Love Being Pregnant, Hate Being Pregnant

Well, well, well, what a month! So excited to be pregnant again but I have been SOOOO nauseated, heart-burned, and sleepless for almost a month and it is killing me! I decided to go ahead and finish school and get my degree because I really wanted to finish something for once in my life, the right way. So, my plan is to get my Associates degree in Accounting in May, have the Baby in September and then see how things go from there. While social work is something I really want to pursue, I may put it off until both kids are in school. Besides, I can't really help other peoples kids until I get mine on the right track, right? Anyway, I am working part-time just to help with the bills and then when the baby comes I will probably stay home for a few months and take care of the kids. We still go to church, but Justin has kinda lost some enthusiasm for it. We did have the missionaries over a few weeks ago and watched the story of Joseph Smith, and it was really neat. I even learned stuff that I didn't know! It's funny, because although I went to church throughout my ehole childhood, I don't know that I ever really paid attention. Everything I am reading about now sounds familiar, but yet new to me. Weird. Anyway, Ryan still won't go to Primary by himself-completely shy around everyone there-which is odd because he is so social most of the time. I am sure in time he will warm up to everyone. I find it funny almost every Sunday, someone in Gospel Doctrine tells me that he can go to Sunbeams, and I am like, I know, I tried, he is just not comfortable enough to go in there alone. Anyway, just trying to get through each day, hopefully the next day is better than today.

Christmas with The Canadians and Kentuckians

We had a great Christmas this year, as Tonnia and Andrew and the kids got to come down from Canada and Kathy and Rob and their kids came down from Kentucky! Our house was completely packed with a total of 14 people on Christmas including Justin's Mom and Sister! While overwhelming at times, we had alot of good laughs and a good time with family. That is really all there is to live for, to be with your family and enjoy the time we have together!! We also found out while Tonnia and Kathy were here that I am pregnant!!! I am trying not to get too excited yet, because it is really early, and I just had a miscarriage 3 months ago, but we are praying for a little girl!! If not this time around, we will give it one more shot!! I have also made some changes in my life that will hopefully be for the better. I have decided to pursue a degree in social work as opposed to accounting, because it feels like a better opportunity for me. So, along with this goal I have to decided to take online classes and be a stay at home mom for awhile. I hope we can make it work because it feels like the right decision. Anyway, lots of new changes this year but we are looking forward to the future!!!

You Know Your a Redneck if People Shop for Cars in Your Back Yard

Every time I read Tonnia's blog it reminds me to write in mine. So, lately it seems that are yard has become a dumping ground for junk vehicles. A friend gave us an older mustang that doesn't run that we thought we could fix up, then Justins dad brought an old tryck of his to fix up and ended up leaving it here when he moved out. Then, Justin's truck caught on fire, so that sat in the yard for sometime until the insurance company picked it up! Yikes! Anyway, someone stopped by today while me and Ryan were home and asked if the mustang was for sale and I just kinda laughed and said maybe, but they would have to talk to Justin. We don't have money to fix it up right now, and we got it for free, so I guess if someone else wanted it I would sell it to them because I can not stand the clutter in our yard!! I had to laugh about it though, because it was funny to think that some stranger is looking for a vehicle and sees one sitting in your back yard and offers to buy it!! Another reason I love Missouri....

Another Day

Another day here in the Anderson household, not too much going on. I am trying to get a YMCA built in our area but am getting overwhelmed with all of the owrk that is going to be involved. I have so days where I am ready to take on the world, and others where I just want to stay in bed. However, I am pushing through, thinkin about going back on meds, but I really hate to depend on drugs. (Especially since we are ttrying to get pregnant) Anyway, we went to a neighborhood picnic today which was also a halloween party and Ryan was dressed up as Woody. He had alot of fun and it was neat to meet some new neighbors.

One Year Older and Wiser Too!!

I can not believe it has been almost a year since I have written in here!!! So sorry bloggy!hmm.....??? Anyway, things have really been different around here, busy yet peaceful. I recently started two new jobs that I am really greatful for. The first is a youth mentor for Pettis County. It is apart time postition and it involves helping out about 17 teen boys in our program with DYS (Division of Youth Services) This boys have been in and out of juvenile detention centers or have had repeated offenses and have been turned over to our program to hopefully turn them into the right direction. It is a very rewarding job, in that I can hopefully direct these boys toward a bright and successful future. My other part time job is as a bookkeeper for a lady who works out of her home. Her name is Mary Beard and just happens to be a member of the church. Well, its funny how the lord paves the road for you, even when you least expect it. After meeting Mary, she hired me and we got to talking about things and I finally said,ok God, I can take a hint. So, the next weekend, me and Justin went camping and got to talking about things. Our family wasnt exactly in a place we wanted it to be and I was just not happy with the direction our family was taking and so I asked Justin if we could start going back to church and see where that took us. He agreed and so last Sunday we attended church (yes, all 3 hours) and I was absolutely convinced that that is where we needed to be. We were bombarded with friendly hellos, "are you an investigator or visitor" questions and the warmest welcoming we could have gotten. ( I should mention that Mary Beards family is pretty much half the ward, so that may have had had something to do with it:)) Ayway, to say the least we had a very good experience and in Justin's words he is "anxious to go back". So, Mary invited us, along with the missionaries and a few other members over for dinner and Justin was given the first discussion. ( This happened earlier tonight) He was a little nervous having all the attention focused on him, but nevertheless, we had a very good time. The spirit was definitely with us, and the missionaries asked Justin if he wanted to be baptized and he said yes!! I know, shocked me too!!! But, we are not making any definite plans yet, and we are going to move forward and see how things go.

Its funny, ever since we decided to take this new direction in our life, I have just been happier. Life seems so much more meaningful and I know that this is the right thing for our family. I am sure half of yall are thinking... duh, Rhonda!! ,,,,and the other half are like, finally!! haha!! You know me, though, I have to take it at my own pace, It may take me longer, but I will get there, with my family of course!!!

I will keep yall posted!!

What A Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! We had such a great Christmas here at home, just me, Justin and Ryan! We got snowed in this year, but it was nice to just be with our little family for a day. Ryan loved opening presents this year, and we had a blast watching him. We got him a spongebob stuffed animal and when he went to open it, he just stood there and looked at me and Justin and asked, where's Patrick!?? We both just burst out laughing! The next present he opened was, of course, a patrick stuffed animal. He brings so much joy to our life, we are so blessed to have him with us!! We got to play in the snow and build a snow man. Ryan can not pronounce the "s" sound yet, so he just calls it "no" instead of snow. We are doing really great, and hope everyone else is. Dennis and Sandra were able to stop by on their way to Colorado, and they are so much fun! I would love it if we could all live closer!! Anyway, hope to hear from everyone soon! Merry Chrismas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Rhonda, Justin, and Ryan

What is making me itch????

Seriously, this about drove me nuts! A few months ago I started itching, like everywhere and could not figure out what it was!! My back, my legs, my hair ugh!! everything!! I even thought I had a yeast infection....I finally figured it out...ERA laundry detergent!! I was talking to my babysitter and she suggested I change detergents to see if I saw any change and waalaa!!!! Seriously, I thought dry skin, sensitive skin...something....I never thought I could be allergic to laundry soap! Anyway, yes I changed from ERA to All Free & Clear which does not have any dyes or allergens and life is just peachy!! It is so weird actually being able to sit still for awhile and not feel the urge to scratch!! Oh the oblivion!!! Haha, just thought I would share!! Later!

Rhonda