Allergies or Sleep...?

LOVE Spring with all my heart, and all my allergies! Spring means sunshine, green grass, blossoms, and flowers... which then translates to itchy...watery...runny.. burning, eyes, ears, nose, and throat!

I promise, I do love Spring... I just have to see past all the itching and sneezing.

Spring was killing me, and I needed some relief, so I went for the good stuff, Allegra D this week... Found out personally why they keep it behind the counter away from the meth heads! I immediately took some, just before bed time... not a smart idea I soon found out. I got only 3 hours of sleep that night! Why? Oh, because my heart was racing a mile a minute, and I felt like I was running the 50 yard dash! I couldn't stop sweating either. But, Allergies... GONE!

Lesson... Take the good allergy 'D' stuff in the morning...and get lots done like a Meth mom ;)

Happy Spring!

5 weeks!

There are only 5 weeks... 36 days... 858 hours... Until the end of the 2012/2013 school year...and to FULL TIME MOMMYHOOD!

It is certainly a bittersweet feeling. I have been back and forth with my final decision for a couple of months now. I knew deep in my heart and mind what I really wanted to do...but I just needed to take a step forward into the darkness and have faith that everything would work out.

I took the step forward last week when I told our principal here at CHHS that I was not coming back next year. It felt good to finally put it out there, and make it real. After I told him, I walked into my office and cried. Not quite sure why I cried, probably for many reasons, I'd miss my amazing co-workers, I'd miss the kids (some of them), I'd miss my cute office, and I'd miss my identity as a counselor. I would much rather have the identity of a mommy, but it will still miss the counselor identity.

I am so very grateful I will have the incredible opportunity to be a full time mom. I am so excited, and I look forward to all the new and different time I will have to spend with my babies.

(I wrote this 2 weeks ago... so only 3 weeks now!)

Sicky...:(

This has GOT to be the year of the SICKYS!!! I have been sick for over a month now. It has not been fun, and frankly, I am SICK of it! I am surprised I still have both my lungs, and that all of my ribs are still intact...well at least I hope. I was coughing on my 30th birthday...sign of old age, I assume. Sneezing on Christmas, and started the new year of with quite the case of the sniffles...AAACHEW! Thought I was feeling better... and another bug caught me again last week. My baby has been sick, my hubby has been sick..and we just want to feel better.

Sick of winter! Sick of the mucky yucky air! Just Sick!

Ok... Just a vent! Maybe now I got that off my chest (Pun INTENDED), I will start feeling better.

Sending Healthy Blessings your way! :)

This...and...That

Ok.. So I need to update badly...But I just cant seem to just do it. I am having the same problem with my personal journal and my Lyla journal. I know it is important... but I just don't see the time and if I do, I don't make room for it. But... I have an iPad now with a keyboard :) so I can update whenever...because it looks like I am writing an email on here...sneaky?!?

Just a couple things floating through my noggin the past bit...

Lyla will be 4 months on Thanksgiving! Holy moly! She is just a good baby. It is so fun to watch her grow and learn new things. I love when she snuggles me and laughs at silly things. It is joyous when she sees me walk into the room and she kicks her legs, throws her head back in delight, and gets beyond giddy...It gets me beyond giddy.

Still trying to buy a house... but it looks like it probably wont go through. It has been quite the test of endurance and patience. Kelly has been so positive about it all and has nearly killed himself trying to take care of everything. But if we end up not getting it, we really believe its for the good, and we will end up where we need to be.

I need to start a blog about my lil fam... and leave this one for my randomness... that is my goal this coming long 5 day weekend! Yahoo! I am trying to decide what to call it... Kelly and Amber? A&K Horrocks? Kelly, Amber, One...and Counting? haha! Let me know if there are any clever ideas out there.

Updated..CHECK X!

A MOM...!?!

I am officially a MOM now... a MOM!!! I never thought that I would ever hold that title... let alone be in love with that title. I want to have an honest moment here… I was terrified to have a baby... to be a mom! I never felt that it was me, or that I could live up to that. I was scared that I would have to give up a part of me or that it would not feel right. I was even worried that I would have to be a little more selfless and less selfish. It freaked me out that I was being entrusted with a special little piece of heaven.
But... I had to set all those fears and insecurities aside and open the door to motherhood!

 I am absolutely, head over heels, IN LOVE with my little LYLA, my own little piece of heaven. Sure it is still terrifying at times... but it’s a good terror, because it is an adventure! I have not lost myself... maybe my waistline, and some of my wardrobe... but having this sweet little girl in my life has definitely lead me to find more of who I really am. I feel so blessed to have her, to learn and grow, and to watch her learn and grow. She is so darn cute, and she makes me feel joy that I have never felt before. It sure can be overwhelming, and stressful at times, but when she smiles at me, or wraps her tiny hands around my finger, it somehow it all worth it...I'M A MOM!!!

No Time...

Geesh! Too busy to blog. I really have wanted to share my random mind full of thoughts, but life is crazy these days. I never have a spare second at work (except for the one I am stealing right now) and barely any time in the evenings. Most of our time is consumed by looking for a house... it's out there…we know it. We just need to be patient…ugh, patience!
Only 18 more days until Summer Vacay! The countdown is exciting, but counting down that also counts down until baby... eek! Exciting, but so scary. Less than 9 weeks... that’s only 2 months! Holy Moly... I basically have nothing ready…but who really IS ever ready?! At least our baby will understand the importance on spontaneity ;)
Back to work...

Uhhhh….BOY or GIRL?!?

I haven’t really made an official social network announcement about my impending motherhood… I was kinda waiting for, #1 that it really was not dream and #2 for the most important question everyone always asks… Boy or Girl? Here I am almost 23 weeks into this...ummm… uhhhh….pregnancy (still having a weird reality check when saying that word… heck still really can’t say it!) and I am just getting to this “edge of your seat” news. We waited until the 20 week mark for the Ultrasound that would change our lives… Mainly because our doc would not do it any sooner than that, but also to add a little suspending excitement to our lives. Kelly and I did not have a preference either way. Whether a boy or girl, it was exciting to us. Four other siblings on Kelly’s side of the family were all having boys this year so we thought that would be fun to add a fifth little man. But that was the only thought on that.

The ultra sound went great! The baby is healthy, and doing great. It is quite the wiggler! But I didn’t need an ultrasound to tell me that. Gonna be just like its daddy... that man never stops moving…ever! It was such an amazing moment for Kelly and me... It made it much more real to us. It looked quite different than the 9 week ultrasound… it came along way from looking like I had just eaten a gummy bear (which I probably had, because I crave them like crazy). When we found out whether Boy or Girl, I got all giddy inside. The ultrasound tech left the room for a bit, and Kelly said to me the name we had thought about if it was this… and I started to cry! (Darn hormones!)

After leaving the doc office, we wanted to tell our families right away… So we ran to the party supply store and got balloons in the color associated with this gender. Kelly had got a big box from U-Haul, and we put the inflated balloons in the box. On the front I put a sign that said “IT’S A……..”. A couple of balloons popped inside box before they got to be surprised… and of course I cried (Hormones again!).

My sister, April, was highly anticipating this moment… for who knows how long. I was afraid for this moment to be honest. Because when we announced to my family I am prego… I almost lost a limb… Maybe even my head... in the wrath of her excitement. Kelly and I presented them with the box, April opened it and colorful PINK balloons escaped from the ginormous box! It was so fun to tell them this way… and no, I didn’t lose any limbs or leave their house in bruises… she kept her thrilled emotions to limit.

Kelly and I couldn't be more thrilled for a little baby GIRL! She is going to be such an incredible little lady! I can’t wait to dress her and do her hair… I know, a tad selfish. I have a lot of things to work on and prepare for when she joins us...eeeeek, only 17 more weeks! I will always want her to know how beautiful she is, to never be afraid, and to follow her dreams.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!!!

Making a Difference…

There are times in my career, where I feel that I am not making a difference. One schedule change after another… “NO MORE SCHEDULE CHANGES!!!” I have even found myself writing on my whiteboard. Too many credit checks, that I find myself dreaming about (ummm…have nightmares about) doing them. I often feel that one day is not much different than the rest. I wanted a career where I felt like I was doing something big, making life better for others… I get sad when I feel like it is not happening with my position as a High School Guidance Counselor. I wonder if I have gone down the right path… then I run into a current student at the mall, who is with their mom, and they get excited to see me. And when we walk away from each other, I hear them tell their mom how much I have helped them, and how much I care. Can’t help but smile as think about it :) Then I have had those run-ins with former students who many would thought would never make it… but I did, and because they didn’t get sick of me constantly reminding/encouraging them they that needed to get credits made up, and they worked their butts off and they GRADUATED … and they randomly see me with my sister and mom on a Saturday afternoon at Shopko. They tell them how much I helped them get to graduation and are now able to go to the college they have always wanted to go to! And say they could not have done it without me. I can’t help but have a little pride. Or the students who’s countenance has changed in the past year, because they tell me no one has ever believed in them, like I have, and they now believe in themselves and it shows! Beaming, ever so slightly.

Okay Okay, so maybe I am making a difference, one schedule change at a time…

White... Knuckles

There are too many things that are white these days… my legs, the ground outside, and my knuckles last night! Not a fan of the snow storm we had last night… BOO! Why is there a snow covered earth outside my door, the first day of March? Pretty sure winter was supposed to start a couple months ago... and it decides to show up now, as spring is quickly (lets pray) approaching! We didn’t even have snow on Christmas… but we get it now?! I guess it is better than dead brown grass, and we do need the “moisture”, but I don’t want it! Had to work late last night, and afterward drove home on deaths highway, with fists clenching away the life and soul out of the steering wheel. When I arrived home, miraculously in safety, my face was as white as the knuckles I had to pry off the wheel! I am grateful I got home safely, but I will be more grateful when the white snow melts, and the nice warm sun melts away my pasty white legs!! Only 20 more days until SPRING! The thought alone giddyfies me!

Jump... Warning!

I swear I am the jumpiest person I have ever met! My body and mind are alarmed over the slightest abnormalities. Whether it is a speck in the mirror, which I think is a ghost, or the sound of someone in the apartment next to us moving around… I Jump! I get so annoyed with myself, as I am sure those who are sitting snuggly next to me, do when watching a movie… I jump even during some of the least intense moments. Don’t even get me started on the intense, loud volume ones… I am as shaky as the machine gun going off in the scene.

Kelly and I have this thing where we kinda like to scare one another… ok… maybe it’s me really enjoying scaring him. I have got him really good a couple of times! Bahaha! Just thinking about the expression on his face as he looked like he was going to cry and hyperventilate at the same time, makes me want to plan out my next Scream scene! He is this big tough, “Because I am a man” Man, and it brings such a sense of fulfillment when he turns into a little scared girl for a few moments in time. But when it comes to scaring me, he does not have to go through any particular planning… he just walks casually into the kitchen, and my Ninja moves come out. I may have to get that checked out… I even had my breath taken away yesterday, by some ice in the bathroom sink at work. In my defense, it was out of the ordinary and I thought it was a giant bug! Or maybe I can just blame it on me being pregnant… increased anxiety? Sounds as good as an excuse as any. Did I just make you jump out of your seat?! JUMP JUMP!

Slow Down... Christmas!

How come the Holidays can’t be like they were when I was a kid… Christmas took FOREVER to arrive, the anticipation and excitement would almost just cause me to burst! The highlight of my day was being able to take that little tiny chocolate out of the countdown calendar, just to make sure to get one day closer to the jolliest of holidays! Now I have a countdown calendar and it gets too far ahead of me… last night I changed it from 16 days left to 10 days left. Ahhhh! It just comes too fast now! I want more time to savor and cherish this special time of the year…

So to help remedy that some… I have been doing something Christmasy as often as possible. Started the season off with the annual Girls Christmas Get Together. So fun to catch up, reminisce, and dream about the future. Had a couple of craft nights, and made some super cute decorations to increase the holiday ambiance in my home.

Went and got a REAL tree! Ohhh how I love the smell of our apartment when I walk in…. Kelly and I really enjoyed picking it out together, had to make sure it had some “personality”, and strapping it to the roof of our car was quite the team work activity. Glad I have me a man now :)Found some random Christmas decorations that we are slowly adding to the tree daily.

Making yummy treats, such as hot cocoa stirrers. I created quite the mess in my kitchen… but they were sure yummy! And of course we can’t forget about making gingerbread houses aka a graham cracker ghetto rambler with hot tamale shingles. Had a triple date with some of our friends. It was so fun to get together and create our Christmas masterpieces.

We have several other festivities on our list… the Dickens Festival… Christmas movie-athons, the perfect stocking search, Temple Square Christmas lights, MY BIRTHDAY, ornament exchange, and creating new and lasting traditions for our future family. Oh how I love the Holiday Season… no matter what I do… I just need to soak it all in, not rush through it, and just enjoy the moment I am in!

Merry Merry Christmas to You, to You!!

Half FULL…

I need to be more positive! This is not a recent realization, just a realization that I constantly remind myself of, but do not continually act on. I feel that I am positive for the most part, but those sneaky Debby Downer attitudes like to creep in occasionally, and get the better of me. I hate when they do! I hate it because I know I am much better than that. I believe I am generally a happy person… then why do I take on such a cruddy attitude at times?!

As I have gotten older… not that I am old or anything ;)… I have noticed that this “Realist” perspective has begun to make its presence known. Why can’t I have that mind and heart of that little girl, where everything was great, and everything would work out?! Where have I hidden her?! I know I can find her. I am always so impressed with my Kelly and how positive he is… he takes each day as it comes… and does not get stressed over the little things that he has no control over. It really is a good way to be. He has already helped me take those “Realist” glasses off… to see how great I have really got it! I need to take that happy persona that I have been given… and use it to lift me up… along with others.

In honor of one of my favorite holidays… I really do have so much to be thankful for…

My Hubby: I sure got lucky with him! He is my best friend, who makes me laugh, holds me when I cry, packs my lunches, thinks I am perfect :)

My Family: A mom who loves and supports me no matter what, a sister who is there for me, who I can share every deep dark secret with, and a dad who makes me laugh and will give even if he has nothing.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: I would be sooo lost without it! I love my Savior and all that he has given me. It provides the faith and hope to see everything half full… and more!

A great job: Grateful for the security it provides, the difference that I am hopefully making in student’s lives, and the supportive co workers I have.

Amazing Friends: You know who you are! Those who love me through the ups and downs, who I know will be there for me when I need them, most.

That is just the beginning… HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Turkey Turkey!!!

Just Resting My Eyes...

Geesh! I am sleepy today! I don’t know what it is, but I could lay my lil ol head down on my pilla and take a snooze! This is a happy thought for me not just today… but often! 8 hrs or more… is common…so it’s not like I am not getting enough sleep. I either have too much energy…where I can be a lot to handle for some…or I am crashing. I feel like I am not often a happy medium. I am pretty sure my inner being is battling whether it is a hyper active 6 year old or a withering away elderly woman! Talk about inner confusion!
I just think about that 8+ hours of sleep and all the other things I could be doing… then I get exhausted and just sleep. I was talking a lifelong friend the other day about how we used to go out dancing and stay out until 3am then wake up in the morning at work all day. The topic alone exhausted me! How did I ever do that? I am certainly not that girl anymore… but dang wish that I didn’t have such a love affair with closing my eyelids for long durations of time! I hate that I have come to believe that 10pm is late. I can see it now… my grandkids (or kids at the rate of exhaustion I am on) nudging me to wake up in a variety of non-nap situations… and in reply I will open my exhausted lids to say, “Just resting my eyes”!
(In Memory of Grandma Pearson)

Biggest Looser...

Marriage has brought many things...including more than a few pounds :( I blame it on being too happy and not caring! But it is time to shed those pounds and get back on track. Still be happy :) but start caring!


Kelly and I have challenged another couple friend of ours to the Biggest Looser! We are excited for this much needed motivation... not that our decreasing wardrobes, due to the fact of everything shrinking, was not enough! We are going to check in on the other couple monthly, whoever has the least weight loss percentage owes the most weight loss couple a fun and active date night. Then the ultimate prize is a trip to Vegas Baby in March! Where the winners (losers) gets trip perks complimentary of losing team. Yipeee!


We are super excited to get back on track and motivate one another along the way! So.... Goodbye late night Del Taco Runs, Weekly ice-cream tastings, daily 44 oz DDP stops, tasty baked goods, Holiday Popcorn retreats, and saying yes to any food paraded my way! Hello to...Feeling better about selves, fitting in to our "skinny jeans", more energy, healthier lifestyle, and more accountability to what we put into our bodies.


I shall keep you posted :) Expect Success!!!

Lazzzzy....

Laziness ….I have decided that this has got to be my biggest pet peeve! I just don’t understand the concept of laziness… maybe I am a little too far the opposite of lazy. I really have a difficult time just relaxing. I cry all week that I just want to chill… and then when I get the opportunity… I am go go go. I probably do not let myself relax enough…but I would much rather be too far this way then the other and be lazy.
It just drives me bonkers when people have so many opportunities in their reach and they do not go for them. People have so much potential, but are not willing to do what it takes to change and reach what they can obtain with a little hard work. I have seen so many people in my life that give up and not push through. There are some people who just expect things to come to them… I say… Get up…and move! Things may not work out perfectly, but at least you got some exercise (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) in the mean time. No effort, whether the desired outcome is the result, is ever wasted!
Be Buzzy...NOT Lazzy!

Skinny Potato...

Every day I walk by many offices and cubicles, and everyday one lady always sticks out to me for a certain reason… she always is eating a big bag of potato chips. Potato chips… Normal, Lady… Skinny, Petite, Fit!!! It just does not seem right to me that this lady can get away with eating a bag of potato chips on a regular basis. Potato Chips and skinny just don’t mingle well in my mind. I can count on one finger how many bags of potato chips I have eaten by myself… and I would not call me Petite or skinny on any level. I eat well, and work out regularly, and am ok with my body… but it still boggles my brains that some can get away with this. I like to think that I have a better heart and cholesterol then people like that skinny potato colleague of mine… Some folks have all the good genes (no pun intended)!

Hungry Hungry Hippo...

I constantly want food, food, and more food lately. I eat… and then I want to eat again! When I have a spare minute to think… only food filled thoughts prance across my mind. I am not sure what the deal is…
Am I not eating enough? Na! This girl and her limited food intake have seen better days…
Am I not eating enough of the right foods? Maybe… I could be better in that department…
Am I sick of the foods I eat on a constant basis? I think this could be a big part of it… Eating the same thing day in and day out can get pretty boring! I am super sick of sandwiches! Blah! Oatmeal makes me wanna vomit… just smelling it makes my salivating vomit glands hyperventilate! I am having issues with poultry as well…having a grilled piece with veggies every night for who knows how many months straight… not so much my favorite item of food these days.
Ok… So I may need to change my food up a bit…but what about all the cravings I am having to battle all the live long day!?! I guess deal with it and chew some gum… yum?!?
Or… I just stretched my tum tum out so much, that it has no idea how to eat like regular old me anymore. I think it may have discovered that it likes to be fed yummy, fattening, filling foods… I realize now what good aka not so good for you foods are delish…. And I don’t want to go back to healthy boring. I love food, but I know I can’t answer to every rumble and tumble… here is to Happy and Hungry!

Stay at Home Wife...

I could most definitely get used to the Stay at Home Wife lifestyle! Stay at Home Mom is one thing.. but a Wife is BLISSFUL!!!Having the summer off has been wonderful. It has been nice to go to bed late and sleep in, and not have too many cares in life. I get to spend all day long with my honey...but that has to come to an end now :(

My first day back to work was today... Boo! I am not a fan of early mornings, it will be an adjustment I am sure. Wish I got paid to stay home and just be :) One day... Until then I have a great job that I love, and I am completely, officially, finished, done, no more with my Masters Degree! Woot Woot!
What a great feeling that is... I am a Master of School Counseling!

So I will be happy with this position until that whole Stay at Home Wife position has an opening!

I Need to Update...

I Know... I Need to update "ALL" of my readers out there :)
So here is a quick update....

I AM A MARRIED WOMAN!!!

I am still in honeymoon mode...so I promise I will start sharing my random thoughts again soon.
But Life is Good! I love us! :) We certainly were made for each other.. NEVER a dull moment at our place! Keeps life interesting!

P.s. I need to get on that name change thing... I am seriously considering changing it to RuddRocks! :) So Rad!!!

22 DAYS...

It's the truth... ONLY 22 days until the BIG DAY!!! It's just 3 weeks and a day away...but that also seems like eternity to me!

I love my Kelly, but I am not in love with engagement! Lots of planning, lots of stress, not being able to be together, just wanting our lives to get going! I am so grateful that Kelly is a patient man! I tend to take roller coaster rides now and again (ok maybe daily), but he is just so calm, and helps me see that everything will be ok. There is so much that goes into planning a wedding... I never knew! What color this, where to put that, who needs what! I wish there was a wedding planning fairy... POOF... it would all be done!

There is no wedding planning fairy... But I have lots of little helpers! My sister April, aka maid of honor! I would die without all of her help! She deserves the Noble Peace Prize for all she has done for me! Me Madre… who has helped make phone calls, came on appointment after appointment (a floral one on her birthday even!), and found me a FREE wedding planner!!! My bridesmaids who helping with the final countdown, and showers, my good friend, Hoppes who was ever so thoughtful and wanted to throw me a bridal shower, who is keeping me in line until the big day, and reminding me and helping me with the small details I tend to forget about along the way. Of course my honey man, who runs all my errands I can’t get to, who stuffed, stamped and sealed envelopes for countless hours, and reminds me to enjoy it all and brings me back to reality!

There are so many more… So thanks for all the help I have been receiving! I have so much on my plate right now, and I am so thankful for all those who have been understanding, and taken a serving or two off my filled plate! It has helped this whole engagement thing become doable

22 DAYS!!!!!!