36 Week Update

Minus 4 weeks and counting! 

Baby Boy is the size of a coconut.  Still at a length of 17.2 to 18.7 inches and weighing in between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds.  He is continuing to pack on the pounds and his skin is getting smoother.  His liver and kidneys are completely functioning and he is almost able to completely breathe on his own.  His circulation and immune systems are also good to go. 



Minus make-up, hair pulled back, getting ready for bed...sorry for the scary picture!

 As for mommy, I'm holding in there.  Finally feel pregnant with only 4 weeks to go!  Minor swelling, nausea, and the ol' aches and pains.  Nothing we can't live with though.  And, as of last weeks appointment, Dr says we are are right on for an average first time pregnancy.  I guess that's a good thing!

Highlight of this month: Baby Shower!  We had so many friends and family join me at our house for a quick game, decorating onesies, and a round of opening gifts and eating cake!  I don't have pictures from the day yet, but I will be getting them from my friend soon.  I will post a few then.  But I do have a sneak peek into the amount of gifts we received! And boy, all I can say is we are so blessed with great friends and family!  Baby boy is so loved and he doesn't even know it yet.  We got an array of things, from outfits to blankets, bottles to toys and books, a tub to a bouncer, a cow humidifier to baby monitors!  We couldn't ask for a better life! 

Room one!

A few in the baby room

More in baby room

Quilt: Handcrafted by my mom...Never knew she could do this! But we love it :)

Diaper cake #1...took a long time to put together I'm sure, but just as long to take apart and put away!

Diaper cake #2, all those tiny hair bands wrapped around the diapers...I finally gave up!

Super cute diaper motorcycle!! I didn't want to take it apart!



Fire trucks with balloons tied to them and 1 diaper cake!

  As I said, LOTS of stuff!  And tons of diapers because the of the "man shower."  The guys were instructed to bring diapers as their entrance fee.  We let some of the guys in without them, though!

Special delievery!

Buzz got his first package in the mail this week.  We were both very excited! 
He got some super cute onesies and fleece jammies from his buddy, Mr. T and his parents. 

How could you not love those cute little farm animals!  Can't wait to put these on baby boy.

 And the moose :)  and the super soft fleece!

Thanks a ton!  We appreciate all the gifts we've been getting.

Speaking of "gifts", the fire department gave hubby a gift at their monthly meeting. 

They said it's only the start of the number of batteries we will need!  Very appreciated!

Weekend of fun

As you may recall (or may not), Saturday was my birthday.  A quarter of a century, yes, I clearly remember! 

We had a BBQ with some friends and family.  Some people brought yummy food to share.  I, as usual, ate too much.  Didn't even have enough room to drink or make a s'more!

A good friend made a LARGE bowl of Gooey Chex Mix.  I forgot to get the recipe, which is probably for the better.  But then I did research online and found it....dammit!  http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=182842  Here is the link.  She had everything except the cashew halves.  It was like heaven in a bowl....or giant gut ache in a bowl.  Whichever you prefer!

I didn't have my camera out to take pictures of all the horseshoe throwin', card playin', eatin', little kids runnin' around, drinkin' action.  But I took 2 pictures of my favorite gifts!

Beautiful flowers from some wonderful friends who couldn't make it to celebrate

And this little guy!

If you don't know what that last picture is, I will tell you.  ahh..... one word....Amazing!
This is the head massager.  Some like it, some don't.  I, personally, love it!
Even better when hubby does it for me.  I almost fell asleep...only he gets bored after about a minute and quits!  We're working on it.
Thanks to my sister-in-law, I now would rather sit on the couch and playing with this little guy. 

So, after the long weekend of food and celebration, my parents took me out Sunday night to my favorite Mexican restaurant....The Hat!  And gave me an awesome birthday gift.  I would picture it here, but then you would all know how spoiled I am! :)

I'm off to enjoy my head massage and relax before some friends come over!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, my sister in law reminded me today that I am a quarter century old today.  Thanks Bri! 

We are having people over to our house for a BBQ and good times.  Hubby spent a long time putting together horseshoe pits (seems to be his new favorite game) and cleaning up the garage in case of rain.  We are hoping to have the fire pit lite and plenty of foods, fun, friends, family, and drinks!

I will be posting later this week my list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 30.  Ugh, that's only 5 years away, I better get my butt in gear!

So, in honor of the last 25 years, I am raising my glass of (yucky) wine and toasting to myself.  Here's to the next 25 years and an even better time! :)  Thank you to all my friends and family who have brought me through those 25 years and made them awesome!

....I'm back!

Ok, seems I've been missing for awhile.  Things have been happening, but I sometimes I feel the best blog contains pictures.  And it seems I've been forgetting my camera lately.  But over the weekend, I got a few good shots to help tell the story and I will be posting them soon. 

Quick fourth of July recap:
Hubby and I met up with my parents, brother and a few friends at the Rodeo on Friday night.  This was hubby's class reunion weekend, so we ran into a few old classmates of his and had some drinks at a local restaurant.
Spent July 2nd at the Parade in the morning with my mom, aunt, cousin and grandma.  Afterwards, we went to the Arts Roundup and walked around in the scorching heat.  I burned pretty nicely that day!
That night, we had a birthday party and bonfire at my in-laws for my brother-in-law.  Lots of food, friends, fire, and fun.  Ha!  Also a few minor firework mishaps, or I should call them, malfunctions.
July 3rd was spent doing as little as possible.  We were both tired from the night of partying that we slept until noon!  I think we had a relaxing day...I can't remember!
July 4th - I went to the derby with my mom, aunt, uncle and cousins.  About the only thing I got out of that, was wrinkles, skin cancer, and sun spots.  That night, hubby and I went to his brothers house to see the nieces.  We had a few drinks and some pizza and played with the girls.  I got my fill of baby holding and some relaxation time.  Everything was going well, until Nevaeh tripped and fell and hit her head on a brick. Ouch! Poor girl had so much blood, but she was a trooper while mom cleaned her up.  Little sis, Elli, cried for "Vaeh".  Elli made me tear up when she was crying and screaming "What wrong with Vaeh!!!!!??"

So after all the fun of the weekend, we were back to work on Tuesday. 

After boring you with a weekend recap, I will hopefully entertain you this week with actually stories and pictures.  Family reunion this coming weekend, so I should really have stories for you then! :)

I'm battling a case of the Monday's today along with a massive headache. 
But, on a better note, it's Bachelorette night! And I WILL be watching tonight!

Enjoy your day and remember to smile!

When nothing else fits, wear a Smile!

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."

Steph is just that, a treasured memory.  3 years ago today, I lost a good high school friend.  I don't usually like to bring the past up about things like this, but I can't help but want the world to know about her!

About 14 years old.  Don't mind my slutty shirt, we were going to a dance!

When you were having a bad day, Steph was always there with a smile and a giggle to cheer you up.

She smiled through everything, even when she would get yelled at by a teacher!  She was one of those people who irritated you when you were having an angry day because she was still smiling!

I have so many memories of her from sleep overs, birthday parties, Farmer's Union Camp, Garth Brooks concert, ski trips, sports, yearbook staff, dances, Drama club, you name it, she was there. 

Farmers Union camp!

Many things that I remember about her include:
Her love for animals, especially dolphins.
Her giggle for no reason!
The way she flirted, and couldn't hide it!
Her passion for music. 
The amount of books she read!
She was so nice to everyone, no matter who they were.
Her intelligence.
Her open and adventurous personality.  She really wanted to skydive one day
Her numerous years of braces!
Her loyalty to her friends and family.
Her caring-ness  She loved old people!

Farmers Union Camp banquet night

I can honestly say my school years would not have been the same without her.

Now after high school, we texted and called once in awhile, but she was in a different town for college and made tons of new friends.  We kind of drifted and then ran into each other one night at the bar when we were both, oddly, meeting a mutual friend there and didn't know it.  We had a great time drinking, talking, and making new memories.  That was the last time I hung out with Steph. 

She was loved by so many and touched so many lives.  We are all so grateful to have known her, even if it was only 22 years. 

Taken too young, but in our hearts forever. 
So for today, I remember to wear a smile, even though my heart is still sad after 3 years. 

Sleepover at my house after a junior high dance

Happy 25th Birthday, Steph! Hope they are throwing you one shibby party today!! :)



Sometimes you have to stop...

And remind yourself why you are so blessed. 

Looking at pictures of the flooding going on in North Dakota and around the US and the tornadoes and storms down South, reminds me how lucky and blessed I am to be where I'm at. 
The only "natural disaster" that I have had to live through was our house burning down.  Sad time, yes.  We lost almost everything, yes.  But I still had my family and some pictures to remember my childhood. 
Some of these people may never get those things back. 
Some don't have family to lean on for support.
Some don't have what they need to start over.

Photo Credit: Bismarck tribune

I just remind myself that I have a good life and I couldn't ask for more.

My amazing family on my dad's side

My beautiful friends and family.

I feel like I should spend my Memorial day weekend sandbagging and hoping those who need my help, instead of spending the weekend with family for my sister-in-laws graduation.  I wish there was something I could do with the time I have.  But for now, I will continue to pray for those in need.

Enjoy the time you get with your friends and family and have a great Memorial Day!

Branding Season Started

Couldn't get in the fields this weekend, so they decided it was a great time to brand and run the calves through. 

Be afraid!  Hubby with a needle

All the new little babies got their shots and brands.  A few got tags and some got banded. 

I don't think this little guy like it much!

If you don't know what banding is, I will try to put it politely.  The bully calves that won't be kept for breeding purposes get their man-hood taken.  This can be done by cutting or banding.  My parents cut, my in-laws band.  It's a matter of preferences in most cases.  When they are banded, a tight, little elastic band is secured around their, ahh-hems.  Not sure which I prefer, either ones gotta be painful.  Poor little guys!

Anyway, life goes on and the guys proceeded at their tasks.  At the in-laws, this is usually an event filled with plenty of our friends and beverages and food and some wives there for moral support.

Part of the branding crew

And yes, at both farms, we use the shuttles and cradles.  Lazy? Easier?  I don't know.  But neither of us have horses and enough people (or calves) to waste the energy on roping the little guys and wrestling with them.

Good snag brother!

To start the process, all the calves are sorted from their mama's and pushed into the corals.  Two or three guys are in charge of pushing a group of the calves to the holding pen so they can be pushed through the shuttles easier. 

These guys are waiting their turn

Brother M and another friend pushed the calves through the "alleyway" into the shuttle

After the calves are all worked, they are moved back to the pasture with their mama's.  This is always a fun time and because I was part of the fiasco, I didn't get any pictures.  This may be were MORE beverages were consumed.  People on 4-wheelers or driving the Ranger or in the tractor with a bale of hay to get them movin' and beverages.  Yes, I know, we are all about safety around here!

After all the fun is done, the food that the woman prepared (myself included!) is set out for the hungry, tired, dirty, stinky guys to eat.  Which then turns into a night of cards and more beverages.  I may have joined in more on this activity!

And no, those cans are NOT all mine.  I just happened to be sitting by the can pile.

Over all, a productive day!  A little drizzle and sleet and no sun. 
I was in charge of keeping these 4 little guys that decided to sneak through the one fence that is a little larger then others.  I lost the same one 3 times! The first time, secretly, I wanted to see if it would really go through.  The second and third time, he was faster then me!

Enjoy the planting season and the thought of a nice Spring!

Rancher in the Making! Not by choice, though

So hubby and I are currently the proud parents of 7 little black and white bullies, who have all oddly stolen my heart!  How can they not, they have the cutest faces and the funniest "expressions." 

Last night, since hubby was so sweet to stop and pick up steaks and fill the propane tank to grill up supper for my friend and I, I thought I would go out and feed the babies myself. 

We have been trying to get little Eddie off the bottle and on the pail like the rest of his brothers.  No one was having success with Eddie.  So I thought, since I'm on my own, I will try, just TRY to get this little, timid guy to drink out of the pail.
So, like usual, I got the pail ready and set it in the pen.  I let him suck on my fingers (I like when they do that) and tried to bring his head to the pail. 
            No luck...
        So I brought the pail to his nose, but he wouldn't put it in.  He just kept pullin' his head away, like usual.

I wasn't giving up this time and I wasn't going to get frustrated, either.  One more attempt, and Holy Smokes, he stuck his nose full force into the pail of milk!  I set the pail down and pulled my finger out of his mouth slowly and stepped away. 
At this time, my father-in-law was in the barn helpin' me give them feed, and I said, "See, easy as that!" 
I think he was a little shocked, because we have all tried this method for the last week and I, little old, somewhat farm girl, Dani, did it!

PROOF!

           Yup....
                   I got Eddie to eat like the big kids!
                         Maybe now they will all stop pickin' on him!  Poor guy, he's easily spooked and timid still.


On another note: 
Hubby grilled up some great tasting steaks and awesome cheesy, seasoned potatoes for my bestest friend in the whole world! It was great to see Jay and have some much needed girl talk.  Life seems to stop when I get to hang out with her.  Never a dull or crabby-ass moment with her.

Can't seem to find a picture of us sober.  Is that bad?

It's funny, I think the closer you live to someone, the less you see them.  When Jay lived 10 miles away, I saw her MAYBE once a month.  Now she lives about 75 miles from me, and I definitely NEVER see her.  Haven't even seen her place and it's been about a year since she moved there.  HORRIBLE friend!

             But it was GREAT to see her and catch up.  It's kinda tough to call and talk when she lives the life of a full time nurse with a rotating shift!

Enjoy the weekend and hopefully the sun will come out so I can plant my flowers.  And possibly a day of working cattle at the in-laws! Might be an exciting weekend (with a headache ending!).

Project 31: Day 3

Day 3: Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

I thought about this post for a long time before deciding who I would write about.  I know so many woman who inspire beauty, but I my bestest friend in the whole world, Jaylea, inspires me!  She is a gorgeous 20-something with a lot of heart.  She is a recent graduate from the nursing program and is a wonderful full-time nurse.  She cares so much for her patients and puts her whole heart into her job. 

I met J when I moved into the dorms in college.  We were paired to be roommates and were suddenly inseparable.  She was my MOH and will always be my best friend.  She accepted me and many others before truly knowing us.  She made lots of friends and has helped me see that I am also a beautiful person.  She is a true friend who is caring, giving, and loving to each person she knows.  She is a genuine person.  She is always looking to make someone else happy and have a good time before herself.  J has so many attributes and values that I wish I had.  The only thing I don't like about J, is that she doesn't live in the same town as me anymore and we NEVER see each other!  I miss her to death but I know she is making a life for herself.
Love you, J!<3