Christmas Decorations

We decided a while ago that we wouldn't buy much as far as decorations go this year. Instead, we would just get a couple little things, make the rest, then buy the bigger things for next year after Christmas this year when it was all on clearance. So here's what we ended up with.

First, our 2 foot pre-lit Christmas tree that we got at Wal-mart for $8. Decorated with tinsel stuff that we got for $1, and homemade snowflakes and stars. We bought it down in Arizona when we were there for Thanksgiving. Somewhere between there and here the stand broke. So I made one out of K-Nex. My brother, Preston, would be so proud :)

Second, our window decorations. Lights that we got for $2 and homemade snowflakes once again. If you are wondering what the lights are being held up with, it's yellow duct tape. If you know me, this doesn't surprise you.

Third, a paper chain to brighten up the room :)

And last but not least, the Christmas tree calendar that my Grandma Hall makes for all of the grandkids once they are married.

I think that everything looked great :) And it was fun making everything together.

Thanksgiving

I need to do some major catching up on this blog, so prepare yourself for a plethora, or maybe just a few posts :)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Arizona. It had been a while since we had seen a lot of the family, so it was fun to visit with everyone. Robert especially enjoyed finally getting Scott and Becky's twins (our nephews) to really warm up to him. Every time they would see him they would start smiling and saying "Rob-ee-uht! Rob-ee-uht!" There was one day that we were watching them and Robert was playing with them for a solid hour or two on the trampoline. After they were done, they came in and crashed on the couch. It's the only picture I took the whole trip and I took it with my cell phone, but it's a priceless one :)


It reminds me of someone else I know...


This was taken of me when I was babysitting about 3 or 4 years ago. Are we going to be the greatest parents or what?!? ;)

Anyway, it was a great trip. We were there for almost a week, and we were constantly going back and forth between our families which is so fun. It's so awesome that our families live so close to each other and that we love spending time with both of them. We also get 2 Thanksgiving dinners. Can life get better!?!

The verdict is in...

We had an ultrasound yesterday and we are having a GIRL!!!! We are naming her Lydia Ann. We are both very excited! She is measuring exactly to what we had been told was her due date so the due date is still May 15th. Only 19 a half weeks to go!!!!

"It's the holiday season...

so whoop-dee-doo, and dickeree dock, and don't forget to hang up your sock..."

It's definitely that time of year, and for the first time in my life it's a white time of year. Remember this picture...


This is from the "First Official Snow" post I did about a month ago. It didn't really snow much after that until last weekend...

I would like say that this is what it looks like now, but unfortunately I took this a week ago, and now it's gotten worse. I don't like the snow. Yes, it can be pretty, but it's cold, slippery, and I haven't been able to feel my toes since I was in Mesa, AZ for Thanksgiving. BUT it's been Rain/Snow-ing for the past 2 days and when you have rain and snow you get SLUSH. I HATE SLUSH!! Imagine walking the whole way (which is only one block for us, but still) to church in a 1 or 2 inch deep Icee. It's miserable, especially since I don't have any snow worthy shoes yet. And it makes driving conditions horrible which isn't good for anybody. Needless to say, I can't wait til we leave for sunny AZ this Friday for 2 whole weeks. My toes are getting warmer just thinking about it :)

In other news, Robert and I learned a valuable lesson today. In case anybody is curious, if you ever want to give yourself a heart attack just do a fingerpainting project with a Primary class of eight 5-year-olds. (If you want to get technical, only 7 of them are 5. One boy is a Sunbeam who refused to go to his class today, but wanted to come to ours.)

The Primary Presidency asked every class to do a secret service project. So Robert and I both somehow came up with the bright, same idea that we could use some fingerpaints that we've had for a long time but never used and make a poster. Once the paint dries we will write Merry Christmas on it and leave it on an inactive widow's doorstep with some cookies. I think it turned out great. But the process was tense. The kids were great! They let us roll up all of their sleeves, they all took turns without fighting, and as soon as they were done with their 2 handprints they let us clean up their hands with a wipe. But Robert and I knew that all it would take was one kid to accidentally bump another kid with some paint for a paint fight to explode. But we made it without a single drop getting anywhere it shouldn't. Talk about taking a leap of faith.

This was also our last Sunday with this Primary class since we are leaving for Christmas. I can't believe I made it all the way through class without crying. I have grown to love each and every one of these kids so much!! They all have such individual, sweet, special spirits. Some of my favorite quotes from this year...
During a lesson on forgiveness, Jacob says "Um, I forgive white people all of the time, but I only forgive black people some of the time (pause) I just don't see them as often."
Annabel sees my new hair color and asks "Hey, how did your hair change colors?" "I dyed it" She then looks horrified/worried and says "IT DIED!!"
There are so many more fun quotes and stories and also a lot of testimony building spiritual ones, but a lot of them are "you had to be there" moments.

Here's Robert with our class

And then it was my turn, but by then they had already lost interest :)

Anyway, I'm sad that this year is over, but I'm excited for what next year has to bring. The Presidency told us today that they are debating putting us as the Primary music, but aren't sure if they want to do that to me, knowing that it won't be long before I am huge pregnant. But we would love the chance even if it is for just a few months. It's our DREAM! Only time will tell. We will still be happy if we stay right where we are at CTR 5.

And last but not least, by popular demand, my first baby bump pic.

We actually took this a little more than a week ago, so I might be a little bit bigger than I am in this pic, but it'll do for now. Robert's uncle might be doing an ultrasound while we are in Mesa. So we might know what the baby is before Christmas!! I can't wait to find out. I don't care either way, I just want to know!!

That's it for now. Happy Holidays!!!

In Sickness and Health

I know it's been a while since I've updated, and I will definitely do that soon. But today I came across this video on lds.org and I was bawling by the end of it. I don't think I share enough of my testimony and faith on here, so I wanted to be sure to post this right away when the feelings are still fresh.



As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly known as the Mormons)I believe that if my family and I live righteously and in accordance with the plan that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have set for us, my family can be together forever.

Robert likes to joke about how many guys he can think of that must have been really disappointed to find out that Robert had snatched me up and taken me off the dating market before they had even gotten a chance. But I knew without a doubt that among all of the possibilities out there, Robert was the one that I wanted and needed. He is always happy with life and loved me purely and unconditionally right from the start, and he was someone who had lived his life in a way that turned him into a man that I could love just as much in return. And if you are going to be with each other forever, you need to love each other. This isn't a starter marriage, this isn't just for now, or until death do us part. This is for FOREVER. We're in it for the long haul and enjoying every step along the way.

Our goal is to love each other more everyday and we've been successful so far. I hope that when we've been married for 53 years we will be just like the old couple in this video. Maybe I'll be the one who's memory is fading, but Robert will be sitting there with his arm around me talking and joking about how we were failed high school sweethearts that got a second chance and have loved each other ever since. Or maybe Robert will be the one who's memory is fading, and I'll be there holding his hand and talking about how it took Robert 45 minutes of stuttering, stammering, and rambling while driving in circles before he finally got up the nerve to tell me that he liked me for the first time. I don't know what the exact situation will be, but I do know that we will be together and we will be happy then and forever after that because we have each other and the Gospel in our lives.

Silly me...

I forgot a very important and significant thing in the updates I made yesterday.

This is Terrel (Robert's brother) and his new wife, Jenn. They got married in the San Diego Temple on November 7th. We were able to go and it was WONDERFUL. The temple is beautiful, Jenn was a gorgeous bride, Terrel didn't look too bad, and the ring ceremony afterward was wonderful. Everything was just great - minus some pregnancy sickness on my part ;) Anyway, Terrel is a great brother. I have so many wonderful brothers-in-law and he's right up there with the rest of them. I'm so happy that he is finally married to the girl that he loves so much, and I am so thankful that the girl that he loves so much is Jenn. She's awesome. I haven't been able to spend a whole lot of time with her yet, but the little time we have spent together has been great. She's fun, funny, really good at drawing while blindfolded, and sticks to what she believes in no matter the price. And quite honestly, I think we were destined to be sisters-in-law. Why, you may ask. Well, I have the exact same skirt that she is wearing in this picture. I bought it 5 years ago and still wear it all of the time. You see what I mean... Destiny!

Anyway, Jenn, welcome to the family!! And CONGRATULATIONS TO TERREL AND JENN!!! Welcome to the Married Folks Club! It's a great one to be in!!

First Official Snow

So in my opinion it isn't officially the first snow of the year until it sticks. It has already snowed a couple of times but it would melt as soon as it hit the ground. But we woke up this morning to our official first snow.

It's not much, but it is enough. The snow season is officially upon us!

And a random side note, my husband is AMAZING! Through all of my swine flu sickness and pregnancy sick he has gone above and beyond his call of duty. He waits on me hand and foot, cleans up the apartment, does all of the shopping, randomly buys me tulips and chocolate milk, puts up with my pregnancy mood swings, and on and on and on. This is on top of all of his school work. He is amazing! He does what he can to enjoy it too. When he does the dishes he finds pleasure in stacking the dishes on the drying towel as efficiently and creatively as he can.

I don't know what I would do without him, and during this month of Thanksgiving I want everyone to know that I am thankful for my husband, the most awesome man in the world!!!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I AM SO EXCITED!!! I can't wait to see my families. I can practically taste the Bavarian Kreme Donuts already!

Craigslist Score!!

I like to browse craigslist every few days to see if there are any great deals. Lately I have mainly been looking through baby items and maternity clothes. A couple days ago I saw an ad for a 30 gallon plastic container that was packed full, so full you couldn't get the lid on, with maternity clothes that the ad said ranged from just barely pregnant to 9 months pregnant for only $40. There wasn't a picture which worried me, but I decided that it was worth checking into. So Robert and I went to this ladies house so I could look through the clothes. After a quick glance, it looked like there were a few things I could use so we bought it. After I got it home and was pulling all of the clothes out I got more and more excited! Here's a picture of everything I got!

It's hard to see what all is there, so let me list them for you. On the floor there are:
8 pairs of pants (3 dress pants, 3 khaki, and 2 jean)
1 pair of shorts
10 pairs of capris

On the couch going from left to right:
1 long winter coat
4 jumpers
1 skirt
3 dresses (including a cute black one that I LOVE!!)
25 shirts (my favorites are the 6 cute pattern ones that are on the seat of the couch on the right)
2 pairs of pajama pants, one comes with a matching top
2 bra extenders

Can I say SCORE!?! Of all of these things I probably won't use only 3-5 of the shirts, the shorts, and 3 of the jumpers. I paid less than 69 cents an item which is awesome because the winter coat alone would have been more than $40. Needless to say, I am happy with my purchase!!!

P.S. She threw in the plastic container she had all of the clothes in (about a $40 value) for only $5.

"I went down to buy a Turkey Tree..."

"...and all they have are things for Christmas!" 10 points to anyone who knows what this quote is from.

Well, it's been about 2 months since I really updated this blog, so prepare yourself for a long one. I actually think I'll break it up into 3 different posts just so I don't have one ridiculously long one.

First, and most exciting news, I AM PREGNANT!!!! On September 9th, 2009 I saw this...

After taking another test later that day to be sure, the first thing Robert did was this...

He figured out an equation that calculated the probability that I was NOT pregnant after taking 2 positive pregnancy tests that claim to be 99.9% accurate. (My husband is a nerd. What else can I say) Anyway, we are super excited!!! I am due May 15th which makes me 14 weeks along, and it has definitely been an adventure so far. I was doing fine at first. I was tired all the time and at night I would have to lay down or I would get nauseous, but it was manageable. I was still working and no one had any idea I was pregnant. But then on October 23rd I got swine flu. It was AWFUL!!! I can't say whether or not it was worse than the regular flu, but just the fact that I had it and I was pregnant made it SOOOO much worse than the regular flu. Anyway that came and went after several days, but it left me super pregnant sick. Then on top of that, on Halloween I started spotting a little bit. As far as work goes, Robert and I had already been talking about the possibility of me quitting. The stress and worry of missing work and having to call in all of the time was just getting to be too much. When I started spotting it sealed the deal. So Sunday, November 1st, I called my manager and explained everything that was going on and she was very understanding and said that if I ever feel up to coming back, even if it is just for a couple of days a week I can call and they'll start scheduling me again.

Anyway, that Monday the bleeding had slowed to practically nothing, but we still went in for an ultrasound to see if everything was okay and it was!! After freaking out and getting very scared when the bleeding started, I went into the appointment Monday wondering if there would even be a heartbeat. But when Robert and I saw our little baby squirming around on the screen and heard it's little heart beat it was, in the way Robert put it, "empowering."

I finally had my first official doctor's appointment this past Tuesday, and everything with the baby still looks great. With the nausea, I have actually lost a little more than 15 pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy which puts me a couple pounds skinnier than I was on my wedding day. The doctor recommended I take a half pill of Unisom in the morning and at night before I go to bed which has been helping out a ton! I sleep better at night (since it is actually a sleeping pill) and although I am a little groggy during the day I am not as sick, so I am able to eat more.

So that about raps up the pregnancy excitement. In a few weeks we'll be able to find out if we are having a

or a

We will be happy with either :) Only time will tell!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

We finally got approved for insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick Update

I just realized that aside from the birthday updates, it's been quite a while since I've updated on other goings on. Life is pretty much the same. I'm loving my job. Robert is loving work/school. We are both still loving our calling in the Primary, and are looking forward to our first (and hopefully last) snowy fall and winter together. But that's basically it, no super exciting news, so I will update about about some not so exciting news and hope that you will enjoy it anyway :)

New Couch Covers

Before: Old burgundy velvety couch covers that liked to collect lint and wouldn't stay tucked in for more than five minutes. (Please note that I took this picture 2 days after I moved up here, so I was still unpacking and putting stuff up on the walls. Our apartment doesn't normally look this messy I promise)

After: Gorgeous, blue denim covers that are like new that we purchased on Craigslist for $40!! And they are 2-piece covers (one for the couch, one for the cushions) so they always stay tucked in. They are Target brand, and I looked them up online and new for both of them it would have cost $270. These even came with all of the original packaging and everything. They change the look of the whole room. I love them!!!

My Cooking Skills
Some of you know that I haven't always been the greatest cook in the world and might toss and turn every night wondering if I have improved at all. Well...

TOSS AND TURN NO MORE!! This is a new recipe I tried called Chicken Pepper Pie. It was scrumptious!!! I have yet to completely ruin a recipe, and I am enjoying more and more finding and trying new recipes, especially when both Robert and I love them :)

Robert's Goatee
At BYU it is against school dress code to have any facial hair other than a mustache. So during Robert's 2 week break between summer semester and fall semester he grew out his facial hair. It only grows in the goatee area, not the full beard area. Unfortunately and very sadly, instead of loading the pictures we took of it with the camera onto the computer, I accidentally deleted them :( So once again we are limited to a cell phone camera picture, but you can see it well enough.

And that's basically it for us. We can't wait to go down to Arizona this weekend for my family reunion and to see one of Robert's adopted cousins be sealed to his parents. It should be a FANTABULOUS weekend!!

I Had A Birthday Shout HOORAY!!!

Okay, so if you read the previous post you already know what's going on. If not, read it so that I don't have to explain again :)

Day 6: 6 talks on CD by Troy Dunn

Day 5: Racquetball Glove (5 fingers)

Day 4: 4 quarts of chocolate milk

Day 3: 3 tulips (in AUGUST! Basically, that's almost impossible, unless you are cool like Robert :)

Day 2: He got 2 of my music books spiral bound.

Day 1: Robert wrote me a song :) I was expecting some cheesy romantic love song. But this one is just full of fun memories :)



Here are the lyrics if you don't want to listen to the whole thing:

I know where I belong.
It’s just right here beside you.
So I made up this song.
Cuz’ I’ve no home without you
In this song I tried to fit
As many memories as I could
I hope you really really like it
I hope it’s really really good.

We’ve come a long way from hiding by a water fountain pioneer day last year.
A 5 year break a divine computer crash and wha-la we made a pair.
At your birthday party I was smooth, I caught the snitch with ease.
Those starry nights we hid from dogs or frolicked in the fields.
We had some time to think about it while I was gone away.
You better know I thought about you every single day.
Sometimes it felt those phone calls didn’t seem enough.
To see your face, to hold your hand, I wanted it so much.

So we took a plane or a train or an automobile, to see you was so nice.
A diamond ring at stake conference, you were so surprised.
We danced in the snow and cuddled up close and we talked about our plans.
I didn’t know then how much I’d love being your main man.
So you dressed in white and you took my hand – that day was the best.
I can’t forget how gorgeous you were in that dress.
This marks the beginning, not the end of the song.
You’ll notice there’s more lyrics, I hope it’s not too long.

Cuz then we went to Disneyland, you tripped skipping in, and I hit on a gay guy.
I remember our first night there, sandwiches by candlelight.
At first we were rich and then we were poor, but having fun all the time.
Our primary class, thanks to us, is reverent sublime.
So to end this song for now. I’d just like to say,
I hope you liked it and that you have a happy birthday.

So many fun memories. If you want the story behind any of these lyrics let me know :)

Anyway, my birthday was fabulous. Robert made me breakfast in bed. I got off work early. And a big group of us went to the Nickelcade and then to Tucanos Brazilian Grill, including Aaron and Kaci who came up from Arizona. I LOVE TUCANOS! I eat more there than I eat at Thanksgiving and it's SOOOO GOOD!!

Afterwards we all played games together. It was such a fun day! And a fun 2 weeks leading up to it, thanks to Robert :) Anything and everything that I mentioned that I wanted, even if I mentioned it just once, I got it in the 12 days of my birthday. I have the best husband and the greatest friends!! And all of my family and more friends were calling, texting, and/or emailing me all day long wishing me a happy birthday. I'm so blessed! THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

12 Days of My Birthday :)

On the 12th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
A watch that is really pret-ty. (12 hours)

On 11th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...


2 fishing poles (He taped them to the back of the door to look like an 11. We'll be trying the new poles out this Tuesday :)

On the 10th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...


A gift card for a pedicure (10 toes. He's been really creative with the presentation of the presents :)

On the 9th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
Dinner at Chuck-A-Rama (Where I was allowed to eat no more or less than 9 courses)

On the 8th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
8 EE-AR RINGS!!!

On the 7th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
Tetris on my cell phone (There are 7 different Tetris shapes)....

To be continued :)

So that's been a fun thing that has been happening all last week and will continue to happen all of this week until my birthday this Saturday. Pretty much I have the best husband ever. And 2 of my best friends, Kaci and Aaron, are coming up for a visit on my birthday, and we will be going to Tucano's (an AMAZING brazilian restaurant) with them, and a few other friends. Aaron's, Ty's, and my birthday are all in August so we all get buy one meal get one free coupons :) I'm so excited!!!
Robert and I both had a free day this past Tuesday, so we decided to take a day trip to Temple Square and do a session at the Salt Lake Temple.


2 Utah temples down, 18 to go!! It was a great day and a great week.

Camping Adventures

Robert and I decided a while ago that we want to be a camping famliy. We both love camping, and we want to get in the habit of it early. So, we have been trying to go camping for a few months now, and this past week we finally were able to go!!


On our way to the Mt. Timpanogas Campground.


We couldn't pass up stopping at Borders on the way to see if the new X-Men comic was in yet. It wasn't so we'll check again next week :)


This was what part of the drive looked like. I was in heaven! I LOVE ASPEN!!!


Our little campground. It wasn't exactly roughing it. There was even a flushing toilet really close by and we still had cell phone service, but it was fun :)


This is our tent, it was really easy to set up compared to the 10 man tent I'm used to setting up for my family.


This is my MAN doing MANLY things like tending to the fire.


My very first dutch oven apple crisp to go with our foil dinners. It turned out very good. Please ignore the ash spill on it.


It rained for a bit so we were confined to playing cards in our tent.


We played Nertz. I would mention that I beat Robert in 4 rounds 120 to to 70, but that might embarrass him so I won't say anything ;)


We woke up to a BEAUTIFUL morning. I love the woods!


This is what happens when you are getting the fire ready for breakfast and you get an itch on your face. Robert thought it was hilarious.


I made scrambled eggs in the lid of the dutch oven. And of course we brought some happiness (Chocolate Milk) to have with our breakfast.


We were able to roast marshmallows for real this time instead of just over our stove.


First camping trip...DONE! And I can't wait to do so many more!