The One With The Year End Review

I know I am getting a little ahead of myself, so I apologize. I am just not sure I will get time to do this if I don't do it now.

I can't believe it's December, and only 2 weeks away from Christmas! I have been shocked at how fast this year has flown by, and how much has happened.

We have had quite the year in 2009!
Here's what happened to us...

January - February
The waiting game . . .
We were engaged, but just waiting to hear back from the first presidency. This was kind of a stressful time... at least for me! I hated being engaged, but having no idea when we'd be able to get married. By this time I had already planned at least 2 weddings, both of their dates had come and gone.

February 24 -
The moment we had all been waiting for.
It was pure bliss when we both received our letters from the First Presidency saying that we had the grand OKAY. We scheduled the temple for exactly one month from that day, barely enough time to plan. And the race was on....

March 7 -
The next step!
I moved into our tiny little one bedroom basement apartment. It was so nice to know that our big day was finally coming!

March 24 -
Our wedding day!
We were the first couple sealed in the draper temple. After the ceremony & pictures, we all went bowling, and then had an intimate luncheon at The Olive Garden. Both, of which (bowling & Olive Garden) were what Rick & I did on our first date, back in 2007.
We then spent a week in Vegas for our Honeymoon. Little did I know, Rick had a lot of surprises for me. He booked our hotel at the Paris & took me to see the Blue Man Group. Both of which, I had always wanted to do.

June 23 -
SURPRISE!!
The day after my 23rd birthday, we found out we were expecting our first baby! We took the pregnancy test 3 times just to be sure!

July 29 -
Tender moments...
We were able to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time, and see her on an ultrasound. She was a tiny little peanut. :)

July 31 -
Me? A Landlord?
We closed on our condo! We decided to still buy the condo, even though it was only 1 bedroom, since we got such a great deal on it from my boss, and decided to rent it out. We didn't want to have to move an extra time or two before the baby was born.

August (ish)
Whistle While You Work!
Rick found a second job that worked perfectly into his schedule with his full-time job. Ever since, he has worked 11 + hour work days. He also started his masters program right around this time. What an amazing, hard working husband!

September 8 -
Not so sweet surprise...
I got laid off of my job... bitter sweet. It was a good job, and paid alright, but it has been good to be with new people.

September 17 -
Blessings!!
I was offered a new job. I didn't even have to interview for this one, they called me out of the blue. They knew I was pregnant and I was very grateful that I was able to find a new job so quickly, even though I took a decent pay cut.

October 5 -
'Bout time!!
We found out we were expecting a tall, wiggly baby GIRL! Of course, I was so excited to start buying cute dresses and accessories, and Rick's search for a pink football was on.

November 6 -
The next step again!
We moved into a 2 bedroom apartment. It has carpet in the front room (our last place had tile...) and we were in control of the thermostat!! It has also been fun to have a room for Paige, just another step along the way!

December -
Money!!
Rick put us on a fairly strict budget (thankfully he's great with money!) and as of this month, we are debt free on our credit cards! I'm so proud of us, that was a big thing to tackle, and we even finished 2 months before our goal. Now, that's something to celebrate!


As I looked over my calendar from the past year, I noticed some other memories / highlights of the year:

• I've been through several new hair styles, thanks to my great mother-in-law!

• I was able to go to both of the new temple open houses.

• I've taken lots more pictures this year "professionally", than possibly in my whole life up until that point combined. I even started a website (which I should update some more this week).
  

• We went on a family trip with my family to Manilla / Flaming George.

• I had fun playing & watching Rick play basketball for a rec league and badminton in his mom's back yard.

• My family has been blessed to overcome some sicknesses, hospitalizations, surgeries & even cancer.

• I was able to make it to the temple a little bit more this year than I normally make it.

• Rick and I have been able to spend lots of time with our families, despite his very busy schedule.

• I have been able to grow closer to the Lord this year, and have had quite a few special experiences & testimony builders.
  

It has been one of the biggest years of my life so far... if not the biggest yet. (I know... just wait until next year!!)

But we have really been blessed, not only with fun events happening to us, but with great family and friends to be there to support us and experience our exciting news with us!

We look forward to another fun filled year next year!

The One With The Rough Morning

I had another doctor appointment this morning.

My morning was a rather tramatic one. It went like this . . .

I got to sleep in a little bit, which was very nice, but I couldn't eat breakfast, and I had to drink this rather gross tasting drink. I always eat breakfast very first thing, every morning... always have, and always will... especially when I am pregnant! I get very grumpy if I don't. The drink was the drink they make you take EXACTLY one hour before they draw your blood to test for gestational diabetes. I drank it at 8:50, and my appointment was at 9:30... plenty of time, right?

I turned on the news as I drank my lovely drink, and of course, the roads did not look pretty, so I left 15 minutes early, thinking that would be just enough time.

The roads were all disasters. Besides going extremely slow, I was slipping and sliding all over the place. (so much for getting my tires "dipped" and paying extra for good winter traction...) And mind you, I was starving. About half an hour into the drive, and after some scary encounters (I'm not a bad, nor a grandma driver, I swear) I just couldn't help but cry. Thankfully I was at a red light, and I could control my tears so I could still see the road when the light changed.

I said a prayer almost the whole way that I would be safe and get to the doctor in time to take my test. I didn't want to have to go through this experience again...

I ended up getting to the doctor at 10:00 am, and thankfully, they said they would try to draw my blood anyway. Well, I have lovely veins that play hide and seek, so it took them ten minutes to find a vein. I still might have to re-take the test if it ends up with weird results, but I was glad I didn't go all of the way out to Riverton for nothing.

Paige was moving more than she ever has before they listened to her heart beat, but she held still this time when they checked her. I'm starting to go into the doctor more often... hopefully work will be okay with that.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to get out of the doctor appointment and eat.

The One Where . . .

I'm in my third trimester!!!

Wow, time has flown by. I have said from the beginning that it will fly by until the holidays are over, then I am sure it will just drag. We couldn't be more excited, though!!

I had an online coupon code for free Christmas Cards, but it's not working for some reason, so consider this your Christmas Card from us!!

The One With My Top Ten List . . .

Last week I made a top ten list of reasons why Rick is the coolest husband ever. It was fun to make and fun to tell him my reasons (I didn't post it... Rick's too modest of a guy).

So, I thought to celebrate this season, I'd make a top ten list of things I am grateful for in my life. It will be very hard for me to narrow everything down, because Rick and I have felt so very blessed since we have been married.

I'll try not to be too cheesy . . . :)

10. Chocolate, cheesecake, hot chocolate on a cold day, and anything sweet!!

9. My job, Rick's 2 jobs & the opportunity for Rick to get his Masters Degree.

8. Modern medicine and technology, so I could see my baby on an ultrasound & so I can know that she and I are in good hands.

7. Good friends, past and present. I have learned over the past few years, to appreciate more my friends and how much they do for me.

6. Place to live . . . in a safe area that is close to family that also has a tub & carpet for the baby & her own room!

5. A fun husband that I really enjoy just hanging out with.

4. The church, the spirit to guide us & my growing testimony.

3. Wonderful, loving & supportive families on both my side and Rick's side.

2. Great parents who have taught me well, provided me with what I needed, I consider my best friends, and who I look up to more than anyone.

And the number one thing I am thankful for is . . .

1. I have an amazing husband that works so much harder than I ever imagined anyone working, day in and day out, without ever complaining once. Even then, he still comes home with a big smile on his face and gives me the attention I need. He truly puts my needs in front of his. Words cannot express my appreciation I have for him.

happy thanksgiving!!

The One Where . . .

Paige will come in about 99 more days!

(well, give or take...)

I better get ready!!!

The One Where We Need To Celebrate

Why???

Because it's Friday!

I really am so excited about today being Friday for some reason. I want to stay up all night and party (even though, chances are I will be out by 10 at the latest). And even more reason to celebrate... next week is a short week!

The One With Birds, Babies & Apartments . . . Oh My!

Well, well, well! We are just about all settled into our first place. I only have to open 2 more boxes, but I have some random things to put away and organize too. Thanks to Rick our bedroom & kitchen are both all done and our front room is mostly done. Our sweet father-in-law bought us a new washer and dryer for Christmas that will be delivered this weekend. How nice of him!!!! We have the hookups in our apartment, so it will be so nice to not ever have to run to the laundry mat (especially with the baby), even though we have several close ones in our complex. We don't have the internet quite yet at the new place, but hopefully we will soon. I'll post pictures when I do. I was very surprised at how much storage we have, especially in our tiny kitchen. It's so nice, I love it! Paige also has her own room now! I put all of her things in there, even her clothes are hung in the closet. It makes me excited.

I had my monthly doctor's appointment today. I gained 10 pounds in the past month. Eeek. But the dr says I am right on target for everything. She did try to hear the heart beat, and every time she would find it, Paige would move. She couldn't believe how wiggly our little girl is. Yeah, yeah, not the first. :) She should be over 1 foot long & over 1 lb by now. It's crazy to think that she's a real little baby inside of me. We're very excited to be able to see her. It would be awesome to go get the 3d ultrasound, but they are a little pricey for us right now. It will be so neat to be able to see and hold her when she comes! :)

A friend gave me these images, and I am in love with them (and birds in general) right now for Paige. I am trying to think of what to do with them and how to incorporate them into her nursery. Let me know if you have any ideas! If I were more ambitious, I would make her a quilt like this, but I know that's biting off more than I am willing to chew right now. :)