The Life We're Living

My last post

2011-07-23T17:14:00.002-06:00

So a couple months ago I decided since we were going to have a new family we needed new blog to go with it. Yesterday our new family began when our precious Daphne Lois was born. So start following the start of our adventure here with "Everyday Love".

Hoping this is the last one of these

2011-07-20T13:58:00.003-06:00

Things I'm feeling this week.

Big- I cannot believe how big a baby in your belly makes you. I really don't know how its even possible for me to be so big around.
Contractions- I have them all day. They are about 30-45 min. apart most the day, but I will have a couple times a day when they are 7-10 min. apart for about an hour and a half. Hey I'm having one as I type. They are not to uncomfortable, but they have started hurting more than they did on Saturday when I was in the hospital.
Swollen hands- its painful, 'nough said.
Tired- still not sleeping at night.
Nesting impulse- now that I said I've been tired I get to tell you that I woke up at 5:30 this morning and had all this energy and the need to organize my already organized supplies for the baby. I got up and put the car seat in the car and made sure I had stuff ready and washed a few things for her that I hadn't gotten to yet. Now I feel I have nothing to do, but am still wanting to do something to get ready.
Happy- This morning I went to L&D again, not cause I thought labor was starting, but to make sure that my plans would work out. I have been working with the head L&D nurse to see if we could use skype so Johnny could "be there" for the birth. I headed in for a test run and everything works perfectly. It made my already great week.

I had a little surprise the other day when I heard from my sister that my mom and dad wanted to see if they could come visit me this weekend. So now I have something else to look forward to. The will get here on Sunday and leave Tuesday, so its not a long visit, but I will take what I can get. How perfect would it be if I went into labor while they ate hear. Then I could have both sides of my family here and they could meet the baby. You all should send labor dust my way, please!

Seminary shock

2011-07-20T13:29:00.002-06:00

So Monday was a pretty great day. I had gone to the pool, because it seems its the only place I can feel some relief from the heat and the pressure my body is under. I had had a lot of fun there that day and was on a little bit of a high. When I got home there was a car in the drive. I thought it was kind of odd because we rarely have visitors. I went in and saw Mary on one couch and on the other was Bro. Steinagel, my seminary teacher. At first I thought I was hallucinating. I had to stop and think. Its not that I couldn't figure out who was on my couch, it was that my brain couldn't process why he was sitting on it. When the initial shock wore off, I ran and ave him a big hug. I couldn't believe it! It turns out he is the supervisor for all the seminary teachers in the area. Mary was called to be a seminary teacher for the up coming year, so he was there to give her instructions. He was telling Mary a little bit about himself and mentioned he lived in Arizona for awhile, she asked where, and he replied "south of Tucson". She knows the area and asked what city and he said "St. David". She was amazed and asked if he knew who the Davidson's were. Of course he did and she let out, "Tracy is my daughter-in-law". Then she told him I was living with her right now. Now he was amazed. He decided to stay and give me a big shock, an he did. It was great to see him again and catch up on what we've been doing. Like I said, great day!

L&D

2011-07-16T17:35:00.002-06:00

Today I went to the hospital for my birth class. It went really well. Even though I knew most of the things they told us (I had read all the material before hand) I did get some great info about breast feeding. Okay so now for the cool part. I was having contractions during the class and the teacher, who is the head L&D nurse for the hospital, decided it would be fun to use me to teach us how to keep track of our contractions. After the class she took us over to L&D to show us what is in the room and how everything works and what to expect. I was still having my contractions so she thought it would be fun to hook me up to the monitors to show us how to read them. This turned into a 4 hour hospital stay for me. My contractions were coming pretty frequently so they decided it would be best to monitor me and call my Doc and see what he wanted to do. So I was admitted and they did an exam on me and watched my contractions. I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced, but baby is not engaged in my pelvis. The Doc decided it was best to stop the contractions and send me home. I was a little disappointed cause I thought maybe baby was coming, but it still was really cool to see how everything works at the hospital and get some information about if I was progressing or not. Everyone there is so nice and accommodating and I think when the time does come I will be very well taken care of. Now I am home and I took a long nap, cause the meds they gave me to stop the contractions made me feel really weird. Hopefully this little girl is coming soon!

I'm counting days, not months or weeks!

2011-07-07T18:23:00.003-06:00

Things I'm feeling

HUGE- I feel like this girl grew over night. One day I was fine, the next I wanted her out because I have NO MORE ROOM. She is everywhere.
Tired- I'm probably averaging 5 hours a night. I toss and turn and have to pee every hour it seems.
Hiccups- I thought I was going to miss out on this experience, but she finally started having the hiccups and it is so cute, and it also reassured me that her head in in the down position.
She is getting ready to drop- The last few days my hips have been hurting real bad, I think they are spreading in prep for her to descend.
Swollen hands and feet- My feet don't bother me, I just looked down one day and noticed they were a little swollen. My hands though are killing me, they look like big sausages, and if they are really swollen they hurt.
Weepy- I can not go a full 24 hours without bursting into tears. It is pretty pathetic. Sometimes its for nothing, but I think most the time its cause I miss Johnny and wish he could be here for the birth. Its official that he is not coming and it makes me so sad, but he is coming out during his break, Aug. 20th!!!!
So ready- I want this little munchkin so bad. I feel like I am all ready. I have all the stuff I need for her and I am done being pregnant, but most of all I just want to see her sweet face and give her all the love in the world.

The days have started to feel really long. It may be because I have run out of projects to do or it could be that I know she could come at any time, but time is starting to drag. I'm starting to get anxious. I don't like not knowing when things are going to happen. I'm a planner and I can't plan this. I have had a few scares. I even called labor and delivery the other day. I will start having contractions and then as soon as I start thinking I will go in and see if IT is happening they will stop. I think this girl is being a tease.

I had a doctor appointment today and everything is right on track. I thought he was going to start with internal exams today, but didn't. I was kinda disappointed cause I wanted to see if any of these contractions have been doing their job or if they are just teasing me too. My doc is really chill and if nothing is going wrong he doesn't see the point of being invasive, but I am curious. Oh well, I guess I just have to wait 'til next week. If he doesn't check on his own I will ask him to.

KKK a.k.a. Krispy Kreme Kult

2011-07-01T21:07:00.002-06:00

So today I finally got to fulfill my craving for K.K.!!! I have been craving these my whole pregnancy and today we were in Denver and saw a K.K. Store and HAD to stop. I was even so happy/excited I splurged and got two dozen so I could share my joy with the whole family!!! Oh it was worth the wait and the 4 hour drive to get them!

After almost 24 years of life.....

2011-06-22T18:27:00.004-06:00

I got my ears pierced. I never wanted to do it before because I'm not big on jewelry, but the last couple months I have been wearing clip-ons almost everyday. I figured if I'm going to do that I might as well do the real thing. It gives me a lot more cute options for earrings (so hard to find cute clip-ons), and its less painful (after a couple hours clip-ons start to hurt real bad). When I was sitting in the chair waiting for them to be done I was really nervous because I thought it was going to hurt really bad. I didn't think it was that bad though. I felt like it was comparable to getting your blood drawn. I love them and happy I finally did it!

Okay now to the real reason I'm posting....

Things I'm feeling this week!

Tired- I think you probably figure, but this is for posterity people.
Heartburn- Okay this has come with a vengeance. I get it all the time for different reasons, like if I sing or drink water, and of course after I eat.
Like I never stop going to the bathroom- Enough said.
Leg pain- I think it must be sciatic pain, because my butt will hurt and then my leg will start to hurt. I'm also still getting random charlie horses in m leg.
Contractions- I have been having them for a while now, but they are definitely coming more often.
Its getting close- I had to go get all of the necessities for baby, because she can come at any time now. I have an internet moms group of women that are all due the same week as me and one baby has been born every day for the last five days. It also hit me today at my doctor appointment when he told me he wants to see me once a week from now on. It is making me so excited! I can't wait until this little girl decides to come.

Like I said we have been busy the last couple days. Monday we went to Denver to take Molly to the airport. We spent the day shopping, mostly for baby stuff. We headed up to Estes park as well. We ended up staying the night in Denver because we wanted to go to more stores. Its hard to fit in all we want to do in one day. It is always nice to get out of Lamar and do something, but I am excited to be home for awhile. I plan on spending some quality time at the pool and getting some sewing projects done. I'm a little sad because our vacation to Chicago got cancelled. John and Mary are having some heath issues and we decided it would be better to stay here and get them sorted out. Life continues to fly by and before I know it my time here in Lamar will be over. NO offense to my in-laws, but I can't wait to get back home and be a little family of three!

Baby Shower

2011-06-22T18:09:00.004-06:00

Wow I'm getting this up late, but we have been kinda busy the last few days. Saturday I had my baby shower. It was really nice. A few women from church came out. We had a great lunch and some good laughs. I got some cute stuff too! I really wish I could have had some of my family and friends there, but I still had a good time.

We played this game I have never seen at a baby shower before and it was a lot of fun. You had to pass a pacifier from person to person using a pencil, if you drop it your out, last two standing win! We all got a kick out of it. It was kinda hard because we had such a height difference in the group.

(the food)

Beautiful Belly

2011-06-15T22:09:00.005-06:00

Monday evening I went out with a friend and did a little maternity shoot. These are just some of my favorites, enjoy!!!!

Friday Night Fun Night

2011-06-11T09:13:00.004-06:00

Last night I took Bekah, her friends and Tanner out for a night on the town. We went out to Pizza Hut for dinner and let me tell you it was AMAZING!!! I haven't had good pizza for awhile. After stuffing our faces we went bowling. I had a blast and I think the kids had fun too. Bekah was pretty upset because she didn't win either of the games. She is just a little competitive. We had some good laughs, one big one because of my throwing a ball backwards. I have a tendency to do this at least once while bowling even when its on the Kinect. If you ever get to go bowling with me, you have been warned. We are definitely going to have to go again while I'm here and can still move.

32 Weeks

2011-06-08T15:43:00.003-06:00

What I'm feeling this week!

Gurglies- They seem to not want to go away. I'm getting quite sick of them seeing as they make me feel sick when I have them.
Big- I had my first experience with some asking if I am having twins. NO, I'M JUST 5'3" AND CAN"T HELP IT IF I DON'T HAVE ROOM FOR A BABY TO GROW UP SO IT GROWS OUT!!!!! Sorry, but people need to think about what they are saying to a hormonal pregnant lady that just wants her drink without being judged.
Excited- I can't believe I'm down in the single digits for my week count down, only 8 more to go!
Anxious- I really can't wait to meet this little girl. She is so real to me and I just want to be able to see her and hold her already.
Like I'm going to be a parent soon- I have decided to fully take advantage of the next 8 weeks and sleep as much as I want to and do things I want to do. Don't mean to be selfish, but I'm going to be giving for the rest of my life.

I had doctors appointment today, and it was very uneventful which is a good thing. It is always nice to get to hear the heartbeat though. Its so reassuring to hear the little "thump, thump, thump". One of the mamas in my online pregnancy group lost her little boy at 31 weeks. It made me so scared to think one day everything can be fine and the next it can all be gone. Everything with me and baby girl are just fine so HAPPY 32 WEEKS DAY TO ME!!!

Evening Swim

2011-06-07T23:23:00.002-06:00

Bekah, Molly, Tanner and I went to the pool today after dinner. It was nice and relaxing to go and float for awhile, but once the sun went down it started getting pretty cold. I spent the last hour we were there checking the bathroom for a free shower so I could sit in the warm water. I also felt kinda lonely even though I was surrounded by a ton of people. I'm so used to Dominica where you almost always have some one to talk to. I wanted to leave Bekah and her friends to themselves and Tanner just wanted to go down the slide which I couldn't do because I'm pregnant. We are planning on going again on Thursday if its not to windy, I so hope its not windy!

Picking up Molly

2011-06-07T10:31:00.002-06:00

Rebekah has been so excited because her friend Molly from Idaho is coming for two weeks. Yesterday we went to Denver to pick her up. We got a late start so we didn't get to do much of the shopping we wanted to, but we got the things we needed. After picking Molly up we went out to one of my favorite places, Chili's!!!! It was really nice to go to a sit down place and get some good food. To bad I couldn't finish half of it. Oh well left overs for lunch! We got back really late and for the first time I didn't get to talk to Johnny for a whole day. Sad I know, but I was crushed when I got home at midnight and he wasn't on. It was really nice to get out of Lamar for a little while though. I guess I have to take what I can get.

Sewing, my new obsession!

2011-05-31T18:32:00.004-06:00

I was over at Aubrey's again sewing. I wanted to do some work on my quilt, but Walmart didn't have fabric spray adhesive, so I couldn't do anymore with it. I decided to start on doing on of the dresses for baby girl. Can you believe I finished it!?! I haven't made a dress since 8th grade. I was so impressed with myself. It is so cute! This picture doesn't do it justice.

I am really enjoying sewing. I have actually considered making it a job/hobby of it and sell stuff on Etsy or something. It would be cool if I could do that. maybe when we are done in Dominica and we are back in the states and I can have my sewing machine with me.

Girls days

2011-05-30T20:01:00.003-06:00

So I have been spending a lot of time over at Aubrey's house. Mary told me at dinner that Tanner was missing me all day. How sweet is that? I've been going over there to try to help her out. She is making a wedding dress and a bridesmaid dress for a lady in the ward, so I go over and distract the girls as well as I can. I'm always wiped out at the end of the day, but I have a ton of fun with them.

On Saturday she took a day off from the sewing and took a trip over to Pueblo with me she brought her kids an her friend Julia. I have been wanting to go for awhile to get stuff for the quilt I want to make for my baby girl and to get stuff for the baby shower. We had a really great time and I got the cutest fabrics for my quilt. I also couldn't resist a couple of fabrics so I decided I would make baby a couple dresses for church since I haven't found any dresses I like in the stores.

Today Aubrey, Julia and I had a sewing party. We all brought our sewing machines and we went to town on our projects. I was so happy to have Julia to help me pick out fabrics and to help me figure out some of the quilt stuff today. She is a semi experienced quilter and this is the first real one I've attempted. (I made one from my high school t-shirts and it turned out horribly.) I am doing really well on this one though. It came together really nicely and very quickly. I finished the whole front of it today. Now I have to do the hard part, the actual quilting part. AAAHHHH! I am so intimidated by machine quilting, but don't think I would ever finish it if I did it by hand. I have been watching videos of people doing it and it looks so easy when they do it, but I know its going to be a challenge for me.

Since it is Memorial Day today some of the people in the ward invited s to come to the park for a BBQ. It was fun and the food was good, but I didn't stay very long because my back was KILLING me and the wind was so strong it was draining my strength or sanity, I don't know which,. Mary suggested getting in the big jetted tub when I got home and it did the trick. I feel much better and my back feels relaxed. Hurray for jets and warm water!

Now I'm just waiting.

2011-05-26T11:23:00.002-06:00

What I'm feeling this week!

Happy- I made it to the 30 week mark, only 10 more weeks! I'm 3/4 of the way done!!!
Movement- and lots of it. I can tell she is running out of room and getting stronger though cause now instead of tickling some of her movements hurt.
Tired- I still have trouble sleeping, some days its because I can't get comfy others its because I can't keep my mind clear.
Like I can't breathe or move- Things like bending down to pick something up or putting my tennis shoes on are defiantly getting harder. After I eat there is no room to breathe.
Weepy- I don't know if my hormones have taken another dip or hike up or something, but almost anything can bring me to tears. I really have not been very moody during this pregnancy,(my mother-in-love actually thinks I'm less moody pregnant) but this last week I feel like I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown.
Impatient- but patients has never been one of my strongest virtues. I can't wait anymore, for anything: the baby, going back to Dominica, to get my stuff for a quilt I want to make for the baby, for our trip to Chicago, for my baby shower, for lunch..........not for anything.

Like I said we haven't been doing much. I'm just home on my computer most of the time. I am excited for this next month, because I feel like it is full of fun things to do. Hopefully I'll have more wonderful things to blog about in the near future.

Not much going on, but I promised I would.

2011-05-23T20:37:00.003-06:00

So I've settled into life here in Lamar. My days go pretty much the same everyday. I try to sleep in, but am waken-up when Mary gets the kids up for school. I lay in bed trying to fall back to sleep until about 9-9:30. I get up an make myself breakfast, and get ready for the day of nothing ahead of me. Sometimes Mary and I have errands to run, but most the time we just hang out at home. The kids get back home around 4 and then its time to make dinner. Then the day is over. I go to bed after dinner to talk to Johnny, than I go to sleep and start it all over again.

I am looking forward to some things that are coming up this next month. The kids are done with school on Thursday, and I'm hoping to help the kids find things to do. I think we will be spending a lot of time at the pool. In a couple weeks I will be singing in Ward Conference. I'm excited but really nervous. My rapidly expanding belly is giving my lungs less room, so hopefully I can breathe while I'm singing. I have another doctors appointment on the 8th. You can tell your getting closer to delivery when your appointments start getting closer together. My baby shower is going to be on the 18th! Then the last week of June we are heading to Chicago for a family reunion. I'm nervous for this too. At my next doctors appointment I'm going to make sure its okay for me to make such a long journey in a car when I'm 8 months pregnant. If not I don't know what I'll do for a week while the family is gone. I really hope I can go!

I'm starting to have a lot more dreams about having the baby and being a mother. I'm also dreaming a lot about the baby shower and how much we need to do to get ready for it. Its fun to be having these dreams, but it keeps me up at night cause I wake-up thinking its all real. It is making me really anxious and excited!

Baby is doing GREAT!

2011-05-18T14:51:00.002-06:00

I had a doctors appointment this morning and everything is looking great. I have gained 12 lbs. so far, my blood pressure remains low and I passed my glucose test! Baby is doing well too. Her heart beat was in the 140's, my belly is measuring right on target, and she moves all the time! I have always been nervous about how my pregnancies would go, but apparently they are pretty much the norm. YAY for 29 weeks!

One week down, who knows how many more to go.

2011-05-16T22:41:00.004-06:00

Last week was uneventful. I was home alone everyday because Mary was subbing at school. Life improved as soon as people were back in the house. I've never liked being in an empty house, its to quiet.

The weekend was nice. Lamar was celebrating its 125th Birthday so they had a carnival and parade and stuff. It was so nice to get out of the house and have something to do. Rebekah also had a garage sale she was helping with to raise money to go to girls camp so I spent time there with her and Mary. There were lots of baby clothes and I picked up some sleepers and the cutes baby shoes that have never been worn. I also spent a lot of time over at my new friends Aubrey's house. She has two little girls and a new baby boy. It was fun to go play with them and give her somewhat of a break from her kids.

Today was eventful. It is nice to have Mary in the house and not be by myself all day. We kinda just lazed around the house and watched tv and talked during the morning. Mary decided she wanted to go out for lunch so we got ready and headed to a little Mexican place. It was so yummy. We talked about our first dates with our husbands. She knew a lot about mine and Johnny's, but I knew nothing about her and John's. It was fun to hear about him and his wonderful dorkyness. Living here and watching Johnny's dad has given me new perspective on why Johnny is how he is. They are so much alike. John will do something and I will think for a second that he is Johnny, its so weird. After our wonderful lunch we headed to a little consignment shop and looked around. Of course we ended up at the baby clothes and couldn't walk away without getting some stuff. I HAD to get this little pig outfit for her. I remember having a little pig dress as a girl that I loved and rarely took off. Had to get it for her!

(Sorry this one turned out crummy, I promise its super cute!)

We came home and I spent the rest of the afternoon with Mary planning stuff for my upcoming baby shower. I think it is going to be super cute and super fun. After I ate dinner I talked with Johnny as usual, but we stayed on for way to long. I may have deprived him of precious sleep, but I think we both thought it was worth it!

28 weeks

2011-05-11T11:56:00.000-06:00

What am I feeling this week?

Excited- I can't believe I only have 12 weeks left! It sounds so short. I can't wait to meet this little girl!!!
Lonely- I miss Johnny so bad.
Sick- I got a very nasty chest cold a week after we got here to America and gave it to everyone in the house so we are all suffering.
The gurgles- well thats what I call them. I have never been able to burp, but I have gas constantly coming up my throat and it makes my tummy feel gross.
Tired- even though I'm sleeping through the night I'm exhausted by noon. I can't keep my eyes open. I think this girl is telling me she's kicked the growing factor into overdrive.
Movement- I put my hand on my belly the other day and it felt like waves going across my belly. She also likes to "get up" at 6am and have a party in my belly. She moves a whole lot when she is "awake" and I love every minute of it!
Heartburn- I've never had this before so it was new for me and I didn't even know what it was when it happened the first time. I thought it would burn in my chest but it burns in the back of my throat, but taking one Tum does the trick.

Yesterday I did my glucose test and got my RH- shot. I was dreading the glucose drink. I thought it would be thick and taste like Tang, but nope. It was fine. It tasted like a flat orange soda. Not my favorite drink, but something I could get down. They had it super cold and I think that helped a lot. Not being able to eat or drink two hours prior and the hour it took to take the test was worse that the actual drink. My shot went well to. The nurse said I would be really sore from it and it would hurt, but I barely felt when she poked me and no soreness! It hurt a lot more getting my blood drawn for the glucose test.

1.5 K Walk

2011-05-07T10:15:00.002-06:00

This morning we got up early to do a 1.5 K walk that John's hospital was sponsoring. It was such a nice way to start the day. It was beautiful outside and the walk was the perfect length. Rebekah ran it with her friend and came in first, but John and I just took or time and had a nice chat with each other. I really enjoyed the breakfast too!

Saying goodbye

2011-05-07T09:51:00.004-06:00

So Johnny left yesterday. We headed to Denver on Thursday so we didn't have to wake up at 2 am to get Johnny to the airport on Friday. We went and stayed up in Estes Park and we had a great time. We walked around all the shops (most were closed) and went to the Stanley hotel. When we got to our resort we swam in the heated pool and sat in the hot tub and just relaxed. The drive to the airport seemed like it took days. I of course was a baby and was crying most of the time. I had been dreading that day for a long time. We got there and said our goodbyes. It was hard and I just wanted him to keep holding me, but life has to go on and he left with his suitcase through the airport doors. Mary was so sweet and decided to take me and the kids to breakfast and get me some hot chocolate. We had decided to register for baby stuff while we were in town, but the Babies-R-Us we planned to go to was a dump in a crappy part of town when we got there, so we decided we would stop at one in Colorado Springs on the way home. We got there and were so happy that we decided to go. I got all registered and then we headed over to the mall. I got some cute maternity shirts and a couple of nursing bras! It was so nice to be able to shop for maternity stuff. It was a great detracting day. There were a few times I was shopping and would think where did Johnny run off to this time (he has a tendency to lose himself in stores), but then I would remember he is gone. Its going to take me awhile to get used to him not being here I think.

Hubby I love you and promise I will do to keep this updated so you can see how me and little baby are doing so you don't have to worry about us. We are in good hands!

Locks of Love

2011-04-28T13:59:00.003-06:00

I really needed to get my hair trimmed, but I thought I have so much hair and it grows back so fast that I should donate it to Locks of Love. I've always wanted to do it, but never thought my hair was long enough, but it defiantly was this time. They used to need like ten inches, but now they only need five. I gave a lot more than that, because I wanted a shorter cut. I love how it turned out. The girl did exactly what I wanted. It reminds me of how it was in high school. I love getting it cut, it always feels so healthy.

26 weeks and finally a real doctors visit!

2011-04-27T16:31:00.003-06:00

What I'm feeling this week.

Braxton Hicks Contractions- I have been feeling them for awhile now, but didn't realize thats what they were.
Middle Back Pain- This last week it has been really bad. I'm fine until about 4 in the afternoon and then it hurts so bad I cant breathe.
Charlie Horses- They are back. I hadn't had any for awhile, but they are back and like to hit in the morning when I wake up.
Tired- as always. I am sleeping better during the night, but I still am really tired and want a nap. I don't take one though cause I get tired at about 5 and that seems a little late to start a nap.

Well the 26 week mark is here. Now that I'm back in America it is finally time to get ready for this little girl. I had an appointment on Monday. I was expecting it meet my doctor, but he was out of town...again. We did meet with the visiting doctor and found out he may be the one to deliver the baby anyway, since Dr. Portner will be at a wedding the week before my due date.

The appointment went well and they decided that they wanted me to get an ultrasound, so today we did. She is growing nicely and was moving all over the place. The ultrasound tech said she had never had a baby move so much. She was blinking and opening and closing her mouth, which was the cutest thing ever! She was also being very difficult. The tech was trying to get a 3d picture of her face, but she had both her hands, and sometimes one of her feet, in front of her face the whole time. After the ultrasound we went to the maternity ward at the hospital and took a tour. The nurses were so nice and very helpful and put to rest a lot of my worries. They really focus on keeping the mother and baby together as much as possible. They said they will give the baby directly to me and let me hold her for a few minutes before taking here away. They also will give her back to me as soon as I'm done with the afterbirth to breastfeed. They leave the baby in the room with me at all times unless I want to have a break. They also are very willing to let me

move around, use and exercise ball, and even sit in a jacuzzi tub during labor. The hospital also has free child birth classes, which is very good news. I feel a lot better about the fact that I had no options on where I was going to deliver, since everything there is really nice.

Easter Sunday

2011-04-27T16:20:00.002-06:00

We did all the typical Easter things. We went to church and when we came home the Easter bunny had visited so we went in search of our baskets. Johnny and I didn't get a basket this year, but BABY did. The stuff we got was pretty cool We got some rattles and pacifiers and bibs, and candy for us. Then it was time for my favorite part, dinner!!! We had the missionaries for dinner because while we were at Church Mary and I saw that they didn't have anywhere to go for dinner so we thought we should invite them since we had plenty of food. After they left Johnny, Joey and I hid the eggs. It took forever because there were about 50 eggs. The kids had a hard time finding some of them, and of course the boys hid some in ridiculous places. All in all it was a good day with family!

We made it!

2011-04-23T07:00:00.003-06:00

So staying at the hotel was great for a good nights sleep, but not so great for catching your flight back home. I set the alarm before we went to bed but it didn't go off. We woke up at about 7:30 and our flight left at 6:30, yeah just a little late. So we rushed ourselves back to the airport. I was worried we would have to buy new tickets, but they just put us on stand by for the next flight to Denver. We got in at about 4:00, did a little shopping, when to Olive Garden, and headed home.

We have been having a lot of fun here. Johnny found a really good deal for the Kinect for the Xbox, so we got it and it has been so great. Last night everyone was playing. I NEVER thought I would see Johnny's dad play a video game, but he was having a lot of fun playing with us. It is definatly a work out, we are all soar. Being with family is great!

AMERICA!!!

2011-04-20T20:02:00.002-06:00

So we made it. We are in Miami in a hotel (thank heaven). I'm feeling really greatful to be here right now eventhough in a couple weeks I'm going to be missing my hubby so I won't be so enthused about it any more.

Things I love about America today:

Full bellys!
Hot showers!
Fully functioning airports!
Nice fluffy pillows!
Time with my hubby that Dominica doesn't seem to let me have!!!!!

Have a nice night everyone!

24 weeks down!

2011-04-13T15:45:00.004-06:00

What I'm feeling

Sick, I woke up a yesterday with a soar throat, yuck!
Tired as always.
Excited to go home.
Not excited about going home.
Like I'm really big. I feel like she must have double in size in the last few days, my belly feels heavy.

Sorry, had to laugh

2011-04-12T07:50:00.002-06:00

So last night I was at bible study and we were sitting around chatting. The other girls were talking about how they were going to take their husbands to Batibou Beach and I was feeling left out cause I can't go. Then I burst out, "Well I'm going to take my hubby to Target", and then I just laughed at them. I'm cracking up just thinking about it. I think they got a kick out of it too. Batibou is great, but Target is equally as great. Sorry girls had to do it!

Red Rock with the girls!

2011-04-12T07:36:00.002-06:00

Last week I went to Red Rock with the girls. Its always nice to go and get away for a day. I was also looking forward to some awesome food. I was a beautiful day, but we didn't swim very much because it was super choppy and that can be very dangerous there, because it is so rocky. So we mostly just laid out. I did go wild and get a blended drink (virgin of course) that was very yummy. Can't remember the name but it was guava and coconut. I would say the best part of Red Rock is their dinner menu, but alas the chef wasn't there that night so I couldn't get the filet mignon I had been looking forward to. I think it should be a crime to deny a pregnant woman the food she wants. Especially when she lives on an island that she can't get the food she wants to eat whenever she wants to eat it. Okay rant over. So I got a burger instead and it was wonderful. I'm really starting to get sad about missing out on my friends lives for four months. I'm going to really miss these girls. They become your family out here.

Farewell Banquet

2011-04-04T13:21:00.002-06:00

Saturday night was the farewell banquet. Usually this is just another fun night for me but this time around I was feeling the impact of the fact I will not be seeing a lot of these girls again. It made me realize I'm not only saying goodbye to the 4th semester girls but the 3rd as well. These are the girls I started out on this adventure with. Johnny must have been feeling it too, because about a half hour before the dinner he asked if he could come and said to me, " I'm not going to get to see you anymore". So he came with me. I know we will still talk and see each other over skype, but I really don't know how i'm going to be apart from him for so long. with the exception of me visiting my family for a few days, and him seeing his Nana before she died, we have spent a day without each other since we started dating. I'm really getting sad about leaving. I know I'm doing the right thing for mine and the baby's health, but I really don't want to go. Anyway, enough pitty party, the night was fun. Dinner was great and spending time with the girls is always a blast! I'm really going to miss these girls.

Biggest surprise!

2011-04-02T13:26:00.005-06:00

Yesterday started out like any other day. I had a few things planned: take Johnny lunch, meet with my visiting teachers, hang out with Katie at the CAC, go to a movie with Johhny, just regular stuff. So it time to go meet with my visiting teachers, so I headed down to the CAC. I got there and found Cassi. She told me Paige and Sindy would be there in a little so we sat and talked a little. Soon she got a text and she said Sindy was down stairs. We decided to go down there and meet so it would "be quieter". We headed down we walked in the door and I got a huge shock. The room was filled with all my friends. I was confused and first, I thought maybe they were having and RSO meeting that had slipped my mind, but then they yelled, "Surprise!".

I couldn't believe it! It was a baby shower for me. I have to admit I was getting pretty sad about thinking that I wasn't going to get a shower with my girlfriends. My time here on the island is coming to an end, and I hadn't had anyone say anything about throwing one for me. I knew my mother-in-love would have one for me, but I knew I would miss not having all my friends with me. I felt so much love walking in that room. I was surprised that everyone was there(except Meagan, but I understand she was home sick, she is pregnant too).

We had a great time. The girls from the branch brought some great food, and Katie and Brandi had some fun games planned. I had a great time. Thank you all for the planning, and for coming. It made me feel so special!

Week 22

2011-03-31T10:59:00.002-06:00

Things I'm feeling:

1. Tired- I'm still not getting very much sleep. The other night I DID get a good nights sleep and felt wonderful the next day, but it looks like that night was a fluke and won't happen again very often.

2. Charlie horses- Oh man these hurt. They strike in the morning mostly. Sometimes I shoot awake because I'm having one. Makes my leg so soar.

3. Anxious about delivery- I know its not happening for awhile, but I'm starting to get scared. Maybe its more real now and I know this baby girl has to come out one way or another. It may also be that I haven't met my doctor yet and so I sometimes think I will be doing it on my own.

4. Movement- I have been feeling her a lot more the last couple of weeks. She likes to kick after I eat and when I lay down to go to bed.

5. Like I have a lot to do when I get to America- I don't know if my nesting period is starting, but I feel like I'm behind on getting ready for baby. Sometimes it gets really bad and I will have mini nervous break downs and spend the WHOLE day online looking up anything related to babies, from breastfeeding to baby shoes.

6. That August is forever away- Time has been going by pretty quickly, but I don't know how I can wait 18+ weeks to see my little girl.

A to Z

2011-03-28T20:07:00.002-06:00

Have to thank my dear friend Lisa for posting this. So much fun! I love these questioners. Here it goes....

A. Age: 23
B. Bed Size: Full
C. Chore you dislike: I hate to do laundry and I hate HATE grocery shopping.
D. Dogs: I've never had a dog, but want one someday. For now its just our cat Saydee.
E. Essential start to your day: Eating something and going potty(TMI).
F. Favorite colors: Yellow
G. Gold or Silver jewelry: I like silver better, I think gold looks gross on me.
H. Height: 5'3 and 1/2.
I. Instruments: Flute, Sax, Percussion
J. Jelly bean flavor: I know this is super weird, but remember when Jelly Belly did the Harry Potter every flavor bean? Well I LOVED the grass flavored ones! I also really love the Starburst sour flavors.
K. Kids: I'm having a little girl in a few months, CAN'T WAIT!!!!
L. Live: Dominica, West Indes
M. Month: I don't know, kind of a weird thing to ask, but if I had to pick I think Nov., cause it hosts Thanksgiving.
N. Nicknames: Teddy bear (my initials used to be TED and my oldest bro would call me Teddy).
O. Overnight hospital stays: I've never had to stay over night at the hospital.
P. Pet peeves: I think my biggest pet peeve would have to be litering, I hate when people liter!
Q. Favorite quote from a movie or book: Wow I really can't think of one right now. I think it would have to be Elizabeth Bennet telling off Mr. Darcy when he proposes the first time, something about being "the last man in the world whom I could ever marry". I love it every time, never get sick of it.
R. Righty or Lefty: Righty
S. Siblings: 5 brothers, 2 sisters
T. Time you Wake Up: The last two months its been about 7-7:30. this little girl won't let me sleep, but before that it was like 10, you have to understand I probably don't go to bed until 2ish.
U. Underwear? Of course, and the best kind that there is.
V. Vegetables: I love veggies. The only one I can think of that I don't like is tomatoes.
W. What makes you run late?: This is bad, and it will make him mad, but Johnny is what makes me late.
X. X rays you've had: Dental...I've never broken anything.
Z. Zoo animals: I LOVE giraffes! I think they are so amazing and graceful.

Kids Spring Festival

2011-03-24T07:14:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday was the Spring Kids Festival. Every semester RSO has a little party for the kids here on the island and I am in charge of it. This semester I had a lot of help as last week I was on bed rest. It turned out so well. Our face painter was amazing! The older kids loved the bowling. The cake walk was a big hit as always. And the kids loved making butterflies and caterpillars. I don't think a festival ever ran as smoothly as this one did and I have to thank all of those that helped out. Even though its a lot of stress every semester I think I will miss doing it next semester.

(Sorry I don't know why the pic turned out so small.)

Whale Watching/ Sunset Cruise

2011-03-24T06:37:00.005-06:00

A couple weeks ago Johnny and I went on a whale watching cruise for our anniversary. It was to bad Johnny had a BIG test right after because he spent a little of the time studying. I had a great time being on the water, enjoying being away from the "rock" even though it was just for three hours. Being out there made Dominica look so beautiful and reminded me I live in a pretty cool place. In everyday life here you forget that it is a great thing to live on such a beautiful island and to get to experience a different type of life. Everything is slow paced and relaxed. Even though its hard to get through some days this will be a part of my life I look back on and be thankful and happy I got to do it. Not everyone can say they lived in the Caribbean for almost two years of their life.

Well we didn't get to see any whales which I was very disappointed about. I think Johnny was too, because he said, " We are never doing one of these again". This is the second whale watching trip we have done and we have yet to see a single thing. Oh well, Like I said it was a great night. The sunset was beautiful and I got to spend time with my hubby and celebrate four awesome years with him.

Half way there!

2011-03-18T11:40:00.003-06:00

Week 20 has brought some new experiences. I went on a trip down to Roseau on Monday and it was not a good day. I was in a lot of pain. The road to Roseau is rough to say the least and I don't know what was different this time from when I went for the ultrasound, but I had a hard time handling it. My back was on fire, my pelvic area was in pain and I kept getting these really sharp pains on my left side and down my leg. I got home and went to bed hoping a little rest would help, but when I woke up on Tuesday I was still feeling horrible. I spent the day in bed hoping rest would help. On Wednesday morning I was feeling slightly better, but that afternoon I was woken up from my nap by the sharp pain in my side. The next four hours were torture. I was really worried that it may be contractions or something else was wrong, so I called the school's EMS. They had me come in and the doctor gave me some pain medicine and said to come back in the morning and they would do an exam on me. I went yesterday to the doctors still in a lot of pain and she put me on bed rest and told me to go to Portsmouth the next day and get an ultrasound to see if the baby was doing okay. We went this morning and everything with our baby girl looks good. I'm also feeling a lot better today. I'm really tired and still a little soar, but the sharp pains in my side are gone. The doctor thinks the trip just set off some ligament pain. Most women get ligament pain around this time, but most just have slight discomfort where as others have extreme pain. I apparently am one of the latter. I'm glad to be feeling better and its great to know this hasn't hurt my little girl in any way.
I want to thank all the amazing girls here on the island that have been so helpful and kind the last few days. Thank you for listening and thank you for all the help with the kids festival. I don't know what I would have done this week without your help.

Four years and counting!

2011-03-10T10:16:00.003-07:00

Today is Johnny and I's anniversary! Four years ago today we we married for time and all eternity! Alot has happened and alot has changed. Our life is different now and it keeps getting better and better!

We don't' have any special plans. Johnny has a Mini 2 on Monday so he will be studying today, but on Saturday we are going on a Whale Watching Cruise. I'm planning on making one of our favorite meals, fried chicken with rice and mushroom sauce. He told me he was going to take me out and get cheese cake at Tomato's, but I asked him about it right now and he said he didn't remember saying anything like that so we'll just have to see if that happens.

So here is to Johnny, the best man on earth! Here's to now and the rest of our lives together, I love you more than you could ever know!!!

drum roll please......

2011-03-03T15:39:00.004-07:00

Its a GIRL!!!!!!!

So we went down to Roseau today for the ultrasound and let me tell you I fell in love with my little girl, not that I wasn't already in love. She is growing well and everything looks good. She was moving all over the place and has a very strong heartbeat. We bought her first gift, a reversible doll! Cute right?

All in all it was a pretty great day. Johnny took the day off from school and went down with me. We spent all afternoon walking around the town and it was great to have time just our little family. I am so excited that this is really happening. Last time I saw my baby she was just a little Lima bean, now she looks like a little baby. Isn't my girl beautiful!?!

Meeting Steve

2011-03-02T11:11:00.003-07:00

So this picture I think sums up our expeience yesterday. Know how I told you me and the girls were planning on going to a hot spring? Well we decided that we would try to do it again yesterday. So we headed out on our little adventure and of course our time was spoiled again, because there were three Rasta guys sitting in the spring. I have to admit I was a little scared to try and share the spring with these half naked guys. I felt bad that after trying to show this awesome place to my friends twice, it still didn't work out. We had a good time anyway. We ended up hanging out in the little creek just doing what we do, talking. Eventually Rebecca got a little bored and went and talked to the guys. She decided they weren't scary so we went and joined them for a few minutes. None of us got all the way in, we just stuck our feet in. I guess I'm just going to have to take the girls there again and hope for a non rainy, non crowded hot spring!
After that little adventure we all went out for lunch. We went to a new place that opened up this semester. Of course I got a burger, because I seem to be craving those. Just have to say baby and I really enjoyed it!

Girls Weekend

2011-03-02T10:46:00.005-07:00

So I have been so busy with my friends this last weekend. It starte with Friday night game night at Tanya's house. We played Cranium. It was a very small group, but still tons of fun. All I have to say is "tombstone" and "trombone" are two very different things, but the words look quite similar at a glance. My team won! WAHOO

Saturday I stayed home all day in bed until 8:00 when time changed form boring Saturday Night to Country Night. All the girls went up to DeChamps. Usually when we go up there we are dancing all night long, but this time we just sat around talking and drinking. I found my fav new drink to get there; a fruit punch with no pineapple juice. Yum! We did get up and do some line dances though. I discovered that my baby likes hip hop a lot more than country. I got so tired line dancing. I could barely make it through a whole song.

I ended Sunday with going up to the CAC all dressed up for the Oscars. We didn't make it through the whole thing because it didn't start until about 9:30 our time. All the girls looked so pretty all dressed up. My pic (The King's Speech) for best picture won! Go Colin Firth!!!!

Rituals and the girls

2011-02-25T10:02:00.002-07:00

So I don't go to Rituals (a cafe' type place) very often, maybe twice a semester and I have gone twice in the last two days and I blame it on the weather. On Wednesday Julianne invited me to the pool, but it was to windy so we went to Rituals and talked about baby stuff. She has a new born here so I had a lot of questions for her. Then yesterday, my girls and I were planning to go on a little trip to a hot spring nearby, but it was rainy, so again we went to Rituals. After enjoying our goodies (I had hot chocolate and a chocolate croissant) we still wanted to do something so we went to PBH and enjoyed the roll of the waves and some drinks and french fries.
I have been really enjoying this semester and I have to say its all because of the wonderful girls here. I have felt a little left out the first couple of semesters and now I don't. It does wonders for my spirit. So thank you girls, you know who you are!

Baby Poll

2011-02-17T11:07:00.004-07:00

So I have had a lot of different opinions on what sex the baby is. I get "Your going to have a girl because the way you are carrying the baby." But then some one will say "Your carrying that baby long ways, defiantly a boy." I have also been told if your having a girl you will crave salty things and then some one else will say the same thing about boys. So now its your turn to speculate. So let me know what you think.

Bible Study

2011-02-17T10:28:00.005-07:00

Another week has come and gone. I can't believe how fast this semester seems to be flying by. Life has been pretty uneventful, except for bible study. I get together with a group of girls and discuss a Christian themed book. It is one of the highlights of my week. The book we are reading this semester is Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge. I am really enjoying it and really enjoying getting together to talk about it. The group was to big this semester so we split it into two groups, but tonight we are all getting together and I'm really excited about it.

The Week Before MINI 1

2011-02-14T08:11:00.004-07:00

This picture has nothing to do with this post except that I miss good food and the pizza looks so good right now!

Johnny is taking his Mini right now as we speak! I know he will do well but its always a little stressful. He has been doing really well at studying. I felt like because he was repeating he would study less, but this is not the case. He is still a machine. He does come home earlier than he used to so I feel like I get to see him more.

These past couple of weeks have been fun for me though. Because everyone's husbands were studying so hard all of us girls spent a lot of time together. We had a Millennium Party at DeChamps, we had a cocktail night (they were so great and made a nonalcoholic drink just for me), bible study movie nights. Its been a lot of fun!

On the other hand I have been having a few sick days, and more throwing up. If I wait to long to eat I WILL throw up. Yuck! I have also been having a real hard time sleeping. I wake up a million times at night and it takes me forever to get back to sleep. But I think the hardest thing I have come across is finding food that I want to eat. I am so sick of PB&J's and Mac&Cheese and Spaghetti. I want I big juicy hamburger and some mashed potatoes with gravy. Oh some fried chicken sounds good too, and I still want Krispy Kremes!

Trying to catch up on life!

2011-02-04T14:57:00.008-07:00

Oh my it has been awhile. It has been so busy here since I'm been feeling better. I feel like everyday I am out doing something.
So I am so happy to be past the first trimester. Lets just say it wasn't so fun. I was sick and super tired. I felt like just being in bed all the time, and most of the time I was. But now I'm doing a lot better. I get sick randomly, but most the time I'm feeling fine. I am super tired still, but I think that is because I'm having a really hard time sleeping. I can't seem to get comfy laying on my sides. It is worth it though. I can't wait until I can start feeling the baby move!

A couple weeks ago I went to Batibou beach with the girls. It was so much fun and very relaxing. the weather here has been beautiful. Not to hot, but still warm enough to get in the water.
I have been spending a lot of time with the girls. We have been super active this semester. I don't know what has gotten into us, but I feel like we hang out three times a week or more. A few weeks ago we did a progressive dinner and after we went for a night swim. I really had not laughed so hard in a very long time. SO MUCH FUN!!!

Last weekend Johnny took the day off from studying and we went to Red Rock for lunch and then a nice long swim. The one plus side of Johnny having to do 2nd semester again is he is a little more relaxed. Don't get me wrong he still studies ALL day, but he is more chill. He will come home at dinner time instead of staying at school and he will take time off to watch a show or do something with me!

Last night was another night out with the girls. We went to Cabrits Cafe to watch the sun set. It was so beautiful with all the ships in port. We also ran into a great Dominican man that brought out the Micheal Jackson music and danced for us. It was great entertainment. After that some of the girls went to dinner at PBH. I had a cheese burger and oh it hit the spot. I haven't had a good burger in awhile.

Today and last Friday I have been busy with In Light In. It is a Christian based volunteer group. We go and play with the local kids after school. They are such fun kids that are full of love. When they see us they run and give big hugs. I had my hair in a pony tail today and one of the girls couldn't believe how long my hair is so she had to play with it.
So as you can see tons of fun going on down here on the island!

The water finally got to me!

2011-01-22T06:25:00.003-07:00

Baby Cochran @ 9 weeks

Oh I have been busting at the seams to tell the world the news. After almost 2 1/2 years of trying I have finally made it officially into the pregnancy club. I am 12 1/2 weeks along and my due date is Aug. 3, 2011.

Dominica again

2011-01-18T08:16:00.002-07:00

I have felt I have had to relearn how to live here on the island. Nothing has changed except the temperature, but I still feel its different. Last week I had a lot of fun. The first week of class is always fun fo the spouses. We have a lot of activities going on. The RSO meet and greet was a ton of fun this semester. Some of the girls ended up just sitting around talking until about 5pm.
Church this week was a little different. We had Mission Conference. Here in Dominica our branch is not a part of a Stake we are part of a Mission, so there for Mission Conference instead of Stake Conference. We had a Leadership meeting and the Adult session on Saterday and then the regular session Sunday morning.
Yesterday was the RSO shopping trip. The first one is free so there were a ton of people on the trip. It was a good day and it always feels so nice to have a kitchen full of food. Yay to food!!!

New Year, Old Semester

2011-01-10T19:45:00.002-07:00

I was surprised when we got back to the "Rock" and I was relieved to be back. While we were gone Johnny and I made the observation that it didn't feel weird to be back in America. That we have our life in Dominica and we have our life in America and you just turn one off and turn the other on. Our travels back went very well. I feel we have been very busy getting settled and getting ready for school to start.
Johnny is going to be doing second semester again. He missed the passing cutoff by 1% in one class. He tried talking to the student counselor to see if anything could be done, but they said he had to do the semester over. Last semester was draining on him so hopefully this time it will be easier since it will be mostly review. Here's to a new/old semester.

(I know its a little late, but) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2011-01-10T19:20:00.003-07:00

We had an interesting time flying back home. All I have to say is Chicago is not cold, it is freezing! Oh and they have great pizza. After two days of flying we had two days of driving until we got to our home for Christmas in Lamar, CO. We stayed one night in Estes Park in the haunted Stanley Hotel. It was a great time. We didn't get to see anything spooky, but I did get to take a bath in a jetted tub. (sorry if its TMI, but I haven't had a bath in over a year let alone one with jets and hot water.) We got to Lamar only a day after the moving company so we got to spend two wonderful days unpacking. I'm glad we were there to help, but after four days of traveling it wasn't the first thing I wanted to do. Christmas came and we had a great time opening presents and playing some football. If you couldn't tell there seemed to be an overwhelming BYU theme and I was so blessed to open about 40 individually wrapped personal water bottle cool aid packets. We spent the rest of the time just hanging around playing games and hanging out and ringing in the new year with games and sparkling apple cider. After traveling back to Utah we met up with my sister and spent a couple nights with them. It was great to see the kids and Rachel and Trent. I lived with them before I got married and it felt a little like being home. Overall it was a great time. I got to eat everything I wanted except for Cafe Rio, but alas I'll have to do it another time. Thank you for those that hosted us. We love you and it was great to see you!

Back in Dominica

2011-01-07T11:04:00.001-07:00

Okay, I promise I will tell you all about our lovely time in America. I just wanted to touch base and let everyone know we are back on the rock and had a safe time traveling.

Home SWEET Home

2010-12-23T12:27:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know we are safely back in the United States and have found our family in the little town of Lamar, CO. Our trip here was an adventure. Pics and explanation to follow.

Moving right along

2010-12-07T05:55:00.004-07:00

Time is just going right on by down here in Dominica. I can't believe the semester is over. Johnny is taking Mini 3 as I type. That means only three more tests then one day and we will be flying home. Super crazy! I can't wait to go home for so many reasons. I can't wait to see family. I can't wait to see Johnny's parents new home. I can't wait to go shopping and eat real food. I can't wait for Christmas. I can't wait for everything!!!! 12 more days!!!!!

2010-12-02T12:51:00.002-07:00

I just had to let everyone know that I got a pedicure today! I know in the rest of the world this is not a big deal, but here in Dominica it is a super treat. The first and last time I ever got one was for my wedding. Understandably My feet have gotten pretty bad living here, and it felt so nice to get 8 months of gunk pumused off my feet. This blessed event got to take place because one of the girls in our branch is going home and getting sealed to her husband and son during the break so we had to celebrate.It was great fun. We sat around and talked while we got our feet did up, we had cake(probably the best cake EVER), and I got to play with all the little kids. All in all a great way to spend the morning!

P.S. Seeing as it is text time here in Ross land, please keep Johnny in your prayers. 3 down, 4 to go!

T-Day Pics

2010-11-25T20:53:00.003-07:00

Me and Johnny

Our Thanksgiving Day Dinner Family

Traditions, Old and New

2010-11-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!! The more T-Days I live through the more I realize it has to be my favorite holiday. You get to stuff your self and no one can think badly of you. You get to have fun with family. Lastly, it rings in the rest of the holiday season.

This year I am missing a few traditions. I miss pulling out my Christmas decorations in preparation of putting them up the day after. I miss the cool weather. I miss spending time with family. There are a couple of traditions I did get to indulge in and a few new or rather different traditions too. I was so happy to wake up and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It always makes me feel like a little kid and I always cry for some reason. (yes I know I'm a sap) We got to go to a wonderful turkey dinner. It wasn't with family, but it was with some really great friends. It was weird having T-Day dinner out by the beach in the heat, but it was fun and it will be one I never forget. There is one tradition I will not be missing this year Black Friday Shopping, but I think Johnny is feeling a little sad that we're missing it. I'm thankful I will be getting a full nights sleep tonight among many other things!

For some reason the computer won't let me upload my pictures, but I will post them as soon as I can.

Its begining to feel a lot like Christmas...

2010-11-19T19:57:00.004-07:00

NOT!!!

It has cooled down a very little bit though. I woke up today and looked at my calender to see how many more days 'til we leave (29 days)and realized we only have a week until Thanksgiving!!! I couldn't believe it. I feel like it was just Halloween yesterday. Anyway the point is I listened to some Christmas music and drank some of my heaven sent wastel. It makes me dream of a white Christmas!

What I did

2010-11-14T14:59:00.007-07:00

I know you have probably noticed my lack of enthusiasm for the island the last coupe of weeks. Well, I think I have turned a new leaf. The island is not looking so bad anymore. I don't know if its because I have a full belly right now, but I feel life was pretty good this week. I really didn't do anything. I was actually sick most of the week, but the days I could get out of bed were great. Monday night I cooked dinner over at Jessie and Paul's house. (Girl, I stole this pic off your blog. I had to show everyone your pertty face and for some dumb reason I don't have a pic of you). Than I was sick all week, but I got my bum out of bed on Friday and guess what I did. I spent my day with Jessie of course! Jess thanks for being the best and letting me come over and hang all the time. I never get sick of lounging on the couch and playing with the boys! Love ya!

Johnny did something crazy on Saturday and took time off of studying! WHAT?!? It was great. We went to to beach and swam and played in the waves. We usually don't have any sort of waves, but on Saturday the waves were a rollin'. I got mauled by one and scraped and bruised my knee and hip. It hurt, but was worth it to spend a little time with the hubby!

P.S. Has anyone else had a problems posting on your blogs recently? For some reason My posts don't want to go up. Just in case I can't post this 'til later I wrote this on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Pieces of America

2010-11-05T19:13:00.004-06:00

Since my recent break down I have been thinking a lot about what makes America, America? Today I think I received my answer...........

We got this wonderful box of goodies today all the way from to USofA! Johnny's mom was so good to realize that we don't have gummy worms and sunflower seeds here in the Caribbean, so she sent us some. The biggest shock was the Stephan's Wassail! Its like fall in can!!! Thank you so much for the pieces of America, they arrived just in time!

Missing America

2010-11-04T13:18:00.002-06:00

If you haven't gotten the picture I am a little done with being here in Dominica. I have always loved it here so I dodn't know what has happened to me in the last few weeks. It may have been the fact that my computer broke. It may be that I have been hungry for six months. It may be that my in-laws are buying a new house and my inner design star wants to help pick out and decorate the new home. It may be that I have hit the 6th month wall.(All the Dominica ladies know what I'm talking about.) It may be that I know I'm going to America soon and so I'm comparing everything here to my beloved country. Or it might just be a combo of all these things, but I have to admit I just want to go home!

Just for Nikki!!!

2010-10-25T12:01:00.005-06:00

Well Nikki where to begin!?! There is no way to adequately describe life here in Dominica. If you decide to move down here the best thing you can do is keep reading the blogs!!! Nothing we say will prepare you for what is down here, but it is so nice to come down and see the people who's blogs you have been reading. Meeting friends you know all about, but have never met is a great feeling and very comforting!

Life here is hard. I'm sure you have read all about how much it sucks to be walking home, in the pouring rain carrying everything you just spent 4 hours shopping for and didn't get everything you needed because the 6 stores you just went to didn't have everything you needed to make that comfort food you NEEDED because you are so sick of eating beans, chicken, and rice you could just kill one of the cows that is chasing you and eat every morsel of that wonderful meat known as beef! That being said moving here is the best thing I've ever done (besides marrying the best man in the whole world)! I have learned so much about myself.Like you, I have grown so much closer to my husband, because all we have here is each other. I have such a better view of the world, what is really important in life and what is superficial. I have made friends that are more like family than people that I just met 6 months ago. Not a day has gone by that I don't feel blessed to have been able to come here. You will get bored. You will want to go to Olive Garden so badly you honestly think it may be worth paying the $1000 to fly home. You will cry. You will miss your friends back home and resent the fact they have air conditioning. But if you really love your boyfriend you will grow closer together. You will become a better person if you come here.

I'm not trying to convince you one way or the other I just wanted to let you know the facts of living here. I wish you all the best for you and yours! Have a great life and enjoy watching the movies on your list, a lot of them are really great!

2010-10-22T19:21:00.003-06:00

I know I'm a little early, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween now because I don't know if I will be able to get back on here before then. So HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Life has just been flying by here. I thought it would go by slow because I have been so bored without my computer, but apparently not. The semester is halfway over now! This is great news because we have decided to go home for Christmas!!! You don't even know how happy this makes me. I really like living here, but the last two weeks I have just wanted to go back to America. I want to go to Target, and eat a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger and have a never ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden. Yesterday I had my first "I NEED to get of this rock" experience. Everyone has them and yesterday was my first. Island fever is setting in. It may be the fact that I don't have my computer or it might just be I have been here over 6 months!
The Halloween Kids Festival that I am in charge of is next Saturday so I will be busy this week prepping for that. I really think it is going to be great. I have never been a big Halloween person, but this year I am pretty excited (again probably because I'm missing America)!

Worst Dominica Day ever!!!!

2010-10-07T13:20:00.002-06:00

So I personally think the worst thing that can happen to you on this island is your computer to not work, so guess what? Mine broke and it can't be fixed until we go home for Christmas. Ahhhh TWO MONTHS without a computer, on an island where there is nothing to do except spend mind numbing hours surfing the web. Well, the point is you won't be seeing to much from my superly awesome blog because my dang computer decided to get eaten by ants!!!!

P.S. I really think it was ants. I think they got in the computer and ate the cord that connects the computer to the screen. Curse them, curse them!!!!

Sorry!!!

2010-10-02T20:06:00.002-06:00

So how rude am I that I would chew the whole blogger world out about not postin and then here I am taking a few days off myself. I'll try not to let it happen again. The reason for the lack of posts is the fact that my life has been filled with nothing the last few days. I was trying so hard to stay busy, but I guess my body just needed some rest. I've just been laying around watching a lot of tv. Boring I know.

Whats with the blogs lately?

2010-09-29T19:07:00.002-06:00

I feel like the blogging world has been a little slow since the semster started. It makes me sad 'cause I love evesdropping on other people's lives. Bring back the blogs people!!!!

Today was a pleasent day. After feeding the hubby lunch I came home and took a very nice nap, love doing that! I'm superly excited for tomorrow, Johnny is taking the night off from studying(at least 45 minutes anyway) eventhough he has two big tests this weekend. How sweet! I am not that big on birthdays and anniversaries and that kinda stuff. A dinner out with my best friend is all I need and thats what I'm getting. Life is great!

A New Week

2010-09-28T14:12:00.003-06:00

So a new week has started. I can't seem to keep up! I went to Roseau on Saturday. It was just a short trip. I just needed to go and get a couple of things. My little friend Shane and his mom Kelly were on the trip with me so it was way more fun.
Today I went to playgroup. We went to Purple Turtle Beach. It was very relaxing and the water was perfect! It is always so nice to get out of the house and hang out with friends. When we got home I went and had a yummo lunch with Johnny. We just ate at the shacks, but it was a shack I had never been to and it was so nice to have something different. I have just been vegging out and watching Law and Order SVU the rest the day. What a life!

Happy Friday

2010-09-25T13:05:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was so great!!!I started by waking up at ten 'til 10am. I went straight to play group. of course that was fun. There were lots of people there and kids were everywhere. They played outside and that meant lots of muddy feet and bums. The whole time I was thinking, "I'm so sorry Jessie, I know I wouldn't want to clean this up." Bless your dear heart Jessie!

I went home and just hung out after lunch. Then around 4 Jessie called and said they were going to the pool, so I headed out. the taylors and a new family were there. We had a great time. It was nice to go to the pool later in the day. It was so much cooler, but the sun was still out, Perfect!

Last night we had a party because a few of us spouses' birthdays were this month. It was so much fun to have a big girls night. I love going out and just talking with the girls. We played games and had jello shots (don't worry they had some that were virgin), and just had fun. I had a deep conversation with my friend Nicole. She was so sweet to sit and talk with me. Thanks Nicole! I love having so many awesome friends here that understand you and are so sweet. We are all different and from all over the world, but we have one thing that binds us together for the rest of our lives, thank you Dominica!

Hide and seek

2010-09-25T12:46:00.003-06:00

So I was over at Jessie's house about a week ago and I started hiding from the Matix and Shane. They got such a kick out of it! I hid under a desk and once they found me they thought it would be more fun to hang out there and tickle me.

Lets just say it was a blast.

So now under the desk is Matix's new place for us to hang out. He grabs my hand and leads me over to the desk and crawls in. Jessie told me that he kept saying my name, but it sounded different than usual. She figured it out and he was saying "my Tace". How sweet is that!!! It is always a battle at the Bergs, do I play with Matix or do I talk with Jessie? How to choose? Most of the time Matix ends up deciding for me, but I'm okay with that.

Called it!!!

2010-09-23T11:09:00.003-06:00

So my trip did get canceled, but thats okay because I went to play group instead. That is what I am doing most mornings now. I feel kinda lame because I'm the only one there that doesn't have kids, but the kids mom's are my friends. I have a great time with the kids too, of course! Matix, Jessie's little boy, is like by best buddy. I love seeing his face when he sees me coming. He calls me Tace. Way to cute for words. I miss hanging out with Rachel and Matt. I don't get to see them very often it seems. I have always just loved kids. Maybe its because I don't want to grow up or something.

Yesterday I went to yoga for the first time in a week and of course she kicked up the workout so I am SUPERLY soar right now. I didn't want to get out of bed today I hurt so bad. I went to a body tracker today and I am average in everything. My metobolic age is right on target, I'm the correct weight for my height, I burn the right amount of calories, I'm just how I should be. I was hoping I had lost more weight, but Johnny said I probably haven't lost as much as I think I should have because even though I'm losing fat I'm also gaining muscle at the same time. Here is a before and after picture of me.

Big difference right!?! I know I have lost fat. All my clothes are to big for me now. Dominica is a good way to lose some inches!

Shiver me timbers all you scallywags!

2010-09-19T22:08:00.003-06:00

Well I'm a total loser this week at writing! I'm telling you, when I keep myself busy all day I come home and don't want to do anything. Just so you know all my busy nothings were just that, NOTHING. So your not missing out on me not telling you about them. I have another busy week planned and some of them are fun things I have never done before. So hopefully (if the trips don't get cancelled) you will have somthing interesting to read about on your next visit. Tata to another week. See you in the next one!

And time can do so much...

2010-09-15T10:42:00.003-06:00

So Yesterday was the one year anniversary of starting my blog. Its seems unreal how different my life is from when I started this, and I am such a different person. We were in Salt Lake City, Utah. Johnny was working for the Primary Children's hospital and I was working at Au Naturale. I was not to happy with my life then. I was going through a really hard time, but now I am doing so much better. I know I have grown and matured from all the experiences in my life, good and bad. I am so thankful for all the people that have been in my life. You have all changed me and shaped me. I am so blessed!!! I have a good family, great friends, an amazing husband that does so much for me, and my Father in Heaven that watches over what I do, that knows me completely, the good and the bad, and continues to love me and bless me.

So happy bloggety anniversary everyone. I hope you continue to enjoy reading about my totally awesome life. Don't be jealous!

Friday Fun Day!

2010-09-14T15:12:00.003-06:00

See I told you I would tell you all about my wonderful Friday.

So My friend Ronnie invited me to go in this superly awesome day with him and I'm so glad I did. We went and visited Trafalger Falls. It was really a great place. It was so beautiful there. There are two falls there, but it had been really rainy the night before and that morning so there were THREE falls. We had a great time being crazy and jumping on rocks and crossing over logs. It was a blast. We spent two hours there and it only felt like thirty minutes.

Next we hit a little sulfur spring. It of course was smelly, but pretty cool. You could feel the heat coming up from holes in the ground.

Next we were onto Screw's Spa. This is just some hot springs in the jungle. They have it set up very nicely. There are four different pools each a different temperature so you can go from super hot all the way down to cold water. it was very relaxing and made my skin feel really nice.

Then our last stop, Scott's Head. This is the southern "toe" of the island that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. We climbed up to the very tip top of the mountain/hill there and took pictures. Then we hiked down and went snorkeling. Let me just say it was the BEST snorkeling. The water was super clear and there were so many fish. The further out you went the bigger the fish got.

All in all it was a great day! I was extremely tired at the end of the day, but it was so worth it! It was the perfect way to spend the day on a Caribbean island!

Fun filled days!

2010-09-13T16:14:00.004-06:00

So I have found a problem to my plan of staying busy this semester. It seems I am so busy I run out of time to write in my blog. Last semester I never wrote because I had nothing to say this semester I have so much to talk about, but just can't seem to find the time.

Well I had a super amazing day on Friday and will give you a full account of that tomorrow when I can do it justice. Wednesday and Thursday and all Saturday and today (after I got home from Roseau) I have been cleaning/organizing our apartment. It looks so super amazing. Everything has a proper place and looks so nice. I love the feeling when you walk in the house and everything is clean! Yesterday at church I got my new calling, Nursery Leader! I know this is a calling I will love. It didn't come as much of a shock either, seeing as it was the last calling needing to be filled and I was the last person without a calling. I have always wanted to be a Nursery Leader, but to be one here is doubly awesome because I know and love all the kids here. I have seven kids in the class and I'm all by myself so it will be challenging, but I am so looking forward to it!!!

Today was the RSO free trip to Roseau. It was a great time. I went on the bus with the moms because they like to get home early and I didn't want to spend all day in Roseau. It was really nice because I sat in the back with Jessie Berg and we got to talk and get to know each other better. We have a lot in common. Jessie if you settle in Fort Collins keep a look out for Johhny and I! I got a lot of MUCH needed food. I was getting a little tired of the PB&J. I also found a real treat, Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips, my weakness! Even now just writing about them is making my mouth water. I promise Johnny i tried to resist, but my mouth wouldn't let me. Don't worry I will set them off with the Yoga I just did and the Zumba I am heading out to do now. My figure will remain intact!

A fifty minute walk home?

2010-09-09T20:53:00.002-06:00

So there is NO WAY it takes fifty minutes to walk from Fortune Apartments to my house when it only took ten minutes to walk there, but that is what my clocks are telling me. Definatly NO WAY!!!
Today was pretty great! The morning was just normal stuff, but after lunch we had our RSO Meet and Greet. I got to spend some time catching up with Katie Taylor. Yeah, remember her? It has been so long since we have got to hang out, just the two of us (well with the kids, but you know). It was great to get to talk with her. Then some of the girls went to the pool to cool off. Jessie Berg was there so I got to play with my awesome buddy Madix (sp?) and spend time talking with the girls. After I got home I was hanging out on FB and lo and behold one of the girls in my semester, Emily, asked if anyone wanted to come over and watch Project Runway. Do you have to ask? Needless to say I went over there. It was really nice to get to know her better. We really didn't watch much of the show because we ended up talking and eating chocolate cupcakes the whole time. So much fun! All in all it was a pretty good day. I hope it gets better by my brother calling me. Come on Arlo, we need to do this man!

Beginning of the Semester

2010-09-09T06:36:00.004-06:00

I love the beginning of the semester. It is always filled with activity. I seemed to be very busy yesterday. In the morning I got my cleaning itch. Everyone in awhile I get this need to clean and organize everything. It took a long time but now the apartment looks super good. I also did yoga and it was wonderful. The SGA club sign up was last night and I signed up for Zumba club and the Photography club. This semester I want to get involved in some more things . Last semester I spent to much time sitting at home and watching tv. So I will be doing: Yoga on M W, Zumba on M W F, I'm going to be in a Bible Study again, I am still on the RSO Board and I am planning on going on more RSO trips, I will be doing to the photography club, I will also be volunteering with a after school group called In Light In, I will be doing SP again, and hopefully be babysitting. So basically just keeping busy.

Two weeks of no internet!

2010-09-07T11:08:00.010-06:00

Wow, I really feel behind in the internet world. I have to admit i did check my FB and write a short post on my blog after Johnny's family left, but other than that I didn't go on the internet during the whole break. I didn't even mean to do it , but we were so busy it just happened.

We had such a great time with Johnny's family. I think we killed them while they were here. They were hungry all the time and walking in the humidity was a little much for them , but that is Dominica. We were on the beach the whole time it seemed. We swam at PBH, Red Rock, #1 Beach, and Purple Turtle. We also took a trip to Emerald Pool and to Bense Pool. It was great to just spend some time with them. You get so home sick for family here, so it was a great gift to have family come to visit.

Emerald Pool

#1 Beach

Well I am so glad that Johnny and I saved and scrimped the first month on the island because we got to splurge on our trip to St. Lucia. We had to have a leaving fright from Dominica for our visa requirements, so Johnny bought the cheapest flight anywhere and it was St. Lucia. We figured we would go for a couple nights and then come back, but we saved so much money we decided to stay six nights in an all inclusive resort, The Coconut Bay. We had the best time. We ate as much food as our small shrunken stomachs would allow. They had activities going on all the time and we did most of them. The nightly entertainment was great. They did a Charity Casino night, Country Western night, Karaoke night, Steel Drum Band night, and more! We played and relaxed and just spent some one on one time. It was such a good break from life in medical school! I really didn't want to leave!

But we did and life has resumed here on the island. I have been busy with RSO and all the new semester chores. Life keeps moving forward and I'm loving it!!!

Sorry My Friends!

2010-08-28T14:08:00.002-06:00

Okay I WILL write all about the wonderful break we are having, but not now. I have been really sick since Wednesday. I am so tired! I have not had the energy to even eat much less write, but I have been feeling guilty that I haven't posted in awhile. So don't worry its coming! Just let me get better first.

One Day More

2010-08-16T18:08:00.002-06:00

Oh wow, I only have one more day until I get my husband back! He has been spending far to much time with his "other woman" Talitha. I know everyone with in hearing distance already knows my wonderful plans, but I can't hold them in so here they are again.

He gets done with his test tomorrow so we will have a few days to do things that don't have anything to do with anotomy or DPS or histology. It will be me and him! Then on Friday his wonderful family will get here. We will do a little sightseeing as well as a little chillaxing with them. I am beyond excited for this! The next Thursday will be a sad say because they will leave us, but a happy day as well because he will be ALL MINE! I know you probably are thinking what a needy girl, but seriously every other wife who is on this rock will know what I mean when I say "I'm getting my husband back!". Then that very next Monday we head to what I am refering to as our "honeymoon" in St. Lucia! I am expecting to be fully pampered where I will lay on the beach, get a massage, run the AC as much as I want, and gain ten pounds from all the wonderful food that I will nither have to cook nor wash the dishes for! Doesn't that sound wonderful!?! The day after we get back I will lose him again to that awful Talitha for four months, but two weeks will have to be enough.

P.S. Just so there is no confusion, Talitha is really not a woman, she is the name I gave the time Johnny spends studying. I know its rather pathetic, but its my life!

McDonalds and a Peice of Heaven

2010-08-14T20:37:00.005-06:00

Wow, the last two days have been pretty eventful. I haven't even gotten a chance to get on the internet in two days! That is very impressive for me.

Yesterday started out on a bad note. I was planning on going snorkeling with some girls, but my phone died and I couldn't get a hold of them so I went and waited at our spot, but they didn't show up. I was about to go home when I remembered that playgroup was at ten. I love little Matix so I decided I had to go over to hang out. It was fun to go talk and play with Jessie and Kelley. We went to the CAC so we could have some AC and met some more friends there. Lunch time came around so we all had to go our separate ways, but I planned to meet up with Sarah and Cassi at the pool later. the kids were so cute. Norm was so funny! We were all swimming and he all of a sudden shouted, " Look, there is McDonalds!". You should have seen Avery's face she was looking around like, " Where? Where it the McDonalds?". So we all played like there was a McDonalds. We ordered fries and cheese burgers and chicken nuggets. I could taste the fries and they were the best fries I ever had! YAY for imagination, the best thing in the world! I love kids!!!!

Johnny took me out for dinner. It wasn't a very romantic date seeing as Jay came with us. It was a ton of fun though! We walked home from Portsmouth, because it was so nice out and we ended up bothering Shantell and then Cory just cause. Great times!!!

Today was long, but very fun. I went to Roseau this morning to do the rest of my grocery shopping before Johnny's family gets here. The trip is always so tiring and today was no exception. I was very tired, but had plans to go to Red Rock with some girls. I am so glad I sucked it up and went. It was a PERFECT afternoon. We laid out on the most gorgeous beach and talked and relaxed. The water was so nice. It was so clean and clear and cool. The best thing about Red Rock is the food. It was so so amazing! It is worth the money. It was one of the best meals I've ever had!!! It really was the most wonderful experience. Can't wait to do it with the fam!!!

Potluck Luck

2010-08-11T21:17:00.006-06:00

Our church branch had a little potluck party tonight. It was so nice to be able to hang out tonight. I have had nothing to do to pass the time today, so it was nice to have the party to look forward to. I lucked out and got to go hang out with some friends afterward too. All in all it was a pretty great night. Now I just have to wait for Johnny to come home.

These beautiful little girls are our Sunbeam class. They are a handful, but very fun. I love their little voices, especially when I walk in a room and I hear "Tracy, Tracy". They are so cute and so loving. We used to have a big class, but people have had to go home for medical reasons and so our class has shrunk. We are going to be losing Lucy as well after this semester. We will miss you Lucy Goosy!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

2010-08-09T20:01:00.004-06:00

I just have to say thank you to Paige! Here are some of the great pictures she took of us. They turned out great and we had such a good time. Paige I'm ready to be your model again anytime!

Johnny took his last Mini of the Semester. Only one week and one test to go!!! You can tell it is Mini/Final time around here. Everyone is tense and all the spouses are excited about getting their husbands back.

I spent most of the day down at the pool today. I met a new friend on a trip I took to Roseau last week. We both needed a pool buddy so we decided to be each others. We had a great time relaxing and getting to know one another a little better. Thanks for the great afternoon Reina!!!

I'm angry at my camera!

2010-08-08T23:28:00.003-06:00

So I have been so excited about the fact that I have been learning a lot about how to use my camera and about general photography skills. I have always wanted to be very good at taking pictures. I've always felt I take pretty good pictures and I just needed to set my mind to it and learn some basic skills. I have been doing that by reading online. So you know the other day I told you I was going to go take some pictures? I was all set, I customized my aperture and shutter settings, snapped a shot and was very disappointed when the camera didn't do what I told it to. I was so frustrated. I tried setting the aperture again thinking maybe it just didn't set. Nope, my camera just didn't do what it is MADE to do. Now I'm a little mad at my camera and have shunned it the last couple of days. Pathetic I know, but I just want it to work!!!!
Anyway, enough crazy talk. I'm sorry I've been a little lackadaisical this week on posting, but I really didn't do anything this week worth writing about. I did go out to a little good bye party and it was a good time, but other than that its been a whole lot of nothing this week. Johnny has been in super study mode and people are leaving the island for break so things are just a little slow around here. Not that they have ever been fast, but this week has been dead slow. I need the next 11 days to go by quickly!!!

Baking bread

2010-08-04T07:55:00.003-06:00

I haven't written in a couple days, bad llama! I did have a fun little run in with the Bergs on Monday, but other than that its been pretty lame around here. I plan on getting out of the house today, so that will up the excitement level. I think I'm going to go out for my first official photo session. I'm just going to take pictures of whatever tickles my fancy. I will post pics if anything turns out well. I'm going to fool around with the settings on my camera and see what it can do.
Today is Johnny's last day of classes for this semester! He still has the big tests coming up, but no more class!! We slept in this morning to celebrate. It was sleeping goodness!!!

Hanging with the boys

2010-08-01T19:49:00.002-06:00

The last few weeks Johnny and I have been having dinner with Jay and Cory on Sunday after church. The first was at our house, second at Jay's and today we went to Cory's. We have really enjoyed it! I hope to keep it a tradition. I hang out with them in study group sometimes, but its nice to see them talking about something besides school, and I have to say the food has been very good as well. Sometimes I feel a little weird because I'm the only girl, especially when they talk about sports, but it is still a good time! Heres to more good times!!!

Thank you Paige!!!!

2010-07-31T17:28:00.002-06:00

I am so happy and excited!!! My photography friend Paige, took pictures for Johnny and me. I can't wait to see them. She did such a good joba and it was great fun. We went to a lot of different places and did a lot of different things. I really can't wait to see them. Hurry Paige, my patience can't stand it! No just kidding, but I really want to see them!

Thank you so so much!!!!

Just Another Day In Dominica

2010-07-30T14:37:00.003-06:00

I am completly finished with the SP Program, atleast for this semester! I got my check today as well! Now I am entering, what I refer to as, "No more Johnny Week". This time around its going to be worse because it will last twice as long. He has the third Mini in a week and then a week after that he has his final. So two weeks of long hours for Johnny.........BUT then I have two weeks of bliss! Johnny, his family, and then an all inclusive vacation to St. Lucia!!! How great is that?

Wedding Reminiscing

2010-07-29T20:22:00.003-06:00

The last few days I have been working on a project. I took our wedding pictures and did my own editing and then made a slide show. I think it turned out well and you can check it out. I posted a link to it here on the blog.

I did another SP session today. I should be raking in the dough soon enough. Another thing I am excited for is that this semester is so close to being over. I can't believe it. Johnny only has classes for six more days! He only has three more tests!!! Its crazy. Only three more semesters and then we have to leave :-(

When do I get paid?

2010-07-28T10:24:00.005-06:00

In a few minutes I am going to pretend to be a patient. For any spouses coming to the island I will recommend getting into the Specialized Patient Program. It is easy money!!! It is also pretty fun, at least if your into acting. I am going to be getting a pretty big check in the next little while. So excited!!!!

So one of my new favorite pastimes is to go on olio board and design my dream home. I have had this picture of my guest bedroom forever and now it is put to paper. I also did a bathroom.

Guest Bedroom
Bathroom

If you want to join in the fun I have added a link on my blog. The best part is its FREE!!! So go, put on your designing caps and live it up. You can search what others have done or just make you own. Your very welcome!

Tracyographer

2010-07-27T18:38:00.002-06:00

I just spent all day on the computer editing photos and making my new and improved blog! How do you like it? There are a couple of things I want to change, but can't seem to figure it out. I am not very talented when it comes to doing anything on the computer, so I'm very impressed I did this well. If anyone knows a lot about how to make your blog superly duperly awesome leave your email in a comment and you will be sure to get an email from me with lots of questions.

Time out

2010-07-27T10:21:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, Johnny took an hour off from studying and we went snorkeling. It was so much better than last time we went. It was clear and the fish were out. It was so nice to spend some time doing something we love. I really can't wait until break starts. Besides all the fun things we have planned, I just can't wait to have Johnny back, NO STUDYING!!!!!

Pioneer Day with old and new friends

2010-07-24T15:29:00.005-06:00

Today was a great extention of yesterday. Johnny and I went up to campus first thing this morning because we had a volleyball game. The other team didn't show, so no game for us. We ran into the Taylors down at the CAC. Katie was going to the pool with the kids, so I tagged along. I have missed hanging out and playing with the kids so it was great to do so. We had a great time. The Hintons and the Beattys also joined in on the fun.

After lunch I got to talk with my best girlfriend from high school. It was so great to see her! We have not seen each other face to face in three years. So I just want to say thank you to Skype for having video chat.

Girls Gone Wildrer

2010-07-23T21:37:00.003-06:00

I don't think thats a word. Wilder....it sounds wrong. Anyway, I had such a great time tonight!!! I was in charge of the Farewell Banquet. This morning I was stressing out because we had a little hiccup, but the banquet rolled around and we had a great time! Dinner was great and afterwards we went to DeChamps. We danced the night away. I haven't been dancing in such a long time. It was a BLAST. I am going to be super soar tomorrow and my voice will be gone. After, a few of the girls decided we should go down to the beach. We jumped in the pool just for the heck of it and then headed down to the beach. It was a great night, thank you ladies!!!

Picniks is good!

2010-07-22T17:37:00.004-06:00

I got Picnik today!!!! For those of you that don't know, its a photo editing progam on the internet. Super cheap and super easy to use. I love it!! You might have noticed my new picture up top. Yeah, cool I know. Here are some others I did today.

I played a really fun game of volleyball as well today. The court was coverd in water because it has been raining so much. It was so much fun! It reminded me of when I played in the front yard as a kid. We would get in trouble for this, but it was to much fun to resist. We lived on a hill and we would take the hose, place it on the top of the hill and let it run. It was such a blast!

Girls Gone Wild

2010-07-21T18:01:00.002-06:00

I had a blast this weekend. I participated in Dive Fest canoe races with some awesome Dominican ladies. It was such a blast to go out with the Sirens. It felt like girls camp and senior class trip rolled into one. We were braiding each others hair, chatting the day away, sleeping on the bus. We just happened to be awesome at canoeing too! We had three teams and and we got 1st-3rd place! There were only four teams in the race, but we still kicked that teams butt. I wish I had pictures, but my camera decided it didn't want to work that day. Sadness~

I thank heaven for babysitting!

2010-07-14T17:51:00.002-06:00

I have been babysitting a lot since we came to the island. I have really been enjoying it. The kids here are so easy. It gives me time off from the monotony of me day to day.
We had Jay and Cory over on sunday for dinner. It was a lot of fun. We just sat around and talked and had food that sort of resembled mexican food. It was great! I really have enjoyed getting to know the guys. I always sit in while the guys are studying, but it was great to see them out of study mode. I'm glad I could give them a good home cooked meal, since their wives had to leave. I love to have people over. I love to cook for them. Life is grand!!!

Chicken, chicken, and more chicken

2010-07-09T18:26:00.002-06:00

So I feel like I have been running around a lot the last couple of days. Shopping, babysitting, errands, and SP are the main culprits. One new and exciting thing happened this week. My inlaws have decided they are coming to visit in August. I really didn't think they were going to be able to come so I'm very excited. Our break is going to be very busy. On the 20th Johnny's family gets here. I am going to plan some awesome stuff for us to do. they leave on the 26th. Then on the 30th Johnny and I are heading out to St. Lucia. We don't know where we are staying yet. I want to go to an all inclusive place. We have been bugeting really well and are going to have some money left over from our first semester. All the places are at least 50% off right now because it is the off season. My thinking is when are we ever going to be able to go an a fancy vacation for so cheap? The answer is never. We haven't decided when we will come back from St. Lucia. we have plane tickets there, but are tacking a ferry back so we can decide when we want to leave. Needless to say I am super duper excited.

Two Minis down!

2010-07-05T19:45:00.003-06:00

Johnny finished his second Mini today. So we celebrated by participating in our favorite pastimes; snorkeling and free food! The water was merky today so we didn't see anything cool. It was nice to go out though. We haven't snorkeled since the last Mini.

After we went and got free hot dogs. We ran into Jason and Liz. I am going to miss them it won't be the same here without them. Liz helped me so much ajusting to island life. Thats how life is though, people come and people go.

Summer Fest

2010-07-03T15:01:00.004-06:00

Today was the summer festival. It went very well. There were so many kids and they had a great time. They were laughing and screaming and running around. It was a lot of work because we had some last minute changes. I want to thank all the people that helped me out. I feel like I didn't do much. Michelle you were awesome! I am totally pooped now.

June Pictures

2010-07-01T19:41:00.002-06:00

A house on the back of a semi.

Bus crushed by tree.

Beautiful Dominica Rainbow

On my way to Roseau

Ross campus

I promise I'm not dead!

2010-07-01T11:35:00.003-06:00

I am so sorry for my long absence from the internet world. My computer adapter burnt out and I was only alotted minimal time on Johnny's computer. I got it back today! Living here on the island is hard without your computer and especially without the internet. Never the less, life has been just great here. The rainy season is in full effect along with the summer heat. I have been super busy lately: babysitting, specialized Patient Program, the Summer Festival. time is still rushing by. We have less than two months left in the semester. CRAZY!!! I'm excited to go to Saint Lucia in August. I have been taking some good picture which I will post later.

Oh how I've missed this!