Sand Dunes

This past weekend I surprised Pat with an over night camping trip to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes near Traverse City, MI. We had perfect weather & came back so relaxed. It was a great time.

We saw a wild turkey that wanted to eat Turbo or was it the other way around? Emma was a bundle of nerves, out of her element but I think she had a good time. We walked around the camp ground with the dogs and they enjoyed all the new smells.

We enjoyed cooking hotdogs over the bonfire, Pat brought his solar panels so we could listen to music and have light once it got dark.

The pictures arent in order but hope you enjoy them!

I did it!

So I went for my first acupuncture appointment today! I just got home and actually feel relaxed. I think that 45min of laying in a chair listening to soft music might have something to do with it!

Before I left she put two seeds on each ear and taped them on. She told me that the one in my ear is stimulating the acupuncture points for the IVF/stress/wellbeing/etc. The second one outside of my ear is so I dont smoke. She said if I get the urge to just push on the seed. So far so good!

Acupuncture

With our upcoming IVF in August I have been doing alot of research on how I can de-stress, help improve the success, and try to enjoy this whole process.

After many nights researching info on the internet I found myself going back to one treatment...acupuncture. I started to look into the treatment and find success rates, info, and pleasant outcomes. Im not a fan of needles and I was at first turned away from acupuncture due to the fact that for the next 1 1/2 months needles will be my life.

I called around to several different places close to home but became quite discouraged due to the cost of the treatments. We were looking at spending $400-$600 for 4-6 treatments! We are already paying so much for the IVF and just couldn't afford to spend that kind of money. So I gave up on the thought of acupuncture until...I came across a place in Livonia. They understand that normal income people are struggeling in this economy, they understand that not everyone can afford a weekly trip to have acupuncture done and spend $100 each time. They have created a sliding scale for payment. You choose how much to pay. Their sliding scale is anywhere from $20-$40 a visit. They want it to be affordable for everyone so they can continue the needed treatment and not break the bank.

Well I made an appointment for today and Im going to have my first visit with Linda. Im so excited and really hope that this will increase our success of the IVF. Medical studies have shown that women doing an IVF cycle and accupuncture have an increase in eggs that are of good quality and size, and stronger thicker lining of the uterine wall (which helps implant the eggs), and it releases stress which will reduce the number of contractions my body will put off so there is a lower risk of miscarraige.

I plan on going once a week up until the week of our IVF. The day before our egg retrieval I will go for a treatment and the day they do the IUI with our embryos I will go back. Depending on how I feel I may need to do the day after instead.

I will keep you all posted on my acupuncture adventure. Fingers crossed that this will be a positive and successful adventure!

Field Day 2009

For the past 3 years we have hosted Field Day at our house. Field Day is where Pat's radio buddies come over and have a contest. This contest is world wide and you have to make as many contacts around the world as possible in a 24 hour period. I usually hide out in the house, come out to check on them, make coffee early in the morning, make sure they have dinner and breakfast.

Above is Pat setting up an antenna in the tall pine trees in the back field behind our house.



He did it! He threw the line to the top of the trees and was able to run a line to "camp"


They set up solar panels, a shade tent and a few chairs this year in the back.



Here it is in all its glory CAMP FIELD DAY 09 AT THE CLOUSE HOUSE



Pat mowed a path and a patch in the field for their camp. It was so hot out. Poor Pat and Ben got a little too much sun. Hopefully the pizza I ordered for dinner and the huge pancake breakfast I made them helped!




The guys out in the field hooking up the antenna



One of Pat's antenna's they used for Field Day. This use to be on the side of the house, but Pat moved it to the back of the barn so I wouldn't have to see it anymore :)



Pat's radio that he used.



Another table of radios

Ham Fest 2009

Every May since Pat was little he would go to Dayton, Ohio with his Dad to Ham Fest.

Ham Fest from what I've been told is a giant swap meet filled with radio's, gadgets, antennas, and junk. Pat looks forward to his trip every year and his dad drives all the way from Arizona to go with him.

They have such a great time and make so many lasting memories each year.





This is the Red Ryder group. I guess they always set up crazy things around their tent and have off the wall stuff you can only find in a down south garage sale. I've been told they have bra's you can sign!
Wow, getting a little crazy guys!










I've always wondered why I can never find a decent picture of Pat being serious...guess he takes after his dad!













Pat playing with his radio in the hotel

Pat & Family

Last month Pat went out to visit his family in Utah. He had such a great time seeing his sisters, his niece Alta, Rich, and his Mom.

The trip was short but he was able to spend some good quality time with them.

Im so happy Pat was able to go out there. Living so far away takes a toll but when you re-unite you forget about the miles in between our homes.




Here is sweet little Alta. She just celebrated her 1st birthday. She is our first niece and we love her so much.






















Here is Pat with his sisters. Of course out of the 20 pictures with same pose it was hard to find one that was just right. So I decided on this one...Pat the big brother making his sisters laugh.

















Had to add one more of Alta Rose :)