Sunday, February 17, 2013

Sunday Gratitude

I am a big ponderer. I can get lost in thought for long periods of time and become almost oblivious to the world around me in that time. Today, as with every other day these past 7 months, I am thinking about my child. Our child. Throughout the many months of pregnancy, I of course have been thinking about him but it has felt so surreal that it's been almost too much for me to comprehend the fact that I am his mother. His presence has felt distant, like I would never get to the point of actually holding him in my arms. But for the past couple weeks, it has become far more real. This wiggly little thing inside me is our baby boy and in two shorts months (maybe a little less or more, who knows!) we will finally get to see him, hold him, and love him face to face. Surreal, yes, but also very real, perfect, and right.

I attribute this shift in thinking to a visit to the Temple three weeks ago.  I became rather emotional at one part and it carried into the Celestial room. A room that signifies reaching celestial glory with our Father in Heaven, that is most beautiful and sacred. I couldn't contain my tears of gratitude for my husband and our baby boy. He had been active throughout the session, but yet when I walked into the Celestial room he became calm. I was so grateful for my experience that day that I couldn't wait to go back. The same thing happened two days ago. Joe and I were the only two people in the Celestial room, a very rare opportunity. I sat there waiting for Joe for a few minutes and when he entered the room my feelings for him were beyond words. We sat there for quite some time whispering a little bit, and thinking. This time, our baby boy was movin' all around. He definitely wanted his presence to be known. In this moment, sitting in the most beautiful room with the most perfect Spirit filling it, dressed in white, I had this indescribable feeling. What feelings I could identify was that I knew, that we would be together forever and that our sweet children would be with us as well. 

So today, I am thinking about who our baby boy will become, what his likes/dislikes will be, his dreams and desires for this life, what we can teach him as his parents, what he can teach us and so much more. 

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us more than we may ever understand, who trusts us with His children to teach and guide them back to Him. What a responsibility we have! And I am forever grateful for it. 

And now a video, that makes me tear up every time!


So very grateful today!


Cold, yet perfect, day at the Temple. 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Baby Shower

After the crazy time I had at the 28 week mark I wasn't sure if I'd get to go back to Arizona for my baby shower. My test results came back normal after my hospital visit but contractions continued a lot for the next week. At times having up to 14 an hour and only 4 to 5 minutes apart. Nerve wracking! At my 29 week mark I boarded the plane home to Arizona, praying my contractions would calm themselves while I was away from Joe. 

The visit was short but very sweet. Time spent with family and good eats always make for a good trip!

Thursday was my baby shower. It was extremely surreal sitting there opening adorable baby clothing, blankets and things and knowing they were for our baby boy. Like, wow! This is really going to happen. We are really going to have a baby! It was so fun and I loved being able to see so many wonderful friends and family.

My beautiful Grandma (left) and Aunt Margie (middle) who is 93! She is awesome and got our little man the cutest baby bath robe ever!!!)


Finally we'll have a baby to bring to the party when Joe and I hang out with these girls and their hubs!

So lucky to have the BEST Aunt and cousins ever!!!!!! Linds we missed you!!!

Love these girls! Just missing Mataya! I'd say her absence was acceptable though considering her husband was gearing up to WIN the SUPERBOWL!! WOO HOO!! Leilani, Mataya and I are all due within a month of each other! So exciting!  

Corinne and Momma Vicki

I am soo in love with this quilt that Momma Vicki made for her FIRST grandchild!! I'd say he is one extremely lucky boy to be surrounded by so much love and coziness! I couldn't wait to get home to show Joe!

Momma and I (Side note: she just did her last long run yesterday, 23 miles, gearing up for the Phoenix Marathon in 3 weeks. She is awesome!! I soo look forward to joining in on the marathon training conversation once again in the not too distant future. 

Younger brother JT and I. He was heading to the airport for an early flight to Salt Lake. 

Friday morning before my flight, the five of us, my mom, brother Kris, Tiersa, and Ella (who apparently was being blinded by the sun!) went to my favorite breakfast joint, the Farmhouse. Always so good! Kris and Tiersa are expecting their 4th baby in September -- so dang excited for them!!!!
I was so happy to get home to my husband and show him all of the fun things our boy was given!

My favorite room in our apartment. I think I need to tone down my excitement for him to come because it's still a little ways away! 31 weeks on Tuesday! 

I just need to get some pictures and things on the walls! 

So incredibly excited to have him home with us in a couple months! 

One more thing, the sweetest thing happened while I was at work this week. I work at a running store here in Downtown Lincoln (truly an awesome store!!), so I get to meet a lot of really great people and a lot of semi- and fully strange people. In the past month since my belly has been showing a bit more, I've heard things like... "Is that your BELLY BUTTON sticking out?!?" Why, yes, yes it is, thank you for pointing that out. Or... "What are you?!? 16 and pregnant?!??" Said in a shocked tone. <<I wasn't even helping that lady, thank goodness. 
But this week, I was helping this older gentleman. He seemed to take a while to warm up and trust me about the shoes, but was pleasant to work with. After he paid for his things, he threw down a $20 bill on the counter and said "This is for you to buy something for your baby." I was stunned. I said "No, no, no, you don't need to do that." His reply, "Please, I will never have grandchildren so I want you to  use it." Tears filled my eyes. I couldn't believe it. He had no idea, that earlier that day I had been struggling physically with work and questioning my ability to keep doing it. His generosity and kindness to a total stranger lifted me up for the rest of the work week and made me even more grateful to have the job that I do. 

Well, til next time :)