Summer Breeze

Anyone in Rexburg knows that the weather here can be very sporadic. Last year, we barely made it through the winter, and the summer almost fried us. But this year, it has been great for the most part! For a long time it has been perfect weather. So when we finally decided to take advantage of it, and make some outdoor plans, of course it rained haha! Still we weren't gonna let that deter us from having fun. We went  blacklight mini golfing with some friends, and instead of going to the drive in like we originally planned [we'll do that this Thursday instead] we went to some silly hip hop event at the school. It made me miss the bay area to say the least haha. And of course, what would summer be without BBQ's? Since it rained, we grilled hot dogs on our panini grill. I made potato salad and we roasted some corn on the cob too. It was a fun little weekend, and we look forward to doing lots more summer stuff in the actual sun haha!

Above: Me strategically covering my growing belly with our indoor BBQ food.

Below: My attempts to get Lester to just smile for the camera. Oh. Brother. Haha.

Below: Us at the hip hop show enjoying..one of the few awesome acts was the professional jump roping team..talk about AMAZING!

Wait For It...

Lester's Super Condensed Version

We're having a girl!!! It bust my ego... I was wrong. I'm stoked though and it will be rockin' fun! Kaboom!

                                                                                                                  

My Super Detailed Version

Well-its official! We gots us a little homegirl! To be honest, I think we are both still a little shocked, but in a HOORAY kind of way, nothing less. We couldn't be more happy to get to know our little girl more.

Yesterday morning, I woke up and got a text from Lester saying they had sprung a last minute test on him right during our appointment, so he might not be able to come. Luckily, they were completely accommodating and let him come, and he will take the test later. I don't know why it felt like such a huge deal, but for the few hours we thought he couldn't come we were both pretty upset. So him being able to still come reminded us how lucky we are to have each other to lean on!

When we got there, we found that since our last appointment six weeks ago, I had lost 1 lbs which was surprising since I feel like now that I can hold stuff down, all I do is eat haha! This brings us to a grand total of 9 lbs of weight loss-weird. But whatever, they weren't worried yet so neither am I. Then we got right into the ultra sound/sonogram.

Already, she has a mind of her own! Haha-last time we had a sonogram, she was dancing. But this time, its was like she was doing evasive ninja maneuvers, because she did not want us to see anything! They gave us a DVD and some sonograms, but she is one tricky girl. Although they told us what part was where, the only thing I genuinely recognized was her little feet and hands. They kept trying to get her to face us and we got to see a bit of her nose [its flat like both of ours!], but not enough for them to get a good 3-D picture for us like we wanted. But still, it was a little surreal seeing her little hand RIGHT where I thought I had felt it earlier. I wasn't imagining it she really has been putting her little hand right up against my stomach! Ah it all made it more real and exciting! We love our little girl SO much already!

By the time the ultrasound was ending, we thought for sure they wouldn't be able to tell us her gender. But the sonogram technician said, well I can easily tell you what it is I was just trying to get a good picture to show you better. But it is a girl, and here are her little girl parts to prove it haha!

I couldn't stop laughing at Lester-he was so sure it was a boy. I started asking him is he was disappointed, but he cut me off before I finished and said not to even ask him that-of course he wasn't disappointed. He's ecstatic, but nervous he'll be wrapped around her finger. But then he smiled when I kept teasing him, he just laughed at me and said, "Whatever she will be a Daddy's little girl!" Haha I am sure that she will. He loves me so well, there is no way he could be anything less for her. I think we both just have to adjust what we had imagined and how we thought-but we are having our own little girl and we can't stop saying it cuz we are so happy! We literally talked about it until we fell asleep last night.

Anyways, they had to do a few more routine things after that. Apparently she is in the 43rd percentile right now for weight and measurements which is not to shabby. They had to a do a blood draw [on me], and seeing that Lester was in his paramedic uniform, they asked him if he wanted to do it. Completely  excited, he said yes...and THEN they looked at me and asked if it was ok. Not gonna lie I was a little nervous-it reminded me of that episode of Scrubs where JD doesn't want Turk to be the one to operate on him because they've done so many stupid things together ahha! But I consented, and of course he did it perfectly the first time and knew exactly what he was doing! It was fun to see him in his element, and I think he had a lot of fun with it...the nurse lady actually joked afterwards 'alright congrats, your hired!' so that was funny.

Like I said, they gave us pictures and a DVD from the ultrasound. Honestly, they kinda of just look like a bunch of gray stuff, but still I'll put a few...the feet ones I think are fun! We just can't wait to meet our little girl in person!

I just included this one because we got to see and hear her heart-you can see its strong at 148 beats per minute!

One of her little feet

 To be perfectly honest, idk how this shows she's a girl,  but apparently it does haha.

This was the arm I was talking about. She likes to brush her hand against me, and I can feel each individual little finger! CRAZY!

Watermelon Woes

The truth is, every time summer rolls around I have an internal battle as to why why why every single person in the world seems to love watermelon except me. I love watermelon FLAVORED things, and I even think watermelon looks and smells delicious. And every time people eat it they just look so happy and carefree. I always wistfully think of the song from the little mermaid while I watch them and wish I could be 'part of that....worlllldddd!'

But I just can't! I think to myself, "You know Julia-you should just try it. Maybe it was an off day last time. Maybe this time, you will like it!" So every year I try it. And every year I gag. And I glare at watermelon, who laughs back at me because it can't decide if its a beverage or a food. It is just so frustrating!

Anyways-this is just something that's been on my mind lately now that the summer heat is hitting Rexburg. We are going to try to be doing some more fun outdoor things in the next few weeks, and hopefully watermelon and I will be able to avoid each other.....

But even if we can't, I will just enjoy one these and soon forget about it. HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! Lets make it a good one, shall we?

I was sitting, waiting, wishing..

You know how when your really excited and waiting for something, it seems to take about a bajillion years to come? Especially as the impending date gets closer and closer? Like, how the last two weeks of a semester feel almost longer then the semester as a whole? Does that make any sense? That is how I feel right now!

On June 7th we find out if this little one is a boy or a girl, and somehow the closer it gets the farther it seems! I just want to know! Right now I feel like I'm stuck in this, 'its real, but you can't fully start planning out fun things, like a baby room, or clothes, or picking names' phase. Which really stinks, because I am a planner I tell you! I like to plan! I am already making plans on how I am going to plan out these plans, because I can't make real plans until I find out the gender! Arghhh!

I guess I also feel like I don't know what to call this baby till then. Sure theres 'baby', but after a certain point that gets redundant-and its an endearing term for a lover, so thats weird too. But then you also don't want to just say 'it'-somehow that just seems so derogatory. And years ago Dad told me the word kid is actually the technical term for a baby goat! I refuse to have a baby goat I tell you! Sigh. My life is just so hard.

But on June 7th, that will all change. Then, I will hopefully know and my planning woes will be alleviated. And then all I will be waiting for is our summer break, going home, and eventually moving to Oklahoma and you know-giving birth. Can't wait!

PS: Lester is 99% sure it is a boy he says. I am not sure either way. Tell us your guess, and if you are right and in the same vicinity as us, we will try to make you a treat as a reward! Good luck!

Jesus Says

One of my favorite quotes ever is from the book "To Kill A Mockingbird." Scout has been able to read for as long as she could remember-she can't ever remember learning how, it was just something she did. Every night, her Father and her would read a little bit together before she would go to bed. Eventually, in going to school, her teacher tells her this must stop, as she is too far ahead of the other kids and she needs to be taught in the proper way. Scout is heartbroken. She says, 

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."

I've since thought about this quote many times. I think that Scout is exactly right. Breathing is not something one thinks about-its something a person is doing constantly. It is simple, and it is basic. You don't need to think about it or appreciate it. Yet, without it, one cannot live. It is one the most basic, but essential things the human body needs and does in order to survive. But when one cannot do it, it seems to be the only thing you can dwell on.

Whenever I hear or think of this quote I am reminded of how I should not take these things for granted. To breath is a gift. Reading is a huge blessing-and the incredible material that we have out there is endless and inspiring. Now that I am not in school, it is something I am able to do again daily. It improves my mind, my heart and even helps in some of my relationships with family and friends. Yet if there is one area I have to improve upon it is in reading the scriptures. 

George Albert Smith said, "All the truth that is necessary for our salvation, is contained in the lids of the books that I have already enumerated. We may not possess a library of 2 or 3 thousand volumes, but we may possess at a small cost a priceless library that has cost the best blood that has ever been in this world." He goes on to say that even if we were forced to throw away every single book ever written that other then the scriptures, that we would still have everything we could possibly need to guide us in this life. Again, I am guilty of not being as diligent as I should in my scriptures reading. But I agree wholeheartedly with what he said. Only in the scriptures do we get to hear things in the voice and the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in our Heavenly Father. Think about it. There are parts where it it reads 'And Jesus said.." Jesus said. This is not a quote. This is not a paraphrase. This is as if Jesus Christ, our Brother and the Savior of the world, is sitting across from us talking to our face. As if we could reach out and touch him. Jesus says. To me, the relationship I gain with my Savior from reading the scriptures is the most valuable thing I can hope to attain from any book, anywhere and anytime.  

Anyways, these were just things that were on my mind today as we had our lesson in church. Someday, when Lester and I are old, we have a dream of having a beautiful, gigantic library, much like the one in Beauty & the Beast. But I know that even if it doesn't live up to these expectations of grandeur, our library will always consist of the books that matter. Ones of fantasy, adventure, mystery, dreams, magic, growth, life lessons, science and other things. But most importantly, we have will have books of truth. The ones that tell us what Jesus says, what God hopes and wants for us, and how we can achieve true happiness in this life. 

Mother's Day 2012

Today is Mother's Day. Which has always meant for I get to show my gratitude and love for all the amazing women in my life who have helped raise me, teach me and love me. For that reason alone I love it.

But for the first time, it is actually kinda sorta applicable to me! Or at least so my husband and sweet family and friends tell me. I have talked before however about how typically Lester and I tend to forget to do sweet things for each there on holidays like this, Valentines Day, etc. So about a week ago when Lester asked, "Now that we are pregnant, do I have to get you something?" I honestly had forgotten..so I told him he didn't before, but now that he reminded me he would haha!

Fast forward to yesterday, when he had a 24 hr shift. He left at 8:00am and didn't get back until this morning at 8:00am. Again, I had forgotten that today was Mother's Day, and I knew he'd only be home for about an hr before he had to head out again for more meetings. So I wasn't expecting anything. But my AMAZING husband came in smiling and awake, despite his long day and night before, and was so happy to give me a gift card to a day spa! Not only did he remember the holiday, but he also listened to me when I said my lower back had been hurting! Which is why he got me this gift..to get a massage so my back would feel better. HE IS THE BEST!

I've heard a quote that best thing a Father can do for his children is to love their mother. Believing this is true, I know that our kids will have the best Dad in the whole world, because he loves me so well!

To all you Mother's out there, Happy Mothers Day! I hope it was spent in relaxation with lots of the love you so clearly deserve! 

Seriously, how did I get so lucky with all these ppl in my life?

These Days

Well, I don't really have anything exciting to say. But I don't know when I will, so I might as well record whats going on with us.

I am now in my second trimester, and feeling over all a lot better and more myself. I am no longer nauseous all the time, and I have quite a but more energy which is nice. Of course, I have traded old some symptoms for new ones, like intense lower back pain [which I thought wouldn't start till later] and occasional migraines, but over all I am liking everything now a lot better, and I think the baby is to. Its exciting bc for the first time the other day I am pretty sure I felt the actual baby move not just my organs and what not haha. I love this little monster of ours. 

As a result of this renewed energy, I have been able to go back to work. This has been nice both for our finances but also my sanity. Lester is busier then ever these days, and I was starting to go a little stir crazy over here by myself. Its funny because while I don't really ever look forward to working the job I do, and I do like having something to do and a way to contribute to our family while I am still able to. So that has been a plus over all. Plus Lester and I are both excelling, and getting a few small bonuses or what not here and there. So thats good.

I've also been cooking and baking a little bit more again. Nowhere near as much as I used to, but still some, which is an improvement. I made some cookies and cream cupcakes the other day and decorated them all cute, and they were a huge hit. It felt so good to be able to both eat them, and get a little ego boost with people being impressed my them. I just enjoy baking, and I didn't realize how much I missed it till I couldn't. Over all, its just nice to actually be able to eat again, but I think I've kinda done a but of a 180 with that. At my first doctors appointment, I had lost 3 lbs since I went in and found out I was pregnant. At my second [which was about two weeks ago] I found I had lost 5 more lbs. The doctor said that he wouldn't be too concerned because of how sick I was and how well the baby was doing, but he expects me to be gaining a lot more weight this trimester, now that I am feeling better and the baby should be getting a lot bigger. At first, I was worried about making that happen, but now that I want to eat almost everything in sight, I am worried I will gain way to much weight haha! Whatever.

As I said, Lester has been very busy. He spends every week day at school, then either has a hospital shift, fire station shift [meaning he is doing ambulance rides], work, or bishopric meeting/duties. He is truly one of the hardest workers I know and he doesn't complain, no matter how tired he is or how much attention I need when he gets home. He still makes me and our family the priority, and I can feel that and I don't know how I scored such an incredible husband. He really is my dream come true.

Hm, what else? I've been making more friends in my ward and getting closer to some old friends, which has been WONDERFUL. I even have two close friends who offered to throw me a baby shower while I'm here-it will probably be sometime in July, and I am both flattered and excited! Erica and I have been friends for almost two years now, and she has been one of the funnest, craziest, and compassionate girls I know! I know we will be friends for years to come. I don't know why, but I don't think guys fully understand how women sincerely NEED other women sometimes. Lester gives me everything I want and more, but he is gone a majority of the times these days, and that is hard. But without fail, almost every day I have some friend or another who calls or visits or wants to hang out, and I feel like that has definitely been a tender mercy Heavenly Father has sent me right now. Especially Ms. Brittney. I was worried when Lester's best guy friend said he was bringing over a new girl, but from the second I met her I knew she was the perfect yin to his yang. She has laughed with me [sometimes at me haha, and visa versa], let me be a baby and cry sometimes, and just checked on me daily, all while not making me feel like a pain her butt, and it has meant the world to me. I guess I just feel that sometimes, a girl just needs to feel completely understood and validated, and no one does that better then a good girlfriend. So this Sunday when Lester is doing a 24 hr shift, I think I'm going to have a girls night and have a bunch of ladies over just for fun.

Well this has been a lot longer then I anticipated but this is all whats going on with us. I suppose I will blog when something exciting happens next. Until then!

PS: Did I ever mention that we find out on June 7th what gender the baby is? Mark that on your calendars  peeps-I know we have!