Turkey Lurkey Doo

We had a pretty phenomenal Thanksgiving. Crazy, but still really awesome.

First off, we went up to Washington to spend Thanksgiving with Cory's family. At first it was just a good idea and a hope if we could afford the trip. Especially since his brother was coming home from his mission the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Then we found out his next youngest brother isn't leaving for his mission for a while, so if we went up, it meant all 9 boys would be home at the same time... for the first time ever. Then we get a call from his sister, Brittney, in Missouri saying she wanted to come to surprise their parents. So she drove out with her kids and we rode with her. It was a long drive, but still really nice.

On Wednesday, Cory, his brother Jacob (who drove in from EWU), and I drove down to the Portland Temple since my best friend, Kayla, was going through the temple for the first time. On our way to the temple, we happened to stop by PDX (Ptld Airport) and pick up Cliff, Brittney's husband, who was flying in to surprise her.

In short, Brittney came to surprise Mom and Dad, then Cliff flew in to surprise Brittney. I think that was all the surprises.

The hard part was knowing about all of it for about a month and not being able to tell ANYONE. Though, I'm pretty sure I spilled to GMA and GPA Parker a couple times accidentally. I don't think they caught on since they were still surprised. Note to anyone out there: don't tell a pregnant lady secrets. We don't keep them very easily.

On top of all the holiday surprises, GMA and GPA Parker had us bring up all the Christmas presents for the family, so we decided to have Christmas on Thanksgiving morning. Of course all the little kids were thrilled. And baby made out like a bandit! The Scotts were VERY generous. I got a cookbook and a sewing machine. Baby got some cute clothes (if it's a boy... if not, future baby boy got some clothes), and Cory and I got a couple of really nice collector's spoons from Cory's mission and where we are going on our honeymoon.

That's pretty much the long and short of it. We took some family pictures, of course. So our Christmas gift to the grandparents and to the Scotts will be family pictures in nice frames. Since none exist currently of the entire family. Once we get them from Brittney, we'll print them off and send them off.

It makes me feel really good that we could help facilitate all the Thanksgiving joy.

And with my new sewing machine, I started on the fabric I found on Black Friday for $1.50/yd (orig. $7/yd). I know baby will end up with a lot of blankets, but I loved these patterns and couldn't help myself.

For boy:


For girl:

Big News

Since most people we are close to already know, or figured it out somehow, I guess we can tell the world now. At least to those who read this blog... and maybe next week to the entire world. Anyone who reads my blog gets special privileges. Because I like you that much.

And brace yourself for a BUNCH of other blog posts that have been sitting in limbo.

Cory and I will be expecting Baby #1 June 22nd, 2012!

We couldn't be more thrilled!

We've known for over a month and it has been killing me to keep it a secret. So I'm glad the beans were spilled.

Last night we went to my cousin's wedding in St. George and my mom told her sisters. No big deal. They asked.

At work, a couple of people didn't know, and the doors were wide open at one of our meetings when our boss said congratulations on the baby! I think she felt bad for spilling, but again, oh well. We had to tell her a while ago to get some extra medical insurance coverage since she had to sign some papers for us.

We finally told the grandparents (not our parents, but Cory's grandparents) at dinner this past Sunday. Cory's uncle is an ER nurse at Intermountain, so we were hoping to get a good recommendation on a dr. We sure got one. And the cousins are thrilled. There aren't a lot of great-grandbabies running around, so it will be nice to be in a small group versus the 18 grandkids my parents already have. Cory's parents only have 4 grandkids so far... and since this is the first from a son, I'm sure it will be nice and special too. They're not the type to pick favorites, so I'm certain all their grandbabies will be special as they come along.

Pretty soon everyone close to us was going to know anyway. I just wasn't going to tell everyone until mid-december when we're completely through the first trimester. But again, most of our really close friends and most of the family knows anyway.

We have our 2nd appointment on Cory's birthday, Dec. 14th, where we'll get to hear the heartbeat (another reason I wasn't going to spill until then). At the last appointment they said everything was looking really good. I don't exactly know how everything "look" good when you can't SEE anything. I get my first sonogram at 20 weeks. But, I'm thinking about helping out a research study for new moms that is looking for reasons for low birth weight, and other problems of newborns. Sure, helping others is great, and a good reason to do it, but I'm a little selfish and kind of considering it for the 3 sonograms... free sonograms. So hopefully we don't have twins so I can participate and see my baby pretty soon. :) I won't be posting sonogram pictures on facebook. I know a lot of people do it, but I think it's a little impersonal. And I think the 3D pictures are a little creepy. I don't know why. I'm not judging or anything. They're cool, but they creep me out.

Anyway, that's our big news for now.

I'm 9 weeks and some days, 3 more to go till we're pretty much in the clear.
And we're super excited!

PUBLISH!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Looks like there will be a few changes going on the job front in the Scott household.

First of all, our first HM meeting on Friday went wonderfully! I really feel like a lot of issues were resolved on both sides. So I feel a LOT more comfortable with where things are headed.

However, Friday night, Cory's boss in the marketing department emailed him (it was seriously time-stamped just before midnight) telling him that one of the marketing employees was graduating in December and asking him if he would consider coming into marketing exclusively. He dangled both a pay raise and an increase of (stable) hours each week. We were JUST talking about the idea the day before, so he looks over at me and says he might have to take the offer and run. Of course, it wouldn't take effect until January, and he would stay on the HM job to help train new HMs they would have to hire or promote to fill his position. This will help us tremendously in the financial department. And since Cory is going to start his research pretty soon, he will really need his evenings and weekends to do it.

Second, one of the girls from scheduling was working with me the other day and mentioned that EVERYONE in scheduling is graduating in April and Jennifer, our boss, is desperate for people to train in scheduling to help transition. I guess I was one of the people she was considering because I'm very meticulous (her words) and get things done. Plus, I have office experience and know how to organize. On top of that, I'm really good at telling people no when they're being dumb and it needs to be said... which is necessary in the scheduling office. So, with Jennifer's approval, I could work a solid 10 hours in scheduling staring next semester to get trained, and work part-time as an HM, and continue to help train in-coming HMs and ushers. Then in spring, I would go completely over to scheduling, getting solid hours each week, until I graduate, and sub HM when they were really desperate for extra HMs.

These opportunities have been a huge blessing. It will help us out SO much. So today, we are thankful for our jobs, and the opportunities and experience they have given us. Oh... I can still totally work my morning job too! So I'd be working full time, essentially. And we'll be able to be home together more evenings and weekends.

Aggravation!

And I'm not the only one aggravated here. It's me and each and every one of the HMs at work. What could cause so much turmoil in a workplace, you ask? Primarily, the lack of communication between EVERYONE!

Everything changed this school year. Well, most things. Like our supervisor, scheduling, and a bunch of people left. Fine. Whatever. We used to have weekly meetings with our previous supervisor and have been trying to reinstate those with the new supervisor. Our first meeting is scheduled this Friday. Two-thirds of the way into the semester!!!

Second, not even considering us when big decisions are make. Again, we used to be consulted when promotions were being considered. Lo and behold, this is no longer the case. And it frustrates me to all ends because of who they're choosing. We have been working with these people WAY longer than they have and have a MUCH better idea of their work habits/ethics. Who do they think they are? Yes, I understand they make the final decision, but I don't think they realize they are making poor decisions lately.

Third, hours have been cut WAY back. This time of year I would almost get 20 hours each week. At least 15. But now they're filling in with stage crew and giving our shifts to crew. And taking away shifts all together. Up until this past week, I was averaging 5 hours a week if I was lucky. Not cool!

It's junk like this that really makes me want to leave. Technically, if Cory can pick up more hours at his other job, we'd both be able to quit. And we are tempted. Everyone deserves a chance, but this is certainly the last straw! If things don't start changing after this meeting, I am out of here!

Have You Ever

This is for all the moms or pregnant women out there...

Have you ever taken a HPT 5 weeks after getting a positive from previous HPTs AND your doc? Yeah... it might be a little overkill, but I had to know. Not that I'm experiencing anything that would indicate a miscarriage. I've just been hearing a lot of horror stories lately and it makes me paranoid.

I'm thankful for my lack of feeling crappy all the time... so far (at least that's what my sisters keep telling me). But at the same time it makes me super paranoid.

I will admit that my gums hurt like crazy when I eat. Not all the way around, but just where my wisdom teeth were removed a few years back. I hear that all the hormones can make your gums sore, swollen and red. Maybe it's my hypochondria kicking in. Or something like that. But the reality is that I can't bite into a nice hearty sandwich without tenderness.

I also don't drink soda very much. I'm not a huge fan. But if I'm somewhere and it's the only thing available, I'll drink it. Occasionally I want it. Lately it's all the time! I need something to clear the gunk out of my throat, and water just isn't doing it. Actually, it's mostly rootbeer. It sounds so good all the time. I don't drink it all the time still, but boy does it sound good!

Oh, and talk about emotions!!! I cry over the dumbest things! Not a serious, overly emotional cry. I just tear up. Luck for Cory I'm not seriously emotionally liable... except when really dumb things happen.

And I can't remember anything. Irrelevant things mostly. Except for when I forget where I parked the car... all the time. Or that I have a class at 3:30... a few times already. Fortunately Cory has the same class so I don't feel like I'm missing too much since he's taking notes.

Government Employees

Any time you have to deal with the government, you usually anticipate it being some horrific, inefficient, waste of time that makes you want to scream and pull your hair out. Maybe you don't. But I do.

I've been having to deal with the government and some of its programs lately. And honestly, I have been so pleasantly surprised with how simple, pleasant, and easy it has been. All except for the one 45 minute wait on the phone just to talk to someone, but after that, it was easy peasy! They have been prompt in sending me all necessary information. They have been kind and courteous on the phone. I haven't had to stand in any line that spans an entire building. Heck, I haven't stood in any real line yet.

Maybe I've just been really lucky. Maybe the way they run things in Utah is just better. I don't know. And who knows if it will be this easy when this process is coming to an end? I sure don't. All I know is that I am very thankful for how easy this process has been thus far, and for the kindness of these government workers who have been making my life much easier than it could have been. Maybe they actually like their jobs. I really like working with people who like their jobs.

Do Not Let Them Pass By

I was just informed this afternoon that BYU has awarded me a half-tuition scholarship for next semester. Usually they only award scholarships at the beginning of each school year for the fall and winter semesters. This is such a HUGE blessing because it either means we can cut back on my student loans a bit, or we'll have a little extra money to pay a couple months worth of rent for winter semester. Either way, it's awesome news! I am so thrilled!

The only possible downside is that I was only going to take 12 credit hours winter semester. I guess someone else thought better of that, because in order to receive scholarship moneys, you have to enroll in at least 14 credit hours. Is it worth the extra 2 credits to get half of your tuition paid for? And technically, it's more than half your tuition since you don't pay extra for anything over 12 hours. Heck yes, it is so worth the added stress of one more class!

So I started looking for classes I could possibly take. I mean, I've had it all mapped out for a while which classes I would take and when. How to make my life as simple as possible this year. I could add my last ComD class for this year. I was planning on taking it in spring since they just started offering it at that time. I have no other classes for my major or minor floating out there. And then I saw it. BYU, just this year, started offering an ASL interpreting class. Hurrah! This could be my only opportunity to take this class. It could be my only opportunity in my college career to start learning to interpret. On top of that, it would be awesome for my future post-grad career.

BYU started offering 2 sections of interpreting. I will only be able to take the first section, but in my opinion, it's better than nothing at all. At least I'll get a foundation. Plus, I've already had this teacher before. She's tough, but she's really good. I haven't taken any ASL for more than a year now. It makes me a little nervous. But I'm still really excited and I've been able to use what ASL I have quite a bit lately.

Opportunities like this don't come around very often. And when they do, we must do something about them. Seize them for what they are. Use every inch of them. And thank the Lord that he has blessed you so abundantly.

"Do not let them pass by saying, "sometime I'll try," but go and do something TODAY!"