50 Free Photo Cards!!!

Want 50 FREE photo cards?? Follow this link and compose a blog about this wonderful giveaway! Think of all the people you were going to send Holiday cards to anyway....you can do it this way.  Make Christmas cards here-  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards  or Holiday Cards here- http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards You can even skip Christmas and go straight to New Year's Party invitations- http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/new-years-cards. 

It's a great way to personalize the cards the way you want it and send out a picture of something fun you did that year, all in 1 step! I plan to use them to send out to my fellow Nestie friends and family members.  I have so many ideas running through my head and I can't wait to get started.  I did them last year and they came out great!  It was a good way to share a wedding picture and wish everyone "Happy Holidays" without sending out multiple items.     I can't wait to get started on my new ones this  year! :)

New Blog

Some of you may or may not know that Edgar and I are in the process of trying to conceive a child.  Things aren't going as planned (but what ever is!) and so I decided to make a blog about everything going on.  You can follow if you wish.  www.lauraandedgar.blogspot.com

Leavin on a jet plane....

Well guys.  It's finally here.  The long weekend where I get to see this...

Boston Skyline

{www.destination360.com}

TD Gardens - Home of the Boston Celtics <3

{www.boston.sportsthenandnow.com

{www.platformtennis.org}

Empire State Building 

{www.travelang.com}

Lady Liberty

{www.virtualtourist.com}

 

Time Square 

{www.bestnycvacationapt.com}

Hopefully when I get back I will have my own pictures to post!!  Be on the look out.  

I did it...

Yesterday I caught my 2nd flight ever!  The mile stone was that I flew for the first time by myself.  It was a bit rocky and a ton of turbulence but I made it safe and sound.  I flew to Dallas-which is like a 4-4 1/2 hr drive but we chose to fly which was only 35 minute air time.  My Principal's Mom lives right by the airport so we were able to stay the night at her house.  We attended a seminar and it was really eye opening and encouraging to switch the way we have been running things to the way the presenter would like us to start running things.  It could start ruffling a couple of people's feathers but I think for the most part it will be pretty good.  

Tomorrow is the homecoming Parade for our high school and it's a big town event.  We will be attending that and then Friday is the homecoming game.  They are playing our rival so I'm excited to see the game.  E works this weekend and I will start going through our clothes and decide what we are going to take and what we aren't going to take.  I'm excited.  We fly out to Boston in just 2 weeks and 2 days!!! :) 

Finally!

Remember this post?

And then we decided to cancel?  

Well THIS time-it's true!  We're going.  Not only are we going to NYC but we are also going to Boston and New Jersey to stay with K & M!!  Talk about super exciting.  After joining theknot.com and  planning my wedding with these girls and talking everyday for almost 2 years.  Then getting married and moving over to thenest.com and talking to these girls for another 1.5 years-I finally get to meet them.  I call them my nestie besties and in all honesty-I don't know how I would get through some of the things I have, if they had not been there for me to talk too.  We leave October 8th at 6:30 and land in Boston at 3:45.  Not only is it going to be a time difference but it's also going to be a MAJOR weather climate change.  I'm a 100% Texas girl.  We don't have 4 seasons. Our weather changes every 10 minutes.  If you're cold-wait it out-it will change.  Apparently, they actually have something called "Fall".  This has made me dig in my closet/storage for "Fall like" clothes and pray that it's not too cold. lol 

I've been searching through the internet for things to do in NYC for the 1.5 days we are going to be there.  Once again I'm overwhelmed and I already know we are going to need to make another trip up there soon.  Either way-we're going and I can't be even more excited about anything else right now!  We leave in 19 days and I already want to start packing.  

On another note.  I have a dr's appointment next week.  I have to go and do bloodwork on either Monday or Tuesday-depending when I end up making it in.  Looks like I will be starting on fertility meds as soon as my dr gives me the okay.  I'm pretty excited about that as well.  I'll keep you all updated.  I'm trying to be a better blogger. :) 

Blog Party!

Thanks to my friend Kate I decided to join the Party!  This is my first year so I hope to obtain many new followers and friends!  A little bit about me.

I got married July 11, 2009.  I just turned 25 in March.  I come from a VERY family oriented family and they all mean the world to me.  Along my 25 years of living I've lost my Dad when I was 18, my Sister when I was 23 and my Mom the most recently last June, just under a month before my wedding.  Life has been tough but I've gotten through it...with the help of my loving husband.  We've only been married less than a year but have spent the last 7 years together.  I can't even imagine a better support system for myself.  We are currently trying to conceive and are struggling.  That's been a journey in itself and I plan to blog about it along the way.  I've also decided I wanted to get "healthier" so I've been exercising 6x a week and I'm enjoying it!! I've started many exercise programs and haven't succeeded...so this is a BIG accomplishment.  I also plan to blog about my journey on trying to lose weight and all those struggles, accomplishments, failures, and everything else that comes with it! 

I'm excited you all decided to stop by and please read back on my other posts!  Follow me and comment so I can follow you as well! 

Some of the prizes I would love to win would be:

40- One winner will receive a 3 day 2 night stay from Holiday Inn Main Gate East in Kissimmee, FL (less than 2 miles from Disney World) a value of $250. Provided by: Holiday Inn Main Gate

72 – Your Shape for Nintendo Wii A fitness video game featuring Jenny McCarthy Comes with a motion tracking camera! All for one lucky winner! Provided by: Kristie’s List

105 – Get Fit Pack: One “lucky” winner will get a triple threat of Jillian Michaels. Pack contains 30 Day Shred, Yoga Meltdown, The Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout. Pack also includes an aluminum water bottle to help stay on track and stay hydrated! Provided by: Green Mom Wannabe

USC3, USC15, USC21

There is a light....

Photo {www.SeanPAune.com}

Okay, well today while I was getting dressed ( I got to wear jeans to work today and it's not even a Friday!!! Thank you TAKS!!!)  and I realized they felt a teeeeeennnnnny bit looser.  Turns out, I got to tighten my belt to the next hole!  Now, this may not be something to celebrate to alot of people-but to me, its great!!!  I'm excited to finally see some kind of results.  I've been working my butt off and continuing with the running program....which is a MAJOR PLUS for me!  I might actually enjoy running.  Once the weather gets much nicer out, and not dark and gloomy like it is today-I might start running oustide. 

I'm a horrible, horrible, blogger!

Soo many things have happened since I last updated you all. I went to see the dr again. She took more blood and said she doesn't want me to start taking any fertility drugs until I am 100% ready. I'm thinking a little more time spent on getting down some lbs might do the trick, so that's my main focus.
On that note, I've been working out. AND not only working out but I've been sticking to it. I think I'm going on about 5 full weeks of consistant Zumba and also I'm doing this again. I'm about to start my 2nd week and its awesome to get back into running again. I'm already down 4.5 lbs since my last dr's appointment and while I'm feeling great, I hope it continues!! On Mondays, Wednesdays AND Thursdays I do Zumba, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays I run the c25K and on Saturdays....well it ends up being my off day but I think we will start going on walks. I was lacking in the motivation department but then it hit me and I've been nonstop since. I could definately work on my eating habits a little more, but now that I've been working out I've been WAY more cautious about what I put in my mouth and have dropped Sodas like a bad habit. This is a BIG accomplishment because I had to have a Dr. Pepper or Coke daily or else I would get the biggest headache known to mankind. Now, its straight water. I do get my caffeine kick with tea occasionally but as of right now, it will work.
My nephew Robson is cutting 3 teeth, his 2 top teeth and 1 bottom. He's been a crying mess lately. Good thing Edgar and I get to watch him on Saturday! lol Also, my older nephew Michael and his girlfriend and my soon to be niece had their baby on April Fools Day. He was an 8 lbs 15 oz cute bundle of joy. His name is Landon, and while she went into labor on the 31st (which would have been my Dad's 55th birthday) he felt the need to be born on HIS AUNT's, my niece, Miranda's 13th birthday.
I also turned 25. I was sad about turning 25 the whole week leading up to my birthday. My sister cooked dinner for me. It was also a reality check when I realized it wasn't my Mom that was going to be cooking for me and that was hard to swallow. In the end, I had a great birthday and I am looking forward to what is going to happen this year. I hope its a great year for me and Edgar both. I see some really great things happening in our future.
Well....its Monday and its back to work I go. Have a great week!
P.S. Edgar and Have been keeping up with our goals for 2010 and we have seen a movie every month AND we went to see the Boston Celtics vs the Dallas Maverics in March. It was so much fun!

Update

I realized I forgot to update on my Dr's appointment.

I went to the appointment with my RE. She was WONDERFUL! I was extremely nervous and couldnt sleep the night before, and she was so calming it helped out, alot! She just let me know that she wouldn't call it an "infertility issue" because its becoming more and more common and is becoming easier to fix. She just went over some things with me and prescribed me medicine called Prolodel and told me to take that once a day. She also let me know that I needed to get onto prenatal vitamins and start charting my temperatures everyday at the same time (6 AM!) before I get out of bed. Its been pretty easy so far, even on the weekends. I've been taking the medicine at night because it's supposed cause a lot of side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. but luckily I haven't had any of that happen to me. ::Knocks on wood!::

I had to get 8 tubes of blood taken (OUCH!) which left me bruises for 2 1/2 weeks...not even exaggerating. Then the next day I had to go and get an MRI done to see if I had those pituitary tumors. That was the scariest thing I've ever had to do! I even went to do an "open" one....but I just knew my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I counted to 100 like 17 times and then it was over. The MRI lasted about 25 minutes, and I have never felt soo relieved in my life hearing her say "ok, all done!" Music to my ears. :) I also had to get an IV so they could add some dye while they were doing the MRI which left me another bruise on my right arm that lasted a good 2 weeks, too!

Fast forward to last Wednesday, the 17th. I got a phone call from my Dr's office stating they got the MRI results and they were negative which meant NO TUMORS!! I was so happy I called Edgar immediately. It was like a big weight lifted off my shoulders. It was great to know that I wouldn't have to be struggling with that. They also told me to keep on my meds and come back March 31st for more bloodwork, to see if the meds are working.

Now, we've just been super busy with family and friend stuff. It seems like if its not a birthday, its a family gathering, baby shower, party, the list goes on and on. Oh well...that's life!

Edgar turned 24 on Valentines Day so we celebrated that with his family. Today he passed his 1st test for his CDL license which means he now has his permit and can start training on how to drive a big delivery truck. He's happy because he's moving up in the company and Im happy because its a pay increase! :)

I've been stalling...

on writing a post about this. It's my blog, I feel the need to write a post. Not very many people know about this, besides a very small number of people, including my husband.

We decided we were ready to start trying for kids. I made a dr's apppointment to talk about the steps I needed to take before we started to try 100%. A major question was why I wasn't having my cycle regularly. We did a blood test, and they took 3 tubes...and also made me give them a urine sample because I know I wasn't pregnant (after about 5 home pregnancy tests!) but because I haven't had my cycle since August it would only make sense I was. My hormone test came back fine except one thing. A hormone called prolactin was really high. She said she wanted me to schedule another blood test just too make sure because there were certain things that could make this hormone rise. I did another blood test and it still came back high.

All while waiting for the blood results to come back, I did my own research on the topic. This is what I found. At first I was a little uneasy about the whole thing. I mean-this could potentially be serious! But after talking to me DR the 2nd time and her reassuring me that this is not very harmful as long as its treated, it kinda helped me sit a little better. She requested I see an RE (which is who I'm calling later today to schedule an appointment with) and she said I will probably need an MRI. This is what I'm nervous about. I've never had an MRI but I was told to request an open one where the machine just goes around my head. I'm claustrophobic. Hopefully I get through it withouht panicking too much.

The first step to see if we can lower my prolactin level will be to take a pill (depending on which one im prescribed) however many times and see if that shrinks the tumor allowing the hormone level to lower. Hopefully that is all that I need to fix the problem but if not I will have to have surgery. After talking to my Sister about this, she was telling me that the same thing happened to one of my older cousins. She was told she couldn't have kids and ended up getting surgery and BAM! She got pregnant right away. The DR says this is not hereditary and that people just get this condition.

In no way am I fully educated on this medical condition, and ive been researching like crazy but I plan to keep it all on my blog throughout my whole process.

Oh the joys of being a grown up..

First, since when did this happen? When did I become a "grown-up"? Augh-life decisions are just so stressful. I've went through every emotion possible since my last post, and these are just a few things that I've thought of.

• Should we still go to New York?
• Should we just wait one more year and save more money for our house purchase?
• Should we work on paying down some of our debt before we even think about the house purchase?
• Are we crazy for thinking that this is okay....to buy a house right now?

I really feel like I'm going crazy thinking about all these things. Which has led me to my next statement. We are pushing back our househunting and homebuying experience one more year. I think next year at this time, when I ask myself these questions I will be able to answer them, honestly-not with just what I want to hear. I think part of being "grown-up" is allowing yourself to take a step back and see the big picture. I want to be able to go into this major step at 100% and know we did everything we could to make sure we had the best possible chance of doing everything right. I know this is the best decision for Edgar and I and I'm sure I will be thanking myself later. But right now, I feel defeated and it sucks!

Say it ain't so...

These are my new beauties from Target. They were $4 for each pillow cover and it gives my living room the "pop" I was looking for. I also went and bought some picture frames and made copies of our wedding pictures to hang up around the apartment. I love it. Next on our "to-do" list is going to be extra seating for our living room. This will probably wait because I have some very good news that is going to effect our Goals for 2010 but I'm happy to announce...

WE ARE GOING TO START THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS!

We are still going to be going to New York. This will be our last "shabang" before we get really serious and save. save. save. I am also happy to announce we have wonderful parents (E's Mom & Dad) that are willing to help us along the process and make sure we have everything looked at, taken care of, read, etc. Its all surreal. I would have never thought I could quite possibly become a homeowner in 2010!

6 months and a New Goal!

Yesterday marked 6 months of E and I being married! Is it possible to fall in love more and more everyday? Yes it is. I remember everyone asking "Is it different now that you're married". In hindsight-no it's not. We were already living together before we got married, we were already sharing money, we were already making lifetime goals....but in all actuality being married has been different. We connnect on a whole other level. We haven't felt the need to argue over any pity little things like we used to and its great! It might just be temporary or it might last a while-but I'm really loving this whole married stuff! :)

Yesterday I made a goal, for myself. We leave to New York in 7 Fridays, and I figured I'm not gonna make time go by any faster watching and waiting for every second to tick bye. I figured I needed to do something. I made a workout plan for myself and I started it last night. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I am going to do this. Since according to this plan you're not supposed to run everyday, on Tuesdays and Saturdays I am going to do this. And on Thursdays I am doing this bad boy! If you want information about the Zumba classes I'm attending and are interested in joining the fun just let me know. Its only $5 a session and its on Thursdays from 6:30-8:00. I'm really trying to make exercising fun, so I can get in the habit and not quit, and I'm hoping this is the way to do it! Sundays will be my relaxing days and hopefully by the time Sundays comes around Ill want to do a quick video on exercise tv or something. Yes-I want to be that trophy wife-but who doesn't!?!?!

Goals for 2010

Just as the title states-Edgar and I have come up with 10 goals to accomplish by December 31, 2010. If we accomplish everything, great! If not-that's fine too. We want to do more things together and to have fun before we settle down and have a mortgage payment-family to raise-other "grown-up" things. :)

1. Open up a savings account and contribute monthly.

2. Go to New York.

3. Plan a trip to New Orleans.

4. Go Canoeing.

5. See a NBA, MLB, NFL (it doesn't matter which one) game.

6. Buy extra seating for our living room.

7. See 11 movies in theatre. (1 per month)

8. Pay off some if not all of our debt.

9. Go to a concert.

10. Buy a new computer.

We'll see how many of these things we can accomplish and I'm really excited to start checking these off our list. Here's to a great year!

Big City, Big Dreams, the Big Apple!

{Photo from yahoo travel}

Yes my friends, the hubs and I (along with a cousin and her boyfriend) are gonna make the trip to New York City!!! This is beyond exciting. This is great. This is amazing. This is I could go on forever. We're going in February and we're staying for 4 days. I've already made plans to hang out with Kate . I've also made a list of about 16 things to see and do while we're there. Some of those things are visiting the museums, central park, bryant park, ground zero (emotional), the statue of liberty, brooklyn bridge, the famous macy's, 2 catholic cathedrals, rockefeller center, china town, and little italy. Oh can't forget to take a ride in a horse carriage around central park! We will be staying in Times Square so that will be VERY exciting.

I'm hoping to score some excellent shopping along the way! I'm pretty sure the first ohhh 4 (days) hours I will be in culture shock but I mean seriously-this is a dream come true!?!? Coming from "Small Town Texas" to "Big City America" is going to be fantastic....I think every person deserves to see New York City at least once in their life. Hopefully this won't be first and last....I hope its many more to come!
Big Apple here we come!!! Oh, and like the great Jay Z and Alicia Keys say..sing

In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York,

New York, New York

P.S. Since Edgar and I never took a honeymoon, could this be it?