Come one, come all!

To the Holly Jolly Boutique!

While I was in Australia, I found a secret little creative side hiding in me, and ever since I have been making handmade jewelery and Christmas ornaments made from recycled cloth. Well, I finally got the guts to see if anyone else will like these items and I am going to be selling them at the Holly Jolly boutique this Saturday! Come show your support and get some Christmas shopping done!

This Saturday, Dec 5th 10:00-4:00
1237 Holly Ridge Road (12000 S.) in Sandy

This is seriously the busiest week of my life (why, oh why, did I assign so many essays to my students) or I would have posted this a lot earlier. I am going to try to get pictures of some of my products up soon so you can see! Spread the word and bring your friends!

Oh, and by the way, my stuff is cheap! Everything is $3.00 - $10.00!
See you there!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, baby is great! Pictures and info to come soon!!!

Update

Update on our lives!

- I'm not sick anymore! It ended up not being swine flu, which was great. I just wish I would have known that before I filled my super expensive tamiflu prescription! I still was required to take 7 days off of all activities, but I am feeling better now!

- Baby is now officially 22 weeks - weird. Let's just hope that baby goes full term because I would not be ready to have a little one in a month! I have another doctors appointment on Monday, so we will get updates then!

- Anyone know any good maternity photographers? I have seen lots of good newborn shoots, but I don't really like any of the maternity ones I've seen. Jer and I want to get our pictures done together for the last time before we become three!

- Also, any suggestions on a good place to buy a diaper bag? I am picky, but I don't want to spend a ton . . .

- Here's a picture of me at 21 weeks!


- Well, that's about it. Nothing too exciting here! Jer is playing basketball, and I should be choreographing or planning my next unit plan or cleaning, but I think I will take a nap instead! I can always just blame it on baby, right? :) Jer always says that I don't play up the "I'm pregnant" thing enough and, I mean, if my husband wants me to use it as an excuse more, why not? hehehehe!

What?!?!?! Are you SERIOUS?

So . . .

As if being pregnant isn't hard enough . . .

or being pregnant and working . . .

or being pregnant and working and student teaching . . .

I just got to add the joy of being sick to my list. And not just any sick, either - swine flu sick.

I went to the doctor yesterday because I was feeling super sick and he is pretty convinced that I have swine flu. My official test results aren't back yet, but he prescribed tamiflu for me and told me to start taking it immediately. I also HAVE to take 7 days off of all activities . . .

umm . . . remember how I am student teaching . . .

and now I have to take a full 7 days off! Sounds like a nice break - except that it is not. I have to make up every day that I miss, and every day I tack on to the end puts me further and further pregnant while still teaching.

Ughh.

By far the worst part, though, is how guilty I feel about putting my baby through this. All I've wanted is to give her a nice, safe, warm place to grow up healthy and strong. Now I'm introducing medications in and running a fever. I've been assured that she will be fine during this swine flu trial, as long as it doesn't lead to pneumonia.

My one goal now is to get better fast so that my little baby can be happy and healthy again.

We're having . . .

We're having . . .

a baby, in case you didn't know.

A very wiggly baby, at that.

In fact, the tech called the baby a "stinker" and "out of control" because baby moved so much.

I like that about baby - rather a wiggly one than a boring one.

Oh, and baby likes to sing, apparently, because the mouth was a moving a ton.

And baby is a girl.

It's Almost Here!

I can't believe that it came so quickly, but our official ultrasound is FRIDAY! As in this Friday, just 3 days from now - not some far off and distant, "it will never, ever come" Friday. When I scheduled my appointment it seemed so long ago, but now it is officially here!

We are so excited for the ultrasound. I haven't really been able to feel the baby move much, so I think this ultrasound is going to be very reassuring. The last time I got to see my baby, it was just a little mess of cells - more like a blob than a baby. I can't wait to see it now!

PLUS, of course, we will find out if it is a boy or a girl! Yay! So, what do you think it will be? Vote on the poll - you only have until Friday!

Maternity Clothes

All you mommies out there - I want your advice! What did you guys do about maternity clothes? How much did you buy? Where did you get it from? Has anyone bought any maternity clothes from ksl.com/craigslist/ebay? I am trying to debate on how much I want to purchase and the cheapest way to get it. I have a lot of clothes that are too big for me, so I have been planning on using those most of the time. I guess I am mostly worried about shirts that are flattering to a prego belly. Thanks in advance for your advice!

Our life in pictures!

I love Fridays. Well, I mean, everyone loves Fridays, but I think that I love them more! Firstly, it is the only night of the week that I get home at 3:00 instead of 6:30! How awesome is that? PLUS, I seem to always convince Jer that we HAVE to go out to eat on Fridays! Considering the fact that I just really don't like home-cooked food nowadays, that last fact makes Fridays fantabulous! PLUS, Fridays usually mean that there is a BYU game the next day! I can't wait for the home games to start so that we can put our season tickets to use!

Prego update (not like the spaghetti sauce, but like the baby in my belly - I can't believe I just had to use spell checker to get "spaghetti" spelled correctly - come on Kasie, you're suppose to be a freakin English teacher!). Anyway, update: things are great except for the fact that I am still getting sicker instead of getting better! I think I've thrown up more the past two weeks than I did my whole first trimester! Problem number 2: how is the world am I suppose to pack enough food to make it through the day without dying of hunger? I seriously feel like I am bringing an entire pantry to school with me everyday and yet I am still starving when 3:00 rolls around and I usually end up buying something on my way to work. I mean, come on! I simply do not have the arms to carry any more food to school!

On to the pictures! Here's what you missed since I've been lazy uploading my photos:

Last of the Australia pics . . . Our friends and us watching Ice Age in 3D

Camping and family reunions with the Payne family

And . . . my first prego pic! This was taken at 16 weeks. I am almost 17 weeks now, and I feel a ton bigger, so I will take a new picture and post it soon!

On a serious note . . . my thoughts and prayers go out to Alex and Kamie's family, who are dealing with the loss of Alex's dad, Roberto. He passed away yesterday from cancer. Kamie and Alex are leaving for Boston tomorrow and will be there for a few days for the funeral. I have no idea what they are going through, all I can offer is my love and knowledge that death is not the end. I know that we will be with those we love again and that while we may miss them now, they are in a wonderful place waiting for us. We love you, Kamie and Alex!

16 weeks and counting!

We just made it past our 16 weeks mark and cannot wait for the next couple to fly by. We find out if it is a little girl or boy on Sept 25th! Baby is sure making itself known . . . no movement yet but I have been super nauseated and sick. Instead of getting better after the first trimester, I think I am getting worse. Oh well, it is definitely worth it. Even though I haven't gained a ton of weight yet, I feel like my belly is HUGE. My beautiful cousin Missy had the biggest belly EVER when she was pregnant with her second, and I have a feeling I may be just like her! Seriously . . . I saw pictures, and I was like, "How does she even stand up?" Her belly was so huge it looked like she should fall on her face! I guess we will just have to wait and see!

Pictures coming soon . . . well, as soon as I can find time to upload them! Oh, and congrats to Marnie, who just got engaged!

Bzzzzz

I am busy . . .

Like Bee- to the usy busy.

My updates may not be as often as I had hoped.

Wish me luck!

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!

We have a HUGE announcement this week! Jeremiah passed his motorcycle test . . .

and . . .

We brought home the very best souvenir from Australia . . . We're pregnant!

I'm almost 15 weeks along, so the baby is due February 20th. Everything is going great and we are SOOOOOOO excited! We just heard the heartbeat today, and it was super strong. I'm out of the first trimester now, but still feeling a bit nauseous. Overall, though, I feel great! We'll find out if the little monster is a boy or a girl on September 25th, and we can't wait!

So, get your pregnancy and baby advice ready!

Tomorrow . . .

School starts tomorrow . . .

so does work . . .

oh joy.

After months and months of not working, and not going to school, my mind may not be up to this . . .

Wish me luck.

Another post about nothing

So . . . there are plenty of things I could blog about, if I really wanted to. But I don't. I definitely don't feel like downloading all of my pictures and I for sure don't feel like rambling on about my life - so instead I will ramble on about my current thoughts and reflections . . .

1- Have you ever noticed how people get super defensive about the pronoun "it"? - Seriously, it is just a pronoun. Maybe it bothers you when I refer to your cat or dog or child as an "it." I'm not sorry. Our language has a lack of a pronoun that works for both a man and a woman, and until one is added to the dictionary by the language gods, I think I will stick with my "it."

2- Lately I have been craving fruit and veggies a ton, but I never want to buy them because it grosses me out if they are in the fridge for more than 2 days. Dilemma, I know.

3- Summer is almost over but I never really feel like it started - but my feet do. I have nasty flip-flop heels. Gross. Any suggestions that don't cost a billion dollars?

4- Speaking of money, how is it possible that Jer and I have been poor college students our whole marriage and yet we have accumulated so much stuff? Seriously - how does this happen?Someday you will hear on the news that kasie and jer have disappeared in the mounds of crap stuffed around their house. Except, now you actually won't hear that story, because I just got rid of a little bit of it at a yard sale. Nice.

5- By the way, I have a new job as a tutor at the writing center. I promise I am good - just don't judge me by my blog writing.

6- What's up with all the haters? Lately it seems like everyone I talk to is SOOOO critical about everything - movies, food, people, politics . . . everything. I honestly believe that life is SOOOOOO much easier if you enjoy most things you encounter. Why spend the time being all critical about things - you can have your Twilight and classic literature, too! Especially when it comes to relationships. People become so freakin picky and critical of their friends and family members. Chill-ax, people. I promise it is less work to just let it go and be happy about it then it is to always hold grudges. I think you can tell a lot about someone by asking how many people they hate in the world. Me - zero.

Maybe the next post will tell you about all the important things happening in my life right now, but maybe not. :)

We're Alive!!!!!

So, I know that it SEEMS like we have fallen off the face of the earth, but really I just haven't had internet since returning from Australia! No worries - I am now reconnected with the tech world and I promise to post lots of fun things in the days to come. But for now, no fun info. I just wanted everyone to know that we are alive and in Utah and that I will be posting more soon!

Oh, and if you have lost faith in my blog because I never write anymore, there are lots of super cool things on our life menu plan - so start reading our blog again or you will miss out! Hehehe!

Update

Well, hello. I know, I have royally stunk at updating my blog lately - I guess I just feel like there really isn't anything to blog about. Isn't it funny how after awhile life in a foreign, extremely interesting and amazing country just turns into life as normal? Our days here are similar to our days back home - work, dinner, t.v., bed. We have even become accustomed to everyone's accents and we sometimes forget that we sound different than them!

But, all that is about to change . . .

We come home is just over TWO WEEKS!

I can't believe how fast the time flew. Now, all of the sudden, I have been panicking about how we have spent our time here. Did we see enough? Do enough? Experience enough? There are so many things that I am going to miss - and I am sure that list will just get bigger and bigger. I miss home, but I don't want to leave here! Why can't I just get both?

Speaking of coming home . . . you are all invited to:

Kasie and Jer's Welcome Home Party
Sunday, July 12th
2:00 p.m. (if you can't come until later, that is totally fine)
394 West 200 South, Tooele, Utah

We would LOVE to have as many friends and family members there to greet us as possible! It will be a potluck, so bring the family and bring some food to share! If you haven't told me already, please rsvp by leaving a comment below so that we can plan our food.

We can't wait to see our family and to head into this next stage of life, we just wish we didn't have to leave this one behind in order to do so . . . Oh well, there are always vacations!

New Zealand!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

Kasie and Jer Return to Utah!

Sunday, July 12th
1:05 p.m.

Can't wait to see you all!

Blogging Question . . .

Hey blogging friends! Do any of you know how to change to a template that is wider than this normal one, yet not as wide as the "stretch" ones? I just want my blog to be wider than this but not go completely from edge to edge. Any advice?

Happy Birthday Kamie!

My beautiful, amazing, talented, insane, smokin hot, super fun, and hilarious little sister just celebrated her 23rd birthday! She is seriously my best friend ever and has been my whole entire life!

She is the sweetest and most caring person ever and gets honestly affected by the sufferings or joy of complete strangers! Everything is personal to her, which means that she would never, ever hurt anyone on purpose! She cares more about people than any other soul I have ever met!

She is also the most hilarious person I have ever met! She can have me rolling on the floor peeing my pants at the snap of a finger and almost all of my very best memories have to deal with Kamie! She has a humor that is all her own and is so true and genuine that it can never be repeated!

She is also seriously talented at everything she does - super woman or something like that! She is an amazing dancer, choreographer, coach, teacher, and public speaker! She rocks my socks off!

Something not a lot of people know . . . Kamie is also an AMAZING writer! It just all comes naturally to her! She has written some amazing poems and the funniest yet most profound short stories I have ever read! She also has a beautiful singing voice (which she never uses!)

She can down food like no one I have ever seen and yet still run circles around Jer and me at the track! She is buff and hot yet still a total chocoholic!

She is completely original and unique - and could never, ever be duplicated or replaced. She is one of a kind in every sense of the phrase and such an amazing creative person! I have never met anyone else who can clean a whole house with vinegar or fix a stain on a blue shirt with white out!


Most importantly, though, she is a loyal and true friend. There is no one in the world who would listen to my problems with more patience and understanding and absolutely no one else I would rather waste away the day with doing absolutely nothing. Kamie makes that time fly by and I feel like I can never, ever get enough of her! I never get sick or tired of her and just always wish that she could be with me 24/7! She knows me inside out and loves me anyway - which is saying a lot! There is no one who knows more just what I need and when I need it then she does and for sure no one else I can laugh with as much!









So here's to you, baby sis! Thanks for being my absolute best friend no matter what and being my true soul sister! I can't wait to see what the next 23 years have for us! And, as long as your there by my side, I am sure they will be fantastic!

Oh, and I miss you!

Jealous? You should be!

Quick post to let everyone know that we are leaving for New Zealand tomorrow! Jer is doing 1 day of work, then we are having 9 glorious vacation days! Wooohooooo! It will be quite the adventure considering we don't really know what we are doing there, but it will be fun! I can't wait to share lots and lots of pictures!

Jealous? :)

Recipe Winners!!!!!!!

I know, I have been terrible at updating my blog! What can I say? I could lie and make up an excuse, but there really isn't one! Sorry, I will probably neglect you again in the future, but for right now, you have my full, undivided attention (well, maybe not undivided. I am listening to music, after all . . .)

So, in honor of Cinco de Mayo (late, I know, but just allow me my delusion) I am extremely pleased to announce

2009 Kasie and Jer Recipe Winners!

Thanks a ton to all of the people who entered my little contest - it was so much fun to eat all of your yummy recipes! I had mexican food for like a month straight! (Pure heaven). It was hard to choose, but here (in no particular order) are the winners!

Ashley Smith's Green Chicken Enchiladas!
I actually am not a huge enchilada fan . . . they always sound good, but then I take a couple bites and feel sick. THESE delicious beauties, on the other hand, I could NEVER get sick of! Yum Yum good! They are a little more work then the enchiladas I am use to, but SOOOOOO worth the effort! And the leftovers are yummy, too! Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

4-8 Chicken breasts boiled and shredded
1 cup grated cheese
3/4 cup chopped onion
tortillas
1/2 cup butter
1-2 cups chicken broth
1 small can chopped green chilis (I couldn't get this, so I just chopped up a mix of green chilis and green bell peppers)
1/3 cup flour
1 cup sour cream (Ashley doesn't use this, but I did!)

Melt butter add flour and broth-stir- add sour cream and chilis -stir. heat tortillas in microwave and coat both sides with a little pam to prevent sticking. put 2 Tablespoons of sauce in each tortilla along with some onions, chicken and cheese. roll up and place in baking dish. When dish is full pour leftover sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle cheese on top. bake 350 for 30 minutes.

I like them best served with a pinto bean/salsa mix and tortilla chips on the side!

Jeff Payne's Homemade Salsa!
I am a salsa junky and this one really hits the spot! So easy and sooooo yummy! Best part, you can really play with it to make it however you want! Be warned - it makes a lot of salsa! Invite friends over before you make it!

Ingredients:

1 can of diced tomatoes - fire roasted (I just used plain diced tomatoes)
1 small to medium onion minced (I used yellow but you can use purple, too)
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
2 bell peppers (I picked a green and a yellow one because they made the salsa pretty!)
1 to 2 small jalapenos seeded and minced
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp lime juice (I love lime, so I squeezed a whole lime in and added some of the zest, too!)
Cilantro 1/8 cup (I didn't have this so I used watercress instead!)

This all should go into a small sauce pan and be brought to a simmer just long enough to let the flavors mix but not to 'cook' then put the pan in a larger pan with water and ice in it to cool, stirring until the mix is chilled. This will stop the 'cooking' process, you can serve now or put in a container in the fridge for later.

Jeff Payne's Healthy Pumpkin Cookies!
These are to die for good - sooooo yummy. I love pumpkin cookies, but don't really like how squishy they are. This recipe is a good mix - it almost tastes like a mix between a pumpkin cookie and a no bake cookie! If you can get about 35 cookies out of the batch, then it works out to each cookie being only about 75 calories! Yum!

Ingredients:

1 cup canned pumpkin (I didn't have this, so I boiled some pumpkin then mashed it!)
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup applesauce
3 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Dark chocolate chips (this wasn't in the receipe originally, but I just couldn't resist adding it! I used a small bag of extra dark chips - they are healthier and taste so yummy in the recipe!)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the pumpkin, sugar and applesauce.
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, then add to the pumpkin, mixing well.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until done.

Congrats winners!

I hope you all enjoy these yummy recipes - they really were all so good, it was hard to choose! Ashley, I need your address (e-mail me?) so that I can send you your prize from Australia!

I love you all and will post pictures soon! Happy cooking!

Pictures!

Finally, here are some pics! There are like a trillion that I haven't blogged, so I basically just randomly chose ones for your viewing pleasure :) So, without further adieu, here are some of the amazing events happening in the lives of Kasie and Jer!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom and Stephen came to visit us in Australia and stayed for one week of vacation bliss!

We visited the St. Kilda Pier . . .


Admired the local art . . .


And the locals . . .


We ATE yummy yummy food . . .


We saw spiders in the museum . . .


And were entertained by Jer's amazing ability to discover the unusual . . .


We played with koalas . . .




And trees . . .



And saw giant kangaroos in the wild! We saw this huge mommy with a baby in her pouch . . .


And a field with 22 kangaroos in it!



We went fishing in the ocean on this boat . . .




And Mom caught a fish!


We had a night out on the town at Cirque Du Soleil's Dralion which was so freaking amazingly wonderful that I must have peed my pants!


Anyone up for a photo shoot while waiting for the train?



We went to the chocolate factory where Jer made his very own chocolate concoction - white chocolate with cola filling!



We went to the beach even though it was freezing . . .


Took this amazingly corny beauty . . .


And wrote this message for my stinky sister :)


So true, so true.