Friday, April 29, 2011

You said "I do," Can I go home now?

Okay, I promised myself I wouldn't write anything about the Royal Wedding because I felt that although it was a special moment in history.. it is supposed to be someone's wedding day, not something to obsess about. They are still just people..

BUT I found this picture from here and had to share so you can join in with my laughter.. 


Okay, I know at first we are all a bit drawn to Kate's ravishing, classy dress -and- how she can look amazing in just about anything (she is just naturally a pretty girl)... But then our eye catches the little 3 year old bridesmaid, who can't really figure out what all the fuss is about.

Looks like it was just a bit too loud for her!

I definitely think this picture is a keeper for the history books!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

21 and...Pregnant?

Seeing how I have a lot of time on my hands while being at the hotel while Jonathan goes out and sells alarm systems, I have come to watch only a few hours of TV. (I'm not a tvaholic, thank goodness!)

The one show I decided to watch today was "16 and Pregnant" ... lol you maybe wondered why.. but I guess being pregnant I get fascinated by anything that has to do with pregnancy. Pathetic, I know. A little bit too much drama for me, but it entertained me for a while.

Anyway, some things that I have gained A LOT of appreciation for, by watching that TV show are:

I'm thankful that I am married to a wonderful man!

I'm thankful that both sides of our parents are so supportive and loving of all of our decisions, and love each of us! 

I'm thankful that I was able to finish high school, get a college degree, and had a chance to make a (mini) career for myself before I made a commitment to bring up children, so I didn't have any regrets about it, like most of the teens did on the show. 

I'm thankful that my baby is NOT an accident! She is such a blessing! I couldn't ask for anything greater. :)

I'm thankful that I don't have any of that extra drama that would come along with making a mistake, like so many young girls do. I have enough stress as it is, no need to add any extra to my plate. 

All in all, I'd say I'm pretty lucky.

30 weeks! Only 10 to go! :)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Revision: That Wasn't The Only Thing We Learned

Well, we thought we had learned all our valuable lessons this past week, when we sold our contract. But it wasn't until the day we actually moved out, signed over our contract, and checked our mail for the last time that we had a "doh!" moment, and found one more surprise!

The U.S. Treasury sent in Jonathan's 2009 tax return (we got our filed-jointly return weeks ago) by mail, instead of direct deposit, like we thought it would come in by. Had we had left earlier like we had wanted we would've missed out on 600 bucks!! Crazy, huh???

We felt soooo stupid, and chastened.. lol.. Here we were praying every night, trying to figure out what God really wanted us to do, asking why He wasn't quickly providing us with someone to take our contract - especially when we had so many people interested, and trying to figure out plans for the summer if we were to stay, when the whole reason (I believe) was to a) learn patience and b) wait for our tax money to come in.
He was only looking out for us! The very thing which we thought we were doing by trying to leave! We were quite embarrassed.

It was kind of funny because tons of people were telling me, "maybe it's a sign you're supposed to stay in Rexburg." Although I resented that statement then, I find it 50% true. The Lord DID want us to stay in Rexburg, at least until the 18th when we would get the check in the mail. But I do not believe He wanted us to stay there all summer, which is why early Monday morning, soon after we posted an ad, a couple said "yes" with no hesitation. The Lord was just waiting for the right moment. I feel soo blessed to have such a loving Heavenly Father who looks after us and knows EVERYTHING we need! And is so merciful to give us what we ask, and more. There is no way I can say this was coincidence. It was truly all in the Lord's hands. :)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Things We Just Needed To Learn

Sooo!!! What a long crazy few weeks it sure has been. 

We have been trying to sell our leasing contract that goes until July 2012 (bogus, right? We learned our lesson to NEVER sign a lease that long, no matter how desperate we are lol) as if you couldn't tell by the previous post.

We've had about 10 people come and say they are interested, look at it, act like they want it, then find something cheaper and tell us no. So heartbreaking!

BUT good news! So last night we stayed up watching a movie, then Jonathan decided we'd post an ad on craigslist just one more time.. .and lo and behold! At 10am this morning a man called saying he actually wanted it! Like a "Yes, I'll take it!" instead of "lemme ask my wife.. and discuss things" because that usually meant no.

Good thing we've been prepared from the beginning, since the fifth person came over to look, and all our bags have been packed, clothes/sheets washed, and everything in their appropriate boxes, that we can just be out tomorrow when they want in. I feel SOOO relieved you have no idea!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We did learn a few valuable lessons: 1) Not to procrastinate advertising when you want to be out at a certain time. We should've done this months ago, but instead we waited until April to start, when most of the other couples in our complex had already been selling theirs by the time we wanted out. 2) Patience.. and that when the Lord wants us to leave, we'll leave. This one has been one of the most trying ones, just because we had a hard time distinguishing if it meant "keep being patient, I'll provide someone", or "Heeellooo you've had 10 people say no, get the hint! You're staying!" 3) we are NEVER signing a lease that goes for a year and a half!! The only reason we took it was because we didn't have enough money for a deposit and first month's rent, and this deposit was waived...and we didn't know about the length of the lease basically until we were signing it. So dumb. Dumb on our part.
4) I've learned that it's okay to act, even when you don't get a sure answer. I was just so confused about whether we should go or stay, that one night I was reading talks on the LDS website, trying to find an answer.. and found one that said "Finding Answers" by Joseph Fielding McConkie, with a subtitle saying, "Acting When No Sure Answer Comes." And I figured perfect.
I really liked:
President Brigham Young explained this doctrine: “If I do not know the will of my Father, and what he requires of me in a certain transaction, if I ask him to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in life or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from him, and then do the very best that my judgment will teach me, he is bound to own and honor that transaction, and he will do so to all intents and purposes.”

{I felt that was really comforting.. because we hadn't felt that that it was wrong to go to Nebraska, nor stay in Rexburg, even though this whole time we have been leaning towards moving and selling in Nebraska, so it was just really confusing. But knowing that we could make a decision without have a sure yes or no, felt relieving to my Spirit. Now all that was holding us back was the contract.}

Then in the talk, I also read the famous Doctrine and Covenants scripture, "But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." (D&C 9:8)

And realized that we had never really studied it out in our minds...we had always felt that it was right to go. So last night before bed, I made (hehe, yes made) Jonathan sit with me and talk about our options if we couldn't sell the contract, and came up with 3. Then we talked about the pros and cons of each. We still didn't have a burning in our bosoms. It felt right to go to Nebraska, for mostly monetary reasons - being able to provide for the baby and for the next school year, but also giving birth to her in Rexburg would be good too since I already have a doctor and stuff. But I figured, if that's what the Lord asks of us to do in that scripture, we could at least talk about our situation, no matter what we feel at the moment, because we could find another perspective.

And today, we finally got our answer!! The Lord pulled through on His side, teaching us faith, enduring trials, trust, and patience and let someone actually want to be interested in our place, and say yes. It's trials like these that strengthen our faith in Christ, even - no especially - when it's hard.


{Sorry this was SO long!}

Monday, April 11, 2011

SELLING OUR CONTRACT! You can move in ASAP!

HAY ALL!!! 

We've been trying forever to sell our contract and just when we think people are interested, they drop us like we're hot! 

We really want to be out this week! We are leaving Rexburg for the summer and are moving to Nebraska and need to sell our contract ASAP. We can be out when you want in! and NO deposit is needed!

Our lease goes until July 2012, but if you won't be staying here this long you can sell it too. Great neighborhood, friendly people in the complex. LOVE our ward. Rent is 595/mo and includes cable, internet, water, sewage, garbage, and includes a full washer and dryer in the apartment, so no more coin laundry! You only pay for gas and electric (should be lower in the summer). Includes dishwasher, stove/oven, overhead microwave, fridge, and disposal. Has overhead parking, apartment is on the first floor, BIG rooms, tile floors, granite countertops. One of the newer apartments built in 2009. No pets are allowed. Stonebrook Apartments has a WONDERFUL Clubhouse with an outdoor hottub, fitness center, media room with projector, pool/ping pong tables, computer room, kitchen, a Redbox dvd rental, and much more!
We paid for April's rent, but we are asking for $225, if possible.

Please please please let us know if you are interested!!! This would really help us out a lot. You don't want to miss out here!

Call/text Anna at 832-314-5159 at any time for more details or to come look! We don't have much to pack so we can be out when you need in!!! 
Please if you know anyone who would be interested, or is coming here for the spring/summer semester, LET ME KNOW ASAP!!! :D THANK YOU!



Saturday, April 9, 2011

Well, someone's certainly a little camera shy ;)


 Haha, hay, at least she has an ear! That's comforting ;) And we know that she has 2 hands. Maybe she's just camera shy.. 'cause she was covering her face with one hand, and curled up the other by her neck.

We tried our best to get her face to turn around so we could see what she looks like, but alas, guess that must wait until July... BOOHOO!!! :( 

Sometimes, I just want my baby SOO bad.. Okay, all the time. Especially when I go through the store aisles and see baby clothes, or see ads online, OR friends who just had theirs! So jealous.
I just want myyyyyyyy babbbbyyy.. haha

Soon enough, soon enough.

~At least we know she won't go naked~


This girl has 3 boxes of her own that we're taking with us to Nebraska. One just for clothes 0-3, 3-6 months (even though we'll only be there for 2, but some of the older clothes looked like it'd fit for smaller babies and vise versa) One just for blankets, and all the gifts/mostly wipes she got from the baby shower in a box, and a backpack filled with rolled up diapers. Hope we have enough roooomm!!!

I consolidated most of the clothes, and got rid of a bunch to give to the DI, so that was helpful. ALL of that is now in 3 boxes. Woohoo for great packers like me!!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mid-week update

I am trying to think of something positive, uplifting, entertaining, and not completely dull to talk about.. but not really anything is coming to mind, besides the awesome General Conference weekend we've had - and how it's had a totally positive effect on our lives and marriage! Truly, the Lord does answer prayers, especially when you're looking for the answers through the words of our beloved Prophet and Apostles.

I guess I'll start with my week after Conference..

Monday: My birthday. I went to Jonathan's 745am D&C class since it was his last one and he's always wanted me to attend, and had a good time. It kind of felt like I was back in Institute, which I've missed. Then we came back and made pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage for birthday breakfast. After that my brain is fuzzy and I can't recollect that far back - oh wait.. I helped a friend pack, then came home and took a nap lol - And for dinner we had Subway and then went back home. Jonathan went to go pick up a friend (and hunt for birthday presents) while his other friend Jeff showed up at our apartment. He ended up taking me to the store to get ingredients for the cheesecake that I made. My dad always makes them for our birthdays, and since I don't have my family around.. I wanted a little piece of them here in Rexburg. All in all it was a good birthday. Of course, I didn't get anything on my wishlist.. but that's why they call it a wishlist.. to keep on wishing for it!! haha
                                                                                     mmm yummy
But he did get me gummy bears (my fave candy), the Spider-Man trilogy set for 13 bucks which we've both been craving for months now, a "Joker" (Heath Ledger) birthday card - with sound (it's only funny cause he loves that movie and quotes the Joker all the time, in which I tell him to shut up all the time lol), Heath chocolate bars, and gum. I don't mind that I didn't get what I really wanted, because our stinking tax returns haven't come in yet, so money is tight. And these things were very thoughtful. :) I had a good time. My mom also sent me a book about Emma Smith, that I have to read, it looks interesting. It's called "Beloved Emma." Plus, my dad put $100 in my bank account. He is just the sweetest thing.



Tuesday: I can't really remember doing anything memorable haha, except picking up and chauffeuring around Jonathan's brother who is town again. He's here visiting his (old/new) girlfriend. Some of the places he wanted me to take him were kind of inconvenient, especially when I had to turn back around and get Jonathan at campus again 30 minutes later.. so after making a fuss about it he promised he'd pay me. YES! Haha
It sounds harsh, but he is a kind of person that takes advantage of others, and does things only when it's beneficial to him (and then sometimes lies about the situation when we get mad or upset.. really frustrating because we know he's not telling the truth, oyy). But that's about all I'll expand on that.. because Tuesday night wasn't very pleasant having to play taxi again. But that's enough of that hehe.

Wednesday: Since so many people are leaving this semester and need help packing/babysitting I offered to help babysit a friend who just sold their contract and had to be out by 9 that night. So I babysat for 4-5 hours. It felt really nice to help out. Ever since Conference I've had this urge or desire to want to be a better person, be more happy and nice to others, looking for ways to serve. It helps them and keeps me busy. Each day this week I've tried to offer my services to anyone who's in need. And I feel good helping.
My friend got a lot done at her apartment, so I felt really good.
Afterward, I was to meet up with Gigi and her hsuband (and my husband and Jeff who were all playing Halo at Gigi's house lol) and 2 other couples to go out to Garcia's in Idaho Falls, since Gigi and Kevin are leaving for Oklahoma City for Pinnacle on friday. It was nice, the food was really good and it was nice spending an evening with other couples from the ward. Then all the boys decided to go back to the apartment and play some more, while the girls headed to Target to shop. That's where I decided to "splurge" a bit on me and buy a belly band! woohoo! It ended up being 18 bucks with tax, but I used what was left of our gift card and the cash that his brother gave me for driving. And I'm so happy! Now I can actually wear my other pants/skirts! Haha I still want to upgrade to actual maternity clothes, but I'm content for now. :)

So that's been the extent of my week so far. I offered to come over to help Gigi clean/pack today since she has carpel tunnel, but I'm not sure when. Not really sure besides that what else I'm doing today. Probably write my dad a letter. There's been some arguing back home and things just aren't right, which makes me sorrowful for my family and all who suffer. Ugh, tough stuff!

Baby update: Some days I feel I am getting bigger and other days I feel like I've been almost the same size for the past 2 months. She definitely kicks higher though. When I'm riding in the car or sitting up in bed I usually always feel her kicking my ribs.. or at least there is pressure on them. It doesn't really hurt, none of her kicks do. It just feels tickly.. or like muscle twitches haha. Definitely a fun feeling.
I get heartburn, on occasion, but nothing too terrible (haha I've been through worse! ;) ), and usually tums does the trick. Things seem to be smooth sailing. It's funny cause I get bored throughout the day, or sometimes worried about her, but as soon as she starts kicking I feel better and am rest assured that she's okay. And tomorrow we have a 8:30 doc's appt to do a gestational diabetes test. Yumm.. I getta drink 50 grams of sugar in a lovely glucose drink. Can't. Wait. Hopefully we get to see her on the screen.. I'm gonna ask. :)


According to babycenter.com she is almost 2 lbs and almost 14 1/2 inches from crown to toes! :) She is starting to sleep according to regular sleep patterns and practicing opening and closing her eyes. Just 89 days to go! Woohoo ;)

Well that's about it.

oh I guess I should include Jonathan haha

Jonathan's update: He is loving having school almost over with, what a relief! He loves school of course, but we're both just super ready to leave (not literally, we have some minor packing to do and, oh yeah, sell our CONTRACT!) but we both are sick of the wind and the rain and the SNOW that we got last night. We're excited to move to Nebraska. And he's super excited to sell this summer for Pinnacle Security. I believe he only has 2 more finals left, tomorrow. Yay for the end of the semester! And then it's on to online classes! Haha..

Well, that's all folks!


Friday, April 1, 2011

Babies babies babies!!!


So yesterday, was a pretty great day! 1) I found out my best friend had her baby boy!!! 2) I had a surprise baby shower! 

My good friend Gigi (the one who took me on a girl's night when our husbands were gone) threw me this awesome surprise baby shower! She planned/kept it a secret it pretty well, even though I found out 2 hours before the party - but I will come to that in a few minutes. Last week she texted me asking if I was going to be busy the 31st and that she was planning an American Idol party. At first I thought she meant that upcoming thursday, which would've been the 24th. I thought I was going to be busy so I said I wasn't sure if I was going to come. But then I realize I wasn't so I said yes. :) So, this Wednesday she gets me all excited saying that we're gonna take lots of pictures to go on facebook and dress nice and then even Jonathan mentioned before 730 on Thursday that he wanted to take me out and have us go on a fancy date where we dress up (part of the plan so I don't come to the party in sweats lol)

Anyway, she was so thoughtful she wanted to involve my sister and mom, so she messaged them saying they should call around 530 their time/730 mine, as I walk over to the party and be on the phone when everyone shouts "surprise." (I later found out Mari couldn't call as she had to be at work) But unfortunately, Gigi accidentally messaged Mari and gave her the wrong date. She said it was Wednesday the 30th (because of when I said I wouldn't be able to come the 31st, oops lol). Soo, around 5:30 (my time) I get a text from Mari asking if I got their presents they sent. I knew my mom was sending me a package from Deseret Books for my birthday, so I told her I hadn't checked the mail yet. And then the rest of the convo went kinda like this... 

M: nooo the baby shower presents!!
(and before I got to my phone, she sent another)M: Did you not get it yesterday??? Gigi said it was yesterday at 7:30......................
A: Baby shower? What the freak are you talking about??? And how do you know Gigi? I know she's planning on AMERICAN IDOL party today at 730... Grrrilllll did you ruin a surprise?????? lol
M: LOL Oops!!! Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!!! She told me Wednesday the 30th at 730.

 And then preceded to tell me how sorry she was and how she felt so stupid and mad at herself. I told her not to worry about it. It's no big deal. I was way surprised either way, cause I was NOT expecting any type of party whether it be a birthday or baby shower. It was just a kinda funny misunderstanding/mistake. I thought it was soo funny, and really well hid. I ended up dressing up nicely anyway and acted surprised when I got to the party. After all, she did put a lot of hard work into making all the decorations and doing at least 5-6 games with prizes! PLUS! A clothesline with all sorts of cute onesies and yummy cupcakes and other foods. Very, very thoughtful. :) 

Some of the games we played were: Baby Mama Drama, where we had to match the celebrity moms to their babies and come up with their names. "Pay attention" - to what mom's wearing. So I was hiding in the bathroom while they wrote down everything they could remember about me lol. "Lucky duck" - with little rubber duckies - each one gets a prize except the lucky one lol. The beloved poop/chocolate filled diaper game, a Fact/Myth game, and coming up with as many song names that have 'Baby' in it.

Then I got to open up all her presents. :) I opened the first one from my mom and sister. SUCH cute clothes! Tutus, mini skirts, tiny shoes! dresses, outfits, bows, tights, and a homemade tie blanket! 
I mostly have enough clothes from friends, so a lot of people gave me a lot of wipes/ some diapers - which I really wanted/needed. And we got bath body wash/lotion, a swaddle blanket and a few other clothes. It was all very nice. And I appreciate all of them!! :D

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