Salinas Baby Shower

The baby shower was a lot of fun. With the help of my mom and interest (haha) We pulled off a great shower. It was fun to talk to all my friends and family and get advice or sympathy on being pregnant. It makes me so happy to know that this little girl who will be here in 10 weeks is already so loved by so many. 

Banner inspired from interest of course

28 weeks pregnant....feeling huge

Yummy pink treats & chocolate zucchini cake

Tissue paper flowers, so cute and cheap!

Beautiful scrapbook from my high school coach and friend Monica. She pre made pages that I will be able to insert pictures into once the baby is here. There were also a few pages with pictures of us from high school. So awesome!

All of the baby stuff is so cute

Grammie crocheted a beautiful blanket. I still have the baby blanket she made for me when I was born. The only reason why is retired it was because I got married, otherwise I would still be sleeping with it lol. 

A few of the wonderful ladies at the shower. Cousin Kelli, Monica and her daughter Bella, Alyssa (teammate from college) Tina (friends since first grade), Lynsie(sister in law). There were a few more here including grammie, Aunt Cathy, Aunt Trudy, and Lisa

Thanks to everyone for coming!!!!

Christmas Vacation

Jared and I made the long drive to Salinas for Christmas. We were smart and decided to split the drive into two days, staying the night in Reno on the way there and Vegas on the way home. The weather was perfect throughout the whole trip, it didn't feel like winter. We stopped by the Reno temple and the Sacramento temple on the way to Salinas. It was great to go back the the Sacramento temple, we hadn't been there since the day we got married, and lets be honest that day was a total blur. Jared was working from my parents house the first few days we were there, and my mom and I were getting last minute details in place for the baby shower. The baby shower was great, all the food came out so good, and it was so nice to see friends and family. After getting baby gifts it made me think I should be home getting the nursery together "nesting" lol. While home we relaxed, went to the beach, hung out with friends, went to the Oakland Temple, and we were entertained by Roxie and Rosie the grand-dogs. We are excited to be home, in our own bed and we are in the final countdown until the baby comes. 10 weeks left!!!!!!

Sacramento Temple

They played so much, they can't even keep their eyes open

Carmel Beach

Oakland Temple

On the road again

24 Weeks

6 Months Pregnant. Had someone rub my belly for the first time, people are actually commenting on my belly, so i guess I finally look pregnant, not just fat and chubby lol. My back has been hurting pretty bad, but Jared rubs it for me and I have a few yoga stretches that ease the pain. I am beginning to do things like rest my hands on top of my belly, like a shelf, and rub my belly in public. I use to see women do this and think it was kind of weird but I'm beginning to think its something that comes naturally to pregnant women haha. 

23 Weeks/ Rosie

Almost 6 months pregnant. Nothing new, still growing, and growing! 4 more weeks of school, the countdown has begun. I can't wait, the end of the semester is panning out the be pretty easy too. My finals should be a breeze, then off to California for Christmas. 

 Rosie, she still doesn't realize that she is going to be a big sister, then again she is a DOG haha. We think she will adjust to the the baby well, she love playing with Jade and Finn so I'm sure she will be the same with our baby.

20 Weeks, this post is a little late

So, this post is a little late. This was taken at 20 weeks. I am now 22 weeks, which for me it seems like a lot has changed. Those of you reading this who have been pregnant can agree that during pregnancy each day feels different, the baby is growing, I'm growing, etc. 2 weeks in the pregnancy world feels like a lot of time. By the way we are having A GIRL!!! we are both so excited and already preparing the nursery. Jared has converted a desk we had into a changing table, and it looks great! Pictures to come. Jared finally felt her move last week. I have been able to feel a few flutters and then finally Jared felt a huge kick, it was the biggest one I have felt so far. I am now half way through my pregnancy and now it feels like a waiting game. Its so exciting at first finding out your pregnant, then that excitement dies down a little. Then I start showing and find out we are having a girl. Now I just want time to fast forward....even past labor lol and I want our beautiful baby girl to be here. Until then I will keep busy crocheting, cooking, counting down the days until school is done, counting down the days until Christmas, hopefully these things will keep my mind occupied.

Vows

I was cleaning out my filing box today throwing away stuff from 2007 and I stumbled upon my file of wedding stuff. I found the vows Jared and I wrote to each other for our ring ceremony. Hopefully Jared doesn't mind me sharing them.....

me to Jared

I still remember when we met and I was immediately drawn to you. We bonded and became friends right away. As our friendship grew I was able to see what an amazing man you were. I love your adventurous spirit and your passion for life. I love your open mind and loving nature. I love your knowledge and desire to learn more. You are kind hearted and an amazing sibling. I know you will be an amazing husband and father. I promise to always love you, and be there for you and from this day forward never make you sleep on the couch.

Jared to me

The ability to love and care for one another is the greatest gift our Father in Heaven has given to his children. From the time we met, I have never doubted your amazing gift to nurture and love those around you. To be able to create this family with you is beyond my ability to comprehend. All my life I have told myself that I will never settle for a woman that is any less that the most important woman in my life, my mother. I promise that I will spend every waking moment of my life in the fierce pursuit of being at least a small part of the kind of loving husband and caring father that my dad is. May we follow the example our parents have shown to us so we can be happy as they are. I love you.

Gosh, I can't believe this was two years ago. Now was are going to be parents and I guess we will really see if we can live up to the examples of our parents. Jared and I are so excited for the baby, we get to find out tomorrow if the baby is a boy or a girl. !?!?!

16 Weeks-The size of an avocado

I am 16 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of an avocado. MMMmm... avocado, guacamole. If your wondering if I am having cravings, the answer is yes! I have become a fan of pinterest were I can browse delicious looking recipes that make my mouth water. I don't know if it is a friend or an enemy. It depends on how hungry I am when looking at them. In other news, I am patiently waiting to feel the little baby move. They say you can feel little flutters between 16 and 20 weeks. It still feels so surreal. Although I have gained 10 pounds and have what I think to be a clear baby bump It still doesn't feel real. I think once I feel the baby move I will be able to make more of a connection. It hard when I have only heard the heart beat twice and the month in between appointments is long enough for me to get a little nervous, wondering if everything is okay. The fact that I am still growing is positive reinforcement for me that the baby is growing and healthy. We get to find out what we are having in 3 weeks!!! I am so excited, until then I just sit and day dream about the nursery and what colors I will decorate with. According to the experts I should be experiencing a growth spurt in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for a picture of a full blown pregnant lady!

Bun in the oven

Jared and I are happy to announce that we are having a baby! I am currently 12 weeks, the due date is set for March 10. We are so excited/nervous/grateful..... We know that are lives are about to change, but we are so excited for this new chapter to begin. I get emotional thinking about graduating college and having a baby all in the next 9 months. We planned it out pretty well, I will be done with school (have my bachelors degree) in December, therefore my last trimester I will be able to rest and nest and prepare for the little one. So far my pregnancy has been pretty good...I haven't had any morning sickness!!!! I think being sick was my biggest fear. It is definitely a journey that I am trying my best to enjoy. My body is definitely changing, but I accept those changes because I know my baby is growing and getting stronger. I am anxiously waiting to find out whether we are having a boy or a girl. We will keep you posted and up to date on our progress.

Loved this poem

While I was stumbling along stumbleupon.com I came across this poem written my a man named Steve I believe.?. Really makes you think about what your thankful for. Makes you reflect on the little things in life that we take for granted.

Im Thankful For

...the mess to clean up after a party

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay

because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug

because it means I have enough to eat.

...my shadow who watches me work

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

...all the complaining I hear about our government

because it means we have freedom of speech.

...that lady behind me in church who sings off key

because it means that I can hear.

...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home.

...my huge heating bill

because it means that I am warm.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

because it means that I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

because it means that I am alive.

Half Marathon

Representing my junior college HARTNELL

Start Line

Jared and I ran the Utah Valley Half Marathon 2 months ago, and.....I am finally going to blog about it. Jared and I signed up for the half marathon as an incentive to keep up in shape during the winter. We did our best, but neither one of us is a die hard runner who will go run through snow and rain. (My coach would kill me if he heard that). We managed to get a few long runs under our belt before the day of the race. We had to get on a bus in provo at 3:30am and get bussed up Provo Canyon. The starting line reminded us of some post apocalyptic scene where everyone has gathered in the wilderness huddled around fire pits. The race started at 6:30. It was a beautiful run down the canyon. The slight downhill really helped too. Jared and I had planned on staying around a 10 minute mile, we ended up going with pace of the other runners and feeling good running between 9 and 9:30 pace. We both finished and ran the whole way. Jared finished about 2 minutes before me. Gosh we were both so tired! I had the happy/tired tears lol. It was a great accomplishment for Jared and I and we had so much fun training and racing together. I was very proud of Jared, beings he isn't necessarily a "runner" but I think he is hooked now.

Springville Track and Field

As most of you know I was an assistant coach for Springville High School this last season. It was a fun experience and I feel I learned a lot and formed some great relationships with the athletes. Last weekend the season came to an end at the state championships. We had quite a few qualifiers and most of them made it to finals. The weather was absolutely terrible on Friday, it was raining, windy and cold. Luckily on Saturday for finals the weather cleared up and it was beautiful. The day was suspenseful to say the least. Our fastest girl runner pulled out of the 100 meter and wouldn't be unable to compete the rest of the day due to a hamstring injury. She was suppose to be on both of the relay teams so the team realized they would have to win without her. The girls responded and performed above and beyond. With an alternate on the relays they still managed to win the 4x100 and second in the 4x400. The day was filled with exciting races and unexpected performances. By the end of the day we knew that the points for teams standing was close. The Springville girls have placed 2nd for 3 or 4 years in a row. Well not this year.....We got 1st place!!!!! I cant even explain how excited I was for these girls. I think I was more excited and emotional for these girls than I was when I placed 3rd in state, lets just say there were tears. The boys did well too, they got 2nd place, which was an amazing accomplishment. After the word got back to Springville they fire department wanted to drive the boys and girls team around town on top of the fire truck. It was awesome! Everyone pulled over and we were sitting on top of the truck screaming, o man, what a day. I was so exhausted from the two days of competition, and I didn't even run! My voice was gone, but it was so worth it. I loved, loved, loved being a part of the season, and I loved coaching these kids. They are so awesome, and I am sad it over. Hopefully I will be back next track season;)

The Echo

Twas a sheep not a lamb that strayed away

In the parable Jesus told,

A grown-up sheep that strayed away

From the ninety and nine in the fold.

And why for the sheep should we seek

And earnestly hope and pray?

Because there is danger when sheep go wrong;

They lead the lambs astray.

Lambs will follow the sheep, you know,

Wherever the sheep may stray.

When sheep go wrong, it wont take long

Til the lambs are as wrong as they.

And so with the sheep we earnestly plead

For the sake of the lambs today,

For when sheep are lost, what a terrible cost

The lambs will have to pay!

C.C Miller

Become as a Little Child

To become as a little child is not to become childish but rather to rediscover childlike attributes in yourself. Think of the the wonderful attributes of children: believing hearts, full of faith, receptive to the spirit, teachable, humble, obedient(for the most part), loving,innocent, forgiving, etc. Do we still have these attributes as adults? As I taught sunday school today I though about this, and the fact that it is harder now as an adult to posses these attributes. It may be because of life experience or the fact that we are a bit tarnished by the the world around us. Whatever it may be we can learn so so much from children. Their innocence, faith, attitude of humility, and love can be great examples to us. To posses this attributes again in our lives we must be willing to follow the example of children and have an open heart to learn. If we can become as a little child we might be able to unlock our own spiritual growth. While preparing this lesson I watched the Mormon Messages for Youth on youtube. We use a video almost every week in class, there is one for almost any subject. The video's geared towards youth were absolutely amazing. I cried during everyone I watched. The video titled Dayton's Legs was so powerful, it goes to show the type of things children and youth are capable of.

Mother's

I love the fact that today (Mother's Day) I was able to sit through three hours of church and hear three hours of wonderful stories and praise to women and mother's in general. We have the opportunity to teach Sunday school and today I chose to teach the whole lesson. We talked about women and their role in this world. We used a talk by Elder Cook called "LDS Women Are Incredible!" It's true isn't it? In fact all women are incredible. INCREDIBLE. Today I really thought about all the women in my life and what I have learned from each of them. I am so grateful to have married into a family with 6 sister! Seriously 6 wonderfully, amazing, strong, smart, talented sisters; and ONE amazing woman responsible for all of them. In our lesson today we also used some quotes from Sheri Dew's book "No One Can Take Your Place" There is a chapter titled "Are we not all Mothers?" In this chapter it talks about the amazing blessing it is to bear children and the wonderful responsibility that our Father in Heaven has given us. "Motherhood is not what is left over after our Father blessed His sons with the privilege of priesthood ordination. It was the MOST ennobling endowment He could give His daughters." I look forward to the day that I was the opportunity to be a mother with both excitement and fear. What a huge responsibility!!! When I think about responsibility and sacrifice ever mother has made it makes me so thankful and fills my heart with gratitude towards my mom and all that she has done for me and my family. I love you mom, and all the moms, and all the women who have been an influence on me in my life. Happy Mothers Day!

Mom and Dad

My parents came to visit Jared and I this last week while we were on spring break. We hadn't seen them since last August, so it was a much needed visit. It was so amazing to have my parents in my home, a home that Jared and I have created together. My parents are so happy for Jared and I and that we are doing so well, and that makes me so happy too. We didn't do a whole lot, we went to a track meet, went to Park City and saw the Olympic Park, and Midway and other than that just hung out and cooked some amazing food. Jared and I haven't eaten that good in a while. My mom and I had the chance to go to the fabric store and got a few patterns. We decided to sew a dress for me. We almost finished it, then the sewing machine started giving us some problems. My mom is a master at sewing and quilting, I admire that about her. It is always bitter sweet to have them leave. I know they have to go and get back to their lives as do Jared and I, but gosh I hate to say goodbye. Needless to say I had a good cry :) Rosie got attached too, she misses them.

Family Time

For the longest time I was working Saturdays. Now that I am taking a break from Sun River I have time to hang out with Jared and Rosie. Jared always works during the week and it was hard when I would work all day Saturday. Yesterday we took a walk up Provo Canyon. Rosie absolutely loved it. Our church also moved to 9am. Its hard to get up early but we love having the whole day to spend together and relax. This is what it looked like today while I did some homework and Jared watched the playoff. Rosie in the middle being a snuggle bug. I love my little family.

The Grapefruit Syndrome

I dont know if any of you have read the article is this last months Ensign called The Grapefruit Syndrome. Well it was really good. It is about this couple who tried a new technique to discuss things about the other that may bother them etc. The end result of this was to help the couple discuss the "problem" and correct it before they formed resentful feelings towards the other. So the couple was to sit down and say 5 things about the other person that annoyed them. The only thing that could come to her mind was the way her husband ate grapefruit....he peeled it like an orange rather that slicing it in half and eating it with a spoon. In return her husband couldn't think of one thing that bothered him. Tears came to the women's eyes as she realized that she was finding fault in such a trivial thing. I think we are all guilty of this. I realize as I vent to my mom or whoever about how Jared doesn't wipe off the counter, or leaves the cupboard doors open, or leaving stuff in the leaving room. Whatever it is, it's trivial. I have to remember all the things that I love about Jared. He goes to work everyday and works so hard to support us, he is funny and makes me laugh everyday, I love how sensitive he is, I love that he will do the dishes while I sleep on the couch, he takes care of me, and loves me unconditionally. I am so lucky, forget the crumbs on the counter. I will take crumbs on the counter everyday if it means I get to spend my life with such a wonderful man.