Voyaging into the realm of Nerds: Part II

Last Friday, I went to the event I look forward to more than Christmas.

We had another Harry Potter Party to celebrate the release of the 7th movie coming this November. This is our 5th Potter bash, but only our 3rd costume party. It is now tradition to dress as a character from the book, have a feast, and teach a class (Hogwarts style).

(Back row, left) Fred and George Weasley, Yours Truly (Harry Potter), Hagrid, Nearly Headless Nick, Professor Dumbledore, (front row, left) Fleur Delacour, Professor McGonagall, and a Centaur (probably my favorite costume of the evening) Photo taken by the talented Janet (Dumbledore).

For my class this year, we did a little Divination and looked into the future of Harry and Voldemort. Watch the video here.

Thanks to my William for the fine movie editing and the rockin' Harry Potter theme music. Thanks to my brother-in-law, Alan, for sporting the sweaty mask and the short shorts. Thanks to my pal Carli for putting up with Sirius Black during the sweet Butt Light party (sorry he was such a jerk).

Oh, I hope there will be more parties like this soon! (Thank goodness the 7th movie is in 2 parts.)

This is my favorite picture because I'm laughing so hard at Hagrid (Ashlee). Good times, Haggy.

Free Birthday Meals = A pregnant girl's dream come true

(At Pizzeria Bianco....so dreamy delicious.)

Hello again.

Here's what's happened in the last month:

1) Continued to suffer through my 1st trimester. Mornings are bad...evenings are worse. Today is the 1st day of my 12th week, which means I'm supposed to start feeling better. Please pray I do.

2) School began. 31 students this year. So far, so good. But with so many new things going on this year at school it's hard to keep up with everything on my checklists.

3) Uhhh... I thought there was more, but I guess that's it.

With being sickly + school starting, that's really pretty much all I can do. It's really hard to be sick while teaching. I feel like I don't get much done during the day.

On top of all that, because of my excessive eating of hard candies to keep the nausea down, I constantly drool in front of my students. Boy, I would love to hear their recess conversations about me.

At least I've got something to forward to... my Birthday!

Here are the 4 reasons why:

1) Free dozen Krispy Kremes

2) Free dinner at Joe's BBQ

3) Free dinner at Joe's Farm Grill

4) Free dinner at Liberty Market

Yep, I'm hitting up all them places. I told William he could have my Farm Grill dinner so he doesn't feel left out (and because his birthday is less than a month away). On top of that, my Liberty Market dinner will be my lunch on Tuesday.

As you can see, I've put much thought into this.

I MAY have even drawn a map of our route tomorrow.

Here's to being 26!!!

P.S. A letter to my William:

Dear William,

Thank you for doing the dishes for the last 2 months. My sense of smell makes it nearly impossible to even step foot in the kitchen, especially near the sink. I will make it up to you someday. Actually, I think the free Joe's Farm Grill meal will do, so, you're welcome.

Love,

Jenny

I've been hiding.

BUT YOU FOUND ME!!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, friends. Thanks to those of you who noticed. You make me feel special.

Here's what's happened in this wonderful month of July:

July 2nd: Went to bed feeling pains.

July 3rd: Woke up with pains. Called Doctor. Told me to take a pregnancy test. YEAH! WE'RE PREGNANT!! Happy for about 10 minutes then pains get worse. Went to ER. Gave me pain meds. Went home.

July 4th, 5th: Pains, pains, and more pains.

July 6th: Pains, then around 10pm the worst pain of my life emerged. Went to mini ER.

July 7th: At 2am I took an ambulance to the big ER. At 11am, I went in for surgery, the kind where they put the camera through the belly button. They discovered my appendix ruptured. Had to do a major incision. Took it out.

July 8th-13th: Stayed at the hospital. (Those of you who have stayed in a hospital for more than 2 days, I feel your pain. Now every time I think of that place, I get nauseous.)

July 14th-16th: Enjoyed recovering from home.

July 17th: Felt much pain, went back to ER, told me I needed to stay at the hospital for a few days. Tears.

July 18th: Ultra-sound-guided-needle-getting-fluids-out-of-me procedure.

July 19th: Recovery in hospital

July 20th: Doctor came in, I said "Seriously get me outta here.", he said "Okay."

July 21st-Present Day: Morning sickness kicks in, which consists of feeling nausea from the time I wake up, until about 5pm, then I feel a little better until about 8pm and then it's back.

So that's it. Oh and I have to be back at school next Friday, not to mention getting my classroom ready, lessons planned, and figuring out how not to feel nauseous for my poor 5th grade students.

I'm not one to complain, but it feels nice to get it out there.

Now a few acknowledgements:

First, I'd like to thank my William. Throughout all of this, he's been by my side. Literally. There hasn't been one night where I've slept alone. Whether I was downstairs on the couch, or in the smelly, dingy hospital room, my William was there sleeping on the floor next to me or sleeping on an uncomfortable hospital cot. He's brought me my meds, drinks, food, magazines, things from upstairs/downstairs, grocery shopping, dishes, flowers, trips to Taco Bell, milkshakes, and the list goes on. And worst of all, he's had to endure my daily tears and complaints, yet ALWAYS finds a way to make me smile. I love love love love you William. Thank you thank you thank you.

Second, I want to thank my family. We took a trip to Greer last weekend, and even though I was sick for most of it, I had the time of my life. I can't even put into words how grateful I am to be born in this family. They aren't perfect, but they are so perfect for me. Heavenly Father really knew what He was doing when He clumped us together. (A special shout-out to my mom: Thanks for cleaning my house, bringing me smoothies, buying me presents, and the hundreds of other things you've done that I'm too sick to think of at the moment. You're the best mom/grandmother!)

Third, I want to thank family and friends who have listened to me gripe and complain about my whole ordeal. I love getting this kind of attention... where people put their arm around you and feel sorry and ask if there's anything they can do. It feels great, so thanks again!

Fourth, I want to thank the baby in my tummy. You've caused me a great deal of pain, nausea, and worry that nobody should EVER have to feel. But I can't wait to hold you and cuddle you and kiss you and smother you with toys and treats! We're gonna be bestest buddies. (Due March 12th)

I promise my future blog posts will be more fun.

Until then, I'm gonna go throw up.

I've voyaged into the realm of Nerds.

A couple weeks ago, MSNBC asked readers to submit photos of Star Wars costumes they've stitched. Yes, William and I did re-create costumes of Princess Leia and Han Solo. So of course William took the initiative to send our photo from Halloween of 2008.

Hello World:

That's us in the big photo. (This is the best screen shot we could get from the article itself.) If you would like to take a moment to actually read the article find it here. Our photo will be found with the other fans, 7th row last photo.

Water Warfare

Last night, William and I had a sleepover for the nephews.

We were going to go swimming, but instead we engaged in a battle of water balloons and water guns. You can see the rage written all over the faces of these boys. They definitely inherited this competition gene from MY brothers and I. Watch as the battle unfolds...

Here is Grant confidently running after he just mauled his younger brother with a water balloon...

...then Carson counterattacks!!! (While the rest of the nephews are wearing their shirts, notice Carson's the only one with his shirt off. He has yet to discover the 'pale skin' gene that has also infected the entire Coombs family)

It seemed that Emerson had just discovered the magic of water balloons and squirt guns. He only aimed at the grass. (Maybe he was testing the artillery for his team. When I asked if this was indeed his intention, he just said "Dinosaur.")

William got in on the action, but couldn't live up to the unstoppable force called Mitch...

... so Easton grabs a bazooka to save Uncle Will from his brother...

...Band of Brotherly Love.

Mitch committed a war crime by attacking Aunt Jenny who happened to be holding a very expensive camera. I was able to capture the moment for evidence. Watch as he shows no mercy:

Uncle Will decided he needed to teach these boys a lesson... with 2 SuperSoakers to the face.

Poor defenseless Carson...

And one last attack on Aunt Jenny with the camera:

Taking a break on a sprinkler (hey, if it feels good...):

THE FINAL ASSAULT!!!!!

After cleaning up the damage (175 water balloon remnants), we were able to recover from our battle wounds with an Orange Crush.

Other sleepover highlights:

1. Watching Emerson mooch a ride 5 times from another kid on the Merry-Go-Round at Peter Piper Pizza.

2. Carson pleading, "Please don't suck my blood!" after Grant tried on the fangs he won from playing games.

3. Listening to Carson sing "Fireflies".

4. Dance party complete with a strobe light and fog machine...(then the endless requests later that night to play "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson.)

5. Listening to Mitch complain about how lame my dance moves were. ("Stop Jenny, you stink!!!)

6. Watching '3 Ninjas' ("First we feast, then we felony!")

7. Only six hours of sleep (not really a highlight)

Have I mentioned how much I love summer?!

Summertime and the livin's easy

School's out and I wish I was here right now...

...William and I refuse to take down our party decorations from a month ago...

...and my new favorite thing to do is buy bouquets with various flowers and separate them into small vases...

...oh joy! Summer is here.

Toes and Beef

Guessing Game: Whose pedicured, meaty feet are behind my pale legs?

You guessed it!! It's William.

Today my lovely mom graciously treated us to a pedicure.

William enjoyed it immensely...and his feet look amazing.

Don't worry... we were treated to a MANLY lunch afterwards:

Kobe beef burgers at AJ's.

Thanks mom for a lovely Saturday!!