Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

My Dad and I, in honor of finally getting past his hearing this past Friday. (AKA the reason  I've been in a funk and not up to blogging)The man that hit him and caused all of our family devastation (Mangled leg, not able to walk, loss of mobility, depression, death of my dad's girlfriend) is going away for 6 years, 9 months and some.  I'm glad for the closure, but doesn't exactly feel like justice....

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Another blogger award!

I am so so very humbled and grateful to have received another Stylish Blogger award!



ThaiHoa over at Tootie Foodie has graciously awarded me.  You should definitely check out her blog! Not only is it beautiful, but its chock full of amazing recipes, healthy snacks, and great ideas!

In order to completely accept this award it is asked that one:

1. Thank and link back to the person that has given you this award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Award some blogs that you feel deserve this award as well.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.



Here's another Seven Things about me!

1.  My dream car is a Subaru WRX. I love these beauties! They are awesome!



2.  My Favorite Movie of ALL time is Dirty Dancing!

3.  My favorite TV Show of all time is Glee!!



4.  I love to sing. In the shower, in the car...doesn't matter, I will always sing.

5. I would like three tattoos...eventually.
I want to get a small version of this on my wrist, small enough to see the detail, but easily covered by a wide bracelet or watch if I would have an interview or something professional going on. Luckily my work is okay with tattoos as long as they're not too flashy, big, or offensive.
 

 I also want to get some small angel wings on my mid-spine. I haven't found a design yet that I actually love. I'm looking for something small, that can serve as a memorial to lost loved ones, but also a celebration of my own life. I want to put the tattoo on the site of my spinal fractures. Something like the ones above..but..it's still missing....something.



Finally, my best friend Melanie and I have plans to get butterfly tattoos. Something small, probably on the back of our necks or behind our ears. Not sure yet whether it will be the same tattoo for both of us or just something similar....Here's one I found that I really liked.



6.  My best friend in the whole world, mentioned above, is Melanie Parks. We've known each other since 6th grade and I can not be more thankful for having her in my life.  She makes me laugh, keeps me strong, and is more of a sister than a friend. I love you Melbanie!


7.  The light of my life, and one of my reasons for living, is my niece, Hailey. Just hearing her say my name makes my day better, and makes me smile for hours. I love her more than almost anything!!!



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

I miss my baby...I want a baby...
My fiance with our niece, Hailey. <3

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Wow, My First Blogger Award!




I am very honored to accept my first ever blogger award!!!!  Danielle, over at Flip Flop Reviews has awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award! Mostly, my layout is a premade template provided by Blogger, set over a layout from thecutestblogontheblock.com. I really like how the hummingbird is just layered over the other layout!

In order to completely accept this award it is asked that one:

1. Thank and link back to the person that has given you this award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Award some blogs that you feel deserve this award as well.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.

Seven Things About Me:

1. I can not eat in the dark. It drives me bonkers! I have to turn some sort of light on. I've even had to ask to be moved in restaurants so that I'm sitting under a better, lit table. 


2. I am engaged to be married to the love of my life, Nicholas! We are getting married on 5/7/11! It really is getting close, and we are so excited, but nervous!


3. I am terrified of vampires. The fear has gotten better since I've gotten older, and the installments of Twilight, but I still have a hard time with them. I can not watch any really scary movies with vampires in them. I'll have nightmares for weeks.


4.  I have one angel baby in heaven. He or she was conceived right around this time last year, and was due to be born on December 10, 2010. Unfortunately, I suffered a miscarriage at 8 weeks, 2 days on May 1st, 2010.


5. I teach preschool. I have a class of 16 three, four and five year olds. They are exhausting but I love it!


6. I did theater in highschool and college. I miss being on stage more than anything!


7. I don't have many friends, but the friends that I do have are VERY special to me!

Monday, March 21, 2011



Meet Me Monday Bloghop!

Ashley @ Life As I Know It is hosting a blog hop! Head on over and link up!!

Here are the questions!!
Questions:
1. What jewelry do you wear 24/7? ~ My engagement ring, an earring in the cartilage of my left ear, and some sort of necklace. Usually a set of wings to represent the loss of four of our family members in four months.

2. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Twirl.
 
3. How many siblings do you have? One younger sister, Angelica.

4. Were you named after anyone? Lindsay Wagner. She was a movie star, way back when.

5. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi! My favorite is Wild Cherry Pepsi.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Three Years

Three years ago today, I was in a terrible accident and survived. I wanted to take some time out today to post about it and how lucky I feel to be alive. 

This is the road leading up to the bank that my car hit. The bank is about 2 feet high, it's definitely bigger than it looks.  Basically, my left front tire on my car blew and sent my car over the yellow line towards an oncoming car. I saw the car and jerked my wheel to avoid it, not knowing there was a wheel on my car without a tire on it. The hubcap dug into the road and flipped my car on its side.  The car was only going about 45 mph but when I hit the bank, it propelled me to about 90. I hit the bank, went airborne, and then the car flipped upside down.

Once my car came down on hits roof on the bank, it rolled down the bank and slid down the street for about a 100 feet.

This is what the road looked like after my car was moved.
This is my car. We're still amazed that I walked out of the hospital that night.

A local subaru dealer let us store my car at their shop for quite some time, and stripped it for parts.



See how the roof is dented like that? The police said that had I had my seatbelt on, I would have been killed instantly when the impact of the roof hit my head. Instead, I was able to lay down and roll with the car. The hood of the car actually ripped up and covered the windshield as it was sliding down the street which prevented me from flying out of it.

I left the hospital on very shaky feet, because it was very painful to walk. I had class embedded in my head, two compression fractures in my mid spine, two goose eggs on the side of my head, a severe concussion, a busted lip, and a sprained foot because it had gotten trapped under the dashboard.

I'm not writing all this to get attention or anything I just look back on it with awe and because this is my blog, I wanted to post it here as well.  Today, I'm happy to be here!

Welcoming Spring...I think? A tribute.

Wow, today is the first day of Spring. Thank goodness it's finally here.

Although, the weather does not look like it will cooperate the rest of the week. Snow and rain showers and quite low temperatures for us around here!  All while the last few days were sooo beautiful. And we wonder why we get sick!!! 

Today my fiance's grandmother and her daughters held a beautiful bridal luncheon in mine and Nick's honor. Basically just a way for the families to get together and spend time getting to know one another before the actual wedding day. It was very nice!!

We sat and talked and had appetizers of prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears and chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce. We also had mimosas! First mimosa I've ever had and it was wonderful :) After the appetizers we enjoyed a lunch of a ham and asparagus strata, I believe it's called. It was made with ham, Ciabatta bread, sharp cheddar cheese, milk, eggs and asparagus. We also had a beautiful fruit salad of  fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and black berries, served with a lemon yogurt. YUM!  I am not a huge fan of asparagus but still ate everything, it was so good! I was a happy girl!  I am waiting to receive pictures, taken by Kate. When I receive them, I will be sure to post a few.

Sitting there today, watching Nick's two grandmothers, with my surviving grandmother, made me so very happy that we could remember this day and everyone being together. But the entire time, my hand found itself clasping the delicate gold necklace around my neck. A necklace that was given to me by my Mom's Mom, who rightly so, I called Mom Mom.  She passed away shortly before I lost the baby last year, and our family is definitely different without her. She was SUCH  a life force in every function that was held. So strong, funny and now, a presence that is dearly missed!

My grandmother and I. She hated having her picture taken so it always warms my heart to think that she smiled for this picture with me. It was taken at my 21st birthday party, so about 4 years ago.

I miss you Mom Mom. It's just not the same without you. <3

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Jada Micheals

Recently I won a giveaway, posted on Flip Flop Reviews for a gift certificate towards merchandise from http://www.jadamichaels.com/

I used the gift certificate on some unmentionables for my wedding night ;).  Jada has been absolutely amazing!
I was able to order something I absolutely LOVE! There was a mix up with the shipping and after I emailed the business, Jada emailed me herself to apologize and correct the mistake. In my eyes, that shows not only her reliability but the reliability of the entire business. I will be using her company for any official business in the future, and encourage my readers to check her out!

 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I have a post in the works about all the things that are currently or have ever annoyed me, but I don't want to dampen spirits by posting that today.

Today, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. And because I'm like 60 percent  (or more) Irish, I am obligated to, somehow, celebrate.

I saw this quote on Facebook today and loved it.


May the Leprechauns be near you to spread luck along your way, And may all the Irish angels smile upon you on St Patty's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
And because a day doesn't go by without me missing my angel, some Irish love from him too...
 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I've been a bad blogger!

I really have been a bad blogger lately!

Things have been crazy busy with all the wedding planning!


Please take a second and view our amazing wedding website, made on theknot.com.

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/LindseyShelley&NicholasAlbright
I really worked hard on it! I can't believe we only have 53 days to go...the next few months/days and weeks are going to be very busy with wedding things, work things, and stuff surrounding my Dad's hearing. So please forgive me if I don't post as regularly as I should!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop




I am taking part in a blog hop hosted over at "For the love of blogs".


My most FAVORITE drink has to be the MUDSLIDE




I am obsessed with this drink! It is oh sooo yummy. I can drink it on ice, as a bottled type of cocktail, but my most favorite way is with chocolate syrup and lots of whipped cream.

Applebee's probably has the best Mudslide out of the many I've had, although Red Lobster makes them very well as well!

Do you have a favorite drink? Happy Thirsty Thursday!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Read It: I Will Carry You

I finally finished reading Angie Smith's new book, I Will Carry You.



http://www.amazon.com/Will-Carry-You-Sacred-Dance/dp/080546428X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299282700&sr=8-1   (<---Order it Here!)


I Will Carry You is a beautifully written, spiritually driven account of Angie and Todd Smith's journey to expand their beautiful family.  Through ultrasound, they find out that their beautiful fourth daughter would not make it. They chose to carry their daughter to term, and received a miracle when they were given almost three beautiful hours to spend with their new little one. Her name, was Audrey Caroline. And her short life changed the world in more ways then her parents and society would ever know.


I have to say, having experienced an Early Miscarriage, this book was very helpful to me. It helped me to sort through my grief, and help me to feel as if I'm not alone. I respect Angie very much for her willingness to share her story with the world. Something she said in her book also really resonated with me. She mentioned that, no matter if you had an Early, Middle or Late Miscarriage, every loss is still a loss and we all have to grieve in our own way. EVERY loss is important, Every loss is meaningful to that Mother. It hits every woman differently. I really feel as if Angie really explained this in her book.

The book definitely had some tearful moments, especially the letters to Audrey from her Mommy and Daddy. It was an eye opening, heart wrenching, book.  The pictures, and the bible verses made me feel as if I was reading right out of her own journal! I recommend it to any Baby Loss Mama!  MOST IMPORTANTLY, I would also recommend it to any one that has a family member or friend, that has experienced a loss. It will help you understand what those going through or who have had a loss are feeling.

Angie has a blog that she started to share Audrey's Story. Please go, read and learn more about this amazing family!

Her husband Todd, is one of the lead singers of the Christian group, Selah. They wrote a special song called "I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song). Pulls at my heart EVERY time. Please watch it.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

One Pot Tuna Casserole with Pepper Jack Cheese!

This was our yummy dinner for this evening. It's something I make at least once a month or a little less.

We are huge pasta fans in our house :0 LOL. I forgot to take pictures of it when it was finished, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

And yes, I realize it's probably not the most healthy thing in the world, but its yummy and warm..perfect for a cold evening and you need some comfort food. 

Also, we usually make more than we need because it heats up so well, if you don't want left over just cut the recipe in half.

Step 1- Boil a pot of water with just a little bit of salt. Watch the water for boil over, especially after you add the shells!

Step 2- While you are waiting for the water to boil/the noodles to cook, shred one 8 oz block of pepperjack cheese and set aside in a small bowl. This is slightly spicy in the casserole, but adds more flavor and makes the meal more dimensional. You can add half pepperjack and half something else if you'd like less of a kick. I'd suggest Mozzerella or Monterey Jack as it will melt and mix nicely.


Step 3-Once the water is boiling, add one box of medium shells. We used the generic Shurfine brand.


Step 4-Once your noodles have boiled for ten minutes add one bag of frozen peas and bring to a boil. Boil for another 4 minutes, stirring frequently. The peas will get tender and float to the top.

Step 5- Drain noodle and pea mixture completely, do not rinse! I have a really awesome pot that has a strainer attachment on top, but if you don't have this, just pour into a regular strainer and then back into your original pot.


Step 6- To your pot of noodles, add 1 can of  Cream of Mushroom and 1 can of Cream of Broccoli. Once the soups have been added stir and put mixture on low heat.




 Step 7- To the mixture you now have, add just a little bit of milk. We use 2 percent. I kind of just eyeball it. You don't want it to get to watery, but the soups are pretty thick, and once you add the cheese, it gets even thicker. I'd say its about a soup can full or so. I add it over time as I see the mixture develop.


Step 8- Now use your hands to break up and add two cans of completely drained/dry  Chunk Light Tuna, stirring as you add it.

Step 9- Finally- Slowly add your shredded pepper jack cheese or whatever else you decide to use. Stir as you add it. The low heat will help to melt it and bring everything together. Make sure everything is completely stirred together before serving.
 In my own personal opinion the pasta, cheese and soups add enough salt that you shouldn't need to add any extra, and the pepper jack obviously is spicy enough that you shouldn't need pepper.  Dish out into serving bowls and enjoy!
 


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Beautiful Hailey Rose, my 18 month old niece <3

Our Journey towards Making a Family

Long Version : Our Journey Blog Post
Go here to learn about how we got our start..and where we are now!

Short Version:
11-28-2008- Started Dating

2-14-2010- Got Engaged :)

4-3-2010- First Positive Test- Baby 1 due 12/10/10

5-1-2010- Miscarriage at 8wks2days

12-10-2010- Estimated Due Date for Baby 1

5-5-2011- Second Positive Test- Baby 2 due 1-12-12
5-7-2011- We are Married!! :)
5-14-2011- Miscarriage at 5wks2days

6-16-2011- Repeated Pregnancy Loss blood work
6-23-2011- HSG looks good!
6-23-2011- dx positive ANA- Anti Nuclear Antibodies

07-05-2011- Rheumatologist Appointment
7-11-2011- dx Low Vitamin D levels. Start Prescription Vitamin D and baby aspirin

09/2011- Officially No Longer Preventing

10/5/11-First cycle Actively Trying. AF shows up

11/21/11-Celiac Bloodwork Negative, Vit D still lower than normal, start another prescription. Continue prenatals with Vit. D as well

01-12-12-Estimated Due Date for Baby 2
01/12-Vit D in normal range, start over the counter Daily Calcium with Vit D supplement per Rhuematologist.

2/15/12-Appt with new Ob who is more proactive with Progesterone Testing-suspects progesterone issues.

2/15/12- 5/9/12-Stop trying and start new charting method (Creighton) to watch for hormone imbalance.