Castle Marbleworks from Discovery Toys


Tag five people
Michael, and the Porch contributors who have no blogs

Second Trimester!

I have finally made it to the second trimester! I have quit getting sick but the lack of energy is still there. My emotions are everywhere--I can't watch a movie without finding something to cry about. I eat constantly. I mainly crave salty stuff. My diet before getting pregnant was Pepsi and Reese's. Now I can't imagine having a Pepsi or eating that much chocolate! I usually fix my sweet tooth with a big bowl of sweetened cereal. I already have a bulge. It is big to me but no one really notices it yet. I can't fit my regular clothes--too small for most maternity clothes. I wear sweats when I can, weather permiting. It has been really hot out here. The sun always shines and we never get rain to really speak about. The kids love the sun though. They are always out playing. I can say that no matter what I am glad to be pregnant right now. Michael and I can't wait til December to open our present and see what we get. For now I will enjoy this moment.

Jammin' in Session!

Michael picked up these drums at a garage sale for Mason who doesn't really play them much. On the other hand his sister loves them! She is actually pretty good! Let the good times roll!

I made it! Me! I did!

In February I opened my big mouth and said I could do something I had never done. After realizing what I had said I swallowed hard and hoped for the best.

February marks the Birthday of Relief Society. Our Relief Society chose the theme of "Princesses in Training." They thought that the cake should be one of those barbie cakes. I have a batter bowl from Pampered Chef that has a recipe for a cake like that so I volunteered my services.

Making the cake was easy. The hard part was decorating it! But after about an hour I was able to finish my masterpiece. I was so proud of myself! I did it!


Afterwards we had fun with the leftover frosting!

Guess who turns 26 today?!!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Happy Easter!

This picture was taken about 5 or 6 years ago. I found it and thought how cute all the kids looked in their Easter outfits. They are all so much bigger now. TJ will be 13 this month!

I love Easter because my Birthday is right around the corner. My Mom was actually in the hospital on Easter weekend. I was born on Good Friday April 17, 1981. (Young I know.) I also love the spring! All the pretty flowers and green everywhere! Hyacinths are my favorite next to lilacs. I have 3 lilac trees on the side of the house. I love it! They are almost ready to bloom!

Happy Easter!

Beyond his years

Tonight before saying our nightly family prayer we were gathered around goofing off. Michael at the end of our tickle fest had made a remark just to stump the kids so they would settle down. His remark was--"The fish fell out of the water." Well this caught Calebs' attention. Caleb answered as follows--"He can get back in the water if he has faith." (We went to Stake Conference today. All of the leaders who spoke talked of Faith.) Michael and I were astounded. I mean we knew he is smart and has an awesome testimony but just wasn't ready for such an answer at that moment from him! He is truly an amazing child of God. I know that one day he will bear his testimony and touch someone who needs the gospel. I love you Caleb. Love MOM XOXOXO

War Paint

Melody is my littlest one. She is 2 years old. We had just got back that week from Oklahoma. My mom had given me a whole bunch of lipstick samples from Avon. I stuck them into my case of fingernail polish. While at home I was trying to put everything away. I put my case in the bedroom so nobody would get into it and get nail polish everywhere. I needed to get a couple of cotton balls out and left it open forgeting about the lipstick. Low and behold...Melody found me and the case. I come out of the bathroom to find her putting on lipstick. She was covered in it! When I came in she was actually painting her toenails with it! We call her our little Indian War Princess. I guess she was getting ready to fight her brothers and needed the war paint to help in her battle. Anyway, she looked cute!

We Like to Monkey Around!

Mason, Caleb, Melody, and Mommy at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma.

Melody Loves Me!

Melody Loves Me this I know,
For she tells me ever so.
She snuggles in my bed so tight,
Thinks she'll sleep their through the night.
She looks so sweet, cuddly and cute,
Unfortunately I have to give her the boot!
(back to her bed that is!)
She loves this I know,
For she tells me ever so!

I love you too, Melody!

Welcome

Welcome Everyone! I thought that I might follow the crowd on this whole blog thing everyone is into. So here I am! I stay pretty busy usually but hope to try to keep up on the happenings on my end. Otherwise enjoy!