The END before the BEGINNING

Well here it is, the last blog from me in 2009.
Looking back at the year, there were a lot of ups and downs.
We moved back from London the end of January.
I substitute taught and then taught a Kindergarten class from the middle of March to May.
That was a lot of fun, and taught me a lot. I also f0und out I was pregnant then, and so a lot of little kids, and smells etc. weren't always ideal! :)
The summer was a bit rough. Bruce went to Maine. He had a great time. I got to visit him twice. Once by myself, and then my family and I came out the second time.
I was sick the whole summer, and now looking back at it, I wonder how I made it through.
All in all, September rolled around. My Bruce made it back (Yea!) and it was time to get ready for a baby.
On November 24th our beautiful McLean was born. Oh I love him so much. He is so much fun and I don't know what I would do without him. Well maybe get some sleep, but that isn't important.
I am so thankful for the year we had. Even though a lot of it was really hard, and maybe not ideal, it taught me a lot. I not only had a baby, but surgery as well. After all of this, I am really looking forward to a new year.
I am ready to better myself. I know everyone says that every year, but I mean it!
Now that I am feeling better, I am ready to take on the new year and make it count!
I love my family so much and I just want to send a little shout out and tell them I love them and thanks for all they do!!

Living La Vida Baby

Well it's been over two weeks now, and let me tell you I just love my little McLean to bits. I can't imagine my life without him. He is so cute, and even when you get frustrated you look at his little face and just melt. I never thought I could feel such love in my little heart.
I have the two best guys in my life...Bruce and McLean.
I survived my surgery and I guess am now recovering. I wish I had a little handout or guidebook on how I am supposed to feel. With my patience I want to be feeling great right now, but then again am I going to ever feel 'great' again?
Anyway, that is why we have patience and faith right!
I'm not liking the freezing weather. I am getting really cagey sometimes and just need to get out. Plus I can't take my little guy anywhere. It's just too cold, and so some of my family don't get to see him for a while!! Soon I promise! For now you'll have to look at pictures on here and on facebook!

He's Here!

Well our beautiful little guy is here. His name is McLean Porter van der Riet and he was born on November 24th, 2009. He weighed 6lbs. and was 18 inches long. He is perfect.

It has been a really rough road, but worth it. Last Monday I had a call from my doctor and she said that she would like me to go to the hospital in a few hours to get induced. I was freaking out. He wasn't due for two more weeks! Well we got there and after a day and a half of not dilating or anything, we went for the C-section. He was born at 9:21 p.m. or in Military time: 21:21.

It's a long story of why we had him so early, but I'll try to make it short. The whole pregnancy I had been so sick. At first I was like ok, morning sickness etc., but it just kept being that way the whole way through. We knew something was wrong, but couldn't figure out what it was. Well finally we found out that it is a parathyroid problem and I have high calcium. My body hyperabsorbs calcium, and that is what has been making me sick. It's actually a really rare thing, and there are about 200 + cases in literature. Basically it came down to the fact that we are so blessed and lucky to have this little guy with us. A lot of these cases ended up in early abortion or late miscarriage.

So the long road isn't over yet. I am going in for a CT scan this week and meeting with a surgeon. I will be having surgery to get the problem taken care of. So not only am I taking care of a newborn, I will also be recovering from another surgery.

I'm not complaining. I am so happy to finally know what has been making me so sick. I just want to get it fixed.

I am so blessed to have such a beautiful baby boy. It is all worth it to have him here. I am so thankful for my family and all of their help. I am especially thankful for my amazing husband Bruce who has been so great through all of this and so supportive. Man we made an amazing handsome gorgeous baby!!!! :)

Will keep everyone posted on how things are going. And put up more pics of our McLean.

It's all downhill from here...

Well here it is, the home stretch. November is here and so is the "Final Countdown" can you just hear the song in your head.
We can't wait. It's getting exciting but very scary (because this is going to really happen.)
Just a little shoutout to all of our friends and family. We love you guys!
We will keep you updated!

Sorry so short. More to come.

Loving the Fall!

I can't even tell you how much I love this time of year. Cool days, beautiful scenery, just the feeling in the air.
I've been trying to get out and walk a bit more. It's been really nice. Yesterday Jason, Bruce, Chuck, and I went for a little stroll. The weather was beautiful. You could smell some of the houses wood burning stoves, as you crunched through the leaves. Wow I sound like a real romantic right now. Anyway Ephraim looks really good right now, the mountains are gorgeous, and just having an afternoon to spend time with the family was great.
Later in the evening we all went to Moroni and ate at Juanitas. It was really good. Especially if you are looking for some more authentic Mexican Tacos. I ate way too much, but boy was it good.
For some baby news, I have about seven weeks left and I am definitely counting down. I am feeling petty good which is a bonus (of course there are some real off days! :) ) and our little van der Riet baby is a mover and a shaker, especially when I am ready to relax. I am addicted to ice water right now, especially with a lot of crushed ice, and he sure doesn't like the cold. Some days it's like he's running a marathon, swimming an olympic race, or having a boxing fight. Can't wait to see what he gets up to when he finally gets here!
I am so thankful for all of the blessing that I have received and that Bruce and I have received. I am so thankful for my family and all they do for us. And I am so thankful to know that my little family can be together forever! I hope you all are enjoying the Fall season!

Where did September go?

Well it's almost October and I am shocked. I don't even remember the month of September. It went by too fast.
Some good things did happen in September though. My Bruce made it home. The funny thing is that it was like "welcome home Bruce, now take me to the hospital." Poor Guy. Not much of a homecoming....but we made it through and things are getting a bit better. I was just sick and dehydrated and all that jazz. Man pregnancy has been rough.
The good news is....is that in two months, this little guy will finally be here! Yea! We can't wait.
We are trying to get ready for him. We are in a tiny apartment, and so finding room is becoming quite difficult. It's time for some purging. What can we get rid of?
I know I mentioned this in a previous blog, but I love the fall. The mountains look so beautiful right now. And it's supposed to be getting real cold, real fast this week. Break out the sweaters!
Anyway, I love Bruce. I am so thankful for him to be back. He has taken such good care of me and I hope he knows how much I appreciate him. We will get some prego pics up here soon. The belly is growing! Now it's just the task of staying well!! No colds or nausea please!

The beginning and the end.

Well another month has come and flown by. Was there really an August?
I started work on the 24th. I think I am really going to like my job. It's part time and a few hours a day. It should work out perfectly especially when the little guy gets here in December!!
On the 25th I went to the doctor and things are looking good. I am measuring great in all areas and the baby's heartbeat is good and strong. Watch out, we might have a little fish on our hands. Especially if Bruce has anything to do with it!! :)
September is around the corner, and I can't wait. Bruce will be back in a little over a week, and finally there will be a bit more harmony in my life! :)
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the feeling, smell, the changing leaves, the crisp air...oh I can't wait. Especially to break out the sweaters and cardigans and hoodies.
Only about three months left and we will have this baby! Not that I am counting down or anything. I am feeling better everyday so that is good. Wish me luck!

Marathon Weekend

Well it's Sunday. Never been a better time for a day of rest!
Yesterday was "Move In" day for the College students.
Ten hours later, I made it through, and miraculously it went really well!
So now it's back to noise, a packed parking lot, and odd hours of being disturbed with being locked out of an apartment or some other question or concern.
I can't believe that it's that time of year again. School is Starting! Wow.

I'm ready for September and for Bruce to get back. It has gone by fast, but really slow at the same time. I miss him.

Things are going pretty good. I am feeling a lot better, and looking forward to my last few months. I'm ready for this little guy to come. I can't wait.

We're finally making an announcement!

It's been a rough last few months, but now are really excited to announce that we are having a baby in December!! Not only that, It's a BOY!

With our family it really isn't a surprise because we have so many boys in the fam already. Why not add another one!

I am about 22 weeks along, and am feeling much better so that is a relief. Now it's time to go shopping and get some cute stuff.

We haven't come up with any names, and will probably have to wait to see the little guy before we know what his name will be. It's so hard! Any suggestions would be great! :)

Well we'll keep you up to date on what is happening. Hope everyone is having a good summer!

It's about time!

Well here it is June 16th already. It's been a busy month, and that makes the month fly by.

In many ways I am glad that the month is going by fast.

On June 1st, Bruce set off towards the east coast to spend the summer in the beautiful State of Maine. A few days later I flew out to visit for a couple of days. I didn't want to go back home! :(

So I will be missing Bruce this summer, but will fly out to visit for a week in July.

Other than that, things are going pretty good. I'm staying busy with work, and now if the sun would just shine a little bit, it would feel more like summer!

Wow. I have really been a slacker with this blog. Ever since March, life got really crazy.
I'm not kidding. I can't believe the worldwind it's been.
I survived Kindergarten, even though at times I thought I might not. :)
Now it is the summer break and it's going to be a busy one.
Bruce is heading to Maine this summer. We are both driving out this Saturday, and then I will stay a few days, then fly back home. I will miss him a lot, but the summer will go by fast.
We have a lot to look forward to, and I think the next few months are going to be good ones! :)

Life's path....now that is the question! :)

It's been a while....

Whoa.
I have been slack the past few weeks on keeping the 'ol blog updated.
Since the middle of March, it's been a busy few weeks.
On March 20th I started teaching Kindergarten at the Elementary School.
And now I have made it through my first official week. It's been a lot of fun.
The kids are so cute, and it's exciting to see what each day brings. I feel like things are going pretty good, and I hope that I am doing an ok job. No catastrophe's yet, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

March has flown by. I can't believe that April begins this week.
I can't complain that life is busy. Next month we have something planned for every weekend, and so I'm thinking April will be gone in a blink of an eye as well.
It's crazy to think that we've been back from London for over 2 1/2 months. They've been good months, but also months of learning patience, having faith, and making decisions.

I am not the most patient person, and I like to plan ahead and know what I'm doing, making schedules, etc. So now when there are decisions to be made, and trying to figure out what Bruce and I are doing, and trying to make the right decisions, and finding out where we are supposed to be, I know that I am going through these things to help me be a stronger and better person.
There is a plan for us......we just don't know what it is. :) So until then, I will work on my patience and positivity, and see what the future holds.

The classic self portrait!

A weekend Away

Last weekend Bruce and I decided at the last minute to "get away."
We went to Moab, and the weather was fantastic. we spent one whole day in Arches National Park and were able to just hike, take in the amazing views and spend some time away from it all.

Bruce and I have decided that once a month we are going to try to get out and go see and do something different. Where we live, there really is so much to see and do. Even just simple things whether it's going for a picnic up the mountain, or going for a drive somewhere we havent been.

As of last post, I am still working on the patience, but I am happy to say I am doing and feeling better about things. I'm excited that it is March, and I am definitely looking forward to warmer weather!!

PATIENCE

Well it's Monday afternoon, and it has been a rainy one. I like the rain though, because it makes it feel like spring is getting closer.

For the last little while I've been feeling a bit frustrated and I have been letting little things bug me, and I know it's because I have a hard time being patient. Patience can really be my downfall sometimes, because I am the type of person that likes to know what I am supposed to do, and when I will be doing it. I like making lists, I like schedules, and I HATE not doing anything. So when those three things are combined, patience is not a virtue with me. :)

Right now I am feeling like I am stuck in one place. Waiting would be a key work. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing. Maybe that will be my motto until something happens..... (thanks to Jack Johnson's words as well)

I am ready to move forward, but can't at the moment. We are waiting to move into an apartment, and I am waiting to find a job. And if I can't get a job, then I need to find something else, but I can't do that until jobs get posted, etc. etc. So see, it all comes back to patience.

I do know that I need to just stay positive and have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to. I also truly know that Heavenly Father's time table is different than mine. I need to remember that, and just do what I need to do right now, and that will be enough!

All you need is...LOVE

Well it's a bit early in a way, but not really if you think about it. Yes it's February, and that means Valentine's Day is coming up. I got Bruce a great present, but I can't say what it is yet because then it would ruin the surprise.
Anyway back to what I wanted to say....Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm not the biggest fan of Valentine's Day (well the commercial side of it all) but don't get me wrong, I like to give out Valentine's so I can't complain too much.

I am just so lucky to be married to a fantastic guy, who I love so much!
I don't know what I would do without Bruce, and so my little love note goes out to him! :)

I also want all of my friends and family to know that I love and appreciate them!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day and that you make sure to let the people you love know how much they mean to you!

Me + You = Us

I love Saturdays!

So here I am. It's Saturday Morning around 8:00 a.m. (Ok for some of you, 8:00 a.m. doesn't exist on your clock on a saturday morning, but I really like to get up early and make most of the day!)
So like I said, here I am writing this blog, enjoying a nice hot cup of hot chocolate and playing a game of scrabble online. What more could you ask for? :) Ok, so I am a geek, but that is not new information!
I am hoping to get a lot done today. I need to sort through a ton of stuff, clean up all of my junk, and get organized! Now I say that all now, but in a few hours we will really see if I have made any progress.
The last two weeks have been really great. I put my application in to the School District to Substitute teach, and a few hours later I had some bookings. So for the last two weeks I have been able to sub every day! Bruce has been keeping busy as well, so things are going pretty smoothly. I am trying to get back into the swing of small town living, but truthfully I don't want to. Now that I'm back, I do realize a few reasons once again why it was good to go away for a while! :)
Well I just want to say that I have the best family, and an amazing husband. I am truly blessed with all that I have, and I am thankful to be where I am. I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend, and that you all take time to enjoy the little things!!

The Beach in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Remember New Year's Resolution....Yeah not doing so great am I?

So much for keeping up on the blog. Man what a slacker I've been. In one way I do have an excuse, AND atleast January isn't just over yet, so I can redeem myself just a little bit.
So it's official. If you don't know already, Bruce and I are back in good old E-town. No, it's not really for a visit, but for a good while. We kind of made last miute decisions in London and decided to fly home.
We are excited about our decision and we are thankful for every minute we had in London. It's an experience we won't forget. And who knows, with us anything can happen, and we may end up there again in the future.
Things here are going good at the moment. I put my application in to Substitute Teach and now have two weeks of teaching booked. Bruce is working with Jordan laying stone, and so we are staying busy.
I look back at what Bruce and I have done in the last nine months, and it is crazy to think about. We went to Maine for 3 1/2 months, then we went to London for almost 5 months, with a trip to South Africa in December for almost a month. We are so lucky and blessed to be able to have done those things.
We are looking forward to what the future has to bring. For now we are happy to be here and are excited to see all of our family and friends.