Congratulations James!!

Today my little brother, James, is graduationg from Utah State University with his Bachelors Degree in Enviromental Engineering. (man, I hope I got that right).

Congratulations James! I'm very proud of you and am happy for your success. It's a big year for you; two new nephews, graduation and a new wife! I'm so happy for all of the wonderful things happening in our family. I love you very much!!

This is an old picture of us in Switzerland. I should find a more updated photos of us.

If Yan Can Cook, So Can I!!

I can officially cook!! I know some of you might be thinking, "what are you saying? You've been cooking since you were little." Yes I have. I had a great teacher, my mother. But there's always been one thing I can't do. I can't cook where a roux is involved. I can't make cream soups or cream sauces or anything like that. For those of you who don't know, a roux is, "a cooked mixture of wheat flour and fat, traditionally butter. It is the thickening agent of sauces and soups." I've tried and tried and the sauces and soups never thicken. I can't make gravy either, but that's for another day.

The other day Hutch and I decided to have tortellini for dinner. We also had some cheese in the fridge. I thought I'd give making sauces one more chance. I found a recipe for cheese sauce on the Internet that seemed easy and gave it a try. I came to the step where you stir it until it thickens. I was nervous but continued on. I stirred and stirred. It wasn't thickening. I started to complain to Hutch that I can't cook. Hutch being as cute as he is kept encouraging me. I kept stirring and stirring and stirring and to my amazement (after what seemed like forever) the sauce started to thicken a bit. Then it got even thicker. I was so excited!! I kept yelling "It's getting thick, it's working!!" We added the cheese and the sauce was perfect. Apparently my problem has been that I didn't stir it long enough. So now I can officially cook! I can make cream soups and sauces! I'm so proud!!

Update

Feet back to normal size. I missed them.

Swelling and Cankles

"Cankles: the area in affected female legs where the calf meets the foot in an abrupt, nontapering terminus." ~Urbandictionary.com

Why are my ankles and feet so swollen? "What you're experiencing is edema - that's when excess fluid collects in your tissue. It's normal to have a certain amount of swelling during pregnancy because you're retaining more water. Changes in your blood chemisty also causes some fluid to shift into your tissue. In addition, your growing uterus puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava (the large vein on the right side of the body that carries blood from your lower limbs back to the heart). The pressure slows the return of blood from your legs, causing it to pool, which forces fluid from your veins into the tissues of your feet and ankles. Edema is often an issue during the third trimester, particulary at the end of the day. It may be worse during the summer." ~babycenter.com

So it looks like I'm not dying or have some freakish disease. I am swollen though. My feet have been swelling a little bit by the end of the day but nothing like last night. Last night Hutch and I went to the Family History presentation (starring David McCullough) at the LDS Conference Center. We parked at my office and walked to the Conference Center. Since it was snowing that day I wore shoes and knee highs. After it was over, we walked back. When we got home I looked like I had Gout or something like that. I started complaining that I have cankles but Hutch said you can still see definition between my leg, ankle and foot. :) I went to bed sleeping most of the night on my left side. When I woke up the swelling had gone down but was not all gone. My right foot is still swollen (not as bad but is noticeable) and my left is only slightly swollen. I guess that means I'm not doing anything tonight but putting my feet up. Pregnancy makes you feel so pretty.

I can't believe I'm doing this but here is a picture I just took of my foot. Please pardon the lack of pedicure. At least my toes are painted. And yes, flip-flops are all I can wear right now.

Good thing it's a Friday so I can spend the weekend resting my legs and feet. Sometimes I forget that being pregnant limits what you can do. Oh well!!

Funny at 34 Weeks!

Sue Sylvester Thoughts

"Every time I try to destroy that clutch of scab-eating mouth breathers, it only comes back stronger. Like some sexually ambiguous horror-movie villian."

"Let's break it down. You want to be creative; you want to be in the spotlight. Face it: You want to be me. So here's the deal, you do with your depressive little group of kids what I did with my wealthy, elderly mother: Euthanize it."

"I'm reasonably confident you will be adding revenge to the long list of things you're no good at, right next to being married, running a high school glee club, and finding a hair style that doesn't make you look like a lesbian. Love ya like a sister."

"You think this is hard? Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told that they're going in another directioin. That was hard."

"You wouldn't know if your glee club was using your office to breed rabbits for pets or for food. You know why? You're too busy chasing tail and loading your hair with enormous amounts of product. I mean today it just looks like you put lard in it."

"All I want is just one day a year where I'm not visually assaulted by uglies and fatties. Seriously, Ohio, these retinas need a day off."

"That ws the most offensive thing I've seen in 20 years of teaching. And that includes an elementary school production of "Hair".

What A Day!

Today started out ok. I was actually on time for work. I got there and my boss wished me a Happy Admin day. He asked me if I had any plans for lunch because he wanted to take me out for admin day. I had a few annoyances in the morning but other than that things were good. We had a really nice lunch (yummy Tucanos at the Gateway) and nice conversations. Then it went down hill in a scary way.

I left my office around 1:45 or so to go to my doctor's appointment. The rain was POURING down. I felt like I was driving through a lake. My car was also making a weird noise. It sounded like I was dragging something. So the rain and my car making a weird sound, I started to freak out a bit. Those of you who know me well know that driving in storms scares me. I pulled to the side of the road and called Hutch. I started to cry and asked him if he would be able to leave work and get me and take me to my appointment. He couldn't because he was the only one in the office to answer the phone. I know he felt so bad and frustrated to say that but there wasn't anything he could do. I didn't want to impose on anyone else to drive all the way to SL and then drive me to Sandy for an appointment. I asked Hutch to call my doctor's office and tell them that I'll be late to my appointment. I got on the freeway and things seemed ok. I got to the point of I-15 southbound where I-80 splits from I-15 and my car stopped accelerating. Luckily I was in the right lane so I moved into the shoulder and my car died. I thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to get to the shoulder. That's the moment I broke down. I broke down hard. I called Hutch and through my hysterics told him what happened. We talked about it and I told him I'd call my sister Becky and see if she can come and get me. I called my sister and through hysterics told her what happened. I feel sorry because apparently when you're pregnant and you call your sister in hysterics, she freaks out thinking someone happened with the baby. Sorry Becky!! Becky said she was on her way. I hung up with her and couldn't stop crying. I knew that I'd hyperventilate if I didn't settle down. I then called my mom so I'd have someone to talk to. I also learned that calling your mom upset has the same affect as calling your sister. Sorry Mom! My mom and I talked until Becky and my brother in law Chad arrived. Thanks mom for helping me calm down. Chad brought his truck and hooked my car up with a chain and strap to tow it. That was a scary ride. Thanks Becky for being the one to drive my car. I couldn't do it. We got the car to my brother in laws shop and he's going to check it out. Becky than drove me to my doctor's appointment very late. Luckily my mom called my doctor's office too and explained what happened. They said to come when I can. I stayed at Becky's house until Hutch got of work and got me. Thankfully I have wonderful niece and nephews who gave me lots of hugs. Chad said that my car might be shot but he'll check it deeper and see.

I know! What. A. Day! Sitting on the side of the freeway, in a rain storm, with semi's driving by is scarier than I thought. I'm so thankful for my family and their willingness to drop everything and help. We are now a one car family and we'll see how that goes before we decide to buy a new one or get my car fixed.

I am very grateful that I was blessed to be safe and protected. I'm thankful that I was watched over and blessed with a family who is so willing to help. I love each and every one of then.