We are expecting!

Growing up I never knew how many people struggled to get pregnant. When I was 17 and diagnosed with PCOS I was told someday getting pregnant may be difficult, but at that young it was so far away I didn't really worry about it!

Once I got married it became a real worry. I have had alot of fiends who have struggled getting pregnant. I was getting nervous that it could be a real battle for us to be able to get pregnant. Although I always wanted to be a mom and knew I always would be one way or another. After over a year without luck we decided to try fertility. We are extremely blessed because it worked on the second cycle of fertility. We are finally expecting our first child in June!

Rob and I feel extremely blessed that we have this amazing blessing and opportunity to be able to be expecting a baby and to be parents! :)

LA

On Saturday morning we woke up at five and hit the road by 6. Where were we headed? LA to take my father in law to the LA X Airport so he could fly to New Zealand. Although it was a short trip we fit a lot of fun in. Rob and I played in the water and on the bech for over two hours. We had so much fun jumping waves and swimming in the ocean! I wish we lived closer to the ocean, I haven't had that much fun in a really long time! After the beach rob and his dad and his uncle went to the session of conference while the girls went to a pier to watch boats, see the ocean, and the sites. After we left the pier we went to yogolicious this amazing frozen yogurt place thats even better than Krave except they didn't have granola as a topping ( I love granola) but it was still delicious. Then we got back together with the guys and had dinner. Then I fell asleep on the floor in the living room while eveyone was still awake, talking, and watching tv (yes I was that tires) thats what happens when you get 4 hours of sleep. Sunday we watched both sessions of conference then we went to rob's cousin sarah's soccer game, then we went to another pier and saw some surfers and went to an aquarium. Monday we had a chill morning then hit the road to head home. Robs Aunt and Uncle were awesome to let us stay with them. They live super close to the beach which was way fun! His Aunt Deb cooked for us the entire time and made us amazing meals! I had fun hanging with my hubby and getting to know robs aunt uncle and cousin. Robs cousin sarah taught me how to play wii! it was awesome-I totally wanna buy it now!!

Random Happenings

So first I have a funny story. Cash Mcfadden is a three year old I tend. He is the most hilarious kid ever. Anyway, this past week I got all excited about fall and halloween and decided to get out the few halloween/fall decorations I have. When Cash came to my house he said, "Claudi(he always calls me claudi, I suppose the last "a" is just too hard lol) I love your decorations, but I think you need to get the rest of them out." I tried to explain that I didn't have anymore decorations. Finally he said, "Well I guess we will have to go to the halloween store and find more decorations for you, because we have alot more at my house and I think you need lots like us."

In other news I ran my first 5k race. I didn't do quite as well as I would have hoped but I did ok and pretty close to my goal. I've decided running in the morning is alot harder than running at night (which is when I usually run) So maybe before my next race I need to start practicing running in the morning! :)

We are going to California this weekend to take my Father in law to the airport. It will be a short trip, but I am ecstatic to go to the beach and swim in the ocean, even if its cold! :)

Robs playing on a city league basketball team and I love to go to his games and watch him play! It makes me so proud of him! He is such a good basketball player and he loves it, so I am glad he gets to participate in something he loves!

I am enjoying my new salon job. It started out slow but its getting a little bit busier everytime I go in. It is fun to be back in a salon and meeting new people every day! It's hard sometimes to be working multiple jobs and be away from home so much, but its nice to have the extra money to be able to put into savings!

NEW JOB!

A little over month ago I told Rob I missed working in a salon and doing hair more. I also said that the only way I would ever really work in a salon again is if I could choose my own hours, still nanny, still do hair at hurricane rehab, not be required to work saturdays, find a place that paid a high commission or cheap boothrent, find a place not too far from where we live, etc. etc. I thought with all my stipulations that I was basically saying it would never happen because realistically what are the chances of me finding all of that?
Well.....I found it! At Solutions hair and body! I think this is going to be a great new change in my life and I don't think it could have happened at a better time! :) I have worked there for a week and I am loving it so far. I'm not quite as busy as I would like but I am getting there! :)

Life!

A few weeks ago I realized I was having a hard time being happy and looking on the positive side of things. At first I brushed it off as being too tired or whatever. Well after a few days I decided I ws tired of being down so I decided to change it. I thought about it and figured out I was getting discouraged by my lack of a social life. I used to be super social and over the last year and a half I have become less and less social.

I prayed and prayed for friends or comfort or just to be able to get over it and be happy. Well a day or two later I went to walmart and ran into three different friends who all made plans with me to get together that week. One friend planned to help me learn to sew. One friend planned a play date for her daughter to play with the kids I tend, and the other just planned to stop by and see my house(since she hadn't seen my new place yet. So, I've pretty much figured out prayers can even be answered at walmart lol!

Well since that time a few weeks ago when I was feeling down. Ive decided I was gonna be crafty! I've learned how to make hair bows, sewed a hot pad, sewed curtains for our camping trailer, and working on many more crafty projects. I have also taken up training for a 5K. I am training with my friends Annie and Ashlye. I look forward to our mon-wed-fri runs! It's fun to get together and chat as we get into shape together!

I don't know why I was so discouraged a few weeks go, maybe it's because I tend kids at home, and do hair at home, and cook, clean and live at home- my life wasn't balanced-I was always at home. But today I am feeling much better and have been for the past few weeks. I regularly see friends, I am trying to eat healthy and get in shape, and I'm learning new crafting skills! I am so thankful for all I have and all I've been blessed with! I have incredible friends and an amazing husband that make my life fantastic!

I would post pictures of my new crafts and trips we've gone on lately but my blog is being difficult today so I will try again soon! (sorry!)

Have you played this game?

What game am I talking about? Monopoly deal! I love it! It's a new favorite. Tied with Rummikub (and that's serious business-I love me some rummikub ha ha) Monopoly deal has all the fun of monopoly- the owning properties and houses, paying people money, competing, winning, etc. The factor that makes monopoly deal so much better than regular monopoly is that it doesn't take near as long to play? It's a fast pace card game! Yep- I said card game! No game board no pieces, just cards......and I love it.

We played it a few weeks ago at a friends house and loved it so much we had to go and buy it asap. It is a cheap game too! It was $5 dollars at walmart! Can you really beat a game that super fun, fast paced, addicting and well priced??? I think not!

If you ar enot convinced of how very cool this game is...............well the only solution is to come on over and play it with us! :)

Camping

We bought a new truck just over a month ago and it has four wheel drive is a four door and has a diesel engine. We were looking forward to seeing what it could do. Taking it camping this last weekend we were able to use the four wheel drive. Put the dog in the back seat, pull our trailer and have a four wheeler in the bed of the truck without killing our gas mileage. :)

We were so looking forward to this camping trip, but on Friday there were lots of delays. First Rob got off work later than he planned on then he accidentally locked the truck keys inside the trailer, then once we got all that figured out there were traffic delays. We were at a dead standstill on the free way for over an hour. We didn't get to Summit mountain until about 8:30 pm, hours behind schedule.

After that is was fantastic. The weather was nice and cool. The food was delicious. It was a fun little get away. We read books and played games, went on a few four wheeler rides, hung out and relaxed. It was nice having the trailer so when we ate and slept we weren't bothered by bugs. It was a fun trip. Rob thinks we need to do it again this weekend?

Life

I decided to upload a few random pictures and blog about life happenings that have occurred lately.

I tend some adorable kids: Ann, Gwen, and Cash. I love spending my days with these littles ones!

Rob had a birthday: He had a good birthday! He got a cheesecake (his favorite) He got gardening gloves, some Mountain Dew, A scope for his 25.06, work pants, some cash, and a few ties! We ate homemade pizza and had a few people over! It was a great day!

We are growing a garden. Our garden is coming along quite well! It's exciting to watch things grow I can't wait til everything is ready and we can start using what we are growing.

Rob's dog choncho now lives with us. It has been a challenge for me. I've never had a pet? I suppose it's going alright having him live with us and it makes Rob happy!

ONE YEAR!

Man! I can't believe I have been married a year! A year full of change and adjustments but good, healthy ones! It's been an amazing year! It went by so fast in a way, but in another way it feels like we have been married forever-just because it feels like life could have never been any different than it is right now! A couple years ago I never would have thought that I'd be married to Rob right now-but it's fantastic. A few years ago Rob was just my best friend whom sometimes I liked more than a friend.... Now he is still my best friend, but the love of my life also. He has been such a giant blessing in my life, I love him so much!

We have accomplished a lot in the last year. We went from 15,000 dollars of debt to 2,000 dollars of debt currently! We just moved to a bigger/better/nicer home. We have learned a lot about each other and have had a blast along the way!

My favorite things about Rob:

*He is always thinking about me-I love getting random texts throughout the day from him that say things like "I love a girl" "how's my girl doing?" or " I love you to pieces, did ya know that?"

*He is so patient

*He never gets mad or angry

*He is so calm-it balances out my over worrying tendencies

*He makes me feel pretty

*He makes me feel good at life

*I love how strong he is

*I love how tall he is

*I love how a call, text or even a smile from him can make my day

*I love how he always opens doors for me

*He plays Rumikub with me multiple times a day without even complaining

*I love how he makes me feel like the luckiest girl alive!

Seriously I could go on all day long, but i don't want to bore you all too bad so I will stop! LOL :)

Well, here are some pics from our wedding day! The best day ever!

Our Anniversary Trip

We decided to Celebrate our first Anniversary by going to Disneyland! We have been here in California since Sunday and are having a blast! It has been so fun to be on vacation with my amazing hubby! We have experienced an earthquake, intense rain, high winds, and the hot sun since we have been in California! Here is a sample of what we have been up to this week! Enjoy the following pics!!!

Being silly and having a blast! :)

Standing in front of a random cow

Showing off our cute new Disneyland hats!

Standing in front of a cool waterfall!

Us as Honorary Bugs!

Rob and I excited to go on The Indiana Jones ride yet again! :)

Rob and I enjoying Disneyland in the rain!

whats on my mind today! :)

In less than a week Rob and I will be in California. We are going to Disneyland and the beach to Celebrate our 1st Anniversary! I am so excited! I so need a vacation! I'm excited to be outside in a warm climate and be able to spend day after day with my hubby-no going to work for us next week-YAY!

Pizza..............I love it! I could eat pizza for every meal and be completely content! I love all kinds of pizza; ham and pineapple, pepperoni, combination, meat lovers, but my favorite pizza topping is grilled chicken! (a little odd, i know, but heck its delicious!) So, you may be asking yourself, why is she talking about her love of pizza? Because, I am bugged that i love it so much that I have these random cravings where I need it, and if I don't get it asap I cannot stop thinking about it until i get to eat some pizza. Tonight was one such instance. I wanted pizza and nothing else. I even made my husband one dinner (because he wasn't in the mood for pizza) and my husband-because he is so nice and very used to my obsessive cravings- went and picked me up a pizza! The best and only way to eat pizza is when you can dip it in wild coyote light ranch! :) mmm..............I love pizza!

Cooking! I used to love to cook and love to experiment with new recipes. But, lately I am just not in the mood. I don't know what my deal is? I seriously have to force myself to cook. Well thats the end of that thought sorry it was so short. If you have any quick easy delicious recipes I'd love new ideas. Maybe new ideas would give me the extra incentive I need to want to cook again and get out of my silly rut!

Blogging! I used to rarely blog, like once every few months or so. Lately, however I have blogged a ton. I used to think that I had to have some exciting experience to blog about. Instead the last few times I have blogged I have just written about my life and my thoughts etc etc. whether its exciting or boring, because whatever it is, it's ME! So, there ya go! P.S. Since i have changed that I have enjoyed blogging a ton more!

Randomness of late

I have a few funny/interesting experiences that have occurred lately that I thought would be a fun subject to blog about.

One day last week I decided to make Rob a lunch and go to his work and pick him up and then we could go to the park and eat together. We went to the park, and it was a beautiful day and so nice and relaxing! (I know your wondering what the interesting part is, but don't worry it's coming.) So, we are sitting there enjoying the nice weather and just being together, when we hear someone singing. There was a guy, a grown man probably around fifty years old, walking around the park singing old songs at the top of his lungs! It was hilarious and a little creepy! He just kept walking around and singing songs as loud as he could. (he he he it made me giggle)

So the other day I just got done with a couple haircuts and we were sitting on the couch chatting when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and there was a guy standing there. He didn't say anything just stood there. I finally said hi to break the weird awkward silence. Then he steps around me to step in the house looks around then steps back out. The whole time I am thinking who is this guy and what is he doing. Finally, he looks at me and says "this isn't the Foote's house is it? (The Foote's are our neighbors that live in the other side of the duplex we live in.) I just found it weird how we stepped in and looked around my house before he said anything?

This isn't really a story as much as just a random fact! I am addicted to the game Rummikub. Seriously, Rob and I play it at least once every day (no joke!) I've been addicted to it for about 6 months but more intensely the last 2 months. I love that you have to think and strategize but there is also a lot of luck involved too. I don't like games that are too hard because of all the thinking, but a little thinking is fun!

Okay, sorry this blog may not be the most interesting, but my life is kinda boring sometimes, but hey thats better than drama any day! ha ha and i just wanted to share a few random stories anyway, so there ya go! :)

Silly Dilemma

So, those of you that know me well know that i am scared to death of dogs. I am not a pet person, and most animals frighten the daylights out of me. We moved to a new neighborhood last week with very friendly neighbors. Well today one of these friendly neighbors came to ask if I could watch her dog while she goes out of town next week. I didn't know what to say? Dogs and pets in general scare me, but I am a nice person and could never think of saying no to a kind neighbor. So I swallowed hard pasted a smile on my face and said, "Of course, I'd love to." So for four days I will be taking care of a neighbors dog-just going over there and feeding him, and letting him outside, giving him treats, etc etc.

I just don't know what to do in situations like these! No is a hard word for me to say. I do not like to disappoint people. I am such a people pleaser! Sometimes I wish I could just say no. But, on the other hand, even if I did say no I think I would feel incredibly guilty? (I am not only a people pleaser, but a very easily guilt-ed person also.) Heck, maybe its good for me to get over my silly fears buck up and not be so scared of everything? I don't think the dog will hurt me, I am sure my husband will help me take care of this neighbors dog.... maybe i just worry too much? But, seriously what's a nice girl to do when someone asks her to do a simple task she just doesn't want to do?

Life is good!

Last Wednesday we spent our first night in our new place! It's always weird to spend a "first night" at a new place. There is new sounds and new silences and everything smells different and feels different. The first few nights I felt as if i was just staying at someone else's house. Although, as the days go by, it is starting to feel a lot more like home!

I like having a giant pantry and a bigger kitchen! I enjoy having a yard and a garage. I love that I have been able to find places for all my stuff and have been able to put stuff away that never even got pulled out of boxes at my old place.

We love our new ward already! After going to it for only two weeks we feel more welcomed and loved than we ever did in our old ward. I love that we can walk to church. It is only like a five minute walk, if that?

I didn't know if I would like living in the middle of St. George. I really enjoyed living in Washington.However, I think I am going to like living here. Nothing is as close as it used to be (like Walmart and Costco and Rob's work) But now we are closer to family and closer to places in town, and Walmart and Costco aren't that far away, and rob doesn't mind the drive to work.

We are loving getting settled and unpacked in our new home. We both are excited to have a bigger, newer, nicer place. We are both doing well with work and other activities. We are planning a California Trip next month for our anniversary! We are both looking forward to a vacation! This move has been alot of work and we are in some desperate need of relaxation!

Last little while in my life!

We are moving to a duplex in the middle of St. George. The place we are moving to is larger, newer, and has much more storage space! We are very excited to have a yard, a shed, a garage, a 3rd bedroom, and I am very excited for the giant walk-in pantry! :) This weekend we have been moving stuff over putting stuff away and decorating! It is so nice to have a bigger place! I've been having lots of fun getting it ready for us! The McFadden's (the people I nanny for) are renting it to us, for which we are very grateful to rent from people we know! I'm excited to live there for so many reasons. In this new place I have a room that's just for me. I already have it set up to do hair in! (I don't have a shampoo bowl unfortunately-but everything else is there: hydraulic chair, mirror, and all necessary haircutting, coloring and styling supplies.) The room with the salon stuff also is big enough to have all my scrap-booking and office supplies on the other side of it! I'm excited to have a room for ME!

So, for the past three years I have been a Nanny for the McFadden's. They have five kids, who I adore. This year most of the kids are in school, so I have just been tending their youngest boy, Cash, at my house! He is such a smart, cute, hilarious, smart kid. I love everyday I'm able to spend with him. For the past couple of months, I've also had the opportunity to tend Gwen, my friend Ashley's baby! Gwen is an adorable chubby girl, who both Cash and I enjoy having around!