In Memory Of

My friend Courtney gave a wonderful recap of the last 10 years.  So in keeping with the same spirit, I thought I'd try my hand at this.
10 years since I moved out of Mom's house (for the first time) and started beauty school
9 years since I moved back from Seattle and graduated Beauty school
8 years since I met Markus and feel in love and all that mushy stuff
7 years since I took pictures with my Daddy for the last time in his life (I will forever cherish them too)
6 years since Markus became LDS (Mormon) and I lost my Daddy and friend
5 years since Markus and I joined hands for eternity
4 years since we got to pay for our own LSU Football Season tickets (and oh the memories of doing so)
3 years since we became homeowners
2 years since Markus started LSU and we got Bogey!
1 year since Markus gave the "OK" to start a family and we both got new jobs

It's been a fun 10 years filled with too many memories to list.  I cannot believe how much life has changed in just 10 years.  This year has brought about changes as well too.  We found out we were expecting our first child!  What blessings that has brought to our lives.  I'm just amazed the miracles God performs when one of His children get ready to enter into this world.  I'm so grateful for the time Markus and I have had just the 2 of us.  Too many people jump into parenthood these days and it's said because I've seen firsthand the kids suffer because of it.  The good Lord knew we were ready to commit ourselves to adding to our little family and we are so excited.  As you can see from above, Markus and I have had many many years to build, and create memories and we are looking forward to continuing to do so with our son who appears will be coming in the New Year/Decade!

So in Memory Of 2010...
I attempted to rekindle relationships I thought had no chance and it's been nice.
I thought I would NEVER live to see the Saints win a SuperBowl Title.  Even if I'm not a Saints fan, that really got Louisiana Rollin'.
I've been able to live out my favorite number of years, 27, in just the way I imagined I would... PREGNANT!
Met my soon-to be BIL, Brack and he is amazing.  Sad they don't live closer!
I've tested out my mad skills of furniture refinishing and have found my new obsession!
Got my dream ride!  (A carseat in the back of the SUV)
Released from my Stake YW Calling and 3 weeks later called right back into the program!
Lost my Guest Bedroom
Skipped out on most of the LSU Football Season (hey 1st time for everything) and kinda liked it.

That is the short version.  Looking forward to what 2011 holds.  I guess you just never know what will get thrown your way and the ride you will go on in a years time.  So here's to 2011.  Oh how excited we are to meet what you have in store :)

Bye Bye Christmas

I just realized I didn't take any pictures of my tree or the house at Christmas.  So in memory of Markus and I's last Christmas just the 2 of us... here we go!

We introduced a new color this year... BLUE!  This is my "It's A BOY" Tree :)

I really am trying to embrace blue.  Not my fav, but Markus really liked it!

The colors: BLUE, white, silver

My Dollar Store find

I received this one @ the Gift Exchange for our YW Party

Another Dollar Store find

I introduced these white glitter poinsettias this year too.  I should have bought more cause I ended up really loving the way they looked.

The sweetest person Kim had this made for our little family this year for Christmas.  I cried.  It was so sweet.  She is very giving and a part of my BIL's family... I was very surprised!  

Oh they are all Peas :)  Love it!

Decided the mantle needed to continue on the simple/ less is more theme.  I liked the way it turned out.

And that is my "Christmas All Through the House".  I didn't decorate as extensively as I usually do this year.  I just ran out of steam and kinda quite half way through.  But I did like the way everything turned out that I did do.  I might have to consider the whole blue thing in future years.  I think Trevor will have his own tree next year with the blue ornaments.  I think the days of having one tree are over.  haha!  So me, right?

Merry Christmas Brunch

My family came over on Christmas Day for Brunch.  I had a lot of fun in the preparations of the big day.  I did my fair share of worrying due to the fact that I didn't know if I would be in labor, the hospital or enjoying my Christmas morning at my house with my family.   But I got a clean house out of it if nothing else :)  Who doesn't love a clean house?  I must have enjoyed myself so much that I didn't get any pictures of my cutesy table or my family.  I did manage to take a few pictures of some opening gifts, but I was so rushed that I didn't get the right setting on my camera so they really don't look that great.  To set the scene, let me expound on the festivities...

I had 10 well 9 people at the "big kid" table.  The big kid table consisted of my table plus a banquet table borrowed from my in-laws.  I chose white plastic table cloth cause I knew there would be spillage and I didn't have anything that matched to cover both tables.  Then I put my pretty red runner down the center with the jewels on the end and sprinkled snowman and big snowflakes on the center of it.  Then I alternated my plates (square and round) cause I didn't have enough for 10 people (well 9) and that turned out pretty cute and uniform looking.  Each person had their name at the place setting, a cute snowman napkin (blue!) and a blueberry candy cane.  It was stinking cute!!

I had a "little kid" table too which I was very proud of.  It was Trevor's play table from the nursery and the cute green stools from IKEA.  I put this table square that Markus' Aunt Ursula gave me on the top and followed the same general theme from the big kids table.  The kids actually used it too!  I was very impressed :)

I invited my mom & sister's to do a cookie exchange which was a big hit in my book.  I found these cute little blue polar bear buckets for everyone to take their cookies in.  My favorite cookies were my sister Angie's that were mint chocolate chip.  They were awesomeness!  I think that should be our new tradition every year.  Everyone got into it, which was super fun :)

The missionaries joined us for brunch and then shared a nice message about our Savior, Jesus Christ with us.  It was nice for those who listened.  Everyone seemed to be preoccupied with opening gifts cause Natalie had to leave early, right in the middle of the message to be exact.  I was sad more didn't care to pay attention.  The Elders were so kind to share a wonderful Christmas message with us.

We opened gifts and got games from Omi which we played one of them called, Smart Ass.  Angie got this game and her daughter kept repeating it... I laughed, but picked up on things not to do/say around little kids.  Wow!  Lesson learned.

John managed to be so miserable from the moment he walked in the door that he found his way in the corner sitting on the floor and then asleep on the couch.  So the girls went into the nursery to play with the kids.  It was fun to watch them in Trevor's space.  I'm looking forward to seeing Trevor grow in the nursery I have worked oh so hard to create for my little Sweet Pea. 

After everyone left, Markus and I relaxed on the couch and zoned out.  We went through quite a bit to get everything ready that it was so nice just to be still.  I love those moments with him.  Markus takes them more often than I, but when I do... so worth it.

Overall, Christmas Brunch was filled with awesome food, good company and with my family... NEVER A DULL MOMENT!

The Menu:
Jenn: Baked Cheese (Cayenne) Grits, Scrambled Eggs
Mom: Blueberry & Pecan Pancakes (smiley face ones for the kids)
Angie: Hashbrowns with Sausage, Bacon & Cheese
Natalie: Juice, pumpkin muffins
Naomi: Milk, juice, Sausage, Bacon

Now that we are all hungry... hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas! 

Another Milestone {as of Christmas Weekend}

I  happened to be looking at our odometer yesterday while getting ready to go to my SIL's house.  It read 99,995 miles.  I decided to clock our trip to see how many miles it took from our house to hers.  Our car reached 100K miles while making the drive.  I cannot believe we have put over 55K miles on this SUV in almost 3 years.  That is hard to believe.  I'm basically just needing to knock on wood right now as we are down to 1 car cause the old Bonneville is on its last life line according to Markus.  He refuses to drive the car.  Not sure how the car instantly go worse when HE started driving it (when he got out of LSU), BUT it's worse and apparently not drive-able.  If there could be a better/worse time for car issues it would be now.  Good because I will be on Maternity leave (one day) and bad because I'm not sure if this car is repairable  or if we will be forced to get another.  Guess we'll have to see what is in store for us.  Ahhhh yes don't we all just love cars!

**P.S. Least it's my dream ride now with a carseat in the back :)))))insert smiley face :)))))))

We Made it through Christmas!

Here are some of the pics we took on Markus' Bday when he turned 30 and I made 36 weeks of pregnancy!

The best smile Markus will ever give for the camera!

The one we sent out in the few Christmas cards that were mailed

I had to have one like this!  So magical even though Markus was kicking and screaming (not literally) and calling it DUMB!

Hard to believe Christmas has now come and gone.  Still no sign of Trevor making his Grand Entrance into this world.  I was happy to enjoy Christmas Eve with my hunny and his family and Christmas Day with my family and his again.  It will be our last Christmas as just he two of us and Trevor's official "1st" Christmas in 2011.  I was so worried I would go in to labor and not be able to join in the festive celebrations.  But the good Lord decided it wasn't time yet.  I'm anxiously awaiting what this week holds as I'm now officially full term (38 weeks on Christmas Eve) and still could go any day.  Will keep you informed if we have a new arrival to our house.  Looking forward to meeting my little Sweet Pea face to face.  It's gonna be great!

I Heart Pictures

We got ours today!  Teezing you with one as the header.  Christmas cards go out tomorrow.  Now ready for baby and NEWBORN pics.  Need to get some cute knit hats for him to wear first.  Oh Etsy.com here I come.  Will post pics later :)

On My List

Is it sad that I want a diaper bag for Christmas?  Haha!  It was one of those things that I didn't get from my shower, that I seriously cannot live without.  I've been eyeing this one for a while and this one

but I've made up my mind to go with the Black/Silver one for right now.  It gets perfect reviews where the green one doesn't have as great of reviews.  I really hope I can get this thing in my house before baby comes, but I guess if nothing else I won't have to go anywhere with baby for a little bit (other than the Dr.) so I might not "need" it right away.  Least that is what I'm telling myself.  I'm getting really excited for Christmas and even more so to see when Baby Trevor will get here.  Won't be long now!  3 weeks to go (or less)!