Life As It Is

Would You Rather?

2011-12-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

Have you ever played the game, Would You Rather?

Would you rather eat a rotten egg or smell like a rotten egg? Would you rather not be able to talk or not be able to stop talking? Would you rather have a nose like Pinocchio or a beard like Santa? I played this game over the summer at a family get together and it was pretty interesting to hear everyones respones and the things they would rather deal with.

I feel like this week I have been dealing with would you rather situations. Whenever I have gone through something hard in life I have had people on the other side tell me they wish they could switch places. Friends and family that would rather be in pain then watch me in pain. When I was 8 and 9 years old going through back surgery I remember my Dad and Mom saying this to me all the time.

I have never felt the feeling of wanting to ease peoples pains like I do now. I know its just a phase in life but I feel like there are so many people around me hurting whether it be physically or emotionally. All I want to do is take the pain from them, switch places for a while so they can catch their breath.

So at the end of today I felt the Lord ask me.

"Emily would you rather try and fix all these peoples hurts and pains by yourself or would you rather ask me take care of them?"

And to my knees in prayer I go.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 73:25-24 "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Lamentations 3:22 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

All our worries, all our cares, all our problems with illnesses, with relationships, with money, with future plans, He takes care of them all.

What a great God I serve.

3 things you may not know about me

2011-12-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

1. I can't wash my face with the bathroom door open.
Yes it is true. Why you might ask? Because of the boogieman of course! In almost every scary movie preview I have seen (yes I said preview because I never actually watch scary movies) the innocent girl is washing her face and when she looks up in the mirror the boogieman is right behind her ready to attack! So therefore I do not wash my face unless the door is closed and I know for a fact that it is boogieman free.
Side note: where did we get the term "boogieman" I mean if I were to take his name literally I would automatically think of a man that either has a serious case of the boogers or is shaped like a big green booger. Either way I guess that would still be scary.

2. I am an ex-animal lover.
It is true I use to be an animal lover but those days are since gone. Growing up I had a Dalmatian named Spotty, two hamsters that bread and made a third, 4 fish and a cat that I am pretty sure was a death eater. My favorite TV show was The Crocodile Hunter and unlike most kids that had posters of the latest boy band in their room I had a life size cut out of Steve Irwin. Spotty was my BFF, seriously the best dog a girl could of asked for. In the same year Steve Irwin and Spotty both died. I don't know if that was the cause of my gradual dislike for animals but walking in Pet Co yesterday sure didn't feel like it did when I was younger. I'm not gonna lie, I actually got the chills when I saw a snake.

My bedroom with Steve peeking out behind by closet door.

3. I have been engaged twice but married once.
Dave and I, at a ripe ol age of 18, got engaged and 21 days before the wedding cancelled it. It's a great but very long story and I plan on sharing it soon. Lets just say God is good and by his grace we were able to get married.

Dave in China. Isn't he a cutie:)

My Creative Funk Broken!

2011-12-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

I've been in a creative funk.

Funk-a dejected mood, to shrink from something in fear.

Not to be confused with funky-having a earthy blues based quality or character.

You would think Pinterest would of caused me to be all crafty and creative but at times it made me feel inadequate and incapable to think creatively on my own. Does that make sense? I would see all these pictures of people and their creative minds and instead of feeling motivated and encouraged I shrunk in my fear of not being that creative. wa wa wa (sob story, I know)

Anyways a few weeks ago I decided I needed to break my funk and start getting crafty by golly! Once I opened up the door to craftiness there was no stopping me. It all started with the idea to make an advent calender. My friend Jennifer and I got on pinterst, found our favorite idea and set out to make it our own. It took a couple weeks and a few times I wanted to quit thinking mine looked no where near the one on pinterest but I stayed with it and I love the outcome! It kind of looks like a 5th grader made it (a really talented 5th grader I might add) but I love it. What it represents means way more than what it looks like.

The second craft/project I started on was my side tables. I have been wanting side tables for soooo long but they are ridiculously high priced! So I was pinteresting different side table and one of the ideas was to use bar stools. All the sudden a light bulb went off in my mind and I looked out side to my patio where two old bar stools stood awaiting a trip to the trash. The only difference between my bar stool and the ones on pinterest were that mine had backs but that problem could easily be solved. I had such a huge adrenaline rush surge through my body as I went rummaging for a saw.

I thought about using David's axe but i didn't know how good my aim was.

Kitchen knife? No, not sturdy enough.

I could drill holes all along the sides and that would probably weaken it. No, too much, Emily.

Then my Dad's words came to my mind. "Right tool for the right job." Oh Dad you are so wise. Finally like a bright shiny present I saw it, Davids Swiss Army Knife. I opened it up and there lied the ~~smallest~~ most perfect saw! I cut off the tops, sanded down the rough parts, cleaned them up and wa la, side tables. They need some paint but I can't tell you how thrilled I am to finally have side tables!

Last but not least my wardrobe needed some help. I am a bargain hunter for clothes. It really doesn't sit well for me to spend copious amounts of money on clothes when I know a month from the purchase I will be sick of them. Consignments stores, TJ Max or switching wardrobes with a close friend for a month are all ways that I expand my closet without spending a lot of money. None of these are options for me as of right now so I needed to think out of the box. I went on pinterst and saw an idea of how to make a men's shirt into a dress. After that one idea another light bulb went off and David's closet turned into my very own shopping store. Thankfully Dave is a great sharer because 5 items of his clothes now reside on my side of the closet!

Oh pinterest, thank you for reviving my creative side.

Coming to the End

2011-11-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until I was out of high school that I started to like reading books. I've never been a sitting kind of person so plopping down on a nice comfy couch and getting sucked into a book never really interested me.

Now I love books, especially ones that have multiple volumes like the Harry Potter series. Its funny because as soon as I pick up book one of any series I want to know immediately what happens in book seven. Frantically, I read through all the books and finally get to the last one in the series. As excited as I am to find out the ending I begin to read a little slower and start soaking in every word because on the last page it is over. Done. No more. The mystery and the anticipation all comes to an end and I have to find some other series to entertain my short attention spanned mind.

For me this is what college has been. A long, exhaustive, at times exciting seven volume book. When I first started college I was a little overwhelmed with how daunting the task looked but none the less excited to see what would come of it. What degree would I choose, what school would I attend, would I really be that much smarter at the end? No

If you asked me a year ago I would of told you I had 10 classes, 4 semesters, 7 teachers and 45 weeks left of school. I was in a sense beginning book seven and was racing to the end.

I am now 3 weeks away from finally graduating college. So what am I doing? You got it. I am slowing down. I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks of what has been a crazy journey of trying to graduate college.

I didn't graduate in four years like most of the gosh darn world. No, it took me more like 7 years from the day I decided to go to the day I will walk across that stage.

After changing my major something like 6 times I finally picked Kinesiology only to take 3 history classes my last semester and wish I would of chosen that major.

I ended up at California Baptist University. Not the best university to go to if you plan on taking a while to graduate I might add.

Am I any smarter?...hmmm well I would have to say yes, at least for my sanity I would like to think so. There are many things that I have learned over the last seven years but sadly I still cant spell spaghetti right without auto correct.

All in all its been a great ride. I will finish college even though I got married on my second year, went through chemo on year three, and had a baby on year four.

It's bittersweet ending a huge chapter of your life.

Sophomore year

Recovering From the Flu

2011-11-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Calvin is recovering from the tummy flu. The last 6 days have been spent nursing him back to good health.

I made him a comfy spot on the floor where we sang songs and read some books.

We spent a lot of time cuddling. No complaints here:)

He got some new PJ's from Gaga. He enjoyed them for a bit until he puked on them:(

We tried to play as much as we could to get his mind off his tummy. I found out I am a human jungle gym.

Thankful to say he's doing better today:) Happy to be bouncing in his jumper again.

By the end of it I made my self 3 dozen mini peanut butter cup cookies.

Frady Cat

2011-11-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

We all are afraid of one thing or another. Sadly, I am afraid of one thing AND another.

I am the biggest chicken known to man kind. Some might of even called me a sissy la la. You would think that growing up with three older brothers I would of been fearless, but I wasn't. As they were climbing trees to tie ropes from the top of the tree to a latter on the ground I was playing with my safe Polly pockets and as they were riding around on the motor cycle in our back yard I stuck to my Rollerblades with knee pads, wrist pads, and a helmet.

I never attempted anything that could potentially lead to a broken bone or injury. I was the one that weighed out all the possible outcomes of any daring event and decided it was too risky. Maybe my fear or caution has saved me from more emergency room visits than I already have had but who knows maybe my fear has made me miss out on some really fun times. I know everyone has at least one thing they are afraid of but I feel like I have so much more. Here is a list of the top ten. (I know it's sad that I have a top ten list hu?)

10. Open Water (including lakes and pools)
9. Scary Knives
8. Guns (I would call this more of a high respect than a fear)
7. Bees (I run like a maniac when a bee comes by me)
6. Lions (I blame this fear on my evil cat Libby)
5. Being underneath tables or beds (I'm afraid they'll fall on me)
4. Pool Vacuums and pool drains (My Mom use to tell me that I could get my hair stuck in them)
3. Spiders (egh I just got the heebie jeebies thinking about them)
2. Scary Movies (That's a no brainer)
1. The Dark (I know this is lame but sadly it is true)

Now is that pathetic or what? If the power ever went out on a pool party at a circus that had lions, a knife thrower, a police officer with a gun, a scary movie playing the background and a earthquake happened so I had to get under a table I am pretty sure I would die from a heart attack.

With all this to say I don't want Calvin to be afraid like me. I hate being afraid of all these things and really wish I could be a little braver. So the other day when Calvin developed his fear of the vacuum I knew what I had to do.

When Calvin took his nap I lined up all his friends on and around the vacuum so that when he woke up he would see

1. How friendly the vacuum was
2. That his friends loved the vacuum
3. That there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of even though the name of the vacuum is Dirt Devil.

My master plan

So when Calvin woke up and we went to go play you could imagine he was a little surprised to see all his pals hanging out with Mr. Dirt Devil (we now pronounce it De-vel) At first he was frightened but I started pretending like I was tickling the vacuum and then Calvin and then the vacuum and then back to Calvin and pretty soon we wanted to tickle the vacuum too. By then end of the day Calvin was having fun with Mr. De-vel and I felt accomplished.

Warming up to each other

De-Vel and Calvin = BFF's

Now turning the vacuum on is a whole other story but we are working on it;)

Softie

2011-11-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Around when Calvin turned 4 months David and I decided to do the whole Ferber method, AKA crying it out method, AKA loose your mind for 4 days until your baby finally learns the method method.

At the time we started this we were living on Vanguard University in a dorm that we shared with another married couple, their one year old and two other staff members. The good thing about starting the whole Ferber method while we were at Vanguard was that I had my friend Jenn as support. She would tell me when it sounded like he was just about to fall asleep or would encourage me to wait just 5 more minutes. By the end of the 5 minutes Calvin would be passed out asleep cuddling his little frog and all the world was right.

The downside of starting the Ferber method while at Vanguard was that Calvin shared a room with us. When he would wake up at 3 AM screaming we were up with him until he decided to fall back to sleep. Torture I tell you, just plain torture. Anyways, it was a rough week or two getting him on a solid schedule but it was so worth it. Calvin got into a routine, I got more sleep and life was grand.

Since coming home from Vanguard I have become a softie. Every little peep Calvin makes I run into his room pick him up, kiss all over him and rock him back to sleep. I try to lay there for a minute but then my mind starts wondering to all the possible reasons as to why he is crying.

Maybe he needs his diaper changed
Maybe his leg is stuck in the crib
Maybe he had a bad dream
Maybe he has a fear of the dark and needs a night light
Maybe he threw up
Maybe he is hungry
Maybe he needs a hug

The list goes on and on but you get the point. With Calvin getting older I can't help but take every opportunity to run to his side. Granted, I long for a full nights rest but how can you resist his adorable little face peering up at you over the crib bars?

Because I don't get full nights of sleep I depend on coffee and because I depend on coffee I see my teeth loosing their pearly white color and because I am my teeth are loosing their pearly white color I use crest white strips more than ever. Its all worth it though. Lack of sleep, coffee breath, wearing those plastic strips that slide off my crooked teeth for thirty minutes is worth getting to spend just a little bit more time with Calvin. For now:)

On his rocking horse at Grandpa Bob's and Gaga's house

Recommendations

2011-10-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

I love recommendations. I don't always agree, like the one time the lady at target found out Calvin was teething and recommended that I give him a chicken bone to chew on, but I enjoy listening. I like listening to what everyone has to say because at the root of it people give recommendations because they want to help you or want you to have the same great experience they had. Right? Maybe I like to think the best of everyone but this is my main reason for why I love to listen to what other people have to say.

David LOVES recommending things. I actually think he does it so much it could be counted as a hobby of his. When David enjoys something he cannot hold it in, he has to let people know how great it is. The other day we were at Costco and of course we were getting as many great samples as possible. Every sample that Dave took and liked he would freak out, close his eyes and bounce up and down. This was followed by the loudest possible mmmmmm or oooooohhhh noise he could make just so everyone knew how great it was. When Dave does find something that he loves such as; Its Its, Ticket to Ride, Harry Potter, Dewars, Sequoia, Inception, or anything Apple related, he will suggest it like there is no tomorrow. Really, he would make a great salesman!

All this recommending got me to thinking. Whats something I would I recommend and that I love so much I would jump up and down in public and shout about it's excellencies? after much brainstorming these are the top 3 things I would recommend.

1. Pesto. I know how lame to start off with pesto right? But seriously my world just got opened up to the greatness of pesto about a month ago and since then I have been faithful to eat a pesto sandwich almost every day. Its goodness is unsurpassable and it turns any ordinary sandwich into a de-lish sandwich. My favorite combo is Sourdough Bread, mozzarella cheese, two slices of tomato, turkey and pesto on each side. MMMMMMmmmm! So good!

2. Hillary Leonard's blog, Because My Life is Fascinating. I'm not recommending this blog because the author happens to by my best friend. I am recommending this blog because:
1. Its hilarious.
2. It's real and honest
3. It's hilarious
4. It's witty
5. She has cute kids and is pretty cute herself
6. She says all the things you think but never say yourself
7. She never makes her readers feel inadequate or not good enough. You know some blogs you read and you are like, "OH MY WORD, stop being perfect! Not that she is not perfect, she just doesn't make her readers feel that way. I am rambling aren't I? I told you I am bad at explaining things.
8. She has great recommendations on her blog.
9. She is thrifty and crafty
10. She is amazing!
There I gave you ten great reasons why you should read her blog! So do it;)

3. Children books by Sandra Boynton. For all you moms, aunts, uncles, heck if you know a kid you should get these books. They are my favorite! Some kids books are so boring but I feel like her books are actually pretty entertaining. I read, Hey Wake Up, to Calvin every morning and my favorite line is:
"Shout out loud, "GOOD MORNING, SUN! HAPPY MORNING, EVERYONE!" (I really shout and he loves it)
The other book of hers that I really like is called, Perfect Piggies, and if you go online there is a song that actually goes with the book. My favorite line from that book is:
"And Look at these ears, so floppy and fine, you have to admit it- We're fabulous swine!"

I seriously can't believe there are not more things that I can recommend but that is really it, at least for now. I am sure as soon as I post this 10 more things will come to mind. I hope if you try these recommendations that they brighten your day as much as they do mine:)

Here is a picture of my sweet boy. I recommend staring at his precious face whenever you need to smile:)

Labeling My Baby

2011-10-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Last week I read Hillary's blog about labeling her children and it got me thinking, what do I label Calvin as?

When Calvin was first born Dave and I talked non stop about who Calvin looked most like. When he was a week old we came to the conclusion that he had my upper lip, David's bottom lip, my eyes, David's Norwegian thighs, my butt chin and without a doubt David's ~~huge~~ perfect head. As time goes by it gets harder and harder to see whether Calvin resembles Dave or myself. Every once in a while he makes a face that will totally remind me of Dave or someone will mention he has my eyes but for the most part Calvin is all his own.

Calvin's personality is also one of a kind. Unlike his crazy father and his gooberish mother, Calvin is surprisingly cool. Yes, that's right at the young age of 8 months we can already tell that our son is cool.

If I were to label Calvin I would say he is without a doubt, Tommy Pickles. Who is Tommy Pickles you ask? Only one of the greatest characters ever from my all time favorite cartoon, Rugrats!

Just like Tommy Pickles Calvin is courageous, adventurous, daring, brave, a friend to all, and bald. Calvin loves tinkering with toys and if I put a screwdriver in his crib I swear he would know how to loosen all the screws and escape! My friend Bethany and I always joke about how "advanced" Calvin is but inside we aren't joking, we really think he is advanced. (what mom doesn't think their child is advanced:) Calvin can already stand on his own for about 5 seconds, pull up on anything, crawl, wave bye bye and hi, has eight teeth, smiles for the camera and uses a sippy cup. The only area Calvin is seriously behind is in the area of hair but his baldness is just another reason why he is so Tommy Pickles. Tommy Pickles also struggled with baby pattern baldness but he didn't let that get in his way and neither will Calvin.

Watching Calvin getting old isn't always the easiest thing but watching him grow up is so much fun.

See the Resemblance?

Easier

2011-10-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think...

It would be easier to trim a pine tree growing in the high mountains of Washington than trim Calvin's nails.

It would be easier to change a flat tire on a crazy interstate, in the snow, at night than change Calvin's diaper.

It would be easier to give a shark a bath than it is to give Calvin a bath.

It would be easier to pick up a bag of potatoes, heck 2 bag of potatoes, than it is to pick up Calvin.

But then I think...

Trimming a pine tree, changing a tire on a crazy interstate, bathing a shark (scary) and carrying two bags of potatoes would not be as nearly as heart warming as this.

Dear Life,

2011-09-15T10:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Life,

Please slow down. You are moving at a rate than I cannot keep up with. Every morning I wake up very tired and every night I go to bed just as tired but wondering where my day went. David turned 25 today which means we have known each other for 8ish years now! Calvin is crawling like a champ, has 7 teeth and three on the way, plays peek-a-boo, can pull himself up and stood on his own for about 3.5 seconds. Life, you are zooming by and I don't know how to make you slow down. If you get a chance take a vacation and let me catch up okay? Thanks.

Sincerely,

Emily

I am sure I am not alone on this. I don't know if it's the busy jam packed schedule of ours, Calvin's quickness in hitting all the major milestones, or the combination of both but I feel like I can't catch up to life. Life is just dragging me behind like those old cowboy movies when the cowboy falls off the horse and his ankle is still stuck in the stirrup. That is me...I am that cowboy (well in my case cowgirl) stuck in the stirrup! HELP!

Yesterday I felt like I saw Calvin grow. He went to sleep a baby and woke up a bigger baby. (wow, go figure. My baby is growing up)

It is the little things that get me. For instance, Calvin has had two bottom teeth for the past two months and it is the cutest thing ever! When he smiles it seriously melts my heart! Well, when he woke up yesterday morning another tooth had halfway popped up making him have 3 bottom teeth! Am I pathetic or what? I mean it's not like I expected him to have only two bottom teeth for the rest of his life it's just the fact that it's happening so quick. If you aren't a mom yet you just wait and if you are a mom I know you understand me!

Anyways, things like that really get to me. So yesterday, on my way home from the grocery store, I was just about in tears thinking of how fast life was going by and trying to figure out ways to slow it down. I thought about many different things I could do until finally I heard the Lord tell me to be thankful for every moment I have. Right then with big ol' alligator tears I started thanking the Lord for every moment and blessing He has given me. I have had 8 wonderful months with my baby boy and how precious has every moment been. Lord willing, I will have many many more memories with many many more kids (haha maybe a couple more kids)

After I had some good time thanking Jesus I felt so much better.

Growing up and going through life changes is really difficult for me. I know this may seem silly and it's kind of hard for me to even write it because I know many people so close to me are going through way harder issues than life going fast. I am a firm believer that being thankful for what the Lord has given you can make things a lot better or at least more manageable so I thought it was worth mentioning.

Now this is not to say that as soon as I got home I didn't feel any "time is flying by" emotions but I knew what I needed to do. I started thanking the Lord again. I am thankful for a heavenly Father that is quick to hear my prayers and is gracious to give me peace even in things as simple as life going by fast.

Thank you Jesus.

Summer Cleaning

2011-08-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

David and I have been back for a week now and it has been quite wonderful to be in our own apartment! Don't get me wrong, we LOVED being at Project Impact this summer but what we love even more is being home!

Since we lived in a one bedroom dorm room with just the necessities once we got home we realized we had a lot of things that we didn't need and a lot of unnecessary clutter. So we decided to embark on summer cleaning. We know we are a little late on this but we were learning how to be parents in the spring and didn't have much time for anything but that.

In the last week we have gotten rid of 2 huge boxes and 4 garbage bags of clothes and thrown away many many things that we have no need for. David cleaned out his book shelf and has been giving away books he no longer needs and I have cleaned out my craft (clutter) closet about 10 times throwing away things that I no longer need.

Why is it so hard to get rid of things? I got all teary eyed when I had to give away a hot pink picnic blanket that I got for our wedding... that I NEVER used! It's not like I can never go on a picnic ever again because we no longer have a the "picnic" blanket. And even if we did go on a picnic David would not want to sit on a hot pink butterfly blanket, pretty sure he would rather sit in the mud.

I also struggle with getting rid of clothes. I have clothes from high school that I can not separate myself from. Here is my top 3 articles of clothing that have been in my closet for over 6 years and I have not worn them once in those 6 years!

1. Doc Martin Shoes. Oh man how I wanted these shoes. I am pretty sure they were at least 100 dollars when I got them in high school and they were my babies! I would wear different colored socks with them and even though they weighed around 10 lbs each I loved them. I would have given these shoes away sooner but David LOVED them as well and so I kept them (yes, I just blamed David for my shoe hoarding disorder) This week I had a break through though and tried to sell them to a consignment store yet oddly enough my big black clunkers weren't stylish enough to be taken. Go figure ;)

2.My green American Eagle sweater: Ok, so I have worn this sweater once in the past 6 years and I guess that has kept me hanging on to it. I think I like it so much because it is 1. my favorite color 2.actually fits my monkey arms 3. because it is AE and brings me back to high school days. Three reasons why I need to get rid of it 1. It's too tight 2. It's too short! Even though I read Hillary Leonard's blog about how to wear a cropped shirt I just don't think I could pull it off ;) 3. I look like I am 16 in it. As much as I want to stay youthful I think there are different ways to do so without my AE green sweater.

3. My random cross country clothes like my racing briefs. Why do I still have these things? God knows I will never wear these again even if I lost 20 lbs and became a great runner so why do I hold onto them? I remember the day I made varsity cross country and how all I could think about was wearing "the briefs" Those infamous, hideous briefs! I went home, tried them on in front of my mirror and figured it would increase my race time not because they were aerodynamic but because the faster I ran the sooner I could put on some clothes! Yet I hold onto them ... to maybe show my kids someday??? Weird right? Anyways I don't think any consignment store will take these and I find it strange giving them to Goodwill so I will just continue to hold onto them. Who knows, maybe someday Calvin will want to dress up like Superman and I will have just the right homemade outfit for him!

Someday I will rest...

2011-08-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

I have so many things I want to talk about. . . but I have no time to do it.

Calvin is teething therefore I slept a total of 6 interrupted hours of sleep last night. I have 2 papers to write, 150 pages to read in my textbooks, 1 discussion board post/response, 1 test, and 1 midterm project to finish by Sunday...

So understandably this is me right now...

But, I bring good news. I just signed up for my final semester of classes at CBU. Four more classes then I am DONE! December can not come quick enough!

Leaving Vanguard

2011-07-25T13:13:00.001-07:00

For the last two and a half months Dave and I have been living on the Campus of Vanguard University as staff members of Project Impact. It has been a great summer full of growth in not only the students lives but ours as well! As sad as we are to say goodbye to all of our friends we are pretty excited to be getting back to normal life in the Riv (Riverside). Living in a college dorm has been quite an adventure but to be honest there are only three things that I have missed since being here; a dishwasher, a full size bed (we have two twin bunk beds pushed together) and Calvin having his own room. Besides these tiny inconveniences this summer has been a blast. Here are a few things I am going to dearly miss upon leaving Project Impact on Friday...

Jenn and Charlotte: I can not begin to tell you how much fun I have had with these two this summer! It has been such a blessing to wake up in the morning, tired and exhausted from the sleepless night before, and walk into the living room to see these two bright and smiling faces! Charlotte learned to walk while at project this summer, so in the morning when we come into the living room she usually takes off at full speed towards Calvin, squealing along the way, and gives him a huge hug and kiss! They really are great friends!

With the babies going to sleep around 7 Jenn and I weren't always able to go to the group events but that didn't stop us from having so much fun together! We made homemade ice cream, worked on scrapbooks for the babes, had coffee together every morning and wait for it... exchanged cheers! That's right we did some good ol cheerleading. Jenn showed me some cheers from her high school and college days (red red red red...gol gol gol gol gold!) and I showed her the cheer that I did for tryouts in 6th grade (I didn't make the cheer squad and it was quite evident why I didn't once I showed her the cheer haha) I seriously love this woman with all my heart! She is a beautiful example of a wonderful wife, patient and loving mother, and a great friend. I'm so blessed by her life and her love for the Lord. I really don't know what I would have done without her this summer!

Harry Potter Movie!

Jenn and I with the kiddos at the beach!

The Staff: Oh goodness how blessed are David and I to be able to be a part of Christian Challenge! We are surrounded by 7 amazing staff members year around that are seriously like our brothers and sisters. We all understand each other, quirky personalities and all, and have a blast every time we are together. Whether it is playing Ticket to Ride, having a Harry Potter marathon, staff lunches, or just hanging out we always have a good time. David and I seriously love each and every person that is on staff with Christian Challenge UCR and CBU and look forward to what God has in store for all our lives.

Ethan, Jeff, and Keith are Calvin's Brothers from other Mothers!

I have enjoyed so much being able to hang out with Tessa! I love her spunk and her passion for the Lord! Plus she is so fun to watch cook! She pretty much doesn't use a recipe and adds whatever her heart desires such as; eggs, spinach, chili powder, cucumbers, a little bit of this, a little bit of that, basically everything but the kitchen sink! She is awesome!

The Students: I have enjoyed getting to know all the students here and especially loved the friendships that I have made! They have worked so hard this summer whether it be in their job, volunteering at the soup kitchen or sharing the gospel on the beach. I've been so blessed by seeing their growth in their walk with the Lord this summer and I am excited for them to be able to go back to their campus this fall and be better equipped to share their faith!

Dates: Oh how David and I will miss our date time! Since we have been living with 5 other people we have been able to run to the store together, go on a jog or go get frozen yogurt while one of them watched Calvin. We like to think we didn't take advantage of them since they offered but we definitely took advantage of the opportunity to get some good date nights in as we know it will be harder once we get home!

Harry Potter!!!

Last but not least...THE BEACH: I will, with all my heart, miss the beach! Oh 70 degree weather you are my friend and I am going to really regret leaving you behind but please know, if I could I would bag you up and take you back to the Riv with me! Although I have not gone to the beach in almost three weeks, even though I live 3 miles from Huntington, I will miss the plain fact that I am not going to be right next to the ocean! I am thankful that Bethany was able to come down here and help me lay out (I get so ancy laying out I have to have her there to tell me to stay down) so that I can leave with somewhat of a tan! I was starting to get shades of blue and that's just not cute! Thank you beach weather and beach scenery... you refreshed my soul this summer! So four more days and then its back to the Riv. What a blessing this summer has been!

Half Marathon Training

2011-07-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant I made a goal to be able to run the Santa Barbara Half Marathon in November. I have ran it before and loved the challenging course and the fact that it is held in one of my favorite beaches in Cali. I was so thankful enough to be able to run up until my eighth month of pregnancy and even more thankful that I have found little bits of time to run since Calvin has been born but after passing Calvin's six month I have realized that I am running out of time! I I have been reading almost every article in my Runners World magazine but sadly that won't do much unless I lace up my tenies daily and get to movin! I am able to run 5.5 miles without passing out but I only have three months until the race so I am really going to have to kick it into gear if I don't want to be picked up by an ambulance on mile 6!

Running has always been a huge passion of mine since I ran my first race in 3rd grade but that doesn't mean it has been easy. Running is most definitely a love/hate relationship but just like any other commitment I have to put in a great deal of effort to make it work. These are a few things that help me keep my commitment to running.

1. I have a set of "running" clothes. When I put on these clothes and lace up my tenies, that I only use for running, I know its time to get going.

2. I plan out where I am going to run prior to starting my run. If I don't do this I end up taking the shortest route.

3. I talk to myself when my self starts talking negatively to myself :) Make sense? So when I start hearing...

Give up

It's too hard

You're out of shape

Go back home

Just do an easy run today...

I catch myself and then start saying my mantras:)

Get it girl

keep going

You have done it before you can do it again

Go Em Go

You're flying now

You can and will do this!

Running is just as much, if not more, mental than it is physical.

4. I drink my chocolate milk! I just started this a couple weeks ago but it is the highlight of my post run workout. It has the perfect amount of carb and protein to help replenish tired muscles and helps against dehydration with its high water content. I am not the biggest fan of milk or should I say my digestive system is not because I am lactose intolerant but I drink this with my lactose free milk and it is superb!

So here I go. Half Marathon I coming for you! I will not let your 13.2 miles cripple me with fear and cause me to only watch other runners enjoy the victory of conquering you! I only have three months you say?? Pshh I got this!

Calvin is 6 Months Old

2011-07-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Calvin's 6 month birthday. That's right...6 months! Where has the time gone? Calvin is rolling around, scooting, bouncing, and can bring himself to stand for about .2 seconds. Just this last week he started saying Mama and .... wait for it ... he slept from 7pm to 5am last night!

Being a Mom to Calvin has been rocking my world! I really don't know what I did all day long prior to being a Mommy but I am pretty sure I should of taken advantage of being able to nap more. Changing Calvin's diapers, feeding him, playing with him, singing to him, reading to him, and just living life with him has got to be some of the hardest yet most rewarding and joyful work I have ever done. Every morning that I wake up to him talking to Frog (his stuffed animal) is like waking up on Christmas morning and every night when he finally falls asleep I feel like it's the day after Christmas, worn out and exhausted!

I feel like I am finally getting the hang of this whole Mommy thing and that makes everything so much easier! I look forward to all the birthdays and major mile stones in Calvin's life that are soon approaching. I know it's going to all go by so fast so I am trying to enjoy every second of it even, if that means enjoying it at 1, 3, 5, and 7 am in the morning. :)

Calvin's first few bites of rice cereal! He loved it!

Party time!

Had to hose him down after his first rice cereal meal.

I had a little chat with Calvin and told him that he has to slow down on the whole growing up thing;)

My Baby Boy!

Happy 6 Months Bubbies!!

Photo Catch Up

2011-07-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

I am a horrible blogger...

But, I am making blogging a priority starting today..It's about number 17 on my list so we shall see how it goes.

Here's some photos to catch you up to date with life:)

David and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary

We finished up our first year of Christian Challenge at UCR! What a year of blessings it has been! We are so excited to see all that God is going to continue to do through us on the campus!

Calvin saw the ocean for the first time! He loved it so much and squealed when we let the waves crash over his toes! He is seriously the cutest baby ever!

Calvin and I have shared some good Mommy/Son bonding time!

Daddy and Calvin have also had some fun!

Calvin loves hanging out with his buds! (Ethan, Jeff, and Keith)

He LOVES his jumper! Doesn't go a day with out getting a bounce in!

David and I are a part of Project Impact in Costa Mesa this summer!

For the past two and a half months we have been living in college dorms on Vanguard University campus.

Calvin and I have the same taste in clothes;)

Calvin experienced grass for the first time and thought it was pretty interesting!

David and Calvin are seriously two peas in a pod!

I know its so crazy but Calvin is days away from being 6 MONTHS OLD! Where the time has gone I do not know but what I do know is that he is the one of the biggest blessings in my life. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be a mother to such a precious baby boy.

Park Day

2011-04-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Picture in your mind the opening scenes of finding Nemo when Marlin is taking Nemo to his first day of school. Only then you will understand what Park Day is like.

All of us wake up prepared for the time we will spend at the park. Todays schedule will be different from the rest as park time may be right in the middle of our little ones nap time, eat time, poop time (the list goes on and on) but we stick it out and head to the park if only to have an hour, if you can make it that long, of fellowship with friends.

After we pack up practically the whole baby room (sunscreen, hats, change of clothes, blankets, water, hooter hider, diapers, spit rags, sweatshirt if its cold, shorts if its hot, a few toys for the kiddos to play with, the camera to capture the oh so cute moments and of course the baby) we are ready to hit the road. Some of our kids enjoy the car rides and may even fall asleep on the way there. For a select few the car ride consists of music, shhh'ing, and of course the little one crying. Even though the park may only be 1-5 miles away the riverside traffic makes this journey triple that in time making for an eventful drive.

Once we arrive at the park and unpack all our gear we hope for the best with our little kiddos mood. (maybe this is just me)

For those of us with little babies that can only crawl at the least our time consists of sitting on the blanket playing with toys, goo'ing and gaahh'ing over the babes and preventing any injuries from falls and tumbles that may occur.

Now back to finding Nemo. Do you remember the scene where Nemo is being showed the school and Marlin tells him to go play with the little baby fish? The little baby fish are jumping on the bouncy sea things all happy then one falls off and lets off a big cry? That would be us.

Another part of park day is watching the Moms with older kiddos get an extreme workout. (Emily Rickard, Laura Moore and Janelle Miesel) These lovely ladies have the privilege to chase around TWO little ones. As I sit on my plush green polka dot blanket in the shade they are on duty running around to every toy on the park. They seriously rock!

Again, back to finding Nemo. These moms would be similar to the Mom's in finding Nemo that are telling their younger fish to stay out of Mr.Johanson's yard (the sting ray).

Like I said in my previous post I am horrible at explaining things so if you don't understand any of the comparisons I am making from park day to Finding Nemo then I suggest you go watch the first 10 minutes of the movie then return and read my post again:)

Park day really is one of the highlights of my week. Even though it is hard to get out the door and to the park I enjoy the time I get to spend with my friends. I feel extremely blessed that I am surrounded by such awesome Moms!

So here is to you park day. You revive me and wear me out all at one time!

If I only had a brain...

2011-04-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

I remember hearing about this "mom brain" but I never took too much time concerning myself of it. Now it is a part of my every day life.

Prior to Calvin's arrival I wasn't the best at explaining stories or describing events in great detail. I first became aware of this problem in High School. It was kind of a common joke at the lunch table with all my girlfriends. I would either say a story that was completely pointless and random to which there would be a huge pause of silence (then laughter of course) or after much time spent tripping over my words I would finally be able to explain myself.

Side note story: My sophomore year of high school I was in an AP History class (no clue why) where we had to do some sort of research project and then give a speech about it to the class. No big deal right? WRONG! I went up in front of this class and completely froze. No words came to my mind for me to even attempt to fumble over. I stood up there for 30 seconds to a min and then went right back to my seat. Horrible right??

Annnyyywhooo...

There are so many things that could potentially be the culprit behind my Mom brain I just don't know where to begin.

It could be:

The large amounts of hormones in my body finally leveling off, the lack of sleep, the constant cycle of eat, play, sleep, poop, clean (Calvin's cycle of course) which doesn't leave room for much more in this brain of mine, or the fact that I am still in school and have to devote some brain capacity to studying.

Who knows.

What I do know is that I can't spit out my words, I say the wrong thing almost all the time, my vocabulary has gone down to a 5th grade level (nothing against you 5th graders out there) my word sensor is gone (big problem here) and I have to teach a class a PE lesson in a week and I am fearful for what might come forth from my lips!

I was hoping that maybe someday I would have my ability to speak back, even if it wasn't that good to begin with, but I keep hearing it only gets worse. Worse? Oh yay.

He is totally worth mom brain:)

Picky Just Like His Father

2011-03-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Steps to getting Calvin to enjoy the swing.

1. Put Calvin's favorite blankey in swing and make sure it is snuggly

2. Place Calvin in swing

3. Turn on Angels and Airwaves song, Secret Crowds. Turn volume up and place on repeat.

4. Hold pacifier for Calvin as he is still learning how to use it.

5. Rock swing so it goes at the pace he likes.

6. Make sure little dangling bears are visible to him.

7. Rub your fingers down the top of his head and between his eyes until his eyes close.

8. Sing along with song if he still looks disgruntled.

9. Slowly walk away

10. Say a little prayer that your 15 minutes of work gives you at least 15 minutes of free time.

Steps to getting Calvin to nap.

1. Make sure Calvin is well fed.

2. Make sure Calvin had adequate amount of play time.

3. Change diaper

4. Get Calvin snuggled in his favorite blankey

5. Sit in rocking chair and get to rockin'

6. If he crys get out pacifier and hold it in his mouth while holding his entire body with left arm. (Drink lots of water to avoid cramping)

7. Sing a few songs. Byo byo byo baaabieee byo baby bye. (Song passed down from great my Grandma Pearl)

8. Run your fingers down his head between his eyes to let him know its okay to close his eyes. Its nap time.

9. Once he is asleep stand up and walk to the bedroom swaying side to side. Avoid hitting his head on the door on the way into his room.

10. Gently place him in his crib still holding him. If he squirms a little stay holding him in his crib until he is completely asleep. (This is a little uncomfortable on the back but well worth it)

11. If he wakes up... repeat.

Picky just like his Father :)

The C Word

2011-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have never been good with change.

Yesterday we received Calvin's crib. We were so excited to set it up in his room and for him to have his own little place. When I put him down for his nap time he slept for three hours which he never does in the afternoon so I assumed he really like it. But when it was time put him down for his night time sleep intervals (still wakes up every 2-3 hours) I paced back and forth from my bedroom to his until finally grabbing my blankets and pillow to make a place for me at the foot of his crib. Isn't this a little backwards? I thought he was the one who was supposed to grab his blankeys and want to come sleep with us! There were three reasons why i decided to camp out in Calvin's room last night.

1. We don't yet have a monitor and so I was afraid that if something happened that I wouldn't be able to hear him (his bedroom is 20 feet away, I would hear him) I also didn't want him to have to scream for ten minutes before I came to get him and then he would be all flustered and feel like his Mom abandoned him... I know I over think WAY too much.

2. My room looked so empty without his bassinet, the noisemaker, a place for me to change his diapers, our night light, the boppy, and the rocking chair. Our room had quickly transformed back to looking like what it did before Calvin and that just made it even harder.

3. My baby is growing up. I know I know he is only 9 weeks but seriously where has the time gone? I feel like it has only been a few days (that could be the sleep deprivation factor)

By 5 am I picked up Calvin and his blankets and we moved back into our bedroom for three reasons.

1. I can't sleep on the floor like I use to when I was 6.

2. We were missing Dave.

3. I figured if we moved back into the bedroom Dave would hear him cry and offer to change his diaper thus giving me an extra minute or two of sleep :) My plan worked hehe

I am guessing that I am going to have to get better at allowing change in my life because from here on out that's pretty much all Calvin will be doing. Oh the parts of being a mother that I never expected.

My Precious Baby Boy

Birth Story Part Two: Favorite Moments

2011-03-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

Here are my top five memories and treasured moments of labor and birth.

5. A Walk to Remember:

The day I went into labor David and I decided to take a walk in the orange groves to see if that could help in getting things going. (It obviously worked) While most people would be having conversations of the baby, labor or future plans, our conversation was a little different and went something like this:

If you were stranded anywhere in the world where would it be?

If you could only eat one animal in that place what animal would you take with you?

If you could only have one fruit and one vegetable what would they be?

If you could only have one utensil what would you choose?

The questions went on and on to no end. I am pretty sure I chose Hawaii, a chicken (I wouldn’t want to have to slaughter a cow and we figured a dairy cow would be pointless if you couldn’t make ice cream with it) pineapple, corn (I would make corn tortillas) and a knife of course. I can’t remember all of David’s but I know he chose a cow and watermelon, so that after he slaughtered his cow he could wear its fur and after he ate his watermelon he would use the rhine as a bowl. Take a moment with me and picture Dave sitting with a hamburger, cow fur on his back and drinking out of a watermelon. See why it’s a favorite memory of mine.

I love thinking back to this walk and to how special each moment is with Dave. It's never dull, never boring, and can always make me smile.

4. My Water Breaking:

I had been wondering what it was going to be like when labor actually began and how it was all going to unfold for months now, so when it finally happened I couldn’t believe it. Walking out of the Zunigha's bathroom to tell Dave that my water broke definitely goes down as a top memory. His shrills of excitement and the look of, “Lets do this!” was priceless.

3. Making the calls:

Making the calls and sending the texts has got to be one of the most exciting moments of going into labor. Whenever I called anyone in the month leading up to Calvin’s birth before I said hello I had to say, “I am not in labor,” otherwise I would be asked if I was. So when I was finally able to call everyone and tell them that I WAS in fact in labor I loved hearing their reactions. My mom of course was as happy and giddy as ever and insisted that my dad and her drive down right then, 10 at night. I told her that she didn’t have to rush but there was no stopping her. At 3am the nurse came in to tell me that my parents were in the waiting room. Most of my phone calls lasted a min or so just enough for me to tell them I was in labor and for them to wish me luck but one very special call lasted 20 precious minutes. Hillary, I love you. I never expected to find such a dear friend as Hillary when moving out to Riverside and to explain how much she has blessed my life I would have to create a whole other blog. So telling her that I was in labor was one of my favorite calls. Here is how it went. (Classic Em and Hill conversation)

Me: (Calling Hillary…ring ring)

Hillary: OMG YOU ARE IN LABOR!!!!!

Me: AHHHH YES! How did you know?

Hillary: OMG OMG you’re going to have a baby!

Me: I know I can’t believe it!

Hillary: CALVIN IS COMING!

Me: I know I’m so happy!!

Hillary: AHHHH I want to be there!!

Me: I know I want you to be here too Hill!

Hillary: EMILY YOU ARE IN LABOR!!!

Me: I know its crazy!

Hillary: What are you going to do?

Me: Oh I don’t know maybe take a shower.

Hillary: Take a shower? What the heck why are you so calm?? You should be freaking out! I’m freaking out!!! Matt look up plane tickets I need to get to Riverside!

Me: haha I don’t know why I am so calm I guess I am just ready.

Hillary: Em this is just like you…it hasn’t hit you yet… remember when I came over to your house when you were loosing your hair and you had it all in a bag laughing and I told you, “Em, I don’t think it has hit you yet.” And then that night it hit you?? Well I think this is the same thing! It hasn’t hit you yet that you are in labor!

Me: Ya I don’t think it has hit me yet either…

Five min later it hit me. She knows me all to well

2. PUSH!!!!:

Pushing has got to be the most physically challenging activity I have ever done and ever will do! I mean first off it seems almost impossible when you think about a baby coming out … well you know, just impossible, and yet that’s exactly what happens. Plus, when you have an epidural and they say push you think in your mind, “What the heck? How am I supposed to push when I cant feel a darn thing?” Just pure crazyness!

After I got the epidural things really slowed down for David and I. I no longer had to labor through each contraction and Dave no longer had to break his wrists pushing on my back so when it was time to push we were ready to finally get things going again. David’s face was seriously priceless when he saw Calvin’s head making its grand entrance, it was a combination of pure exhilaration that his son was about to be born and sympathy for his wife who was pushing that son into the world. Every time I would push Dave would start saying, “Push Push Push! You got it!” At first his encouragement was enough to where anyone in the room could hear him, but that didn’t last long. Pretty soon David was cheering me on like he was at a 49ers football game and they were making the winning touchdown! As I was giving birth 7 other women were also giving birth which made for a very exciting hospital and each time a baby was born they would play a baby song by Michael Bolton (very cheesy but still cute, not Michael Bolton the song of course) so you can just picture it with me. Women screaming down the halls in labor pains, husbands cheering them on, people clapping and crying when the babies were born, my husband cheering like a champ and of course Michael Bolton in the back ground. How could that not be a favorite memory!

1. Meeting Calvin!

Seconds after the pushing was over Calvin was placed on my chest and it was love at first sight. He was and still is perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, chubby cheeks, cutest toosh, nice tan (thanks to a little bit o’ jaundice) and the most awkwardly shaped head ever! (It is now a perfectly round shape) Meeting my son was an amazing experience from the first contraction to the last push. David and I are completely smitten by Calvin Marin Rimestad and can’t imagine our lives without him.

Birth Story Part One

2011-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

Well, Calvin is a month old now so I guess I should post my birth story. Let me first start off by saying that labor was nothing like I expected, which can only be expected for a first timer.

The day I went into labor I was doing everything I could to get the ball rolling. Sleep had escaped me the last month leading up to Calvin’s delivery therefore I was definitely in the uncomfortable stage and ready to meet my son.

On Monday afternoon Dave and I went for a walk/hike in Riverside’s beautiful 85-degree weather. The four mile walk was clearly just what I needed to get labor going. After we got home I plopped myself on the couch had a bean burrito, a chocolate milkshake and just relaxed. Sadly this was my last meal before Calvin came.

That night was small group and so we headed to the Zunigha’s at 8 pm. At around 8:30 I experienced my first contraction. I was sitting on the floor when I got this sharp pain in my back. It only lasted about 30 seconds but it was pretty painful. I got up to go to the bathroom so I could stretch and when I went to the bathroom I noticed I had lost my mucus plug then as I stood up my water broke! Talk about freak out moment in the Zunigha’s bathroom. When I went back in the room David knew something was up. I asked him to go to the bathroom with me, which was completely awkward because everyone knew something was going on but I didn’t exactly want to say “mucus plug” in front of a bunch of college guys in fear that they may gag. David got up from his spot all wide eyed and giddy and followed me to the bathroom where I proceed to tell him the events that had just unfolded. He was ecstatic of course and after talking about it we decided to go and finish the rest of small group because from everything that we had heard it was going to be a while. WRONG. As soon as we sat back down I continued to feel contractions in the front of my stomach and especially on my back. We ended up going home at 10:00 because my contractions were getting closer and I wanted to make sure we had everything prepared.

David started timing the contractions, which were at two min apart, and lasting a min long each. WHAT THE HECK! This was not like anything I had planned for. Labor was supposed to be putsy putsy with contractions 10-15 min apart and then slowly increase. We would go on walks all day long, walk up and down the stairs, maybe go to the mall and get my mind off things, and of course enjoy some outdoor sun before finally heading to the hospital when I was 9 cm dilated. That was MY plan and what was happening to my body at the time was not anything that I had expected. The pain in my back and legs was getting worse so we decided to call our birth coach, Jamie, and ask her what we should do. We had planned to go to the hospital when the contractions were 2 min apart but we figured that would be hours before we got to that stage. You can understand how confused we were when only after an hour and a half the contractions were hard and consistently 2 min apart. Jamie talked to me on the phone as I had a few contractions and timed them herself. She suggested we wait another hour and if the contractions got harder that we could go to the hospital, who knows I might be having a quick labor. The contractions only got more painful and stayed at a constant 2 min apart lasting 1 min long. At midnight we left the house and headed out to the hospital.

I wish I could have had a video camera to explain how cute David was. He was running around the house getting everything together, timing the contractions, writing them down, packing me snacks, and in the middle of all that pushing on my back every time a contraction came. He was seriously my hero!

Although I felt contractions all the way around my stomach nothing compared to the pain I felt in my lower back. After we checked into the hospital they got us in to the room and the nurse checked me to see how far along I was. “You are 1cm dilated.” I looked at David and my eyes immediately filled up with tears. This again was NOT what I planned! After the nurse left David reassured me that everything was going to be ok and that our nurse obviously didn’t know how to check for dilation. (Gotta love my husband). So there we were, stuck at the hospital since my water had broke, 1cm dilated, and in excruciating pain that only seemed to increase with every contraction. Wonderful.

For the next 6 hours I labored. David pushed on my back at every contraction, to which his wrist would take a week to heal from, and I struggled to not scream. Let me just tell you before hand that I am really not a dramatic person nor do I over exaggerate but when people ask me, “what did it feel like?” this is the only way I know how to describe it…it felt like my sacrum was being pushed out of my back and that a cheese grader was going down the sides of both my legs on top of very horrible menstrual cramps.

There were only two things that kept me from getting an epidural sooner. Number one, my pride and number two the encouragement and love that David was giving me.

We labored through each and every contraction just as we had been taught. David would tell me when the contraction was peaking and then when another contraction was about to come. He would remind me to breath deep breaths, relax, and that I was doing a great job. The pattern of the contractions never changed during those 8 hours of labor except when I would have three contractions in a row with no break in between. I felt like I never got a chance to work into labor but was just thrown into a mess of pain. I was exhausted and loosing it. David had Jamie on the phone almost all night asking her what to do. She suggested a few positions that I should try that we had gone over in class in hopes that we could move Calvin’s head from being posterior. As much as I didn’t want to move I knew I just needed to try. Dave helped me up but the pain just seemed to get worse. After that I told Dave I was done. We called the nurse and asked her to check me to see if I had dilated anymore and if I had progressed a lot then I would not get an epidural. She checked me and I was only at 3cm after 10 hours of labor. I then gave her the go ahead and she phoned in the anesthesiologist.

Just as soon as it came, the pain was gone.

After I got the epidural and the pain had left an overwhelming cloud of guilt came over me. I felt like I was missing out on this amazing event that my body was going through on top of feeling like the worlds largest quitter. Trust me I know that birth is not some sort of competition or race to see who finishes with the best time but I really wanted to experience a natural birth. I had planed and prepared for this very instant for almost 9 months. I worked hard running till I was 8 months pregnant, sat on the floor indian style instead of a comfy couch or chair to prevent a posterior baby, did all my exercises, read all my books and watched all the videos. And now I wasn’t using anything I had learned, I was just lying there. It wasn’t until Jamie called and talked to me that I felt better. She reminded me that back labor is a whole other beast and a healthy Calvin was the ultimate goal not birth without an epidural. How I had somehow forgotten that little detail I don’t know. If it wasn’t for that call from Jamie I probably would have been sulking the whole rest of my labor instead I decided to sit back and enjoy the rest of the ride.

19 hours after the first contraction it was finally time to begin pushing. The nurse came in and checked me around 4pm to tell me that I was 10cm dilated and that she could feel Calvin’s head. I didn’t start pushing till around 5:15 and 45 min later the doctor came in and it was go time. This was our favorite part. David and I were able to work together again. He was yelling, “Come on babe! Push! Push! Push! He’s right there, I see him!” The expression on his face and the excitement in his voice was all the motivation I needed and a memory that I will never forget. After a few more pushes Calvin was out and on my chest. David cut the cord and at that second our hearts grew larger than we ever thought possible.

Calvin came out weighing 8lbs 10oz and 21 inches long.

I know for some of you it might seem silly that I was upset for getting an epidural. I guess it’s one of those had to be there moments. For myself, the hardest part was thinking that I gave up or that I wasn’t strong enough. Looking back now I know that getting the epidural was the right choice and that there was no way I could of kept going. I mean, I guess if I was in another country that didn’t offer epidurals I could of, but by the time Calvin would have been born I am pretty sure that I would have been too thrashed from the contractions to even enjoy him. I know I am a strong woman but I also know my limit and that was it.

Am I going to try a natural birth for the next baby? You bet, why not? If I don’t need an epidural I wont get one but If I need one … bring it on!

My Pregnancy Quirks

2010-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy has brought about some weird quirks in me. Here are a few. . .

1. David use to be the loudest one of our household but now that title belongs to me. Any time I get up from sitting on the ground, get out of bed, out of the shower, out of the car, bend over to pick up laundry or pick up my bags I make sure everyone knows I am on the move with my groans! Carrying 21 extra pounds around is not an easy task my friend!

2. I can finish off a full helping of french toast at 4 am.

3. I can finish off that full helping of french toast at 4 am and still go back to the fridge to eat left over potato salad. (horrible combo I know!)

4. I love the smell of fabric softener so much that my house is now covered with them: my closet, my drawers my shoes, my bags. Sometimes I even go in my laundry room and sit on my dryer while it is on just so I can be around the wonderful smell of Bounce fabric softeners. Mmmmm..

5. I now seen dirt I never knew existed in my house before. I am pretty sure pregnancy comes with an a pair of invisible magnifying glasses which makes me feel the compulsive need to get on my hands and knees and scrub the floors so much that all the shiny wax coating is stripped off. . .

6. Because of these "invisible magnifying glasses" I clean house more than ever before.

7. When I get into bed at night I never know if it's going to be a night of insomnia or if I will pass out right as my head hits the pillow.

8. I am a huge fan of milkshakes and string cheese. Sadly I am also lactose intolerant:(

9. I am ALWAYS hot! David thinks it so funny that I can turn the air on full blast in the car and aim all the vents at myself and it doesn't phase me. He on the other hand has his jacket on and is shivering because the inside temperature of our car is quickly dropping below freezing.

10. I sit and stare at my stomach constantly while Calvin moves and bounces around so excited for the day I get to meet him. I know my teachers can tell I am not paying any attention in class but at least I am not on my computer;)

It seems like all I have on my mind these days is the arrival of my son. I am so excited to meet him, curious to see if he looks more like Dave or myself, scared to bajeebers of giving birth, worried that I don't have something he needs, compulsive about organizing, and yet thankful, so very thankful for this time.

Sometimes it is so easy to forget the journey that got you to where you are today, at this very moment. The struggles and hardships fade into the background when you are presented with this precious gift, a child. As I have felt the anticipation of Calvin's soon arrival I have been thinking back to everything that has happened in getting us to where we are right now. How David, myself, and almost all of you that are reading this blog right now, have prayed for this gift that I am able to carry. How you too have cried with us and rejoiced with us in every step of the journey. My hope and prayer is that the next 9 weeks I can stop all this worrying and trust in God in everything and let Him prepare our home for Calvin. I don't want to be concerned with all the wrong things. I want our son to come into a home that is trusting in God, in love with His word and truths, and that fully relies on Him for every need. I want to be that example to Calvin from day one.

A few weeks ago, at our Christian Challenge meeting, we all read and prayed through Psalm 112. A couple verses have been repeating in my mind since reading that Psalm.

For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:6-7

How I desire to not be afraid of bad news and for my heart to be firm in the Lord. To trust Him so much with every part of my life that even when bad news comes our way I can still rejoice in his great grace and mercy. I hope this verse brings peace to you as it has to me. So much peace is gained when we fully trust in the Lord.

Feeling a little reminiscent. This was the first picture David and I ever took together.

Church camp 2004

9 Weeks to go...HOLY COW

2010-11-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to two doctor appointments. The first appointment was the one that I go to twice a week for fetal monitoring and an ultrasound. As big of a pain as it is to go to downtown Riverside twice a week I do enjoy getting to sit and listen to Calvin's heart pitter patter away and then get to see his precious face via the ultrasound. The second appointment I went to yesterday was my regular OBGYN where he did the usual; measured my belly, heard Calvin's heart beat and sent me on my way out only this time he said, "see you in two weeks"... two weeks? "Yes, you will be 33 weeks then and 7 weeks from your due date so we start seeing each other more." At this point I had a mini freak out sesh in my mind. I grabbed my paper and walked to the receptionist to schedule my next appointment. There was a woman in front of me who was planning her induction for the next day. The receptionist asked the woman, "What time would be best? 5 am or noon?" to which the woman casually replied, "Umm 5 am is good." This conversation for some reason seemed awfully calm to me so being the nosey person I am I asked the woman when she was due. She told me that she was due yesterday. (she must be in a hurry if she only waited one day) I then told her congrats, made my appointment and got in the elevator to go to the parking lot. As I walking into the elevator a woman and her newborn baby boy were standing there (baby wasn't standing of course) and then it hit me...HOLY COW I AM GOING TO BE A MOM IN 9 WEEKS! I walked to my car, buckled up, took a quick glance over my shoulders to make sure there weren't any on lookers and then I did it...I screamed as loud as I possibly could. Where has the time gone?? Everyone told me that pregnancy takes forever and feels so long but I am quite certain I have felt the complete opposite. This season in life has flown by and soon, very very soon, I will be holding my son. Don't get me wrong my screaming was not a negative scream it was a holy cow I am so overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts right now! What do I do? What do I do? Scream!! It is what I would like to call a "Bethany" scream.

Whenever my dear friend Bethany gets excited she screams. For instance when she hasn't seen me in a long time, when I tell her news like I'm pregnant, when traffic is crazy and she has to make a quick maneuver out of it, when we talk about something exciting, when we talk about how time has flown by or when I tell her I finished a class (she knows how much I hate school and always lets me know how proud of me she is that I am still continuing with it) Her cheerful screams are something I look forward to quite often and remind me that she is one of my biggest fans. Love her.

Anyways back to my moment of panic. So at this point I called Hilary screamed a little to her, called David and screamed to him some more, and called my mom and screamed a little to her too. A mini Freak out sesh is always acceptable in my books and quite normal. For those of you that never have a freak out sesh I know you want to, you just hold it in. My advice, let it out! It feels so much better!

After browsing Babies R Us, sitting in the rockers imagining holding Calvin then eating (of course eating) I felt a whole lot better. Next week is Thanksgiving (didn't find that out till yesterday), Bakersfield Baby shower is the next weekend, then Norco baby shower is the following, then a friend is getting married the following weekend, then its Christmas the next weekend, New years the next weekend, another baby shower the next weekend, my birthday the next weekend, then the next week I am due!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

For the last two years David and I have done trunk or treat through First Baptist Church Norco and have had a blast dressing up and making our trunk into some sort of game for the kids each year. It has always been a great time of fellowship and laughter that David and I have really enjoyed. This year FBCN wanted to try and reach out to our neighborhoods more and so we spilt up and did Trunk or Treat with our house groups, one small problem, there were no kids:( I don't know if its just Riverside or what but in Bakersfield when I was a kid we filled the streets with trick or treaters there were so many of us! I remember running into all my friends from school and making our way through the neighborhood collecting so much candy. Last night we had maybe a total of 20 trick or treaters including one guy who looked way too old to be out collecting candy. Halloween is not my favorite holiday by any means but it makes me sad to not see all those cute little kiddos walking around in their princess and batman costumes.

Although there was a lack of kids David and I still had fun dressing up for our beach themed shin dig. I had been asking him all week what he wanted to dress up like and all he could come up with was a coconut. He thought its would be creative if we were each a half of a coconut and then when we hugged we would become a full coconut. I truly loved the idea and thought it really cute but I tried to detour him away from this idea because I really didn't want to have to craft up a life size coconut with a giant straw. I told him that coconuts have hair and this helped my case a little:) 3:00 PM on Halloween rolled around and we were still without a costume. After putting our minds together we came up with the idea to be BP Oil clean up crew. Potentially controversial I know, but it was really all we could think of with such a short time left. We ran to Michael's and picked up two poster boards, a black shirt and a yellow helmet and rushed home to assemble our costume. I was actually surprised at how good Dave's oil can came out and he was pretty proud too. Even if there were not a lot of kiddos to pass out candy to it was still fun working together with Dave in making a costume and spending a night of good fellowship with my church family.

Well today is Monday and that means a list of cleaning chores that needed to get done. On Mondays I have decided to try and get the majority of the big stuff out of the way such as; cleaning the bathroom tub, toilet and sink, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and a load of laundry. The other things on the chore list are just daily things like doing the endless dishes and tidying up around the house ( I have been known to leave a trail where ever I go thus making our house a quick disaster whenever I get the slight bit lazy) A lot of thanks goes to Jennifer Zunigha for giving me her idea of making a list for the week of chores. It really makes everything seem less overwhelming and you were right Jenn, checking off a chore or task for the day feels AMAZING!

Well Dave won't get off till late tonight as he is spending his monday nights with the guys in the dorms watching monday night football! I really hope God opens some doors to new relationships for Dave with the college guys and that this event can be a hit! I better go make those gluten free peanut butter cookies so he has a little treat when he gets in tonight! My computer won't let me post pictures right now but I will update soon to show off our costumes:)

Funday Fridays

2010-10-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

For the past couple months I have had the privilege to babysit Miss Charlotte Zunigha, also known as Lottie, every friday while Jenn goes to work. When Jenn first asked me to babysit I was so excited knowing that I would be able to share the company of her precious daughter along with learning more about this stage in babies life, as I will soon be living it myself. When I started babysitting Coco she was already around 6 months old and out of the newborn stage so babysitting Lottie was definitely a new journey. Since baby sitting I have learned the inns and outs of a newborns schedule, how to properly swaddle, hot to feed a bottle properly to a crying little one (singing works best, even if it's in Spanish) and my favorite of all, how to handle an explosive diaper (that one was interesting) In all this Lottie and I have become pretty close, as least I like to think so. She isn't sleeping as much so we get to spend more play time together which I really enjoy

Tonight is date night for Dave and I. We are going to carve our pumpkins that we got last week at the pumpkin patch, eat pumpkin pie, and maybe paint a pumpkin on my belly for some fun pictures:) I have a new recipe that I am trying out today and I am a little nervous. For some reason pies intimidate me, kind of like rump roasts do. They are so finicky and can easily be ruined. I have made many pies that turned out too dry (aka burned) too moist (aka not done) or no flavor at all. I am hopping that this pie will be good for tonight's pumpkin extravaganza as Dave is really looking forward to trying this gluten free pumpkin pie I have been talking about all week. We shall see.

I made some peanut butter cookies the other night that were sooooo yummy too! The recipe is so easy I already have it memorized from making it one time. All the ingredients you should have in your house so if you need a quick dessert use this recipe!

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg (beaten with fork)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together peanut butter and sugar until well combined. Add beaten egg, baking powder, vanilla and stir. After all is combined roll dough into one inch balls and roll into sugar. Place on non stick pan (I used foil or parchment paper to be safe) and flatten with fork. Bake for 10-15 min and enjoy!

I am quite sure that Calvin grew a few inches yesterday and wanted to show it off by kicking me all night. Calvin is already a very active baby and makes me constantly aware of his presence throughout the day by random kicks, rolls, and tumbles but last night was something I had never experience before. His kicks were so hard and so frequent that I had to get out the video camera to try and record it. My stomach was literally doing a belly dance all on its own. I remember seeing Hillary's stomach do the same thing with Chaucer and thinking I wonder what that feels like. Oh boy do I now know! Hillary would call little Chaucer's movements "violent" and I thought, noooo they cant be he's just a little wee one. Then in one quick second you would see what looked like his elbow glide across Hillary's entire stomach! Calvin hasn't got that crazy yet but last night was quite an eye opener to what I may expect in the near future. I actually was so excited I called Hill at 10:30 pm to tell her. I could have text her but it was just too important, all those times I had witnessed Chaucer doing the salsa in her belly made me have to call her and let her know that Calvin is taking after his buddy Chauc!

As much as I am ready to meet Calvin I am really trying to take in the whole pregnancy phase and enjoy this time of preparation. Plus, being pregnant has a lot of perks like people giving you smiles, asking about how you are feeling or giving you the only chair in the room. I am looking a whole lot more pregnant now days and this has led to even more pregnancy chit chat between total strangers. Yesterday I walked into the financial aid office at CBU and as I was sitting in the chair I could feel the front desk lady smiling at me, I finally looked up and she looked like she was about to cry from joy and said, "Oh congratulations, how far along are you? Do you know the sex? Do you have a name? You look great!" Later that day I was standing by the wall waiting for my friend when this young man walked up to me and said, "Congratulations on the baby!" followed by, "Have you got your vaccinations yet?" LOL well hello and nice to meet you too doctor. I told him that I don't get flu shots because I was told that they can lead to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to which he replied, "ya I know." Uhhhh why are you suggesting it to me then hahah. People seriously crack me up! But nothing gets better than this next story. I was standing in Wandas (CBU's coffee shop) when I saw this pregnant girl walk in through the doors. I turned around and all the sudden she walked up, turned around in front of me and said, "I'm six months pregnant but I just look fat." (Again, why no introductions people??) I really was so shocked I had no idea what to do but finally I spoke and said, "ummm nooo I totally knew you were pregnant." She then proceded to show me how if she stood up real tall and sucked in she didn't look pregnant just fat. At that point I made a B-line to the door and said ok well I gotta go to class. I mean honestly people who says that kind of stuff and what am I supposed to say in response? I love meeting new people and making new friends but I feel like being pregnant makes you this beacon that says, "Come talk to me with awkward conversation, I don't mind!" The truth is I really don't mind, I do like the ammusement that it adds to my day, just different to get use to.

Well my pie crust just came out of the oven, Charlotte is due to wake up any minute and my tummy is yearning for a snack. Hope to have some fun pictures of our pumpkin extravaganze night posted soon. Until then, enjoy these pictures that I wasn't able to post a few blogs ago!

Brother Blake and I

My newest Sister, Amber. Love her tons!

Mr. And Mrs. Erberich!

3rd Trimester

2010-10-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. I am now in my 3r Trimester which means only 85 more days until Calvin's due date! Holy cow! I am really interested to see how this trimester spans out. As much as I have loved being pregnant I am ready to meet Calvin and hold him in my arms. I am sure a lot will change in these next 85 days but I look forward to everyone of them!

Today, after I dropped Dave off at UCR, I headed down the road and pumped the music up real loud and as soon as I did Calvin started rolling around in my stomach! I'm pretty sure he is going to take after his momma and bust a move whenever good music is on! Well Happy 7 months Calvin! Can't wait to meet you real soon! Keep Growing!

2010-10-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Lets see here where do i begin??? This is what I get for being such a slacker of a blogger! Hopefully since things have somewhat slowed down I will be able to update this a little more than I have been doing. Ashamed? Yes I am! Well just a little over 3 weeks ago David and I started our Bradly birthing classes and those have been amazing! The first week was really fun and informative which was really nice. Dave feels like each class he is learning so much and that is really an important part. As much as I need the learning I want him to feel as knowledgeable and comfortable as possible, so on the day Calvin decides to start coming and the pain of labor kicks in David wont be afraid but he will know this is all a normal part of labor. This last weeks class was all about nutrition and eating right, as much as I love this topic it is also what I learn in all my classes at school being a kinesiology major so it was a little of a repeat for me. What I did enjoy was all the interesting facts of breast milk! Did you know that if your baby has an eye infection, ear infection, or diaper rash you can rub breast milk on that area and within a couple days it should be healed! is that not just amazing or what?That just blew our minds! God had it all planned out didn't He?! Who needs antibiotics when you have a breast full of milk!

Since I am now officially a stay at home wife (mom in a few months) I have a lot more time on my hands but with that luxury also comes responsibility. I have to make sure that the time I have is being spent wisely and that can be harder than you think. Thankfully I have some amazing stay at home Mommies around me that have helped me with what I should or could be filling my day with. The first step was to start out by making a list of weekly chores, meal plans, and projects around the house that need to be done. Once I did this and factored in my daily time with God, some time for exercise, and homework my day really fills up quickly and I know it will even be more filled once Calvin arrives. I can't even begin to explain how blessed I feel to be able to be at this stage of life at only the age of 23. I know many women who have had to work full time jobs to support their families and not been able to stay home. I really want to make sure that I am responsible with this gift God has given me and that I treasure it! I don't know where the future will lead Dave and I, some day I may need to go back to work to help out and that is ok but I just would hate to see this precious time wasted.

Since I have had more time I have also been able to start cooking for what seems like the first time in our two years of marriage. For the first time last week I cooked a full chicken and it was De-lish! I almost threw up a few times when I had to pull out all the insides of the chicken but by the end of it I was patting that chicken down with olive oil and seasonings and feeling quite comfortable with the little guy! With the chicken I made gluten free enchiladas and gluten free chicken noodle vegie soup. The were both really good and I have to say it felt amazing to put a meal on the table, sit down with my wonderful husband, and enjoy the fruits of my labor! Tonight I am making a roast that I am hoping turns out alright this time! I had made a roast about 6 months ago and had some technical difficulties along the way. To make a long story short, it wasn't good. That experience kind of put a bad taste in my mouth for roast (no pun intended lol) so today when I was preparing it I said a little prayer over my rump roast in hopes that tonight when Dave comes home we will actually have food to eat!

Tomorrow I will be 28 weeks (7 months) and that just blows my mind! Only 3 more months and Calvin will be here in my arms! I am so thrilled to meet him and I can really see how these next few months might slow down because of that excitement and anticipation. I started my fetal monitoring appointments today that I will be doing twice a week until Calvin makes his great entrance. I was not looking forward to going to these appointments because I just felt like it was going to be a waste of time but today was actually really nice. I go in, sit in a big blue comfy recliner, the kind nurse puts the fetal monitoring system on my stomach and I get to sit and listen to Calvin's heart pitter patter away. A normal babies heart rate is 110-160 and his was normally around 140. The whole point of the test is to see that his heart rate is where it should be and that when he moves that his heart rate increases around 15 beats. Calvin's did this just fine. The nurse even commented how good his heart rate went up and said that it shows his neurological system is developing perfectly, maybe even a little mature than most babies at his age. (Yes I am a proud mom) After about 20 min of listening to his heart I then get a really quick ultrasound to check on his fetal movement, heart rate, amniotic fluids and placenta. When the nurse put the wand on my belly today she placed it right on Calvin's face and you could see his eyes open real big for a second like he was saying, "what the heck are you doing with that thing!" The nurse printed me off a picture and I am pretty sure Calvin is going to have very large eyes just like his daddy! Yay!!

Calvin moves all the time now especially when I am ready to go to bed. I don't mind it that much until I can tell he is directly on my bladder and that is when problems start to arise. I have to get up multiple times in the night which makes for not the best quality of sleep but what can I do? I also have not been able to sleep in like I use to. I have never been one that can sleep too late but everyone in a while I would sleep until 9 and that felt good but now I am up around 6 AM every morning and of course ready to eat.

Another thing I forgot to blog about is that almost two weeks ago my brother Blake got married to the most amazing woman, Amber. Their wedding was beautiful and fit them perfectly. They got married in Santa Barbara, Ca with just their closest friends and family. No bridesmaids or groomsman stood at the top of the stairs just Blake, Amber and their pastor who did a wonderful ceremony. I feel so blessed to know that Blake found someone as amazing as Amber and I know of no other person that could be so perfect than her! She looked stunning in her gown and my brother looked handsome as ever in his tux. The reception was held on the pier at a really nice restaurant overlooking the ocean! It was great to be there to celebrate the commitment that Blake and Amber made to one another!

25 Weeks

2010-10-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

I am 25 weeks and Calvin is growing growing growing. I feel him everyday now even in the middle of the day when I am out and about which is so crazy. The last few days I truly believed that I could actually feel him getting bigger and sure enough I came home from class last night and wabam! My belly button is 1 mm away from being an outie! In the beginning and prior to being pregnant I always said I wouldn't care if I got bigger and I didn't want to complain but the truth is it is really hard not to. I mean the last 8 years of my life I have been very conscious of the foods I am putting into my body and the exercise I am exerting to make sure that my calorie intake was less than my calorie expenditure. I have loved being able to drink a milk shake once in a while and know that I can go out and run 5 miles to burn it off. Yet now I crave milkshakes on a daily basis and I really can't go out and run 5 miles, 2 miles is rough as it is. Being pregnant is really a mind change. You have to separate yourself from your old way of thinking and try not focus on the number on the scale. I have to keep reminding myself that moderate exercise and eating healthy foods is enough right now and that even though my hips are larger than ever and my cheeks look like they could store a pound of nuts in each side, it is normal.

After a 3 month hiatus from Daves gluten/rice free diet we are back on. It was by the grace of God that David didn't experience any major problems while we were support raising but as soon as our long trips started winding down his stomach problems came back so we knew it was time to get him back on his regular meals. Cooking has always been hard for me in general and so having to come up with crazy ideas and find substitutes for flour and rice has made me not be as great of a homemaker as I would like to be. I am determined to become organized in the kitchen and start habits that are very needed. Odds are that our little son will have a gluten problem, as every other Rimestad does, so it is best that I start really learning to cook now rather than later. When I was at Trader Joes the other day I found this new type of flour called Peanut Flour, ingredients: Peanuts. (I love when I look at a label and it only has one ingredient. Makes my heart jump for joy!) There are three specific reasons why I love this peanut flour:

1. It is cheap

2. David loves peanuts

3. It works as a substitution for flour when baking

Now I am sure we will eventually get tired of all of our breads and desserts having a peanut flavor but its better than the alternative which is no desserts or breads. Here is a picture of what the Peanut flour looks like if you are interested!

Another great treasure that I found at Sprouts the other day was Quinoa Noodles (Pronounced Kin-wa) Quinoa is actually very good for you and contains more protein than any other grain. I just bought some of the noodles yesterday and was so excited that they were only 2.69 for a box. I know that is still a little more expensive than your traditional spaghetti noodles but most gluten free foods can be very pricey so 2.69 is completely manageable. Here is a picture:

I know I haven't written in a while so here are some pictures to update you on whats been going on....

Baby Chaucer was born!

Baby Boston was Born!!

Chuacer met Day and Mem!!!

Boston met Day and Mem!!!

Coco and Mem were reunited

I can't even begin to describe how much I miss this little ball of energy! It is so crazy to see how quickly she is growing up and I can't wait till I can fly up there and really spend some quality time with our dear friends the Leonard's! I remember hearing that old saying, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder or farther." By Golly distance has made my heart grow fonder. I can't help but remember all those many wonderful memories that David and I made with Matt, Hillary and Coco in such a short time. They were and still are our other halves and we miss them dearly but are so dang proud of the move they have made in furthering their future! Matt you are a stud for all the hard work you put into your studies and your family and Hill you are my hero for being such a supportive wife and mother! You guys rock my world and I love you dearly! Keep on keeping on!

A lot is going on in the next few months and I am really excited for all that is to come. David will be starting on UCR's campus hopefully by the end of this month, my brother Blake is getting married in a week to the most amazing woman ever, my father in law is celebrating a big birthday bash this weekend, Dave and I start our Bradley birthing classes tomorrow, and Calvin is growing strong and healthy. I feel so blessed to be where I am in life right now even if it is hard at sometimes, God is still in control.

Running While Pregnant

2010-09-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

The last five months I have tried to exercise here and there mostly by walking with an occasional jog followed by my pregnancy stretches. When I first found out I was pregnant I was really nervous to do any type of physical activity in fear that it would harm Calvin but since I have a somewhat clean bill of health, and am allowed to do any physical activity that I did prior to becoming pregnant, I have decided to lace my shoes up a little tighter and run! Well let me correct myself, I don't really run its more of a scoot ... a fast paced scoot. The only time I pick up my pace is when certain songs come on my I-pod and I can't help but run faster and fell like I am unstopable.

The downfall of running while pregnant is that I am 100% sure I look 200% awkward. Learning how to run with a big belly protruding out the front of you is harder than you think, not to mention the pain it can put on your knees if you are not aware of your form. So I try really hard to remember: elbows in, shoulders back, head up, two by two breathing, and don't stick your butt out! Sadly, within a minute of running this morning some weirdo honked at me which almost made me turn around and go on the treadmill where I would not be seen but I said forget it! I am a pregnant runner and if I look like a goober who the heck cares! Plus I only have to run about half a mile on the busy street of Van Buren before I make it to the calm orange groves of Victoria where I feel like I am more alone! I love when I run by other runners. They look at my belly then at me and give me a huge smile. That little boost of encouragement also puts a little pep in my step!

A few weeks ago I was feeling reminiscent and decided to listen to an old album of mine called Wavorly. I first started to listen to Wavorly when David and I reunited after our 9 months of no talking. Once we apologized to each other and got over the initial shock that contrary to what we believed we were still madly in love with each other we kept our relationship on the down low for 3 months. We just prayed hoping that our families would soon become okay with the fact that we were still as in love with each other, if not more, than we were before. Anyways, those three months of prayer were really hard for us. We were adjusting to the fact that each of us had lived different lives that last year and wondered if there was any way our parents were ever going to be okay with the fact of David and I reuniting. On those rocky days this song made everything seem okay to David and I. The main lyrics of the song go like this:

Two years ago, I had no idea that you were so perfect

As we wait so long, until we join hands

You make the wait worth it

I haven't stopped falling in love

Haven't stopped falling

For the last three years I have always thought of that song as such a sweet memory of such a challenging but wonderful time in our life. A couple weeks ago when I was driving in the car, with my music whiz friend Rissa, I put that song on for her to hear (she introduced me to the band so she knew all of why it was so important) and she told me that the song is really about a husband and wife bringing home their baby! OH MY GOODNESS! How special is that? And how much more amazing is it to find out that when I am pregnant! (pause for tissues) So today I was running and listening to this song and my heart was overwhelmed with so much joy. I was flinging my hands in the air praising Jesus for my little son, about to cry, singing the lyrics while awkwardly scooting down the path. (how cute I must have been) Here are the other part of they lyrics that so clearly are for their new baby.

And the day that I finally can take you home

There's no way that I'm ever, ever letting go

We'll be OK, though miles may separate

There's no space between our hearts

And this day, I choose to keep loving you

As if it were a choice, I can't stop falling...

I haven't' stopped falling in love

How can you not weep from words like that! Calvin, I cannot wait for the day that Dad and I can take you home! I don't care how awkward I look running, how much weight I gain, how long labor is, or how bad it hurts you are so worth it! Thank you Lord for blessing me with the the ability to be a mother and experience labor and let me never take a second of it for granted! You know how to give good gifts Lord!

David said I look like a pregnant corn dog...

2010-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest feelings during pregnancy thus far is when I have felt little baby Calvin move. I am sure that there are many more great feelings to come but his movements are the best. For the last month or so Calvin has begun to squirm around and his little kicks and flips are becoming more and more distinctable. The other night David was speaking for Christian Challenge CBU about prayer and the whole time he was up there Calvin was moving around SO much! Call me crazy but I swear it is because he heard Davids voice over the loud speakers. At least once a day David comes up to me, puts both hands on either side of my belly and yells, "CALVIN...ITS YOUR FATHER....I LOVE YOU LITTLE MAN!" Then he quickly puts his ear to my tummy to see if he can hear Calvin move as in response lol. This is the main reason why I believe Calvin heard Dave speaking, or He just got really amped to hear the gospel shared, either way I loved it!

David's 3 Month Baby Picture... What a cutie!

David has been so funny during this pregnancy. I swear he gets stranger cravings then I do. For example, the other night he comes into the room with the remaining Ice cream container and plops down next to me. I saw that the vanilla ice cream had a pink tint and asked what he put in it to where he responded raspberry jelly.... what the heck? Aren't I supposed to be the one with the big spoon and ice cream container on my lap and maybe a side of pickles to go with? Lucky for him, his body is not the one changing shape even when he does eat weird combos like ice cream and jelly. As for me I am defiantly taking on a new figure. The other night I got up from bed to go get a glass of water and I hear David yell from the other room, "You look like a cute pregnant corn dog!" After I composed myself from laughter I asked what the heck he meant by that ( How do you even respond to a comment like that lol) His explanation was something on the lines of I am tall like a corn dog and I am pregnant. I don't always know how my husbands brain works but I can say it is one of a kind!

A huge adjustment in our life these last few months has been saying goodbye to some of our closest friends, the Leonard's, as they headed off to UC Davis where Matt will be getting his PHD in Philosophy. I haven't really wanted to write a bunch about their leaving because I know I would sob the whole time writing it and then Hill would read it and sob and then when Coco was old enough she would read it and sob and so on and so on. But I can say that it has been quite an adjustment for David and I. The other day David got into a "nesting" mood (again taking over my pregnancy symptoms) and went through the whole house taking everything out of the cubords and getting rid of things he no longer thought we needed. As he was going through a basket he found a little picture of Coco with reindeer ears on. David walked over to me slowly with his head down real low and then raised the picture for me to see then we both sobbed, "COCO!" Coco completely won the hearts of David and I to which we have never been the same since so much so that the other night we were sitting at opposite ends of the dinner table talking about what if Calvin and Coco got married. Would Coco still call us Day and Mem? We went through the whole scenario to which we have come to the conclusion that an arranged marriage is in the works! Until then I can't wait to see the Leonard's and meet the soon to be new addition of Chaucer! I figure if the arranged marriage flops at least Calvin and Chaucer can be best buds :)

Mem Loves you Coco

Posture Posture Posture

2010-09-03T13:31:00.001-07:00

After my two back surgeries when I was younger I started attending physical therapy. On the first visit the doctor looked at me and said, "Emily, I am going to teach you three things today and these three things will be the most important things you will need to remember. 1. Posture 2. Posture and 3.Posture." After the appointment my Dad and I got in the car and started laughing at the goober of a doctor, even though he was sooo right, Dad and I just got the giggles and to this day it is our little joke about how to remedy back pain:) Those words from my first physical therapist still resonate with me as I am again faced with my bad posture.

I feel like there are so many things to work on during pregnancy that I really had no idea about until I became pregnant! For instance, my birthing teacher sent me an e-mail about the right exercises to start doing during pregnancy to prepare your body for the labor that lies ahead. I was completely excited about the article until I got to reading it and found out the main concern was posture. The article talked all about trying not to stick your gut out through your stomach while you walk(guilty) and to work on those abdominal muscles by standing up tall (fail). This sounds all too familiar to me as I get a comment almost every time I take a belly picture that I have a huge curve in my back from sticking my stomach out. Now I have all these muscles that need to be strengthened and posture that needs to be worked on in a short amount of time!! I love hearing all these tips as I know they are going to help me out a ton during labor, but as I sit here sipping my cup of hot cocoa with little marshmallows floating on top, I feel I have a lot of work ahead of me these next four and a half months! First thing being drop the cup of hot cocoa and start standing up straight!

I'm pretty sure I am a Lumbar Lordosis with a little bit of Thoracic Kyphosis. I have some work to do before I get to that "Good Posture" stage!

Update on The Rimestad's

2010-08-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Well Calvin will be 20 weeks tomorrow and is just growing, growing, growing. My stomach has really popped and I can feel him squirm around every once in a while, although its just for a second. A lot of people have said that I look like I'm having twins which can bring mixed emotions lol. He is actually so big that the other morning Dave placed his hand on my stomach and could feel Calvin squirming!! I really don't care if Calvin is the one getting big as long as its not just me getting big and Calvin only weighing a few pounds. If Calvin wants to be big and make his Mom's stomach get large and out of shape, I am ok with it:) as long as he doesn't mind being pushed in the stroller on long runs once he gets here for me to loose all the weight he helped me gain!

The other day Dave took me out on a much overdue date and said he had a little surprise for me. I had no idea what it could be since my birthday isn't until January and Christmas is still months away but I guess I could think of other reasons why I might deserve a little surprise (nausea, vomiting, the stretching of my stomach lining, preparing to deliver his large son in 5 months) After me begging him to tell me what he had been sneaking around about the last few days he finally gave me the news that he had signed me up for our Bradley Birthing Classes! I had really wanted these classes (pretty much all I had been talking about for the last month) and Dave went and did all the research, found out who offers the classes in our area and then emailed multiple teachers until he found us the right one! I know I know ladies he's pretty amazing! We will be starting birthing classes in October with six other couples. Because of health issues and the fact that I am extra sensitive to everything medicinal, I have decided to do a drug free pregnancy, which means no pitocin or epidural. I have a good list of the reasons why I have chosen to do this type of pregnancy and I really have to keep playing them over in my mind otherwise I get pretty nervous. I have been through pain in my life including two back surgeries but nothing scares me more than pushing a 7lb(+) baby out from my body! HELLO! There is a scenario that I try to run through my mind, thanks to my dear friend Tiffany Murray who is also doing the Bradley birthing method, to make me know that this is possible:

When I decide that I am going to run a marathon I don't sign up for the event 9 months before and just sit back and relax till race day. Oh no no! I train, HARD, till the day of the race. I do stretches, long hard runs that I don't always care to do, I eat the right foods that will nourish my body, buy the gear that's needed, and I push my self harder than ever so that on race day I am prepared for that 26.4 mile run. When I start the marathon I pace myself, I breath usually in a two by two pattern and keep my mind on the finish line. Although my knees hurt and everything in my body is telling me to stop at mile 17, I envision the finish and I keep pushing harder and harder, blocking out the pain that so easily grabs every bit of my mind and at the last home stretch I can picture David and my Mom yelling, "Come on Em! Push it in! All the way!!!" And then I cross that finish line. Exhausted, tired and hurting, yet nothing can be sweeter than the feeling of just accomplishing something you thought you could never do! This is how I want to treat the birth of Calvin. I want to train hard for the day that he comes. Making sure that I am as prepared and knowledgeable about what I am about to do. If I can do that I know by Gods grace and strength I can deliver Calvin!

Here are some pictures from the reveal party we had about a month ago. I love every picture and much thanks goes to Hillary Leonard for being the photographer of the night and catching some great moments for Dave and I! I forgot to get pictures of everyone when they were all there but here are some group pictures and a few of us being super stoked!

The Blue Team:

Carlos, Lins, Beth, Josie, Joe, Dave, Dad and James.

The Pink Team:

Stephy, Alivia, Mom, Coco, Hillary, Me, Candice and Matt!

Chaucer and Calvin

Lins and I

Stephy and I

Bethy and I

My Momma! Such a cutie!

Dave and I preparing to cut the cake!

IT'S A BOYYYY!

I love Dave's expression here!

Kisses!

The Cake

Josie

My nephew Owen passed out from too much fun!

Little Liv being adorable!

The yummy snacks!

ITS A BOY!

2010-08-14T09:34:00.001-07:00

Well the results are in and as you might already know, Baby Rim is a boy! We found out yesterday at our family reveal party and I have to say it was a blast! It was so much fun to see everyone cram into our little home and be just as exacted as Dave and I were to find out what the sex of Baby Rim was! My friend Lindsay and I hung out most of the day yesterday and she was my little timer telling me how many days, hours, then minutes until it was time to cut that cake! I don't think I had been that nervous/excited in a long time and I also don't think I could of held on to that envelope much longer!

After Dave gave his speech about not putting anything of facebook (lol we think its so funny that we have to say that now days) I got so nervous I didn't even want to cut the cake so I handed him the knife and said you do it! I have to say that when Dave cut the cake and I saw the blue I was completely surprised! I mean, I knew there was a %50 chance of it being a boy but for some reason it was still a shock to me, there's not only a baby in there but a little baby BOY!

I told David I want to go to Babies R Us and start registering today because I cannot wait to look at all that cute little boy stuff and start planning for this little man! I hope he looks just like his Dad but maybe with a few of my freckles :) My friends and I always joke about how I look like that boy Edmond off of Narnia so our little man just might come out looking like him with a little more Norwegian in him. (Dave's Norwegian and darn proud of it!) Either way he is going to be precious as ever and I can't wait to meet him! 5 and 1/2 months to go!

Baby Calvin at 16 weeks sucking his thumb!

13 weeks

2010-07-15T11:16:00.001-07:00

Goodbye first trimester!! Man am I glad thats over with! As exciting and new as the first trimester is it is also nauseating, tiring, and nerve racking to say the least! I am really looking forward to that second wind that everyone talks so highly about and hope I get the chance to experience that! I already have been cleaning and organzing more so I feel like thats a good sign of whats to come. I have taken many trips to Babies R Us and getting all sorts of great advice from friends and family which is so wonderful! I know some people get overwhelmed by hearing all the stories and suggestions but I really enjoy hearing all different sides of pregnancy, labor, and parenthood, as I do have a lot to learn! This week David and I are in Bakersfield enjoying the summer heat...not! Although I really shouldn't complain becuase my dearest friend Hillary is around 7 weeks from her dilivery date so I can imagine how uncomfortable she must be in this triple digit heat as well. I have a little tiny bump and I feel like I am sweating like crazy! Hillary, if you hear this, come over and I will fan you!

Update on Baby Rimestad:

Well I went in last week to get my second ultrasound. When they put the little microphone up to my tummy they couldn't hear the heart beat but the doctor said she could hear the baby moving all around. We did an ultrasound and she saw the little one and the heart beat just ticking away which really releived David and I! After she did the ultrasound I told her that I want a picture really bad (my only request of this appointment) but to my dissapointment the machine was out of ink :( I have another ultrasound next week and hopefully the machine wont be out of ink this time and I can post a little picture of Baby Rimestad. I am pretty sure we are going to find out the sex of the baby at 16 weeks, which is in 3 weeks!!! Almost everyone I talk to besdies around 5 people say its a boy. We will see whos right when we all find out together the first week of August!!

P.S. this picture was taken in the morning before I had eaten anything! I need to take a picture at night time to so you can see how it grows. In the morning I am 12 weeks pregnant but by night Im 6 months! No lie!!

12 Weeks

See you in 6-7 months baby Rimestad!

Sharing very exciting news very late!

2010-06-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

As most of you already know I am 11 weeks pregnant! Dave and i have known this news for almost two months now but just recently were we able to share with everyone else. I am excited to tell you the story of how we found out about our little blessing as it has been quite a journey.
At the beginning of May, after taking a home pregnancy test, David and I found out that I was indeed pregnant. Although this is the news I had wanted to hear for months my first reaction was fear. I was afraid of getting too excited about something that could potentially let me down, afraid of having to go through the process of another molar pregnancy, and afraid of what the future held. It was so hard to be positive because I felt exactly the same way I did when I had a molar pregnancy, even craved some of the same foods, which encouraged my doubt even more. Although, I do blame most of my doubt on the stupid Internet. I had spent so much time reading about molar pregnancies and how the chances of getting another molar pregnancy is higher the second time around. David on the other hand was my bright spot of inspiration, as always. Everyday that I told him its not a baby, he reassured me that it was. We didn't say anything to anyone for 2 weeks until we finally decided that our friends and families prayers would be the best thing for us. We shared the news and then the prayers began. As my mother in law Liz would say, " We were pounding on the doors of heaven!"
At week 8 I went in for my second ultrasound. My appointment was a stat appointment and therefore David was not allowed in the room and the technician was not allowed to tell me the results. The news would be sent to my doctor and then we would receive a call from them later that day. The technician was asking me all sorts of questions about why I was being checked for a molar pregnancy and so I told her our story. I'm guessing the story struck a spot in her heart because against orders she flung the screen around at the very last minute and said the most three beautiful words ever, "Here's your baby." After composing myself I walked out to the waiting room and gestured for Dave to go. We walked outside and I told him that's He was right, it is a baby. At that moment we both started crying. Relief, joy, and utter excitement joined our tears as we stood outside the office praising God for the little miracle inside.
We immediately called everyone we could to share the news and a few hours later got the call from the doctor, which I had to act completely surprised about (sneaky). The doctor said that the baby looked good and the heartbeat was strong. Music to our ears!
So far the pregnancy has been just as it should be. I am nauseated most of the day, craving all the wrong foods, tired, and when hunger hits in get out of my way unless you have what I'm craving! I have never really thought of myself as a demanding person but when I get hungry I swear I turn into the Hulk! Almost every pregnant woman or woman who has been pregnant that I talk to can agree to this. Its so weird!!! Luckily, David is one of the most patient persons I know so he tolerates my craziness for the time and just laughs when I instantly calm down after my first bite:) I know I am pretty amusing to him!
This has been one crazy journey but I wouldn't change anything about it. God has done wondrous things in not only our life but in the lives around us and for that I am grateful. This baby is truly the the result of so many prayers and Gods gracious giving. Praise God, baby Rimestad is on the way!

I made a shirt!

2010-06-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work the other day I had an idea and decided to go with it. I have some ways to go with my stitch lines and perfection, but its a start!

Graduation

2010-05-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

So this is a little late, but three weeks ago Dave graduated! Amazing right??!! Although, as excited as I am for the marvelous occasion to have come and gone, it does have a bitter sweet taste. For one, Dave is out of school but I am not! So instead of him and I both working on homework (he worked on his more than mine) I am now the lone ranger.... ok this is a little exaggeration since David is always studying something but you get my drift! The second reason why I am a tad bit (tad bit) sad is because that phase of life is over. Odds are Dave will go back to school someday but those specific school days are over.(Sob story right?) Enough reminiscing this post is to celebrate Dave's hard work, long hours, all nighters and amazing grades! So proud of my husband!

Graduation come soon...

2010-04-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

My husband is truly my hero! Just look at his schedule and He will be yours too. Dave woke up Monday morning at 6:30AM went to work till 5, came home did homework till 6 AM the next morning (that's right didn't sleep) went to class at 8AM-6PM, got home worked on homework till 10 PM slept till 6:30 AM got up to go to work today at 7 Am till 4 Pm then has more tests to study for tonight. Then for the next two days we will be attending a conference in Pasadena (so excited for tho) which we will need to get up at 6:30 AM then will not get home till around 8 PM. Then guess what ? After the two day conference Thursday and Friday he will wake up at 6:30 Am on Saturday to work for 8 hours. Seriously my hero! The thing is Dave has had this schedule for the last two years since we have been married! I am sure that graduation can not come soon enough for him!

He had a little break between two of his classes so we went

and laid out on the lawn at CBU and Dave fell asleep with in seconds.

Vacation here we come!

2010-04-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

Its crazy to think that almost 2 years ago David and I got married, time sure does fly! Since being married we have not been on a vacation. Although two years is not that long for not being on vacation it has been at times an exhausting two years, amazing but exhausting. We tried to go for our one year anniversary but with my health problems we had to cancel the day before and deal with other issues first which was a huge bummer.

Last week I received an e-mail, from the place we stayed at on our honeymoon, for a promotion they had going on, The hot tub deluxe room for only 100 dollars a night (if you go in the month of April)! I know that still is pricey but this place is seriously amazing! It is nestled in the Avila Beach area surrounded by beautiful trees and bike paths galore! Just down the street is the Apple Shed which is a place full of yummy baked goods, fresh fruit, vegies and a petting zoo! I called the front desk as soon as I saw this deal and asked if there was anyway they could carry the deal over into May for my husband and I. They said YES!

Two days after Dave graduates from college we are off to the Avila Village Inn! Since Avila is a little over 4 hours from Riverside we have decided to drive to Santa Barbara the first night and camp out at the Refugio Campground, visit the santa barbara zoo, and then the next day wake up and drive the rest of the way to Avila! I cannot begin to describe our excitement!

Honeymoon 2008

Avila Village Inn

Our First Married Picture :)

Erin and Jamie are Married!

2010-04-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well the wedding is over and I have to say...IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for Jamie and Erin! Here are some photos!

Bridal Shower Madness!

2010-03-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have the privilege to be the matron of honor in my dear friend Erin Zurn's wedding! Her and her fiance are getting married April 10 in Lake Isabella! I met Erin a little over 2 years ago and we became friends instantly! Besides our shared passion for exercise and nutrition, our desire to grow closer to the Lord really brings us together as friends. Today is her "girly" shower and I am so excited! I stayed up really late working on the final touches and besides my needed run to Target I am good to go! This weekend is going to be pretty crazy as I have Erin's shower today in Beaumont and then tomorrow a Bakersfield shower for Amanda Geis (closest thing to a little sister) ! After that I am on my way home into my Hubbys arms! Woo hoo lets get the party started!

Jamie and Erin

This is one of Jamie and Erin's engagement picture! They are seriously perfect for each other! They both love exercise and love to be healthy but don't worry Jamie balances Erin out with his passion for snicker doodle cookies! They have become really great friends of ours and we seriously love them so much! Dave and I are excited to welcome some of our closest friends to the life of being married! Love you EZ! Happy Shower Day!

Bryant and Amanda

I have known Amanda for almost over 10 years now and those 10 years have been some of the best I have had. I first met Amanda when she was just going into sixth grade. At that time in her life she was a little skater girl who played with all the boys and loved her Roxy clothing! Now Amanda is all grown up and is so beautiful INSIDE & OUT! Amanda and her sister Katie our the closest things to little sisters I have (or sisters for that fact) We have laughed, fought, cried and laughed some more throughout our sisterhood and I have loved every moment of it! Amanda and Bryant will be married also on April 10 of this year! Its crazy to see her growing up so quick but I know she is going to be a wonderful wife and mother too! Happy Shower day Amanda! I love you!

Just for kicks...

My Bridal Shower!

My CBU girlfriends gave me a bridal shower in our cottage and it was so much fun!

This shower was at my Aunt Mimi's! So So So much fun!

Me, Mom and Photo booth

2010-03-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

I enjoy the time I have with my mom so much. We go on our morning runs, drink way too much coffee, and can get the giggles like you wouldn't believe. She is such an encouragement, inspiration and role model for my life! Love her!

Last month in pictures...

2010-03-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my lack of blogging this past month but without proper Internet connection blogging becomes difficult. I am visiting my parents in Bakersfield right now and using this time to do some much needed Internet catch up:) Dave is in Colorado for a conference with CBU this week and I can easily say I miss him SOOOOO much! He comes home Saturday and I cannot wait! Hope you enjoy my picture blogging!

Dave made this piece of art that I LOVE!

I made these pillows

I was sick for three nights so when I started feeling better we had a much needed date night and it was so much fun!

We went shooting for the first time. I was hesitant and scared the first time but I finally got the nerve to shoot the shotgun only if Dave held the gun with me lol.

It was a blast!

Except for the clay thrower. This is a picture of my frustration when the clays wouldn't leave the thrower..

This is what would be considered a "good" throw except the clay is didn't leave the thrower... I threw the clay thrower about 300 times and there were only 200 clays so you can do the math and realize I didn't quite have the strength or ability to throw the clays very well. The next week my elbow and shoulder joint hurt soooo bad. It was all worth it though, Dave was so happy, like a little boy, to be able to finally shoot his gun :)

Me working with the thrower

A couple days ago David and I went out shooting again and I have to say this time was so much more fun! I actually shot the shotgun all by myself and the first clay that David threw I hit it! What an exhilarating feeling that was!

This is a silly picture but just to keep you updated, my hair is growing back! I have my last Doctors appointment in April and I am so excited for that!

I started sewing a lot more!! I made a few aprons for some friends of mine along with pillows, curtains and other little accessories for clothes. I am having so much fun with it and feel so blessed to have my sewing machine! Dave hates this little tomato though;)

Dave made me this card for Valentines day! Sooo sweet

He also made me stuffed Italian chicken and diary free chocolate covered strawberries...

mmm mmm good!

Learning Patience

2010-02-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Something that I have really wanted the Lord to start convicting me on is patience. I know the old saying that if you want to learn patience you are going to get something that you have to be patient about. Im not naive enough to believe that patience is a one time lesson, I do understand that it is something that I will have to work on throughout my life, but this is my first step. My lack of patience shows most when I am in my little 2001 Ford Focus, and living in southern California traffic does not really help the situation. So, throughout my driving I try to pray and remember to be calm when everyone in the world cuts me off, steals my turn at the stop sign or nearly hits my car as they unconsciously weave in and out of lanes without looking in their mirrors...do you since the tension already?

The other day on my way to Newport for my doctors appointment I was stopped at the toll trying to put my change in the machine, all the while it is pouring down rain. The machine was not taking my quarters and I couldn't quite reach the top coin slot for trucks without getting out of my car and getting soaked, so I kept trying to put my quarters in the bottom slot. Then all of the sudden came a voice from the car behind me. A woman was leaning out of her SUV yelling at me to hurry up. I looked back in amazement as I had only been at this machine for no longer than 30 seconds. I ignored her at first until she yelled something at me again then finally I leaned out of my car and yelled, "Be patient!" She rolled up her window and waited while I got out of my car, into the rain, and put in my quarters. I got back in my car and was instantly hit with the fact that my own words were ringing in my mind. "Be patient." How many people have wanted to yell that at me sometimes...I can count a few...

It is humbling to be convicted of your own sin as you are yelling at someone else about that particular sin that you are trying to work on... does that make sense? Here is to my endeavor of learning patience!

Enjoy

2010-01-20T22:54:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Hair Stimulator

My mom got me this hair product last week and I'm pretty excited about it! I have used it only twice and I swear I can see a change already! hahahah

Yet Another Change To Our Diet

2010-01-19T15:03:00.001-08:00

For the last few months Dave has been struggling with some pretty serious stomach issues that have caused him to be in pain and extremely uncomfortable. Everyone in Davids family has food allergies, mainly to gluten, wheat and dairy. David never suspected that he had any allergies, mainly because he didn't want to have to give up his milk shakes:) But over the last few months his symptoms have gotten worse and worse. We talked to his sister Jojo who has been suffering from Chrons for the last 3 years. When David explained what was going on with his body Jojo's jaw dropped as everything he said was everything she had been going through. She then refereed us to her Doctor that she sees on the east coast. I was able to talk to Dr.Daulman last week over the phone and he was and is sure that David either has Chrons/Colitis or has an extremely bad food allergy. So by doctor Daulmans request David is off of all gluten and dairy products until his symptoms are gone. After that David will take a food allergy test to see what is really going on in that body of his. Even though this diet is not going to be that much fun I am really glad that things are getting taken care of and hopefully Dave can get some relief soon.

A Joyful Day

2010-01-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of weeks I have known David has been up to something as he told me repeatedly not to look at his facebook, his phone, or our bank account. My privlages of going and getting the mail were revoked, and the anticipation was growing every day as I had no idea what the heck he was doing.

Yesterday morning I woke up and the best birthday ever began. First Dave woke me up by singing me happy birthday. After we got up and got dressed I dropped Dave off at school for the day and I went to Laura Moores house where we did the Jillian Michales 30 day shred video (kicked my butt again!) After that I picked up dave and met up with Rissa where she gave me my birthday gift! A picture frame of us, slippers, and my favorite gum in the whole wide world that I also take from her:) Next, Dave and I drove home and as we got to our door step there was a package with my name on it!!! My mother in Law and sisters sent me flowers! These flowers are no ordinary flowers, they are called proflowers. You open up the box and follow the simple instructions and supposedly these flowers can last for a long time if you take care of them properly! After I fed and took care of my flowers I got dressed to go on my annual birthday run. Erin Zurn and I set out for our 4 mile run that along with the Jillian Michael's video...kicked my butt! Dave picked me up after the run and we headed back home. We were sitting on the couch watching Alias waiting to go to dinner when he told me his feet were cold and if I would get him some socks. I went into his bedroom and when I opened his sock drawer there was a Gap bag! I gave him the socks and pretended like i didn't see the box just in case it was a surprise. When I handed him the socks he smiled and said,"You can open it!" I ran like a little girl to his sock drawer and pulled out the bag! He had gotten me my birthday outfit! I have to say, shopping has been a little difficult for me lately but David found the most perfect outfit ever! After we got dressed David and I headed out to Cheesecake Factory where we shared my birthday dinner and he gave me the "surpirse"

David had organized over 50 people to write me cards. The letters that everyone wrote have left the biggest imprint on my heart and will for the rest of my life. Last night as I was reading them it took all my strength to not weep over the endless amounts of encouragement. I really am still speachless over this gift of love and am sure there is no way I could ever thank you all enough.

Along with the cards David invited anyone who wanted to, to contribute 5-10 dollars for me to get a sewing machine. So not only did I get massive amounts of love from all these amazing people but I also got my very own sewing machine! We went last night after dinner and picked it out and I can't tell you how excited I am to start sewing! My goal is to be good enough to where when we have a baby I can sew for their room!

Last but not least. As most of you already know David posted a blog yesterday about me. My heart was overwhelmed at reading his words. These special "surprises" and words that penetrate every bit of my heart is what David has done for me from the day I met him. I have countless letters, handmade paper books, anniversary hats made out of paper cups and yarn, and pepsi bottles with letters inside (message in a bottle:) David is the man my heart always longed for and since the day I have met David he has made me feel more special, beautiful, and stronger than I ever thought I was. Thank you Dave for making another day of my life amazing. I love you and I can't wait for all the more to come!

For Emily Upon the Eve of Her Birthday

2010-01-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

One of the most clearest memories of Emily I have deeply imbedded in my heart, was the day we were at a hospital and she was going to get some kind of scan. In those days we were engaged (2 months away from the wedding). I remember her lying there on the bed before she went in and her asking me to sing her a song while she was getting her procedure down. The only song that came out was “Jesus loves me.” I probably sang that song for an hour as she calmly and quietly laid there wanting for everything to be over. Days like that have big imprints upon my heart and mind. I had never physically experienced pain nor had I ever seen someone experience pain who was so close to me. Funny as this sounds, that memory leads me to reflect upon Emily’s birthday.

God in all His grace designed and carefully threaded Emily’s life here on earth and for all eternity. The apostle Paul once said, that he was the perfect picture of God’s great patience. Without a doubt, Emily is the perfect picture of God’s great strength. Emily is the strongest woman I know. This is not due to her own will, exerting herself by her own means. Her strength is wholeheartedly and completely granted to her by the amply supply of God’s strength. This strength that is given to her is all according to His limitless Glory and not according her need. Emily was told when she was 9 years of age that the likelihood of her doing much of anything physically was minimal if not none at all. This problem with Emily’s spinal column did not stop her from competing in cross-country for 4 years of high school, completing a full triathlon, and finally accomplishing her first of many marathons.

Emily has taught me what it looks like to enjoy God and all His creation in times of laughter and joy and in great times of sorrow and pain. Many of you who have read this blog have read all that has come about this last year. From an insiders perspective- you do not know nor have you seen the joy, patience, strength, and endurance of Emily Rimestad- you have only heard. This day I believe, marks a day before the foundations were yet laid that God decided to show men and women the incredible strength of Himself through a Woman I am proud to call my wife. Here is to you being the perfect picture of the limitless strength of our Almighty God.

Feburary 26, 2005

Emily I can’t believe its also three months! Time is going by so fast, yet every waking moment I cherish in the thought of you and how you make me feel. Although, my heart hurts whenever your not with me. Every phone call makes me want you right next to me and to spend the rest of the day with you only. I catch myself day-dreaming of the days when there are no time limits and we can just be together. Em you are the biggest blessing to me in the world! I can never put into worlds … lol words how much you mean to me. I think about you all the time and all our memories so far. I told myself last night, “I am the luckiest man alive.” And I was also thinking to myself we have the greatest relationship ever. We are so great together! I like you so much Emily. I wish I could express my feelings for you but I cannot for there is not enough words to express how you have blessed life. Everything about you makes me happy inside and I cannot wait to see you and to just hear your voice. Last night Chris was all, “They do not talk on the phone like Nick and Mandy,” OH YEAH Mr. Gayman we talk more then they do and we are in whovey. I just wish I could have you with me all the time or to know that I am coming home to someone that I have been wanting to see all day. Well I’m coming to get you to bring you back to my house so we can play games and just hangout. So this is my final statement, “I freakin like, heart, want, need, and have to have you" … my dearest Emily you’re the Best!

Almost five years has pasted since I wrote that letter. Time has had its toll and there are plenty of things that I can no longer remember. I am sure there are memories of all sorts and moods. Days where we could not get enough of spending time together at the beach or just sitting on the swings in the park by your house. Days where the world seemed like it was going to end because I stuck my foot in my mouth and acted or said something that was not very nice. Days of great joy and days of great pain and sorrow. One thing has remained very constant through these years and that has been your unconditional love for me. Emily you have shown me so much and I am completely and utterly blessed to have you as my wife. God truly knows how to give His children good and precious gifts.

A Beautiful Year

2010-01-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

As excited as I am to start this new year there is a part of me that doesn't want to leave behind the last. Although trying, 2009 was a beautiful year. My eyes are welting up with tears and I have only wrote two sentences. I mean, I know this year has had its downfalls but truly I can't even call them that. Those hard times are what have brought David and I to where we are now. We are closer than we would have been without those "times". I see Davids strength, love and patience in a whole new aspect. It was never easy for Dave seeing me sick and I know it was a battle for him to be okay with it all. He has been a constant encourager to me in ever single way. He has held my hand at every poke and prod and has made me feel more beautiful than ever before. It was never easy for me to be sick. I hated watching Dave go to work to make money and see the doctor bills come in the mail as I cost us money. God worked in my heart to show me that He is in control of everything, including our finances, as our local church body, friends and family supported us through it all. How amazing is it and how blessed are we that Dave and I have seen God do wondrous things in our life and we have only been married a year and 6 months! Happy New Year!

MAN DOWN!

2009-12-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Last night at work was super busy! It was a Friday night and all the servers were running every which way. We had ran out of mugs so I went to the dish room to get some more. The Mugs come in these crate looking things that stack on top of each other and when I grabbed the mugs to start wheeling them over to the soda station I noticed they were a little slippery. I hunched over and started pushing the stack of mugs that came about to my knees. All of the sudden I felt the top mug crate start to slip and then before I knew It I was going with the mug crate. I first fell on top of the bottom crate, bounced off, rolled to my left and fell on my back to the floor. Now mind you the area that I feel in was right were there happened to be a huge water puddle from all of the ice that falls at the soda station and plus a few occasional spills. I was now lying in this puddle! My friends/co-workers standing on every side of me who just witnessed this horrible incident helped me regain my composer and dry off my soaking backside! (side note- this was no quite fall! All the mugs from the crates fell to the floor, letting everyone know...MAN DOWN! ) Luckily there were no major injuries. Except for some bruising to my medial epicondyle (pointy thing to the inside of your elbow) and the bruising of my pride, all is well.

9 Reasons...

2009-12-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Nine Reasons why I am thankful for my short hair:

1. I have hair

2. It is easy to wash

3. When I get out of the shower I don't have to worry about my hair dripping wet all over me

4. It blow dries quickly (yes I still blow dry it at times lol)

5. I don't have to spend a lot of money on shampoo and conditioner

6. I no longer have bad hair days.

7. I don't get my hair stuck under my backpack or jackets! (hated that!)

8. I get to watch it grow back!

9. I am starting to feel beautiful without it ;)

Pixie

2009-12-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

For the last couple months my hair has been slowly falling out. I have my low points at times, but for the most part I know I just have to be okay with it right now. As much as I want my long dark brown hair back , its just hair, and it doesn't define me. So this last weekend my mom came in town to cut off what was left. I never thought I would be so happy to have my hair cut this short but I feel sooooo much better being free from that horrid mullet! Although I get insecure at times, I remind myself that I am a strong woman and hair or no hair, I was made in the image of God and that is beauty at its best!

A couple funny stories:

Story number 1:

My mom has been my hairdresser my whole life and we always joke that I am her hardest client! (very much the truth!) I am always telling her "don't cut a lot, not too much color, don't use styling product!" My poor mom! Well anyways this last weekend, after she cut my hair, she tried putting some styling product in it and right as she started I said, "mom not too much," She proceeded to tell me to step out of my box. Right after those words left her mouth we started laughing so hard. I pointed at my pixie cut and said is this not out of my box enough! I love my mom so much! She has been such an encouragement through this whole thing!

Story number 2:

Yesterday was my first day at work without a hat and with my short pixie cut (mind you this pixie cut is patched as my hair is still not all grown in). I was really nervous and feeling somewhat insecure at my tables as I could tell they were staring. I walked into the bar to get change from the bartender and out of the corner of my eye I could see this forty year old man staring at me so I turned and smiled. When I turned back around he told me that he liked my headband and that my bow was pretty. I laughed and said thank you and then walked away. A little later my friend Natalie came and told me that the man was asking her if I was okay and then asked if I was single! I laughed soooo hard! Even with a patchy head of hair I still got it! lol (Dave doesn't think this story is funny lol)

Tis the Season!

2009-12-07T20:52:00.001-08:00

About a week after Thanksgiving David and I started the preparation for Christmas! The house is decorated the lights are up and the Christmas music is constantly playing. I love everything about this season, the weather, the decorations, traditions, and time with family! Here are some pictures of our decorated home!

Thanksgiving

2009-12-07T20:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was a blast with my family and I have to say there is a lot to be thankful for this year. Although life has not dealt David and I the most easy of paths God has blessed us in ways that will surpass any trial that could come our way. Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving in Bakersfield. The beautiful blond is my amazing cousin Missy. Her and I have a unique friendship that blesses my heart so much! Every year we have a breaking of the wishbone competition and make a wish for the other person. I have been undefeated the last 2 years and feel pretty proud about that fact!

A few days in Bakersfield

2009-11-11T06:58:00.001-08:00

As most of you know my home town is good ol' Bakersfield, California! Most people shriek when I say that but I get overwhelmed with joy! Bakersfield brings back such good memories to me, mainly because I have such great people in my life that live there. This last weekend I got to go home for three days and I had such a great time! Here are some pictures ! Enjoy:)

This is my puppy Sadie! She is the second best doggie in the world! (Spotty is first) Whenever I come home she gets so excited and jumps all over me! The best part of all is she likes to cuddle!

These two pictures are of Jack Dundee Larios! He thinks he is half human as you can see how he sits!

ALIVA!!! This is Alivia and she is soooo precious and very dear to my heart! Alivia is my dearest friends, Stephy and James, daughter! I had a great time hanging out with them Sunday afternoon and watching all the people that passed by Liv just melt at how cute she is! Stephanie and James are absolutely adorable and so much fun to be around! When we were sitting in Starbucks they had one of the cutest conversations ever and it went something like this....

Stephy: You know what sounds good? POPCORN!

James: OOOO Ya!

Stephy: The kind of popcorn that you make homemade tho

James: Ya and that you can put your own seasoning on!

Stephy: Ya! Where can you get one of those?

Me: I think you can get them at target.

Stephy and James: No way! Lets get one!

Stephy: Yay! We'll have a popcorn party!

James: Ya! Lets do it!

Hahah As cute as their conversation was you had to be there to see their expressions they were soooo excited about their popcorn machine idea! Every time I see them together I can see how much their love has grown for each other and how they are best of friends! Blesses my heart!

Decorating on a dime!

2009-11-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

For the last year and a half david and I have been without bedroom furniture. When we first got married and were living in the studio apartment we didn't really have enough room for dressers so we just stacked our shirts, socks, pj's, and shorts in the closet or under the bed. This led to a lot of clutter and stress in the mornings getting dressed. But praise God, because today Ikea was having an amazing deal on these two dressers! Hillary and Coco came over this afternoon and helped me assemble and organize the drawers. It was quite a test to keep Coco away from the zillion little pieces but we managed to feed, change, play with and love on Coco while snacking on chips and salsa and assembling a dresser hahah! Thats multi-tasking for you! Hillary folded and organized all my clothes into their new home, I know she is amazing, while I did Dave's side. I also got a few other things including pictures for ten cents each and frames for a 1.99 for three! What a steal! I love nesting!

I have had my eye on this picture for about 9 months now and finally spent the 42 cents on it lol. I thought it would be perfect for our someday babies room :) What do you think?

These pictures were 10 cents for all five of them and the frames were 3 for 1.99! They now reside in our bathroom and I love them! (The black ribbon was Hillary's idea! She's brilliant!)

OUR BEDROOM! YAY! It feels so good to have dressers and organization!

This is scrapbook paper that I framed! The white pieces are 1.00 each and the colored paper about 79 cents each! Designing does not need to be expensive! Just fun!

O Geeze!

2009-11-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Well I have been out of school for pretty much 7 months and tonight I start my first class in the Degree Completion Program. I'm not going to lie...I'm a little nervous....

Trunk or Treat

2009-11-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Big Bear

2009-11-03T17:25:00.001-08:00

Two weeks ago Dave and I went on a retreat to Big Bear with CBU. We had so much fun and were really encouraged by all of the amazing mentors that came and spoke to us. It was so nice to get away from Riverside and escape to the mountains! Heres some pics!

Vitamins!

2009-10-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to a Holistic doctor in LA to try and help kick start my system again. After telling me I have abnormal red blood cells, a high toxicity level, few white blood cells, and blood clots we decided that vitamins were much needed! I was a little nervous sitting in the doctors office as he listed off vitamin after vitamin. On top of that list of vitamins were a list of veggies such as asparagus, carrots and beats! mmmm (not!) Two days ago I got the package at my door and begin sorting through the bottles, talk about overwhelming! I have 13 different kinds of vitamins to take and 4 of those are 3-5 times a day! Others are twice a day and the worst one of all is once a day! This powder that tastes like bubblegum vomit is supposed to be taken every morning with a glass of juice or water. I tried putting it in my OJ, but after gaging over the sink, I decided to try and mix it with my fruit smoothies, which is so much better! Even though I am taking a large load of vitamins I am actually really excited to get healthy! Supposedly this will help my hair grow back quicker and get my "nest" ready! (Davids Mom calls my someday baby belly a "nest" and she is so excited to get that healthy so she can be a grandma!)

Lunch dose!

Please notice that dreaded Immune Option powder to the left!

I better be able to climb the sides of buildings after this!!

My Hat Collection

2009-10-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

Though I may be loosing my hair I am certainly gaining a wide variety of hats! I got my hair cut last week to try and disguise some of the loss and to my surprise got a huge bag of hats from my dear Friend Kelly! When I came home that night my friend Hillary also had a huge bag of hats for me to wear and then yesterday Tiffy took my out shopping for a beanie! As fun as hats are you can really get sick of them if you don't switch it up so I can't even begin to say how happy I am to have such a wide variety!

I actually have 5 more hats that aren't in this picture!

Extra Time

2009-10-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

Over the last four weeks I have worked only one day. Since school doesn't start till November and I'm not working I have A LOT of free time on my hands. I try and keep myself busy with cleaning and organizing the house and the rest of the time I am doing crafts. Praise God I am sick during the fall season! Here are a few pictures of what I have done!

Fall leaves under my pumpkin candle! mmmm

Dave doesn't really like this garland looking stuff and after trying to put it in 20 different places to see if he would like it, i gave up:(

My matching floor mat that Malorie bought me :)

I decorated this frame with burlap and then put fall leaves on it

2009-10-19T08:03:00.001-07:00

David and I were given this table set by some amazing family friends and over the last month or so have been able to put our own little creative spin on it! My mom and I sanded it down and my dad did the tedious job of painting it! Last week I reupholstered the chairs and I love it! Hope you like it too!

Oh Life...

2009-10-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

Over the last three months I have been getting a mild Chemotherapy treatment to try and stop the growing tissue left over from my molar pregnancy in May. The first couple months of treatment were relatively painless and symptomless. One shot every friday only caused a few things to be altered such as my immune system, taste, and a little hair loss. My levels started out at 260,000 and the goal was to get them to 0. After 2 months my levels were going down until they began to hover around 10-20. My doctor wasn't happy with this and decided to put my on another, stronger, dose of Chemo that would hopefully bring my levels down all the way. Before she gave me the higher dose she said that I wouldn't be effected much more than the shots but that I may be a little nauseated. 7 hours after the shot one of the hardest weekends of my life began. I was more than just nauseated. I felt pain from the tip of my toes to the tip of my spine, there were sores in my mouth and all on my head and face. My lack of a properly working immune system caused bacterial infections and then only thing that would comfort me was to take constant baths. The third day into this treatment i developed an allergic reaction to the nausea medication and my tounge swelled up. Once we realized what was going on we drove straight to the ER where they proceded to tell me to fill out my paper work and have a seat in the waiting room. Mind you I am leaning over my lap drooling and unable to breath because my tounge had swollen up so large. Finally David went up to the nurses window, pound on it, and yelled, "my wife can't breath!" until finally they said he could take me back. He helped me up and before I could get 10 steps I passed out. After coming to they put me in a wheelchair and once there I began to throw up all over the emergency room floor. (they deserved it tho ;) After about another 20 min wait they finally gave me some benadryil and much needed fluids. It took me around 7 days to feel somewhat normal again and around 14 for my hair to start falling out. For the last 5 days I have been loosing my hair and so far about 3/4 of it is gone. I drove to my moms shop in Bakersfield yesterday and she cut it to where when I wear a hat you can't tell. But I know and it still makes it hard. Throughout this whole 5 months I have experienced new emotions that I never knew existed. The first being losing what I thought was my future child, second losing any good health that I had and third loosing my self esteem. Each loss has been such a challenge. Everyday I am somehow reminded of what I don't have and it takes all my strength to put my focus on Christ and remember all that I do have. First off I am saved from eternal damnation and I have a heavenly father who deserves all the glory for me not running away from all this. Second I have the most amazing man for a husband who has been my strength and encouragement through this all.(Im glad Im not in his position having to put up with myself;) He brings me joy and challenges me each day to seek after the Lord and find rest in His word. Third, I have hope that this will all be over soon. Early this week I got a call from my doctor telling me that my levels are below 2 which is considered normal! Praise God! I go in for a blood test every Friday for four weeks and then once a month for six months to monitor the levels and make sure they don't go up again. I get my results every Monday so I'll try and keep you updated. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement through this trying time for David and I! We dearly appreciate you!

Fall!!!

2009-10-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Our doodads :)

For the last month or so my dearest friend Hillary and I have been getting together on Tuesdays to either hang out, attempt to do homework, chat over coffee, do shopping or just sit in each others presence;) With the stormy weather out and the fall seasons just around the corner we decided to embark on craft making. We headed out to Michael's and got some killer deals to make our homes feel as cozy and festive as possible! At the end of the day I am left with some fun decor and a happy heart! Thanks Hill for turning my gloomy day into a fun filled day! (even if there are still french fries in my back seat lol)

2009-10-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

Psalm 73

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked

For they have no pangs until death;

their bodies are fat and sleek.

They are not in trouble as others are,

they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

Therefore pride is their necklace;

violence covers them as a garment.

Their eyes swell out through fatness,

their hearts overflow with follies

They scoff and speak with malice;

loftily they threaten oppression.

They set their mouths against the heavens,

and their tongue struts through the earth.

Therefore his people turn back to them,

and find no fault in them

And they say, "How can God Know?

is there knowledge in the Most High?"

Behold, these are the wicked;

always at ease, they increase in riches.

All in vain have I kept my heart clean

and washed my hans in innocence.

For all the day long I have been stricken

and rebuked every morning.

If I had said, "I will speak thus,"

I would have betrayed the generation

of your children

But when I thought how to understand this,

it seemed to me a wearisome task,

until I went into the sanctuary of God;

then I discerned their end.

Truly you set them in slippery places;

you make them fall to ruin.

How they are destroyed in a moment,

swept away utterly by terrors!

Like a dream when one awakes,

O Lord, when you rouse yourself,

you despise them as phantoms.

When my soul was embittered

when I was pricked in hear,

I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

that I may tell of all your works

Saying Goodbye To Sugar

2009-10-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

For the last 21 years of my life sugar has been a major food group in my diet. I add sugar to coffee, tea, cereal, toast, fruit, and pretty much everything and anything else. After recent health issues and encouragement from family I have decided to cut sugar out of my life...let me rephrase that...WE have decided to cut sugar out of our life. Yes thats right, Dave has joined on this journey with me and it makes it that much easier and fun! After our yard sale saturday we made some good money and thought that now was the best time to revamp our pantry and fridge. We went to Trader Joes and started reading the labels. Its easy to get discouraged when starting a new life style because you can easily see all that you CAN'T have as opposed to all the you CAN! After our Trader Joes run we came back home and emptied out our cupboards! (quite freeing I might add!) Today is day three and we are having a blast at being healthy and don't feel like we are missing out on anything. We have meats and vegies for dinner and fruit for dessert. The other night I made us smoothies with bananas, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, apple juice, and honey! MMMM! Today I made some bomb cookies and instead of sugar I used Honey and instead of butter I used applesauce. It takes a little time to adjust to grabbing nuts and berries when you are hungry instead of a bag of chips and ice cream but it will just take time.

For those of you who may want to try this I encourage you to do so. But beware when you see labels that say "sugar free" you need to read the labels and really make sure thats true. Im not a fan of Splenda and sometimes they try to put that into there and thats a no go.

Ill be sure to share any great recipes I come across! This is a new path of being healthy and Dave and I are really excited! Now lets just pray we stay devoted ;)

No Sugar Added Oatmeal Cookies

Dry Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour (maybe a pinch more if the batter isn't the right consistancy)

1 1/2 cup oats

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup oil (or applesauce)

1 tablespoon molasses or all natural syrup

1 egg (beat with one tablespoon water)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together all wet ingredients then in a separate bowl mix together dry ingredients. Combine both wet and dry ingredients and after, place in fridge for 20 min.

Preheat the oven to 335 (cooler because of the honey)

Bake 15-20 min...ENJOY!

New Hair Cut

2009-10-07T17:11:00.001-07:00

So for those of you that don't know my mom is a hairdresser. And pretty much the best there ever could be (besides her mom , Grandma Ease, of course) My mom is the only person that has ever laid hands on my hair and probably always will be! Its really funny because its not that I care so much about my hair, half the time its in a pony tail, but I am just so plain jane that I hate anything too drastic. Well not that bangs are that "drastic" but for me they are and so last Saturday when all the girls were telling me to cut bangs at the salon I gave in....AND I LOVE THEM! Its so funny what a little color and bang trim can do for a girl lol. My grandma Ease did hair for 50 years and had her own salon in Mcfarland and my mom has been doing hair for over 30 years and I am sure will hit the 50 year mark just like her moma! Who knows maybe someday I'll join the family trade;)

1 day down potentially 4 years to go...

2009-09-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well today was the first day of fall classes at CBU and so far so good. I attended my Chemistry class today which at first I wasn't that nervous about until my professor asked the 120 students in the class who was taking this class as a pre-requisite to nursing. No lie all hands shot in the air except maybe 2 people and it was probably because they too, like me, felt as if there was no chance in the world they were going to make it into one of the 60 positions open for the fall 2010 nursing program. Despite my lack of confidence right now I am trying to stay positive. I know that the Lord has a master plan and that if for some reason I didn't make it into the program I would try again and life would continue:) I am really going to focus on my classes this semester and pray that with hard work and tedious studding time I can achieve all A's and hopefully a one way pass to nursing school.

For those of you who don't know my original desire, or purpose if you will, was to go to school to become a nurse. I started taking classes at BC and then, after transferring to CBU, all confidence went down the tubes. I spent the next year in a half looking into every possible degree I could do, and enjoy, besides nursing because I was so afraid at failing if I tried. This summer really opened my eyes to how much I love the health care world and how I want to be a part of it. So, even though I was supposed to graduate in a year with a kinesiology degree, I went back to my roots and switched my major to pre nursing. Today was the first day of a long journey! Long but well worth it!

We have moved yet again!

2009-09-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago David and I found a deal we could not pass up at these apartments that we had been wanting to get into for a long time now! By the amazing grace of God we got our apartment for 64 dollars less than what we were paying at our other apartment complex. Yesterday David and I moved all of our stuff in and we feel so blessed to be living in this beautiful apartment. Funny story ... when we went to put down our deposit we asked the receptionist what apartment we would be living in and laughed when she told us that our new apartment would be right above our dear friends Malorie and Kyle! So fun!

Exercise

2009-08-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

The last week David started ridding his bike again, waking up at 4:30 A.M. then ridding later in the day as well. I have been so impressed and encouraged that I have started running as well. Its so much more fun and easier when you both have that same desire. I have only been able to run 2.5 miles so far but hopefully I can quickly increase because the half marathon is just around the corner ! eeeeks!

My Mom

2009-08-18T22:51:00.002-07:00

No words could express the love I have for my Mom. She is not only my hero, inspiration, and best friend but she is one of the most perfect examples of being a laborer for Jesus Christ. So I thought for a change I would just give a list of amazing memories I have with my Mom...

Sitting on the floor by the bathroom while she got ready for the day.
Sitting in the beauty salon while she worked on clients hair.
Going swimming with my mom. I always remember her letting me ride on her back and how she always wore her sunglasses in the pool.
Laying on the floor watching TV with pillows and blankets.
Mom carrying me to bed and hitting me head on the door hahaha accidentally of course!
Driving to LA every Wednesday for doctors appointments and always making a stop by burger king
Going in to the kitchen right before sunrise to see my mom drinking her coffee and reading her bible. EVERY DAY
Going to target and putting everything we want in a shopping cart and then at the check stand pulling out only what we can afford!
Singing Carol King as loud as possible and dancing around the house like the goobers that we are!
Making Christmas breakfasts together
After dinner I clear the table and put leftovers in the containers while she handles the dishes
My mom always listening to whatever I have to say, every problem, every story.
Saying everything at the same time, then laughing at the same time, then sighing at the same time and then again laughing at the same time. Haha
Always saying we want to just loose five pounds and then enjoying our evening ice cream.
My mom being 5 foot and me being 5' 8''... need I say more
RUNNING our 2 mile, 3 mile, 8 mile loops.
Her freaking out when I started driving and doing what we would call the "star fish"
Her always telling me to put on lip gloss
Mom lying in bed with me and praying when I couldn't sleep
I could go on forever!

I wish I would of understood then what I do know. I get overwhelmed if I think too hard on what strength she has. My mom is the absolute vision of what I hope to become. A woman so diligent in serving the Lord. I love you Mom.Pregnant with me<3

Josh's Wedding

Christmas 2009

hahah we were having a little fun with my nephews mouse hahaha

Being excited to be Gama and Aunty together

Tiffys Wedding

Goofing off! If you only knew how many pictures we took! haha

Very special moment

Grocery Shopping

I worked at Starbucks for about two weeks but it was well worth it because my mom got my apron and it is now a staple cooking item of hers! Too cute!

My teeth

2009-08-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I was really bothered by my teeth not being straight. For those of you who know me and talk to me on a regular basis you know they are not that bad. But any 13 year old would be insecure about her snaggel teeth if everyone and their aunt sally had straight teeth.

The day I met David was the day I found myself beautiful in Gods unique image. The first thing David ever noticed about me (in his words) were my crooked teeth. So for the last six years I have grown to like the way I could bite into an apple or Styrofoam cup and leave a different bite mark than anyone else. I even started to like when pictures would show my crooked teeth. Don't worry I know I am silly but its something pretty awesome to experience falling in love with something you use to hate about yourself.

Well, about five months ago I went in for my first dentist appointment in probably five years. The dental assistant came to get me from the waiting room and before I had even sat in the chair she asked me if I had ever considered braces which made me think wow is it that noticeable lady? She took the X-Rays and then sent me to the exam room where the next dental assistant came in and again, within ten second, asked if I had ever been interested in braces! I laughed to myself and then said, "hmmm braces? No never thought about it?" After she left the dentist came in and you can only imagine what he asked me. The dentist proceeded to tell me that he could give me a "pretty" smile. Pretty? Whats that supposed to mean? lol After I said I am not interested in any cosmetic debt he told me that I actually needed braces. I decided to get a second opinion...then a third...

Today I had my appointment with the orthodontist and it is true, I need braces. I'm not that happy about it but supposedly its not good for my teeth, roots, and gums for them to be crooked like this. We have a few days to decide what we are going to do. Either way I feel happy to of been able to of embraced my quirky teeth even if it was only for a few years ;)

Picture with my Mommy, One of my favorites!

Been a while!

2009-08-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

So I am really slacking on keeping up with my blog but my mid years resolution is to start working harder on keeping it up to date! Lets see where to start? Ok I know! About two weeks ago David left for a week to go to a conference in Glorieta NM and since I am some what of a sissy la la I spent most of my time with friends. One of the nights I went over to Hillary's house to stay the night and to my surprise her sister Kirsty was there too! The three of us plus Coco went out for some sweets while Matt did some homework. Little did we know that night would be so much fun! We ended up laughing the whole night! I don't think anyone had as great of a night as we did that night! The Hayes/Leonard girls are by far some of the best girls around! I can't wait till we do it again!

Hillary Driving 10 and 2

My attempt at a silly face

"I said silly face Kirsty not gorgeous! "

One of my favorites of the sissys!

Cosette grabbed for my coffee...oops

My reaction to hot coffee being poored on my leg

Cuties!

The table before Coco threw her crackers everywhere and spilled my coffee! :)

Rain Down

2009-07-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

I wish, I just wish I could begin to describe the love David and I have felt in what God has done for us these last few weeks. Its hard for me to explain all of the details but I want to fill you as much as I can.

Last Saturday night David and I were tired, weak, and barely hanging on. The doctor appointments, missed work, bills, broken car, and daily stress were getting to us. We laid in bed trying to close our eyes but almost to exhausted to sleep. I asked David, "If a year ago, when we were giving our vows to each other, someone read off a list of the trials we would face in our first year of marriage, would you believe them?" He said, "No, but I still would of said yes." The next morning we woke up to our car tire flat. David, church clothes and all, got down on all fours and replaced the tire with our spare. We didn't say any remark about it but almost pretended like it didn't happen. We headed off to church and while at Church both of us were fading and by the end of the business meeting we were in our pastors office crying as he held us and prayed over us.

I know God saw us and He had mercy on us. The next night after a hospital visit I laid in bed almost to tired to think of what the week was to hold. I got out of my bed on my knees and said, "Lord, I love you. I want everyone to know that I, Emily Rimestad, worship you and you are the God of my life. I know that there is more work left to do and I ask for you strength and energy to accomplish it. " I got in bed, closed my eyes and fell asleep.

God blesses David and I constantly but the next morning God poured His blessings down on us. I sat on the floor in tears as card after card was opened. David and I have been supported financially, emotionally, and spiritually in ways you could never imagine. God gave me the strength that I needed on my last procedure and an unexplainable joy ran through my veins as I knew He heard my cries.

I write this because I can not contain my praise and adoration I have for God and for his laborers who have so lovingly supported David and I. Thank you to all of those who prayed for David and I, brought meals, filled our cupboards with food, and gave like no tomorrow. We love you all more than you could possibly know and feel that we have been given way more than we deserve. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Adventures of the Rimestads and Leonards!

2009-07-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

So last weekend our dear friends Matt and Hillary Leonard along with Dave and I decided that we "needed" and "deserved" a relaxing day at the beach. Here is our journey in the brilliant words of my dear friend Hillary, she explained it on her blog a lot better then I could have...

On Going to the Beach-by Hillary Leonard

It may make you all clamor in protest, but here’s the deal: the beach is not a place to relax. That it is beautiful, can be a place for memories, and has its own exclusive status—I agree. But—here’s the rub—unless you live there, it makes for one of the most difficult places to visit. Hear me out…
Last Sunday, we went with two of our best friends (Dave and Emily) to spend the day at Huntington Beach. Now, the anticipation for four busy people to actually have a day spent in the sun was paramount to that old Disneyland rush little kids experience several times in their childhood. We just wanted a break, you know? Well, the preparation required to take an eight month old to the beach is extensive. Being presently poor, we borrowed an umbrella and an ice-chest. Then I had to plan for at least two meals for Cosette, diapers, extra outfits, towels, washcloths (because sand + baby = mess), sun block, a hat, toys, juice, and cheerios to keep her busy. And that’s not all the stuff necessary for a grown-up to spend a day at the beach! So anyways, I wasted like 2 hours compiling everything and loading it into the car.
The four of us left after church and planned to have a picnic on the sand. Ignorant fools. After driving in traffic for around an hour and 20 minutes, we arrived. I have no clue what was going on in Huntington that day. Emily wondered if maybe there was a national holiday that we weren’t aware of—I think that’s an excellent theory, because there were probably thousands of people there. Anyways, we persevered through streets with no U-turns, waited for forever to turn into a lot, watched the millions of practically naked people saunter across the cross-walk, and still no parking. The Huntington beach cops failed at alerting traffic that parking lots (all four of them) were closed. So annoying! And here’s a tangent for why the beach is not relaxing: it makes me nervous being around so much bare skin. Call me a prude, but seriously? I will offend someone if I nurse in public (covered, mind you) but people that have no business even wearing tank-tops are allowed to bounce and sway before poor, unguarded eyes. And then there’s this new thing with guys wearing their shorts ridiculously low—ridiculously. Its not sexy; its disturbing.
Back to our experience—after driving around for maybe two hours, we pulled into some distant neighborhood and ate our wilted sandwiches on a side-walk. So romantic. By then, we were all just mad. This was not what we envisioned. But, we gathered up the nerve to try and find that elusive parking spot.
It wasn’t to be.
We never found a parking spot, and soon it became apparent that the beach and us could not resolve our struggle. Cosette was actually quite a trooper, but we did not want to push our luck with more time in a car-seat. So we drove home, got in our pool, had a bbq, and enjoyed ourselves without that darned ocean. Annoying as it was, it turned out to be a fun day with Dave and Emily. Now I know this is long, but here’s a list to reinforce why the beach is not relaxing:
A picnic on the beach requires much preparation. That is not relaxing.
2.) The beach isn’t baby friendly. Taking a baby requires energy, not relaxation.
3.) Unless you live there, you must drive. Driving is tedious.
4.) You must park—and that costs money (Huntington costs $10!) Spending money is stressful.
5.) After parking, you have to walk with all your stuff to an ideal spot in the sand. I personally HATE walking in the sand because of my bionic toe—it really hurts. And anyways, its tiring for anyone I believe.
6.) The ocean’s beautiful, but people are gross. Disturbing sights will pollute your view. That is also stressful. You begin to wonder: “Am I grossing anyone out?”
7.) Sand gets everywhere. Cleaning is not relaxing.
I do love the beach. And when it all works out for me to actually be there—its fun. But it isn’t relaxing. So don’t delude yourself into thinking, like Matt always does, that you can have this glorious day sleeping on quiet sands by the ocean. Unless you live ON the beach, it wont happen. On the off-chance that you DO have a relaxing day at the beach, remember this: you still have to drive home, empty the ice-chest, vacuum your car, take a second shower, wash towels and blankets, and tend to your sunburn. I'm sure you will all invariably agree that that is not relaxing.
I will try to be less negative in the future, but this has been mulling around in my mind lately :)

Life is unexpected...

2009-06-29T17:25:00.001-07:00

I haven't wanted to write for a while but I know that embracing feelings is a way to cope with them. The loss that David and I experienced was one that we never planned for. As hard as it is we know God is in control and He is guiding His children. It is easy for David and I to see all the trials and hardships we have endured durring our relationship but more vivid than that we can see the love God has given both of us for eachother and Himself during these hardships. I love my husband, now more than ever. His strength and love has been seen by my eyes in a whole new light these last few weeks and I am overwhelmed. God is still working with me daily to show me His truths and give me understanding but I trust Him. We know it will all be okay. Thank you for your prayers durring this time, they have brought us so much comfort and peace.

Loosing my mind!

2009-05-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

So I had always heard that when you get pregnant you get "less smart" and I have to say that is 100% true! The other night David and I were out to dinner (getting one of my cravings) and the lady brought back our card with a ticket for us to sign and a pen. For the life of me I could not open that dang pen! I was twisting and pushing and it would not open! Finally after a minute of me fighting with the pen David grabbed it and pulled the cap off....WOW! I can not tell you how many times things like this have been happening to me in the last few weeks! Oh baby you must be growing!

Mr. Mechanic

2009-05-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

When I met David he really didn't know much about cars. I remember driving in his truck for our first date and the old rusty Mitsubishi pickup had duck tape and bungee cords holding the front end on! Over the years my husband has left the duck tape behind and has been a true Mr. Fix it for our always breaking 1999 Dodge Stratus. David first learned to change the breaks on our car with a little help from my Dad earlier this year. In November when our car got broken in to, David had the opportunity to learn how to replace a car window! Since then David has changed our breaks multiple times and the roaters as well. A little over a week ago we had a major problem with our coolant-container-thingy-mabober/radiator and he fixed that too!!! So today when we found out that we have to get new calipers for our breaks he is already looking in to buying the parts himself and fixing it! Seriously he amazes me! Anything he wants to achieve or learn he puts his mind to it and does it! Although I am sure David doesn't enjoy melting in the 100 degree weather while he fixes our car all the time, it really brings back good memories for me. Crappy cars have been a part of my whole life growing up and sitting in the garage and helping my dad work on our cars were some of my best memories! So thanks Dave for not only saving us hundreds of dollars by doing the work yourself but for bringing a memory from the past into our future! Love you!

Initiation

2009-05-19T12:28:00.001-07:00

This week a whole new phase of pregnancy was introduced to my life... and stomach. A little over a week ago I had no signs of pregnancy except for being extremely tired. My running partner and pregnant friend, Laura, gave me a hard time as we are only days apart on our due date and she had already been sick for the past two weeks. Laura told me that I had to have morning sickness because it is a part of initiation into the pregnancy world! Well about two days after Laura told me this I joined the club. ( Thanks Laura ;)My sickness isn't so bad, I just feel like I'm on a rocking boat...all day. My friend Stephanie, who is also pregnant and due in August brought me over Preggie pops the day after she found out I was pregnant and they have been a lifesaver, along with taco bell bean and cheese burritos!

WE ARE HAVING A BABY!

2009-05-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

On April 28th David and I found out that I was pregnant. This is how the story goes.

After four days of listening to David tell me to take a pregnancy test I finally broke down and went to target to buy one. As I was checking out the lady at the counter had a huge smirk on her face as she wished me "good luck" while handing me my receipt. I set the test on the counter for two hours and didn't t0uch it. I was so nervous. Whether I was pregnant or not I would be ok, I think it was just that if I was pregnant a whole new wave of emotions that had never hit my heart before would roll in quickly and so I was hesitant. Finally, Dave made me take a test, I took it and flipped it over, jumped on the bed, and told him it took five to ten minutes to develop (lie) and so we need to wait. Time was up and no more delay, I told David to go look and then tell me but before he was off the bed I was jumping of the bed and headed to the bathroom with him. He turned it over and those two little pink lines were clearly visible! David and I began to laugh and cry and shake and hug! That wave of emotion I was talking about earlier had hit! I took two more after that to make David feel better then we headed to the doctors office. On April 29 my doctor called to tell me I was three weeks pregnant.

After holding it in for a week and a half we were finally able to tell our families and friends which has to be one of the greatest memories in my life!!! Their reactions were priceless! David and I are so excited for this journey and for the road ahead. For every major marker in our life thus far we have said it is a new chapter, but now this is a whole new novel with a whole new character to soon be arriving in January 2010!