Why is it...

That when you think to yourself as you are leaving the house, "Man I look horrible I hope I don't see anyone!" That you ALWAYS run into someone you haven't seen in a while.

Yesterday I got my work out clothes on and walked outside, I WAS going to exercise outside but then I remembered the Magic and Cavs were playing so I switched ideas to go to the clubhouse later and work out there instead. So I grabbed my keys and headed to Old Navy to go check out the 50 percent off the clearance stuff sale, there was nothing there it was a bust but Ty needs some 0-3 month clothes so the next store over was TJ Maxx and I hurried in to get some onesies in there. I had some in my hands when yep of course I run into someone. No make up on, somewhat sweaty, wearing shorts that are a bit too tight and a t-shirt that barely fits over my belly. JOY! So glad to see you! Haha

I should have known, although most of the time when I get caught in this situation I am with Matt (who looks great 99% of the time) and we run into an old mission buddy or friend of his from years back. "This is my wife, generally she looks better then this, right now shes a bit sub par..." Matt doesn't say that of course and to be honest he probably doesn't notice but that's what I think in my head that he should be saying, Arg I hate that situation. I want to say hold on let me go get presentable and then say Hello.

And the answer is....

C. Stung by a vicious BEE!

Well if you guessed B. freak bicycle accident you would have been partially right as well because it was WHILE he was riding. Matt called it a psychotic stealth kamikaze bee or wasp because he never saw it and at the speed he was going it HAD to be dead from the impact.

Here is the funny part up until about 2 years ago Matt didn't know that he was allergic to bee/wasp stings. He thought it was NORMAL to swell up like crazy and have it itch like nobodies business for days afterward. (Just imagine "Hitch")

I found out at his brother Jordan's wedding when he got stung on the forearm and he could barely get his arm in his suit coat. He kept saying it's not a big deal it itches like crazy but the swelling will go down in a few days. He had a club arm going on. A FEW DAYS MATT? No, you are allergic to bees and need some Benedryl ASAP. There are drugs out there to help with this sort of thing. So this time (that picture was 2 days after being stung) I got him some Benedryl shortly after he was stung to keep the swelling down but I forgot to give him MORE after a few hours. Bad wife I know, today it's still a little swollen and itchy but there isn't much else I can do for him. He was stung on Monday... yeah poor guy.

Which brings me to my next thought, Kristin and I have decided on the reason why we have such high tolerances for pain. We were not aware that there were medications for pain when we were younger. I don't ever remember my mom giving me any pain medication for anything ever while growing up. This wasn't a problem since I never had any serious pain (well that I know of, maybe I did and just dealt with it?) but it wasn't until AFTER marriage that I thought after a bad sun burn that I could probably take an Tylenol to get rid of the sting. We always used aloe vera and that was it (which I had on but it wasn't doing the trick).

Both Kristin and I had no idea as young teens, while on that time of the month and having cramps that Ibuprofen is a godsend. Poor Kristin would almost pass out from pain (and maybe did once?) because she didn't know to take pain medication. My moms attitude is kind of a "Are there bones sticking out? Are you bleeding? No? Then suck it up", which we adopted. So thanks for that I guess?

Kristin is so used to insane amounts of girl pain that she endures child birth drug free (5 pound babies but still a commendable feat) and I can go far too long with Kidney Stones before I realize that, "yeah this isn't right, I think I am going to die... maybe I should pop a Tylenol..." HA HA
Bottom line is pain medication makers arent making a cent off us Bragg girls! We can tough it out even when we don't have to? HAHA

Memorial Day Weekend

So I didn't post what we did over Memorial Day weekend. (Ive been all self absorbed talking about just me)

Friday

-Went to see Night at the Museum (It was entertaining but wait to rent it, use your movie funds to see Star Trek for a second time)

Saturday
-I started sewing another blanket, never in my entire life have I sworn out loud and I was SO close to just screaming expletive's as loud as I possibly could (I don't think sewing is for me... maybe I'll try again in a few months ha ha that's the spirit right!)

-Matt Will Jason and I went Disc Golfing Jason would hide in the high weeds (copying uncle Matt) and pop out to scare you as you walk by, then he would run after you saying "HEY wait for ME!!"

Sunday

-Went to church I taught a lesson on Elder Hollands talk from last April, after tons of technical difficulty pretty sure it tanked... oh well I got a lot out of the talk.

-I made dinner and we went for a walk in between the random thunderstorms

-I finished sewing the bulk of the blanket, this time knowing it would be stressful I would laugh really loud when I screwed it up... now all I have to do is tie it and that requires me to bend over so I am gearing up for that.

Monday

-Matt rode his bike 26.2 miles to Kristin and Will's house

-We went Disc Golfing

-Will and Kristin got a new BBQ, Matt and Will put it together

-Preston and Suzanne came down for dinner.

-We all went Mini Golfing (Thanks to everyone for picking up my ball for me) I totally choked so Matt and I lost and we had to buy smoothies for Kristin and Will who won.

-We watched the Laker Game then went home

Last but not least here is a poll... tell me what you think happened recently to Matt's left ankle.

A. He rolled his Ankle playing Basketball (First time this year!)

B. He was in a freak Bicycle accident

C. He was stung by a vicious bee

D. His left ankle is starting to gain some serious sympathy weight

I'll tell you all tomorrow what the answer is :)

Zero

Nothing, Nada, not going anywhere. Pretty much everything that I didn't want to hear from the Doctor, I heard today. Boooo.... that's a good way to put a pregnant lady in a bad mood and fast.

Start off with "Congrats you made it! You are full term!" Then after checking everything say, "Well, no dilation and I still can't feel your cervix. See you next week :)" Oh joy.

I informed my Doctor that because of this news I would be running a marathon this week, he told me to keep it to a half... My child will come sooner or later, I'm just not counting on it any time soon.

P.S. I tested positive for Strep B, icing on the cake right!! :)

Wait, what did you say?

I had an ultrasound yesterday, Ty was a peach and they got all the measurements they needed. His head is WAY down and my amniotic fluid levels are great.

As we were chatting the tech casually said something like "He's 6 lbs 9 oz.", then left to go get the Perintologist. Well Matt thought she said that would be his estimated birth weight, I thought she said that's what he weighed now. Turns out I was right...

6 lbs 9 oz. How much will he weigh in a few more weeks? YIKES! I don't want a 9 pound baby that will be ROUGH on my poor little frame. Everybody pray I have him sooner! I have an appointment on Tuesday and if there is no progress again (dilation or cervix progression), my mom said all I have to do is cry and beg the doctor to induce me on the 10Th (or sooner) rather then waiting until the 19Th. I know he is ready to come now... Hopefully I have a bad morning so it won't be hard to work up some good genuine tears ha ha.

Now for your viewing pleasure, Ultrasound pictures. His Face, Hands and Foot. Sorry I am so bad at scanning stuff I don't know how to make them bigger.

Matt could actually tell what most of the body parts were this time. Luckily Ty has dropped so I don't have a foot kicking my ribs all day long, boy is that nice let me tell you! When the tech was showing us his face and took the picture he must have had his mouth full OR he has some chubby cheeks... Matt's response was "Hey he looks like you!" HA HA I did have some fat cheeks when I was a kid, Wait I do now too...

(Disclaimer the weight portrayed is an estimate and the Perintologist explained that the measurement could be way off... let's hope a about a pound off because he is all ready supposedly a pound bigger then Sierra at birth)

On the menu

Since I can't do much else (Like get a good hard run in), cooking dinner has become a common occurrence. Since I have a grill that makes it a whole lot easier to cook meat and not screw it up! So on the menu for dinner last night (and what Matt is having for lunch today, i always make extra for him)

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
-Chicken Breasts
-Swiss Cheese
-Grilled Pineapple
-Tomato
-Lettuce
-Light Mayo
-Teriyaki sauce
-Whole Wheat Kaiser Bun

Marinate the chicken breasts in Teriyaki before grilling.

I also made Sweet potato steak fries, I didn't try them I'm not a huge fan. Matt said they were good, but that he really likes sweet potatoes...whatever that means :).

2-3 sweet potatoes cooked through (I did it in the microwave) and cut into wedges
Canola Oil
Salt and Pepper
Chicken Seasoning or Rub
Dijon Mustard
Maple Syrup

Once the potatoes cool for a few minutes put a little oil on the flesh then sprinkle with the salt pepper and chicken seasoning.

Whisk together 1/4 c. maple syrup to 2-3 Tbsp Dijon mustard.

Put them on the grill until nice grill marks appear, while still on the grill smear on the syrup mustard mixture and BBQ until caramelized on the out side.

Easy enough eh?

We also had of course grilled Corn on the Cob and Fresh cut Strawberries.

Matt has school tonight so I will be attempting to sew a blanket and wont bother with dinner. Any ideas for Friday night dinner???

belly or no belly

Things just have to get done! I went a little crazy yesterday after a ridiculously restless night, I got maybe 4 hours of sleep, maybe... My house was SO messy, pregnant or not pregnant that has always kept me up at night, at about 5 am I considered starting to clean... but then I didn't.

Matt started classes last night so it was a prefect time to start cleaning. It's easier for me to clean by myself when I have certain things in mind then to have others help. Before you all think Matt is a bad husband for not helping, I didn't want his help and he was almost upset last night when he got home and I didn't let him help. (I didnt tell him I was planning on cleaning while he was gone)

Before Matt left for school I:

Made Grilled Steak Fajitas and a fresh garden salad for dinner
Made a Lemon bundt cake for dessert (minus the bundt part, I have been meaning to make it for a while but when I got around to doing it I realized I don't own a bundt pan ha ha so 9x13 worked all right)

After he left I:

did 4 BIG loads of laundry, folded AND put away all of it in the right places

Cleaned the kitchen and bathroom (again scrubbing a tub with a ginormous belly isn't fun but SO worth it)

Vacuumed and straightened the whole house

Cleaned Matt and I's room (which is really just my room), this is where the bulk of the laundry came from. I even stored away our winter blankets, it's getting HOT at night!

Organized all of Ty's clothes by month and separated them into his drawers, put the sheets on his bed, and cleaned up the rest of the room storing all the random bouncers and play things that he wont use for a while.

I EVEN washed the pillow cases because it's allergy season and sleeping on a dirty pillowcase makes it worse I hear...

After typing it all it doesn't seem like much but I got it all done in 3 hours.

Needless to say when Matt got home from school and he asked if I wanted to go over to watch him play basketball, I declined because I haven't worked up a sweat like that in a long time! I couldn't wait to get in my nice clean shower :) Some people may think I'm nesting? Well that might be partially true but I really just wanted a good nights rest and I knew that if I worked really hard and didn't take a nap (which is a rare occurrence anyways) I would sleep like a rock...PLUS my house would be clean which ALWAYS enables me to breathe easier at night.

My plan worked, but now I have some swollen and sore hands and feet to show for it this morning... Oh well.

Two cheers for a spotless home! If only it would stay that way for the next 3 weeks so I won't have to clean again with this big belly... for some reason I don't think that is going to happen :)

Fun in the Sun

Bullet Points from this weekend

-Went to Wal-Mart and Matt bought a Mountain Bike he was so excited he even rode his bike home from Wal-Mart. Of course I timed him and he took the back dirt roads to test it out.

-Friday Night BBQ

Hot Italian Sausage Brats and Grilled Pineapple, again Matt says Grilled Pineapple is like candy. We use 2 Tbsp Honey, 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, 1 Tbsp Lemon juice, 1 Tbsp Lime juice, and 1 tsp of Cinnamon. Mix it all up in a shallow baking dish, I cut all the pineapple into strips and roll them around in the sugar mixture and let them sit for about 30 minutes before putting on the grill on a med/low heat cook each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden strips appear from the grill, they will be nice and soft.

- We went to Hobby Lobby and bought some fabric for me to sew a blanket

- We went and saw Star Trek (4 stars for sure/ trekkies and non trekkies alike, Matt has never seen an episode in his life and still really liked it)

-Saturday morning I dropped Matt of to meet up with the Disc Golf buddies to throw a tournament (7:30 AM)

-I went and helped to clean the church for about an hour and a half

-Finished up some lingering work at home

- Washed and Vacuumed out Matt's car

- Went to hang out with Kristin and the kids

- Went to our cousin Kelly's wedding reception and hung out with family from the Bragg side.

- Picked up the boys from disc golf (55 holes! 3 Rounds! Matt and Will tied for 5th place in the Advanced category, Matt got a whole bunch of sun, 6:30 PM)

- Matt gave Jason a hair cut

-Sunday we went to church

- I made pork roast and potatoes for dinner

- I watched "You've got Mail"

- We went for a walk and enjoyed the weather!

It was a nice relaxing weekend. This week Matt starts summer term, he is only taking 2 classes so he wont be as busy which will be nice with a baby coming in (fingers crossed) less the 4 weeks.

Fourth of July Fun Run

Date & Time
Saturday, July 04, 2009 @ 7:00 AM

Address
Kiwanis Park 820 N & 1100 E in Provo

Fees
10K & 5K, 1 Mile

Feb 15th to May 15th
$15-$10

May 16th to June 15th
$20-$10

June 16th to July 2nd
$25-$15

Late Registration on July 3rd and July 4th Race Day
$30-$20

Go here http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1654776 to register.

Brief Description
Run for America! And for your own personal achievement! Start your Fourth of July, Independence Day celebration with a 10K, 5K or the Mayor's one-mile fun run. The annual run has become an integral part of America’s Freedom Festival as thousands of runners begin the day with a 10K, 5K or one-mile run. Participants at all levels and abilities are encouraged to join this invigorating event.

More Details

http://www.freedomfestival.org/run

This is what the Spence, Bragg(s), Wu, Reading families will be up to on the Fourth of July morning. I thought I would post it far in advance just in case anyone wants to join us and can catch the early registration fees.

Suzanne, H and Brit (If H can get off work), and myself will be doing to 1 mile (maybe Jason wants to do the 1 miler with us?) while Matt, Preston, Will and my mom will be doing the 5k. Kristin and my dad have opted to be WONDERFUL spectators. :)

I would sign up for the 5k but I have resigned to the fact that I will have a 2-3 week old rather then a 5-6 week old...

Happy summer running to ya!

I had a dream

I was running, just me on the road in the early morning as fast, as long and as hard as I could. The weather was mild and it had just rained so there was a light mist still in the air. I wasn't upset at all, I was completely relaxed and happy. It was HEAVEN! I miss running so much... I want to hit the ground running as fast as long and as hard as I possibly can. The thought of it makes my heart race. 4 more weeks... then a few after that and watch out streets of Utah, I'll be there running my little heart out.

Mother's Day

Friday night we had a little BBQ with Suzanne and Preston to test out the new grill. On the Menu was Steak and Chicken, Fruit Salad, Pasta Salad, Green Salad, Corn on the Cob, Cheesy Garlic Bread and some Grilled Pineapple. It all tasted so good! We all chowed down. Matt became the king of the grill and did an excellent job with everything. At first, Matt said the Pineapple was "Not Bad..." But then he ate the last piece and his he said "WOW I BET YOU GUYS WISH YOU ATE THIS PIECE THIS IS SO GOOD, IT'S LIKE CANDY!!! MY TASTE BUDS ARE ACTING LIKE THEY ARE ON THE FRONT ROW OF A CONCERT GOING CRAZY!!" It was so funny I had to get a picture.

Saturday was Kristin's cookie party in the afternoon. I made Carmel Thumbprint Cookies, or I think that is what it what they are called, I should have taken a picture! They looked pretty good. Every ones cookies were VERY tasty (The chocolate ones I ate yesterday, Mother's Day, instead of Saturday) There were 9 entries. We chit chatted and snacked on sandwiches and fruit. Matt Will Preston and Art were the judges and I think i won the "Fan Favorite" and "Yummiest Looking". I'll have to post a few recipes tomorrow. I got to see Cary and Rachel my aunt and cousin from California that I hadn't seen in a while.

After the cookie party we went disc golfing and got a little sun and that evening Kristin's BBQ'd up some chicken. At one point the BBQ lit on fire, I mean where it's not supposed to be on fire. Kristin started yelping "Ahh the BBQ is on fire!!!" So I walked outside to check it out and wondered where she was going. I turned off the propane and the fire went out. Kristin comes out a few seconds later with the wimpiest spray bottle I have ever seen. HA HA like that was going to put the fire out. It was funny.

Sunday I woke up feeling pretty crummy so I hung out on the couch for a while after taking 2 Tylenol. I had braxton hicks contractions ALL day every 10 minutes or so. So later in the afternoon after Matt got home from church, we went for a walk. It felt nice and I felt better by then. I made "Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuff" to bring over to a family dinner and I didn't know that it needed to chill for a LOOONG time before serving. So when we went over to my aunt and uncles house for dinner and I served it up it for dessert was strawberry goop instead. Note to self let it chill overnight before serving. It still tasted okay, I just wish it would have set a little better. The weather was a really nice day so everyone was outside hanging out. Matt took Sierra on the trampoline. It was her first time I think, she seemed to like it. Matt also got to officially meet my uncle Mike who is out here on a business trip. I should have taken more pictures! It was fun seeing everyone yesterday.

Oh and last but not least for Mother's Day Matt got me a jogging stroller. Yay! I am excited to use it! BUT I had an appointment this morning.... yeah I don't think I'll be using it ANY time soon...I am not dilated at all and my doctor said, "Usually I would have you start coming every week, but I'm not worried about you at all. You can come back in two weeks if you want." Oh MAN!!! So looks like 5 weeks not 3... this seems like it will never end.

Change of Plans

Yesterday was a lovely day. In preparation for our anniversary on Tuesday I went to the Dutch Store and bought some yummy chocolate to indulge in through out the day. I also got some Stroop Wafels because Matt had never had them. We saw them on the movie "The Best Two Years" that the easter bunny brought Matt and I had been craving them. (He really likes them, I knew he would. He ate most of them by the time I got to take a picture)

Matt was getting off work at 4 yesterday and he told me to meet him home at 4:30 to start our evening in celebration that he planned.

Well, plans changed and it was my fault. My boss is moving and renting out his place in Sandy. He couldn't find anyone to help him move the rest of his bigger items into storage so I said Matt could do it. Matt came down to my work to meet us and we hopped in my bosses car to get a U-haul. Well it took quite a bit of time to go to his place load up the stuff (I helped with couch cushions etc.. nothing heavy...) and drop it off at his storage. We finished at about 8:00.

So Matt asked my boss if he could follow him in the U-haul to Lowe's because he needed to pick up our anniversary gift. We got back to our cars and I went home and waited. Matt unloaded the gift with my boss from the U-haul, along with a dresser my boss gave us for helping him. Then it was about 9 and we were all hungry. So we all went to Chili's for dinner. How is that for celebration, moving a friend and SCARFING food far too late at night.

I must say though, A new BBQ and a dresser is exciting!!! Isn't it awesome? I am excited to grill up something now. Funny thing is my boss had some steaks in his freezer he wasn't going to use so he gave them to us. What's for dinner tomorrow? Steaks on our new grill! YAY!!! We don't have a large patio so we have to keep it in the garage and pull it out on our small patio space when using it but I am okay with that. I just hope I don't continue screwing up all of the beef I make. The dresser is a little longer then we need but we think it will fit into Ty's room okay. Now we just need to move the Black dresser out and put this one in. It's all coming together now.

Special Edition: Matt's Post

Happy Anniversary!!!! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Marriage is the perfection of what love aimed at, ignorant of what it sought.” I thought this quote was funny, and somewhat true. There was no way I could have known, that being married would be so fun. I love my wife and her optimistic sense of life. She expects me to be successful in all things, therefore I strive for success. She taught me that what you expect in people may just influence what they expect in themselves. To the love of my life I say, Thank You, I love you, and I look forward to eternity.

P.S. Will, you may be married longer than us through eternity, but I will have known my wife longer than you knew yours.

3 Years

Has it REALLY been 3 years? I can't believe it. Seems like it's been longer, no wait shorter. Oh I cant decide but 3 years doesn't seem right. It was one lovely day in May. We got married in the Medford Oregon Temple and had a reception in the backyard of my parents home. The weather was PERFECT and there were tons of friends and family around to make the day extra special. Matt looked dashing and handsome that day and still is today. Most of you that know us, know this is really what were like. Not that picture perfect couple above... 3 Years down Matt! An eternity to go, aren't you stoked? :)

Cinco De Mayo

Got this from wikihow.com "How to celebrate Cinco De Mayo")

On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army, against all odds, defeated French forces in the Battle of Puebla. While Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the 5th of May) is celebrated in the Puebla region, the holiday has taken on more meaning outside of Mexico than within--not unlike St. Patrick's Day being more popular in the U.S. than in Ireland. On this day, many Mexicans around the world celebrate their Mexican ancestry and many people of all backgrounds take the time to appreciate Mexican culture

Lots of people think it's Mexico's Independence Day, but that's on September 16 and that is a widely celebrated holiday within Mexico (unlike Cinco de Mayo, which is primarily celebrated in Puebla). The Battle of Puebla wasn't even a turning point in the Mexican and French conflict, as the French invasion succeeded the following year. The significance of the Battle of Puebla is that Mexico was the underdog; at that time, the French Army was considered the greatest military force on the globe, having remained undefeated for 50 years. The Mexican forces were outnumbered (4,500 vs. 6,040) yet after being attacked, they suffered far fewer losses (83 Mexicans died, 462 French died). Talk about beating the odds!

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo by eating authentic Mexican cuisine, such as chiles rellenos, mole sauce, or tamales. Also, make a pinata, wear a sombrero, and put on some Mexican music and dance!

As for me I'll stick to my Tex Mex Tacos, Fajitas and Nachos. No dancing will be done here....Happy Cinco De Mayo.