New carpets clog vacuums

I have been the most frustrated person because I just couldn't get my carpet clean. This means alot when my whole apartment is 97% carpeted. It was amazingly awesome for the Nelson's to put in new carpet. However, the person who put it in did it for free, as a favor, and didn't think to clean up after his mess. So when I vacuumed, I sucked up everything and it clogged my vacuum. I was so frustrated! So today, it took us a leatherman, wire hanger, flash light, and a broom handle to get the vacuum unclogged. This is a picture of what was clogged. It looked like some giant cat coughed up a huge dirty, sick hair ball.

It feels great having a working vacuum again!

My Ode to Jillian

I just had to post this picture. I dedicate it to my little sister Jillian. It's a picture of my feet. They are the short stubby things poking out from underneath my prego belly. The reason why this is my "Jillian" picture is because in our family, when she has a camera, whether video or still-picture, she will eventually take a picture of her feet. No lie. There are hours and hours of our trip to New York "foot"age to prove it (yes, pun intended). Plus I also thought that it would be fun to share with you what the world looks like from my point of view.

Our new apartment!

The Nelsons have been great. I've been taking care of them, or really their house, for about a week now. All it has consisted of is deep cleaning, cooking, and giving Wanda her night pills. They are truly a delight and it's going to be easy to love them. There will be more as we both become more use to one another.

This week I also got to organize and make the apartment our home. I really like that part of it, even though it's very time and energy consuming. Patxi and I also took great pride in making the small space functional and in getting all of our stuff in there in an organized manner. So we've sectioned it off by using our furniture and other things, and we think we are quite brillant. Well, I'll let the pictures speak :)

This is our kicthen, with tons of cupboard space.


Our dinning room and side enterance (enterance guests use).


These are the French doors that led to the rest of the studio apartment.


This is our living room.


Our office:


This is our son's nursery. We still are planning on getting a dresser to put across from the crib. After that his "room" will be complete.


This is our library. (It stand in front of a non-working fireplace.)


And, of course, our bedroom. Note how an naturally high the bed is. Well the box spring and matress is on the murphy bed frame so it's a little bit higher than my waist. Yup, Patxi laughs a bit as he watches this 8 month pregnant lady try to get into bed.


And this is our tiny bathroom. But really, who need much floor in a bathroom. This one has all the storage to make up for it.

Along with it's beautiful decore:


These pictures really don't do our awesome apartment justice. I think I'll give you a video tour when we get back from drill this weekend. I was also thinking about painting the walls because I don't know how long I can handle the pink-sponged affect. Any suggestions?

The crib from the Kembles

Wednesday the Kembles brought over the crib and I had to do everything I could not to open it before Patxi got home. I guess I was under the impression that he would love to do the honnors of putting it together, hah. Anyway, once he got home, I got the okay ;) to open it and start assembling, while Patxi looked on from his pile of homework. I got everyting unwrapped and started to assemble when Patxi noticed a huge gouge in one of the railings. I looked at it, and it seemed like something no mere stepping or slight dropping would do, so I didn't think that it was something the Kembles or I did. I was so dissapointed and I still had the overwhelming urge to put it together anyway just so I could see it. But Patxi and I decided that we'd better get it replaced. Sadly, it was too late to call anyone, so I had to wait until the morning. But I did get to assemble the drawer that goes underneath. That at least made me happy.

So bright and early thursday morning I tried to call the manufacturers in New York to get our part replaced, but couldn't get a hold of them (surprise!). So then I call Burlington Coat Factory's Baby Depot department, which is where Jana bought it, and asked them what they could do. They were so awesome. All we had to do was bring the part in and they would open another box to replace it or order a new one. So Thursday night Patxi and I got a replacment and I spent the rest of the night putting it together. And here are pictures of my handy-work! I'm so excited to actually place our son (and other future children)in here. Thanks again, Kembles!




We didn't get a crib bed set from the baby showers. Do you really need one? He really shouldn't sleep with tons of blankets and things and he'll probably end up pooping on it anyway, right? But, I don't know, should I get a set, and does he need it?

36 weeks

I'm 36 weeks (on January 2)! I'm almost there! And it's offical, I waddle when I walk. I don't know yet if it's because my center of gravity has changed or if my aching back and swollen feet make the difference. I pretty much feel huge and am totally ready to carry him in my arms instead of between my hips. This pregnancy has been going great, I really don't have much to complain about, but I'm ready. I want to be able to run again, to bend at the waist, lift more than 20 pounds, and sleep on my back. Plus I am so ready to care for him, to feed him, and put him to sleep. I guess every women gets to this point so they would go through the pains labor in order to get them out; they don't want the alternitive -still being pregnant. Anyway, I'm excited and very anxious to get this show on the the road. It just up to him now.

Baby shower in Salem!

Yup, my old ward (Jan Ree) gave me a baby shower yesterday. I had so much fun. But mostly I was just so surprised at fact that so many people cared about me. Jana Kemble (co-hosted the shower, along with Sunshine Hewelle and Jessica Holt) said that she mailed out about 25 invitations and that that's about how many people showed up. The food was beautiful ( I wish that I hadn't forgotten my camera or you could see how awesome it was!) and it was more like an open house, like my last one.

One the thing that really made the difference is the fact that Jana asked me to do a baby registery at Target and the Baby Depot of Burlington Coat Factory. After my last baby shower I got more of a glimpse into what I might need, so I mostly registered for that. And I got most of what I wanted! It was amazing! I know that I would need a bathing tub, because our sink here is barely big enough to wash a cookie sheet, let alone my baby. And yesterday I got it, along with other practical things I need like pacifiers, diappers, and nursing pads. I was so amazed and grateful. But the craziest gift I got last night was a crib. Yea, that's right, the Kemble family bought us one of the cribs I registered for. It is totally perfect, and wonderful, shocking, and un-believable! I almost cried (which, even if I'm pregnant, takes a lot for me to do while people are watching). Words really can't express how gratful we are! Thanks Kembles!

I am overwhelmingly grateful for the generosity of those who came last night! I am so so so so grateful! The Lord has blessed us so much through you guys and I and just amazed at your love for us and Him. Thanks agian everyone.

Baby Shower Fun in La Grande!

Other expecting mothers may look forward to the cute pregnancy clothes, the ultra sounds, or feeling the baby move inside you. But for me, I looked forwoard most to the baby shower. Okay, I looked foward to the feeling the baby too, but I really loved getting and playing with all the baby clothes and getting together with my friends to celebrate this happy time. I love it!

Well, the weather threatened to ruin my fun last Saturday. During the night it had snowed about eight inches and the streets were terrible. I was so bummed thinking that people would get out to come. But it turned out that I was just so ecstatic when people actually showed up. I was so moved by that fact that they cared so much to brave the weather so they could celebrate having a baby with me. I was so happy.


This is Ginger, Catlin, Brittney, and Jillian. We had some fun!


This is the awesome spread we had.



These are the awesome cookies Brittney and I made. Some thought that they looked more like sumo wrestlers in speedos than baby boys, but really, I'm no artist.

We all had a wonderful time. Thanks, thanks, thanks, for everyone who sacrificed so much to come to my baby shower!

Beautiful La Grande

La Grande may be a lot of things when it is covered in snow, but for me, it's turly beautiful, from the warm and cozy insides of your home.


This is the view from out my mother's dinning room window.

And this is the view from my parent's street. La Grande is really a beautiful place, even though the passes may close and you could get suck.

Getting suck during Christmas

Patxi and I got stuck in the snow twice while we were in La Grande for Christmas. Once was at the bottom of my parent's drive way. That was a lot of fun and only took 45 minutes to get the chains on and into the street.

Then the second time was when we were visiting Aunt Penny. The bad thing was that we had stayed late talking with Ori and Patxi cleaning/fixing his gun. So when we tried to get out, we had to wake up Adam so he could get us out. We tried pushing, putting on chains, and digging around the tires, but nothing seemed to work. So then Adam got in his truck and tried to pull us out. Finally that worked, and we were able to leave at 12:30am. Thanks so much Adam and Ori!

Our New Address

Offically on Wednesday, December 31st, Patxi and I will be moved to...drum roll, please...

2075 Raynor St SE
Salem, OR 97302

The moving process is being drawn out over three days, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I was a little worried with me working all day during these three days, but it turns out that it's a good thing. I really can't lift anything anyway, so I would be just in the way. Patxi is doing a great job, even though it might not be as organized as I would do it. But it'll get done, and that's really what matters.

Oh and for our anniversary (December 29) we decided to buy a bed. The one we have is old and won't fit very well in our aparment. Luckily we were able to get some Christmas money from my Grandpa Lemmond (thanks agian, grandpa!). We're very excited about that and will be getting it tonight. I'm starting to feel the trill of making our new apartment a home, and I can't wait to get started. Life is going to be different, but great!

And since no post is complete without a picture (since I have a new camera and no excuse), I'll share this picture of Patxi wearing a Cabela's hat my parents got for our son. It's a little dark (it was a quick shot) but Patxi's has a great smile. He's so hansome!

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, mom, Jill, Patxi and I helped serve at the Senior Center. We had fun giving service to them. The elderly were fun to talk to and help them with their needs. I did get scolded for brushing my hair out of the way and serving coffee at the same time. If and inspector were to come in, he could shut the place down, you know. She was right and trying to be helpful, but I just thought that it was funny how picky she was. We had fun anyway.





It turned out that Jen and Nick couldn't make it to La Grande for Christmas. We were all sad about it but we still did our gift exchange with them. Mom gave us all PJs like always and Patxi and I did each other's stockings. It was great fun keeping Patxi's stocking stuffers a secret from him. I think I get more out of it than he does. I can't wait until we have children and live Christmas vicariously through them. It's going to be so fun!







Then we stayed inside all day in our PJs, watching movies and eating. Mom has an elaborite table setting for Christmas dinner, which we of course eat in our PJs. It's kind of ironic but a fun tradition. It was a great Christmas.

Wintery Salem

Here are some pictures of the snow that occupies Salem. I'm told that it hasn't snowed and stayed like this in thrity years. Crazy!








This is the freezing rain that turned Salem into a winter wonderland over night.

For us this is normal so we don't think of it as a novelty. But it's funny to hear how people quarantine themselves in their houses. I guess that's probably a good thing because I would hate to be driving on the road with them. Patxi and I enjoy the snow and are happy to have more of a winter we are used to.

Christmas cookies

I got the festive feeling this year and decided to use my cookies cutters I bought from the after Christmas sales last year. It was the first time I made sugar cookies by myself and I was a little anxious after the first batch. I brought them to work for our little Christmas branch party and they were a hit, so I decided to make more for those I visit teach and our neighbors. I was so proud of what they looked like that I had to take a picture, well two. Enjoy!

Ward Christmas Party with the Waites

Patxi ahd drill December 12-14th so I went with him to Pilot Rock/ Pendleton. That firday was Patxi's parent's and brother's ward Christmas party. I got two camera shots of my neice and nephews: Libby, Elden, and Eli. I don't think their younger brother, Elliot is in them, but enjoy!


Liddy's in red and Elden is on the end not really singing but cute.

32 Weeks!

This is a picture of me at 32 weeks. It's a little late because I'm 34 weeks now, but with moving, packing, and trying to fix our car, time slipped by. Enjoy!

I think that I've gotten a little chubby since this picture was taken. It doesn't help that the weather has been keeping me inside and the holidays seem to produce food that's hard to say no to. I was doing so well too. I've only gained 30 pounds so far, but I think it's seriously changed since my last appointment. Don't even get me started on the fact that I almost weigh more than Patxi. Ugh! All well, I just need to be strong and say no to things that really won't give me or our son nutrition, even if it is a holiday tradition. I guess I just have a fear of being that fat pregnant lady that let yourself go because her stomach was expanding anyway. I just know that once I have him, it'll be even harder to get rid of the fat consequences of my choices now. But what is a girl to do when she's decorating sugar cookies for the neighbors? Make sure that I'm not going to poisoning them by taking samples, of course. Though I'm sure the store bought m&m were fine anyway. But then again I have to remind myself that I gain fat so much easier because my body still has the fat cells from when I was bigger. Yup, the body never really gets rid of them fat cells, they just shrink. I could lose them if I got Lipo, but like I'll waste money on that! But I just have to be extra careful and more active than the average person, which I haven't been lately.

So, take me as I am, a 8 months pregnant lady with a double chin. I guess I really have a hard time with this chubby thing because I've worked so hard before to lose the 60 pounds I did before. It's hard for me because when I lost all that weight, I vowed never to look like that again. I know it's different being pregnant, but I still have control on whether the m&m and 3Musketeers I eat will go to my thins and and add another chin, right? It complicates things being 8 month because it's trickier to be active. But in the end, all of the complications really don't matter, I just need to deal with what I've been given. So sorry for the little venting session. I'll buck up and make better choices that will promote the best and healthiest life style for me and my gr owning son.