Hurst Family News

DISCLAIMER: these are in no particular order. Links are for more info though I'm confident in your searching skills, I thought I'd make it easier. You're welcome.  Reading:  In physical book form: Sarah Wilson's First, We Make the Beast Beautiful  Ann Dee Ellis's You May Already Be A Winner America Ferrera's collection of essays in American Like Me: Reflections on life between cultures   On my Kindle: Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian In audiobook form:  Michelle Obama's Becoming Listening to: Podcasts: The Hilarious World of Depression Radio West Next Door Strangers Sacred & Profane Recently finished/caught up:  StandOff The Dream Slow Burn Watching: Cloud Atlas   CW: racism, violence, suicide, sex This movie deserves it's own post and I'm curious about the book .  Craving:  Chocolate Frosting...a weakness but oh so good....

Right about now... Funk Soul Brotha Check it out now, Funk Soul Brotha: I'm hoping that hot pockets and microwave Cheese Wheels (macNcheese wheels) counts for a meal because that's what we had for lunch.  Don't judge.  It was a major decision between that and something someone else cooked (aka fast food) that costs a lot more. Currently I am writing from a fairly swirly allergy med haze. Wish I could truly enjoy it.  But I have to be psudo responsible until further notice.  Or when Sean gets home.  Whichever comes first.  "Sponsibility" sure is a buzz kill though. It's a good thing days like today don't come around too often or I'd be 600 lbs with BBQ sauce dripping from my chin.  And one of my sons would be named Gilbert .  And they'd have to burn the house when I die. (Spoiler. Sorry. I wasn't myself.) Boychild the first is walking home. It's cold outside with a lovely, icy north wind a blowin'.  Knocked over our t...

Just a quick update: We had a marvelous vacation to California where we spent almost as much time in the car as not.  My kids aren't really letting that one go anytime soon. New cousins to play with.  Great memories made.  I'll write more another day.  But for now it is enough to know that I am immensely grateful for my family, the one we made and the ones we come from.  They're pretty great people. My baby sister is getting ready to go on a Mission.  Lots of excitement there! I'm loading up on stamps so I can send snail mail.  I'm sure I'll look forward to whatever day is email day like when little brother was in Germany on his Mission.  But snail mail still has trump power.  So be ready seester. First born headed to ALL DAY first grade this year. The bottom of the totem pole (because kindergartners are basically segregated from the rest of the school)- the real beginning of mommy growing up.  ALL DAY. I'm nervous. WAAAAAY more ner...

To do list for Thursday May 2nd 2013 goes a little something like this: -hang laundry -do a few more loads (if the sock situation has not remedied by just doing whites) -make rice krispy treats -fix baby tux  -pack -sip soda -feed munchkins -enjoy that tomorrow is roadtrip day Thank goodness I took some Excedrin this morning to ward off the headache. I feel much better now.  Hope we have no meltdowns this afternoon.  I'd be farther down my list but I stopped to visit some friends who were passing through town on their way to a new adventure.  So glad I did.  I love good friends.   May today be productive and tomorrow be fun. 

Dan, a blogger, wrote a post a while back "The Disease Called Perfection" .  It's worth a gander.  We get so caught up in appearances that we forget to be real and forget those we idolize are real too.  So here's a glimpse at my real life (mostly so *I* remember to give myself a break).  Currently: -We are trying to get out of debt.  Which means we drive cars that are 20, and 17 years old. Which means they break down occasionally.  Like this week. (Wheel bearing) So I don't have a vehicle and will be walking to help at Ian's class today.  Not a big deal and better for my health for sure.  But it's COLD outside.  My ears hurt when we got home from walking Ian to school. Blessed to live close enough to do that but still kinda bummed my easy option is gone.    -We also live in an unfinished house because we're being frugal.  Now, we do happen to have shelter from the storm and for that I am intensely grateful....

Sunshine: that dries the laundry, soothes the soul and brings with it hope of brighter days and longer hours.   Children who still want me to hold them and read with them and enjoy life with them.  We had some "Mommy time" in the last weeks spent painting and creating and enjoying.  It was lovely.  My baby who is still ok with being called my baby, despite his intense need for independence.   A dear sweetheart who spontaneously tells me often that I'm wonderful.  Music: singing with the church choir speaks so deeply to me and I am grateful for our great director who gives countless hours and challenges us with music that is amazing and difficult.   Color: to be blind would be an awful loss in my mind.  A month that brings family and celebrations of milestones.   When I was having a difficult time with homesickness working 2000 miles from home, a dear friend told me to count my blessings, find 3 things every day to be grateful ...

Seeing as my last post was so cheery and I loved seeing it every time I open my blog (to see if anyone ELSE updated) I thought I'd save you guys the pain and write a new one.  But first an update: Things are still pretty much the same as before.  Busy with no nap in sight. Sean didn't go to the play meeting- and then had to turn down the director when he came over and practically begged.  Grateful for that.  I bet he is too actually because then he got sick.  Don't know what's wrong except that it's not appendicitis like the doctors thought it might be.  Good news for Sean's appendix.  We're hoping to have more answers next week after some tests.  Until then Sean is working from home.  Grateful he can.  His coworkers are getting a bit of a crash course on how the system works but things seem to be going ok so far.  There ARE silver linings.  Just hard to see them sometimes.   In other news: I made 1/2 of a d...

My freshman year in high school our English teacher had us "circle the wagons" occasionally and give our own state of the union address.  How are we? How's life at home? School? Friends? Other. It was a time to be open and reach out.  What was said in the room stayed in the room- as much as it ever does in high school.  I don't know that there were monumental things discussed.  I really don't remember.  But I do remember the catharsis that came from our sharing and not being judged or advised how to move forward.  Just a statement of where we were in that moment in time.  Probably one of the best things I took from Mrs. Warren's class.  And an introduction to John Steinbeck. So for today I'm feeling in a mood to have my own little State of the State (more local than state of the Union and not about my marriage) address.  To unload I suppose.  So how're things? Busy.  At times overwhelming.  My 3 year old, Landon is potty t...

I have been spending lots of time snuggling this little guy in the middle.  He's rapidly growing and I wish I could stop it but for now I'll just enjoy the season we're in.  He had to get shots yesterday and is teething so he's been a little grumpier than usual.  Upside is he wants his mommy to snuggle him.  I'm also enjoying snuggling the other two when they let me and yearn for a good rocking chair.  I've been thinking about our lives as our own Epic Hero's Journey.  We have calls and quests and guides but ultimately face the challenges on our own- walking away with knowledge as our badge of bravery.   We're moments away from buying a house.  I'm excited to work to make it our HOME.  The choices can easily overwhelm me but thus far it's still exciting.  I do need to remember to go with my gut on decisions though rather than mull for days and days.   My gut is most often right.   Also thinking about  ...

I hear this little voice in my head sometimes. "You click on blogger to see other peoples' blog updates and then get frustrated when there are only a few people who updated in the last 3 days...yet you don't update your own...Pot. Kettle. Kettle. Pot." I have a bunch of pictures that really should  be going on this post. Instead you get a brain dump. Sorry. I don't like chevrons.  Not the gas stations- the style.  I don't like that they are trendy.  They're zig zags people! Teal and white or black and white--- doesn't matter- i still don't like them and probably never will. Some people are into that- if that's you- awesome. You won't find zig zags on my walls or rugs or chairs. Perhaps on a quilt but that's as far as I go.  I'm kind of sick of seeing them everywhere and just about ready to 'unfollow' certain boards because of them. Ian says, "You're cracking me out." Right idea. Wrong preposition.  Make...

I should probably go to bed seeing as I'm feeling a but grumpy but eh- why?  So first update: the one I know you guys are dying for.... no baby yet.  Only at a 2 so no membrane stripping yet either to get the party started.  (TMI? Eh. My blog.) Kind of frustrated about the whole thing.  I'm losing patience and starting to worry that my umph for labor is waning.   Want to meet this kiddo.  Want to NOT be pregnant anymore.  Would rather hold him in my ARMS than in my belly.  Kind of getting sick of pregnancy talk.  Mostly in relation to "When are you due?" uh yesterday "Man you really ARE bigger now than before." gee thanks.  I feel as big as a whale.  Glad you noticed. Have you seen my new and improved WADDLE too? FYI: talk in relation to size when pregnant is not usually appreciated.  In my opinion, not really appreciated in any circumstance unless referred to by me first.  Which I don't refer to.  People are so mu...

I feel more like THIS: And less like THIS: I'm also starting to stress a little bit.  Life has been so crazy with packing and graduating and moving and getting a job and figuring out how to get settled that I feel like this whole baby thing is rapidly sneaking up on me.  I'll be 36 weeks on Thursday and delivered Landon on 36 weeks exactly with not much (if any) warning that I was in labor. My back has been driving me nuts lately and since I have back labor that makes me nervous.  I also slept well the other night (not last night though) and I usually only do that before I go into labor.   Other things I'm stressing about currently:  Hospital bag not packed.  Though living less than 2 miles from the hospital I feel slightly less concerned about this than last time.   Sean works 45 minutes away.  WHAT IF...he can't get back in time...(though again with my tendency to be in the hospital ALL freaking day I think he should be able to mak...

Currently: The boys are asleep. *Sigh of relief* I've been up (kinda) since 5:30 this morning which my body didn't appreciate today.  Headache is waning though.   I am listening to Classical Baby  CD that either my mom or I found at a thrift store.  I throughly enjoy how it relaxes me.  Clair de Lune is probably my favorite.  It also happens to be the first one so I don't have to skip any other songs to get to it.  Tertius loves track #4.  He went nutso just a bit ago when it came on (On the Beautiful Blue Danube).   Tertius is what we jokingly call baby #3.  We cannot come up with a decent REAL name for him.  Tertius comes from the movie Stardust . I'll hit my 30 weeks mark tomorrow which means 10 or less to go.  Kind of freaking me out.  Washed the wee sized baby clothes yesterday.  Still so worried that he's going to come early and we'll be in Grand Junction for a week (or more).  So I'm trying to get stuf...

SO TODAY IN ARCHERY..... (That's a little throwback to my RBC friends) Today: Sean finished all the work for his Master's Degree.  We'll find out the grade soon- likely a sturdy B.  In his other class he got an A.  Graduation is on Friday- HOORAY!  I did a buncha laundry along with the entire population of Logan it seems. At least the clothes are clean now and I got some quality time in with my book.  The Landlord's son come by and tell us somebody wants to look at the place- when would be a good time. Uh May 15th? I did actually say that and I wasn't really kidding but he was talking to Sean so tomorrow it is.  Ye Haw. Someday I will have my own house with my own roof and my own yard.  Someday. Someday. Someday.  I am a little looking forward to Sean being able to point out the unique personality of the place (leaky toilet- back yard in name only-expensive utilities....) What really gets my goat is that the landlord plans on renting it R...

Yesterday was one of those days.   The silly emotional kind.   I'm hoping today is less emotional but giving myself permission to accept whatever it is.   And permission to see my favorite doctor as much as I want today. What are the REST of you up to?

Currently: Things on my mind on this snowy Friday. Snow? Wow. Well ok.  Clean Kitchen- phew. Now my back hurts. Oy. (PS the kitchen wasn't even that bad to begin with because I cleaned it yesterday- my back is just kinda wimpy) "Shock me. Shock me. Shock me, with that deviant behavior." Empire Records. For some reason that quote is stuck in my head.  SO enjoyed my food from Cafe Sabor last night.  Haven't had the best luck in the past.  I'm grateful I have nummy leftovers for lunch.  (Tequila Lime Chicken Pasta) I think we killed the sourdough starter.  We'll see if we can revive it.  Dr. Frankenstein style.  To all the people in government- aka "the powers that be"- y'all should learn how to get along and get one thing done at a time.  First priority- budget. Then you can go back to bickering and pushing through your earmarked agendas. And no- printing more money won't fix the problem.   Sundays until Oma and Darryl...

On my mind: Non-sleeping boys that I blame on the time change.  They napped today for a LONG time.  Now there will be no sleeping.  Aggravated I am. Yoda I wish to be.  The move which will cause me to depart from the dearly beloved Book Club.  Don't know what I'll do without the monthly dose.  I'll be confined to Blanding at least until the baby is here.  Plus that is one doozy of a road trip. (I doubt Nena would make it.) *sigh* At least I can still read what they're reading and connect that way.  And email everyone my asinine comments.  And blog.  Not much a fan of this drizzly rain business BUT I am indeed grateful for the melting of the snow in our front yard.  (silver lining see?) Heartburn.  This is the stage in the pregnancy where I start stashing TUMS in every nook and cranny, purses, wallets, diaper bags, cars, desk, etc., because it is inevitable that heartburn will take over and I won't...

Wall meet Maggie. Maggie meet Wall. "Hello Wall." "Hello Maggie." (Wall's maiden name is Block. As in Writer's) Things on my mind today possibly causing the writer's block--- I mean wall: -Grandma Great. She's dying. It's hard. Those around her are just suffering to watch her suffer.  We all want her to find peace.  She's a great lady.  I loved her from the beginning.  I'm an inlaw so I didn't have the opportunity to know her my whole life- just the last 5 1/2 years.  But let me tell you this lady has spunk. She gardens with a rather large knife.  Better for weeding you know. She loves puzzles-something I don't enjoy- but I love being with her when she's working on one. She'll tell you straight up if you just stole the piece she was looking for, with a smile of course.  She loves my boys.  In fact, she has claimed them- she always says, "Oh you brought my boys to see me."  I love that.  I love the special...

Today... I am wearing...  Sean's Nuernberg Sweatshirt from his trip to Germany with the National Guard. Jammie pants. Socks. Long sleeve shirt. It's cold today. Or I'm just feeling the need to be snuggley.  I am wondering...  what book to choose for book club.  So many options.  Fun. Serious. Kid Friendly. Or Not.  Easy Read. Tolstoy (kidding). I'm leaning towards light and fun in honor of Spring that I hear tell has come to California at least.  I am thankful for...  sleep masks.  It sounds weird but I sleep with my eyes open- just a crack not all the way open like a zombie or something- so I like to have the room pitch black to sleep.  I don't use them all the time but when I do- ah- sleep comes so much easier. I am overwhelmed by...  the thought of moving and yard sale before said move. I am eating...   nothing at the moment- but we had pancakes for breakfast- Micky Mouse even.  I can hear...  "Thomas ...

Things I'm tired of: - Hearing "Mommy, I went pee-pee in my unnerwear." - Trains. In any form. - Snow. And Cold. - Bathroom breaks for Mommy every 45 minutes or so. - Diaper Doodie- or Duty however you want to look at it. Hmmm... I'm sensing a theme here. Things I am looking forward to: - Book Club next week- my book FINALLY came in the mail yesterday. - New Jewelry I ordered at a Jewelry Party. - Spring Break. Which means road trip! It's been far too long. - Our 5 year anniversary coming up- beware the Ides of March! - The end of today.  It's been a very long one for all of us. Happy Wednesday.  Sean this one is for you dear :) comic courtesy of  foxtrot.com