Welcoming in 2013

After arriving back in Portland from Idaho Thursday night, Friday morning we packed everything into the car and headed down south to Grants Pass to see the Berg family. Everyone was able to make it, so it was a lot of fun seeing everyone. Just like Idaho we did a lot of relaxing and just hanging out with family. We also had a lot of late nights playing games as well. We celebrated New Years with some yummy food and games. The kids celebrated earlier in the night so that they could go to bed. We headed back up to Portland New Years Day because Kevin was starting school the 2nd. I wasn't ready to let him go back, but ready or not it came.

Here is to another great year! 

Home Sweet Home

I never knew I could get so excited to go to Idaho, but lets just say I was a little kid on Christmas morning when the 18th finally rolled around and we were able to head to Idaho. I did a half a day at school before we headed to the airport. We flew from Portland to Boise which is a quick 1 hour flight. We were then going to have to wait at the airport for 3 hours until our shuttle left. Luckily Jared and Nicole (Friends from Portland) were in Boise visiting family so they picked us up and gave us a tour of Boise (I know, I know, It is my state capitol and I have never really driven through it, just around it). We learned many interesting facts about Boise (City of trees? Have they been to Oregon?) and all there libraries end in exclamation points! Thanks Jared and Nicole for teaching Kevin that. I can't say Library without him exclaiming it  LIBRARY! We then had a yummy yummy dinner at a local drive in where we got Ice cream potatoes- It is really ice cream, just formed to look like a potato. After dinner they took us back to the airport so we could catch our shuttle. Thanks Jared and Nicole for entertaining us for the evening! You saved us a lot of boredom.

We finally arrived in Rigby at about 1:00 that night. Needless to say it was a shocker when we stepped off the bus into the freezing cold wind. Nonetheless I was still so excited to be there. The next few days were filled with lots of family and friends. Wednesday I went out to lunch with a friend of mine that I taught with last year at the Jr. High. Cassidy and I became great friends (she kept me sane) when we taught together and have kept in touch. I snuck her out during her lunch period, but not before going to visit other co-workers and some of my favorite students! It was so fun going back and seeing them, and there shock when they realized it was Mrs. Berg. Most had to take double takes before they caught on. I also was able to catch up with Brandy a good friend from high school that day and take the cute nieces out for ice cream (sadly none of this is documented with pictures). 

The next few days were filled with lots of family time, and late nights playing games. We went shopping with my mom, did some sewing with my mom, did a puzzle (of course) fed some cows, played games until all hours of the night at Devin and Charms (Thanks for all the laughs), and of course we got lots and lots of Livia time (who can resist this adorable face?)

 She absolutely loved Kevin and followed him around everywhere. One day while at my parents they had been playing for a while and then Kevin went to take a shower. She came to me looking for him - "Where's kevi?" I then told her that he had gone to take a shower. She then gave me the saddest pouty face and ran off crying. Needless to say about 1 minute later Kevin came up stairs being dragged by Livia (who had the biggest smile on her face). She had caught him before he got in the shower. We then had to distract her so that he could get away and shower without her by his side. 

Christmas eve we did our annual christmas morning breakfast early because my parents were leaving Christmas morning to go to Florida. After breakfast we all lounged around for a while before heading home and napping. That night we watched movies with my parents and enjoyed relaxing. 

Christmas morning we quickly made the rounds to all my siblings before we took my parents to the airport. They had bought there tickets seperately (my dad decided to go later on)  so they were on different flights but left within an hour of each other. After taking them to the airport we headed back to my parents where I fell asleep and Kevin watched football. We were then a little surprised to see my dad come walking into the living room. Due to problems with his plane his flight had been cancelled and so he could not get another one until the 26th. We were happy to have him home but I think he wanted to be in Florida :) That night we had a yummy dinner at Becca and Justins and then enjoyed another late night of games. 

Livia admiring Kevin like usual

Loryn my cuddle bug! 

Abbi's gymnastics skills

The next day (which was our final day) was spent running around we were able to go say our final goodbyes to family, meet up quickly with Crystal (best friend) in which I wished we would have had more time. It was sad to leave home. I am told it gets easier as time goes on but nonetheless it was hard to leave a place filled with so much love and comfort. I miss looking out and seeing the open fields and getting to spend all day with cute little renegades. I miss not having to take my shoes off when I walk into the house, and I miss laying on my mom and dads bed watching TV and chatting with my mom. I miss hearing my dads truck pulling in- and all the kids hearing it too and cheering in excitement that papa was home. However we were happy to get out of the freezing cold weather and head back home to a much quieter house. 

An early Christmas

Due to the fact that we are a little impatient (especially when big boxes show up at the door). And due to the fact that we were not going to be home for Christmas and did not want to fly the big box to Idaho  we decided to celebrate Christmas a little early. As in two weeks early ha ha. It started out with, we will both open one present each. But then it turned into lets just open them all. Needless to say it was a great early Christmas. I was very excited to find a cricut machine in my big box, and Kevin was excited for his new chair to study in and new wardrobe. Along with these we both received a new pair of shoes. Kevin got new basketball shorts.  I got a new CTR ring, a book, and some hot booties (slippers you warm in the microwave).

6 wonderful years

It has officially been 6 years since I was diagnosed with diabetes, and might I add- 6 wonderful years. And no I am not saying that sarcastically. Although there are days when it is hard, and tiring, and frustrating, and scary, diabetes has become a part of me. It is part of who I am and I am thankful everyday for this challenge I have, that allows me to grow and try harder everyday.

I am grateful for a mother who on this day 6 years ago, held my hand in the doctors office where I was told the news, and quietly shed tears with me as we hugged and cried together. For a mother who jumped out of bed at 2 am on numerous occasions when I crawled to her bedside and simply uttered the words, I'm low. For a mother who had to watch her little girl shake, and pass out, when my I hit an all time low. And then she dealt with me with patience as I demanded peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Doritos. For a mother who still calls me, just to check and see if I am okay and to see how my blood is doing for the day.  

I am grateful for the friends I had at the time that were and are still supportive and helpful with all my health needs.

I am grateful for the doctors who have always been so kind and understanding (even when my a1c wasn't pretty). I am grateful for the medical devices such as Insulin pumps, and Continuos Glucose Monitors that make managing this unpredictable disease a little easier.

And I am grateful for a husband, who from the very beginning has supported and helped me become healthier. For a husband that when I am mean and grumpy knows to simply ask me to check my blood. For a husband who never complains when I am too tired to go out because my blood is out of wack, and never complains when he now has to wake up at 2 a.m. and make get me food.

So tonight I sit here with a grateful heart. I cannot help but think of all the good things that have come from this trial in my life. When the days are hard and the nights long, I simply have to think of all the people in my life who have stepped up and helped me in so many ways. It is simply amazing.

So tonight I will celebrate having diabetes with a blizzard (ironic I know), and will continue celebrating this disease each year, because each day it makes me a stronger person.

Give Thanks

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Portland (my first year away from home for Thanksgiving) . First of all I admit I was a little disappointed that we couldn't make it to Idaho but Kevin had such a short break, it just wasn't possible. Secondly I was a little intimidated cooking Thanksgiving dinner by myself.  In the end though it turned out great. After millions (literally) of calls to my mother for directions on how to make cranberry jello, and rolls, and pie crusts, and gravy, and a ham (yes we had ham instead of turkey. Yes I know that shouldn't be allowed. But I like it more.), and squash, green bean casserole, potatoes, and so on. I think by the time I finished my mother was for the first time in her life sick of talking to me ha ha. In the end it turned out great.

Okay so this is not our Thanksgiving dinner (I forgot to take a picture) but it was very filling. We enjoyed the company of Seth (a dental student from our ward, whose wife was out of town). That night we went and picked up Pat and Stacey from the airport and enjoyed the left overs together.

The next day Pat and I did some more Christmas shopping and then we all headed to the movies. Pat and Stacey left the next morning and we were sad to see them go but glad we were able to spend a couple weekends together (benefits of living in Portland). 

Oh Brothers'

I have to admit I was a little intimidated marrying into a family with so many boys. I had one brother and a handful of nephews, but for the most part was surrounded by sisters and lots of nieces. Marrying into the Berg Family I was quickly introduced to "boy" humor aka (farting), but I was also introduced to some great brothers. I feel so blessed to have such a great in-law family even if it is mostly boys, I mean men :)

The weekend before Thanksgiving Pat and Stacey came up to Portland because they were flying out of Portland to New York. Since they were coming up and there happened to be an Oregon game Scott decided to drive down from Seattle and Eric came up from California. The first night Kevin and I took Pat and Stacey to the school play and then hurried back home to meet Scott and go pick up Eric from the airport (in which we hit a raccoon on the freeway). 

The next day the boys headed down to Eugene (with the rest of Portland/ the traffic was awful for them), and Pat and I headed to the mall to do some shopping. We spent the day shopping, had a yummy dinner, and then enjoyed a good movie together. (Thanks Pat for a great weekend!)

The boys enjoyed hanging out together, but they did not enjoy the outcome of the game.  They did not get home until 2 in the morning ( 2 hour drive turned into 4 with traffic) and Eric had to fly out at 7.  In the end it was a short trip for them all, but we enjoyed the company! 

This picture can be found on the Oregon ducks website, very classy boys! 

Time out for women

Although Pat was probably sick of driving to Portland (2nd time in a month, and she would come back again 2 weeks later for Thanksgiving) we were excited to have her and two other wonderful ladies come to Portland so I could join them at Time out for women. I had originally been invited by some older ladies in my ward- I graciously declined, thinking I would love to go, but with someone I knew. So when a couple weeks later Pat mentioned that she was going and looking for another person to join I was happy to volunteer. I became especially excited when I heard Terri was going (a family friend of the berg, whom I loved from the first time I met her at our open house in Grants Pass).

Since I had to work before the event I just took the Max train downtown from work for Friday nights event. We enjoyed a little dinner and a great evening of good company, great music, and inspirational talks. Kevin met us at the end so he could see his Mom as well as ride home with me on the train since it was late. Upon meeting Kevin, Terri and I raced to the bathroom in which we both really needed to use. We happened to run past it though and end up way passed it. The rest of the group was a bit confused when we came straggling into the bathroom after them out of breath. The comment was made that Terri and I acted like long lost sisters. I was thinking more like teenage girls but either way I'll take it as a compliment.

The next day I drove downtown and met the other ladies at their hotel. Once again we enjoyed some great music, and great talks. You can't help but leave feeling very inspired to be a better thinker. Thank you Pat, Janet, and Terri for a wonderful weekend!

One year older, and wiser too

Yes you heard that correctly, Kevin is one year older and possibly wiser too (does dental school make you wiser or just smart? What is the difference between wise and smart? Okay i am off topic now... back to the party).

As I have probably already stated on the blog before birthdays are not a big thing for the Bergs (I think its just a boy thing) anyways each year I try and make it a big thing and then restrain myself from going overboard so that Kevin actually enjoys the day. So a sign, gifts, free dinner, a little party, and like a million happy birthdays was what Kevin got for his birthday. And yes the million happy birthdays were probably a little overboard.

On his birthday Kevin had to go to school and I had to work. Lame I know. We did however sneak in a yummy breakfast and he was able to open his presents before he left. Here he is showing off his new rain coat (we live in Oregon, it was a necessity) and his new Oregon shirt (and lets be honest here, when it comes to Kevin an Oregon Duck shirt is a necessity too).

When we got home from school we headed out to a local mongolian grill where Kevin got a free dinner.  The rest of the night was spent relaxing on my part while Kevin studied (poor kid). 

The next day (Friday) we had a little party for him with some of our friends from the ward and school. In honor of the Berg tradition we of course smashed his face in a cake (although it was more smashing the cake into his face). His friends were definitely excited to do it and some didn't actually believe me when I told them thats what we were doing. They sure got him good though. Nothing says happy birthday like frosting in your nose :) 

Okay so now for the mushy part you have all been waiting for...

Oh Kevin,

I could easily write a list of 26 things I love about you since you are now an old man at age 26, however I decided I just want to tell you how proud of you I am, and how I am completely in love with you. Sometimes I wonder if I really knew what love was when we got married.   You came into my life and swept me off my feet and had me head over heels over your smile in just a few short months.I was so in love with you or so I thought. I loved the way you hugged me, I loved the way you played with my nieces and nephews, I loved the way you made me feel so comfortable, I loved the way you listened intently to all my life plans, I loved the way you made me laugh everyday, and I loved the way you made me happier then I had ever been. And yes, I still love all those things about you, but times it by a thousand, or maybe even a million. I loved you then, but it was nothing compared to how much I love you now, and from the rate its going, I can only imagine how in love with you I am going to be when you turn 80. 

I will be the first to admit that our love has changed throughout the years. Life happens.  The fear in your eyes when you found me laying on the floor trying to crawl to the fridge to find food, because my blood sugar levels were very low. The way you made the biggest peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever, and the way you fed it to me. It changed things. I didn't love you the same after that because, I loved you even more.  Losing a wedding ring.. You remaining calm. You reminding me over and over that it was just a ring and it could be replaced. You never getting upset about it. You holding me for hours while I cried about it. The look on your face when I told you my mom found it. It changed things because I fell even more in love with your optimistic outlook on life.  Laying on the couch for days (or was it weeks). Eating a whole cake straight out of the cake pan. Never using a plate. Cuddling for hours upon hours.  Watching a whole season of 24 in a couple days. I could go on and on. But I guess what I am trying to say, is each of these experiences not only changed us but it also changed the depth of my love for you. Every memory I have of you reminds me of how lucky I am to have you in my life. 

You work so hard at everything you do. The endless hours of studying you do for our family. I know it's not always easy. But you understand sacrifice better then anyone I know. And I know you sacrifice having fun so that you can go to school and provide for our family. I am so proud of all the hard work you put in each and everyday and I am so proud to call you mine. I love you honey, more and more each day! Happy Birthday honey, I am excited to celebrate your birthday with you for eternity. 

Portlandia update

Warning this is just a long boring update post, you are welcome to read or just skip ahead to the few pictures.

When asked how we are doing in our new home of Portland, our answer usually is we are surviving :) haha and completely enjoying it.  Yes, it has been a huge change and has taken some adjustment for both Kevin and I. The hardest part is of course being away from family. It is hard for me to think about how big all the nieces and nephews are going to be when we see them next. Skype however is lessing the blow. But don't worry I still talk to my mom and sisters quite often (as in almost daily ha).  Another hard part about leaving Idaho was leaving behind a great job that I loved. The job search here has not been very friendly to say the least. For a very long frustrating month there was absolutely no news to report about the job searching. Nothing at all. Then all of a sudden there was a mad rush of job interviews and job offers within a week of each other. Kevin never could keep them straight so if in the mad rush you heard about the jobs but you got confused as to where and what I was doing, don't feel bad. In a nutshell I am now working at Sunset High School as an instructional assistant. I am also still working part time at an after school program until they find a replacement. So 10 hour days for another week or so. I am happy to have the job search over with and am really enjoying the job so far.

So now on to Kevin's short update. The good news is he is staying afloat. He stays really busy. He is in his second semester and it has thus far proved to be a lot more intense then the first. I would tell you all the classes he has, but I can't keep them straight, so the simple version is he has a lot of lecture classes and lab classes, and he also does some dental assisting in the clinic. He is enjoying school, just not all the studying and tests. He usually gets home a little bit before me and we are able to spend an hour or so eating dinner and relaxing before he locks himself up and studies for another couple hours. Besides going to school and studying he is also on a Volleyball and Basketball team with some of his classmates.  Lets just say we are both a little bit excited for Christmas break and the extra time we will have to spend together for a couple weeks.

Even though we have both been crazy busy though we try and make sure and explore Portland a little on the weekends with the many great friends we have made here. So far we have really liked what we have seen. This past weekend we hit up Voodoo Donuts with Jared and Nicole. It was a fun place for people watching, and the donuts were very yummy and uh... interesting.

Old vs. New

Kevin has always been a big Jazz fan. Which of course I didn't mind because I had always been one too. Since moving to Oregon Kevin has thrown around the idea of following the trail blazers a little bit more. So we thought it was a win win situation to go see the Jazz play the Trail Blazers preseason game. We invited some fellow Jazz fans Nicole and Jared, and headed down there on the max train, after work.  The game was a lot of fun. We had lower bowl seats so it was fun to see the players close up. You don't realize how big they are when you just see them on T.V. The Trail Blazers pretty much ruled the game though, and the fans were kind of obnoxious (especially the couple in front of us who were either making out or hitting people with the blow up noise makers). The Jazz came back at the end but did not quite pull it off.  We left happy though even though I was really starting to come down with a cold (so don't mind how deathly I look in the pictures).

Even though they lost we still left Jazz fans, and probably will remain so. But I guess as long as the Blazers aren't playing the Jazz we can cheer for them.

Deja Vu'

These pictures might look oddly familiar. Probably because I posted ones, from the same spot a week or so ago. This time however these pictures were taken with Kevin. I loved the hike so much, that Saturday when the rain broke for a couple hours I convinced Kevin to go on a hike with me to council crest. Once again it was beautiful, and cloudy.

Plumper Pumpkin Patch

In the two and half years Kevin and I have been married we have done a lot together, as in I could make a very long list of things we have accomplished off of my bucket list. We however had never been to a pumpkin patch together. Kevin said it had been years since he had gone to one, and I admitted that I had never been to one (unless you count my parents garden as one). So when some friends from the ward invited us to a pumpkin patch we were both really excited to go. The weather turned out great. We enjoyed walking around the pumpkin patch, going on a hay ride, and picking out our pumpkin (which still needs to be carved).

The view from the hay ride

Before the rain starts

Before winter and the rain decided to show up here in Portland we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery.  So Brianne and I went on an adventure and explored Portland. First was Marshall park which was a beautiful little park with little creeks and stone bridges and did I mention a giant "Warning, man hole sign" haha.  Overall a great little park.

Next we hiked from Marquam Hill to the zoo, in which we travelled through Counsel Crest. It was absolutely stunning up there, and although it was a cloudy day so we couldn't see the view of the city the fall colors, and sun shining through the trees.

Don't mind the lack of make up

View of city (so much fog)

Sun finally came out