Hiatus from blogging

Sorry for the hiatus in blogging. We have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off for the past two months. We have also decided to look at all of our expenses and make sure our bills are payable before we add internet. Thus blogging will happen when we happen to be at a connection. I have a ton to write about, but for now here are some pics our wonderful sister-in-law took. I was 34 weeks at these pictures.

Two ways to change your life

I have discovered two sure fire ways to completely change your life.

1.HAVE A BABY/BECOME PREGNANT!!!
This will most likely alter your late Saturday mornings and three hour Sunday naps you have become so fond of. Welcome baggy eyes and sleepless nights.



2. BUY A HOUSE!!!!!
Decide that as much as you love the basement apartment you have lived in for three years your in-laws probably want it back and you really should move on with your lives. Goodbye random spending hello to 30 years of a hefty monthly payment.


We are so excited and can't believe how fast the whole process was. I didn't say stress free or easy but it all happened in the space of a month and a half. We found the house, loved it, bid on it, had the home inspection and appraisal, all in the space of two weeks. Then we waited for the banks and finally signed our name to a dozen or more papers on the 14th. The one thing I am not looking forward to is the packing and moving. Even though we are only moving five minutes away from where we live now just looking at all of our stuff makes me tired. The plan is to move slowly and organize as we go rather than after we get there but now that the deal is done Justin can't wait to get in and live there so we will see how organized packing ends up. We received the keys on the 15th and since we both had Friday off for Fall Break we started what we thought would be minor projects. They actually turned into major projects and while I was waiting for my portion of the project I became bored and started three other projects. Needless to say Justin was not very happy with me but when we are actually done I know he will be happy as will I. I will post some before and after pictures hopefully by the end of this week.

Pumpkin Carving

I just wanted to thank Alex and Mariah for hosting a great night. The food was delicious, especially because I didn't have to cook it, and all the pumpkins turned out spooktacular. I also loved witnessing Justin playing with the kids. He is so great with them especially Amelia. At one point he was reading with her on the couch and making all the silly voices. He says he doesn't like kids and is going to be a horrible dad. However, it is moments like last night that remind me that he is going to be a great dad and that is one of the reasons I married him.

Alyssa Bridge CCC/SLP/Exterminator

I usually have fun little stories to tell Justin about the families and kids that I see on a daily basis.(I leave out identifying info!) However, most of them are you had to be there moments. This last Friday I had a visit that I just have to blog about. It had been a day for the mom and she was running around all day. When I called to remind her about our visit so she would not no-show me she was at Thanksgiving point with the promise to beat me to her house. I left 15mins late to provide her with extra time. When I arrived she was on the phone (she owns her own business), She was on and off the phone during the visit and I was finishing my home visit report and preparing to leave when I saw a mouse peek out from behind the couch. I commented to the mom what I had seen. She did not believe me at first but then after some furniture moving discovered the mouse for herself. maybe I didn't freak because of my farm wits but I have to say in my defense I dislike mice as much as everyone else, I have no idea why I was so calm. The mom was a little hysterical about the situation and kept telling me that somehow it was my fault. It obviously must have snuck in through my toy bag. She also kept saying, "you need to do this or that." Together we were finally able to corner the mouse and persuade their cat to become interested enough to catch it. The cat now did what cats do and that is take it to a place where it could "play" with it. This place happened to be her boys room. The mom wanted me to pick the cat up with the mouse and take it outside. This is where I drew the line and told her I would help shoo the cat out. About a half- hour into the process the mom mentioned she needed to go upstairs for something. I am downstairs watching their cat bat this mouse around that is still alive and obviously trying to escape when I hear clinking noises. I shut the boys door and walk upstairs to find the mom loading her dishwasher. At this point I decided my added title of exterminator was over and I informed the mom I needed to leave. The whole experience I believe was a little overwhelming for her. I have not heard back to see when/how she caught the mouse but I assume they are all still alive and well. I also learned from this experience that overall I would like to stick to my skills as a speech therapist. Extermination is not my cup of tea.

First comes......

First comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in a baby carriage.

I am 21 weeks along with an approximate due date between the 12-21 of January. Each ultrasound is different. Dr. Froerer believes that I will go more towards the end and "Sorry, but I think you are going to have a big baby." At our ultrasound today the baby weighed in at a whopping 1lb 2oz. We have decided to be surprised at delivery so there were lots of moments where we were instructed to look away from the screen. Justin is hoping for a boy my mom is hoping for a girl and I have no preference at this time. The first trimester was for the most part good. I had very little sick moments. However, I did need/want to take a nap at any available moment. Second trimester has been great. My stomach has nearly quadrupled in size I gained back the ten pounds I lost first trimester and am continuing to grow daily. I started feeling little popping bubbles around 19 weeks and have since then wished the baby would hold still again. It is constantly moving and I feel sort of like a pin ball machine. You could see on the ultrasound the little fist and feet jerk up into me. The tech commented that she could feel the movement as well. This is one strong little baby. Seeing our little ones pictures and suck their fist helped to make the whole experience more real for the both of us. 21 weeks down 19 more weeks to go.

Flaming Gorge

For vacation with the Bridge family we headed to Flaming Gorge. The trip started off with an hour delay outside of Evanston because of a car accident. Justin caught some zz's and I tried to watch the t.v. in the semi next to us. We made it to the gorge around midnight and promptly went to bed. Saturday and Monday we loaded the boat with the nine of us and took turns on the tube. It is a blast going with Heather(sister-in-law)because she is screaming slow down and no bumps and I am yelling is that all you got? it is funny to encourage her to do more. Justin even rode the tube to help his nephew take a turn. The ride ended with Logan on the boat and Justin throwing/pushing his dad in the water. Sunday we went fishing and toured the dam. Justin, Noni and Heather caught fish. Justin's was the only keeper. Overall, we had good food, and a good time with family. Now it's back to work and school. Where did the summer go?

Lake Powell adventures

The week of the 20th, my family went to Wahweap bay for the yearly jaunt to Lake Powell. Justin and I along with my brothers family left Saturday night and arrived Sunday morning. We were excited to set up camp and hit the water for the first trip of the season. The weather was perfect until we were ready to go and then the first sandstorm of the week hit us. It lasted all day and made the waters unfit for skiing or wakeboarding. We spent a lot of time hiding from the sand in the trailer but enjoying some good conversations. Monday morning was excellent we were able to get some great runs in and had a great start to my yearly sunburn. Monday afternoon brought with it our first medical injury. My cousin's friend tore his MCL. The second storm of the week came with no warning and brought such force we lost a trailer awning, tent poles and a pop up tent. We coward in the trailer for awhile but then we all ended up under the big shade tents holding poles so that it too would not succumb to the weather. It was actually quite fun all standing there laughing at our misfortunes. The storm cleared the skies and brought warm and sunny weather until Thursday. True to Lake Powell water the mornings were great and the afternoons good tubing weather. We ended the week with one final wind storm that added an extra layer to the bedding and our last medical emergency. My cousin Matt was running down the sand hill and went to dive into the water but hit head first into a sandbar. He broke a vertebrae in his neck at both the anterior and posterior position. He was life flighted to UofU hospital where he is stable and under traction to prevent any movement. He is lucky that so far there is no sign of neural damage or paralysis. They are waiting to see if the bones will grow back on there own. This would be his best option and provide for the best range of motion later. As of now we can only wait and see. The drive home was extended by a total blonde moment when I left my purse in Kanab. We had to turn around and drive an hour back then the hour back to where we were. Needless to say we are very tired and have spent most the weekend and past few days relaxing and doing laundry. Even though this year was more difficult I can't wait for next year already.
When I was going through the pictures for the slide show I came across this trio of pics that demonstrates just why Pres. Baker gave me the name Bailout Bridge. If there is even a chance I might not land the jump I 1-left go, 2-prepare myself and 3- plug my nose.