Heath Bradley Hogle

On 4.10.11 Lanny and I took the plunge into parenthood. My-oh-my what a plunge it was! Notice how it has taken me over 10 weeks to post about our baby Heath? The first couple of months have been wonderful, life changing and a lot of work combined with little sleep. I think we are about to the place where we feel semi-comfortable with life and it's new changes (knock on wood). The first month and a half I thought I would die of exhaustion and was worried for the safety of our little Heath as we stumbled around in the night trying to soothe him with little to no sleep, how did we do it? In the morning I hardly remembered the night before and I'm sure it was with Heavenly Father's watchful eye we all survived! Okay so that is a little dramatic but it was hardcore and we are pleased to be out of that phase (but I miss how tiny Heath was!)

Heath is seriously the greatest little baby. Lanny and I are completely obsessed, when we are together we just sit and stare at him and talk about how amazing, cute, happy and fat he is. He has my eyes and chin and Lanny's cheeks and mouth (IDENTICAL!) He has strawberry blondish hair and olive skin. He is a whopping 14.5 lbs(95th percentile) with lots of yummy rolls. He gets kisses from mommy and Nana White non-stop and I think he loves it. He has a smile that melts my heart. I never knew I could feel this way before and it is wonderful.

Heath gets lots of love from both sides of the family. His little cousins love to crowd around him and touch his little toes (i'm still a little protective so it's just the toes for now!) and just about all of them can say his name (impressive!). It is so cute! He is the first grand baby to the White's and oh my goodness is he spoiled with love (is that possible?) My mom and dad are so thrilled they can hardly stand it. I am so glad that Heath has so many that love him and will always be there for him.

Lanny has been such a great little daddy, he is a natural. I knew he would be but he has exceeded any expectations I had had for him. He is like a Mr. Mom. I swear he can burp Heath and put him to bed faster and more effectively than I ever have, I am a tad bit jealous! Heath loves his daddy, he knows Lanny's voice and when Lanny gets home from work and Heath hears him he gets a big smile on his face, it kills me.

I could go on and on and if you are a parent you know what I mean. I will save some stuff for future posts. Here are a few pictures from our new journey through parenthood and Heath's new journey through life. So far he is rockin' it. Ya buddy.

p.s. My brother's wonderful girlfriend Jessica Mendivil took the hospital pictures, she is a super talented photographer and I am so grateful she was there to document the special day. To see more pics from the labor and delivery click here.

Merry Christmas and we're having a baby

It's been awhile since I last posted and my cousin Em requested that I update so she can hear about all of the exciting happenings (hahaha) in in the Hogle home. I didn't do a Christmas card so I guess this can be the next best thing.

The last several months have been a new adventure for Lanny and I. In July we found out we are expecting our first addition to the family (besides Lola our poodle:)) Lanny was a bit shocked and I ecstatic (of course?). Life was pretty normal for the first few weeks of pregnancy, we went to San Diego on our annual family vaca and we had a great time, I was kept thinking to myself "This is great, I'm pregnant and I'm not even sick!" That was short lived. Soon after, the reality of pregnancy sunk in and the majority of my days since were spent leaning over our toilet wondering how many times I can throw up before dying. No way was I in the mood to blog, or shower for that matter. It was quite the task to do just about anything. I'm sure I am preaching to the choir, I am certainly not alone in this self inflicted illness(I don't mean illness, it is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for, but you know what I mean). To say the least, it was an experience I don't think I could ever forget. I am proud to say I am eating again and keeping my food down (yay!) I have put on a good amount of weight (I have to remind myself "you're not fat, you're having a baby") and I could eat an elephant at every meal with some snacks in between.

This sweet little peanut is due to come to our family April 11th. I was sure we were having a girl, I had dreams and the Chinese gender calendar confirmed my "feeling". Well for all those that believe the Chinese gender calendar to be accurate, think again. This sweet little baby in my tummy is ALL BOY. Lanny is so excited and immediately when we got the news I was completely thrilled with the idea. Lanny already has big snowboarding and skateboarding plans for the baby, oh boy...

Lanny started selling insurance supplements several months ago and I have been so proud of his hard work, he has really impressed me (not to mention he looks dang handsome in his dress clothes). He is also still working at the welding shop part time so he keeps very busy. I am still working for the law firm from home. It has been such a blessing since I have been sick and pregnant to work from home, I can work in my jammers and the toilet is only feet away! The greatest part about working from home is I will not have to leave my little guy to go back to work.

Today is my baby brother's 16th birthday and it just wouldn't be right to post a blog without a shout out to the coolest 16 year old around. Happy Birthday Quinny, you are the smartest funniest and most mature 16 year old I have ever met. Sometimes I feel silly because my little brother is so smart it makes me look bad!

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas. It is my favorite time of year because I get to spend time with all of my wonderful family and reflect on all of the blessing in our lives made possible only because of the Savior.

whatev

don't you love those little things in life that make you feel good? like hearing your favorite song on the radio, or eating a yummy red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles that you got for free (don't worry, it's gluten free:))

I downloaded photoshop elements the other day, I get a free 30 day trial. I sort of wish I hadn't done it because now I am going to want to purchase it when the 30 days is up, I hate it when that happens. Have you used this program? It's amazing, you can do anything. All I have to say is don't believe your eyes the next time you envy over how smokin' Heidi Kluhm's legs look after having 4 children, it's not real (well maybe hers are) but seriously. Point being, you can make a rats behind look good using photoshop.

I have a confession, one that I am a little embarrassed to vocalize, but... I sort of love the new Adam Lambert song 'Whayaya Want From Me' (listeners beware!!) I didn't fall in love on purpose, it wasn't my fault. It was on the radio and I decided I would give it a quick courtesy listen instead of my typical race to the control to change the channel and almost break my finger thing, and i ended up liking it, a lot. Didn't see that comin'. As my good pal Jacey would say "it's one of those songs you hate to love." Darn it...

We went to see Brooke & Dave over the holiday weekend. We had a lovely time. The weather was beautiful, about 30 degrees shy of what it was leaving Mesa. We worked on some crafts, had a perfect day at the beach and did some shopping(no trip is complete without some of that, right?) To celebrate the 4th Lanny & I drove home and watched about 50 different firework shows along the I10. It was actually kind of fun. Oh, and I work from home now :) It's great!

Happy Belated Birthday America!

Top 5 ways to survive {GLUTEN FREE}

number [ONE]

Udi's Gluten Free Whole Grain BREAD(no really folks, this is not your typical gluten free bread/door stop. Its the best thing next to Wheat bread)

When I found this bread, I called everyone I know and made a piece of toast immediately, it was life changing. I almost shed a tear!

number [TWO]

Chocolate! Betty Crocker makes a new line of Gluten Free products, they aren't the best I have tried but I am trying to perfect them. Outback Steakhouse has an INCREDIBLE Flourless brownie and it is totally and surprisingly Gluten Free. I'm addicted. I made these little guys a today....

number [THREE]

Eggs:

Scrambled, Fried, Poached, Nogged(is that a word?), Benedict(with gluten free English muffins of course), omlets... Whatever. I LOVE EGGS. They are a life saver!!

number [FOUR]

Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix

This is sent straight from Heaven. I make pancakes, crepes, biscuits AND gravy. A must for a celiac.

number [FIVE]

Gluten Free PIZZA

There are so many places that serve gluten free pizza now days.

My personal faves:

Picazzos

Spinatos

Barros

It's interesting, I LOATHED pizza before I was gluten free, but now... I LOVE it!

So I know I promised a Top 10 but that was way too much work. I hope this helps someone, if you know someone gluten free, forward this information. I know that every time I learn something new, I get so excited. It's been a hard transition but I feel like it gets easier all of the time with the new great products on the market.

Thanks for reading :)

I feel it all... that I do.

do you ever feel like you really do 'feel it all'? Maybe it's just the woman in me(my husband thinks so anyway) but I do. While some people might think I am an overly emotional person[which i am, sometimes.] I think that is what gives people depth. I think that feeling things deeply is what drives people to achieve things and become who they are, either that or drive them self mad :)

i love those moments in life when you feel so overwhelmed with emotion, you could overcome the world. All of your wild ambitious seem possible. But why, oh why is it SO difficult to act?Lately, I have wanted a hobby. Something I can get excited to come home from work and absorb myself in. In high school I took a stained glass class. It was so enjoyable and I loved the sense of accomplishment I felt when I would finish a piece, and for a change, I think I was actually not too bad at it (: Why do we always make excuses for not doing the things we love? I think fear.

anyway, I came home and decided I was going to finish something[for once] that I started, and that my friends is MY blog. All about me, my marriage, my job, my gluten free diet(for those who care:)) and all the tireless thoughts that swirl around inside my head all day. And maybe, something I feel someone else feels the same way about(don't you love that?!).

some blogs in the making...

the top 10 ways to survive living gluten free

the anniversary blog {people: 2 years is a BIG deal!!}

All about the new Hogle Abode

Snowmobile trip with my Mountain Man

Until then, will someone please teach me how to use this thing called blogger?

P.S. I used the word feel 9 times in this blog. Do you see what I mean?

also, I think I am going to find some stained glass tools online this week :)

The Official Thanksgiving Blog

Hello All… So I had another blog and somehow I was capable of completely destroying it, not really sure what went wrong but nothing worked anymore. I decided it would be easier to make a new blog :) This blog is old and never got posted… it’s a little out dated but still fitting for the holiday, I think…. Well here it is!

A couple of weeks ago in Sunday school we had a lesson on journaling and the importance of it. The Sunday school teacher has written in him journal everyday since he was 14…. WOW. I haven’t written in my journal since I was first married, so in about a year and a half. Yes, I am a slacker. Sooo, it’s never too late to start, right? :) Today I am sitting at home, for the 4^th day SICK. I have gotten so tired of everything on TV so I decided to pull out my laptop and chill out on the couch and blog, why not!

The weather is beautiful outside, I have been stuck inside all week but every now and then I will get up the energy to walk out into my backyard and sit on the concrete(no patio furniture yet). It is amazing what a couple deep breathes of fresh air can do for you; can’t it stay like this year round? Since it is November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, why not designate this, the “Thanksgiving Blog”, since of course, I am sure I will not blog again until long after Thanksgiving is over.

During the month of November growing up my wonderful Mom would get a huge piece of construction paper and tape it to the hallway wall in our tiny house. At the top she would write, “ I am thankful for…”. Whenever there was no one around, someone would take a second to write down what they were thankful for, silly things, mostly. At Thanksgiving dinner we would go around and list off things we were grateful for, my Mom truly did teach us to remember to be grateful for our many blessings. For that I am grateful for my Mom! It is a tradition I will carry on to my own family. What would a Thanksgiving blog be without a long silly list of the many things I am grateful for, but don’t take the time to recognize throughout the year? Here it goes… in no particular order….

Lanny, My Family, The Gospel, Sunshine, Cloudy days, 82 degree weather, Big Trees, Flowers, The Savior, The ocean, Disneyland, Work, A healthy body, A healthy family, Our new home, Music, Hands, Legs, Feet, Food, Nourishment, Nieces and Nephews, Cars, Hot water, Freedom, Safety, Opportunity, Shelter, Clothing, Picazzos, Spinatos, Friends, Vacation, Priesthood, Forgiveness, Eternal Families, Rain, Laughter, Pretty things,Water, Gluten Free goodies, A good mind, Hugs, Kisses, Heat, AC

The lists goes on, but I will stop there for now. HAPPY TURKEY DAY :o)