Hooplah

1. This is the second week I've been volunteering with the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. I am so outside my comfort level. Last week I went "walking" - basically knocking door to door to see how people felt about Prop 8 and whether they would support it or not come November. Today I did phone calls. I don't know which one I liked better. Last week went better than I expected. No one really shut their doors on my faces. Some people just refused to come to the door but its all good. The people that did come to the door were, for the most part, genial. No one was particularly happy to see me but no one chewed my head off either. Today it seemed that 90% of the phone numbers I was calling belonged to those individuals in the 70 and older category. I struggled to make myself heard a few times, a couple people were afraid I was after their money, and one lady just asked me "what do you want from me?!" But most of what I did was leave a message hoping they would support Prop 8 in November. I don't so much enjoy using my Saturdays to work on this campaign but I just can't have peace if I'm not doing something. Not to sound too dramatic but I don't want to even think of what's going to happen if this doesn't pass. 2. I've been daydreaming lately of my afterlife. Not my afterlife afterlife, as in after my literal life is over. I'm talking about the post-delivery afterlife. And I'm not daydreaming of the sleepless nights, juggling three kids, feeding schedules or whether or not I'm going to nurse. I'm daydreaming of my transformation and having my body back. Doing things like washing my car, bending over to pick something up or wash my kids without a big belly cramping me, or jogging again. This is what I'm envisioning in my head....

I know its going to mean major change and going to take some major time. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

3. I just found out that the OC marathon changed its race date to 5.3.09 instead of being in January. I'm so excited because now I can run it, the half marathon that is. Anyone want to join me? I start training six weeks after this baby girl is born (around Thanksgiving or beginning of December), if not sooner. Don't be intimidated by the mileage. If I can do it, you can too!

4. I'm kind of tired of other people's pets coming in our yard and relieving themselves. Our backyard is some cat's personal litter box and I am tired of cleaning up after it! If I wanted to scoop up a cat's poop I would get one! Ugh, I feel so imposed upon. I'm not a cat hater, don't get me wrong. I think they are cute and cuddly. I don't consider myself much of a pet person period. Therefore our lack thereof at the moment. But I still have to clean up after someone else's so that my curious little boys don't get into it. Blah.

5. Just finished Escape by Carolyn Jessop. Holy Moly I can't believe what she put up with. I can't believe any woman can put up with the junk the FLDS women put up with. I gained a new perspective into religious fanaticism.

H is for Handsome

Yesterday we were leaving the mall and walking back to our car. An older woman walked past us heading towards the mall. As soon as she passed Ethan said to me, "Mom, that lady looked at me and I was so handsome." I immediately started laughing because that statement was so cute (and, of course, so true). He got a little embarrassed and giggled too. I told him I think he is handsome too (I didn't see whether the woman had looked at him or not). Out of the mouth of babes...

Sunflower massacre

Our furry friend that I used to think was so adorable scampering around our backyard has now become enemy #1. Mr. Squirrel, wherever you are, you will pay for this! Don't lay your furry paws on my sunflowers again, you hear me?! Up until now we have let you roam our yard freely and this is how you repay us? No more freedom in our yard, no sirree. Back off. Back off. (Yes, that is sarcasm you are reading between the lines. Except I am not happy so it won't be welcome here anymore.)

Highlights

1. Ethan and Luke made it through their dental exams with no buggies! Hooray for clean teeth! Luke even let them take x-rays of his teeth. I was so proud of both of them and I just wanted to do the hallelujah dance that we walked out of there paying nada, zero, zilch! Clean teeth aside, I really like our dentist office. The office and staff are perfect for children. There is never a grumpy face (unlike the doctors office today). If you need a pediatric dentist, I have a great one.

2. After waiting a week I finally received my copy of Breaking Dawn. I read it in two days, thanks to my wonderful husband who let me just dive right in. Thank you Stephenie Meyer, you sure did deliver. Now I'm moving on to a book I just got from my hold list at the library. I've been waiting for this book for a few months now. Its called Escape by Carolyn Jessop. She writes about getting out of her polygamist marriage with her eight children. Should be an interesting read.

3. The boys got TB shots today to get ready for preschool registration. Neither of them shed a tear! Luke later told Clay that he was "revy, revy, revy bwave." For some reason he was having a hard time with his ll's and r's. I'm registering them at the school nearby but if they don't get in I'm not too worried about it. I see it as a way for them to get out of the house and participate in an educational and social environment, since I will have my hands full in October for a little while and might not be able to produce one for them myself until I get a grip on having a newborn again. But, like I said, if they don't get in or for some reason don't want to stick it out then I'm more than willing to pull them out....no harm, no foul.

4. Luke lost his paci almost a week ago and we "haven't found it." Honestly, I found it the next morning but he didn't see me find it so I stashed it away. We've been using this as an excuse to get him off his pacifier. He only ever used it to sleep so he wasn't quite as hooked as Ethan was but its still been tough. He has skipped a couple naps and had a harder time relaxing to sleep at night. I feel bad for him but I know its just part of reprogramming himself. Steve and I have tried to stay by his side a little longer and help him settle into sleep at night. There are days I'm tempted to give it back to him, like today when he and Ethan just played in their room the entire time they were supposed to be napping. You can do it, Luke!

5. Ironing clothes in not my favorite past time, I just have to say....blah....

6. The boys have really been enjoying the farm class we signed up for through the community. We have two more left. The first week they got to brush a big hairy pig! The pig just stood their and ate its carrot soup while all the kids took a turn brushing its brittle hair and feeling its leathery skin. Then they got to take a pony ride, definitely the highlight. Except I didn't know to bring helmets and they had to use one that was provided.....ohhh, nasty! I just pray they don't get head lice or something. Anyway, the second week they got to hold little baby chicks. These chicks were so adorable and they fit right in the palms of their hands. They got to feed them too. And again, the pony ride. Luke is too young (notice I didn't say little) to ride by himself so I am always asked to walk beside the horse with one hand on his leg just in case. They are in heaven each time. Again, I forgot the helmets....shudder. I need to ask someone to take a picture for me one of these times. Only two more classes to go.

7. I can't believe its mid-August already.....wow.

Welcome Baby Eliza!

We are so happy for our good friends Mari and Josh as they welcome the new addition to their family, a baby girl. This is their first family picture. They have waited and prayed long and hard for this little girl. Welcome to the world of parenthood, Mari and Josh! We are so happy for you. We know Eliza is where she is supposed to be.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

We experienced all of those today during the earthquake that hit at 11:42am. The epicenter was in the Los Angeles area, it was a 5.8 magnitude. Down here it felt more like a 2 but the chandelier in the dining room was swaying back and forth and the house was shaking. The chair I was sitting in was shaking from side to side. No harm done here though, everyone's fine. My mom had Ethan and Luke at the time. They were coming home from the movies and didn't even feel it! I was calling her over and over to make sure everything was ok but the cell lines were so jammed up. I laughed when I finally got a hold of her and she told me they didn't even know one had hit.

Some Randoms

Has anyone ever tried the Grocery Game? I know of one friend of mine that told me about it a couple years ago but I was wondering if anyone else has any feedback about it. If you don't know what it is you can check it out here. Another question, does anyone have a Maya wrap? Do you like it? Dislike it? Is it better than a Bjorn? Thank you for all the nice compliments about my bump picture. Seriously, I think Anna is magical with her photography because I don't think I look like that normally. Thank you nonetheless. I have the worst heartburn right now. This little girl better have some good hair to make all this heart burn worth it.

Bump and list

This is me and baby girl Rasmussen six months along. My spectacular photog sister in law took this picture while we were up at her parent's Mammoth Creek cabin. If you want to see more pictures go here. I still can't believe I'm having a girl. My sister and I stopped in a store this week and I looked at some girly car seat covers. Oh my gosh. They were adorable. I'm not gonna lie but making the transformation from boy stuff to girl stuff is going to be kind of fun. I'm going to have to practice a lot of control so as not to give my dear hubby a heart attack.

Steve and I went to a concert last week with some friends. We saw One Republic. I really like the song "Stop and Stare." Listening to music live is my favorite. We are excited to go see Dave Matthews in a month. Its going to be even more fun because we were given catered box seats! Way to go Steve!

I think my Sacrament meeting program is all done. I had a three hour meeting yesterday with the presidency to get all the parts nailed down and spent the rest of the day getting the final draft together so we can get the Bishop's approval. I probably won't be there for the actual program since my due date is the same day as the program but then again....

I feel like I don't have anything to talk about.....

Cabin Fever

We had a great time over the 4th of July with most of the Rasmussen clan up in the mountains of Utah. No one even got sick during the drive or the trip, thats a huge improvement from our last trip to Utah. I finished Eclipse the first day. I'm so excited for the next book! Ethan and Luke fell in love with the four wheelers that Sherrie and Wil brought up. Sherrie and Wil were so patient and willing to take the boys out on rides whenever they asked...which was all the time! We went for a fun nature hike one day, ate delicious dutch oven potatoes and cobbler with ribs for the 4th, played at the river, went fishing, made wood airplanes and boats, flew foam airplanes and hung out with all the cousins and aunts and uncles. It was a blast! Thanks to everyone that made it so much fun. Of course I forgot my camera so I snuck in some last minute pictures from the last four wheeler ride with my phone. Ethan has the helmet and gloves on, which became an immediate necessity from the beginning...he wouldn't ride without them because he saw his cousin Jaxon (who has his own four wheeler) wearing one and his dad and uncle wearing them so he had to be like them. It was so nice to get away from the city and be up in the mountains. Ethan and Luke were so filthy every day...isn't that what childhood is all about?

I need more

I just finished Twilight this morning and I'm like a heroin addict...I need my next hit. I'm anxious, my body has too much adrenaline. I have to know what happens next. I'm going to have to practice patience (remember that I don't have any?) and wait for my dear sister to finish reading it. Oh my....I don't know what I'm going to do. :)