Hanchett baby on the way!

We can't wait to welcome our little girl, Audrey Elise! She was NOT shy in the ultrasound and there is no doubt that she is a girl! Lyle and I are SO thrilled to start our family with a girl and can't wait for May to be here.

We are starting to take guesses on when she will be here...
Her due "period" (they wouldn't give us a date) is May 8th-May 13th. Lyle was early and all of my mom's kids were late.

We couldn't wait to tell all when we found out and then got caught up in the Christmas family time so I apologize to all those that I drove crazy making them wait.

Now the fun comes! I get to start shopping for a little girl and decorating the nursery!

I'm getting bigger everyday it feels! I still can't believe that I have a sweet baby in me but my expanding waist tells me differently. I love how Lyle tells everyone proudly that he is going to be a daddy and then pats my stomach lovingly. He just can't wait and she will have him wrapped around her finger in no time!

So far, she has been stubborn...she loves her space and has no problem pinching my nerves and kicking out ribs. I guess she is just getting us ready for her when she's here and up in the middle of the night because she always manages to do all this in the middle of the night. So Lyle typically gets up to get me tylenol or rub my back or even help me out of bed (since a pinched nerve in the hip does not allow too much easy movement). He really has been so sweet (He's even been experiencing sympathy pains)! She's even been more active since the ultrasound and had no problem doing flips during Sunday School. She really takes after her father already! :)

We can't wait to meet her!

SURPRISE! --No surprise there!

My boss decided to go out with a bang!
I don't know how much people know about the stress of my boss but she has pretty much made my work life (and sometimes my home life) a living HELL. I would only see her for 20 min a day but in those 20 min she would manage to critique EVERYTHING I do and then give me a list that was forever long of things to do...including lifting 25 + boxes (even though I gave her a dr.s note)-that's just [my boss]. It would literally be -what can she say today? and you would think that she would never do or say anything like that but she would always surprise you with it! I would always fulfill her lists and she would always use my arrangements before hers.
Well, I decided that I had had enough of her walking all over me and her negativity so i out in my two weeks notice. When I went into work Monday, she decided to drop the bomb (in front of the other employee) that she just doesn't want to put up with me anymore and she laid me off.
I'm relieved-surprised-once again-that she would do this to me especially since I never gave her any trouble, but it's over and done with and I actually feel good about it.
Her loss at Christmas time and busy season!

Baby Update

We went to the doctor today for a check up. It was the first time that Lyle got to hear the baby's heartbeat-so awesome! AND we find out what we are having in four weeks...five days before Christmas...what a great gift. The other great news is that I have only gained 3 lbs so far! I was so happy to hear that since I feel like I've gained so much even though I've been trying to eat healthy, but honestly I haven't. Pretty cool!
So at this point, I am 14 1/2 weeks and I actually feel really good! I just got over a few sicknesses and finally feel like I can go back to life and enjoy being pregnant.
I'm still searching for maternity clothes...I'm down to two pairs of not so nice pants and just tshirts so my wonderful parents are coming down and we are going maternity shopping. I have a little belly but not enough for people to notice that i am prego...I see and feel the difference.
The weeks seem to fly by especially with the holidays coming and work soon to be over and then seeing family soon after.
Lyle and I are just so happy!! Can't wait for May to be here so we can meet our sweet baby!

Floral arrangements part 2

I have been taking these pictures on my phone and I finally got around to moving them over...here are some arrangements that I have been proud of:


Request for a baby girl arrangement


Request for bright colors






Request for a spring arrangement with yellows and whites






Request for arrangement with 1/2 dozen pink roses with yellow lilies and white carns




Request for arrangement of red, white and blue (vase) for a returning soldier


Request for a Halloween arrangement


(Fall)


(Fall)




(Summer)


Request for a fall arrangement along with the next arrangement



As you can tell, I do my best in the most pricier arrangments and in vases. I can do the smaller and basket ones but I really enjoy the bigger and pricier. My boss had no idea that I could actually do these...she's only around for 20min and then I cover the afternoon shift just myself...she never sees my work unless it goes in the cooler. The other day she was in working on a wedding and I did an arrangement she thought I would have problem with and I didn't and she was surprised. HA! Take that!
Anyway, the onle that have writing under them are the ones that I had a special request from the customer and the others are the free of choice arrangements. I sure am proud of all of them and wish my boss would be willing to teach me more. I truely enjoy floral design.

Kids...ranting

What have I been up to lately aside from the monotonous time at work? Well, I've become a babysitter. If it's not Davis, then it's Aubrey, then it's Greg, then it's Chloe, then it's...

So I was talking to my boss the other day and I was telling her about the cute kids that I watch and she commented "What do they think you are, a babysitter? (all snooddy-like)" I said well yeah, it's not like I do anything in the morning before work anyway-so why not. (She sneers because she wanted me to work as a driver for her in the mornings so she could hire another person for the office...long story I don't want to get into-I told her I wouldn't because I babysit in the morning for my friends). I said, one friend is job hunting so he drops his kid off every now and then and another began work, and another...so I am there to watch their kids. She replies "well they're taking advantage of you-you're not here for them to USE as their babysitter. How rude is that!" (even though she uses me at work and doesn't think that's rude?)(Let me just say that my boss has a very different view of the world according to Janet and I have to put up with it EVERYDAY!)

...my reply...I ENJOY IT!

As I think more about it, because my friends have been so gracious to LET me watch their kids, my days are happier and I feel like I actually accomplished SOMETHING than just sitting in a little flower shop being degraded by my boss and then killing 5 hours with no business...yeah, I'd take kids over that ANY day-crying, runny nose, no sleep and ALL. I love kids and can't wait to be a mother, but even when that wonderful day comes, I'll still watch your kids!

I love my Mommy!

My Mommy:
-will find a way to PHX anytime you say you need her.
-will cuddle with you in bed and talk about anything you want to.
-goes to an "estrogen festival" with you and puts up with your gruminess at the end from being tired.
-is willing to clean anything in your house just so you don't have to do it since you don't feel good.
-helps teach your CTR5 kids when your husband can't because he threw up the night before.
-will do anything you want just so she can spend time with you.
-plays games up the wazu with you even if she would rather read.
-pays for a manicure
-will sit at work with you no matter how boring it is.
-will always tell you how pretty you look even though you don't feel that way.

My Mommy loves me!

I love my Daddy!

My Daddy:
-is willing to add 20 hours to his drive to Utah just so that I can have time with him.
-will sit and rub your feet as long as you want as long as you rub his at the same time.
-has such a great sense of humor that makes you laugh even if it is a dumb blonde joke.
-teases you but you know that's his way of telling you he loves you.
-saves you from being just a place holder in the game of settlers.
-watchs football all day long just to stay out of your way (and to not have to go to an "estrogen festival" (Jake)) :)
-will give up his football for games one after the other.
-will rub your feet even more and will find EVERY sore point in your feet
and press them to "make it feel better".
-gives back rubs in church.
-loves being around my husband.

My Daddy loves me!

She's Here!

My sister had her baby today at 4:50pm. Her labor was surprising easy and they are doing very well. She was 7.2 lbs and 21 inches long with some red hair. She looks JUST like Erin and is SO beautiful! Alyson Jo Parrish! We're so happy to FINALLY have her here!

Bundle on the Way

Yes, it's true! Lyle and I found out a few weeks ago that after many trials and prayers, we are going to be blessed with a beautiful bundle of joy! We are SO thrilled and can't wait to meet our new edition.

May 8 is the due date which is really funny because May is already a busy month with Mother's Day, Grandpa Hanchett's b-day, AND our anniversary. So if the baby comes late by a day, it will be here on Mother's Day. If it's late a week it's on our anniversary and Gpa H's b-day. What timing! :)

This baby is truely our miracle baby! The dr. was even surprised when I went for the first check up because where I was at with my progesterone levels, it was impossible to get pregnant...but here is our bundle!
I wish everyone could see Lyle when he tells people about it! He gets this proud father look and is so excited to tell anyone that will listen. :)I am so thrilled to finally see him with his first child...I've waited so long for it and now it's just until May.

So far the pregnancy has been a bit rough (I might just be a woose) because it's been constant nausciousness and tiredness so much that I've had to call in sick or miss church or other fun activites. My sweet husband has been SO understanding and caring. When I cry he takes me in his arms and just lets me know he's there, and the days NOTHING sounds good he is so willing to go to the ends of the earth for me just to find SOMETHING! I truely am so lucky to be blessed with a husband like him-so patient! He has made things easier to handle. :)

So if you didn't hear- I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY! Dream come true!

happy fall, october, and halloween

I finally decorated for halloween and I had this project to do for this Halloween...

Before...



After...





oh and the promised pictures of Utah...

Apples

I have always loved apples but have been picky...no red skinned, it needs to be cut, ...
The one time that I LOVE apples is when it is the fall and time for Dixon Apple Farm. Yum!
We took a last minute trip to Albuqueruqe this last weekend because Lyle's father was being put in as the Bishop of the Belen ward. While there, I didn't really have much of an appetite-I haven't been feeling well-and the only thing that would calm my stomach was a supply of Dixon Apple Farm apples from my parents fridge. I even brought some home on the plane and am still living off them.
How yummy they have been and what a relief on my stomach.

These days...

I LOVE fall...especially in Albuquerque. This is one of the times of year that I wish I still lived there because I love the smell, the color of the leaves, the rodeo, state fair, balloon fiesta, and my mom's decorating of her house with the villages and other things. I just LOVE it and wish I could be there! Still, even though Phoenix is still in the 100s (we're almost out) and the leaves are behind in changing, it feels like fall and I LOVE it! I love being able to cuddle in a blanket on the sofa, cuddle because Lyle is cold too!, drink hot chocolate, AND also decorate! My favorite two holidays and the only two that I decorate the house for is Halloween and Christmas. I just can't wait for October AND for my package of new decorations, I bought them (Jen know's the place and Mom has also been a victim!) at a fabulous store in Utah, to arrive. It all makes me giddy and wanting to decorate now! But I will wait a little bit longer. :) I just love the feeling!

I also figured that since I haven't posted about my wonderful trip to Utah, I'd share some stories from it. I'll post pictures later. I've been kinda lazy with that lately since I can't seem to kick this sickness.

We just LOVED playing with Cole! He is the cutest thing ever! We had been there for an hour or so when I went into Cole's room to see how Erin decorated it. She was in the other room and so I decided to call for her. I yelled "ERIN!" and not remember that there was a copy cat next to me, Cole yelled "ERIN!". In the other room I hear from Erin "Excuse me?!" I quickly corrected myself with "MOM!" and Cole followed suit. From then on I watched my mouth around him.

We went to church with them and Cole's really good friend, Ethan, sat across from us. As soon as the closing Amen was said, Cole (still stuck in the pew) called out "ETHAN!" and Ethan replied, "COLE!". Later, after church, we were heading out when Cole noticed a girl friend a ways down the hall. He proceeded to yell "I'M COMING! I'M COMING!" He is such a socialite!

Cole has definately gotten his mom's attitude! While we were sitting in the family room, I was waiting for Cole to come sit with me so we could read a story. He was standing in front of the tv and started playing with the VCR when I said "Cole, come read with me!". With one finger pointed in my direction, "JUST ONE MINUTE!"...and again, "JUST ONE MINUTE, KATY. WAIT!" He kept saying it with attitude until I finally convinced him to come play with me. :)

Enough of Cole. Erin and I went one morning to the amazing store (previously mention...I can't remember the exact name...Tao Pai...Oh I don't know) and Erin decided to have me push her around in a wheelchair so we could stay longer. She told me it's not that hard because Cole pushed her all the time and so I proceeded to push her first for a stop to the bathroom in the back. Let's just say by the time we got to the bathroom I was convinced that all that working out had done nothing for me because I was already winded and sweaty! Yikes! AND Cole could push her and have no problem?! What does that say about me?! So we went to the bathroom and after I came out, I was getting a drink and catching my breath trying to figure how I was going to make the whole store and I thought to ask Erin if she had taken off the brakes. She looked and realized the brakes had been on the whole time! No wonder Cole could push her around! She was nice enough to take the brake off for him! :)I felt better after that and we actually spent a while there and found many fun decorations for my house.

We had such a great time in Utah! Time with Cole, my sister, Lyle had much needed guy time with Bret, we all took a beautiful drive in the back country, and even got to see my grandpa Jack (I haven't seen him in 8 years). It was such a great time! Thanks Erin and Bret!

Other than that, life has been pretty eventless. Like I said, Lyle and I have been trying to get over these really bad allergies and so lately we have just been staying home and watching movies. It's been nice (aside from the sick part). Sunday is the Primary Program (this is our one year marker for being in primary) and then in two weeks we are looking forward to the Hanchett Family Reunion! Can't wait! Just staying busy and relaxing until then!

For time and all eternity

We had the priviledge of being apart of Wes' and Katryna's wedding. We were able to be there when they were sealed in the Albuquerque, NM temple on August 22, 2009. It was a very busy weekend, but it was so much fun to see family together again. On Saturday, all the girls went to a fabulous nail and spa place and got manis and pedis and then went to Dions for lunch. Then it was time to get serious and set up for the wedding at the outside pavilion. It was beautiful! Katryna looked so beautiful and Wes looked very content with his bride. We are so happy for you two!

I have to just say...

Today I found out that a friend from EAC 's husband passed away from Lupus and Valley Fever. This has been on my mind all day and it really makes me just want to cry for them!
It has made me think of how greatly blessed I am to have all the time I have with my husband. He has been the best thing to ever happen to me and I can't imagine life without him. I find myself some days not FULLY appreciating what this great, amazing man has done for me and has made me happy to be alive and I realize that I can NEVER, EVER take the time I have with him for granted. Yes, we don't have children yet, but just look at the extra days I have had to grow closer to him and love him even more.
Thank you Heavenly Father for the years I have been so blessed with to spend it with my best friend and to be with him for eternity. What more could I ask for.
I love you, Lyle!

More VanVleet Reunion Pictures

I know I didn't do too many pictures from the family reunion because I didn't have very many...I finally got some (thanks Mom) and so I thought I'd post some that haven't been posted on other's blogs.
There's a lot of them (I haven't yet figured how to do the collages...if any one knows feel free to fill me in) but I just loved all of these! These pictures are filled with cute kids because that was how the reunion was...filled with kids for lyle and I (and the other aunts) to have as much fun with as possible!
Enjoy!

I just love my brother-in-law!...

...And all my bros!