The Nuffer Nest

Today is our 5 year anniversary.  I have been thinking back on all I put Jim through 5+ years ago.  Poor guy, I was very scared of marriage.  I loved him very much, but in the back of my mind I kept waiting for him to leave, and subconsciously, I kept pushing him to leave.  There's not one marriage in my family, in my lifetime, that has lasted or that has been a good marriage, so I was very afraid to fail. But here we are 5 years in and going strong.  Every day I love him more.  Every day I get a better look at just how big his heart is and how greatly he loves.  I don't know if he wakes up in the morning wondering how to make my day better or if it just comes naturally for him, but not a day goes by that he doesn't make my world a better place.  Honestly, I've said it before and I'll say it forever, Jim is a much better, kinder person than I am, and a great example for me on how to love.  He's not only an amazing husband, but he's also an incredible fat

So, it's no secret that Jim and I are both students and I'm a stay at home mom which basically means we are super poor .  ...I mean, super budgeted.  And my birthday is mid November, a couple weeks after Halloween, the week before Thanksgiving, 2 weeks before our anniversary, and about 6 weeks before Christmas.  Needless to say, my birthday gets skipped over every year.  My birthday just has terrible timing for our family.  ;)  Anyway, this year I expected the same, not much of anything- maybe some birthday hugs and kisses and a card from the boys that Jim helped them make (which usually makes me cry because I love them so much), and possibly a date night. BUT this year... Well, you all know now that I was pregnant and VERY sick.  I felt really good that day until nap time hit when the nausea decided to be extra strong.  Jim and I had planned a dinner date while my mom watched the boys.  I had already decided that I would definitely go out that night because Jim needed a br

I have been debating whether or not to publicly announce what our family has been through recently, but I decided to tell our story because of the many blessings we have received from all those that love us.  Jim and I got a little surprise awhile back when we found out that Nuffer baby #3 on the way (hence I've been "sick" for so long).  We weren't expecting another baby, but we were ecstatic nonetheless.  We had a lot of ups and downs with this pregnancy, beginning with a miscarriage scare due to my low pregnancy hormone numbers that weren't doubling correctly.  I went in to my first OB appointment expecting to confirm a miscarriage, but miraculously, there was a tiny little bean with a beautiful beating heart.  It was the 3rd most beautiful little heart I have ever seen. My OB warned me that our baby was still in the danger zone and he sent me to see a specialist the following week.  Again, miraculously, the following week our little bean had grown and had an e

Sadly, since I've been sick we only made one trip to the pumpkin patch this year and we didn't get too many pictures, BUT we had a great time!!  And Grandpa Tyler, Grandma Viv, and Grandma got to join us this year.  We went on a hayride out the the pumpkin patch and picked out some awesome pumpkins.  Then we went on another hayride that night to see a bunch of really cool carved pumpkins that were all lit up.  We didn't really get any pictures of the glowing pumpkins, but they were amazing. Grandpa Tyler found this tiny pumpkin for Austin and he loved this little pumpkin to death, literally.  He carried it around for a couple days until the pumpkin was soft and mushy from being "loved" so much.  It was so sweet how much he loved his little pumpkin.  Here's a picture of Austin's little pumpkin in tribute... **I just realized I don't have any pictures of Grandma at the pumpkin patch, but I promise she was there!  She even got to see a pu

While my dad and Vivian were in town it was my dad's birthday and Vivian's was just 2 weeks earlier so we threw them a good ole' Nuffer family birthday party complete with embarrassing hats and cheesy decorations! It's party time! Grandma and Grandpa with their cake. Happy birthday Grandpa Tyler and Grandma Viv!!!

I met my dad!  I blogged awhile back that after 32 years I had found my dad and my brother.  Well, I finally met him and his fiance, Vivian, last month. I was so worried that it would be awkward because my emotions about the whole experience have been so overwhelming, but it was really nice.  I was so surprised that there was no awkwardness at all.  In fact, it feels like I've always known him.  And Vivian is just wonderful, she's like an old friend.  Anyway, I'm very happy to report that the visit was fantastic!  It was good to spend time with both my dad and Vivian, and it was sad to see them go, but what a great visit we had together. I never thought I would have a picture of my mom AND dad.  ;)

Well it's time for Austin to start attending nursery.  When Jackson went to nursery for the first time he didn't even look back to see if we were with him, but I knew Austin would be a different story.  I didn't go to church that Sunday because I was sick, so it was just Daddy, Jackson, and Austin.  Daddy took him to nursery and had to stay for awhile, but then the nursery leader brought out Mega Blocks and Austin went off to play so Jim slipped out.  He did really well until the last hour of church when another baby bit or hit him and he was done with nursery for the day.  I can't blame him, it's a dog eat dog world in nursery. This is the start of his first day.  He doesn't look too excited... This is how sad he was when he was returned to Daddy.  Look at that sweet face.  Maybe next time will be better... I just like this picture because you can really see the resemblance between Daddy and Austin here.  Austin is his Daddy's mini-me!

Wow!  I have really dropped the blogging ball!  I keep putting the blog on my "to do" list, but as you can see I haven't gotten around to it.  So it's a little late, but here's Halloween 2012.  We only made it to one carnival and Trunk or Treat... Our pumpkins Every year I make a goal to make at least one of their costumes for a little stretch of my creativity and to add a little originality.  This year I made Jackson's knight costume.  It was a little rough around the edges, but he liked it. Austin HATED his costume!  Actually, he just hated the hood. He wasn't a fan of the carnival.  He's doesn't like new people or strangers so I think all of the people threw him off for the night because this was how he acted all. night. long. Jackson LOVED the carnival! It's almost impossible to get a good picture with both boys- Jackson and his crazy faces and Austin satisfying his urge to eat anything he can get his

"I would not be an enemy to any living soul" Well, I don't think I have any enemies, but I am certain I am not everyone's favorite person in the world.  I didn't know what to do with this month's challenge other than live my life normally.  I do not want to be anyone's enemy and I try not to be so.  Hopefully I did not gain an enemy in October.  ;) November's goal is missionary work, declaring the truthfulness of the gospel.  I am, admittedly, the WORST missionary on the planet.  This is a huge weakness for me.  I live the gospel as I know it and I am not afraid to announce that I'm LDS, and I'm sure everyone I know knows this about me, but I'm not very good at inviting friends to church or to meet with the missionaries.  At all.  I'll have to pray about this month's challenge as it's a difficult one for me, but I foretell some failure in my future...