I am thankful for....

hey all,

I have been thinking about the things I am thankful for this year... here are just a few of the MANY

• My birthmom's strength to give me up for adoption
• My mom's strength to continue being there for Darin and I.
• My little girl
• My Husband who with out I would go absolutely insane
• My cats Mimzy and Pandora
• My dad for his never ending love and the fact he pays for my phone
• My family in general for everything they do for us.
• I am thankful for my friends, new and old. Thanks for just being a friend and talking when I need it the most!
• I am thankful for electricity. Keeping me warm 
• I am thankful for the neighbors who helped us rake leaves. You didnt even need to and you did ^_^
• I am thankful for the state for helping me get insurance so that I can have a safe pregnancy.

I am so happy to have a roof over my head and food in my belly. Darin and I have had an extreamly rough year. More than anyone could ever know. We are thankful for the people in our lives who have helped in all the small ways. Weather its playing a game with us or chatting with us till 4 in the morning, we love you all and say thank you!'

Much Love, 

24 Weeks... and a move later

hey all...


Tuesday we went to the doctors for our 4 week check up. They did a follow up ultrasound to look at her lips to see if she had a cleft, which she doesn't. Then they looked at her tummy where the umbilical cord connects to see if her insides were well.... inside, and they were. Then they looked at her heart. They told me it was to make sure her heart was working the way it needed to. I am happy to say my little girl is pretty perfect. She is almost 2 pounds... It is insane! They also told me my due date is DEFINITELY the 26th of February. As for symptoms, I have a lot of growing pains happening... this is adding to the pain in my sciatic nerves. I am also feeling her move more and with a purpose I guess you could say... She has been kicking harder and harder every day. I love this because these moments are so brief but make me cry for hours. It means so much when she kicks me after complaining about my back to my husband, just like she is saying that it is all worth it in the end. I am looking forward to wrapping my arms around her and just staring into what I am guessing will be pretty brown eyes.


Also we moved in with my mom. It was for many reasons... for me a way to have help if and when I need it when the baby arrives. For Darin it was a way to get away from his dad. We have for the last 2 days been raking and bagging our new lawn. Thanks to some snow and wind it has been interesting. We are still not even close to being done but we are so frozen that we cant move or breathe much.

I thought that I would at least try to update those who read this... I don't know that I am all that interesting but I know that I want to look back and think about these silly little moments and smile about the fact that me and my growing little family are just that growing. We learn more about each other everyday.

pregnancy is the best

I have lost 50 pounds! YAY!!!! I am so excited its so awesome.... Who knew that getting pregnant would be the Best weightloss program ever!

I know its totally random but .... Hasta la Pasta

Pink Or Blue???

We are definately having a GIRL! Today was our gender test. We have several cute pictures of her but we dont have a scanner so I am going to be taking pictures of the pictures with my phone and putting them on my computer that way. Her heart rate was 167bpm! I also found out that because of my family and genetic history that at the next appointment we will be testing for Gestational Diabetes scary for me!

The big thing about this pregnancy has been the weight loss.... I was 356 right before I was pregnant I am now 311! I am so excited that up to now at 17 weeks that I have lost 45 pounds I gotta say that I am super proud of myself. I am getting healthier all the time. We also have already decided on a name Her name is Alora Lee. So our little one should be here barring no complications around the 23rd of February! It seems like it is so far away! Darin is so excited to just see that the baby is healthy, and of course the usual Butt shot happened. My mom was thinking that it was going to be a boy but I know that she is even more excited to go buy all the cute dresses....

If anyone cares our baby's r us registry number is 45663926 if you wanna take a look go ahead ^_^


hasta la pasta

What is the sex????

Vote here if you think you know what we are having!
Vote in my poll!

Hey all!

Hey Friends,

         I am just stopping by today to say hello and to let you know that Darin and I are doing good! I am getting ready to launch a personal business, out of my house. I am making Dread Falls for the rave community... Yes Utah has one. I am a Raver and I love going and dancing my tush off at the club...(my fave. way of exercise) I am also going to be making custom Hula Hoops for those people who want it... You can send requests to  * theshatteredgiver@yahoo.com * that is my business email... I haven't gotten around to making the website. This is because my Aunt Karen had her left leg amputated due to Diabetes and infection. It is taking a toll on me and my family. All I ask is that everyone keeps her in your thoughts..
         I am working getting pictures posted of the dreads I have already made up soon... I just need to get life satisfied for now. For some of you out there who dont know, when I married Darin I also inherited a Goddaughter. Her name is Caitlyn Kounalis. She is the most adoreable girl... she is 8 years old and she is a budding artist. I thought I would tell everyone how fantastic she is. I love this girl! she asked Darin and I if we would be her godparents. Everyone I have talked to has asked me if I understand what a Godparent does. I do, I have a pair myself. I love Richard and Julie with all of my heart. The reason I brought Cat up was that her Father is Greek Orthodox.
         I would like to say Christos Anesti, (yes you have heard that on My Big Fat Greek Wedding) I feel that it is fitting for today... I would also like to take the time to remember my Grandma J. She passed away peacefully 6 years ago today. Although today is a hard day get through there is a sliver lining. I get to remember all the fun we had at all the family get togethers. I also get to be with my Cousin who is expecting a baby boy very soon. I would like to thank Ashley Elkington for showing me MyLiveSignature not on purpose I know but still i like it! I Love You all and I hope that your Easter is blessed and that if you are doing any kind of traveling Be Safe!


Christos Anesti,

Why did you pierce your lip? It doesn't look very good. It distracts from your best features, which are your eyes and freckles. Every time i see it, I stare at it.

I pierced it... Then I found out the hard way that I am allergic to the metal. I am trying to be true to my self, I thought doing it would help not hinder. I am sorry if you cant look at me with out wanting to stare. I made a mistake like everyone else in this world.

Ask me anything

Jerel Aaron Nebeker

On February 23rd my mom received a call from who I now know to be my moms friend Trish. She informed my mom that Jerel had been shot while trying to save her(Trish) life and the life of Jerel's brother Adrian. Jerel was in Mexico to do a charity ride with clothes for the needy there in Mexico. They were in San Felipe when it happened I do not want to remember all of the details. It was then that I completely collapsed in the middle of the front room and screamed at the top of my lungs "NO" I couldn't believe that someone I love was brutally murdered. they still haven't found the man who broke my moms heart. It kills me to this day not to have this amazing man in my everyday life.

Let me tell you about who this man was. Jerel was a proud member of the Utah Opera. He was the one who interduced  me to my Passion of singing. He was a computer programmer. He was also a step father to me and my little sister. He always played middle man between me and my mom. He was never officially married to my mom but they didn't need a piece of paper to say that they loved each other. Jerel made my mom smile everyday. He was awesome when it came to playing with my little sister. He was a fantastic friend, I owe my life to him.

There isnt a day that goes by that I dont look at his picture and think about how much I miss him. I love you Jerel and I miss you every second of everyday.


I want to challenge all my readers how few of you there are, Go through this week and tell every one in your life how much they mean to you. You never know when they are going to leave and you dont want to regret never saying goodbye or never telling them how much you care for and love them.

Much Love
Claresa

The best Chili Verde

So Darin and I were at Harmons a couple of weeks ago and they had a lady demoing The Spoon Roast. Well we decided that we were going to try it. It seemed easy.... We went shopping today and got the things needed for it. We had a long day of making this... let me tell you it is worth the wait. I am IN love with this pork. It is so nummy! I feel SO proud of myself, this was the first time I have ever used a crock pot... When I lived with my dad we at Fast Food every night... for 6 years... excluding family dinners at my grandma's or when I was with my mom. I am trying to learn from the mistakes and be a better wife.

SO anyway life here at the porter house is the same but at least we are alive! I am going to go on a mass Application spree next week and try to get a job some where near here and be able to move out and live on our own again. I am tired of being talked to like I am 3 years old. I do understand that I have been unemployed for a while....but I am still looking hard core.

I am working on a blanket again... I am also trying to read more.. I have decided to work on the list of books I have read. I am working on Pride and Prejudice... slowly when I get a chance to read....

well I need to be going, Hugs and Kisses
Claresa

V-day

Hello everyone! Darin and I have decided to wait till next week to do anything... It will be late Valentines and a day of remembrance for me... 9 years ago next Sunday, someone SUPER special to my mom, sister and me was murdered... Jerel Aaron Nebeker was basically my step dad, just with out the paper saying that they were married. I will write more about him later! I swear..

So to my Husband Thank you for the hours of hugs, while I was crying... sorry for having mental breakdowns every other day. I love you whether I say it... Thank you for the endless tickle backs even when you really needed sleep.You are the best! Thank you for understanding how important Jerel was... Sorry for ruining our valentines day with crying for him. I love you!

To my mom, Thank you for the support and the love! You have no idea how much I LOVE YOU... I miss you everyday.  I will always be your baby girl and Resa Pickles

To my Dad I love you SO much. Thank you for teaching me to be the person I am. Thank you for just being there when I needed a day away. I so thankful for everything you have done for me and Katie... you will never know just how much I love and care for you even if I don't show it
To my Lil' sister, I may not say it enough but GUTZ more than ever. You are the best... I could have never even thought that we would be so close I never thought we could get along but I am glad that you and I have worked things out....

To my friends Thank you for the years of being there! Thank you for just knowing when to tell me to shut up.... I love you guys. Thank you For being you!

Valentines is a day to be with or thank the ones you love for loving you... at least that's what I think.

To Write Love on Her Arms

Please go and to your face book and vote and help me save lives..... TWLOHA saved me please help me to save others go here http://postsecret.blogspot.com/2010/01/help-win-1000000-for-suicide-prevention.html


Thank you

New Years resolutions

I think I should share my goals.. for this next year

• Start looking for my biological mom
• continue learning to be a better wife
• spend more time with my mom and dad
• start on the road to loosing at least 100 pounds
• more photography
• more poetry
• crochet another blanket
• go back to school
• get ready to be parents(no i am not pregnant)
  

Here is some of what I have accomplished this last year

• finished my first blanket
• some poetry
• grown in ways that i didnt expect

but any ways I am so grateful for my family and friends they have taught  me so much over the last year lets hope that everything is even better this year

The New Year

I suppose i should write about Christmas and new years eve eh?

ok... So Christmas was quite mellow compared to last year, but i did miss a couple members of my family... My little sister and mom went on a cruise to Mexico then they spent Christmas in Disneyland...any way... i woke up early... so early i was up before my father in law who is usually up at 6 to work on his stocks... weird for the girl who doesn't wake up till 12... Darin and i went upstairs and got coffee and waited for everyone to wake their butts up... we open presents.... I got

•  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies the book
• Toe socks
• regular socks
• fuzzy slipper socks with peppermint lotion for my feets
• 2 beanies
• chocolate mint orange
• The ugly truth
• a new battery for the phone
• 50 first dates
• wedding date
• dreamgirls
• i used the money from Grandma Sugar to get some pants...

My dad is going to do what he did last year... that is just take me shopping for the things i need... I love my family, I just hope that this year is the beginning of a fantastic decade. I want everyone reading this to be safe and I hope your new year is everything you expect it will be and more

:hugs:

Claresa and Darin