11 inches...

A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to cut and donate my hair again. It has been a year and a half since I did it the last time. Spencer was just 9 months old. Now, I'm 26 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and Spencer is 2 1/2! This time, they've changed the requirements- you have to donate 11 inches of hair instead of just 10. I wanted to be sure to do it with enough time so it could grow out a bit before the baby comes. I've lost track of how many times I've done this, but I'm guessing it's my 7th or 8th time donating. It's a nice change for a little while!

Happy Birthday Brittany

Today I turned 24. Not quite quarter of a century, but pretty close. It was a great day! I woke up around 630 while Jacob was getting ready for work and subsequently baby girl decided to wake up too. I couldn't get back to sleep till almost 8, but that was okay because Spencer slept till 1015 and I was able to get some more sleep as well as a shower before he was up. Jacob had put up a happy birthday butterfly banner in the kitchen and put my gifts on the table along with an awesome homemade card. I got a new wallet (much needed), the new Princess Academy book, and the Jenny Oaks Baker Disney violin CD. Yay!
Spencer and I went to Denny's for my free birthday slam which was yummy. It was funny because Spencer was singing the Corn Dog song (from Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band) at the top of his voice. Good thing there weren't many people around. I kept telling him that not everyone wanted to hear the corn dog song.
When we got home I let Spencer watch Toy Story 3 and then he wanted a nap so I got some free time to myself. I read my new book and organized my new wallet which was fun.
For dinner we went to Texas Roadhouse with Jacob's parents and brother Bryant. It was great food but Jacob told the server it was my birthday. I thought all they would do is sing to me but they made me get on a saddle while they said stuff and made everyone shout yee haw. So totally embarrassing, I don't think my face has ever been so red and I was trying not to look at anyone because I was so embarrassed. Jacob did get a picture but it's on his phone, not mine. After all that we went bowling at Weber State and it was lots of fun-except I think I got a personal low score. I got 55. Jacob's mom said maybe my belly was starting to throw my balance off. I hope that's all it is!
To finish off the night, Jacob made us some awesome raspberry milkshakes with the raspberries from our garden. What a great day and thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday or sent me a card or gift or anything at all! I have such great family and friends!
Oh yeah, and the best part is, even though I really had wanted to go to Tuacahn and see Aladdin for my birthday, I get to do something better. We're going on a Disney cruise! Spencer is constantly saying "go on Mickey boat now" and "after nap first". We made a chain to help him with his concept of time. We're so excited!

Baby Gabriella!

We went for our 20 week ultrasound last week and it is 100% a girl! We are so excited!

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend has been pretty fun. We started it out on Friday night going to the Treehouse museum and then to a go kart racing place called Speed Street. Jacob had a free race there for his birthday month. Spencer sure had fun watching Daddy drive that crazy kart! Saturday we spent the morning at Costco getting all the stuff we needed from the coupons and then I had to work Saturday night. That wasn't overly fun except I finally got the Chinese food I've been craving!
Sunday was a good day-we celebrated Bryant's birthday with good food and good company! We of course played a game (7 wonders) to finish out the night.
Today we woke up early to Spencer crying. He's had a rough few days of sleep. But we went to the Riverdale parkway where Spencer and I walked while Jacob and his brothers did some biking. It was a good workout for us all. We then decided to take a picnic somewhere. Jacob has been wanting us to go to this castle park by his work that he just found, so we went there. Of course Spencer fell asleep on the way there but woke  up once we sat down for the picnic. It turns out the park is a bit big for Spencer right now and the "tot lot" that was supposed to be for his age, he didn't really like. The ice cream truck even made an appearance but left before Jacob could get his wallet from the car. We ended up with slurpees instead, and Spencer drank a lot of both of ours. We rented Hunger Games from the red box so we came home and watched it while Spencer napped for a bit. It was so hard to get him to stay awake! We had leftovers for dinner (exciting, I know) and then have been playing games for family night.

Introducing...

The newest addition to our family! Due February 7 and according to the doctor a 70% chance it's a girl (she was being uncooperative the last appointment). But that means they have told me twice they think it's a girl! I think if they tell me it's a boy at this point I might have a break down.
We're very excited for her to join our family, especially Spencer who likes to tell people about his baby sister Gabby!

Various projects I've been working on...

Here are a bunch of pictures of the various projects I've been doing. My aunt is having a baby girl and my brother is having a baby boy so that makes for a lot of fun stuff to make (or at least try)! The last picture is peeled apples. I borrowed my grandma's dehydrator and my other grandma's apple peeler to make dried apples which are so yummy! Both are magic machines but especially the peeler, it cut prep time down to nothing!

Spencer turns 2!

On May 20, our little boy turned two! I can't believe how fast time has gone...
Spencer loves Mickey Mouse so that was the theme of the party. We invited family and a few friends to come celebrate with us. Spencer loves all his gifts he got, especially the slide (from Jacob's parents) and the basketball hoop (from Brittany's parents).
The Mickey cake looked great but due to the fact that I used so much black icing coloring, it tasted awful. The oreo cookies were a hit though!

Mothers day

My awesome husband made that picture frame for me! I had been wanting one from deseret book but instead of paying $25 he designed his own! He also got me The Vow which i have been wanting to see. Breakfast in bed was smashing too!

Thoughts about birth

I had some interesting thoughts at work the other day I'd like to share. I work on the mother baby unit at McKay Dee as a clerk. One of the doctors came in and was talking about a patient of hers who had just given birth naturally. She said what a "rock star" this girl was. I thought, "gee, that would be nice to have my doctor say that about me. But I guess I don't deserve that sort of praise. I had an epidural." Then I thought again. Any woman who has given birth, whether naturally, by c-section, or any level of medicated delivery, is a "rock star". Giving birth in any way is a major feat! Just think, even if you had some sort of medicated delivery-you still pushed out a baby. And if you had a c-section, you went through major abdominal surgery and endured everything that came with that.
So I just wanted to put it out there that it shouldn't matter how a woman gives birth, but the fact that she did is amazing!
Thanks for letting me voice that!

Crochet!

Who knew crocheting could be so easy?

"And the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ..."

Today has been an emotional day. I was able to get work off to go to the funeral of Celeste Poll. I moved into her ward when we were both starting young women's so we spent our teenage years together you could say. She was also into music so we did some things with BHS symphony and tour.
I was nervous because I hadn't been to a funeral or viewing in a long time. I also didn't know how to handle my emotions. It's so strange that I have never really been one to cry at spiritual events or movie but ever since I had Spencer, I've been way more emotional. I was so lucky to be sitting by a good friend from orchestra days, Arielle. We both got emotional but it was neat to have a friend to share it with. She put her arm around me when I was having a more difficult moment. Thank you, Arielle, you'll never know how much that meant to me.
It  has been interesting sorting out my feelings. Although we were never the best of friends, we still shared moments together at girls camp, youth conference, etc. I remember at youth conference we all style the boy's boxers and hung them on the flag pole.
It's so strange to think we were the same age and to think someone at this age could die.
As we stood in line to give our condolences to the family, I kept thinking "that looks like Celeste, but I know it's not really her, her spirit is no longer in this body".
I questioned why this family had to deal with such a hardship. They are one of the most righteous families I know. I was reminded, however, that Heavenly Father will only give us what He knows we can handle.
As the funeral went on, it was reiterated over and over again that families are eternal and that because of the plan of salvation, we can live again. What a testimony builder it was for me.
One of my favorite parts was when the madrigals sang. She had been a madrigal and so they all sang a song that had been written by her. It was just so neat to see all the friends from high school who knew her and were there for support. I hope there are that many people at my funeral!
Anyway, I hope this hasn't been a drag. I just wanted to share my feelings and insights with you all.

You never really think about your mortality until something major happens. I never really thought anyone my age would have been gone so soon. A fellow classmate from Bingham passed away a few years ago in Ogden from a car accident.
Celeste Poll was in my ward when we moved in and was in YW with me and went to school with me as well. I just heard she passed away from a battle with cancer. I am so sad. Even those who you may have not gotten along with as well; you still don't want them to die. It just makes you think that even those who are young cannot escape death sometimes. Please say a prayer for their family.

Helping Hands

I have the most helpful little boy! He is so sweet. He always wants to help "stir", "fweep" (sweep), "dishes", "dusing" (dusting), "Asher" (dishwasher)...you get the idea. He will even sing the clean up song with us :)

It's a miracle!

This year we were determined to get our tiller fixed so we could do a big garden again. We did one three years ago but then the tires came off afterward. Since having Spencer we've slacked off but only because we couldn't figure out how to fix the tires. Finally this last week after many, many hours of frustration and hard work by my husband, we finally got the tires on and working. And it actually started right up after being idle for so long. We are so glad it is working and now our garden is huge!
I do have to show my work too... The side of our garage has been infested with weed trees. There is cement but somehow through the cracks in the cement massive trunks have been formed. Jacob cut down all the trees but then I cleaned the rest out. It had become the place where everything blew if there was a wind. And I do have to say I'm proud of myself for making it look better than it has our entire married life!

PS you can totally see the biggest trunk on the right, right next to the garage just growing from a crack. There is also one growing through the chain link fence at the back.
we also planted an apple tree. it's going to be a few years before we get any fruit.
of course you can't forget spencer, he helped play in the dirt. this one is all boy he loves to play in the dirt.

all in all I'm excited to have a yard again and for the nice weather. we can't wait to get things planted. even my daffodils are aready coming up in the front yard.

ps I'm using voice writing no that's why there's no capitalization.

It's almost spring!!!

We got Spencer a swing for our backyard and figured out how to hook it to our patio support beam. He loves it! We've been out almost every day, multiple times a day. Now we just need a slide/climber so he will be entertained while we do yard work! I've also been looking for a bike trailer I can hook behind my bike so I can take him places (mostly the library) without using gas!

Crafts!

Here Are some more crafts I've finished.

Family Time

Jacob had to go on business to Mexico this last week so Spencer and I stayed at my parent's house while he was gone. I love getting to be with my family for so much time since we usually only see them twice a month. Leo decided to be a dork and not come home before we left so Jacob ended up coming home the night before he left (we had come down for Sunday family dinner and were planning on staying the night at my parent's and then Jacob would leave Monday morning). Anyway, it was lots of fun as always filled with shopping trips, playing, and cat fighting (literally). Here is a picture of Spencer eating ice cream. He has never quite grasped the concept of licking things with his tongue (ice cream, suckers, etc). I gave him a drumstick ice cream cone and ate the hard chocolate shell off the top but he ate the rest of it with his new found skill. Of course we were very glad to have Jacob home and he brought us some fun things. He brought Spencer a whistle, Spanish/English flash cards with Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh on them, and kinder eggs (chocolate egg with a toy inside). He brought me a cool figurine of a man and woman and some butterfly earrings. He also brought us some Mexican cookies and crackers.

They're made of what?!

Here are my wall decorations I made for our bedroom. They are made out of toilet paper and paper towel tubes. Then they were cut, glued together, and spray painted by my dear husband. Don't they look cute?
And yes they are not level with each other...our walls are concrete so the screws were placed by the previous owners and I can't really move them around.