Food Cravings

I don't understand it myself, but, wow, we women who are having babies have some of the weirdest food cravings. These four items I can eat at anytime : Ramon, Cheetos, Peanut Butter, and my fav, Gummy Snacks!!!
Most of my cravings are weird for me because I don't normally like it. Example: ketchup. I have not liked ketchup since I was seven years old and learned what french fries taste like in ranch. I hate ketchup!, and now . . . . . well, I think I have already eaten a whole bottle of it.
Anytime Cory asks me what I want for dinner and I have a craving that I tell him, he looks at me with one eye raised, and says "Where did that come from?" My response is always the same: "Da babies"
Right now at this very moment chips and salsa, and peppermint gum(I know that not food) sound like heaven. I think that maybe I have such weird combos because each baby is sending a different craving. Maybe that is just normal. What do you think?

Morning Sickness

oh my! . . . . morning sickness go away, come again never!!!!

Yes, I have been really sick. When people find out I'm pregnant one of the most common questions I get asked is "How are you feeling?". Well, I am not feeling so good . . . . x 2. They say that when you are having twins your morning sickness can be double hard as well. Because this is the first time I have ever been pregnant, I have nothing to compare it to, but I can say that I have had to call in sick to work two times already and I hate calling in sick! I am trying to lead my life as though I don't feel like barfing on everyone's shoes, but really I wish I could just close up shop, set up a little bed/house in my bathroom and not leave for two and half more weeks. (this is when my morning sickness is suppose to stop, the best Christmas present I could get)

My venting begins:
To all of you that think you smell nice because you are wearing nice perfumes or colognes: you are my mortal enemy!
To anyone who smokes: please don't smoke around other people. I hate it when I get out of the movie theatre or leave a restaurant, and I CAN'T walk to my own car without smelling your smoke. If I can see you, I can smell you!
I hate to say it but the smell of soaps and cleaner send me over the edge. Please still take baths and showers, but calm down on the smell.
To those of you that wear hairspray in your hair: I can smell it. At this point I can probably tell you what brand you are wearing.
If you have plug in "smelly things" in your house please do not invite me over.
And not that this is a smell thing but, To all of the stores that have locks on their bathroom with keys that I have to check out: Next time, I'm just going to pee on your floor.

Oh, how wonderful pregnancy is!

Um . . . . What do two pink lines mean?

About one month ago Cory and I thought I might be pregnant so we went down to the store and got a at-home pregnancy test. Good news: I'm pregnant! We have been so excited and really wanted to scream it from the roof tops! (After 7 years of marriage we finally figured out what went where) Not really, but still, this is huge for us. We have been really happy with our life together with just the two of us and I am still happy that we took our time to decide we were ready to start a family. Still though, that last couple of months have been lonely, and I know that feeling has been because my life is ready for a child. I can't wait!

We went to the doctor on Wednesday for out first ever pregnant doctor's visit! I was told, by the books and several people, that I would be able to hear the heart beat and everything. I could not wait. The morning of that day I had butterflies in my stomach and I felt as though it would not get here soon enough. Cory only worked half the day and then got off at lunch so we could go down together. As we rode, we hoped for good news. "I just hope that the baby is healthy" we said over and over.

When we got to the doctor's office I spent a great deal of time filling out paper work. Then we went into the doctor's room and spent a great deal more time asking a answering questions. Finally, the time we had all been waiting for came! I got up on the table.

Both my eyes and Cory's were fixed on the small computer screen that looked like a big black hole with static all over it. Somewhere in there was our baby and I was only a few seconds away from having it pointed out to me.

"It looks like there are two"

(baby#1 in the middle of the black hole, baby#2 on the bottom)
"It looks like there are two"
The words that have changed my life upside down!

I felt like I was having an out of body experience. This is not happening! Twins? This is not happening! I can't do this. This is not what I planned for! Twins?!?
I remember coming back down to earth when I felt my husband's hand grasping tighter to mine. He was saying "Oh, wow! How neat! Wow!" I started crying for many reasons: I was happy, I was scared, I felt like I had somehow lied to my husband because I told him we were going to be having baby and now we were having two, and yet he was happy about it, and I was the one terrified. Twins????

Five days have gone by and my mind is still blown away every time I think about. This is going to be the biggest adventure of my life. I will cry. I will laugh. I spend more money then I thought. I will smile. I will get really big! I will hurt. I will enjoy. I will be excited. I will be thankful. I will think. I will grow. I will understand. And I will learn of love that no other experience in my life will teach me. I will be a mom.

Sincere Gratitude

Tonight we had a Relief Society meeting at church. As this month is the month of giving thanks, we talked about sincere gratitude. What it is to be grateful, and how to show love to one another. It was so nice and I needed it in my life right now.
I am so grateful for this time of the year, when people start to think differently. When we look at each other as brothers and sisters and not strangers. When we reach out to people in need and show love that we should have been showing all year.
I can't began to list all the things that I am grateful for. I have the best husband in the whole world. I am thankful everyday to have him in my life. He is my rock in so many ways. I love my family. Each one of them has had a hand in molding me into the person I am today and will continue to teach me. Thank you Mom and Dad for raising me and I hope you are proud of the person I have become, because I am proud to have been raised by you! I am grateful for my sisters. We have so much fun together, and I know that no matter how old we become, we always will. I love the one brother that the Lord blessed our family with growing up. Not only does he blow me away with his talent, but he has shown me how to care for people and love. My brother is the most caring person in my life. Never have I heard him say one mean thing to me growing up and even now that we are adults. He has never put me down or made fun of me. A lesson that I need to learn from my younger brother.
I love the family that I married into as well. They are the most excepting group of people. Take you just the way you are and then love you for it. They thank me all the time for finding Cory and becoming a part of their family. I am so grateful for the best mother-in-law I could have ever asked for. Thank you Mom for loving me and making me smile and laugh every time I need it.
I am thankful for my church, the gospel, and the peace that it brings into my life. I can't put into words how thankful I am for my savior. I love him so much. I am grateful that my savior, Jesus Christ would die for me. For me. No matter how much I serve him I will never be able to pay him back for that.
I am thankful for life. This life, right now, with all its problems and hardships. It is mine and I am thankful to have it.
Thank you . . . . . to everyone, Thank you.

I am Sick!

I am so sick!

I have this nasty cold that wont go away. I have eaten nothing but soup and fruit for the last four days and drank nothing but Orange Juice and herbal tea (blah :(). Last night my wonderful "Honey" went to the store and got me a vaporizer so last night I finally did get some sleep. Anyone Got any ideas? Worst part is I can't afford to take any more time off work, so somehow I have to brave the idea of making myself pretty and driving off to work this afternoon. On the up side I started watching the "Lost" DVD's. It's a good show.

Weekend in Joe City

This weekend Cory and I went to Joe City in northern AZ where Cory grew up. We left the city to get out of town, see a Joe City high school football game, and visit grandpa Miller. I could not wait for the car ride up. I would think that most people hate the car ride up with their families but Cory's family is so much fun. We laughed the whole time.

First of all Jim (mother-in-law's husband) wanted us to sing "Life would be a dream" "sha-boom, sha-boom" the whole time! We had a conversation that started with grapes and ended with meeting "Bubba" in jail and getting a soap on the rope. (don't ask) Jake (nephew, age 8) got a new phone and kept calling everyone on their phones even though he was sitting right next to you. Dylan (nephew, age 7) was telling on Cory for not farting. "Mom, Cory's not farting when I pull his finger!" Cory got yelled at because he was holding the seat belts behind people so when they went to put their seat belt on they couldn't, and Jim fell asleep and started snoring. Cory thought there was something wrong with the engine.

We stopped at sonic for drinks and bathroom break on the way up
(Jake and Dylan)

Here we are walking into the football stadium at Joseph City High School. For being such a small town they have a great high school.


This will tell you how small of a town Joe City is : During the game the announcer said "Ross Mayor your car lights are on." Not the owner of a Blank blank, no they know everyone in the town and what they drive. Very small town!


At half time the kids and some of the men got to go onto the field and try to kick a field goal. If they were able to make it they could pick anything from concession stand.


Here is Jake taking his turn.

The football game was great to watch and even though we lost, the game was close. Don't worry, we will come back and kill them at state.

Night Number 2: Fireworks!!!!

About ten miles outside of Joe City they have what they call the Bad Lands. As you can see they have some neat hills there. Most the time you come out here to have bond fires, parties, BBQ, and to shoot off some fireworks.

We all sat around while the men set up the show

This is Sophie's "big smile". She can't wait for the show too!

The fireworks were great. Bigger and better then I thought they were going to be.

Great time! I can't wait to make my way back. Thanks for the fun Joe City.

That Darn Cat!

I really love my job. I am not being sarcastic either. I really, really enjoy my job. I get to play with cats and dogs all day. How could that not be fun? The answer . . . . . when they do not want to play back.

That is a cat bite on my arm. Today I met a cat that really did not want to be held. It really does not look that bad either. The cat really could have ripped my skin off but he didn't, just a nice little bite. The problem with all of this is the cat was a stray cat that ended up testing positive for a disease. Now we have a hole different set of problems!

Down to urgent care I went. They had to clean everything out with sterile water, which stung worse then when I got bit. They took an x-ray to make sure that there was not little pieces of cat teeth still in my arm, and gave me antibiotics to help fight off any infection that the dirty cat mouth might have given to me.

Now I am just waiting to hear back from the county to see if the the cat has rabies. So if I start foaming at the mouth and going crazy, now I have a valid excuse for acting the way I do.

That Darn Cat!

Young Women

Four weeks ago I was released from my calling with my church. Over the past four weeks I have had a very hard time coming to terms with this because I loved my calling and working with the people that I worked with. I was in the Young Womens, which means that I worked with the 12-18 year old girls in my church. We had lessons on Sundays and weekly activites on Wednesdays. I only had the chance to do this for about one year, and I loved it, more than can be told through words. I can not stop missing "my girls". I know that all the changes that have been made are all for the right people and that the new women that are in there now will do a great job. I know that, but I hate not being in there with them. I hate my empty wednesday nights.

Last Sunday I went to the "adult womens" class, and as I sat there (in the back corner of the class) I started crying. It's just not the same. The lesson was great. The Spirit was there. I felt loved but at the same time I was missing the biggest piece of my Sunday . . . .my girls.

I am so thankful for the time that I got to spend with my young women. I learned so much and I hope that in the furture I will be able to find my way back into the young womens program. I love each and every one of my girls. I hope that in some small way I was able to touch their hearts and that they will be able to take the things I have taught them and remember them, use them, and grow from them.

I love you girls,
Sis. Whittaker

You know when there is a shirt or something that you wore the other day and you want to throw it on again? After looking on the floor, under the bed, and anywhere else that you throw your clothes when you you get home you remember that you put it in the dirty clothes hamper and so you start digging. Don't lie, I know you do it too.

Well, tonight that happened. There was a shirt that I wanted to throw on that I knew I wore the other night. I told Tank, my yellow lab, to get out of the way that I was going to put the clothes right where he was laying. He didn't move, and so . . . .


This is what happened.

The best part is that he just sat there with the clothes on him for like an hour. Crazy dog. He didn't care that we were laughing at him and taking pictures or anything. Just happy to be with his people. I love my dogs.

Softball with the girls!

"Everybody clap your hands"

This Wednesday we had softball at Cooley Park. Funny thing was only five girls were able to make it for this game, and even funnier; we won. That's right! Five on Ten, We still kick their butts! Go 34th ward Olympians!

Here is Jordan. I had just asked her what she thought about all this silliness.

Paris was hilarious. I don't think I ever saw her run to any single base. I swear she skipped and danced to them all.

That's Jordan again. Ready to hit the ball.

Kaylee on second base. She looks to attentive.

I know the picture is really bad and grainy, but that is Becca on third base getting ready to score us a point. Go Becca!!

Paris again coaching first base, with Kelcie. They are so good looking!

Sis. Goodman (coach), Paris, Kaylee, Becca, Kelcie, Jordan

I am so grateful to have these girls in my life. They make me laugh and I have so much fun with them. Love you girls!!!

Dexting

We in the 21st century have learned to multitask in many ways. One example of this is "dexting". This is a combination of dancing and texting. For further explanation see below . . . .

K, for real. Cory and I were asked to chaperons a dance with our church for the youth of the church. I thought we were going to be braking up fights and keeping the boys and girls off each other. I had no clue it was going to be this bad. Really? Really, texting while you are dancing with someone? Really?
(Poor guy)

Cards at Mom's

Every Sunday evening Cory and I go over to his mom's house to play card games, other fun games, hang out, and just spend some time with the family. We never know what to expect from his family because they are crazy. No, I am not kidding, we have had silly string parties, water fights, Nerf ball competitions, food fights, and laughed until our bellies hurt almost every Sunday. They are awesome, and the perfect way to end the weekend and start the next week. This week I almost didn't go because I was not feeling so good, but I am so glad I did.
See, I have a niece named Sophie.


She is the cutest little red-headed girl you will ever meet. One of her favorite things to do at these parties is to play dress up, but this Sunday her other dress up partner was not there so . . . .

Kari became a police officer.

Weston, her dad, got a fancy hat. (and he wore it with pride)

Brandt became a girl with his new necklace and flower straw hat.

Dell got to see what it woud be like to have hair. (Yes, that is a wig)

She made me pretty. You can't see it but I have like ten or so necklaces on under that red scarf thing.

and Cory, well, I think Cory's outfit speaks for it's self.

Jim also got an ear ring. Which Cory though would work better as a nose ring.

You be the judge.

I am Wonderful! Or so they say . . . .

In the past couple of weeks I have gotten two letters from three different people out of the blue telling me how wonderful I am at my calling in the church. Talk about cloud 9!!!
I mean, okay, I know that I am always saying that I am so wonderful, and hot, and totally awesome, and I am . . . but it is so great to hear it from others that you love as well.

This one is from two of the girls that I help teach in church. They are so sweet and I love them so much. I never knew that they felt this way about me. Wow, and they look up to me as well. I feel even more now that I need to watch what I say and do to be a good example to them. The Lord has blessed me with such wonderful girls.

This one is from a mother of one of the girls in Young Women's with me. It makes me feel so thankful that the mothers of the girls see the work that we put into our callings so that these girls can truly have a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father.

I LOVE my calling in the church! I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me in so many ways that I can not even count. I love the young women, I love their sweet spirits, I love the bonds that we create together, I love the lessons, the games, the laughs, the tears, the hugs, the growth, the fun, the skits, the treats, the parties, the silliness, and the love.

I am forever in debt to my Heavenly Father for the time that I get spend with these girls.

We Got a New Bird

Yes, I know! We have too many animals as it is. This is what happens when you don't have any animals when you are a kid. When you grow up and can make your own rules about how many animals can come into your home, you go hog wild. (Oh, maybe we should get a hog next?)

Anyway, this is Isis. She is an Amazon Parrot.

She is our new little pet. So far she says "hi", "hello", she burps, and she laughs. How fun.

Birthday at Camp

K, so, I know that is has been awhile and I'm sorry. Don't you just hate it when life gets in the way of your life? Anyway, . . . . .

This July I had the great joy of going up to camp with my church. We take the girls in our ward ages 12-18 and go up to a place by Pine, AZ. It is always fun, and truth be told, I look forward to it more than my own personal vacations. It is that much fun.
Each year we have a new "theme" and this years theme was : We can do it, He can help! It came from the old "Rosie the Riveter" posters. We added the "He can help" for the spiritual message that we wanted to girls to learn. It was really good, and even if the girls didn't get anything from the message, it was what I needed to hear this year.
Girls camp this year was even more fun for me because not only did I get to go up on my Birthday again, but this was the first and maybe only year that both my sisters and I were all up at camp together. If only our mom would have come, then all the girls would have been there. (jk mom, I love you)

Jordan, Kaylee, and Me

Ya, We know we are hot!

My mom made sure that I got a birthday cake, even up at camp. (it's cupcakes in the shape of a watermelon. So cute!)

This is my group of "3rd Year" girls. On their 3rd year of camp they go on the hardest hike!!!!! Ever!!!! We made it: This is our proof, "WE CAN DO IT, HE CAN HELP!"

I Have Issues!

Yesterday when I went to work they had a project for me to do. Organize some drawers that we put tubes and needles into. They asked me to do this because I have issues. Really, I have a problem. I like everything to be neat and organized to a very high degree. It is not normal and I am looking into places that will take me in and help me with my problem, but they have all told me that I am beyond help and that due to my level of insanity that I am just going to have to learn to deal with it.
Oh well, at work I found I way to pull four drawers worth of stuff, organize it and put them back into only three, with everything in its own place.
Aren't they so pretty?

Only after I finished did I think to take a picture of the before shot.

Anyway, I thought it was great and to be completely honest I loved doing it. My whole house is this way. And I took pictures to prove it.

My closet in our bedroom.

The pantry. Cory messes with me and moves one or two things around. I can always find it.

The trick to a bathroom medicine cabinet is to not put too much in it. Only what you use everyday.

As my grandma always says "everything has a place, and everything in it's place"