Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend was a wonderful time that we spent with family and friends. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Thanksgiving day, as I was really nauseous. We had the big dinner at our house and the normally delicious aromas of food cooking turned my tummy upside down. Ryan, my brother, who is also a full time student at PSU was able to join us. He hasn't been able to be with us on Thanksgiving for a few years due to work and his practicum schedule. After dinner, he and Jason put Christmas lights on the house.

For about 8 months Jason and I have been saving, researching the consumer reports, and pricing flat panel t.v's. A few weeks ago we ordered our 46 inch t.v., and it arrived this weekend. We were so thankful that Ryan was home to help Jason with the wall mounting and installing (I can't lift too much right now). We put the t.v. in our bedroom across from the bed. We had the perfect wall space. We were going to put it in the living room, but it is what you call a "great room." Currently when we watch t.v. we have to have it up pretty loud as there aren't a lot of close walls for the sound to bounce off of....and where the currently t.v. is in the living room will be the same side of the house where the nursery will be located.....we didn't want to disturb the baby with the loud television.
Getting the wall mount level was a little tricky!
Ta-daa! All finished! We totally LOVE having the t.v. in our room. Ryan brought home his gaming system and in the evenings we have had a blast playing family video games. We hooked up our blue-ray player to the tv, which makes you feel like you are in a theater when you watch the movies....the picture is amazing! I also have been wanting an artificial tree for the bedroom in addition to the real one we have in the living room. We got a great deal Friday on this 7 1/2 foot tree.

The Nutcracker

On Sunday afternoon Jason, Brandon, Kristina, and I went to the Nutcracker. It was all sold out and was a wonderful show, not to mention that students and friends we knew performed in the ballet. Then we went to the Ikola's for dinner and exchanged Christmas gifts.

I got country/shabby chic home decor, which I absolutely LOVE.

Brandon got golf goodies.

Kristina got a red pillow to match her house and snowmen bowls.

Jason got golf and Sudoku puzzles.

Who Are You?

Okay, this might sound strange, but we have noticed a reader from a connection in Owosso, Michigan reading our blog. In the comment section, can you please tell us who you are.....we are curious?

I've Been Tagged

Cheryl and Jessica "tagged" us and I have finally had time to sit down and blog this week. The challenge was to find the fourth picture in your fourth album and post it. Jason is 7 years old watching cartoons while visiting grandma. I am 6 and have just woken up Christmas morning (note the great morning hair).

Our Sunday

Last night I decided not to take the antihistamine and see what would happen with the hives. This morning was the start to many hives today. I don't think I will do that again! Here a smaller hive to the right of my wrist.

Jason is such a sweet guy! He has been so helpful today, which he always is. After church the weather was gorgeous. I asked Jason to help me finally turn over my summer garden and help me make it into a compost.

Then, I needed to change the bedding in the guest bedroom from summer to winter bedding. So, Jason started with the bed skirt (which really requires 2 people...but I am pregnant, so he did it). He flipped the mattress against the wall. While he was maneuvering the skirt to the top of the bed, the mattress fell on top of him! I was on the other side of the house puttering, and heard a faint flailing noise. I thought it was one of the kitties outside. But, upon further investigation this was what I found!

I am almost 9 weeks pregnant and have occasional waves of nausea, so in between the waves I made this yummy dinner of Lemon Garlic Chicken with Rice. However, a wave hit me and I had chicken noodle soup for dinner instead.

Happily Discomforted

I realized I haven't posted in a while, but for a good reason. As soon as we found out I was pregnant I came down with Strep Throat and was really sick for about a week. At the same time I was coming down with awful hives. My lips swelled to 4x's their original size, my eyes swelled shut, my throat almost swelled shut, and hives under my skin appeared all over. We thought maybe they were food induced or environmental. Lots of factors were eliminated, but the hives still appeared all over my face, every other day, only at night, and when I slept. I was beginning to wonder if I was allergic to myself. Any body part I touched or accidentally brushed would swell up with these awful hives. Jason wanted to post a picture of my misery, but I was worried it would scare people away! After being to 3 different doctors, my allergist finally had some answers. The hives are basically pregnancy induced. They took a lot of blood work today to run some tests today. I feel very relieved, and happy that there is a solution and some closure, AND I can start eating real food again!