Update

Well...it's been a long time since I've written on here. So much has happened in the last few months...in February we found out we were expecting again, but in April we lost the baby and I had to have a D&C the day before we were supposed to move from Rexburg back to Washington.

John's parents were able to come down to Rexburg to help us move, which was a great blessing, and we lived with them for about two months until we were able to close on a house of our own in June. We have been busy remodeling our little place and we love it!

A few weeks after we moved into our new home, I was able to finish my last semester of school online and I graduated in July. Yay! It is such a relief to be done with school and focus on other things for a while.

In June we found out we were expecting again and so far, everything is going well. In a few weeks we will have our 20 week ultrasound to find out the gender of the baby and then we will be heading down to Rexburg for John to complete one more semester of school.

Life is busy...but great!

This semester has brought a lot of changes in our lives. With both John and I in school full-time and working part-time, as well as getting ready to move in a couple of months (and with Jojo to take care of), it seems like there aren't enough minutes in the day to get everything done. It helps that I really enjoy my classes and like my co-workers (it would be even harder to get up at 3 AM if I didn't!). I am most excited to be learning about nutrition and about maternal & pediatric nursing this semester and John is enjoying his welding lab. However, I am counting down the days until July, when I (hopefully) will finally be a college graduate--and December, when John will graduate. Even with all of the stresses that come along with balancing school, work and family, I wouldn't have it any other way.

P.S. I haven't had much time to keep in contact with everyone, so I hope you are all doing well and enjoying life!

P.P.S. I would put up more pictures, but we left our camera at my parent's house over Christmas and I haven't had a chance to get it back yet.

New Year's Resolutions

This is the time of year that we all take to reflect on our lives and make goals to improve ourselves. I think it is easier to keep these resolutions when we are accountable to someone, so I am going to share mine...here they are.

1. I am going to exercise at least 20 minutes every day of the week (except Sundays).

2. I am going to attend the temple at least once a month.

3. I am going to index at least 50 names every week.

4. I am going to write in my journal every day.

5. I am going to chose to be optimistic about life and about other people by thinking of something I am grateful for or something I admire about someone instead of focusing on the things that are lacking.

6. I am going to stick to a family budget and review and revise it with my husband every month.

7. I am going to participate in weekly family home evenings every week.

8. I am going to bake a new recipe every week, and post it on this blog if it turns out well.

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas today! John and I spent the day with his family. It was the first time since I can remember that I didn't go to my Uncle Don's for Christmas, so I felt a little sad, but we had a great holiday anyway. Jojo had a blast tearing up wrapping paper and playing with the remnants of everyone else's presents. However, she ignored the books and little toys that were actually for her. I was so happy to get an amazing cake decorating set from my mother-in-law. I have been coveting this set for quite some time, so I was delighted to actually get to have it. But more than the great presents, I am grateful for my Savior and the amazing blessings that He has brought into my life. To me, Christmas is a time to reflect, to repent, and to rejoice because He was born and because He still lives.

Babies

As most of you probably know, John and I have been trying for another baby for quite some time now with no success. The last few months have been LONG and at times, very disappointing. It seems like nearly every couple we know is popping babies out left and right and at times--I admit--I get a little jealous. Lately, however, as I have read a little bit in the Old Testament, I've realized two very important things: one, my situation isn't unique (or every very difficult compared to some), and two, the Lord always keeps His promises. Someday (hopefully sooner rather than later) I will get to hold another beautiful baby in my arms and know that they are mine forever. Until then, I just get to learn patience (daydreaming about baby names that I like helps). Hopefully, this wait will help me to appreciate what a miracle and blessing each little life really is.

Laundry

Jojo has become much more mobile in the last few weeks, and as her mobility has increased, so has her curiosity about whatever it is that I am doing. She recently decided that she needed to help me put away our clean laundry...

Chocolate Cookies + Babies = Messy

A little while ago, I was trying to get a few things done in the kitchen and I needed to distract Jojo. I decided to give her a chocolate cookie to eat while I finished up my chores (not my smartest moment). Here is the result.

Sleepy Baby

Jojo chooses some interesting times and ways to fall asleep. I couldn't resist taking pictures.