A Long-Overdue Update!

 Well, it's been forever!  I have no real excuse for the lack of updates...just not a lot to say, I guess.  We did decide to just break on the trying to conceive front until the new year  (and unfortunately the dieting went by the wayside, too.  I'm afraid to step on the scale...eeek!).  I believe I last posted in mid-October, so I guess we can do a month-by-month update.

October: We decided to put in an offer on a house and it was accepted after many counter-offers!

November: We packed our Operation Christmas Child Box...

And celebrated my 25th birthday...

And took our favorite youth groupers on a mission trip to inner city Chicago...

And put up the Christmas tree at our old house (despite the fact that we'd be moving before Christmas came)...

And photoshopped mustaches, caps and pipes on our cats...

December:

We celebrated our 4th anniversary!  Unfortunately, with the move imminent, we weren't able to go out and do anything.  Hopefully sometime soon we can do that.

Our house could be found looking like this...

Before the fantastic day that these were snapped...

Now, I pretty much have everything unpacked!  We just need to get pictures hung up!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas...

Mandatory Break Cycle

Well, my left ovary strikes again.  Normally, it's sitting up stupidly high and I have to do all manner of stupid human tricks to enable them to see it on ultrasound.  In addition to that, today, the darn thing decided to be even more dumb.  I see it on the screen and manage to say, despite my position as a  human pretzel, "Is THAT a follicle?!  What is it doing there?!"  Yes, ladies and germs, I have a big, fat follicle on my left ovary.  The same ovary I ovulated out of last cycle.  It's not a corpus luteum, because it doesn't light up when they do their magical "light up my ovary like the 4th of July" thing.  The tech (who I hadn't met before.  Who knew there were techs there I hadn't met?!) didn't think it was a cyst either.  So, as I waited for the nurse to call me back for what would usually be my "let's up your follistim" talk, I texted Nick and told him they'd probably cancel it.

Sure enough, my favorite nurse and I talk and when the PA finally calls back, I hear her say that I should take a cycle off.  I thought I'd be more upset, but I'm ok.  The nurse put her hand on mine and said how sorry she was that this was happening.  I told her it was alright, I just wish I hadn't had to drive forever to hear it.  We went over the calendar and she told me when to try and time my next cycle to get in before their holiday hours get messed up in December.

Then comes the dilemma.  We had planned on this being our last cycle until January to save time and money during the holidays.  With 14 siblings, 2 brothers-in-law, 1 niece, and 6 parents (not to mention the 3 of us) to buy for, any money we can save is much appreciated.  So, I guess now we need to decide whether we'll try to do another cycle in November/December or not.  I had really hoped to be pregnant by the time Blackberry's due date came around, but it doesn't look like that will be happening. 

Boy, is January going to suck.

Anyone want to work for me for the entire month of January?

A Letter or Two

Dear Pregnant Facebook Friends Who Are Due Within Days of My Would-Be Due Date:

Please shut up.

I don't want to hear about your baby using your bladder as a trampoline and how inconvenient that is.

I don't want to hear about your cravings.

I don't want to read your weekly "my baby is doing this" updates.

I want to sit and have a pity party.

And you're not invited.

~Krystal

PS~ Idiot 18 year old new mother who was my patient the last two nights:

You're an idiot.

It's not appropriate to ask someone who has just informed you that their only child is adopted whether or not they are able to have children.

Next time, someone may punch you.

They don't want the reminder that stupid 18 year olds can do something with zero effort that they can't do with all the money and medication in the world.

K, thanks.

~Krystal

(I'm in a bad mood.  Can you tell?)

I Tested

...BFN.

It was 1 hour shy of 13dpo.  I'd held my pee for 6 hours, so surely it's an accurate result.  I'm going to stop my prometrium suppositories.  I'll probably test again tomorrow, because I'm a glutton for punishment.

As usual, after trying to just act like it didn't affect me (while I brushed my teeth and Nick tilted the test back and forth trying to see any semblance of a line), I spent the obligatory 10-15 minutes crying over the unfairness of it all.  Then, once my sheets and pillowcase were wet from my tears, I decided I was done crying over it for awhile and we went to bed.

Nick wants me to talk to the RE about his count and see if he needs to go back to be seen by the urologist.  I just want to up my meds and have 2 eggs!  For the love of pete!  I think our insurance only covers 7 iui's total, so I guess we need to figure out what we're going to do.  I hate to use up all our iui's and have none left if we wanted to try again after having a baby.  So, I don't know. 

This whole thing really just makes me want to have a pity party and I have to make a conscious effort to not.  It's so hard in my line of work when I see stupid 16 year olds having babies and 20 year olds on their third child.  I've been trying to get pregnant to varying degrees for almost 4 years!  I always wanted a large family, but at this rate, I'll be doing good if I can manage to have a baby in addition to Asher.  I know my biological clock isn't ticking or anything, but I don't imagine it's going to get any easier the older I get.  If I can't manage to get it done at 21, 22, 23, or 24, what are the odds it's going to be easier at 31, 32, 33, or 34?  It's just so easy to get discouraged.  Sorry you all have to hear me whine all the time. 

I'm Still Here

I promise I haven't abandoned you all.  And I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seat wondering where I am. lol  I'm just plugging away with my two week wait.  We're currently...uh...11 days post ovulation (I had to look at a calendar, that shows just how chill I'm trying to be about the whole thing).  I'll probably test Friday or Saturday.  I don't really have a strong feeling either way, although I lean more toward "not pregnant" than "pregnant." 

There's nothing symptom-wise.  Of course, I felt perfectly normal  (save sore breasts, which I attributed to the prometrium suppositories) until like 6w3d with Blackberry, so I probably shouldn't expect any symptoms even if I am pregnant.  The only thing that might be worth mentioning is a major TMI, so read with caution.  I seem to be having a large amount of discharge.  It's clear, so I'm not concerned about infection or anything.  I don't know if it's from my prometrium suppositories or what.  I've never had it before, but I'd never had the head aches either (those are gone now, btw), so who really knows?

In other news, we're looking to maybe buy a house sometime soon.  We currently rent from my grandparents, but would love a place to call our own (not that our current house doesn't feel like home).  Also, building some equity would rock.  Also, we're still struggling with Asher's potty training.  It makes me want to drink.  I talked to his pediatrician (who I see at work regularly) today and she gave me some pointers that we will probably try.  It can't hurt, right? 

Anyhoo, how are all of you doing, dear readers?

A Quick Question for my Knowledgable Readers

So, I'm taking my Prometrium twice a day, like I've done the last two cycles.  Except, this time, I think it's causing me headaches.  I started them Sunday and Sunday, Monday and today I've had headaches for at least part of the day.  It seems like I've heard of this being an issue, but I can't remember for sure.  Also, I just find it odd that I've never had this problem either of the other cycles that I've used it. 

Any advice ya'll have would be nice!

Dr.Google and I are Fighting

So, someone needs to make me stop googling stuff!  It only ever proves to freak me out!  Ugh!

We had our IUI today.  It was a good time overall.  Nick got to look at my cervix and inject the stuff himself, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  We watched "Glee" on Hulu (for the first time, I might add) in an abandoned waiting room at the clinic while waiting for the lab to get done processing our sample.  They gave us a little buzzer thing like you'd get when you go to a restaurant that lit up and buzzed when they were ready for us.  The procedure itself was largely painless.  Just some mild cramping when she put the catheter in.

I had asked the nurse performing the procedure if she knew how Nick's count and such was.  She gave me a piece of paper with all the information on it.  (Here's where Dr.Google comes in!)  I've been googling for awhile now, and I'm kind of freaked out about it, I guess.  Since I know you all are amateur urologists/REs, here's what we're working with (I'm sorry, Honey):

Pre-Wash                                           Post-Wash
Total: 94,850,000                               Total: 6,690,000
Total Motile: 30,150,000                    Total Motile: 5,690,000
Percent Motility: 31.78                        Percent Motility: 85.04
Count: 24,320,000/ml                         Count: 12,630,000
Motile/ml: 7,730,000                          Motile/ml: 10,740,000

So, what concerns me is the motility.  According to what I've found, 40% is the lowest in the "normal" range (pre-wash, of course), and we're well below that.  And the motile/ml value is "normally" above 8 million.  We're only slightly below that, I guess.  I read on this blog that they like to have greater than 10 million total sperm in the post-wash sample for an IUI.  They'll still do it (obviously), but in a perfect world, that's what they want. 

No one mentioned anything about it to us, so they must not be concerned.  Also, when we first started seeing the RE, they had Nick go see a urologist.  He did 2 analyses on him and said everything looked fine.  He did mention a small variocele, but didn't think it warranted surgery at that point.  Of course, we were supposed to go back and see him in a year and didn't do it. 

I'm just worried (a lot, quite frankly) about the combination of a less than optimal post-wash sperm count and only one follicle.  I just feel like it's never going to happen.  I mean, for the love of pete, I had TWO follicles and did timed intercourse and got pregnant in April.  Why isn't my body cooperating now?!  Any info or advice ya'll might have would be greatly appreciated.

(And, Baby, just know that I wouldn't love you any less even if you had no sperm!  I'm sorry if having your sperm counts posted online makes you uncomfortable, but, in my defense, you're asleep and not here to give me permission.  haha  Also, this is what I'm chanting to your boys in my head:

I love you!)

Why Won't My Ovaries Cooperate?!

I had my CD 11 monitoring appointment today.  The cycle we did in April, I had one on each ovary and it resulted in our pregnancy with blackberry.  We stimmed for longer, but had to up the follistim a couple of different times.  Last cycle, I had one dominant follicle on my right side at my CD 11 monitoring appointment and the one on my left was only 12.  They had upped my follistim a little bit in the hopes that I'd have one dominant follicle on each ovary this cycle.  However, I only have one 20mm follicle on the left and all the others (one other on my left and 2 on the right)are less than 15!  What is the deal?!  I can't help but think that if 2 eggs resulted in one baby, my odds with only 1 seem less than great.  I know, I know, "it only takes one!"  But, still, I'm tired of this whole thing. 

Anyway, Nick and I have to be to the RE at 8am on Saturday for the IUI.  They said we should bring something to do, since it takes 1 1/2-2 hours after giving the sample for them to process it before we can do the actual procedure.  Seriously?  They better be infusing it with gold or something for it to take that long!  Then, we get the joy of having to transport it to the clinic for the actual IUI.  Fun will surely be had by all.  Asher will be staying the night at my mom's tomorrow night since we will need to leave at 6am on Saturday to get there.  ugh

Some Better Pictures

A New Addition

In memory of our beloved blackberry...

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

CD2~ Baseline Ultrasound

AF reared her ugly head yesterday morning.  I promptly called the RE's office and made an appointment for my baseline.  I went this morning and everything looks good.  I cracked me up, because I got a new ultrasound tech and I pretty much felt awesome because I knew what to do before she even told me to do it.  Also, my pesky left ovary was slightly more agreeable today than usual, so it didn't hurt quite as much when they looked at it. 

My protocol is:

CD 3-7~Femara
CD 7-8~ 100IU Follistim
CD 9-10~ 150IU Follistim
CD 11~ Ultrasound (where hopefully we will see a dominant follicle on each ovary as opposed to only one like last cycle)

After that, who knows?  Hopefully a trigger shot CD 11, followed by an IUI.  We have never done an IUI before, so I'm a little nervous.  How much better are my chances with it vs our timed intercourse?  Will it hurt? 

We looked over the information they gave me about the IUI during supper today (great supper conversation, I know!  Hopefully Asher doesn't repeat anything he might have heard!  lol), which was quite lovely and informative.  They drew blood today to see if I'm immune to rubella (there's a funny story!  The nurse, who I love, said, "You must be rubella immune, because they would have checked for that during your last pregnancy."  I said, "Well, was I pregnant long enough? I didn't think they tested for that until later in the pregnancy and I only got to 10 weeks." "No, I'm talking about with your son!" "Ummm...he's adopted." LOL).  Evidently that's one of the things they have to know before they do the IUI.  Who knew?!  I also noticed on that paper that it said I needed a pap in the last year, so I wonder if they'll want to do that when I go back next Thursday?  The last one I had was January 2009.  Should I even mention it?  Will they cancel my cycle if they realize?  Maybe I should call them tomorrow? 

Anyway, I'm hoping this cycle goes smoothly.  I'm really tired of seeing pregnant people and pregnancy announcements everywhere I go. 

12DPO~ BFN

*insert sad face here*

I guess I was hoping, since it worked so well last time, we'd get our positive this time, too.  But, no such luck.  I don't know if I should blame the lack of 2 dominant follicles or what.  Do we go for IUI next cycle? Do we keep at it old school? These questions (and more, no doubt) I don't know the answer to. 

The only thing I DO know is that it shouldn't be this difficult. 

I also know that I have no less than a million pregnant facebook friends, and the number seems to grow daily. 

It's getting really old. 

I also know that I wish I were 22 weeks pregnant right now instead of preparing to cry over yet another bfn.

I believe I ovulated this morning.  Can you guess what's on my mind?

Swim, boys, swim!  Stop and ask directions, if need be!

CD 11 Monitoring Appointment

I went to the RE today.  My lovely mother was nice enough to play chauffeur for me, as I worked last night and didn't think it advisable to drive a 4 hour round trip on no sleep.  I expected they'd to the ultrasound and tell me I needed to come back tomorrow or Friday to check again.  Imagine how surprised I was when I immediately saw a big, fat follie on my right ovary and the tech said, "That one's ready to go!"  Of course, my left ovary decided it was going to be it's stupid self and play hard to get.  It hurts like you wouldn't believe when they ultrasound that thing!  Wowzers!  Anyway, there's a 13mm one on that ovary that I am praying decides to grow in the next day or so and also release.  Last cycle (the cycle we got pregnant with blackberry), I had one on each ovary, so only having one kind of worries me, but I know it's all under control.  The nurse talked to the RE who said I should trigger tonight and...ahem...plan accordingly.  I was shocked!  It was cd 14 last time before I was even ready to trigger, so the 3 day difference is puzzling to me.  Hopefully, all will be well.

Day 30~ My Hopes For the Future

Isn't this pretty much like yesterday's topic? Oh well.

My hope for the future is simple: to raise a godly family. All my other mini goals or hopes I might have can be encompassed in that one goal. I want to close my eyes for the last time knowing that I gave God and my family my all.

I want my husband to feel blessed by my having been in his life for however many years we're given together. That sounds like I want him to think I'm awesome, but its more than that. I want my life to show him the love of Jesus in all I do. I don't do a good job of it now, but I hope to improve in the future. I want him to feel that his life is better for having shared it with me.

I want my children (whether I have one or five) to grow into godly men and women as a result of spending their formative years with me. Whatever they choose to do with their lives, I pray they'll do it as if they're doing it for Christ, because ultimately, they are. I pray they will meet and marry godly spouses and raise godly children, and the cycle will continue.

Basically, I want to leave a godly legacy. If that's the "only" thing I ever accomplish in my life, I will still be blessed beyond what I deserve. God was merciful enough to send His only Son to Earth for me, the least I can do is devote my years here to ensuring, as best I can, that my family knows Him.
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Day 29~My Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for the Next Year

Well, I'd say, obviously, having a baby (or at least getting pregnant) is high on my list of hopes for the next year. We'd be 20 weeks tomorrow if we hadn't miscarried, and that thought makes me sad. I should be running around with a decent baby belly instead of shooting myself with needles and taking pills every day. I sincerely hope that we're pregnant by the time our due date for blackberry comes.

Another hope is that our first year of homeschooling will have gone smoothly. I'm decently nervous, but I have no doubt this is what God wants for our family. I know he will empower us to do a good job. Plus, I figure it's preschool, how much damage can I do? Haha!

I hope to grow closer to God in the next year, also. I feel like I've been kind of distant recently, which I know is all me and not any of His fault. Doing the Beth Moore "Breaking Free" study really made me want to know Him and portray Him in everything I do.

In addition, I'd love to grow even closer to Nick and Asher. I think we have a pretty decent relationship, but sometimes we have periods of discontent. Maybe it's usual for a family with a 3 year old. I have no idea. I treasure our times together, especially when everyone's happy and in a good mood. Our weekend has been a perfect blend of family time and couple time and I love it. In our family, when mom and dad are happy, everyone is happy. I'd love to have more times like that.

Sorry if this post is scatter-brained. I'm writing it on my blackberry while riding in the car. The radio is on and people are talking, so its hard to concentrate! Lol! I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of the 30 day blog journal! And I managed to do every topic (as long as nothing keeps me from tomorrow's!)!
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Off Topic: A Link to an Awesome Blog Post

http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2010/08/why-just-relax-is-still-not-helpful-advice-in-the-world-of-infertility/

As a person who despises being told to "just relax," this blog post rocks my socks off!  If you're infertile, read it.  If you've ever had trouble getting pregnant, read it.  If you've ever told someone who was having trouble getting pregnant to "just relax," please, for the love of all things holy, stop it!, then read it.

Thanks. ; )

Day 28~The Contents of My Purse

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Day 27~ My Worst Habit

What makes you think I have bad habits? hmmm... ; )

Probably my worst habit is eating too much or just eating crap.  I do really well dieting and points counting for awhile, then I sit and eat a not-good-for-you Subway sandwich and a snickers bar.  Ahem, like I just did.  I like to eat, and it's really kind of a problem

Also, I tend to be grumpy when I've slept all day between work nights (like today).  I'll think I'm fine when I get up, then my boys get home and I turn into some sort of troll.  I'm not sure why.  It's not too great, though.

Day 26~ My Week in Great Detail

Well, I'm certainly not going to go in as great of detail as I did for yesterday's post.  It would take forever!  ugh!

Sunday~ I worked all night, came home, ate while surfing the net, went to bed when the boys left for breakfast/church, got up about 4:30, took a shower, sent the boys off to church/youth group, went to Taco Bell, took my food to work, got changed into my scrubs, ate my food, clocked in, and worked.

Monday~ I worked all night, went home, ate a bowl of cereal while messing around on the computer, made an RE appointment, took a nap, took a shower, got Asher from my grandma, watched "Olivia" with him, took him potty, put him down for his nap, ate lunch, watched tv, dozed on the couch, got him up from his nap, took us both potty, gave him a snack, waited for Nick to get home, had supper with Nick, hung out as a family, did the bedtime routine, watched some TV with the hubs (I don't remember what it was), brushed teeth, and went to bed.

Tuesday~ Got up, got Ash up, took us both potty, ate breakfast with the boys, sent Nick off to work, hung out with Ash while surfing on the computer, took him potty a million times, took a shower, got dressed, kissed Nick when he came home around 12:20, drove to the RE, had my lady bits ultrasounded, waited for the nurse, talked to the nurse about my meds for this cycle, went to the pharmacy and waited for an hour while doing my final day of homework on my Beth Moore study, lost my parking ticket/stub thingy, got my meds, paid $15 dollars to get out of the parking garage since I lost my tickety stub, drove toward home, stopped at HyVee for groceries, got home, made supper while hanging out with Asher, did the bedtime routine, put Ash to bed, ate supper with Nick while watching "The Back-Up Plan," brushed teeth and went to bed.

Wednesday~ See yesterday's post

Thursday~ Slept in a little (since I have to work tonight) while Nick showered and got Ash up and pottied, got up, got dressed, started a load of laundry, went into town with Nick and Ash so we could retrieve the other car from the mechanic, talked to my father in law who we saw at the mechanic's shop, took Nick to work since the mechanic had forgotten to change the oil in the car, came home, took Ash potty, took a shower, got dressed, cleaned off the top of my dresser (which I hadn't done in FOREVER!), took Ash potty, got out the computer and started messing around, switched the laundry, folded a load of laundry, put away said laundry, started writing this post, took Ash potty, finished this post.  The rest of my day will include many potty trips, lunch, naps for both Ash and I (I find I'm less tired at work if I sleep in than if I get up like normal then nap when he does, but my grandma's out of town, so I couldn't do that as usual today.), making supper (chicken, I think), then going to work.

Friday~ I will work all night, go home (or maybe to the Y to work out or walk, I haven't decided), eat a bowl of cereal while surfing, go to sleep, get up to pee, go back to sleep, get up around 4, shower, get dressed, eat supper with the boys, send them to my brother's football game, and go to work.

Saturday~ I'll work all night (sounding familiar, right?), go to Target for a wedding present, come home, eat a bowl of cereal while surfing (lol! I'm a creature of habit.), go to sleep, get up around 12:30, shower, get dressed, put Ash down for his nap, hang with Nick/doze on the couch (only sleeping 3 or 4 hours in the morning after working all night makes it hard to be super alert the rest of the day), get ready to go to the wedding, hand Ash off to Nick's parents, go to the wedding and reception, come home and go to bed.

It's all quite exciting.  LOL

Day 25~ My Day in Great Detail

I woke up slightly ahead of 6:30, having had a very strange dream.  I decided to go ahead and get up, since my alarm was set for 6:30, anyway.  I kissed Nick, grabbed my phone, and left our bedroom.  I grabbed my clothes off the dining room table (where I'd placed them last night), went to the bathroom, got dressed, put my hair in a ponytail and left the bathroom.  I grabbed a pop out of the fridge, microwaved a Weight Watchers breakfast sandwich (being careful to stop the microwave before it beeped), then, went back in my room to kiss Nick again (what can I say?  I like him a lot!) and to grab my bluetooth headset.

I left a little ahead of 6:45 and drove the 30ish minutes to work, where I talked to a coworker while waiting to clock in for our monthly unit meeting.  I sat through an hour and a half of a really "informative" meeting, then clocked out.  I talked to Nick while I drove the 2 minutes to Walmart, where I bought the non-perishable items that I'd been unable to get at HyVee on the way home from my RE appointment Tuesday.  What did I buy?  Hmmm...pull ups, overnight diapers, a birthday gift for my little brother who will be 4 next week, contact solution for Nick, 2 boxes of brownie mix, brown sugar, chocolate chips, toffee chips, a pair of pjs for Asher that were on clearance, a shower curtain liner, ritz crackers and saltine crackers.  After that, I drove home, stopping at my grandma's to pick up Asher on my way.

Ash and I came home, I grabbed the mac and checked facebook and blogs and other sites while he played and watched Nick Jr.  I took him potty.  I did my bible reading on my blackberry.  I fought sleep.  I took Asher potty.  I took a shower.  I got dressed.  I took Asher potty.  I played more on the computer.  I took Asher potty.  I made brownies and a cheese ball for bible study.  I took him potty.  I talked to Nick on the phone.  I made Asher lunch and cleaned up while he ate.  I ate a bowl of cereal.  I gave him a Popsicle.  I took him in his room, put a new pair of shorts on him (because, for some reason, he doesn't like to sleep without pants on), turned on his sound machine, turned his air conditioner on fan, sang him "Jesus Loves Me," and put him to bed. 

I went to the living room, turned on Grey's Anatomy for background noise, and started looking at our preschool curriculum.  I made a document that basically equates to blank calendar pages that I can use to schedule each trimester.  I emailed the document to Nick, so he could print it as we don't have a printer at home.  I also submitted the picture of Asher standing on his box of books to the people who make our curriculum for a contest or something they're having.  He's so stinking cute.  Finally, I started getting tired, so I put everything away and decided to take a short snooze on the couch in the hour that was left of Ash's nap.  I switched the tv to HGTV, because Grey's was over and I despise Wife Swap. 

At 4:30, Ash woke up, we went potty together and I cut him a brownie.  I watched the dvd of our Beth Moore bible study that I'd missed a few weeks ago.  I stopped partway through to take Asher potty and talk to Nick on the phone.  I fought with him when he wouldn't stop being obnoxious.  When my dvd was done, I plugged in the computer, changed my shirt, took him potty, cut the brownies, rolled my cheese ball in it's nut topping, put his shoes on him and we left for church.  He threw a big fit because he wanted to buckle himself in, but we didn't have time to wait for him to do so.  He cried for a few miles until I told him to stop because he was a big boy and shouldn't cry all the time. 

We got to church and I put Asher in the care of my younger brother and went inside.  I kissed Nick (who was at praise team practice), and went downstairs.  I set my food out.  We prayed and ate food and did bible study.  Beth Moore rocks.  We cleaned up our food.  I talked to my mom about talking me to my RE appointment next week, as I will have worked the night before and shouldn't be driving a 4 hour round trip on no sleep.  I drove my grandma's car home.  It's like driving a space ship.  It's very fancy.  It even turns down the radio when you're stopped at a stop sign or when you slow down the car!  Who knew such a thing even existed!  Anyway, I parked my grandma's car at her house and walked home. 

I came in the back door, went to the living room and looked in the boxes that had arrived (my overstock.com order).  I listened to Nick talk to his sister on the phone while writing this blog post.

Our School Order Arrived!

Is it here, Mama?

I see it!!!

Oh, yeah!  This rocks!

Lots of books!

We are SO excited to start school!

Day 24~ Where I Live

Well, whoever thought up this "30 Day Blog Journal" is certainly nosey, aren't they? 

Here's some pics:

Obviously, we live in the country.  (And we like it that way!)  Unfortunately, the views you see with the harvest-ready corn and the short early-summer corn are now eclipsed by a ginormous machine shed.  Literally, you look out our back windows and all you see is corrugated metal.  But, what can you do?  We love living in the country (with the only problems being having to drive to do ANYTHING and sometimes getting stuck here with the snow gets too deep!)!  Honestly, I think I'd rather live in the country than in town!

Day 23~ A YouTube Video

Nick and I used to watch this one ALL THE TIME!!!  It is long, but hilarious!  This may be a good watch for those of you reading on bedrest (ahem...Minta...).



Along the same lines:

Day 22~ A Website

So, I'm guessing this is supposed to be a website I like and visit regularly?

Here goes:

Facebook--I'm a facebook junky.  I check it roughly a million times a day on my computer and on my phone.  It's an addiction, but one I have no desire to get rid of, so take that, Facebooker's Anonymous!

Slickdeals--I check this site a couple times a day.  It's pretty awesome.  It features user-submitted deals from various stores on the internet.  Sometimes there's nothing but crap that I don't want or need (protein powder, external hard drives, etc), but sometimes there's awesome stuff!  I got a GINORMOUS Vera Bradley bag for like $30!  And a $100 pair of Birkenstocks for $30!  I was pretty proud of myself, I'm not going to lie.

Blogger--duh

Trip Advisor-- I don't visit this one all the time, but when we're going somewhere, I'm on it for hours on end!  My mom showed it to me, and I'm so glad she did!  People rate hotels, restaurants and attractions in pretty much any city big enough to have hotels, restaurants or attractions!  It's awesome!

Woot--This site features daily deals in their regular woot section, along with funny t-shirts and a kid's section.  Much like slickdeals, sometimes it's nothing I'm interested in, but sometimes it's something cool.  Nick just recieved an awesome headlamp from them (or, at least, I assume it's awesome based on the squealing he did when it arrived and he wore it for the first time.  Yeah, he's easily amused!).  But, even better than their cool things, their descriptions of said items are always hilarious! 

Day 21~ A Recipe

Here's a family favorite recipe!  It was what was served the first time Nick had supper with my family.  It is more delicious than anything this easy has the right to be!

TACO SOUP

2 pounds hamburger, browned and drained

3 cans diced tomatoes

3 cans diced chilis

2 cans black beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can white hominy

1 package Taco seasoning

1 package Ranch mix

1 1/2 cups water

salt and pepper to taste

Literally dump everything (liquid and all) into a large pot or crock pot and heat until it's hot.

Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and crumbled up tortilla chips!

Notes:

I half this recipe if I'm just making it at home for us, otherwise, we have leftovers for a week (which actually isn't bad, because this stuff gets better and better the longer it sits in the pot)!

I have used 3 cans of Rotel tomato stuff in lieu of the diced tomatoes and diced chilis.  It's a litte spicier that way, but yummy nonetheless.

If you want to be Nick's best friend, make this for him.  He will love you forever (or marry your daughter, evidently.  LOL)!

Let me know if you try it!

Day 20~ A Hobby

Again, see me previous post about working and hanging out with a 3 year old all the time.  Read: not a lot of time for hobbies.  I'll give this post a try, anyway.

I'm not crafty.  I tried scrapbooking awhile back, but it kind of fell by the wayside when I realized that I got my artistic skill from my mother (which means I have none).  (Anyone want any scrapbooking supplies?  LOL)

I do like photography.  By that I mean, basically, having a fancy-ish camera and only shooting on automatic.  haha  If I had the time and money, I'd take a photography class, but, alas, I don't have either of those.  I also enjoy a little photoshopping occasionally, but I haven't done it in so long that I probably would need Nick to teach me how again.

I also like to read.  I read A LOT and I read fast.  I'm not bragging, I'm just saying.  It is something I got from my mom that rocks!  I read mostly fiction (usually crime fiction, because I'm reading in the middle of the night and I need something to keep me awake, not put me to sleep).  I've read entire books during a slow night at work, and I always feel pretty proud of myself afterwards. haha  The only problem I have with reading so much is that I sometimes forget what I've read.  I recently ordered a book and took it with me to work to read, only to realize a few pages in that I had totally read it already.  It was annoying.

I think that's about all I have in the realm of hobbies...unless potty training people counts?

Day 19~ A Talent

This, too, took some thinking on my part.  I spend most of my time working or taking care of a 3 year old, neither of which require a whole lot of talent. 

One thing I get comments on regularly, though, is the skill with which I swaddle babies at work.  I have a certain way I do it, and, in fact, it annoys me when someone messes it up or sends their baby back to the nursery all unwrapped when I sent them to the room nicely wrapped!  Sheesh!  People regularly ask me to show them how I do it.  One of our pediatricians has been heard to say, "I can tell Krystal wrapped this one!"  In fact, the swaddling was the thing my mom told me I needed to learn first thing when I started working there.  I think I've achieved that goal!

Of course, I can also tie a cherry stem with my tongue, but that's a post for another time...

Day 18~ My Wedding

Rehearsal (trusty shower bow bouquet!)

You'll see that here, I'm looking away and Nick is starting to run down the aisle.  This resulted in the following picture...

We did formal shots beforehand, because I always hate the "go to the reception and wait forever for the bridal party" thing.

Our bridal party being silly

Daniel (it was his 4th Birthday the day we got married!) and Hannah

My "something old"--My Great-Grandma's brooch

Nick and our little bridal party members

Our first dance as husband and wife

The last 3 1/2 years as flown by!  I can't believe how fast it seems to have gone!  I was madly in love with this man then, but it pales in comparison to just how in love with him I am now.  Going through infertility and a miscarriage has only proven to solidify our relationship.  Watching him be a daddy to our son has warmed my heart in ways that I never thought possible.  I look forward to many many more years with him!

I love ya, Baby!

Day 17~ An Art Piece

Not being an arty type, I've been thinking about this topic for a few days and I am having a hard time coming up with something.  I like photography more than, say, paintings.  I decided I would go to a popular Christian bookstore website and look around at what they have. 

Here's some photographic prints with bible verses that I like:

(Funny story: I bought my mom this one for Christmas in 2008, then bought it again in 2009!  When I got it in the mail, I was like, "This looks familiar!"  I looked back at my previous orders and was like, "Oh, Crap!" LOL)

As far as actual paintings (or reproduction of paintings) go, I find I like kind of abstract-y things.  I also like triptychs (did I spell that right?).

And, of course, I've always been a fan of "Starry Night."