It's Christmas at My House!

Thanksgiving 2007

Our first Thanksgiving in our new home went over without incident. We hosted my parents, brother, grandma, and Uncle Bill at our house this year.
My husband cooked a glorious turkey, using a recipe he got from Alton Brown in which he soaked the turkey in a big bucket of brine overnight, then stuffed the inside with apples, cinnamon sticks, and onions. It was sooo good, fancy smanchy! I didn't pay much attention to his whole process as I was frantically cleaning my house from top to bottom so it would shine for my Grandma to see it for the first time. The meal was delicious, and so fun to spend it with my family, seven was the perfect number for a relaxing afternoon.
The best part was when my dad thought the cornbread stuffing was "Thanksgiving juevos" and we had to explain to him that no one in their right mind would eat scrambled eggs with a turkey and mashed potatoes(would they?).
I was worried because it was the first holiday since my Grandpa passed away three weeks ago, and I did not want our holiday to turn into a sad event. The mood stayed happy and lite, and we talked about Grandpa all afternoon, it was a peaceful way to ease into our first holiday season without him. I miss him so much still, and it is amazing how much of a void he leaves us all in our lives. But we know he is up in heaven, smiling down and wishing he could be there with us, and is, in a way.

So tonight I set up my fake Christmas tree and decorated it- I will post a picture this week.... Tomorrow I am going to climb up on the roof and hang lights- not because my husband won't help me do it- but because I really like to. It makes me wish so badly for some kiddos to make the holidays magical...

What the? I hate my human body

So if you'll notice my little lilypie ovulation ticker above, it says I am on day 3 of my cycle (depending what day you are reading this). The truth is, I am still on my OLD cycle, day 32!

But, don't worry folks, not pregnant, confirmed that today with a home test. Aunt Flow is just taking her sweet time coming for her monthly visit that I dread ever so much lately,
and making me spend precious money on pregnancy tests, when I could be spending my money bottles of wine and beer- since I'm not pregnant I can still drink that...

So needless to say I'm about ready to shoot my body, except that I still need it to do things like torture me with indecisive behavior. So I did the next best thing- I scheduled an appointment for the hubster and myself to visit with my OB/GYN. Our "fertility consult" is scheduled for the day after Christmas, so it will be like a belated present to figure out why we are broken. It's real frustrating to be the "normal kid" and have everything you don't want to happen on time come early (ie boobs and periods), and then when you finally think that you're ready to be a parent, YOU CAN"T GET IT DONE!

Can you tell I'm sick of trying to get pregnant???

Timing

We've had a breakthrough on the baby-making front. Before you pee your pants... I'm not pregnant. I do, however, now know that I was not ovulating when every website/books/discussion board, etc. says you normally ovulate. I've been taking my temperature every day this month, and thanks to my handy dandy basil body thermometer , I now realize that I am ovulating one week later then previously suspected. Interesting, I know. And quite a realization, I might add.
Silly us- we were doing it so much the week before, we were too tired to even make an effort the week after, thus completely missing the egg-sperm rond-a-voo! (how you do spell that??)
So, I can breath a big sigh of relief. I know my who-ha, and his swimmers, are doing their jobs, they just need more time is all.
Now, armed with this fascinating knowledge, I should be pregnant within the next two cycles! ...Right, because it's as simple as that.

Keep us in your prayers, ladies!

What I've Learned

Losing my Grandpa this past week made me learn so much about him. It is amazing, and somewhat sad, to think about how much of someone who you feel you know so well you really don't really know about.
What I knew of my grandpa I knew of him being my grandpa. I didn't realize how athletic he was as a young man, or the story of him and Grandma's wedding, having kids, etc. I only knew, or cared about OUR memories... it made me question how well I know my family, or how well they know me.

Losing him taught me to take time to listen to the people I care about, and really learn about who they were, and how that makes them who they are. Their stories become my stories, their lives helped shape mine.

I am so proud to say that my Grandpa had a lot of influence over my childhood and who I am becoming as an adult. He was a great man, and I am thankful to say that he had a part of my life and my growing up. I can't wait to teach my kids the lessons he taught me, and share the stories of Grandpa Myklebust.
I miss him so much, and will miss him every single day. But I am so thankful to him for all the gifts, and memories, he gave me.

I love you Grampy, Save a spot for me in heaven!