It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This week I finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.














I really enjoyed this book. It begins in the 1960s with a doctor driving his wife to the hospital to deliver their baby. Unknown to them, she has twins. The first baby is a healthy baby boy and the second, a little girl, although healthy, is born with Down Syndrome. The husband makes a rash decision to send the baby away to a home. The nurse who is to deliver the baby to the home can't bring herself to do it and ends up keeping the little girl and raising her on her own.

The wife has no idea about the little girl with Down Syndrome and believes that her second baby has died. It tears her apart for years to come. Follow these families on their journies for the next 20 years to find out how one mistake can destroy one family and bring another one together.

This week I'm reading Testimony by Anita Shreve.














The first chapter is extremely graphic and I wasn't sure I was going to make it the entire way through, but now I'm enjoying the book. I hope to finish it over the next few days so I can hand it off to my mom before it needs to be returned to the Library.

I'll probably head back to YA novels by the end of this week or beginning of next week. Sometimes ya just need a break!

I'm In a Glass Case of Emotion!

It's really no secret that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I think for those who know me well can tell my moods pretty easily. Even my students know when the Librarian is in a good or bad mood. My face usually says it all. I know it's not the best thing to allow everyone to see my emotions, but I can't really help it. It's part of who I am.

Yesterday was no exception.

There's a lot going on in our lives right now. Some I'm comfortable talking about, others, not so much. What I will say is that some of my family's medical issues are starting to overwhelm me and I sometimes wonder how much one family can take!

Everything sort of came to a head yesterday and I found myself getting weepy eyed as I was checking in/out books for 8th graders. I partly blame it on the hormones, but seriously ya'll, tears from a teacher and 8th graders, don't mix well.

Thankfully, Braydon had a dermatologist appointment yesterday so I got to leave early and shed my tears in peace. By the way, the dermatologist was a new one and I loved her. She really cared and gave us lots of free samples of products to try and I have to admit, I think his face looks better already.

Anyway, the point of this post was basically to let you all know that I'm like Ron Burgendy, I cry in front of students and I'm very pregnant. That is all. :)

35/35

That's right. 35 weeks down and 35 days to go! Give or take. My due date is March 29th according to the doctors, but I'm planning on the weekend before! ;) You know how those best laid plans always work out...

Here I am today. We had a snow day so I got to enjoy a nice 4 day weekend.

That fake smile says I'm less than thrilled to have my picture taken.

Braydon and I are having a relaxing day. My dad came over to help us shovel out a little. Dustin does most of it before he leaves for work in the morning, but he didn't get it all.

Our street is really safe, btw, no children were harmed in the shoveling of snow.

And this was just a shot from this morning. I edited it using an action called Velvet Cream from the Coffeeshop Blog. Love that lady!

And that's that! Enjoy your day!

Texting Is Hard Work, Mommy.

Things I Learned This Weekend

1. If you download the words with friends app on your phone, you'll probably need to visit the Verizon store to reset your Droid because it might wipe everything off!

2. You can finish 3 pizza hut breadsticks on the drive from target to the Verizon store in Lancaster county.

3. There is a ton of cute home stuff and baby stuff at Burlington coat factory at really great prices. This could be really bad for my bank!

4. Braydon loves his shoes on and might throw a massive tantrum if you attempt to take them off.

5. 31 bag parties have awesome stuff!

6. Dinner with close friends is good for the soul.

It was a great weekend!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Last weekend I finished Going Bovine by Libba Bray and have yet to start anything new! I'm a slacker, I know!

Let me just say, I was blown away by this book. It's been sitting on my Library shelves for a long time and it circulates once in awhile by some of my advanced readers (reluctant readers see how big it is and immediately turn somewhere else). I've wanted to check it out ever since I read the article on Libba Bray in SLJ, but just never got around to it. I'm really glad I finally did!

Aside from the language (a reason I'm glad my advanced readers usually only pick up the book), it kept me hooked from the moment Dulcie showed up with her wings in the gymnasium. There was this really awesome passage that I wanted to post that pretty much sums up the story of the boy who gets Mad Cow disease and goes on a life changing ride with his friend, but unfortunately I forgot the book at school and I have off today! Wooohoooo!

Anyway, it you haven't read the book yet (I know, I'm late to the party), seriously, go pick it up. You'll laugh, you'll say "WTF?" and you'll sob like a baby. I promise.

As for next week, I'm going to look for Testimony by Anita Shreve and Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekkanen. Both are recommendations from Shelia! Can't wait!

34 Weeks Pregnant

I totally look exhasted in this picture, but notice the fridge. That's Jacob with the word LUV under him. That's how we roll in this house.

How far along: 34 Weeks. 6 to go baby!

Baby's size: About 5lbs!

Symptoms: Lots of pressure and Braxton Hicks.

Sleep: Since Braydon has decided to sleep again through the night, it's been a lot better. I still wake up to pee once though.

Maternity clothes: I refuse to go out and buy any more for the next 6 weeks, but getting dressed and not wearing sweats is getting harder and harder. I only have a few things left that fit me really well!

Best moment this week: Officially ordering the letters for the nursery! Weston it is!
Movement: Tons. All.The.Time. I'm not sure he really ever sleeps.
Food cravings: Not really anything. Still loving my cereal!

Gender: Still a boy!
What I miss: There have been a few nights when I just wanted an ice cold beer. That time will come!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting back to exercising! It's weird, but I really miss it!

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): I'm huge and lots of being pregnant is a good conversation starter (and can be a little awkward!).

Sharing My Love

Since it is Valentine's Day and all, I thought I'd share some favorite picks of the Hubster and I. These are in no paticular order!

At the beach in 2007. 

Raystown Lake 2007

This was our first camping trip together. I believe it was early 2007.

A friend's house, 2008?

NYE, 2008.

Our first Steelers Game 2008

A friend's wedding, 2008?

OBX, 2008 (he looks thrilled, I was about 10 weeks pregnant I think.)

Hiking with B, 2009

Engagement photo, taken 2008 (3 months pregnant)

Friend's wedding, 2008

Our wedding, 2009

We have so many more but these were just a few randoms I pulled. I hope you all have a great V-day!

If You Give A Boy A Sticker

He'll probably stick them to every known surface in your home, including his face.

Thanks for the Valentine's Day present, Nana!

Something That Makes Me Smile

B likes to draw in the tub. He'll say, "This is Mama," and draw one of his misformed circles. Then he'll do the same for everyone that he knows, "GeeGee, Dada, Jessie" and sometimes he'll even draw "Deston" or Weston!

33 Weeks Pregnant

Not much has changed since last week, so I'll make this simple.

-I get asked about 20 times a day by students when I'm due and what I'm having. I think I might start to either wear a sign taped to my belly or create a commercial for the morning announcements.

-It's nice that people tell me I look really good and that all my weight is in my belly. I actually like the compliments, but I seriously feel more and more large and uncomfortable every day. It's hard to smile and say thanks when I feel like large Marge. I promise though, I am very grateful for the compliments.

-Pregnancy dreamed are jacked. I've had so many dreams the past few weeks that are so vivid and crazy, I can't even begin to tell you. I'm sick of dreaming about school and labor and my mom having twins. Sheesh.

-My cereal this week is back to Fruit Loops. Thanks to my SIL, Missy, who reminded me how much I like them!

And that being said, here is my pic for the week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This week a friend gave me Todd Strasser's Boot Camp to check out.















Garrett is sent to Lake Harmony, a place where bad kids go when their parents have no idea what else to do with them. For the hefty price of $4,000 a month, Garrett is supposed to be taught to listen to parents and respect what they say. What Garrett can't understand is what he did wrong. He's always been a model student and barely gets into trouble. It must be the relationship with his teacher who is 8 years older than him that got him placed in Lake Harmony.

Lake Harmony turns out to be a horrible place where Garrett spends a lot of time in solitary confinement. The other kids hate him and Garrett frequently finds himself being beaten not only by kids his own age, but the "fathers" who are supposed to supervise the camp. Garrett makes two friends, Sarah and Pauly, who have a plan to escape. After Garrett's father comes to visit and doesn't pull him from the camp, Garrett starts to think about trying to escape with him. Will he make it out of the camp?

I enjoyed this book by Todd Strasser. I kept wondering when his parents were going to save him from this horrid camp. The sad part is that boot camps like this really exist. In fact, the end of the book talks about the camps and how parents really send their children there for discipline.

Next up on my list is Going Bovine by Libba Bray. I've heard good things and she's won the Printz Award for this book. I can't wait to get started!

Whether We Win Or Lose

We'll always love the Steelers!

 And when we get bored...

Wish List Wednesday

I've decided to join Jenni and do a little Wish List Wednesday. It's been so long! Why the heck not let you know what I'm wishing for!

First up: BLUE COSTUME JEWELRY

I hit up the mall the other night (with my parents) for the first time in ages and noticed a lot of blue jewelry out there. I'd love to buy some new pieces and blue is one of my favorite colors!

Next: A SNOWBLOWER

We've been borrowing my Father In Laws for this crazy weather and it would be nice to have one of our own. Maybe someday!

Third: ORGANIZED CLOSETS

Seeing closets like this make me drool. We seriously need some sort of organizational help with our closet. I would love to be on one of those home makeover shows where they could tell me how to make this happen, without spending tons of dough.

And there you have it! What are you wishing for!?

32 Weeks Pregnant and an Update

Only 8 weeks to go (hopefully)! Although I've heard from numerous people (thank you random check out lady at Weis Markets) that it looks like I'm going to "POP" anyday now, I still will keep this little guy for the next 8 weeks warm in my tummy.

The 3rd tri fatigue has set in, along with some other various not so pleasant symptoms. One of them being that little bit of pee that comes out everytime I cough. Sorry if that's too TMI for you, but seriously, it's one of those things that really sucks.

Right now, the baby weighs about 3.75 lbs (according to babycenter) and is about the size of a jicama. I've provided a link...I had to look it up!

I've started to get paranoid about weight gain. I gained a total of 27lbs with Braydon and this time I've gained a little less than that and still have a little while to go. I'm thinking I won't be sporting a bikini this summer, but that's ok. I picked up a sweet little "mom" bathing suit last summer so I'll have no problem rocking that. I'm hoping that nursing can also work it's magic and help whip me back into shape.

On a non-pregnancy note, I thought I would update about the cancer situation with my Mother-In-Law. I haven't posted about it since we found out about her. They found a tumor in her colon and liver and she went through about 3 months of chemo. They looked at the tumor in her liver a few weeks ago and found out that it had shrank by about half and made arrangements to go in a remove the part of the liver that contains the tumor. Instead of just removing the liver with surgery, they have to do a smaller surgery first which involves killing off the half of the liver that is infected, thus making the other half stronger. She is undergoing that first surgery today. In a few weeks, she'll go in to get that part removed. Her colon will be looked at after that.

It's been a crazy time for our family and I'm so glad that you've all kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We really need them now!