Am I going to have a baby... or not?

Sorry to most of you this blog is going to sound depressing. I found out I was pregnant on June 24th.  It was a very happy moment. Waited ten and a half weeks before going to the doctor due to our vacation that we had planned already. Went to the doctor on August 9th. They did an ultrasound on my stomach and she said that the baby was measuring small. In my mind I was just thinking that I didn't get pregnant when I thought I did. Then she decided to do an interal ultrasound and it was the same as before... still small.  And to add to that no heart beat.  This was a shocker to me since I haven't had any problems.  No cramping, no bleeding and no spotting.  What does this all mean? My doctor started talking to us and explained that for whatever reason the baby stopped growing, but she would still like to do some blood tests to make sure she was not mistaken. She then told us that she was pretty sure it is going to be a miss carriage.  I wasn't crying at first... more shocked than sad I'd imagine at this point. Then came the tears and the questioning everything that has gone on in the last ten and a half weeks.
I was so confused why I miss carried with no cramping and no bleeding. What happened?  I guess I am not supposed to know anything other than there is no more baby.  It is probably for the better that I don't get the answers to everything. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to not only get pregnant for the short time that I had been, but to have the support that I have through family, friends and the Spirit that has given me the comfort that I needed. It really helped when I thought and thought about what has happened.  Most of the time I was blamming myself for not being as careful as I was with Arlee, but then came to realize I don't know what caused the miss carry; but I do know that I am in good hands and will be comforted as I heal.
It really has made me appreciate having Arlee even more than I did before (which is beyond words of measurement).  She has been such a blessing in our lives and we couldn't be more blessed than to have her. When I would start to cry she would look at me and give me a smile, hug or start laughing and playing with me. Hans has been great too. He is such a supportive husband that really cares for me and my well being. I love them both so much and couldn't be more blessed to have them. 
When talking to the nurse today after the blood tests came back she said that my levels have decreased which means that I have for sure miss carried. I will be having a DNC to make sure everything is taken out.  I have been advised by people that have done the medication and the ones that have had the DNC to do the DNC.  I am taking their advice.  It will be done on August 25th.  After it is all said and done. We have been told to wait two months before trying for another baby.  I am not sure that I will be ready at this time, but we will see. 

Chelsey

California Vacation!!!

We just got back from vacation in California. We were able to buy a City Pass at Costco, which allowed us to do 3 days to Disneyland/ California Adventures, 1 day of Universal Studios, 1 day of Sea World and 1 day of either San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park. It was a great vacation and it would be fun to do again minus Universal Studios (it was lame for the most part).  There was some really cool rides and shows there I have to say, but I would say the overall feel was a little bit short for me and Hans.

We were able to pawn Arlee off on my mom and my sister, Abbie- monsonmaddness.blogspot.com. We missed her so much, but we talked to her on the phone a few times to soften it. It is great that she talks on the phone now and it is so cute what kind of things she will respond to. Also to keep us from missing her too much we kept really busy. We had a lot to see in the short time that we were there. We would get home at the end of the day pretty late and wake up pretty early, to make the most of it. There was no movies at night as we would just fall asleep as soon as we would sit on the bed. Honestly it really was a lot of fun despite how tired we were.

Here are some pictures of our trip...

Disneyland:

This is on Splash Mountain. We got really wet this time and not on the second... I think you need to be in the front to get wet. Just an FYI

This a view from Tarzan's Tree house

This is in the submarine on the Nemo Ride (really dumb if you aren't a little kid BTW)

This is on Space Mountian

California Adventures:

This is at Hollywood Tower of Terror

Me in my "C" (Hans was so impressed that he got the picture captured while no one was in it) I have to say that I am too since it was so crowded.

Hans with the "N" since there wasn't a "H" and he has two "N's" in his name (HaNs JohaN Hoge)

Disneyland:

This is at the Fire Station in Disneyland (the people asked us if we were newlyweds and Hans said no, but I still feel like we are). Honestly 3yrs isn't that long.

We were waiting for the Fireworks in Disneyland to start (They make everyone stand up and then a lot of people put their kids up on their shoulders so they can see, which makes it hard for the people behind them. But at least the kids can see and we just have a partially obstructed view.)

California Adventures:

We saw the World of Color which was awesome!!!

Part of the show

Middle of Nowhere (Between California and Vegas):

This was the sunset that we had the gift of looking at while we sat in the horrible traffic getting into California with everyone else who was coming back from Vegas and then the Agriculture check too. AGH!

California Adventures:

Mr. Potato Head telling jokes while we waited to go on the awesome Toy Story ride in Cali. Adventures.

Waiting in line for Toy Story.

So Cute!!! Awwww... we got this picture for our nephew, Brock who loves this movie.

Mater

This is a thing that they use to do the animation. It spins and the figures are just a tiny bit different then the one next to it and so on... and then they use a strobe light to tie everything together. It was really cool!

Disneyland:

This is at Fantasmic... Not as cool as World of Color, but we still enjoyed it.

Buzz Lightyear talking while we were waiting to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride.

San Diego Zoo:

At the Zoo.  The camels humps were flopping all over the place. It was really weird since you know that people ride on those flopping things.... Think about it, makes a funny picture.

It was so crazy he came up righ to the window and just stared at everyone. Really cute though.

Universal Studios:

Jaws sight... We had Jaws attack us a couple of times

Me in front of Universal Studios

Hans in front of Universal Studios

Hollywood:

Went and saw the Walk of Fame before getting on the Freeway back to our hotel.

Thank goodness for our good gal pal, Joyce- our GPS (named her) we were able to find our way through the very narrow and curly, whurly, twisty, twurly streets. We were able to get some Germans to take our picture and I think they did pretty good.

Sea World:

This is Biff: He was hilarious!!! He was part of the sea lions show, Sea Lions Live

Sea Lions Live

Shamu Show. Didn't take too many pictures since we were so close to the action as you can see. : )

Shamu's wife before the show started.

Atlantis: A roller coaster ride at Sea World... really fun to go on.

Until next time... stay tuned for more of our life.

The Hoges

House Hunt Over!

As you know we have been looking for a house to buy. We have looked and looked and looked, but nothing is working out for us. With the budget that we can afford with me staying home, Hans working part-time while going to school we just have to make too many adjustments.  If it is the perfect lay out then the location is lacking or the other way around. Also another thing is that there was a house that we loved but way too much money that we would have to put into it to make it liveable.
Let me just say that Hans and I have totally called off the house hunt until he is done with school so we can get something that we don't have to adjust so much.  It is sad that we are going to have to rent some more, but it is going to be a lot better in the end. We are excited about the future house. Wherever and whatever it is going to be. Don't worry house we will get to you soon.  : )

Chelsey

Happy Birthday To ME!!!

It is official! I am now a year older. Yeah right like I am soooo old. For my birthday Hans took me and Arlee out for breakfast at IHOP. After that we came home and decided to go on a bike ride down the Jordan River Parkway from 5400 S. to 2300 S. and then back. We of course had Arlee with us and she slept for the most part in the bike trailer.  After the bike ride we went and got some things at Costco. We went home and showered and then took Arlee to my mom's. Hans and I then went to Toy Story 3, which is a very good movie and was perfect to end the Toy Story movies. After the movie we went to dinner at La Frontera for yummy Mexican food. This resturant you really don't want to have to much of their salsa as it was burning my mouth completely by the time my meal came. Hans enjoyed it, but just to tell ya how hot it was... Hans' mouth was getting hot too.  After that we went and got Arlee from my sister, Abbie (who tag teamed with my mom once she got off work.) They had so much fun together and she even got Arlee to sleep. Abbie took a picture for evidence, even though I would have believed her anyway.  Anyway, we got home and my friend pulled up and brought me a present.
While I was talking to my friend I see this little boy up by out porch and I was just thinking... 'That is so sad, where is this little boys mother. I looked closer and it was my nephew, Brock. Weirdess thing ever to not recognize your nephew. So I found out that people were inside. I walked in the house and didn't see anyone and then I walked into the kitchen and tried turning on the light and.... SURPRISE! Yikes... they got me. Hans had his family come and surprise me. We had some cake and ice cream and talked for a while and then it was off to bed for us.
Hans did such a great job for my birthday. I can't believe he even surprised me too. I usually get a little suspicious when he is up to something, but not this time. He played it out really well. Any how... because it was my birthday there aren't any pictures, I am usually the one with the camera.  Oh well, it was another birthday. 

My Sister's Adoption Process.... PLEASE READ! : )

Hey everyone,
My sister, Abbie that is hoping to adopt finally has a blog!!! If you can do our family a favor and follow her blog and tell the ones that you know to do the same. I am sure that it would really help in getting her adoption profile out there.  Abbie and her husband Matt are great people and would really like to adopt, but haven't been able to so far. Most of the time when the birth parents find the family they are looking for it is through people networking. Please help in this cause and get my sister's profile/blog out there.  Thank you.
Her blog url is: http://www.monsonmaddness.blogspot.com/.

Chelsey

Hunting no more... Okay possibly!

We think we may have found something. It took some thinking, of course.  However, Hans and I have put an offer in on a house. It is a 5 bed 3 1/2 baths 3066 sq ft house.  It is West Valley City. The house just hit the market on Saturday, which was yesterday. The offers aren't being accepted until tomorrow (Monday).  We have all the items we need into our realtor so she can try and get ours in first.  Of course it needs some work, but I think that it is really going to be worth it.  My mom's comment when she saw one of the bathrooms was... " Cool, we get to teach you how to tile!" We are optimistic, but we are not holding our breath.  We are hoping to get our offer in first so the bank will just work with us and no one else... Since it is bank owned.  If it isn't accepted then we will be moving on to some other houses that we have liked, but might take longer to close on and aren't as much of our favorites. : )
Until next time...

Chels

The hunt is on..... Still!!!

I know it is sad, but the hunt is on still. Hans and I have been looking for a house to buy and can't seem to find anything that we both really like. I can't tell you how many people are living in such a pig pen.  They are horders! It was simply disgusting. I know that everyone says try and look pass the mess, but when it is everywhere and it is up to your shins, how are you to look past it? When you can't see anything, but crap. Oh man I tell ya. I thought some peoples houses were a mess, but I stand corrected; they are actually quite pleasant compared to the ones today. People were walking and living on the same floor that had dog crap all over it. It wasn't just in one spot/ room it was in several. 
On the flipside you walk into a house that is staged and spotless... and you want to put an offer in right then, but it isn't the house for you.  No matter how refreshing.  Hans and I did go through a few houses today that we are debating on. It is really hard to decided as we are going to be living there and putting time and elbow grease into the place.  We worry about re-sale, overpaying and the area mostly.  Man o man I wish we had an extra 100 grand right now.

Chelsey

P.S. Sorry for the vent, but now I feel better. Until next time....