Bragging time

I need to take a minute and brag about my mom. To me my mom can do anything. She makes the most beautiful things and has a great eye for colors and patterns. She likes to make a wedding quilt for her children and nieces and nephews that get married. I finally got mine done! It took a while but the wait was worth it. It is beautiful and we LOVE  it. Not only is the pattern and color great but the quilting that went into it makes it even more precious. My mom didn't quilt it my brother in law Ben Salisbury's sister does quilting on the side and she did a Fabulous job!

Justin was so excited to put it on our bed and use it. It's nice and long and has kept us very warm and cozy over the past few freezing cold nights. 

This is the edge and part of the back. It was truly a labor of love which is what a marriage is a lot of the time. Thank you to my mom for all her time, love and dedication for making such a beautiful quilt for us. 

2012

2012 was a busy year for us and our families. We had lots of things going on all year.

Justin and I both turned 25! Jan- Feb.
Too many trips to the hospital Feb- March
A new nephew on my side- May
My cousin got married- May
Lots of Birthday love- May
We bought a house and moved in! July
We found out that I was pregnant- July
Lots of family visiting time June- Aug- S.ept
I changed jobs Thank goodness- August
Celebrated two years of marriage- Sept
Brigham City Temple Open house - Sept
We found out that we were having a girl- Oct
Swim meets for sister- Oct-present
Lots of Birthday love again- Dec

We had lots of fun and made lots of great memories. This next year holds even more adventures for us and our families. Starting with my sister leaving on her mission, having a baby, many siblings graduating from high school  to grad school and higher I believe. A possible second sister going on a mission. Hopefully some more cousins for baby girl to play with ( wink wink) and a long time coming wedding. =)

We hope that this year has less trips to the hospital, more happy and healthy days and blessings for all. Happy New Year!

Baby Crazy

After Christmas Justin's Aunt Maria came with her Daughter Lena, her fiance Ced and of course baby Ava. They stayed for a few days having fun, seeing the sights and visiting. Baby Ava is about 7-8 months a little bit younger then my newest nephew. She is super cute and I think she made everyone a little bit more baby crazy. 

Aunt Marie, Grandma, Ava, Grandpa and Cecilia

A picture with everyone that actually turned out with a baby and dogs going all over. 

I am still doing great! 31 weeks and counting. I am definitely feeling more pregnant though. I pretty much countdown the minutes till I can change into pajamas. I have to pee a lot more and the belly keeps getting bigger. I am still able to do work ok. The girls I work with are really great and willing to help me with anything. Funny story one of the Dr.'s was telling us he needed an ear wash done on a pt. I said ok. Then he pauses and says, " This patient has chicken pocks, if your pregnant I don't want you in there." I thought it was cute that he was watching out for me and and yet still said "if your pregnant." More patients ask me about my belly which is always fun. 

I do have to say that one of my pet peeves lately is when a child is acting out the parents turn to me and say, " Look what you have to look forward to." I don't know why it bugs me but it does. I understand kids get grumpy and upset. I practically raised my three younger siblings, I've been a primary teacher, and I took care of disabled kids. You think your kids tantrum is bad wait till you see a disabled kid have a tantrum it's even more fun. =) So if you want to tell me something to look forward to please make it a pleasant one such as: when they first smile at you. snuggling together and falling asleep, when they say " I love you" stuff like that. 

Anyways..here to the next few weeks, hoping that the baby craze will make it till baby girl comes. 

Temple Time

My little sister Suzanna is going on a mission to the California, Roseville mission. She leaves on February 6, 2013. So, soon after Christmas while everyone was still around she went through the temple for the first time. It was really cool to have so much of our family there. It was basically just us siblings, spouses and parents. Unfortunately we were  missing my handsome husband but he was there in spirit. It was a very quiet and calm day at the temple even with a wedding going on. It was really special to have my dad there in the temple with everyone. 

She did an awesome job and will be a great missionary. It brought back memories of when I went through for the first time. 

Beautiful snowy day at the temple. 

Then to add to the temple fun the next day Justin and I took his little sister Jinni to the Brigham City Temple for Baptisms. We had the names of their great grandparents and a few more for Jinni to do. It all worked out and we got there and back in time for dinner.

They look so happy huh? Well I don't blame them it was cold and they had wet hair. It was fun to sit and be able to admire more of the temple in the baptistry. It is such a beautiful temple. 

I am always grateful for the chance to go to the temple. It's not always easy to get there. I had a bishop that said when you plan to go to the temple there will be roadblocks. No less then 5, no more then 10. I had plenty of roadblocks getting to Logan for my sister but it was worth it and I would do it again. The temple truly is the house of the Lord and it's a blessing to be so close and able to go whenever I am able. 

Christmas 2012

So.....I wonderfully forgot my memory card during the Christmas fun so there are no pictures, only the memories in our hearts. =)

We had a great Christmas time this year. We spent most of Christmas Eve and Morning with the Messengers. We had fun visiting, cooking, playing games and opening presents.

Justin's brother sent everyone a toy remote control helicopter. Needless to say there was a lot of air traffic going on that night. We went back the next day for breakfast and visiting.

Then we trekked up to Logan and were very grateful that it wasn't snowing and spent the rest of the day with my family as they all came in. More presents and fun happened. Then we made our candy houses. My littlest niece cracked me up with her house. She was so patient and waited while I got my house going then I made one for her and by golly she decorated every inch of that thing and more. I think she was there for a good two hours before I finally took it away from her. It was a fun time spent with family and fun.

We had a good little Christmas together just Justin and I and our little baby girl got a few things as well. I fell in love with this baby book at Barnes and Noble that has the illustrations from the old Peter Rabbit books. I used to read those all the time. It's cute and not crazy and just right. So Justin got that for me. She also got some booties and toys for when she gets a little bit bigger.

We felt very blessed and loved this Christmas time. We are so grateful for our families and the relationship that we have with them. We are grateful to be starting our own family and to be able to be together forever. Merry Christmas.

12 days of Christmas

Justin got a great idea to do a 12 days of Christmas for me. We have been trying to make it a less expensive Christmas and so he was planning fun activities for us. On the first day we watched the movie from our first date, Finding Neverland and went around the lights at the Layton city park and in the Neighborhoods. Day two we were supposed to take pictures just the two of us but ended up playing with our two best nieces. =) Three was three siblings to see the Temple square lights. Almost got that one..my little brother was sick but there were still three people besides me. It's been a while since I have seen the lights. We had a lot of fun and were chatting and laughing the whole time. 

The pink forest is one of my favorites.

What's a trip to Temple Square without a pose on the pedestal. We've never done it so I guess now we are true mormons. =) 

They had these beautiful luminers along the walkways and Nativitiy Sets from all over

As always the Beautiful Temple with the floating candles. It was a fun night and was special to spend it with my sisters. On day 4 we were supposed to play 4 games for family home evening but I had to work and so that one got kind of bypassed. Day 5 we watched 5 episodes of my favorite t.v. shows. That was fun and just a relaxing night. Then day 6 Justin made me dinner. It was supposed to have 6 things but it was a little short. I didn't care since I didn't have to make dinner. It was very yummy and something different. Justin is funny in the kitchen he is very exact in everything so he can't concentrate on anything else.

It's been fun to spend a little more time together at this crazy season. Justin gets really busy with work around now so I appreciate the time, effort and love that he has put in to all the days to make it a special time for us. He's the best and I love him lots. =)

Music and the Spoken Word

Growing up my family has always tried to watch Music and the Spoken Word on Sundays. For a while my sister was in the orchestra and so we'd go down to Salt Lake and actually be there. That was a lot of fun. We've also tried to get tickets to the big Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert. We've been lucky to get them most years. This year I registered my house, my mom's and my mother-in-laws. My mom's house and my mother-in-law's house both got tickets for the Sunday special. It's a little different on Sunday because you have to be in your seat and quiet for Music and the Spoken Word at 9.30 and then they do a little mini concert for you after. So you essentially get the whole thing just a little more fragmented. 

 

It was quite amazing this year! It's always good but this one was spectacular.

The special guests were Alfie Boe a famous singer in England and Tom Brokaw as the narrator. They both did an amazing job! I usually tend to like one or the other but they did great. The best part was Tom Brokaw's narration of the Candy Bomber. If you can find it on youtube or watch the rebroadcast of it, it's totally worth it. I was just crying the whole time. Alfie Boe has played Jean VanJean from Les Miserable in London for years and did a beautiful version of " Bring him home." I usually am not the biggest fan of the Organ solo but this one was amazing. His hands and feet were all over the place and it was just fun! As always the Choir was fantastic and definitely brought the spirit. It was fun to share with Justin's mom and sister. We met up with my mom and sisters after and chatted for a bit. 

I hope that our luck continues and that we can continue to enjoy the fun and Christmas spirit that comes from the Concert. 

Welcome to 3rd Trimester!

So here I am at 27 weeks and a little bit, officially in 3rd trimester. 2/3 of the way done, 13 more weeks. I will be a little more excited when it's less then 10. Whenever I run a race when I get to single digit miles left it definitely gives me a boost. I still have to run those 9 miles but at least I can count them on my hand after that. =)

I have been doing really well. Getting bigger by the day. The books say to expect to gain 7-10 pounds in this trimester with most of it going to baby. Whoo...we'll see how that goes. I am already growing out of most of my clothes. 

I know I don't look much bigger in this picture thank goodness for dark colors but I promise I am. After Thanksgiving I popped out even more and it's getting harder to disguise . Thank goodness scrubs are forgiving on all body types although more patients are asking if/when I am due.

At my last appointment I had to do the sugar drink and check my blood for anemia. My sugar results came by fine but my iron levels were low so I have been taking an iron supplement and drinking lots of this tea.

Thanks to my sister in law she gave me her leftovers. It's a red raspberry leaf tea. I boil some water but the leaves in and let it set all day or over night. Then I drain it, refrigerate it and drink two of those jars in a day. I don't think they taste that bad. Maybe I am not making it right but it's just tea like. I've also been making lots of green drinks with spinach and other good stuff. I have noticed a difference. My skin and scalp are not as dry and flaky. I used to get a cramp in my calves at work when I walked around a lot but not anymore, and I am a little bit more motivated to do things. Iron is important because it helps carry oxygen to all the cells in your body and since I am needing a bit more I have been doing all I can to hopefully improve it.

Other then that things are going well. I am feeling her move all the time especially when I sing or am in the car with the radio going. I had my first birthing dream last night. In my dream I couldn't even remember it happening or being painful. But she came out and was long and skinny with lots of dark hair. Then I kept losing her and my sisters yelled at me for not taking care of my baby. =) 

November went by really fast for me here's hoping December and January will as well. We are getting more and more excited, especially when she moves so hard my belly moves too.