2. What's in a name?

So today's "assignment" is to explain my blog name, but there's really not much to it. It used to be Team Gray's website, but since I was the only one writing anything and it was all from my perspective, I didn't think that was a very accurate reflection of content. So, it became "It's a Tamara Thing." Pretty simple!

1. A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Well, it's not the best picture in the world of me, but it is the most recent! And we're very happy. Grant was having so much fun with his pinata!

So here are 15 interesting facts about me:

1) Spiders chase me. Seriously. I was chased up a mountain by a tarantula.
2) Weirdest thing I've ever eaten is 1000 year eggs-- eggs boiled in horse urine and then buried under ground until they turn blue.
3) I've slept one plank above mating pigs. Or tried to sleep.
4) I have flown an airplane; it was a small Cessna.
5) My secret dream is to become a rock star. NOT!!! Seriously, it is just to be rich but not famous.
6) I've invented a way to swim without moving forwards or backwards, up or down. (And no, it isn't by floating!)
7) I have a dog, but I don't like dogs.
8) I have a cat. I really like cats.
9) I get super nervous every time I teach, which is OFTEN, until the very moment I stand up. Then it is all gone.
10) I sing Christmas songs all year long to Grant as lullabies.
11) My greatest fear in life was that I wouldn't be able to have my own kids. Now, I guess I have nothing to fear.
12) If I had time to develop a hobby, it would be photography. And then jewelry-making.
13) I love taking baths, but hardly ever do so because our tub is too short.
14) My husband calls me Sugar Bottom, Sweet Potato, and Sweet Cheeks. I guess he either has a sweet tooth or I have a sugary personality.
15) I cry. Almost every day when I am pregnant. I cry in any setting for any reason, I just can't seem to stop it, ever!

A Blogging Plan

I saw this on another blog and thought it would be fun to do so here starts the next 30 days:

1. A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
2. The meaning behind your blog name
3. A picture of you and your friends
4. A habit you wish you didn't have
5. A pic of somewhere you have been
6. Favorite super hero and why
7. A picture of something/someone who has the biggest impact on you
8. Short term goals for this month and why
9. Something you are proud of in the last few days
10. Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
11. Another pic of you and your friends
12. How you found out about blogs and why you made one
13. A letter to someone who hurt you recently
14. A pic of you and your family
15. Put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
16. Another pic of yourself
17. Someone you would want to switch lives with for 1 day and why
18. Plans/dreams/goals you have
19. Nicknames you have, why
20. Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
21. A pic of something that makes you happy
22. What makes you different from everyone else
23. Something you crave
24. A letter to your parents
25. What I would find in your blog
26. What you think about your friends
27. Why are you doing this 30-day challenge
28. A pic of you last year and now, how have you changed
29. In the past month what have you learned
30. Who are you?

Party Planning

I've decided that planning a party for 2,000 students is easier than planning for 15 people ages 1 to way over 1. Still, Thomas the Train is coming to town tomorrow! I've got the Stake Center reserved, the cake is ordered (I was going to try to make it, but with an event tonight I just won't have time), all the decor is purchased, and I'm putting the finishing touches on the games and activities. I am so excited to have good friends coming to celebrate Grant with us! What matters most though, is that Grant has a good time. I hope it makes him feel special and happy.

P.S. If you haven't yet RSVP'd, I would love to know if we'll have the pleasure of your company!

Baby Gray at 16 weeks

I just had my 16 week check up and everything is going great! All my tests came back totally normally, which is SO ENCOURAGING!!!!! I've scheduled my ultrasound for November 19th, so that's when we should hopefully find out if it is a boy or girl.

Here's what's happening right now for my little one:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, my baby will double her weight and add inches to her length. Right now, she's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Her legs are much more developed, her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved closer to the front of her head. Her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her locks aren't recognizable yet. She's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as my baby continues to develop.

Homecoming Highlights

Here's a great run down of my Homecoming week!!! My team did the BBQ, Mr. BYU, the Blue Pancake breakfast and True Blue Football which are featured here.

BYUtv - BYU Weekly: Week of 10/17/2010

Also check out http://www.heraldextra.com/ and search for "Foam Day"

The Dash Movie | The Dash Movie

The Dash Movie | The Dash Movie

Just Suck it Up and Move On

Those were words my wise husband spoke to me last week. Although they made me upset at the time, they were exactly what I needed to hear. My emotional roller coaster, which I like to blame on pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep, has been a long reactionary ride over the past month. I've been more feisty than normal, which my poor activities team has been witness to, but more importantly, I haven't been living my life happily. In fact, I was miserable.

Why? I am losing Student Honor, which is a program and purpose I am deeply passionate about and committed to. I love it. I love the impact the work can have on individual student lives. I love the principles of the program, and I love the opportunities for creativity and change that I have been able to experience through my work there. Most of all, I love my team. Each one of them has enriched my life and I've enjoyed getting to know them. However, I knew when I volunteered for the assignment that it was supposed to be temporary, and after 1.5 years this pregnancy was the catalyst for a needed change. Truth be told, two areas, particularly these two areas, has been a heavier burden than I've wanted to admit. The fact is that although I believe the Lord has helped me have the capacity to fulfill my roles over the past years, the time had come to simplify and be able to refocus on the coming child. I couldn't do that with both areas, and so Nate and Neal wisely made plans to relieve me. I was heart broken, and probably handled it poorly, even though I would have made the same decision in their shoes. But, at times like these sometimes what we know doesn't make as much noise as what we feel, and I was feeling so sad and dejected, and disappointed with the fact that I couldn't do it all. So after Nate told me the timeline had moved up and the change would happen even sooner than I expected, my teary sobs to Jonathan resulted in his statement: "Suck it up and move on."

The shock of his words when I expected validation stopped me in my tracks, and after recovering I realized the path I had been on. Rather than responding with cheer and acceptance and seeking the Lord's comfort, I was behaving childishly and throwing my own version of a temper tantrum. Everything changed for me then. I immediately prayed for forgiveness, and suddenly I was excited for the change. Although I am still sad to lose Student Honor, I am also very grateful that this program I love is going to have someone committed to it and nothing else, no other distractions. It, and my students, deserve that and I haven't been able to give it to them. I am excited for Val, who will be taking my place, because of the experience SHE is going to have and I pray she will be equally inspired by the opportunity as I have been. I am excited that my typical 60 hour work week will get back to a normal 40-50, so I can be with my family and focus on my roles as wife and mother. I am grateful for a boss who has patiently helped me through this inner conflict and made tough decisions knowing it would be hard for me but better in the long run. I am very grateful for my husband, who was there for me when I needed him to be in just the right way. I am excited for my Activities team, because I will have the time to serve them better. And I am grateful for moments like these that help us understand our Savior's love for us and patience with us.

So here I go. I am moving on!