Wrapping Up The Year

I figured that since today is a good day (meaning I'm not alternating from a flat on my back position to that of peering into one of our two porcelain thrones) I should take a moment and write one more time this year. We lead pretty mundane lives so I don't know that there will be anything to write about until after New Year's Eve.

Anyways, we had a great Christmas. AJ and I stayed home here in Pocatello this year. It was nice to not have to worry about travel plans, especially with my daily hormone/health fluctuations. Luckily, by Christmas Eve I was feeling better from the flu I'd had a couple days before. We were awakened by a text message from AJ's best friend, informing us his very pregnant wife had just gone into labor. They welcomed their little Christmas gift later that afternoon. We are so excited for them, congratulations you guys.

AJ and I splurged on a nice dinner of salmon, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn. It doesn't sound super glamorous (especially when I tell you the corn was out of a can...) but AJ worked his magic on the grill and the salmon was delicious. I boiled and mashed the potatoes and opened and microwaved the corn. But AJ did pretty much everything else. He has been so good to help with things. Our house in by no means spotless (and sometimes I can't even say clean) but I don't know what I'd do with out him. After dinner we cleaned up the dishes and spent the rest of the evening/night watching tv and movies together. Just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

We slept in Christmas morning, figuring it will probably be the one Christmas morning we get to sleep in for a long time. We'd been slowly beginning to stir when AJ's phone went off once again. It was his sister calling to gloat about her new camera. =] We were very excited for her, it's a very nice camera. After AJ talked to her for a little while we decided it was time to return to the land of the living and get something for our hungry little tummies.

We opened our stockings and cut up the apples and oranges we got for breakfast. We munched on that and began with the gifts under the tree. AJ got some games and some movies, although his favorite was the ABC book I made him. AJ gave me a few pregnancy appropriate things and some jewelry. We watched Dr Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey... AJ had never seen it. We watched a couple other movies and things. At 5 o'clock we went to dinner at AJ's brother's house. It was delicious and we thank them for their hospitality. We spent the evening with them and when we finally returned home, we opted to finish a movie we'd previously started.

We spent the rest of the weekend together just hanging out and relaxing. We got together with some friends on Saturday night and played games. It was a fun night that went much later than any of us had anticipated. We ended up making a right-before-midnight run to Wal-Mart for some food. I've had salt and fresh fruit cravings with this pregnancy. Which isn't all bad... I've almost completely lost my sweet tooth.

Sunday was a rough day. I woke up with a real bad headache and knew that I wasn't gonna make it to church. AJ brought me some water and a yummy apple and i went back to sleep. Unfortunately, I had my headache all day yesterday and nothing really helped. I spent a lot of the day with my eyes closed, although not necessarily in sleep.

Today, has been a good day. AJ came home about 10am this morning... they had no water, no power, no heat and no phones or internet at the armory. Since they couldn't do anything today, he came home. It's been warm today and the snow has been melting. There hasn't been a whole lot of road maintenence and the roads are a mess. AJ did have to go back up to work and give the guy on duty a lunch break, but I went up with him and we started watched Kung Fu Panda.

We ran a few errands and then came home for a snack. And a break. Over all it's been a fabulous holiday weekend... And today marks a year from when AJ officially asked me to marry him and he slid this ring on my finger. It seems like only yesterday we met in church. What a year it has been.

We hope every one had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year brings you joy and happiness.

An Unexpected Gift - Can You Guess?

So, most everyone already knows and I haven't been the sole news announcer on this, so I'm not entirely sure exactly who knows and who doesn't. Any way, for those of you who haven't heard yet, we have some exciting news... betcha can't guess what it is...?

That's right... We're EXPECTING!! According to our calculations our little bundle of joy should should make an entrance into this world around August 6, 2009. We're really excited and as soon as we get past the yucky morning sickness hopefully life will get back to normal... or at least to the point that I can function on a daily basis. Some days aren't so bad and some days, well we just survive.

We hadn't planned on getting pregnant just yet, but I guess we should've known better, especially given AJ's family's past fertility experiences. Although, each of these experiences has resulted in a new little blessing that only makes the family bigger and better. Well, and there seems to be something in the water lately... I've got 3 friends, a cousin, a neice and a sister-in-law who are also expecting right now. They are all at least a month or two ahead of my eight weeks, but it's kinda been fun have someone to talk to that knows what it's like.

Yesterday I came down with the flu and had a really hard time keeping anything down. I finally stopped regurgating everything I ingested around ten last night and spent a good chunk of the night sucking on ice chips. I'm finally being able to keep down some liquids and crackers... my monster headache (i think from being dehydrated...) is finally starting to go away. YAY!

Christmas Day marks eight weeks in this "joyful journey". This whole being pregnant thing is nothing like I ever imagined... I was surprised how early I was feeling the effects of this new little growth inside me, and not just the morning sickness, although that is a good part of it too. I definitely don't have a ginormous belly yet, by any means, but some of the other changes to my body... oh my. It's been something to experience.

And, I've been so blessed to have such a great amazing, supportive husband. Very rarely does he complain that the dishes aren't done, the house is a mess, or we're running out of clean clothes. I feel bad that I don't seem to have the energy to do a whole lot, but AJ is great about helping pick up my slack after he gets off work. He really is a blessing and I'm so grateful he is mine, all mine.

Our baby is finally starting to look a little like a baby and not so much like the manatee it did last week, although it still has manatee-like qualities. The arms and legs are developing and so are fingers and toes. It's about the size of a kidney bean. Last week we had a little blueberry sized baby. It's been a lot of fun to learn how a baby develops week by week. It's absolutely amazing how fast they grow.



We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May you find your lives as blessed and joyous as we find ours. We're so grateful for the many blessings, all the family, and the friendships we have. We're grateful for the blessing of the Gospel in our lives. May your lives be blessed and may you find joy in the little things. We love you!

Temple Square Christmas Lights

AJ and I went down to Salt Lake City last night with some friends. We wanted to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square.

It was a lot of fun, even though it was a long night, given certain circumstances. AJ and I were soo ready for bed when we got home.

AJ had to be up at the Armory for some training this morning at 8, so he had an early morning... I, on the other hand, slept til I could sleep no more... about 10:30.

It snowed last night, but we beat the storm home, so we were thankful for that. It was a lot of fun, despite how tired we may have been.

You're My Treasure

I wasn't really gonna write about this, but when I mentioned it to AJ and he didn't remember a thing about it I couldn't help myself.

Last night we were in bed and AJ had been asleep for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. I was still awake and a little restless. Our memory foam mattress sometimes sinks so much it feels like a hole and I was laying in just such a hole. I readjusted, rolled over and groaned a little with the effort or climbing out of my foam hole. AJ rolled right over, snuggled up to my back and whispered "You're my treasure," in my ear. This goofy little grin spread across my face and I cuddled up to him. I was taken off guard and didn't really know what to say. When I finally gained a few of my senses (it was late, they weren't all there) I asked him what he'd been dreaming about. He didn't know what I was talking about and told me I had just said 'treasure'. Apparently, I must have said it in his dream or something.

It was cute though. And when I asked him about it tonight he didn't remember any of it. Regardless of whatever brought it on, I know it's true and he's my treasure too.

Our Spontaneous FHE

My husband and I are a little more on the dorky side than your average couple... and we know it. However, we embrace it and have had some really fun times together. I've been sick with a cold/flu this past week and haven't had a whole lot of energy to do much. So, we didn't plan anything real big for FHE last night. We were laying on the couch watching tv when I looked up at him and said, "hey, we should go look at Christmas lights." I think he was a little reluctant at first, but we decided we would. We even made up some hot cocoa and took it with us.

We hit the streets with Christmas music playing in the background. I love Christmas lights, they are one of my favorite things about this time of year. I had a fabulous time last night and hope that AJ did too. I sure love that silly husband of mine.

We think those lights on the ground are milk jugs, but they were covered in snow and we couldn't really tell for sure. They looked neat tho.


It snowed yesterday morning and it really felt like Christmas, looking at the lights with all the new snow. It was beautiful.


This house was pretty intense. There were more lights than is pictured but i couldn't get them all in the frame of the car window I was shooting out of.

McCurdy Christmas

Since my dad's family is usually all there at our Thanksgiving festivities we all exchange Christmas gifts the day afterward. It's a lot of fun and a great way to start out the Christmas Season. Grandpa usually gives one of "Grandpa's Talk" and then it's chaotic pandemonium. Typically, it starts with the kids. Once they have all opened their presents it's the adults turn. It was interesting being an adult this year. Talk about good fun!

The Christmas Tree.

Silly girls... and Kameron's tushie...


Swords... Yay?


More sword action.


Just had to touch all the pretty colors...


I don't remember what she was yelling, but it made for some pretty silly faces.


Finally his turn. We thought he was sneezing or yawning... but he was posing with that face...

Careful... it'll freeze that way! =]

On Saturday, the adults all went down to the Logan Temple and did a session together. My grandparents are temple workers there and they all enjoyed being able to do that together. AJ, my brother Andrew and I went down and met up with them for lunch. Andrew needed to get a few more things for his mission and I wanted to do a little shopping.

I thought the clouds were cool looking and when Andrew said something about it too I knew I needed to capture the 'Kodak moment'.

The Logan, Utah Temple again a dreary gray sky. Looks almost like it's just floating in the air.


My dad's parents, siblings, their spouses and my brother.

Early Christmas

On the morning after Thanksgiving my family exchanged Christmas gifts. My mom was insistent on us opening our presents in her presence and I had wanted to watch them open theirs, so it all worked out. It was fun to have a "Christmas Morning" with them, since AJ and I will be at home for Christmas this year. That's ok too, but it was great to have a family Christmas too.

A Time for Thanksgiving

This year AJ and I spent Thanksgiving with my family in Grace, ID. AJ actually had the whole week off and we had a busy few days before we headed down to Grandma's house. I spent Monday finishing up the shopping for my family's Christmas presents. It took me forever to decide what to get my dad! And Kaiti was a little hard this year too. But, I finally had success and even got a few things for AJ.

My aunt came into town on Tuesday and I went and did a little shopping with her. Mostly I was just along as company. AJ had a few errands he had to run and he even did a load of dishes while I was gone!

We had a few last minute things to do Wednesday and we were on the road to Grace around 3pm. We checked to see if my parents were there yet and when they weren't we made a little trip to "Our Spot".

We had a big dinner with all the family Wednesday night. Nothing too fancy, just everyone came up to Grandma's. It was fun to see all the family again. My parents, siblings and AJ and I went to my Uncle Dana's. We stayed there, as there was more room available and there was a little less commotion than at Grandma's.

My mom, sisters, and I spent Wednesday night preparing and getting everything all ready for lunch the next day. It was fun to chat and laugh with them.

We got up the next morning and finished the food prep and headed over to the church, where everyone was gathering. We ate a delicious Thanksgiving lunch with all the traditional trimmings. It was fabulous and everything I had been waiting for. Yummy to the extreme.

We spent the next several hours just hanging out, talking, playing games, and of course the traditional basketball game. That one I am absolutely content to just watch. There is some serious competitive players and I value my life enough to stay out of the way.

It was fun to spend the day with family and to reflect on all the many blessings we are so grateful for. We truly do live in a "land of plenty", despite the current economy. We have friends, family, clothes on our bodies, roofs over our heads, and food in our bellies. We are thankful for the things we have been blessed with. For all your love and friendships.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

With all my yammering about our Christmas tree I've had a couple requests for some pictures. So, here ya go, pictures of our first Christmas tree.

The base of the tree with all the branches attached.

AJ stuffing the star with lights... before we found the broken one and had to take them back and get new ones... i stuffed it when we got home and that's what's on the tree.


My slightly over-dramatic husband putting the top on the tree. If you notice, the tree is taller than he is... and that's one of the things I was looking for while we were shopping for one.


Our tree... almost completely decorated. We have still added a few ornaments here and there, but this it the general idea. I love to sit on our couch with the tree lit and all the other lights off.


The above mentioned star topping our 7.5 foot behemoth. I think it's just marvelous.


AJ was quite content without a tree skirt, but I'm the woman and I know better. Lol. I love you honey... I'm pretty proud of it, I made it myself.


The tree with the basic decorations on it... glass balls, glitter icicles, red bows, jingle bells and candy canes, of course.


The embellishments to our stairs. AJ thinks I poke waay too many holes in our house what with all the pictures and other wall hangings... that's probably why I do it all while he's at work. Hahaha.


I think this is a cool picture. All the current decorations on the tree are in this photo... but we have a package of blue glass ball ornaments to put on. And I like the angle of this one... it's just kinda neat. At least I think so.


I'm in love with our tree. I'm so happy with the way it all turned out.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

My husband is such a good sport. We went into Idaho Falls yesterday and did some Christmas shopping. I know, you're thinking 'uhm, hello, it's not even Thanksgiving yet!' But my dad's side of the family has a big family get together at Thanksgiving. We also do a "McCurdy Christmas" the day or two afterward. Everyone is already there, we figure we may as well celebrate it all! We exchange names the year before (the adults just rotate) and within a couple days of Thanksgiving we start the Christmas Season celebrations. The ironic part: we open presents and sing Christmas carols and then chow down on leftover turkey sandwiches. Hahaha.

Anyways, so we spent yesterday shopping for gifts for my family and my aunt and uncle that we have this year. It was an all-day thing and AJ was a fairly good sport the whole time. He was so bored, I'm sure. By the time he started getting irritated with my browsing his friend Kevin called, so thank you Kevin.

We don't have a whole ton of Christmas decorations so I have taken it upon myself to correct that. If you've read past posts you know we already have the tree up. I've strung lights and set up nativities. And done a few more crafty projects to make our house a Christmas-ready home. Check it out:

So, this is technically my Thanksgiving wreath.

my christmas wreath

No Christmas is complete without snowmen!These aren't quite finished yet, but you get the idea. The white that is really hard to read says 'happy holidays'.

Yay for our house turning into a home... right before our very eyes!