Kenny's going to be a babies daddy and I'm pretty sure it's mine!

Like I said, Kenny's going to be a babies daddy! He couldn't be more excited. And incase your wondering, I'm 100% sure the babies mine. Either that or I have some hummungo adorable other being growing inside of me. Not sure why we haven't made this public knowledge sooner, but we just didn't. 

If you've seen me recently, it is  quite apparent that I am indeed pregnant Either that or I've been drinking one too many beers. I joke with my grandpa that my belly is now bigger than his :) 

Without further ado, I have all the details here, and if there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask. I won't be offended. And if I am, many apologies.

1. I'm 24 weeks along and due October 6th :) Yay for fall babies!!
2. We are not finding out the gender of the baby. Sorry people.
3. We've chosen names, but we're not telling. I will tell you this, they are not Madison or Connor or any other person that wants this baby named after them. Deal with it.
4. No morning sickness for those who care, but I do sleep more than the average human being. I'm growing a child people. It takes a lot of work.
5. We are definitely only having one child at this time. No twins or triplets or octuplets. Can't imagine growing eight humans. I don't think I'd ever be awake or asleep. Just a zombie.
6. My birth plan is 'whatever works'. Ideally I'd like to do it on my own, but we'll see. Best quote thus far 'They don't give you an award for having the baby naturally'. I'm aware. But I'd still like to have the baby naturally so don't judge me. And if I get an epidural. Don't judge me.

We're so excited to finally share the news with the world. Aka, all our facebook friends.

TV or not TV

Recently I googled "What to do without a TV". I found this article which wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it got me to thinking. And when I refer to TV, I'm also including mindless surfing of the web, browsing Instagram, Facebook, video games and any other screen time activities.

Here's the statistics on the screen time in our life. The average week we watch 10 hours of TV. Some weeks it's far less, some way more. If it's winter time and we just got the latest season of Modern Family or The Office, it will tend to be higher. We don't have internet so that's not a big issue here. 10 hours compared to the national average of 30 hours (I went with the lowest number I found), doesn't seem so bad. But I'm not here to compare. I'm here to focus on our life and our habits. This got me to thinking, what would I do with 10 extra hours a week.

We decided not to go cold turkey on TV. Because like I said before, I like TV. Mainly movies and documentaries. And Kenny likes sports. After a heated discussion, much compromise, and a hand shake that sealed the deal, we've decided on 13 days with limited TV time. This is just shy of 2 weeks because that is the compromise we made. Don't ask why. Each week, we will each be allowed 3 hours of TV/Video Games/Internet. I'll keep you posted on how we choose to spend that time.

As far as my extra 7 hours of free time, here are some of the options I came up with:

1. Gardening
2. Reading
3. Exercise
4. Preparing food
5. Have a clean house
6. Get ready for baby - Register, Clean out room for baby
7. Talk with people
8. Blog more
9. Take photos
10. Build tractor for chickens
11. Swim
12. Pick blueberries
13. Go to the farmers market
14. Soak up the sun
15. Take a nap in the hammock
16. Go to bed early
17. Take a nap ( I think I already mentioned that one )
18. Sit and watch the baby move in my tummy

I honestly think I could write well over 100 things I could do with my time. But I'll stop now and let you know later what I actually do with my time :)

I want to remember that TV is not the enemy. My own self-control or lack there of is the true enemy.

Life Lately

1. Finally made some pillows for our living room!

2. Got our MSU tickets in the mail. Can't wait to go to the Breslin Center today.

3. Found a puppy. And so far no one's claimed him.

4. Izzie loving to play with the new puppy.

5. After playing pond hockey. Winter is never complete without pond hockey!

6. On our way to play in the snow.

7-8. Missing the Florida warmth

9. Made Izzie a new toy and she loves it.

10. Wondering what the 'Land of Living Skies' looks like.

March Goals

1. Take a photo a day

Ain't she cute :) My friend was donkey sitting. Never met a donkey in real life until then.

I don't necessarily care to wander around with my camera. It's big And it's bulky. And most of the time I'd rather be doing what I'm doing, than stopping what I'm doing to take a photo. With that being said, I do find myself thinking I wish I had a photo of that night or that moment or those people. I don't like that feeling of regret. On the same token, I don't want to miss out on moments and memories because I'm taking photos. So with that being said, I'll try it for a month and see how it goes.

3/2 - Those are frozen bananas and I made a yummy snack I'll post about later this week.

2. Write four hand written letters

When I want to say something, it's so easy and convenient to send a text, e-mail, or facebook message. But who doesn't like receiving an old fashioned letter. I already know who I'll be writing two of letters to, and I can't wait to discover the recipients of the other two!

3. Pack my lunch the night before

This sounds juvenile when I say it, like I'm a 7 year old that can't remember to pack a lunch. But in reality, I'm a 24 year old, who prefers sleep. I prefer sleep until it's lunch time and I'm eating a banana and the saddest excuse for a wrap because I chose 10 more minutes of sleep over packing a sufficient lunch. My stomach is tired of eating this way. And Kenny is tired of me stealing his food :) He gets up 30 minutes earlier than me because he values a good lunch, and breakfast, and shower. So this month my stomach wins out over those few extra moments of sleep.

Real vs. Reality

I have a confession to make. Whenever I'm house sitting I tend to watch the trashiest TV.  Keeping up with the Kardashians, Real Housewives of anywhere, Dance Moms, etc. The reason I only watch these when I'm house sitting is because I don't have cable or internet, and I have no natural outlet to watch them otherwise.

I know everyone has differing definitions of trashy tv. For some Jerry Springer is acceptable, for others what I watch would send them into a tail spin. The reason I even bring this up is because of a blog post I recently read over on yourwishcake. Here are a few of Kerri's thoughts that got me thinking.

Since my recent encounter with the not-so-nice people of the internet, I've also done a lot of thinking about sharing my life on this blog. It seems that there will always be those people who treat blogs like reality shows. They think that just because someone writes about their life online that it can be open to petty criticisms and judgement and gossip. I know myself well enough to say that I will never, ever be someone who is able to shrug those things off completely. They're not going to ruin my life, but they will still get under my skin. And although I am grateful to have met some of the most kind, encouraging and genuine people though my blog, I can't ignore the fact that there are some bad apples out there continuing to read (for some reason or another; who really knows?).

I am taking a stand against trashy TV.  I will no longer watch Dance Moms and think, I would never let my daughter dance for someone who is okay with bringing them down and being down right mean to them. I will not watch Real Housewives and judge them for taking joy in criticizing others and bringing conflict to everyone around them. Every time I watch these shows whether knowingly or unknowingly I judge those people. No more!! These shows no longer have a place in my life. Thanks for listening.

Numb

"Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?

At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eyes"

Jack Johnson 

The number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by the age of 18 is 200,000, and the average number of murders witnessed by children on television by age 18 is 16,000. I'm older than 18 and am willing to bet those statistics are pretty accurate in my life. I've watched Bones, Taken, CSI, and on and on and on. I'm not here to say I don't enjoy those shows because they are entertaining. Who doesn't like hearing Liam Neeson say "...what I do have are a very particular set of skills" and then watch him risk his life to save his daughter. Great story. I know, I watched it.

What I realized today was that I have become numb to reality. Mostly like Jack Johnson's song. Why don't the newscasters cry? Why don't I cry when I hear stories of girls sold into the sex trade. Why don't I cry when humans die because they were hungry? Why don't I cry when I hear of mass genocides? Why don't I cry when I hear that the average American spends $749.51 on Christmas alone and 37% of the world won't make that in a year? I get sad about these things, and I feel moved. But shouldn't it break my heart. Should I not be moved to physical pain and action. Yet so many things just blow by unnoticed. It's not only the violence.

The other thing is the American materialism. So many commercials and watching people live in excess, myself included. I don't buy a ton of stuff and don't really think the commercials have that much effect on me, but what I've found that they do do is they make greed and consumerism acceptable. We can justify buying stuff because it's normal. I don't have as much as so and so, so I can buy this shirt even though I already have 20 other shirts in my closet. We justify it and encourage it. This past year I was at a women's retreat and after the retreat, this a frequent occurrence, all the women go shopping. Again, myself included. I bought a pair of shoes and two shirts. None of which I needed. The more and more I think about this, the more and more I feel convicted. The shopping is not my issue. My issue is that while at the retreat, there was a basket where they were collecting money for Samaritan's Purse. And I spent more money on myself shopping than I did to help people out.

I don't say all of this to judge you, or because I feel anymore superior. Please know that this has been on my mind. And it bothers me greatly, and that is why I'm writing. And I'm not writing this to get it off my chest and then continue on living just as I lived before. I don't honestly know every way in which I'll change, but the first step I plan to take is cutting out TV for now. I truly feel like I need to cleanse myself in order to see things afresh. So here's to my journey and process of cleaning out and building up.

Life Lately 4/30/13

If you call lately, the last 30+ days, then the title would be accurate. If not, you'll just have to deal with it :) Sorry. So, here's what we've been up to, lately.

1 & 2.    I've been trying to get out and walk more. This is my favorite trail to walk with Izzie. She can run free, and there's never anyone around.

3 & 4.    We've been doing a little remodeling in the backyard. Cut down half a dozen trees a couple weekends ago. This is Kenny's younger brother in his chaps on the left, and Kenny looking all cute on the right :)

5.    Our sweet neighbors gave us a baby welcoming gift. I actually ran into her at Target when she was buying the gift. Which is very ironic, since I've never seen her outside of when we're both at home :)

6.    A beautiful Hyacinth for my birthday. It smelled amazing! This was March 29th. I thought spring was coming. It was 60's and sunny. After that, it snowed several more times. Boo.

7.    Octoball. A favorite game of mine. Basically a version of dodgeball in a small arena.

8.    Our town recently flooded. The community spent Friday and Saturday filling up sandbags to protect local homes and businesses.

9 & 10.    Me holding babies. Doesn't matter what kind. I love them all.

11.    Kenny and I training for an upcoming talent show. Should be epic ;)

12.    Kenny acting embarrassed that he is actually participating.

13.    Enjoying the sun! It is finally sunny and warm. Thank you Michigan.

14.    A gift I bought for myself, and loving every bit of it.

Life Lately 6/11/13

Finally attempted to make Pad Thai!!

Our rooster protecting the hens from Izzie

Picking out flowers with my mom and grandma

First seeds planted for the season!!

First baby bump photos. eek!

Our sweet baby...

Slytherin

Your welcome Mr. Turtle

Harvest from the land. Morels and fresh eggs!

Minnesota Baby!

No I didn't go to Minnesota and I've actually never been there. But what I did do this weekend was ice fish! Ice fishing to me is something that I typecast Minnesota people as doing. Whenever I do something that requires ice and sub-freezing temperatures, I imagine that it is what people in Minnesota are doing. Probably because I watched New In Town, and when I say Minnesota, I say it Minn-a-sooota. Emphasis on the 'O'.

Back to the weekend. Every winter they have a fishing tournament at the lake my parents have a cabin on. I have never gone until this year, and man was it a hoot. Here's a play by play of the day.

Eat fresh eggs and sausage
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Return back to the heated cabin to eat some chocolate chip cookies
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Stand in a circle on the lake discussing who knows what
Back to the cabin to warm up
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups (sensing a pattern yet ;)
Sit in spearing shanty and try to slay a pike (I missed one, apperently a lesson would be good first)
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Sit in spearing shanty w/my pops to try and slay a pike
Return to cabin to eat fish
Play Euchre with friends
Eat more fish and chocolate chip cookies
Play more Euchre
...

This was my first time spear fishing, and it was an exciting experience. Here's a video, that's not of me, but it gives you an idea of what it's like. The only difference between their experience and mine was they speared a fish. Details.

It's on weekends like this that I wish I took more photos, but I only have myself to blame...

Currently

My friends pig.

Reading - Urban Homesteading. If I could live anywhere and do anything, I would want a homestead somewhere close to town, but far enough to not hear the traffic. There's something about farming and homesteads that mesmerizes me, and it's not the smell people. It would be hard work, but the simplicity of it and using my hands to make life. ..sigh.. We are by no means living on a homestead right now, but I did can tomatoes for the first time last year, and man do I have a ton of jars of salsa and spaghetti sauce. I also installed my first garden, shopped at our local farmers market, and just yesterday I bought 9 chickens. The chicks come in Monday and I couldn't be more excited!! I don't know if I ever want to be 100% self-sufficient, but I love the idea of knowing where my food comes from and being able to provide for ourselves. I plan to write more on this topic later as it is one that truly fascinates me. And the little guy to the right is my friends pig. They raise them and then sell them for meat. Out of all the pork you can find, this pork is probably the most well cared for. I'm thinking about buying one from them, or a half of one.

Watching - Man vs. Wild. For one, it is highly entertaining. For two, I feel more knowledgeable after watching Bear Grylls. Not that I ever intend to be stuck in the desert or the arctic, but isn't that the point. But lets face it, I watch it mostly for the entertainment value.

Pinning - All things canning. It may be early, but come canning season I want to be ready to go! Canning was fun and addicting last year, and I can't wait for the next season :)

Loving - The anticipation of spring. I love every season in its proper time, and the proper time for spring is now, or at least next week. Hopefully not much longer than that. Cross your fingers! It'll be March after all :)

Last nights dinner from our
canned spaghetti sauce.

Dreaming about - My summer garden. I have plans to expand my little city garden to include strawberries, asparagus, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, and whatever else suits my fancy. Last year was a baby step. We only planted tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Tomatoes are my favorite and peppers are Kenny's favorite. Now that we have the first year under our belt, I'm excited for this years expansion and all of the canning that comes with it! Eke!!

Eating - Lots of hummus veggie wraps. I was introduced to the wonders that are veggie hummus wraps through Emily by way of Trader Joe's. Since there are no Trader Joe's within a 100 mile radius of us, I've been making my own. The basics include a wrap, hummus, and spinach. Then I throw in whatever other veggies I have lying around. Also eating turkey burger, spaghetti from our canned wonders, and mango greek yogurt.

Changing - How we do laundry. I can't wait to post about this soon. It's winter and I haven't used our dryer  in over a month! Boom! This has been no small change since I don't live in a warm climate and I use to wait until the last moment and do several loads of laundry in just one day. My new method only allows me to do one load a day. Can't wait to update you on that too. Did I mention I like the idea of being self-sufficient ;)

Life Lately

1. Finally made some pillows for our living room!

2. Got our MSU tickets in the mail. Can't wait to go to the Breslin Center today.

3. Found a puppy. And so far no one's claimed him.

4. Izzie loving to play with the new puppy.

5. After playing pond hockey. Winter is never complete without pond hockey!

6. On our way to play in the snow.

7-8. Missing the Florida warmth

9. Made Izzie a new toy and she loves it.

10. Wondering what the 'Land of Living Skies' looks like.

We Found a Baby

A baby puppy that is :) It all started Friday night. I was on my way home from knitting and watching Duck Dynasty (which is a gem of a show) at the Bell's when I saw a black blob bouncing through the snow. I stopped to see what it was and the adorableness over took me. It was a little black puppy. He whimpered and it was all over. I scooped up the little guy and took him home. The poor guy was very hungry and thirsty. Once he was well nourished I let the crazy out. The crazy being my GSP dog, Izzie. She's a sweetheart, but she usually has too much energy for the average folk. They sniffed each others hind parts and then proceeded to wrestle for the next couple hours. Mind you I got home at 11:30pm. I put in a movie and fell asleep on the couch. Kenny was out plowing so it didn't bother him any. I was awoken several times by licking and random barks. By 1:30am I was ready for my bed and the pup was going in the cage because lets face it, I don't trust random puppies to be left out in my house. Alone. All night. I put him in the kennel downstairs and Izzie and I went to bed in my room. The puppy cried and barked and cried and barked, but finally he went to bed. Or he went hoarse. Either way he was eventually quiet.

Ain't he adorable. Swoon :)

The next morning I contacted the proper authorities, ie facebook, the animal shelters, craigslist, and the vets. But no one seemed to be missing the little guy. So he spent the weekend at Kenny's parents. His brother is a Sophomore in high school and is doing some serious leveraging to keep the dog in the event that his owner's don't come forward. I wouldn't be that sad if he was never claimed. Izzie could use another friend :)

Here's to hoping :)