Monday, March 24, 2008

Monday Summary

(Seriously. By the time I get my kids fed and dressed and deposited various places, I have NO desire to do anything but lay on my bed. This is the worst "morning sickness" I've ever had. Even blogging seems annoying. But for posterity's sake...I will nobly carry on.)

Events that need documenting:

I meet Bridget.
You'd think that two bloggers hanging out for the first time would actually take pictures. But no. Ours had no working batteries and Bridget didn't think of it, till we were running out the door to catch our plane. You'll just have to believe us that we met.

We had the best time. Her house is beautiful, her kids were beautiful and SUPER friendly, and her husband was such a great guy. She made us dinner (no, I actually had just thrown up, Bridget, so I was feeling better...) and she and I had no problem talking the night away. It would be wonderful to live by her and hang out regularly.

Portland trip
So, Portland was beautiful (despite the weather) and the company treated us so well. We ate lots of yummy food and stayed in a gorgeous hotel.

But it just so expensive to live there. To get a house like the one we have now (in a cul-de-sac, with good schools and some sort of yard), we'd have to spend $200,000 more! It was so depressing...not to mention nauseating, as we wove in and out of streets, while I tried to navigate us. Blech. We finally chucked the house-hunting and spent the rest of the afternoon walking around downtown Portland.

Ryan got his offer from the company. He should get another offer on Thursday, from a Spokane company and we'll compare and be ready for a final decision, hopefully, by then.

Ryan puts on a party
When Ryan does his Elder's Quorum activities, I have at least three people say to me: "I'm sure it was YOU who did such a good job on this." Um, no. All the organizing, decorating, creativity....all him. It was fun, well-attended and had really good food. (Potluck! Yay!)


(Okay, this picture makes it look boring--thanks Greg--but it was super fun).

Easter Saturday
We started out the day with some Easter Egg coloring:


proceeded to the Ward Easter Egg hunt, at someone's gorgeous mountainous yard:


then had the family Easter Bunny visit.

Ryan and I then enjoyed a nice dinner with Ryan's mom (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for babysitting the kids while we were gone) and Heather and Kevin.

Easter Sunday

I miraculously felt good yesterday, which was a blessing because between choir practice, choir performance (which included a solo), having to find last minute nursery help, cooking Monkey Bread, Cheesy Potatoes, Strawberry, Key Lime and Lemon Pie...I didn't have time to be sick. Or take pictures. I sent Emma down, before church, to take them for me. This is what she came up with:



We had a nice Easter dinner with the Daines and Ryan's uncle Doug and Aunt Marcie.

During our Easter lesson, we asked the kids why we celebrated this holiday. Jane's answer? "Because Henly Fader told the Eastoh Bunny to come and he obeyed." Obviously, the true meaning of Easter being a little lost around here.

Stay tuned for more job/moving news and whining about nausea.

40 comments:

Elizabeth Caldwell said...

wow double the house price? that is a tough pill to swallow... unless of course he is getting offered 3 times the salary!

Hope you are feeling better soon. I was lucky that I never had morning sickness -but I do remember believing that someone had put a giant magnet under the bed - each time I walked past it sucked me in!

I am patiently staying tuned...

Margaret said...

Morning sickness, a job change, and four kids. Wow! Just surviving days like this should get you a medal.

Driving in Portland is a bit of a mess which is why most people opt for the suburbs. But I'm sure Bridget told you that.

Hope you have a feeling good week!

zeeny said...

sorry your sick! no fun. It looks like a fun holiday around there. I do celebrate Easter...unlike some other holidays!

♥Shally said...

Why do they call it morning sickness? Seriously-- mine was never just in the morning either...

If it gets really bad-- ask for Zofran-- if your insurance will cover it. I couldn't have functioned normally without it.

Christie said...

I am beyond jealous that you sat face-to-face with my friend Bridget. It's been way too many years since I've had that pleasure. Aren't they the best? Seriously want you to move there so I can live vicariously through both of you at the same time.

G and G Nut said...

I love the Easter pictures. Wish I could have been there!
xoxo

crystal said...

Nausea merits endless whining. We'll be happy to listen to whining, because we're all just glad it's not US.

Good luck with the big decision. Either city will be a fun adventure!

Lindsey said...

Oh, we would love to have you stick around here! That way I can have you to Rockwood Bakery for my cupcake festival (I am sure you will be feeling better soon ??? Well enough to eat cupcakes anyway!)

jessica said...

I know I mentioned it to you yesterday but everyone in the blogging world needs to know how amazing you sang. The song was absolutely beautiful, the lyrics so personal, and you were able to deliver it like a pro. It was a gift to listen to, especially after the week I had.

What I would give to be able to sing like that! I know this is embarassing to you but too bad!

Kristin said...

Man do you have a lot on your plate. Hope you are feeling better soon. Can't wait to hear more about your news.

Ilene said...

LOVE downtown Portland. I hope you had fun walking around there in spite of the pregnancy sickness.

Your solo was beautiful and I am impressed that your "mom look" whips your kids into shape from the choir seats. Please tell me your secret.

Lauren in GA said...

Jane is so hilarious. I love how she made the Easter Bunny, above all things, obedient.

I hope you get to stay there if you want. Your ward sounds great. I have a feeling they are praying pretty fervently to keep you.

I am so glad you felt a bit better for all the prep that Easter dinner took. I hope you were at least able to eat it...or, better stated, keep it all down.

Lauren in GA said...

I demand you post some footage of you singing.


I am sad for you that lovely Ilene is leaving.

Jake said...

When it rains it pours, huh? Some lives just have ALL the excitement. Glad it's your life...not mine. Good luck with everything and know your blog buds are cheering for you!

Carie said...

Yeah, expensive cities stink. Hence, we love living in Kansas City.

Fun Easter celebrations.

Unknown said...

Don't know where the job offer is, but Vancouver, WA is right across the river from Portland with MUCH lower housing cost, WAY better schools, and NO property taxes! It's a great community, relatively "small town" feel, right next to the big city!

Meridith said...

What a nice Easter weekend it sounds like you had. You are simply an amazing cook to do all of that delicious food when your feeling so horrible. I just admire you for that. I'm scared for my next pregnancy.

I can't wait to hear where you'll be with the job change.

See you really soon!!!

Bridget said...

I love that the Easter bunny is so obedient. That is too cute.

You must really be not feeling well for blogging to be a chore. Thanks for coming through for us readers though.

Shame on me for the lack of photo taking. grrrrr....

Laurie said...

Yeah, those crazy house prices are why we do not have a bigger house. Yet. I'm going to hurt something if we don't get a family room in the next couple years.

Sorry about the nausea--really can't relate. I just get tired and cranky and hungry. Maybe you're extra sick because it's twins!

Good luck on your big decisions.

rachel said...

wahoo oh baby #5!!!! That is so exciting. I cannot even imagine what i would do with three kids but 5 wow your amazing. I'm glad to hear you have some job offers. how stressful! good luck!

Erika said...

Congratulations on the new baby!! Nice of the Easter Bunny to make the announcement for you. So sorry you are feeling sick. I don't mind having another few kids, it's the pregnancies that are making me cringe.

Loved the picture Emma took. And I love that the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday. Definitely doing that next year.

Erin said...

Hmmm...worst morning sickness ever? Maybe you're going to carry on the family tradition--bringing 'em home in multiples. :) Just kidding. But seriously...

Congratulations. :0

Caroline C. Bingham said...

I'd love to only spend $200,000 on a stinkin house.... errrghh.

Meanwhile, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You're pregnant. (yes, so glad it's you.)

Anonymous said...

wait... you have a husband who organizes, decorates and creates?!

you are one lucky woman!

Tristan said...

Glad you had a fun trip to Oregon, and a great Easter Sunday! Congrats on the pregnancy!!! I feel for ya on the "morning sickness" I get it really bad and it lasts all day when I am prego!

TexasTwinsTwice said...

fun week! I always love looking at the pics my kids take with the camera--It shows me a whole new perspective of the world (I don't generally get that close to look at walls or someone's elbow. Very 'artsy' photos!) good luck with your move/job choices--exciting!

Erika said...

way to carry on - go read about my week. You'll feel better.xoxo

Adrianne said...

Jane is not missing the point - it's all about someone having obeyed Hedy Fader! And please send me Ryan's activity - Mario needs it!

stephanie said...

Reading about the nausea reminds me of the not-too-distant past, you should read my "A Glorious Time in My Life" post on my blog. I feel your pain, believe me. I love knowing what's going on w/ you again!

shauna said...

I know I'm not your posterity, but I am so glad you are still able to post.

You have a lot on your plate. Say grace. Eat it slowly. Chew each piece 20 times before you swallow it. Hope it doesn't come back up. Realize how much it nourished you many years later. Amen.

You CAN do it!

brooke romney said...

Exciting about Portland. Can't wait to see what happens; so sorry about morning sickness. I had it with all mine, and it makes you think you will never be the person you once were. Oh, and you sing too? Are you serious? I'll take this one from you, "no fair."

Hollyween said...

Morning sickness is the pits. I had mine accompanied with gallbladder attacks. I hope you feel better soon and that you feel comfort with the big job decision you have to make soon.
I had to sing a solo on Sunday too, but I didn't have to make anything but a big salad and I wasn't pregnant. I'm pretty sure you had it more rough.
How about you just call it good and move to Utah? My next door neighbor is always saying she's going to sell her house. I'll be a great next door neighbor. And you can invite me over for dinner whenever you want. Deal?

The Parkers said...

My favorite trick someone told me about morning sickness: paper plates and cups. For the first few months of each of my 7 pregnancies, we ONLY use paper. Even Sunday dinner. It's fantastic.

Hazen5 said...

Hang in there kid, you can't stop POSTING!! I hope you feel better soon and hope the job offers are what you want!

Penny said...

We were sad that we missed "Ryan's party", we had company in town just for that one night.

Sorry you have been so nauseated lately, that really stinks. I thought maybe you were not feeling so well the other day when I was doing my dishes and saw this cute little "Cinderella" twirling around in your backyard. Cinderella was doing a great job of holding the dress up while prancing around, sure not to get the beautiful gown dirty....

Did I mention that the beautiful "Cinderella" I speak of was SETH?! Nathan and I both really got a kick out of that. And baby blue really is Seth's color! :)

Lara said...

I have no idea how I ended up here, but CUTE BLOG and CUTE FAMILY! And CONGRATS on the baby! So fun.. Hope the nausea ends soon!

Kate Benson said...

I'm here, right along with you on the morning sickness thing, or should I say mourning sickness! Blech! Seriously you could get a sweet house for around 200 in Oregon? You can get a big-piece-o-crap for 200 here in Utah, wanna move here? Seriously, the market stinks in the "U" state.

mamasuisse said...

Hello Jessica. I found you through Paige and Celia and have been lurking for a little while. I tend to be a little shy so I haven't commented, but I just had to comment on the morning sickness.

A few things that have helped me: Unisom tablets (they have to be the tablets - not the gelcaps) and vitamin B6. That is working well with this pregnancy.

When I was so sick with "morning" sickness that I could hardly move without puking, I went to an accupuncturist. It sounds weird, but it actually helped after the 2nd treatement. It didn't take the nausea away entirely, but took it down to a level where I could at least function.

Good luck with it - it's definitely the worst part of pregnancy.

Meghann said...

Ok- I completely laughed out loud, so much so that I made Adam read this post. Firstly- reading about your Easter Sunday made me tired, and I'm not even pregnant. How do you do it . . . honestly?!? Three pies AND choir practice, etc?!?? What's the deal-io? Secondly, that picture of Emma is hilarious. How sweet that she thought to pose in front of the picture of Christ. Thirdly, I loved Jane's comment about the Easter Bunny. Am I a grinch for not doing the Easter Bunny? I totally get into Santa, so that makes up for it, right?

Tammy said...

Portland is such a cool place though....so you'd expect it to be more expensive? And easier to get to for us visitors?! Mt. Hood is right there so emma could continue her skiiing! Do NOT let Ryan accept the first offer, he must negotiate! Hard ball, I tell ya.