Goodbye Nursery - Hello Pregnancy

Yesterday Brandon and I received our official release as the ward Nursery Coordinators. It couldn't have come at a better time. I was so exhausted after teaching the new couple our duties on Sunday that I don't think I would have lasted another week. Our baby is getting so darn big that it makes it difficult to get up off the floor, run to prevent injury from happening, and even bending over . Sometimes I'm even out of breath just trying to talk. It's so strange.

This morning I had Brandon take a picture of my 28 week belly. Hopefully you'll get a good idea of how the baby is developing. Bran doesn't enjoy taking pictures so I had to beg and plead to have him take this one. It's not my favorite, but beggars can't be choosers.

You'll notice that my smile looks a bit on the unnatural side. I blame it all on the ridiculous springs that fill up my mouth completely. Ugh! I think I'll be a grouch and complain about them constantly until the orthodontist tells me that they've done their job and I can have them off. I've never complained so much about anything so I guess it's about time I do.

A Tender Mercy

Sometimes miracles happen just when you need them most. My little brother left a week and a half ago for boot camp and I've been quite worried about him. After all, he is my little brother. How could he possibly handle tough drill sergeants, lots of running, and those dreaded push-ups. Last night all my worry culminated into a big, horrible nightmare about what he might be going through there at Ft. Jackson.

Anyway, just 5 minutes ago my mother called saying that they had just received a postcard from Kent. He says he is doing great, doing lots of push-ups, and that he would write soon. Thank goodness! I feel so much better especially now that we've got his address I can write to him. This small, seemingly insignificant blessing reminded me of how much the Lord cares for me as an individual. I am so blessed.

Random Mumblings

1) Awesome neighbors really ROCK!
Last night Brandon and I got home late from work (like 8:30pm late). While we were unwinding from the day in the kitchen I suddenly got a craving for a cookie. I turn to Brandon and ask him if he needed one and when he said No I reached for his precious lunch cookies that are kept hidden in the deep confines of the freezer. Two seconds later our doorbell rang. It was our wonderful downstairs neighbor with 4 delicious home-made sugar cookies just waiting for me on a plate. Thank you Heather - goodbye craving.

2) Last night Brandon and I were able to feel more then just pokes and punches from our baby. We actually felt a hard little round thing. I'm not sure if it was the baby's head or backside, but it was pretty darn neat. Baby's are totally a miracle. It still blows my mind that a little munchkin is growing inside of me.

3) Hurrah to Shawn Johnson for winning a gold medal on the balance beam. My goodness that girl can do amazing things on a 4 inch piece of plastic. It was so neat to see her Mom totally burst into tears when the results were all final. I can't even image how trilling a gold medal must have felt around her neck.

4) I'm still feeling pretty darn good. So good that we're going to do a session at the Temple tonight after work. I'm trying to 'stock up' for the months and months when I won't be able to go.

5) Yeah for temple weddings. I've got another cousin getting married this Friday in the Mt. Timp. temple. I and Bran are looking forward to taking the day off to enjoy the celebration.

A trip down memory lane

While cleaning out some of our things, we stumbled upon some old pictures of Brandon's childhood. They were so cute that we couldn't resist sharing a few of them.

This first picture is Brandon's brother Richard. When he was little he would make this hilariously funny face. They would call him Alf whenever he did it.

This picture is one of Brandon's Mom, Naomi, his brother, Richard, and of course Brandon being a wacko in the background.

This picture includes Richard, Brandon, and Alicia (Brandon's younger sister) going on a visit to the "farm" to feed the ducks.

This darling picture is once again Brandon's brother, Richard, dressed up in his "Gotta Dance" outfit. I love the happy little grin he has on his face.

This picture was taken in Brandon's backyard. Richard and Alica are enjoying the swimming pool on a hot summer day.

Adventurous boys are always bound to come up with some type of fort made from common things around the house. Brandon and Richard were no exception.

There is nothing better then a fort that hides a swimming pool. Obviously, no girls were allowed this time.

Kent's Farewell Dinner

Last night my family met at Chuck-A-Rama in Orem to celebrate Kent's leaving on Wednesday morning. It seems kinda funny to celebrate him going away, but anywho, that's what we did. We had a ton of fun laughing and joking together and even Lisa's "boy" Brent seemed to fit in great. Thanks Dad and Mom for a wonderful evening that we'll treasure forever. Kent you ROCK and you'll be great in the army. GO ARMY!

Why me?

I ask this question to myself way too often.

This week had been nice up until my orthodontist appointment on Thursday morning. At the appointment he decided it was time to roll out torture treatment #1. Hence, I now have two large metal springs attached to my top and bottom teeth. Ouchie!

Since I've got an overbite and a cross bite we're having to do some pretty painful things to get it all fixed. I fear that I'll still have these on when the baby arrives. How horrible. It's bad enough that I've gained weight all over the place, but now my mouth looks like I have a bunch of marbles in it. I just know the baby pictures of me at the hospital are going to be terrible. I am desperately wishing this was all over....

Wedding Bells for Daniel & Emily

On Saturday morning my cousin Daniel married the girl of his dreams (and the girl the family loves just as much) - Emily. It was such a happy and special event with a lot of out-of-town family in attendance. We spent a delightful time at the temple, family lunch, and reception. Way to go Daniel and Emily. We love you tons!

This wedding is the third one in the family as far as Grandchildren go. We hope to be adding at least two more before the end of the year (hint, hint Lisa).

Here is a picture of my family minus my two brothers Kent and Alex. It was so nice that we were all able to be at the temple together. It really emphasized to me the importance of having an eternal family.

Making messes

Last week Brandon and I went and renewed our apartment contract for another year. While we were there we decided to ask if we could paint the baby's room. We figured we might as well ask and be told 'no' rather then to have never asked at all.

Luckily for us they said we could paint as long as it was a light color and we cover it up with primer before we move. So last weekend we "got busy". The color turned out so darling and it's made me so excited for the baby to come. It was such fun to work on this project for the baby together. To Brandon's credit he ended up doing most of the painting because the fumes got to be a little much for me.