It's a miracle...

We are starting 2009 off right - I have already accomplished my one and only resolution. Patrick and I finally have the internet at our house. It's about time! Now I have no excuse. Going forward, I should be better about updating this blog - for real.

Since last we talked... We spent Christmas with family and really enjoyed ourselves. Patrick and I both had that aweful cold that is going around, but we are both finally over it. This last weekend we went to Arizona to hang out with Brandon, Kim, Maddie, and Laura and we had a blast. Patrick started school on Monday; he has got a pretty full schedule this quarter. We are going to Childbirth Classes every Thursday night for the month of January - they're not as bad as I imagined they would be. And we have 45 days until our little girl is due to make her arrival. In the next two and a half weeks I have 3 baby showers coming up and I couldn't be more excited!! Since so many of you have requested it, I've decided to go ahead and grow a massive baby belly for your viewing pleasure at the showers. Aren't I kind!?! I will post pictures... one of these days.

We are so excited about 2009 and all of the exciting new things it is going to bring for our family! Happy New Year!

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!