A lot has happened! Big news!

Since my last post several weeks ago we have had a lot going on. So hold on b/c this is probably going to be a long post. First and foremost we are announcing that we are expecting our 2nd baby on March 3rd, 2010. We are super excited and can't wait! I'm am really crossing my fingers that this one is a girl. But if it's not that's ok too! I had my first doctors appointment today and everything is fine. I'm right at 7 weeks along. The baby is about the size of a grain of rice. He/she has a great heartbeat and is right on track. We couldn't be happier. If you ask Levi where mommy's baby is he will lift up his shirt and point to his tummy. It's too cute!! I sleep a lot and eat a lot which is not how I was with Levi. I'm eating about every 2 hours. I haven't been sick but there have been a few times where I have to just take a minute to relax or I will vomit. All is good so keep checking back for lots of pictures as my strength allows.

My birthday was on June 28th. I am now 27 years old! I can't believe that I am really that old. It seems like yesterday that I was back in high school. We knew that I was pregnant on my birthday so that was a great gift. Also, I always crave Spicy Cheetos and Diet Coke while pregnant. So while I was taking one of my many naps Matt and Levi went and bought me a bag of Cheetos and 5 12 packs of Diet Coke. But that wasn't my real gift. I told Matt that I wanted to take the money he would have spent on a gift and use it for souvenirs on our trip to Nauvoo. Instead of a birthday cake I wanted birthday cookies. So here is a picture of Levi helping me blow out my candles.

July 4th weekend was tons of fun. First, we went to our ward breakfast. Levi loved playing in the park. He tried watermelon for the first time and ate the whole piece down to the rhine. He got so mad when we took that part away. I guess he thought he could eat that part too. Then we went out to a nice dinner with some friends. After dinner we watched the fireworks and had desert. We let Levi stay up way past his bed time. We paid for that one b/c he was up every hour that night. He finally fell asleep about 3 am. Needless to say we didn't attend church the next day since we were so tired.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to Austin and San Antonio with some great girlfriends. We drove on Friday to Jenna's house in Austin. Then Saturday we got up and went to the HUGE outlet mall in San Marcos. We spent all day there shopping. You could make a 3 day trip out of these outlet malls. I volunteered to drive and the back of my SUV was filled with bags. We made it to San Antonio late Saturday afternoon. We ate dinner on the Riverwalk that night and then relaxed in our room. We managed to stay up until 5 am Sunday morning. I haven't stayed up that late in years. Probably since the night before I got married. We had a blast the whole weekend. I am grateful that Matt stayed with Levi so I could have some time away. I missed them tons though. Sunday we walked to the Alamo. I have never been there before. It is a lot smaller then what I thought. It always seemed so much bigger in pictures. After the Alamo we drove back to Austin to drop off Jenna. Then we headed home. We were all so tired but it was well worth it.

This Friday we are off to Nauvoo for 1 week. We haven't been on a vacation since 2006 when we went to Alabama. We can't wait to get on the road. Matt has been there before but I haven't. I will be taking tons of pictures and will post them when we return. Have a great week.

Busy busy

This month has flown by! The first week of June was so crazy. It just flew right by. There was not one day that whole week that Matt and I were at home at night. I loved it and it was worth every tiring minute. So here is the breakdown. Monday night was the "guys night" with Matt, Trever, and Jason. They went and hit golf balls. Trever and Jenna were moving to Austin so they wanted to have one last night of fun.

Tuesday we had one last girls night with Jenna. We went swimming and talked and talked and talked a little more. Some silly pool guard tried to ruin everything and give us a hard time about being there. But we ended up being able to stay later thanks to Mandie and her crazy connections! Thanks Mandie!

Wednesday we had a going away party for Trever and Jenna. It was fun to share stories about Trever and Jenna and all the crazy things we've done together. We always had a blast with them and will really miss hanging out.

Thursday night Matt had softball. I haven't not been able to go to any of his games this season b/c they are usually after Levi goes to bed. I was finally able to go to one of his early games. I did catch most of the game but I did have to chase Levi around too.

Friday my bestest (yes I said bestest) friend Laura FINALLY came back home for a visit. I haven't seen Laura since last July. Laura was the one who is responsible for me and Matt getting together. I owe her big time! We had a BBQ at our house with Laura, Kirk, Megan, Joe, and Emma. It was just like we had all never been apart. Megan is my other bestest (I said it again I know) friend. I love her dearly!

Saturday we were supposed to go to Megan's wedding reception. We got a little caught up at the Honda dealership. We traded in Matt's Civic and got a Honda Pilot. It took about 5 hours of going back and forth with the salesman but we got what we wanted. Because that took so long we weren't able to get to the reception on time. But my parents did surprise us and come out for a visit. It was nice for them to spend time with Levi. Saturday night was when the big transformation happened. All I have to say is look at the before and after shots and it explains it all.

Before

After

A whole 6-7 inches chopped off my head! Wow! I love my hair! It is so short and easy to do. No more pony tails here. It's great for summer and it only takes me about 10 minutes to do instead of 1 hour. Thanks Laura. You're the best.

Sunday, we had dinner over and Laura's parents house. We ate yummy brisket, chocolate cake, and ice cream. It doesn't get much healthier than that. Last but not least, Monday, we ate one last dinner at Rudy's BBQ. That would be Kirk's favorite BBQ place. Sadly, Laura and Kirk had to head back to Arizona on Tuesday morning. Maybe someday they will return to "God's country" here in Texas.

Whew! Are you as tired as I am? I think I am going to go to bed now. Goodnight!

I need recipes!! Help!

I have been looking for new and yummy things to make for dinner. I seem to be having a bit of a block on coming up with ideas. I need help!! Now, you must know that I am a picky eater. According to some, I might have some sort of food texture disorder. But what does the internet know?? If you have a good recipe please let me know. I'm always up for trying new things. Just b/c I am picky does not mean I won't try. Leave your recipe in the comment section. Thanks for your help.

Precious Moments

May 2008

May 2009

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great holiday weekend. Friday we went to Heath & Jennifer's house for dinner. She had a guy from Saladmasters come over and cook dinner. If you are not familiar with what Saladmasters is, don't worry. I wasn't either. They have crazy expensive cookware. We're talking the kind you make $170 monthly payments on. It was fun though to hang out with friends and have a good time. I didn't get any cookware but they really do make a good meal.

Saturday I did a garage sale with a neighbor. I didn't have much stuff to sell but I needed to get rid of some junk. I made $25! Not all of my stuff sold though. Maybe I'll try craigslist or ebay. Being out in the sun for so long really wears you out. Matt did yard work after I finished up with my sale. By the end of the day we were all just pooped! I did get somewhat of a tan which is a bonus.

Monday morning I went to help out with our friends quads. They are so precious and tiny. On my way home from Jenna's house there was a VERY big snake in the road. The first time I passed it I missed it. So I turned around to make sure it really was a snake. Sure enough it was. So I turned around again and this time I ran over it. I don't know if it died but it was HUGE! It was a wide as my car and it was just hanging out in the road. I hate snakes. Later Monday afternoon we went over to Heath & Jennifer's house again ate some yummy brisket and went swimming. I still can't bring myself to get in a swim suit so Matt swam with Levi. I was the photographer. We had a lot of fun and it was nice to all spend some time together as a family. We hope everyone else had a great weekend!

What do you dream about?

Have you ever had a dream and then wondered what the purpose was for the dream? Do you have dreams that when you wake up seem so real that you have to think for a little bit to make sure if it really did happen? This happens to me quite often. As long as I can remember I have always had very vivid dreams.

I have met President Hinckley and Monson in a few dreams. I have seen my grandparents several times and also a very good friend that passed away a few years ago. These dreams aren't dreams where I'm out fishing with my grandparents and having a good time. I see them in heaven and I see them as if they are standing in front of me. Am I crazy?

The last dream that I had like this was this past weekend. A very good friend of mine took his own life a few years ago. I never told this person how much I cared for them. My one regret! Since his death I have had 3 very bold, real, and detailed dreams about him. I have always wanted to know that he is ok or that he is happy. In this last dream I was able to finally tell him how much I miss him and care for him. There was more but for sake of going on and on that is the sum total of it. I woke up and told Matt about it and I cried. It was such a real moment for me. Almost like it was closer. I finally knew that he was not in any pain and struggling anymore.

For me, maybe this is Heavenly Father's way of answering my prayers. The dreams that I have usually always have to do with a situation in my life or something that has happened. Usually, when I sit and think about it I can take that dream and apply it somewhere. I don't think I'm crazy but more grateful than anything. What do you dream about?

To our mothers