11 days to go!

(This is a long-y, feel free to just skim through it if you want.)

That's right, 11 days until we have a new baby!!! I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow morning, but my last appt he told me that I would go in the night of the 21st and we'd have the baby on the 22nd. Pretty exciting stuff. I've got the baby room pretty much all set up, except that the crib is still in Lily's room, but tonight she wanted to sleep in the big girl bed, which is pretty promising, since she really hasn't showed any interest in it since we got it set up, about a month ago. I've washed the car seat, gotten all the diaper and nursing stuff out and put away all the baby clothes. By the way, a huge thanks to my pal Gina, who has given me all of her sons stuff, I have more clothes for this kid 0-6 months than I think Lily's ever had, and it's all super cute stuff, too.

Other news, Jared had a job interview today. It seems very promising and they told him that so far Jared is their best candidate. The problem is that we're not sure they're going to be able to pay enough because it's a small company, so I'm not sure that he'll be able to take it. There are a few other jobs that look good, we'll keep you updated.

OK, update since starting this post: Lily is back in the crib.

Other exciting news, Jared's old company told him that he would still be paid on this last quarters' bonus, which will be paid out in a few days. We didn't expect it to be very much (probably around $1000), since the quarter was so bad (hence the lay-offs), but today we got something in the mail stating that it would be $5800 minus taxes, which much exceeded our expectations and will greatly be relieving the stress we've been under. Tonight I plan on starting our taxes, which we should be getting a return, yahoo, and also it's looking like we'll be getting a government check (read: gub'ment chiz-eck!) shortly, too. (I don't feel guilty or ashamed, I've been paying jazillions of dollars in taxes my whole life and now I want some back). Also, we sold Jared's little truck this week. AND, I bought a couple McLaren strollers (really nice, for those who don't know the stroller market) for $25 (brand new) which are normally $100 or more, and sold them on Craigslist for $70, yay me!!! Point is, I know a lot of people have been worried about us, and I appreciate the calls of sympathy, etc., but things are definitely looking up, and we're not stressing (too much). (In the picture of Lily to the left, Jared is trying to teach her to smile while showing her teeth and she made this crazy face.)

On a more serious note, I just want to share with everyone, the fact that through all of this, as well as any kind of trial that comes your way, it really makes you reflect on what's important. This has reminded me that it's not my house, or the stuff thats in my house, the cars I drive, or clothes I wear that matter. We're a happy, healthy family and have so much to be greatful for, including family and friends who's support I've appreciated so much, even though we're so far away from most of them. After this is all over, I resolve to be more greatful for what we have on a daily basis, as well as to get out of debt and start saving big time. It's also been punctuated by all the reflections of President Hinckley's teachings that we need to re-prioritize our lives listen to the prophets teachings, on things like tithing, and being debt-free, etc. Also thanks for everyones support and congratulations on Jared's success in Guitar Hero, that's probably the most meaningful for him.

Something sad happened at church this week, I was in nursery as I am every week, and all the kids were just playing, and I hear Lily scream. Apparently she'd climbed up on a pile of carpets to look out a long, low, skinny window, the carpets slipped out and she face planted right onto the tile window sill. Within a second it was gushing blood. Jared heard her from across the hall and knew it was Lily, she wanted him and he ended up getting lots of blood on his shirt, which then upset her more. Luckily our ward is full of dentists and one even happened to be in the nursery already with his little girl. Her teeth are fine, she cut her top gums, her bottom lip looks really nasty, it's still swollen, purple and cut up, and has a sore on the outside as well (but it didn't go all the way through). She sopped up quite a bit of paper towel with blood. Poor kid, I don't know why she seems to get more injuries than other kids her age. I read that kids who don't get enough sleep are something like 3 times more likely to be seriously injured than other kids, but that's not the problem. I think she's just a bit of a dare devil, that combined with my negligence.


(Left, Ruby watching the fishy's)

Here's a cute story to end on: I showed Lily the wonders of the hole punch today. She really likes it, and the little circles of paper that you get from it. One little piece came out that she picked up, and it had been one that was punched out from a hole that overlapped another one, it's hard to describe, but it was shaped like a perfect little crescent moon. She picked it up and said "Oooooh, mooooon." It was so cute, I hadn't even thought of it until she said that, isn't that the cutest little thing you've ever heard???!!!

PS, Congratulations Liz and Adam, on you're beautiful little girl, you can see pictures at their blog: http://adamlizmason.blogspot.com/

I also heard something yesterday that really made me think, I resolve to stop saying all of these things and urge everyone else to do the same:
"A whole nother one" (nother? what's a nother? not a word, people!)
"irregardless" (again, not a word)
"all of a sudden" (If you think about it for awhile, what does that even mean?)