Thanksgiving

Chris and I got up early yesterday morning and drove to my parents' house about 2.5 hours away.  When we got there, dad was blowing the leaves out of the front yard, but the wind was making it pointless because as he would get some leaves cleared from a certain section of the yard, the wind would shift directions and make more leaves cover the same spot he had just cleared.  He was pretty frustrated, but I thought it was funny!  Mom was in the kitchen running around trying to figure out what exactly needed to be done next.  It was a madhouse in there!  But in true Chris style, he jumped right in where he was needed.  He's never afraid to pitch in and help, and that's why my parents adore him.

I set the table and became the telephone answering service.  Every time I set the phone down or walked away from it, someone else was calling wanting to talk to mom.  It felt a little like at&t!  After I set the table, Chris brought in the Christmas ornament box and we decorated my parents Christmas tree.  Dad had set up the tree, it was our job to decorate it before anyone arrived.  Also, my parents hate decorating the tree, and since Chris and I haven't had a place to put our tree up in about 4 years, we don't mind.  

We were supposed to have about 12 people for dinner, but my Peepaw was sick so he and Grandma did not come.  Then my dad's sister, my Aunt Jean and her husband, Uncle Everett, were supposed to come, but Aunt Jean was not feeling so hot so they cancelled.  That brought our party of 12 to a party of 7.  We had so much food for us 7!  We had 3 kinds of turkey (fried, smoked and oven baked), 4 pies, 2 other desserts, lemon cake and jello...in addition to all the other Thanksgiving day fixin's. We were stuffed!  

After dinner we cleaned up and my Aunt Jean called saying she was feeling better so they were on their way.  I hadn't seen Aunt Jean since our wedding in 2004 and hadn't seen Uncle Everett in I don't know how long.  It was really great to see them and be able to catch up.  We had a wonderful time seeing my Aunt Susan and Uncle Robert as well.  We just laughed the entire time!  James was there and I was so happy to see him!  We are supposed to go to Chris' parents tomorrow, and I know we'll have a great time!

What I'm thankful for:  

My awesome hubby!  With the events that have occurred in the past few weeks, he has been so supportive and hasn't freaked out once.  I couldn't ask for a more wonderful husband and best friend.  

Family.  To have such close family means so much to me.  I love knowing that they are there for us no matter what.  They are so supportive and wonderful!  I love them!

Baby Beaty.  It's weird to be thankful for someone we've not met in the flesh, but feeling him move and seeing the changes in my appearance as he grows is awesome.  I just can't wait to hold him in a few months.  I know we will fall in love with him even more when he arrives!

Baxter.  He is such a great dog!  He has become such a little lap dog since we found out we were pregnant.  It's like he knows.  He is so well behaved (most of the time) and I just love that he curls up next to us and gives us his unconditional love.  

Lowe's.  Chris has been with Lowe's since Hurricane Rita hit Beaumont in 2005.  He just reached the 4 year mark!  They have been so good to us!  He's been able to transfer from store to store each time we've moved, and they are going to create a position for him when we move again in the next month or two.  Our insurance is through them and it is wonderful.  I couldn't ask for him to work for a better company.  

Our Heavenly Father.  Without Him, nothing we have done could have been possible.  We are so grateful for His plan for us and can't wait to find out what's next!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Poo Post

Chris and I made a little trip over to T.J. Maxx this afternoon, and as we were walking through the baby section, I suddenly started to smell, well for lack of a better word, poo.  I was hunting for a dirty diaper as there were no kids around us and told Chris what I was smelling so he came over and started sniffing with me.  He leaned over and took a big whiff and could smell it, too.  I know they were eyeing us on the cameras getting a great laugh out of us, but I just couldn't find the source and it was driving me batty!

We went over to the check out line and I stopped smelling the poo, so I just decided it was hidden really well over in the children's section and forgot about it.  As we were driving home I started smelling it again, so I checked the bottom of my shoes and they were fine.  I told Chris that the smell must just have been seared into my nostrils and I couldn't shake it.

When we got home, Chris took his shoes off in the garage just in case.  He picked them up and turns out, he was the culprit!  He brought his shoes in and asked where he could go clean them.  Don't worry, I directed him to the faucet on the side of the house.  Then after cleaning them, he pondered shortly about where to set them to dry, so I suggested he leave them in the garage or outside.

So the moral of the story is, if the poo smell follows you, and it's not on your shoes (or elsewhere), then check everyone around you!  Find the culprit and direct them to the nearest faucet.

Day 1 as a Domesticated Housewife

Yesterday I got my first glimpse into being a housewife.  And to tell you the truth, I kind of like it!  I suck at it so far, but I think I could totally get used to staying home!  I would even love the opportunity to continue to be a housewife when Luke is born, but since I put us thousands of dollars in debt by going to school, the least I can do is help pay it off.

I decided that I was going to need a plan to get through each day.  Are you surprised?  I always make a plan.  I decided that Monday was floor days so I swept and mopped all the hard tile surfaces in the house and cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom.  I also worked on the blog book for the year.  I made a picnic lunch and went to pick Chris up from work.  We went to a park and it was too windy and cold to sit outside, so we sat in the car and talked about what the future holds.  The funny thing about it all is that we are both completely calm about our situation.  We know it will all work out, it's just a matter of when.

After lunch with Chris, I made my way to the grocery store.  I would typically do anything to get out of going to the grocery store, but since I'm turning over a new leaf, I figured it now part of the plan.  I had my list and made it out of the grocery store without jumping on anyone's head or banging my head on something sharp.  And I only spent $35!  When I got home, I unloaded the groceries into the fridge and cozied up on the couch for Ellen and Oprah.  Hey, don't judge, you know you love them!

Chris called and said he was heading home and we decided we were going to make lasagna for dinner from my new cookbook: The Pioneer Woman (and it's even signed!  I know you're jealous).  The moment Chris walked in the door I realized I didn't buy any hamburger meat for it, so instead we made Chicken Fried Steak.  Yummm-ohhhh.  Just let me say, if you don't have The Pioneer Woman cookbook, you must go directly to her website and find it.  It was so flippin' delicious!

So today I must go back to the grocery store and pick up a few more items that were left off the list.  But I can do it!  And one day, I'll be able to make one grocery store run and not forget a thing!  I know it's possible, don't burst my bubble!

Going Private

After the events of the week and some advice, I've decided to make this blog private. If you still want to read, just email me at scbeaty@yahoo.com and I'll add you to the list. I'll set it to private on Sunday, so let me know ASAP. Please include your name in the email so I know who you are!

I know it's a pain in the butt, and maybe I can make it public again soon, but for now this is best.

Happy reading!

Life's Funny Little Turns

Ok, so maybe it's not such a funny little turn, but it's a turn in life nonetheless.

When we packed up and moved to Texas in 2005 we had a goal. We had made a plan and were setting out to work that plan. I began graduate school that year to become a Doctor of Audiology. And it worked! It was hard and there were times I would've have loved to taken the easy way out and quit. I didn't quit; I persevered and graduated in May 2009. And that would not have been possible had it not been for the emotional and financial support I received from my amazing husband (did I mention I didn't work for 3 whole years while in grad school?) and family.

I completed my 4th year of graduate school, a residency so to speak, at a clinic in Little Rock. I could not have asked for such a wonderful group to work for and to learn from. I immediately felt like one of the family the moment I stepped foot in the door. Towards the end of that year, I was excited to be able to go out and find my place in the Audiology world. I was full of rainbows and gumdrops thinking that I would be able to transition into another clinic and feel as awesome as I had in the Little Rock clinic. Boy was I wrong.

I interviewed with a private practice in Fort Smith and ended up taking the position. It was a big leap. Chris really supported my decision and encouraged me to try something new. It may have been easier to take a position at my father's office, but I knew I needed a little more experience before diving into that world. In fact, I wasn't sure that was a world I even wanted to dive into. We packed up (for the 4th time in our marriage) and moved. We took a short vacation before jumping into our new lives and by the time our first day rolled around, we were rested and ready.

Everything started off okay at the new clinic. It was hard to come in because I was seen as 'replacing' the other audiologist that was on medical leave. That was one of the hardest things I had to come to grips with while deciding to take the position. That very first day, the boss and I went to lunch. We talked about the future of the clinic, the way that the clinic runs, and just some basic chit chat about life in general. I was told that above all else, I was the audiologist and she was my boss. I didn't answer to anyone else. That quickly changed. After the 2nd staff meeting, it became apparent that I was an outsider. It rapidly became a place where I could chat with patients as they came through the door to a place where I was confined to my office and I felt like I was only allowed out to see my scheduled patients.

In my Little Rock clinic, I could jump in anywhere and help out wherever it was needed. It started out that way here, but then I was told that the front office staff were easily distracted and if I were up there than I might be a distraction for them. So there went helping with repairs, answering the phone, scheduling an appointment, etc. So I stayed in my little office and twiddled my thumbs until the next patient arrived. I saw that patient, had human contact for however long, and then back to the cage it was for me.

Then in September there was a meeting between me, the boss, and the office manager. My 90 day probationary period was up and they wanted to extend it another 90 days. They just said they were not sure they could afford me anymore. While they were super swamped before I got there, now that I was alleviating that load, there just wasn't enough to go around. I was okay with that, but asked to be kept in the loop so I could plan appropriately should they decide they could not keep me on. They agreed, and things went from bad to worse. I immediately felt that next week that I was unwelcome. A thorn in their side. Nobody would communicate with me. I would find out information relevant to me from the front office staff. It was almost like I was being shoved out. And I should mention that I love the front office staff there, it just wasn't appropriate for them to be told to tell me stuff. That almost made it like I was the lowest man on the totem pole when I had been told 3 months prior that I was the audiologist and essentially over them when it boiled down to it. So obviously I've been having a super hard time there, and everyone that would ask I would put on a big smiley face and pretend everything was okay. Chris, my parents, and a best friend were the only ones that knew the extent of what I was going through. I started to talk to my old boss at the Little Rock clinic, and so they knew as well.

Yesterday, Chris and I met for lunch and I was having a hard day. He kept probing me to find out what was wrong, but I hate that he kept having to hear how awful my job was and how unhappy I was. When we walked to our cars, I started to cry. I was just so emotional and fed up. I was being ignored by the boss. There was so much turmoil there, it was just unhealthy for me. Then, yesterday afternoon, as I was finishing up some notes for the day, the boss walked by and said she'd like to meet. I grabbed my stuff and followed her into the front office. She just basically laid it out and told me they couldn't afford me anymore and that was that. There was so much I wanted to say, but just kept it in. Ya know, pregnancy hormones and all.

I grabbed my keys and bolted. I immediately called Chris and told him his wife, whom he had supported for 3 years while she was getting a doctorate so she'd never be jobless again, was in fact jobless again. Then I called my dad. Can I just tell you how amazing my family is? Chris didn't flip out and ask a billion questions, he knew it was the best thing that could have happened...the timing just sucks being 6 months pregnant and no job availability in my profession in the area. My father immediately said he'd put me on the payroll. In-laws, brothers, every family that knows, has offered something. And I really appreciate them and am so thankful for all their generosity. We couldn't have made it those 3 years without them, and I am so glad that they have my back in this crazy life.

So now we have some decisions to make, including when to move (for the 5th time in our marriage). I'm also hoping that our next move will be the last for a while. I know that God has a plan for me, I just need to listen a little more closely to find out what it is. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to staying home and not having the stress of work on me and the baby. I think it's time for a little nesting. Also, if you could keep us in your prayers that this whole mess works out, we'd appreciate it.

Question

Ever wonder what your life would have been like had you chosen to go right instead of left when you reached that fork in the road?

Yeah, me too.

Letter to the Womb

Dear Son,

Don't go ninjin nobody don't need ninjin.

That includes your mother.

Thanks for your cooperation,
Mom

Letter to the Womb

Dear Son,

I'm fairly positive you were digging your way out of my belly last night, but your Dad insists you were just getting comfy. Either way, thank you for moving around so forcefully that your Dad finally got to feel you. To him, it felt like a little tap. To me, it felt like a big forceful push. You've got 4 more months to go in there, don't run out of room quite yet!

Love,

Mom and Dad

What's in a name?

Chris and I had planned on keeping the name we picked for our son to ourselves, but we did a little art project for him and I've been dying to blog about it. So, after a little gentle nudging from me, Chris gave in and gave me permission to post about it.

We picked a transportation theme room of sorts and decided we needed some artwork to complement it. We came up with this idea, bought the supplies, and this weekend we whipped it up. We think it turned out awesome and can't wait to hang it in his room!

And if you're super smart, you'll know his name before the last picture :)

That's right! His name is James! Haha, just kidding, it's Luke. Chris drew everything and then we painted them. Chris added hardware to the back of them to hang as well. And no, we're not for hire. Unless you're paying :)

A Belly Story

We are 22 weeks along and so I thought it was about time to post some belly pictures. Enjoy!

~9 weeks

~12 weeks

~15 weeks

~19 weeks

22 weeks

My scrubs no longer fit...except for one pair, which is odd, because they are all the same size. I outgrew my my regular pants in September and was forced to buy some 'Thanksgiving day pants' of my own. (That's a 'Friends' reference...guess that episode!)

My back is starting to hurt so I sleep with a body pillow on one side and a regular pillow on the other in addition to my pillow for my head.

I can no longer keep Chris' pace walking (which is sad, because it's never really been an issue) and I've had to remind him several times we aren't at Lowe's and he's not racing across the store to answer a page.

Baxter likes to jump on me and sleep in my lap lately, but one day he was just standing on my belly. I said "Baxter, stop standing on your brother!" Chris got a big kick out of that.

I am feeling Baby Beaty move even more. He is really pretty active at night and really early in the morning. I joke with Chris that he pretends my bladder is his trampoline around 3 a.m.

That's that! Hope you like the belly shots!