98 days!

I can't believe there are only 98 days left until our little girl's due date. In some ways it seems I've been pregnant forever, at other times it seems like it's flown by. In another week, I will officially enter my third trimester. I still don't look that pregnant, and other than having the stomach flu this last week, I still feel pretty good. Being in the double digits makes it seem like she will be here in no time at all - especially with the holidays.

More than anything it makes me feel like I have so much to do! I need to finish her room for starters, finish getting things put away from our move, get into some childbirth classes, and get all of the stuff together she is going to need. If she came today we would be found lacking even the most basic equipment. She must stay inside and cook for a while longer!

That's what is on my brain at the moment. Everyone have a great Turkey Day this next week. Be safe going wherever it is you're going and enjoy the wonderful togetherness with the people you love. We will be headed off to St. George to be with Patrick's mom's family. Gobble gobble!

5 Things

Katie tagged me and asked that I create a list of 5 things that make me happy. I love her idea, so here it goes:

1. My hubby - I think I probably just covered it with my anniversary post, but I am really am so grateful he is mine. If you ask my family, they would probably agree that I have been the happiest I've ever been since he came into my life. He makes me laugh all the time and will sometimes do silly things just to put a smile on my face. He helps me around the house so much, especially since I've been pregnant. He works so hard to make sure we will have everything we need for this baby. He likes me to go get pedicures every once in a while because he knows I love it. He sends me random texts during the day just to tell me he loves me. The list could go on and on, he makes me a very happy girl!

2. This baby growing in my belly - I love to feel her wiggle in there. Sometimes she gets so excited I can SEE her wiggle, which is ever cooler. It lets me know she's okay. I feel like I am getting to know her a little now, and for good or bad, she appears to have some of my charming personality. On Thursday morning, she kicked the ultrasound tech 3 times in a row, then covered her face and crossed her legs. It makes me so happy to know this little person is really in there and is developing a little personality all her own. I am so excited to meet her and get to know her better in person.

3. My little niece Maddie - I love this little girl and I am so grateful she is a part of our family. We really needed her. I don't know quite how to express what a change this little girl's presence has brought into our family. There is a new excitement for my parents, for my grandparents, and for each of my brothers and sisters. In a way, I think it's kind of addicting. For so long, we talked about how one of the kids needed to have a kid so that we could breathe some new life into the family. She has done just that. Good job Kim and Brandon - you make beautiful babies!

4. My Ridge Family - My mom has a sister named Cindy, and her and her husband Dave has 4 beautiful talented girls - Brittany, Katie, Sam, and Emma. I just love their family, for what they have done for my family. Cindy and Dave are amazing parents and as a testament have these amazing girls. These girls are so unique and special, each one in their own way. They are the first people who I was ever present and aware of their birth and now Britt is getting ready to go off to college. I love them and cherish the time we get to spend to them.

5. My testimony - As most of you know, I am "Mormon", a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and as a result, I am so happy. The way that I live my life is a reflection of the values I have gained from membership and participation in this church. I am excited to raise my children with these same values and hope that it will help them to be as happy as I am. I am grateful for my Savior, that He knows me and is aware of my wants and needs, and takes care of me so well.

The tag only asked for 5, but why not one more?

6. My friends - I have always said that Heavenly Father has provided me with some pretty amazing friends. They know who they are, and they have given me so much happiness, love, and support. From calling when they see a good deal on baby stuff at the store, to flying down for my wedding, to sending me fun little things in the mail, to giving me tons of baby clothes, to throwing me baby showers and bridal showers. I am just so grateful to have a few amazing friends who have been so good to me! I only hope that I can be as good of a friend in return.

There they are, my 5 (6) things that make me happy. I tag... Kim, Robin, Sarah R., Sarah V., and anyone else who wants to sit back and think for a few minutes about the things that make life so great!

One year down, forever to go...

Well, it's really one year and one week... Anyway, last Monday was our one year anniversary. What can I say about our first year of marriage? I married the perfect guy; no, he's not perfect, but he certainly is perfect for me! He is my best friend. There is no one I would rather go through the trials life brings, than with him! Our first year has been an amazingly good one. We've had our struggles; although they weren't the ones everyone warned us we would have. They were the perfect struggles for the two of us and they helped us to grow in our love for one another and our marriage. Our Heavenly Father is great that way! I love him more today than the day I married him, which I didn't think was possible. His love has changed me for the better and I will be forever grateful for all he does for me!

Solvang

Last weekend, Patrick and I took a very quick trip over the weekend for our anniversary to Solvang. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is a little Dutch town up in wine country in California. It really is just a fun touristy little place to get away. The weather was great and we had a really nice time.

Some of the highlights were... eating lots of really yummy (and fattening) food, the jaccuzzi, hiking up to a little waterfall, visiting a vintage motorcycle museum, and buying some fun little outfits for the bambino. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment...

Here is Patrick's favorite...

And this one was mine...

The camera batteries died and I just couldn't bring myself to buy more because we had so many at home already, so those are the only pics we got. Now we have an excuse to go back!

Happy Halloween!

A Sister is Held Even Closer

I have been following the story of Stephanie and Christian for a couple of months now, but wanted to share this article with those of you who may not have heard of them:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/10/26/20081026sisters1026a1.html


I read Stephanie's blog and her sister Courtney's blog first thing every morning, and sometimes again in the evening. I have cried over their posts and pray for their family every day. I am drawn to this story for so many reasons:

1. I admire so many things about the way Stephanie mothers her children. She focuses more on loving them and spending quality time with them than the household chores. I want to be like that.

2. I admire her sisters for their bravery and the way they have rallied around them in their time of need. I want to be like that.

3. I love how Stephanie and Christian, after so many years of marriage, would still dress up for each other, court each other, kiss each other, they just cherished each other. I want to be like that.

4. I love how this family is so good at loving and appreciating each other and seek to find joy in the simplest of things. I want to be like that.

5. I am amazed at how this family have relied so much on the faith and prayers of strangers, and have been so gracious in how they have handled this great trial. I want to be like that.

I guess their story just makes me stop and think of how much I love my sisters (my sister-in-laws included). It makes me think about the kind of mom and sister I want to be. It makes me so grateful for my mother, aunts, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers and all that they endured in raising me. It makes me think of the kind of wife I want to be.

I think the pregnancy hormones are turning me a little sappy... but their story just plain and simple makes me want to be better!

Happy brain-iversary!

Sunday was a very special brain-iversary for my sister Jessica. It was the one year anniversary of her enduring one of the most hardcore brain surgeries I have ever heard of. Without getting too graphic, after opening her brain up and playing around to find out where all of the important parts (language, hearing, motor skills, eye sight, etc) were located over the course of a hellish week, they did one final big operation and removed most of her left temporal lobe. Sunday was the one year anniversary of that final surgery.

For those of you who don't know, Jessica is fighting round two with brain cancer. She got her diagnosis in June of 2007 and last October they finally did the big surgery. When she saw the surgeons and they presented her with her treatment options, my sister chose the most aggressive one. I am amazed everyday with her bravery! I know I do not have the strength to endure the things she has in the last year! She is my hero and I love her so much for fighting so hard to stay here with us.

She is on the home stretch now... She did radiation in the spring of this year and is more than half way done with her chemo. To commemorate her special day, Patrick and I made her an extra special cake and took it up to family dinner:

I can't say it enough - I love you Jess!!

Fallish Things

I love the Fall! It is my favorite season. I love the foods, the weather, the holidays, all of it. On Saturday, Patrick and I did our first fallish thing and went to Oak Glen to pick out pumpkins and took his little sister Katie, his mom, and her boyfriend Peter along for the fun. We went to Reily's Farm first. Patrick taught Katie how to shoot a bow and arrow (won't he be a great dad) and she took a try at throwing a tomohawk.

Next, we headed over to the pumpkin patch and found a pumpkin for Katie and 3 for us - one for me, one for him, and a baby one.

If you were wondering what I look like 6 months pregnant, here you go. I can't believe Patrick busted the belly rub... I didn't notice until it was too late!

Then we headed up to Los Rios Ranch where we got some apples, cider, caramel apples, and shared an apple pie. It was all super yummy and we had a great time.

When we got home that night, Katie and Patrick carved her pumpkin. It was Katie's first pumpkin carving experience and I think she did a great job!

What are your favorite fall things?

MIA

So, I realize I am guilty of seriously neglecting my blog. I have been MIA these last few months. In some ways, I feel the last 4 months are one big blur. I spent most of that time on the couch trying not to throw up or sleeping whenever possible. My husband took a lovely visual:



I am feeling much better these days. I have a lot more energy and don't need quite so many naps. In addition to neglecting my blog, I am just now getting around to unpacking boxes from the move and am trying to catch up on cleaning my house. My husband has been amazing, and picked up a lot of slack for me while I just didn't have it in me to do it. What would I do without him?

I honestly had no idea how much pregnancy would take out of me. I guess it's one of those things where you just don't understand until you've experienced it. With all of that said, people tell me it will all be worth it once you get to hold your baby. I haven't even gotten to hold her yet (yes, in case you didn't know, it is a girl) and I would already say it's worth it. I love to feel her squirming around in my belly! It lets me know she's okay in there. I know the next few months will bring on a whole different type of discomfort, but the end result will be more than I can imagine.

So, with all that said, I ask your forgiveness for my neglect. I will try to be a more diligent blogging steward!

Almost caught up...

Bear with me, I am so close to catching you up with our busy summer. The same day Miss Maddie made her debut, Patrick and I took his little sister Katie to the Orange County Fair. We love the fair!! Katie rode lots of rides, we saw bull riding, and ate lots of yummy fair food.




The following weekend we flew to Utah for our friend Matt's wedding. Matt is actually the guy who introduced Patrick and I, so we kind of have a soft spot for him. He says he's still waiting for a finder's fee! He'll be waiting a long time for that one. Anyhow, Matt married Robin in the Bountiful temple. They are absolutely perfect for one another, and so happy they found each other.


We are totally busted, by the way. I am so embarassed to show pictures of me wearing the same outfit to two different weddings. Oh well, it was a busy summer, the dress was cute, it worked! Call the fashion police on me.

They rode away on Matt's motorcycle, with Robin in her dress. Very them!

Another highlight of the trip was getting to visit Sarah and Tifny and meet their beautiful new baby girls. I love this time in life watching my friends have babies and become amazing moms!

Well, that about catches us up for now. Please forgive me for the long gap in posts, I will be more diligent! Promise.

I am an aunt!

Welcome Maddie! Two weeks ago my sister-in-law Kim gave birth to this beautiful baby girl. This sweet girl made me and my siblings aunts and uncles, she made my parents grandparents, and made both sets of my grandparents great-grandparents for the first time. Let's just say we are so excited to have her and I can't wait to meet her!





Thank you Brandon and Kim for making such a beautiful baby and bringing so much happiness to our crazy family!

Cow Sign

This is for my sister Laura. She has a strange place in her heart for cows. I saw this sign in the middle of nowhere in Utah and had to stop and take a picture for her. You don't see this cool of a cow sign every day! I have to admit, it makes me a little happy to look at it too!

We've been busy!

It's really about time that I update the blog. The last two months have been super busy, so I'll just hit the highlights. Towards the end of June Patrick and I took his little sister Katie camping up near Big Bear. We hiked, ate yummy camp food, and went swimming at the lake. It was a quick trip, but we had a good time.




A couple of weeks later we drove to Utah for the Francis Family Reunion they have every 3 years. It was my first, so let's just say I met a lot of new relatives. I forgot to take any pictures at the reunion - oops. We went camping on the way home and visited both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Patrick's mom was with us for the ride up and back. It was a nice way to end the trip.

This plaque might be the highlight of the trip for me. Ebenezer Bryce (the man who the canyon was named after) described it as "a hell of a place to lose a cow." I agree!





The weekend after that, our friends Jamal and Emily got married. It was about time - they've been together for 10 years! They got married on a harbor cruise in Newport Beach. Emily looked beautiful and we had a great time.




Two weekends after that we moved to Corona. It was a stressful move, and we are still getting settled in. However, there are some perks. I am only two miles from my office and for the first time in my life have a 5 minute drive to work. It's great! We feel like the Lord has watched over us so much with this move. Patrick was able to find a job with Corona-Norco School District fairly quickly. He will be starting at Cal State San Bernardino in the fall, so the drive to school will be a whole lot better for him.


The night after the big move, we saw Colbie Calliat and John Mayer in concert. We bought the tickets long before the move was even a twinkle in our eye. We were tired, but really enjoyed the show. This is my third summer in a row seeing John in concert. He is so talented and Patrick enjoyed it a lot more than he thought he would.

Well, that is the the second half of June and July in a nutshell. Busy, crazy, fun, and we wouldn't have it any other way! More to follow...

We love the Salt River!

It has become a tradition among my brothers and sisters to go tubing down the Salt River every summer. For those of you who haven't tried it, if you are ever in Phoenix, you must! The only way to describe it is a huge party - in tubes - floating down the river. People in Phoenix love it because in the dead of summer they can take all the beer they can carry, a ghetto blaster, their dog, and all their friends, and just float in the cool water. We love to go, not for the beer, but just to enjoy the spectacle that ensues. We went Memorial Day weekend this year, and for the first time my parents came along for the adventure. We also brought two of my cousins Brittany and Katie along for the fun. And to top it all off my sister-in-law Kim, who was seven months pregnant at the time, came along too. She's such a good sport!

The whole gang before getting in... Yes, that is Laura in a tub up front.

My Dad...

Me and Patrick

Laura and Derrick

Yes, Derrick is wearing cutoff denim shorts. Yes he made them himself. Yes, he was trying to look as white trash as possible!

It wasn't as hot as we would have liked, but still a great time. Believe it or not, with the Salt River, the hotter the better. Thanks to Brandon and Kim for letting us invade your pad for the weekend. This was probably the last official Milloy activity before the first Milloy grandchild makes its way into the world. We can't wait to meet her!

We have crabs!

Well, pictures of crabs. On Saturday we decided to go down to Crystal Cove State Beach and explore the tidepools. The crabs were out in force. Can you see them in the pictures? It was a beautiful day at the beach. We walked all the way down to Laguna Beach and back. I just love our little adventures!

Happy Birthday to this Guy!

So the P-Man turns the big 3 -1 today. I just wanted to take a minute to wish him a very happy birthday and to say how grateful I am he is mine. He is an amazing friend, brother, son, and husband. He has taught me so much about kindess, gratitude, faith, and unconditional love. He makes me laugh and helps me to not take life so seriously. And he still give me butterflies when he kisses me. What more could a girl ask for?

Love you babe!!