A Good Thought

I married into one extraordinary family. Nick has some of the most amazing grandparents, uncles and cousins around. This past summer I finally got to meet one of his cousins that I had really been looking forward to. Her name is McKenna and she is an amazing woman. She probably doesn't know how she inspires me but I was reading her blog today and I was so moved by her thoughts. She is one incredible lady - having faced much trial, stands so supremely footed in the gospel and is one with enormous faith. I wanted to attach one part of her post today that really touched me: "So for all of us that are going through a trial of life (not limited to this of course), we have a choice. If it is unknown that this is a specific "trial of your faith", you too have a choice. You will go through this trial no matter the choice, all this choice does is determine your 1. happiness level while going through it 2. how the Savior judges that you do at the end. It really only comes down to two choices and I am sure we all know what they are. We can either see this as an opportunity to make our faith stronger and draw closer to the Lord in trust during the trial OR we can become any level of bitter, ignore him through our trial and only thank him after we are blessed with it. One way is ultimately easier and the other rather lonely. Your choice. I'd say make the best of the trial and heck, work hard to be a better person so at the end you are stronger." Thank you McKenna for sharing your story, journey, and most importantly your testimony! You are a strength to all of us!

Don't worry your joy away!

I was given this piece of advice at my doctors appointment - I thought it was very wise! Those who know me, know that I have a tendency to let my mind wander into worst-case-scenario-ville when it comes to my health. I have been through a lot but have always been blessed with tremendous, more than perfect outcomes. At times, my faith falters and I find myself in this same cycle of worry when I have so much to be grateful for. With my pregnancy, things are going awesome. I haven't had any problems to speak of and that isn't the case with any woman, not just a post-transplant woman. So I have had many, many moments of amazing gratitude. But anytime I have a weird pain or a headache, my mind jumps again to the what if's of my situation. I was explaining so of my symptoms to my doctor and she responded, "Don't worry your joy away!" It was exactly what I needed to hear. After my dearest friend lost her little baby, she basically gave me the same advice - I was just too stubborn to listen. This life is our to live and live happily if we choose. And it's a choice we have to make daily!

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

Yesterday was Nick's birthday so we decided to celebrate all weekend! First we went and saw these:

Later, we ate dinner here:

Then we went and saw this, again:

Saturday was full of Nick's favorite things. I love celebrating people's birthdays. I love making them feel really special so I loved our whole day because I knew he was having such a good time. First off, anyone who knows Nick, knows that he loves Texas. He lived for several years and just loves all things Texas - one being their football team! In honor of that, we stopped by the Frederick fair and saw real live Texas Longhorns in person. It was unbelievable to see - they are really amazing animals. We both really enjoyed seeing them and their enormous horns. The grand champion winner had horns that were 9ft in length - can you imagine lugging all that weight around on your head?!?!

Later that night we went to Sakura's Japanese Steakhouse for dinner. This is Nick's all time favorite place to eat so we go every year on his birthday. It is hibachi stye where they cook in front of you. Nick gets to eat sushi and scallops - he's in heaven! It's the best fried rice you will EVER have!! After dinner we went and saw The Dark Knight again. It actually enjoyed in a lot better the second time. The joker really is a fascinating character, creepy, but fascinating!

Yesterday, on his actual birthday, we went to my mom's for dinner & presents! My parents got him a great gag gift - a daddy diaper changing kit! Here are some pics!

It was so creative and we all had a good laugh!! It's easy to celebrate someone you love and appreciate so much! What can I say, I love his guts! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

20 week picture

I finally figured out how to use the scanner at work - I usually have my friend Alyssa do it but she has since left for college! Here is a 20 week pic our baby boy! Isn't technology amazing!

IT'S A ............

BOY!!!

We are so happy! Baby boy is healthy and perfect and we are so, so excited to be his parents. It's always wonderful to see him in there moving around but yesterday was such a thrill. We could see him and then to know it is no longer it but a HE!!!! We can't wait!!!

He's HERE!!

At 12:15 am this morning, my brother & his wife welcomed their third child. He weiged in at six pounds eight ounces and is 19.5 inches long. He and Krista are both healthy and happy and I couldn't be more excited for their little family!! Congratulations you guys! We love you!

Realizations

Nick is on nights this week and that always proves to be a lonely time for me. I try not to let it consume me because I know he is working so hard and hates nights as much as me - but I can't help it. I just miss him! Well, last night I was determined to not be sitting at home missing him and actually made a plan for myself. I went to a nice dinner with my dad - just me and him - which is a rare occurrence. I really loved it = he is such a funny, happy guy and it was nice to have a daddy daughter date - I still need them, even at 28. He dropped me off and I came home to the dogs, which I am loving more each day, and my sister in law. Michele is still at home while she works and prepares to go to school at BYU-Idaho in January. It was so nice to come home to her and the dogs and not an empty house. We put in a movie and both fell soundly to sleep. I woke suddenly as I realized a dog was licking my feet and we both stammered up to bed. Well, I thought I would just fall back to sleep but I was wide awake and missing my husband, who really is my best friend, my comfort, the love of my life and my pal. In the midst of my wide awakedness, I decided to go hunt of our wedding album which I hadn't found since we moved. I stumbled into the spare room which is holding grounds for loose ends we haven't gotten too and in a few short months will be our babies nursery. A room I know will become so much more meaningful as it will safely nest our little miracle. In this room, we will spend sacred moments rocking, feeding, smiling and standing in awe of what we have created. It was in this room last night that I found my wedding album and thought about what bringing a baby home will mean to our marriage. It is a wonderful thing that we have waited so long for but I know things will change. These are some things I will miss once baby is here:

• lazy mornings lying in bed talking
• spontaneous drives and road trips
• going to the gym together
• sitting in church together holding hands (hopefully this will still happen :-) )
• it just being the two of us - an ending to a chapter, a beautiful, happy chapter

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything. I already love this baby more than I ever thought possible but I will miss this part of our marriage. I do know that this baby will only make our love deepen as we continue to learn and grow together, something I am looking forward to! But in the meantime, I am savoring every moment we have!