Isn't she so cute!

A BIG announcement!

So just in case you haven't heard- we are having a baby and we just found out she's a GIRL!!!

I thought for sure I would want to tell everyone and the world when I found out, but I didn't. I had already had 2 miscarriages and was scared. Then after things were more comfortable, it felt weird to tell others. Here I am, almost 20 weeks now and making my first blog post.

For those who want to know the details- after my surgery I had another miscarriage. So the next month we did the same routine- Femara 5 mgs for 5 days, US to check on my follicles, and a trigger shot to release the eggs. What we added was progesterone which is a natural hormone that your body needs to sustain a pregnancy and WAHOO- it worked! We have a due date of May 22- and everything looks perfect and great right now!

Abby's letter to Santa Claus

Abby wrote a letter to Santa today and we thought we'd post it online for friends and family to see. Isn't her spelling great? She's doing great in school and just got her first real report card in the mail today. Merry Christmas to all. Oh, Santa's mail service has already picked up the letter for delivery to Santa since he will be at the Ward tonight to say hi to the kids. Lots of fun.

Abby wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!

I got it!

I've been patiently waiting since my birthday in September to get my present. I really wanted a great sale to justify how much the Cricut machine costs. I did a lot of looking and comparing- on Black Friday I got up at 4:00am and headed out to Walmart. It probably wasn't a necessity, but why risk missing out on a $199 Cricut Expression w/ 2 cartridges. So I got up.

I figured it wasn't a big ticket item so I would get there as the store was opening, head on in, grab it. Run to Target to get a few cheap DVD's because I was already up. My morning went better than expected. I ended up getting to Walmart early at 4:20am. They were so nice and letting people in the store. You could shop around (except for big ticket items) and check out starting at 5:00am. I got all I wanted (and then some)m waited for 5:00am to check out. Cashiers started ringing up at 4;55, I was back in my car with my nice new present by 5:01 am.

Okay, so here is the part that didn't go that great. Target didn't open until 6:00am. So I had to wait. I could have been one of the first 5 people in line if I chose, but I decided to wait in the car. I did go grab breakfast of champions (chocolate donuts) from Walgreens. Around 5:45 I went to stand in line, but mostly so I could dance around as I was dying to use the bathroom. Once they opened the doors I went to the bathroom and then went and grabbed my DVD's. Score! I got Gilmore Girls Season 7 for $13.98- that and season 6 is what Abby is giving me for Christmas. I got some other movies, some as low as 3.98 but more importantly Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians for $12.

I checked out and headed back home. I was home by 6:45am. I let Ern sleep in and hung out with Abby and he was nice enough to let me take a nap later in the day. We seriously stayed in our JAMMIES the rest if the day too.

Oh, sorry for the long story- one more GREAT bonus. On cricut.com there is a link for 2 free cartridges (well $7.95 processing fee) when you buy a Cricut Expression between October 15, 2008 and December 15, 2008. Count me in!

I also picked up another cartridge at Michael's for $30.

Um, another post no pictures. I'm getting bad at this picture thing!

Planning on heading home and haven't bought tickets yet- You are lucky!

Click HERE for an amazing rate! This is valid to fly from anywhere to Salt Lake- not just from Cleveland! And it is from Salt Lake to anywhere- but you have to buy your tickets before Nov 18! And it goes until Feb 11!

http://www.southwest.com/hotfares/salt_lake_081115.html?src=e111608

Of course there are terms and conditions. Highlighted are the super important ones

Terms and Conditions:

• 50% discount valid for use at southwest.com or SWABIZ.com off the total amount of any
  roundrip Wanna Get Away fare before taxes and fees.
• Purchase must be made between November 16, 2008 and November 18, 2008 for travel December 3, 2008 through February 11, 2009.
• Blackout dates apply December 18, 2008 through January 4, 2009.
• Travel valid all days of week.
• If any portion of travel falls on a blackout date the discount will not apply.
• Discount is only valid to/from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
• The discount is only valid with the provided Promotion Code and is not combinable with other Promotion Codes or fares available exclusively through the web tool “DING!”.
• This promotion does not include Business Select, Anytime, or Senior Fares.
• Discount does not include taxes and fees.
• Roundtrip purchase required.
• Changes made to the itinerary after purchase may eliminate qualifications for this promotion.
• Youth, Child, Infant, Military, and Federal Government Fares are not available for purchase at southwest.com or SWABIZ.com.
• Reservations made through southwestvacations.com are not eligible for this promotion.

I found tickets for as cheap as $77 each way! Too bad these dates didn't work for us. You cannot travel during the BLACKOUT!

I'll be home for Christmas

and not just in my dreams!

So we had decided that coming home to Utah for Christmas just wasn't feasible. It's expensive, hard time to travel, and just not something we thought we could do.

I was having a bit of a hard time- and feeling homesick. I overheard someone saying flights were pretty cheap on Southwest- I checked it out and they were (well relatively). So I had a strong feeling to book some flights, and I did.

YAY! Abby and I are coming home on the 13th, and Ernie will come on the 17th. Then we all fly home on the 24th. I hoping for lots of parties and people inviting us over.

Look at this GIRL!

Isn't she so cute in these GLASSES?

WE MISS YOU!

Enough SAID!
ps. Ralae told me to tell everyone she's expecting a baby in
January, I've done a terrible job spreading the news!

And the real reason I returned to blogging!

So there is a new family/social networking site called FAMZAM. When you sign up and get 15 of your family or friends to sign up you get a free $25 giftcard. Cool huh.

I really see no strings attached and this sure will be helpful for a datenight or Christmas coming up. There is a variety a gift cards to choose from- something for everyone!

I've signed up me, Ernie and Abby. So if you are interested (really who wouldn't) please either email me for more details, leave a comment and I'll be sure to get back to you.

If you go ahead and just sign up be sure to add us as your friends...

mistysorenson
esorenson_01
abbysmomma

those are all at hotmail.com

edited to note- sorry for the all text blogs. Ernie's laptop bit the dust and is being repaired. It also has all the pictures on it and the desktop is so old I'm not sure it can even upload pictures anymore.

Oh SNAP.

OKAY- I know it has been forever. Please forgive me.

Abby is learning how to snap. It is really cute. She sits there at all times snapping her little fingers. I love it.

Sadly, our beloved pet gerbil Snowflake passed away yesterday. I'm not sure what happened, as she was young, hadn't been acting sick. It was strange. And grossly, her sister Sparkle, ate her insides, it was really gross. Abby cried, I cried for Abby. It was a nice memorial service led by Ernie. I said a prayer for comfort for us, especially Abby and Sparkle. Then while trying to go to sleep, Abby told me her brain told her to say a prayer. (I was laying by her for extra comfort until she fell asleep) We moved into my room so we could turn on some music. I left the room for a minute and came to to Abby on her knees saying a prayer. I don't know what she said, but it was a touching moment.

Glasses, oh my!

It's surprising when I have better than perfect vision, and Ernie has slightly imperfect vision (only a slight prescription for reading), that Abby would need glasses at age 5. She's had a few vision screenings and has been inconsistent with the results. After the second one I decided to just go get it tested at the optometrist. He said she has about 20/100 in the right eye, and 20/50 in the left eye. Yep severe farsightedness, with a good chance of lazy eye because of the significant difference in eyes. We are actually going to a pediatric specialist later this month and then we'll get the glasses after he sees her. Abby seems pretty excited, she's already picked out a cute pair of purple frames!

The final Pics!

I really want to post all my pictures, they are soo good. Aubrey did an amazing job, and I just love them. I'll post more as time goes on, but here are 5 for today!

Happy Birthday to me!

So, Monday is actually my birthday (enough notice to get me a gift). Abby is really excited this year and she was asking me what I wanted as a present,

Abby: "So do you want a new bra? Shorts? Clothes?"
Me: "Um, I think I want some scrapbooking stuff"
Abby: "What kind?"
Me: "A cricut (explained what that was but told her we don't have enough money right now and I would have to save)
Abby: "I have enough money, Grandma Beck gives me all kinds of money" (And goes and gets her piggybank)

So this is a favorite conversation for a few reasons- her first gift idea, a bra? Ha, make me laugh. I just bought 3 new ones in July thank you. Second, wasn't she so sweet to go get her piggybank for me. She really doesn't have any money, she forgot she spent it at Build-a-Bear when we were in SLC. But it is the thought that counts.

And, any ideas on a cricut, love it hate it? Any other items cheaper that will do the job. Mostly I want it to make shapes and letters in my coordinating papers. I don't like stamping (after buying several Alphabet stamps), I like stickers, but you run out of letters. My favorite though it paper letters- I get the chunky alphabet stickers, stick them on the paper and cut it out. Time consuming and not the best looking always!

BINGO

One rainy day, Abby and I had nothing to do. Being the brilliant mom I am, decided to make Abby practice her writing. Usually she'll have nothing to do with it, but when we decided to make BINGO cards, it was great. Later we invited Nataya and Ashton over for a game and enjoyed the candy.






You can see the improvements in each card! Now how to practice all those letters?

A perfect day

It was late May, on a Sunday and the weather was perfect. We pulled out a blanket, pillows, and some snacks (all Abby's choice) and just hung out. There was nothing special about that day, just a very special feeling. In the midst of our troubled lives, I was happy.

Happy Halloween!

So I now I've been promising catch up posts- they will come. And they will be good.

But I just wanted to brag real quick.

So if you didn't notice Abby is not quite the girly girl, granted she loves to wear skirts and shoes. But she never quite hit that "I adore everything Princess" phase.

Her previous Halloween costumes have been, chicken, pumpkin, witch, alien, and a black cat. This year she decided to be a FAIRY!

We found some fabulous wings at H&M baby. Then I learned how to make a Tutu, went to the store and bought the stuff and here is my finished product!

So I got my idea from this blog: http://plumtickled.typepad.com/plumtickled/2007/08/tutu-tutorial-t.html plus some tips from a fellow tutu maker. So if you decide to make one, they are easy and I can share my tips!

I'm on facebook!

Okay, so I know this has been around forever. But last night I finally signed up for facebook, Ernie has had an account for awhile.

If you want to be our friends just let us know!

And for the much anticipated First day of school pic!

I have tons to blog, check back I'll be doing it soon!

Another post entitled Abby.

Here is a link to my friend Aubrey's blog. She took some pictures of ABby this past week. They are to die for! So fun. Thanks so much Aubrey!

Another great Walgreens Day!!!

Final count:

12 packs of diapers

10 bug sprays

8 Shampoo/conditioner

7 tinfoils

4 Gerbil food

2 *ahem, personal products

4 bars of chocolate

and lots of school supplies

Total paid: $24.73 ($10.80 was in tax alone)

My total savings: $219.78

I also have $10 in register rewards, and $3.00 in MIR

Do you have an alter ego?

So funny story here...

Awhile ago I got a letter in the mail stating that someone had been arrested with my pertinent information. Checked my credit, nothing came of it. Then when I worked for DCFS, I went to the jail to speak to a client. As I was telling this women she had lost her child, a big security guard came and got me and had me go back to the front. Now if any of you have visited the SL County jail, you know it is about a 5 minute walk from where you speak to the inmates and where you check in. I'm scared, the big security isn't talking, and remember I've only been working for DCFS for a few months. Come to find out there was an inmate currently checked in with my same name and somehow they had checked me in as her. We got it organized, but it was weird.She was in jail for identity theft and was spending over 1 year there. I found out some other information about her- she has defaulted her student loans (I got the letter), she has had children removed from her care, she had been to drug rehab. You know, a real winner. It's not fun to get mistaken as Misty Starr.

Who would have known there was another Ernest with the same last name out there, and he is from Utah too. He is also applying to dental school this year, and some of the schools my Ernie applied to have mixed up their applications. Ernest (the alter ego) called last night as one of the schools returned our check to him, stating he had already paid. And another school had stuck my Ernie's info in alter ego's folder. Nice huh, so my Ernie is calling all of the schools to make sure they are getting the right info in the right file.

That's our story. At least Ernie's alter ego has a good record. What's funny is neither of us have common names, yet we are mistaken as these other people. Does anyone else have a funny alter ego story?

Abby, Abby, Abby

So EVERYTHING Abby says is the funniest thing in the world, truly she makes me laugh everyday. I've been really bad at writing them down and remembering them. Here are a few fom this week!

Abby likes to come into our bed in the middle of the night. One night she was kind of awake, and I was just getting to bed. I asked her why she has to come in our bed, she replied, "I just can't help it" Can you blame her, snuggling with mom is much better than snuggling with her Aunt.

Then we were all wrestling on the bed a few days later. I was calling Abby a stinker for tickling me and she replied, "I'm the boss of all stinkers!" Yes she is!

1 . YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Lucky Grand Prix

2.GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Chocolate Chocolate Chip

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of last name) MSOR

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Pink Gorilla

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Michelle Salt Lake

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Sormi

7.SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Red Water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Gene Willard

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Love Spell M&M

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Lynne E

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 6th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Barney Boston

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Summer Lily

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now+“ie”) Peach Shortie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Poptart Peach

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Abby Sunshine Tour

16. YOUR CELEBRITY COUPLE NAME: (half of your name, half your significant other's name, mixed together in whichever order sounds best.) Ernisty

Tag, your it!

A trip down memory lane...

This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad but be nice!!!!!!!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Diaper Discount anyone?

Okay, I'm going to share some of my good bargains with you. There is a sale this week at Target on Pampers, the big box is 19.99, and when you buy 2 you get a $5 gift card. That alone is not that great of of deal, but when you combine with the coupons I have- voila- a good deal. Here's the lowdown.

2 Boxes Pampers 19.99 each
2 180 count wipes 5.99 each (I think...)

$51.96 plus tax

-$2/2 pampers coupon
-$2/2 pampers coupon
-$5 Target coupon when you buy diapers and 180 or more count wipes
-$5 Target coupon when you buy diapers and 180 or more count wipes

Total: $37.96 and then you get a $5 Target gift card for your next purchase (a $19 dollar savings)

Now I haven't really bought diapers for awhile, but MY PEOPLE tell me this is a good deal for 2 boxes of diapers and 2 large things of wipes!

At Target you can use both a regular coupon and a Target only coupon

So my local Cleveland friends, does anyone want my coupons to buy themselves some diapers. I would love the deal but really can't justify spending $30 on diapers. The sale ends on Saturday, so you must be able to go this week. Either call or email me if you are interested!

I only have 2 $2/2 pampers coupons but several more $5 Target coupons.

Prayer Request...

Is this okay?

Well Ernie is taking his Dental Admissions Test (DAT) on Thursday June 26. If you are the prayin' type would you please keep him in your prayers all week. This is really big and we need him to do well.

Also, mind saying a little something for me?

"I YAK alot"

One of our new favorite past times to do while driving in the car is to listen to books on tape. Of course the Harry Potter Series is fabulous. We also listened to Judy Moody Predicts the Future and Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker, both by Megan McDonald.


Judy Moody and her little brother Stink have become some of our favorite characters. And the Stink book was read by Nancy Cartwright who does the voice of Bart Simpson. I HIGHLY recommend these books, but the audio CD's are even better.


Anyway, I think Abby is like most typical 5 year olds and talks nonstop. She also is very inquisitive and asks what everything means. So in one of these books she overheard them say Yak, and asked what it means. After explaining it to her, she proudly said:

"I YAK alot"


My brilliant child, she understands the concept, just doesn't hear the negative connotation in it.

Okay, Okay

Faithful blog followers... I have been putting off the update post because I didn't know what to say or how to say it. So here's my best shot.

After a few days of testing at home with negative results I called my nurse and she had me come in for some bloodwork. Then I found out I was pregnant, my HCG (hormone that indicates pregnancy) was at a 47.1, on average for that day would be 199. So I knew it was very low. 48 hours later I did a repeat blood test and found out that my level was dropping, I was having a miscarriage. I was so upset, hurt, mad, angry, every emotion available. Even happy because I felt like God really spoke to me letting me know I COULD get pregnant, when after 2 1/2 years I wasn't sure I could.

I really wanted a plan in place but I had to wait until my period started. Luckily it started the next day (Friday May 23), and I got the okay from my doctor to go ahead and have my surgery this cycle, it would just be a little delayed.

I was so thankful my mom came out to be with me. We cleaned my house (although you can barely tell she was here now). We went shopping, spent her birthday getting pedicures and went to lunch. It was so nice to just spend some good time with her. I had my surgery Friday May 30. It was scary and again I was lucky to have Ernie and my mom there to be with me and take care of everything.

During surgery my doctor discovered that I didn't have a dilation in my tube. He said they looked great and wasn't sure what the other test meant and why it read that I was having a problem with my tubes. He also discovered I have endometerios. He cleaned it all up and he said I should be ready to go next month. I only spoke with him for about 5 minutes after the surgery in a drugged up state, my next appointment is June 16 where we will make all our plans and decide the next step is!

So all in all I've pretty much been out of work since May 22. I worked about 4 hours yesterday, and a few hours from home today. I guess I'll go in for a few hours on Thursday and Friday. Then I'm back to the grind for only 2 more weeks. Yes! I told them yesterday that June 20th would be my last day. After I've left I'll post more of the details (or you could email me) but really I need to take care of myself and my job just isn't a good fit.

Other than all this crazy fertility stuff our life is still crazy. School is over for the Summer for Ernie- he's turned in his application for dental school, and will retake the DAT on June 26th- so he's studying all the time. And Abby, she's just as cute as ever. She loved every minute of Grandma being here and took 2 days off school. Right now she is singing, "Lucy in the sky with Diamonds"- but those are the only words she knows. She has school until June 27th. Then starts Kindergarten in August! Ahh.

I guess I actually had a lot to say.

Let's do the twist!

Look what we found on the treelawn- Twister and we got battleship too! Abby *THINKS* she knows how to play battleship and it is so cute. She probably *PLAYED* battleship with Grandma 12 times!