Salute to 4 middle aged Irish rockers...

I'll try not to ramble on too much, but wowee! U2 does it again. It seems like every time there is a big event in my life, U2 releases a new album for me to have as a soundtrack. Coincidence? I think not. Bono and I have always had a connection. Sure, when Beth and I went to his house in Dublin he didn't let us in, but still, I know there is something magical about the whole thing. To me No Line on the Horizon seems to be be a compliation of songs from all of their previous albums, which means its amazing. I loved picking out the classic U2 among some tweeks and changes. You'd think after 30 years as a band, something would get old about listening to them, but I think they truly are like fine wine. So here's my salute to the Irish lads, yet again! And a thanks to them for providing me with a fantastic birthing CD...just in time!

The good, the bad and the ugly

Me 7 1/2 months pregnant! Just a few weeks ago...I'm now officially 34 weeks so I'm well into the 8th month of this journey. I wonder how God came to the conclusion to have us be pregnant for almost a year. I mean, think about how long that actually is to have your body doing a whole bunch of things you have no control over. Here is my list of the good, the bad and the ugly of pregnancy. Enjoy!
The Good list:
-A reason to eat all the time
-Feeling the baby move is the best distraction ever (especially in looooong boring meetings)
-I have not been sick
-Maternity clothes are the secret to comfort and I may never stop wearing them
-Buying cute little baby things like socks
-Contrary to what I hear from most people, I have never slept this good! I know that will change shortly, but I'm living it up while I can.
-I now know where the best public restrooms are
-How excited Matt is and the songs he makes up and sings to our baby
-The homework our lamaze teacher assigns (ie Matt has to give me back rubs, foot rubs, draw a hot bath for me, wait on me endlessly, etc.)
-The total and absolute excitement we have to finally see our little guy!
The Bad List:
-Weight gain
-Peeing ALL the BLOODY TIME
-The swelling of the feet. This is a blow to the little bit of pride I have left because my feet are my favorite feature of my body (well, feet and my left thumb). I firmly believe I have attractive feet and now they are swelled up to the size of tree trunks, and I'm talking Redwood Forest size.
-I'm out of breath going up a flight of stairs
-I have actually eaten tuna fish for lunch once a week for the past 3 weeks. Yuck! How come I want that?
Now for the Ugly:
-Hands down, the stretch marks!

So there you have it, my commentary on pregnancy.

A whole new world (just like the Aladdin song)

So, I'll try not to write too much, but I can't help but be excited about a recent event which can be summed up in two words: President Obama!!! YEAH!!!!! As I listened to his speech at the inauguration, I pin pointed what it was that felt so good--his message of hope! Finally, there is a president who isn't trying to run the country based on fear, which goes along with one of my favorite scriptures in 1 Timothy that talks about fear not coming from God. I know there are threats to our country and I acknowledge that things are hard, I'm not completely living in a rose colored glasses world. However, how inspiring, refreshing and down right overdue are we for a glimmer of hope! I guess I typed a lot more than I planned and I'm sorry because I'm sure there are plenty of people who are on the other end of the spectrum on this and that's fine, I love you all, but I just had to write a little something about the way this has set a groovy kinda loving feeling for me. And I can't help but put this picture in that my dear friend Kelerie emailed me. I love how this is such a sibling thing- to block the camera when your sis is taking a pic! Ciao

2009 so far...

Ok, so I was going to update with pictures, but my computer (yes the same one that just got a new hard drive) is too slow for my short fuse. Instead of the pictures, I will entertain you with just my words.

I'm almost 7 months pregnant! I can't believe the activity that goes on in my body, none of which I have any control over. The little guy has the worst timing (ie when I'm sitting down with clients he gets the hiccups so my belly shakes like Santa's or he pushes my bladder v. v. hard when I'm stuck in traffic), but mostly I love every little movement he makes. My angel parents bought us a crib, so its awaiting assembly in the soon-to-be nursery! Having the crib kind of makes this all much more real and even more exciting than I can describe!! The name debate ensues...as far as I'm concerned our child will have no name. Hmmm...maybe we could be one of those couples that lets their child name themselves, that could be full of humorosity.

As for Matt, he has had a job adjustment that we are trying to work out. Matt's job suddenly needed a long distance driver so he's doing that now, which means he's gone Tuesday thru Thursday, which means I'm alone, which means I've asked my sister to be my back up lamaze coach just in case :) Its not ideal to have him gone, but he got a nice raise and we are desperatos for money. C'est la vie.

As for me and my job, well, I love certain parts and could do without others. Just like any job I suppose. I deal with some pretty harsh things, but I chose to believe that somewhere it makes a difference. And this is why I don't talk about my work...brings all conversation to a hault and awkward silence. So with that, I'm outta here.

Christmas is coming, and my belly's getting fat...

People have been asking for pregnancy updates...so I guess I could spend the next few sentences describing the stretch marks across the belly, but I'll spare you the details. What I know so far is that this little guy loves to move and hates when I eat too much spice. He's most active when I'm exhausted which I'm afraid is going to be the life long pattern. I actually love being pregnant. So far its much better than the alternative (ie cramps and periods). We'll see if I whistle a different tune come delivery time, eh. Matt and I get more excited everyday to have this little wild man join our family. I hope the hamsters don't get jealous, but I know sibling rivalry is a normal part of life. Lalalalalalalalala....

I guess since Christmas is less than a week away, I'll post what would have been the picture we used on our Christmas card we send out to everyone, that is if I were the sending out Christmas card type of person. TADA! Here it is...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I'm a shameful, neglectful blogger

Sorry folks, its been a while. I have many excuses, one of them being our computer had to go on vacation to Cali to get a new hard drive. At least someone in the house is having adventures beyond the borders of Utah.

A few exciting things have occurred, one of them being, the NKOTB concert (New Kids on the Block- for the lame person who doesn't know what NKOTB is). That's right, on November 15, in the year 2008 of the reign of our Lord, I accomplished a life long dream, with my sidekicks, Brooke, Brittiany and Courtney. No one could deny the excitement that pulsed through night air. The anticipatory giggle of Courtney let me know just what an event was about to unfold.

A few of my favorite things from the concert:

1-Jordan, John, Donnie, Danny, and Joey (DUH!)

2-The age span was 25-35 year old women, with a handful of gay men of the same age.

3-I still have every word of their songs memorized.

4-Bree jumped over a row of chairs trying to touch Jordan's hand.

5-The woman next to me started crying when NKOTB came on stage.

6-The look of the wayward boyfriend or husband that got suckered into going.

7-Chanting, "Before there was Justin, there was Jordan"

8-David Archuleta sat behind us, even though according to my calculations he was 2 years old when NKOTB broke up and broke my heart.

9-Reminiscing about how me and my cousin Bree both liked Jordan so when we were younger and played house we would pretend there were Jordan twins so we could each have one.

10-The same old dance moves!

So, that's just a little dose of the concert of the century. In other Mendenhall news, we found out we will be the proud parents of a little BOY!!! YEAH! I'm so v. v. excited. He looks healthy and loves to do karate chops. Now begins the battle of naming him, so its a good thing we have a few months.

Right here, right now, before God and all people, I make a pledge to update my blog with pictures soon. I'm so behind, and I haven't even starting talking about our killer Halloween costumes, so stay tuned.

Big hair, thick accents and no clouds...

And that sums up Utah. I won't write much because I don't have time, but I will say this much- Utah is a trip to another planet, even though I grew up here. I've refreshed my love/hate relationship with Utah so here I sit. We're staying with my parents and are having a hell of a time finding an apartment that meth wasn't cooked in (believe me, I know that smell anywhere, thanks to my child protection days). So we're homeless and Matt's still looking for a job BUT we are happy to be back! We got to hear the wee one's heartbeat last week, which was pretty surreal and amazing. We're still deciding (ie fighting) about whether to find out if its a boy or girl. Personally, I love surprises so we'll see if I cave in to Matt's 'need to know' attitude. (I probably will). I'll write more soon. Later skater.