Our new little guy

Sorry, a lot of pictures, but he's just too stinkin' cute! Oh, I have to apologize for my voice....I know I sound like I'm 12 anyway, but my "baby" voice makes it that much worse!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

On Thursday night we went to the Tran-Siberian Orchestra. This is our second year attending and it's worth every penny. We started our new tradition last year when we took my mom for an early birthday present and ended up loving it so much we bought tickets again this year. These two videos are just a sample of what an amazing concert it is. They have everything from lighting effects to actual fire to snow. I was kind of afraid to take pictures or video anything. When we went last year they were confiscating people's cameras who were taking pictures. A lady sitting next to us was taking pictures (even thought on the tickets it specifically stated no photographs) and had a security person come up and take her camera. However, the tickets didn't say anything this year and a lot of other's were taking pictures, so I jumped on the band wagon. I have to apologize for how jumpy they are at first. The camera was in my purse and I had started recording accidentally. I tried to get some video showing all the cool effects. The first one was going okay until the guy in front of me (with the big head) sat back. The second video is pretty short because I thought for sure someone was going to come tap me on the shoulder! I think I finally got it right the third time (which is why it's posted first)!

We almost didn't make the concert because of what a brainiac I am. Usually it's held at the Energy Solutions Arena which is right across the street from the Gateway in Salt Lake. The show started at 7:30 pm and we were down at the Gateway and parked by 6:00 pm. Since we had so much time we decided to eat before and ended up at Applebee's. I was joking around about how funny it would be if the concert was at another place (no, I didn't hadn't looked at the tickets yet!) So, I pulled them out and lo and behold, the concert was at the E-Center in West Valley. Needless to say, we ended up missing the first half hour of the concert because of how horrible traffic was (and for those of you who have gone to a concert there, you know what I'm talking about!) That was okay because it's the second half of the concert I like the best (it's a three hour concert) which included new songs they have done and dueling pianos. All right, that's my plug for the night! Enjoy!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Fertility or Bust......

Alan and I thought long and hard about whether or not to post our fertility experiences. It's an extremely personal subject and I wasn't sure if I wanted the world to read about it. Then we thought about going private, which we still might end up doing in the near future. However, as this is the closest to keeping a journal that I've done in a long time, I thought it would be nice to a) keep everyone up to date on our progress and b) be able to look back on our journey. So, here we go!

We had our first consult with the doctor today to discuss my body and the wonder it is. As many of you may or may not know, I had a miscarriage a little over a year ago at six weeks. We had decided to start trying in October of 2007 and much to our surprise, got pregnant that month. However, in early November I ended up losing the baby and then having some other problems. They found a benign tumor on my ovary that was causing pain. It wasn't the reason of the miscarriage and the doctor advised it shouldn't affect us getting pregnant again, it was just painful and annoying. In August we felt like the time was right to start trying again, but even with the ovulation kits, haven't had any luck. Actually, it was due to using the ovulation kits I found out I wasn't ovulating (I know, tmi, but it's my blog!) Even though we haven't been trying long, I decided to make an appointment with the doctor to see what was going on and what are options are.

We met with the doctor today who ended up doing an ultrasound to see if there was anything else maybe going on. The only problem with the fertility treatments are they are all out of pocket. To try and keep costs down the doctor's office won't bill insurance. So, it can get kind of pricey. After looking over the ultrasound the doctor advised it looked like I had either just ovulated or was in the process of doing so. It kind of surprised me.....one month I took an ovulation test for the entire month with no positive hit. So, now it's a waiting game. I've made an appointment for the beginning of December. If I'm still not pregnant at that time, we start the follicle checks (again, I know, a lot of tmi) and start on meds. Oh the joy! Everyone keeps teasing me I'm going to have more than one, and that's actually okay. For some time know I've felt that maybe twins are in our future. More than that, I think I would probably cry!

So, there's the update for today. If after a while the meds don't work, it's off to other various types of treatments that help in the baby process. Alan and I have also talked about adoption. If for some reason I'm still not pregnant by January of 2010 we'll start the process and are looking at South Africa. I think it would be the neatest experience to be able to adopt from another country. If there's anyone out there who'd like to offer advice, leave a comment. I'm new to the fertility game!

Tagged Again!

I've been tagged again by my very cute cousin, so here I go.....

8 Places I like to eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Chilis
3. Mel's Drive In (where I met Alan....although they don't have one here)
4. Bajio
5.Hug Hess Cafe
6. Macaroni Grill
7. Hard Rock Cafe
8. Fresh Choice, but they don't have them in Utah

8 Shows I like to watch on TV: I actually don't watch a lot of tv, so....I"ll give you two!
1. The Office
2. Grey's Anatomy

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. Went to the Hallmark open house (I admit it, I'm a Hallmark junkie)
2. Picked up some Christmas presents at Desert Book
3. Had a girls day and went to lunch with my mom & sister
4. Thought about buying a puppy....Alan said no
5. Went shopping at Walmart (oh, the joy!)
6. Made a trip up to Brigham City with Alan to pick up a part for his VW
7. Thought about cleaning up the house....who am I kidding?
8. Went over to our cute friends house for dinner and a movie

8 Things I love about Fall:
1. The smell's
2. Leaves changing
3. The colors on the mountain
4. Getting ready for Christmas (yeah for Black Friday...yes, I am a freak)
5. Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas decorations
6. Wearing warm and snugly clothing (that can also hide potential um, weight flaws)
7. Snuggling with my honey and watching a movie
8. Thinking of all I'm grateful for

8 Things on my wish list:
1. Money/Economy stress was a little lower
2. Better/more affordable health care
3. Hmmm....totally body makeover?
4. We could find a house we really like/can afford
5. Stability for the family
6. More time with Alan.....less work, more play I guess
7. Another cruise (hey, it's getting to be cold again!)
8. A baby....we're just starting the fertility thing, so it would be nice if it could all be over

8 People I am tagging....sorry guys, I think I tagged some of you before!
1. Misty
2. Tara
3. Cristel
4. Brookie
5. Britt
6. Bree
7.Tiffany
8. Jac
And, anyone else who feels like being tagged!

What are you grateful for?

At work I'm in charge of holding a monthly activity for the employees in order to build up the team and work together better. We've gone to movies, went trick-or-treating for Halloween, held luncheons, you know, fun stuff at work. This month I decided to give everyone an 'All About Me" poster that I got at a local store that sells supplies for teachers. It was so funny to see everyones reactions because the posters were pretty big and were ones that pre-schoolers or 1st graders might fill out. Along with the poster I gave them a paper feather on which I wanted them to write something they are grateful for. Once a day I spotlight one employee and then take the feather and attach it to "Tom" our gratitude turkey who hangs on the back wall for all to see. It's been a lot of fun to see what the people I work with are grateful for. The responses have been great because it's a real eye opener to have a small glimpse into that persons world. Once the turkey has been completed I thought I would take a picture to post, but in the meantime, I'm going to post some things I'm grateful for. I've posted before on blessings, but will make this shorter:

-My husband! Love him to death!
-My family: They make me crazy sometimes, but I love them anyway!
-My job: I'm so thankful to have employment during this time of economic crisis
-My home: It might be small, but it's ours and a safe haven for all those who enter it
-My freedoms: We are so blessed to live where we do and in the time we do.

I know, small list, but sometimes I tend to go overboard. Now, it's your turn.....during this time of thanks giving, post a list of what you're grateful for. It's surprising how much we can think of! Have fun!

Election Day

Tomorrow is election day and I have to say, I couldn't be happier. Not so much because I'm eager to vote (which I am) but because I'm looking forward to the elections being over. As I've listened to loved ones, friends and co-workers points of views, I found them to be so interesting and varied. Alan's family has a website in which some family members have made their views known. As I've read the different posts, I've found some of them to be quite narrow minded (sorry, my blog, my views). I haven't agreed with or really liked some of the statements that have been posted, BUT (and this is a HUGE BUT....no pun intended) I respect their views. What is that saying? "I don't agree with what you say, but I'll defend to my death your right to say it?" That's exactly how I feel. I might not like or even agree with some people, but I will respect how you feel and your right to say it. So, on this election eve, I hope everyone that hasn't already done so will get out and exercise their right to vote. Democrat, republican or unaffiliated....it will soon be over. Here's to election day!

Alan's legal!

After a lot of hard work and dedication on his part, Alan's car is FINALLY legal! It no longer just sits in the driveway.....it can actually now be used to drive! This past week it finally passed safety and the same day Alan made a visit to the DMV to pick up the tags and plates. Although I'm the fondest of the car, I am very proud of Alan. Things haven't gone as planned and he found more problems than he thought, but he kept plugging (and fixing) away until he made it work. Great job, babe!

Breakfast Time

From time to time "the guys" will get together for breakfast before work. Sometimes I'll go, most times I won't. We have to be at the restaurant by 6:00 am so the guys can be to work by 7:00 am (ugh...I had to get up at 4:30 to go!). I'm no longer part of the "Harmony Crew" as they just didn't have enough work to keep me busy, but thanks for letting my tag along guys, it was fun! I'll miss working with you!

Halloween Fun

Make a Smilebox scrapbook