Washington & Oregon Coast

Part two of our road trip: 

 This little dude was so friendly and let me get right up close. Although, Todd and I got into a fight over what kind of animal this is. He thinks it's a squirrel but there is no way this fatty is a squirrel. Plus, they lived IN THE ROCKS not in the trees. So, is it a squirrel or no? (your answer will greatly detremine how much I like you for a few months...so answer wisely...)

 We stopped at the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple on Sunday. It's in the middle of this gorgeous wooded neighborhood and is made out of this gorgeous marble. Love. 

Seattle

If there is one thing you remember about me it's that I absolutely love to travel. I come by it honestly though. My mom has always loved traveling and from a young age, she's taken my sister and I on some pretty amazing trips. 

Now that I'm married I get to share my love of traveling with the husband. Luckily, he loves to travel as much as I do. A few months ago when we were coming up on our one year wedding anniversary we decided to start to plan a trip and take our honeymoon one year late. 

Last Friday night we hopped on a plane and flew up to Seattle. The next morning we got on the road and spent the rest of the week driving down the 101 Highway and finally ended up in San Francisco. 

It was absolutely beautiful the entire trip. I think we only had one day of rain, but even then, the Washington coast was gorgeous despite the weather. I had my camera permantly attached to me the entire week and hopefully I was able capture at least some of the beauty of the trip. 

First up: Seattle

rainbow

This past Wednedsday I glanced out the window and was surprised to see one of the brightest rainbows I had ever seen. I had been having a crappy week and it put mood in a better place. 

This weekend we're taking it easy and preparing for our big road trip next week! I am so excited to go on a honeymoon, just a year late ;) We'll be flying into Seattle and driving down to San Francisco. It'll be H's first time seeing the ocean (!!) and our first real vacation together as a couple (!!!). 

What are you doing for Memorial Day Weekend?!

My new additions.

No. Not THAT kind of addition. 

This kind of addition: 

and this: 

The first picture is of Pinglet. And the second picture is of Gordon. Pinglet is my insulin pump and Gordon is my Continous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Together, they help me keep tight control over my diabetes. And having Pinglet hooked up to me 24/7 means NO MORE SHOTS! 

Pinglet is kind of an external pancreas. Technically, Pinglet is an Animas Ping Insulin Pump. Since she's pink and I want a piglet but H won't let me get one, Pinglet came to life. My pancreas doesn't really work all that well and shots suck, so when my doctor and I talked about the future and starting a family, he suggested I consider the insulin pump and CGM. It will allow me to have tighter control over my sugars while I'm pregnant (no, this is not an announcement!) and will allow me to have a healthy pregnancy and baby! 

My CGM continously monitors my blood glucose (hence the name...) and it allows me to catch those highs and lows easier and quicker. I can correct highs and lows a lot easier. Gordon is a Dexcom G4 CGM. He's pink. When I got him I was on a marathon watching of 'Hell's Kitchen' hosted by Gordon Ramsey. That's where he got his name. He alerts me to when my sugar is rising or falling fast. 

While making the decision to go on both of these (it was a big decision. Pinglet and Gordon are big committments) I talked to a lot of people that had them, including my mom! My mom has diabetes too and she has always been a great help to me. She has her own version of Gordon and has had hers longer than I've had mine. She's been really successful on hers and that inspired to go ahead and get my own. 

When I had people tell me these two things are life changing I kind of rolled my eyes. But, after a month on both of them, I can honestly say they were all right. Giving myself insulin is easier and less invasive and awkward (try giving yourself a shot in the stomach while wearing a dress and not bringing attention to yourself! Newp. You can't) and catching my highs and my lows makes life easier as well. 

If you're considering going on either of them, please leave a comment with any questions! I'd be totally happy to talk about either Pinglet or Gordon. They're awesome. :)

Answered Prayers & Conference Weekend

This weekend was one of my favorite weekends of the entire year: General Conference! Over the course of 2 days, hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saints  gather in Church buildings around the world, gather around their TV, computer or iPad, and inside the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to hear living Prophets speak. The weekend of Conference is one of my favorite because it's a spiritual feast for my soul. Listening to President Thomas S. Monson, his Apostles, and other Church leaders give advice  guidance  and tell stories is something I cherish and love about the Church. 

There are 2 general sessions a day and another Priesthood session on Saturday night for the men. We had the opportunity to go to Saturday Morning's session with all of Todd's siblings, which was wonderful. We hadn't all been together since our wedding last March!

 Usually, I prayerfully think about what questions I should have in mind while listening to the talks during the weekend. I did this my first Conference before I had even made the decision to get baptized and every single one was answered specifically. It is amazing the answers you get. 

That morning though, I found myself in need of an answer to a prayer urgently. I ate breakfast in the morning and took my insulin like a good diabetic. By the time I got myself seated in the Conference Center I started to feel a little funny. I checked my Continuous Glucose Monitor (his name is Gordon. He's pink) that gives me a blood sugar reading every 5 minutes and saw that my sugar was steadily falling. It went from 100 to 90 in 2 readings. And being the bubble head that I am, I forgot to pack something to eat. I knew I wasn't going to make it through the 2 hour session without getting into serious trouble. 

I leaned over to T and asked him to say a quick prayer that I'd be able to get through the session without problems. I said a quick one as well, begging Heavenly Father to help me. I felt calm the entire time. I knew it was going to be okay, I just didn't really know how. My sister-in-law offered up her muffin that was sitting in the car and T offered to go get it. This was a half hour before the session started and I knew he'd be hard pressed to make it back in time, if they even let him back in. He went running anyway, with my keys and his ticket in hand. 

About 5 minutes later, he comes back. Well, that was quick! I thought. He told me to come with him, that he had found something for me. He told me that he had passed 4 or 5 volunteers and suddenly got a prompting to ask the next woman he saw. The woman he asked just happened to be standing near the snack room filled with food for the session volunteers. She said 'you've come to the right person! Bring your wife back and we'll get her some food!' after he explained what went on. 

With my sugar still dropping (it was around 80 at that point and the 'low' alarm had gone off on my monitor) I bounced up the stairs behind my husband and bolted to the room. I think I shoved 3 cookies in my mouth while the woman left us in privacy. Then, an elderly man came in and probably thought we were totally stealing the food because he said in a not-so-nice tone 'Can I help you?' I explained the situation and his face lit up. He pulled out a little fast acting glucose shake from his jacket pocket and handed it to me. He was a diabetic too! I mean, again, what are the chances?! 

I happily took my cookies, juice, and rice krispies back to my seat (I got some odd looks but whatever) and happily stayed at a normal glucose level for the rest of the session. If it weren't for my CGM, I would have never known that my sugar was dropping and if it weren't for my wonderful husband and our quick prayers, I don't know what I would have done. I would have been in trouble, that is for sure. 

Usually, the answers to my prayers come quietly in a small voice or a tiny answer but this time was different. Our prayers were answered with this loud voice that said "I'm here! I'll take care of you my child!". Loud and clear Heavenly Father! Thank you! 

When the Prophet walked into the Conference Center, my eyes filled with tears. I don't know if it was because of my experience that morning or if it was the Spirit confirming what I already believed, but I knew in that moment that the Church was True and President Monson is a Prophet on the earth today. I can't wait to attack the Conference issue of the Ensign when it comes in the mail. T won't even have a chance to read it, I'm stealing it. ;) 

I can't wait until October and the next General Conference! 

Spring Cleaning!

The entire time I've been planning this post I've been imagining what my mother is going to do when she reads this post. Probably fall out of her chair laughing. Mom, please don't hurt yourself! 

I am not known for my love of cleaning, that's for sure. But last weekend as T and I were sitting in the kitchen watching little dust bunnies amble across our kitchen floor, I suddenly had this great big urge to clean everything. I asked him if he wanted to do a big spring cleaning day with me the next weekend and the silly husband agreed! So, off I went to plan. 

If there's one thing I've noticed after a year of working in the position I'm in it's this: I have turned into a list monster. Dude, I love lists. I have never really used lists to their full potential before this but oh my goodness, let me tell you. I love my lists now. My lists have lists. Wonderful. 

So, I bring you Ordinary Fairy Tale's Spring Cleaning Check List of 2013!

Living Room

         Wipe down bookshelves

         Wipe down Tables

         Wipe down Lamp

         Wipe down TV & TV stand

         Clean windows

         Vacuum

Kitchen

         Organize pantry

         Wipe down pantry shelves

         Clean out fridge

         Deep clean dishwasher

         Deep clean oven (this method works amazingly. Seriously. My oven is spotless)

         Wipe down stove top (Works wonderfully but I had to do it twice to get the baked on grossness off)

         Deep clean microwave (I had to do this twice, but the microwave was pretty gross)

         Wipe down fridge outside

         Dust Fridge top

         Organize and wipe down pans

         Sweep floors

         Mop floors

         Clean Windows (inside and out)

         Wash counters

         Dust light fixtures

         Vacuum fridge coils

         Clean sink

         Wipe kitchen table

         Clean cutting boards

         Organize kitchen clutter (papers, bills, etc)

         Wash dog bowls

Bedroom

         Wash sheets

         Wash pillow cases

         Clean out makeup

         Wash makeup brushes

         Organize closets

         Wash windows

         Vacuum

         Dust ceiling fan

         Clean box fan

         Flip mattress

         Clean mattress

Bathroom

      Replace plastic shower curtain

      Clean toilet

         Clean sink
Clean tub (sprinkle baking soda, spritz vinegar on and let it sit for a little while. Scrub and voila! Sparkling! Seriously, sparkling.) 

         Wash mirror

         Organize drawers

         Wash window

Entrance

         Shake out and wash rug

         Sweep floor

         Mop floor

         Rotate out winter shoes from shoe bin

Laundry Room

         Sweep floor

         Mop floor

         Deep clean washing machine

         Clean dryer lint trap

Miscellaneous

         Change fire alarm batteries

         Change air filter

         Wipe down doors and knobs

         Clean vents

         New bathroom rug

         Replace fridge light (this one is only if your husband has smashed the light out of it on Christmas morning and you've been living without a top light since then. Not that this is us or anything. . .)

         Replace fridge water filter 

Supplies

         Vinegar

         Sponges

         All purpose cleaner (this works and is spectacular. I made it the night before and let the lemon peel sit in the bottles over night. It smelled fantastic)

         Rags

         Gloves

         Baking soda

         Lemon

         Window cleaner

         Toilet bowl cleaner

         Clorox wipes

         Spray bottles (2-3)

         Scouring pad

Some of the miscellaneous and supplies will change from time to time, so feel free to adjust those! Also, if you'd like this in a word doc or PDF form, please email me (jacquelyn(dot)smith13(at)gmail(dot)com) and I'll be glad to email them to you. I tried to figure out how to upload it on the blog, but I was unsuccessful. I may work for an IT company, but I am completely hopeless when it comes to technology.

Happy Spring Cleaning! 

State of the Union

One year ago today I had the privilege of going into the Temple of the Lord and got sealed for time and all eternity to the most amazing man I have ever met. When I woke up this morning (thanks to Charlie jumping up on the bed. I guess he thought it was time to wake up at 7am!) and I first looked at my husband sleeping beside me all I could think about was 'wow. It's been a year. I've been his wife for a year.'

I don't remember much from the morning of our wedding. It was all kind of a blur. I remember the girl doing my hair had forgotten that the wedding was that day and was at her other job. I remember freaking out that I was going to be late to my own wedding (I wasn't) and I remember leaving my Temple dress at the apartment. I remember my mom keeping me calm. My best friend Amanda talking sense into me as I rushed to the Temple, 'Jacky. Calm down! It'll be okay!'

I remember seeing T in the parking lot as I got out of my car. I remember the sense of joy and happiness I felt when I saw him knowing that when we came out of the Temple we'd be husband and wife. 

That day was perfect. 

The year that has passed since hasn't been easy, but it has been fun. We've learned so much from each other and from Heavenly Father. Honestly, I was worried the transition from being single and living on my own to living with someone else 24/7 would have been difficult. It wasn't though. It seemed completely natural. Like this was the way it was supposed to be forever. We just...fit. 

Marriage hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been hard either. Which is a weird thing, I know. I can't really describe it. I've learned more about myself by being with T than I ever had by being alone. We just work so well together that the transition period was so fluid, so natural, that I find it difficult to remember a time that I was without him. 

In the year we've been married:

I've started a new 'big girl' job for a company I adore

We've bought our first house

We adopted a second dog

We had a flood in our basement

We found the most perfect Ward family 

We both received wonderful callings working with the youth in the Church

We've attended the Temple regularly

We've fought

We've fallen deeper in love. 

I know it sounds cliche, but I love this man more than I ever thought possible. And I love him more today than I did in that Temple getting sealed to him. I know that a year from today, I will love him even more. He's shown me what it means to truly love and accept someone for exactly who they are. His pure spirit and loving personality has made me a better person simply by being near him. 

T is out running errands right now (I think he's doing some last minute shopping!) so I decided now would be a good time to write this. We went out to breakfast this morning and are going to go to the Temple where we got married this afternoon and do sealings. Tonight we're going to The Melting Pot to celebrate. 

Since we really didn't get a honeymoon last year, we're treating ourselves to a trip in May as a belated honeymoon and first anniversary present. Where are we going? We're flying into Seattle and driving down the coast to San Francisco! 8 days just the two of us. I am so excited. 

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I am truly lucky to count myself his wife. Marrying him was the best decision I have ever made. T - I love you. You make me whole. I am so happy that we're together. Happy first anniversary my love. And here's to many more wonderful years to come! :)