March 12th 2013

    Just wanted to thank all my very good friends who were a continually support to me in this huge step of becoming a mommy!! 

• Thank you Janet Pitcher and Judy Blunk for being with me at the hospital coaching and encouraging me all the way!!! Thanks for being our "driver" and "paparazzi" those pictures are priceless.  Thank you for going the distance and finding some edible food and smoothies.Thank you also for helping my mom through the birthing process. Couldn't do it without you guys ;)
• Thank you Chris for snoring through my contractions at the birthing center. You were the BEST, holding me and helping me through it all. Thanks for all the back rubs you ever gave....  Thank you for the bruise. You were right in thinking the back rubs would develop a bruise, but it was worth it. Thanks for "taking one for the team" and demolishing my breakfast when I couldn't handle the smell.  Thank you for the countless walks around the birthing center and for taking those dreadfully small steps with me. It had to be soooo incredibly boring.  Thank you for NOT cooking in the kitchen, I know it was a sacrifice for you.  Thank you for Ruby Anne, and for being such a great daddy.      
• Thank you Ronalee for coming out and helping me feed Ruby Anne.  Especially since most of the nurses didn't have a clue how to help me.  Thank you for your patience and kind heart and being available for my endless questions. Ruby Anne went to bed with a full tummy and slept thru the night, thanks to you!!
• Thank you Mom for speedily coming to my bedside, sorry you had to wait so long, but wasn't it worth it? Thank you for getting up at all odd hours to help Ruby Anne nurse, change her diaper and to comfort me.  Thank you for holding the straw for me as I sipped water and for all the lovely snacks.  Thank you for taking pictures of Ruby Anne in the hospital.  I absolutely love them and will cherish them forever! Thank you for being the best mom ever!
• Thank you to my very special dula, Cyndi for helping me through all the uncomfortable positions.  Thank you for being my endless support and for showing Chris how to "support" me. Thanks for updating my family of what was going on "behind the scenes" Thank you for asking questions on my behalf and for being my advocate.  
• Thank you to all who came to visit us. It really made the days special and remember able.  I will cherish them forever in my heart.  Thank you Butch and Jan for coming out and meeting Ruby Anne.  Thank you Don Burger for coming and seeing our new addition.  Brad and Marissa Frandsen, thank you for bringing Eric and Chanelle to the Birthing Center to meet their new cousin. It was really sweet watching Eric and Chanelle hold tiny Ruby Anne, and to hear Brad's constant "she's so beautiful" over and over.  Thank you Brent and Aundrea for coming by the house to share Ruby's first weekend.  Uncle Allen and Auntie Christine, thank you for coming for the weekend and to meet Ruby Anne!  We love to share her with all of you!! love you guys!! 

10 things

How do I love you, let me count the ways, Ruby Anne:
Three months

1. Your concentration frown
2. Your little lip poking out as you cry
3. The way you seem to hold your hands together, as if you were praying
4. The way you scrunch up your legs as I change your diaper
5. They way you talk to yourself in the morning in your crib
6. How you call out to us as we walk by you in your swing
7. The way you read books on long car trips
8. How you sleep through the night
9. Your relationship with the fan
10. The way your head bounces above your daddy's shoulder as he  carries you

unicorn bun

So, I had my hair up in this ugly bun which I call the "unicorn bun" I shook it at Ruby Anne.  It scared her and she started to cry!! hehehe poor thing...

Welcome baby Ruby Anne

  Today, June 22nd 2013 you, Ruby Anne, get to be the "Honorary Flower Girl" aka The Wanna Be Flower Girl, for Lindsey and Sam Bory's Wedding. It's great to have a title, it's even better to have a new dress with matching silver shoes.  We went and showed you off at the wedding site yesterday, where ALL the grandma's were and all the chaos was taking place.  Grandma Frandsen was arranging flowers and she HAD to have a break to hold the baby. The list of baby holders goes on and on....but Brandon Chruch took the medal in holding her the longest.  GET YOUR OWN!! The flowers were amazing, I can't wait to incorporate some of these ideas. 
  Dawna's little guys who are the ring bears are soo stinkin' cute and fat!! I can't wait to kiss more cheeks and take pictures!!
  A little background.  The wedding is at my Aunt Joy and Uncle Dave Justus's house.  Soooo, that makes them Great Aunt and Uncle to you Ruby Anne. hehehee The wedding site is in their front yard, and the reception is on their tennis court.  Yesterday, it was roasting about the wedding time...so here's to crossing our fingers hoping it's a bit cooler oh,oh and for hoping we don't sink into soggy wet grass in stilettos.  A mandatory trip to Cost Plus for an umbrella is in the making all for you, little Ruby Anne, can't have you RED!!
    Yesterday, was a mentionable day....Brent and Aundrea's have graciously let us stay in their beautiful, peaceful house along the cost in Laguna Niguel, while they drive Analise to college. I got lost finding Trader Joes, yes I did write down directions, but must have forgot a street.  That's Chris's fault right?  While I was placing all the items on the belt at VONS, I dropped the carton of eggs, they ALL broke.  Then, I burnt my burrito in the microwave, stinking up the whole house, and they have meeting here tomorrow.  We have tried to cook bacon over the smell...  I don't think it helped.  Winnie, the Basset Hound, got into the pantry and proceeded to eat a bag of crackers.  She too hadn't been fed.  Then the neighbors who are supposed to be feeding Winnie came over and rang the door bell like 4 times!!  SHeesh, don't they know the baby is asleep? Did I mention that I forgot Chris's brown shoes? sheesh.  I don't feel very "put together" maybe a soak in the hot tub will make everything better.

Orientation Day

"Fos-Adopt"

I attended the Foster to Adopt ORIENTATION last night.  I have to say, I am pretty excited to finally be taking steps towards having a baby.  We are looking to adopt an infant up to 1 year in age.  At the Orientation they tried to scare me with horrid stories. Arrrr Once I got beyond the scary part, the social workers handed me a HUGE intimidating packet to fill-out.  Once we hand in our "completed packet," we will begin the 10 week classes for the Fos-Adopt program through CPS aka Child Protection Services. 


Time Table
Licensing    6 Months
Waiting period  5 Months
Honeymoon (waiting for adoption process to start)  5 Months
Adoption Process 1 Year
total time: 2 years 4 months (YIKES)

Right now this looks like our best opportunity, however, we are open to suggestions or options you may have.  If you know of anyone who needs help finding a mommy and a daddy for a baby, please let us know. Thank you.

                     

Cousins and more Cousins

Southern California, Family Time! 

We all came together from North Dakota, Arizona, and Nevada to remember Grandma Frandsen and all that she was to us.  She was not only Nana, but babysitter, organ teacher, German instructor, referee, paparazzi, band groupie, queen cookie baker, rhubarb canning momma, pj seam stressed...and the occasional taxi driver (which was pretty risky). We love you Grandma Frandsen always and forever!!

Court Appointed Special Advocate

What is CASA and WHY do I want to fill my time with it?

  As I sat through yet ANOTHER baby shower for a sweet friend, I promised, by the NEXT baby shower, I would find a volunteer job to fill my heart.  I had to MOVE fast.....I often click through pictures of cute, chubby cheeked, smiley babies on Facebook, as well as pregnant mommas and fall into a slippery pit of depression.  I have been struggling with "what does God want us to do? Adopt or have our own babies?" I came to the END of myself and said, "that's it! we're going to start the adoption process and IF THAT isn't what God wants, we will KNOW."   I trust God will show us His will.  In the mean time, I have joined CASA to soak up my energy and my heart.  I like to think about our appointed advocate we have in heaven, talking on our behalf.

CASA means Court Appointed Special Advocates - which are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge as Officers of the court to be the "voice" for children in juvenile court, and to help them understand the process in way they would understand. In  California, there are 124,000 children in the foster system or institutions because of abused, neglected or abandoned by their families.  Eventually, they end up in court. Their only “crime” is that they have been victims. It is up to the judge to decide their future. Can you imagine? This broke my heart!
If you want to sign up or learn more about it...check out this website find CASA in your city: http://sacramentocasa.org/   The next orientation is July.

 The Big WHY?
 My attention will be focused on someone other than myself.
  Being an Advocate will give me sense of purpose.

My voice will be used for a  child, who's age is restricted in our court system, how rewarding is that? 
  I especially look forward to hearing a child's perspective.
The scary dark, judicial system will not be a mystery to me anymore. 
  I look forward to help a child find what he/she deserves such as a loving home, stability, and a sense of belonging. 

12 years of waiting....

We have waited 12 years to "expect" a child.  So, we decided to share 12 things we are looking forward to doing with our baby(s):

1. Kiss his/her face .
2. Smell his/her neck.
3. Whisper a million "I love yous" in his/her ears.
4. Rock her/him to sleep.
5. Feed him/her.
6. Check on him/her during nap time.
7. Pick-up him/her after nap time for some snuggles.
8. Help him/her with homework.
9. Go on a fishing trip with him/her.
10. Play games with him/her and going to baseball games.
11. Walk to the park with him/her.
12. Push him/her on the swings.

wahoo!

I am going to be an Auntie again October 28th!  Dawna's pregnant with baby number 2.  Is  it a Boy or a GIRL?

The Big Announcement

 The  Story:

    We were 19 and 20  when we had our New Millinium wedding and said "I do" We couldn't wait for  forever to begin. The things we knew back then would amaze you.  We knew all about protection: we took every precaution so we could to finish college and begin our careers before babies started showing up.  Tobad there wasn't an accident. Waiting 12 years to have kids has allowed us to travel, see the world a bit and become a closer couple.  So, maybe there wasn't an accidental childbirth, however we do have a strong bond between us.  I can honestly say, Chris is my bestfriend.  He's the first person I go to when I need a hug or to vent. We have had a lot of good times together and we have learned a lot from eachother. It seems natural to take the step to become parents. We both feel like a little something is missing from our lives.  Well, maybe this feeling isn't a "missing" feeling, but more of  a"needing something more".
     As I write this, I am planning to attend a babyshower for a friend.  I should have invested in Clear Blue back when my first girlfriend became pregnant.  For the past year to a year and a half we have been trying to get pregnant...and as you can see our results show NEGATIVE.  We have read a ton of books on how to do this.  Studying makes perfect scores right? Somehow, we haven't learned.  When we first started trying...we, um we...  thought I could only get pregnant on day 14 like a typical textbook girl.  I'll never for get when um, we, learned we could get pregnant on 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,......  Good thing we read so many books.  Being informed is key. 
      First, we study then the tested.  I remember when we went in to be tested to see "what's wrong".  Why do we call that "wrong"?  The fertility clinic didn't find anything super "wrong" with us.  They claim we just need time.  A few months...and then they would like to do more intense testing and eventually artificial insemination, like a pig.  Why does getting pregnant consist of picking, prying and probing? It's interesting in the sense that the medical experts pick us apart to see "what's going on" and then they leave us to piece ourselves back together, like we are a puzzle. How humiliating and degrading this process has become.  Then of course, everyone wants to know the results of the tests. Well who wouldn't?
     My mind can't wrap itself around NOT carrying a baby for 9 months.  What do the little butterflies feel like or a baby's kick for the first time?  It's hard to think about never going through birthing pains; seeing my baby for the first time.  I'll never sit around the dinner table during girls night and discuss my deliveries, or compare my different pregnancies of carrying a boy versus a girl. I'll not understand what a true food craving is. Maybe that's a good thing.  What about heartburn? I've never experienced it, maybe I'll never experience it. Swollen ankles wont be apart of my worries.  I'll get to wear heels forever and never fear varicose veins. And it will always be swimsuit season.  There is a little part of me that says.."what if I am pregnant and I don't know it yet".  There is always a glimmer of a little hope that I wont squish out.
     That being said,  after 12 years of marriage, I can honestly say, we are ready to adopt.

Yes, I am thinking about cutting into the food line :) I am FAMISHED can't you tell that from my face?

Do you ever wonder what you look like during the wedding cerimony as a couple is saying their "I do's"? Maybe you don't... Here we are glaring at the wedding couple. haha No wonder they are so nervous.

A sneak peak...LOVE

Rachel and Ty's Special Love Day.

Here we are Husbandless at Ty and Rachel's wedding....ding ding... a year ago.  How can time fly that fast?  Chris probably had to stay home and work.....and Al was an usher. Notice my hair.  Yeah, great southern California weather to mess with my hair.   Christine's hair is perfect as always.



Here is my dear Great Grandma Schmedding being ushered by Al the Great Usher of All Time.

Al and Christine of La Jolla.  Also, known as my scuba instructer. 

I loved the details of Rachel's dress with the shockingly Red Lipstick shoes.  LOVE

The Old Wedding Dress

Tis the season......
I always thought it would be fun to have a tea party wearing our old wedding dresses.  I had visions of us sipping tea and admiring ourselves, laughing at how style has changed over the years.  So, I dug up my old dress....which consisted of a trip to North Dakota and rummaging through my mother-in-laws closet. Squeezed myself into the dress and found, TADA....I have grown in areas I am not mentioning.  Maybe next year we'll do the tea thing.

Brady and Ash's wedding...

Here we are at Brady and Ashley's wedding at the Red Barn in San Diego. It was soooo sweet to see my Chris pull out the Black Tie for such a special momentous occasion...and really it was all for me. But isn't it always? wait, don't answer.

The Guest Book Table was Dar-aling!

Aunt Debbie aka MOG being photographed by my mom. Loved her suite. Also, I'll point out that's Grandpa's old type writter.

Sherry Debbie and Karen (formally known as the Justus girls.)

2011 Cliff Note Version

Jan: We got a house ready for rent....while "camping" inside.  That was an adventure.
 
Feb: We found a house for us to live in.   A "forever house" which means, I am not moving any time soon and no more camping.  We visited the Richtsmeier Family Farm and the Richtsmeier's in Grand Forks as well. It was a great to experience to see what living with twins is like.

Spring: We planted 100's of French Lavender reducing our water bill dramatically.

Summer:  We took a car trip to North Dakota and enjoyed the Yule Family Reunion.

Fall: We visited the Bible Belt and Great Auntie Ester and Sandy Justus....Bruce, Jessica and baby Carter Myers in Texas. We enjoyed finger licking BBQ ribs. 

Thanksgiving memorable because of the lack of a kitchen.  Dad washed the turkey in the Bathroom shower.....Rosie washed dishes in the laundry tub.  I hope one day I'll look back on this journey and not grind my teeth in frustration.  Maybe one day I'll laugh.  Just not today.  We spent our days with Cousins, Pammy, Jim Myers, Tom Baldock,  Mom and Dad, and Auntie Rosie. Mark Mooshian provided the instant mashed potatoes which we shall never let him forget.  How can next year be better :)

Love Chris and Shawna

Bubba and Kiki, love those noses!!

I need more shoes.

Chris left his shoes by the back door Kiki found them. I wonder what kinds of things she was planning on doing with them. I remember a certain little girl who used to hide my shoes when it was time for me to leave.

Sweet kisses.

Trying to hold 2 year olds can be tricky!!

Home, Sweet Home

Home again, Home again, jiggidy jig.

We are thankful there aren't anymore pigs!

Family farm, beyond the train tracks..

Fargo Scatters

Dwight and Juanita, the guys entertaining themselves

My new M&M friend in MN

We toasted Walt's 68th's birthday at Dave and Becky's house.

We ate and ate until we could eat no more.....

We talked and talked about kids and vacations...

Blew out candles and dropped matches on the floor...

We were so full, we had to find the door!!

German Chocolate Cake and soft serve ice cream from a gas station in town....

Everyone sat in the car and watched me as I got my picture taken by the neighbor man. Maybe he liked my Italian boots.

I loved the rock on this building, the gothic arched door way. It's now a museum, but it was a Town Hall. A young guy from accross the street had keys to view the interior if I wanted! But, check out that rock I wonder how those mason's hands looked?

Chris and Patric Lipsey, Chef for Stella's on 1 St Ave, Fargo

He and Chris competed in the Odyssey Of the Mind together at Mayville High School. He's a confirmed Thomas keller follower. His parents owned the cafe in Mayville.

While attending the music final for the Burgh's girls, we ran into Pat's sister Jesse along with her husband Jarrod Arneson. She mentioned Pat's resturant and so we made a point in dropping in. Anything to do with food, we are game!!

Cali and Brinna waiting for the car pool, trying to buy time.

Chris and Grant playing a game of some sort....

Brinna and Me, by Yaya

Yaha, is such a little fashion Diva!!

Grant telling his countless "Knock-Knock" jokes. "If you know the answer please don't tell!! "

And this is how you do 2!

Bubba's sweet face

Yaya and Kiki, living it up in front of the lense.

Love you Kiki!