Holidays and Other Happenings

So apart from emotionally intense blogging (sorry grandma!), we've been spending a lot of time celebrating the various fall holidays. Here's a recap of what we've been up to...

Halloween
For a 4-person committee and very small budget, I think the ward trunk-or-treat turned out great! Temperatures were chilly and the gym was packed, but we made the most of night.

We didn't judge the chili cook-off, but we acted like it! We used cups instead of bowls to maximize tasting efficiency. The two we liked the best actually won overall, so we felt pretty legit

Daniel wanted something low-key and easy for trunk-or-treat, so we went as Sims! Daniel made our plumbobs and treated them with extra care

I think we looked pretty awesome!

Our schedules worked out so Daniel didn't have to shave for about 6 weeks. He decided to channel the most epic beard of 2012 by dressing up as Seneca Crane for the real Halloween. I went as Katniss, my friend Katie braided my hair (my hair's long enough to braid!) and my friend Emily helped take in my dress, so I owe a big THANK YOU to them!

The big 2-3
I turned 23 on November 9 and celebrated with a mocktail party! We invited our friends/neighbors over and enjoyed hanging out and eating/drinking. Sarah let me borrow her Sam's Club membership and we took advantage of the ridiculous items that this place has to offer

A shotgun full of tequila

This is the only picture I took during the party, me and my mint  mojito

Daniel and Nic did an awesome job decorating, but next time they'll need stronger tape. This is what the morning of November 10 looked like

Elder Nelson

One of Daniel's classmates has some awesome connections with the General Authorities. We were lucky enough to have Elder Nelson come visit MCW and give little fireside/devotional talk thing about the importance of preparing our lives for blessing and saving others. It was such a real treat to be in close proximity to an apostle, plus we got our picture taken with him...

So. Awesome.

Thanksgiving

We decided to stay in Milwaukee this year and celebrate Thanksgiving with some dear friends. On Wednesday night, we participated in the Harper tradition of pie night! This has been a part of Janey's Thanksgiving routine for years and we were very lucky to be included on the guest list! Daniel made his delicious chocolate mousse pie and there were plenty of other yummies too!

Yummy pie and yummy man!

 Instead of a traditional turkey, we had prime rib and salmon on Thursday! We had the rest of the Thanksgiving must-haves though, like mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. We watched some football before/afterwards, and then had some more pie!

Daniel and the 6 pound prime rib

The smoke alarm kept going off, so we kept all the windows open while the prime rib cooked. It was windy, but really warm for this time of year!

This didn't go the way I thought it would, but I'm glad so many people are thankful for Daniel!

Daniel preparing the feast

We went Black Friday shopping on Thursday night. We went to Wal-Mart and stocked up on DVDs and couldn't understand why this game exists...

We waited in line for about 30 minutes at Target, this is what the line looked like when we got there

After sleeping in today, we decorated for Christmas! This is the first thing I did...

If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas (or pretty much whenever), this is it

Our cute little tree!

Red and white lights in the windows

Leftovers and Last Night on Earth with good friends

We know we have been given so much and are trying to be more mindful of our blessings. We feel so lucky to know so many wonderful people and enjoy the great freedoms we have. We hope the holidays treat you well and this holiday season finds you happy and healthy!

-Jenn

Not giving up, just getting real

Intense and emotional post ahead, you've been warned...

I recently found out that one of my few baby-less friends is pregnant (sort of by accident actually, I ran into her while she was on the phone with a nurse). I am truly overjoyed for her, because she and her husband were struggling for a long time, but at the same time I so wish it was me. I love my friend and I'm going to love her little one to pieces, but I also feel like I've been punched in the face (or maybe uterus, that might be more appropriate). Daniel and I have been waiting for so long and we want it so bad, I just wish I knew how to cope better. To "lose" one of my friends to motherhood is really hard for me (I'm aware of how selfish that sounds). I'm on round 7 of Clomid and if it doesn't work this time, it's off to the Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). I was offended when the pharmacy gave me all three 100mg packs at the same time, like my doctor didn't think it would work with just one or two. Now I'm glad I didn't have to walk past the pregnancy tests and baby food two more times than I needed to.

I think the most frustrating thing of this process is that we have no idea what's going on. Daniel and I are both young and in good health and the tests don't show anything to be concerned about. I honestly think I would feel better if I was able to pinpoint a problem and work to correct it instead of doctors throwing drugs at me until something works. I've been taking a prenatal vitamin and folic acid supplement for ages, I ovulate, nothing's blocked or twisted, an ultrasound tech once told me I could be an uterus model, and I don't show any signs of PCOS or endometriosis. Daniel's tests look good and his body works the way it should. We're eating better and exercising more. I know Heavenly Father won't give me anything I can't handle, but sometimes I wonder where my limit is. To have this righteous desire without any success is almost more than I can take sometimes. To feel so broken and incomplete, to not be able to do the one thing that my body was made for, to be so helpless, it pains my soul.

I've started a new scripture study and personal prayer regimen that I'm hoping will continue to build my faith. I've started looking at the pros and cons of different fertility treatments because I'm starting to realize it just may not happen without invasive medical procedures. Daniel and I are getting honest and frank in our discussions about the future. It hurts him just as much as me that we are struggling so much, I can't imagine a better man being a father to our children. To see him denied that privilege over and over again cuts me to my center.

Through all of this, please don't think that I hate you or your kids. I love you and your kids, and I know they are yours and they were sent to you for a specific reason at this specific time. I'm jealous that your bodies work they way God intended them to, that's all.

I'm not giving up, I'm just getting real.

-Jenn

My invited what?

As a grammar Nazi with an English degree working at an academic institution, I don't run across many instances of poor grammar, diction, word choice, etc. However, if there's one thing that burns me up, it's when people wrongly use your and you're. I found this in my inbox today...

The rest of the message was about an open house for the Graduate School's Master Degrees and Graduate Certificate Programs, but I was so turned off after the first line that I deleted it right away (I went back later for the screenshot and info). This is one of the most avoidable grammar mistakes ever, so it irritates me to no end when someone is so careless.

If you are older than 9, there is no reason for you to confuse your and you're

Rant over.

-Jenn

(Future) Dr. Lindsay, radiation oncology master?

I try not to get too emotionally invested in Daniel's choice of specialty, especially since I know it can (and has) changed in the last 6 months, but this melted my heart today...

Hey you,

The VA basement has no cell phone service, but I just want you to know I'm still alive and I love you.  I'll be here all day, but maybe at lunch I'll be able to call.  This is awesome and it makes me want to do rad onc even more.

Much love

XOXOXOX

Daniel

Remind me to check back in March and see if Daniel still feels this way...

-Jenn

Dear Future Jenn

Dear Future Jenn,

You needed this today more than you know...

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.
-Doctrine and Covenants 24:8

Love,
Present Jenn