The Depot

Last night Nick and I went to Home Depot to get all the stuff for the nursery. That store is amazing! We are not handy people, but for some reason you walk in there and you feel like you need new flashlights, work gloves, saws, drills, etc. The women's bathroom is strategically placed in the back where you need to travel right past all the beautiful appliances. Nothing tugs at a women's heart like a stainless steel refrigerator with no handprints. We were not shopping for appliances but could not keep my eyes off of them. The paint guy was so nice and helped us with all our questions/concerns and we walked out of there with 1 gallon of viking, 1 gallon of bison brown, 1 gallon of white with a satin finish, one gallon of white primer, 4 10 ft lengths of chair rail molding, a drop cloth, one roll of blue tape, paint brushes, paint tray and a few other things we just couldn't live without. Like I said, why wouldn't anyone need a 36 pack of AA batteries for $13!?!?!!?! It was exciting to get everything purchased so we can begin building babies nest. I also had my 26 week check up and baby looks great. He was kicking the sonogram paddle everytime she pushed down - pretty funny! I hope this means he has a sense of humor! In other news, I walked out of the house this morning and stepped on a dead mouse carcas. Boy, do I love having pets!!!

Baby Update

Our little boy is as active as a little jumping bean in there - not that mommy minds, it's very reassuring to feel him moving all around. Unfortunately, he's always really busy when Daddy is not around so Nick has yet to feel him kick. The last time we were at the doctor's, which was October 9, we had a 24 weeks growth screening. He weighed 1 lb. 9 oz. and was 13 inches long from crown to rump. He was sticking his tongue out and drinking - it was beautiful to see. Every visit is a little bit scary for me just because I worry about my kidney but, so far, everything is great! My doctor finally said it too - which I have been dying to hear her say! We have ordered our crib and registered so things are starting to come together. Here is a pic of our crib Things are going really good and we really appreciate all the prayers of our friends and family on our behalf. We are so grateful for our understanding of where we came from and that this little guy is anxiously waiting for his turn on earth. I can already feel the love that Heavenly Father has for him as He is lifting Nick and I each day to be better and do better! I am going to take the poll down today but it looks like a tie between Brady & Benjamin! Thanks to all who voted! You will have to tune back in to see what we choose!

What's Nick been up to?

I have been getting this question alot lately because I fail to write about all the exciting things he's been doing! Besides being the best baby shopping partner on the planet, Nick has been getting all his grad school applications in. As of about 10 days ago, everything is in the mail and off! This is a very exciting time for both of us as we are realizing when this stint of school is done - we are REALLY done. No more school, papers, projects, etc. Nick already got accepted to a school in Connecticut, which has given him and I peace of mind knowing we have a fall back. He just heard early this week that he got an interview at Wakeforest on December 9. That's a good sign! At the very latest, we should hear back from all the schools before Christmas. When he's not working at JHU, he's working on our lawn. It's about 3 -4 acres and it requires a lot of upkeep. He's been really awesome about doing it though and I really appreciate that because I hate yard work. He is so excited to be a dad and I love it! It's so wonderful to share this with him and we can't wait to meet our little guy. We'll keep you posted on the school situation!

Time Out for Women

This past Saturday I was able to go to Time Out for Women up in Philadelphia with my two good friends from Owings Mills. I was so grateful to be able to go and hear the wonderful speakers: Chris Stewart, Douglas Brinley, Emily Watts, Jane Clayson Johnson, Carolyn Rasmus, & my FAVORITE LDS musician Hilary Weeks. I was only expecting to be uplifted and have a nice day with my friends and got much more than I thought. I had some things that were heavy on my heart and I felt that I got answers to my prayers that day. It was such a wonderful experience to hear each of these people speak, as if right to me most of the time. Hilary Weeks music was beautiful and inspiring and I really was touched by her as well. They were all so gracious and allowed us to swarm them during each break! Thank you to Heather for planning the day and for driving and to them both great company as always! It was such a wonderful day!

Sacred Institution

I have always been an outspoken person, a quality that has been a strength at times and a weakness, depending on the situation. I have long avoided using my blog as a forum for my political views and ideas and, instead, chose to be silent. But I don't think that is the right thing to do anymore. My little brother lives in CA and my mom was telling me about what our church leaders have asked of the youth in CA. Elder Ballard and Elder Cook held a one hour prensentation that was shown on campuses in California, Utah, Idaho and Hawaii regarding Proposition 8. They urged the youth to use all methods at their disposal to support the church in their efforts to support Proposition 8. As a married woman expecting her first child, I can no longer sit back and ask the Lord to bless our country and not do my part. Marriage is and has always been a sacred institution between and man and a woman. It is important for us to stand behind our church leaders in protecting its sacredness. I know we can't vote unless we are in California but we can support our family and friends who do live there to not be afraid to stand up and be counted. It is time to be doers of the work. I am so proud of my brother for doing his part in California and make an unpopular stand! May we all do the same, wherever we are, however we can.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dear old dad's birthday! He's an easy guy to love and celebrate for because he is so kind, sincere, and loving to his family. I have really fond memories of daddy daughter dates when I was little. In a house of all boys, my dad tried to use those opportunities to make me feel really special. He would drive me to ballet practice and then take me out to get a McDonalds happy meal. He was always so nice to my friends and everyone who meets him likes him. I feel so lucky to be his daughter and to live so close by. He became fast friends with Nick and that has meant so much to me. You won't meet a harder worker or someone who loves his family more. Happy Birthday Dad - I love you!

Peace, Be Still

What a wonderful conference weekend we had! This was exactly what I needed, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. I don't know if I am more sensitive because I am pregnant or what, but I have been so stressed out about the world lately. It seems that there has been no peace from the chaos with the election, the bailout, the economy in general. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to has something to say about it and it has really been weighing on my mind. I was so excited to have a weekend free from all of that and hear what our church leaders had to say. My heart and mind were set at ease and I am so grateful for their inspired words. It's so good to know that there is a refuge and it is available to all of us.

Beautiful Video

My mom posted this video on her blog. Elder Enzio Busche delivered a beautiful devotional to the students at BYU on 14 May 1996 and someone set it to music and pictures. Please take a few minutes to watch. It is really beautiful!

To Grandmother's house we go...

This past Tuesday I was able to take off work so that Nick and I could spend some time with my Grandma. This visit was long overdue and really worth the time. My grandfather passed away several years ago so my grandma is alone now. She lives on a farm with lots of animals and they keep her very busy. But you can tell that nothing is more important to her than her family. She was so excited to have us come for the afternoon. She told us stories about how she my pop pop and their first years of marriage. She looked at every sonogram picture of our little boy and oohed and awed over each one. She is such a wonderful lady and I am so glad I got to spend some time with her. Here's a three generation picture (four if you count the fetus)!