Fun Stuff

Right after Thanksgiving, Dan and I decided to check out the lights at Temple Square. I knew that I might not get to go soon and I wanted to go while I still had some energy and it wasn’t too cold. We ended up going on a Monday and I couldn’t believe how un-crowded it was! We got there early because we both work downtown so as soon as it was dark, we were walking around, but it was almost empty!

I loved being there before the crowds came (they started showing up for Family Night as we were leaving around 7ish). We didn’t have to compete with people in all our pictures and it just worked out really perfectly. Dan was really patient with my super slow walking and we didn’t look at every single part of Temple Square, but we did a lot and had a lot of fun.

I couldn’t believe my warm coat actually zipped over my belly! It barely fit but worked out pretty well! We sat in the visitor’s center for a while and listened to a choir of sister missionaries sing Christmas songs. We got some treats at Farr’s Fresh and since we parked at City Creek, we didn’t have to walk far to our car and we got out without too much trouble.

We checked out the awesome candy windows at Macy’s and I really loved them! It reminded me of the cool candy windows we used to look at growing up.

We had a lot of fun together and I just love being with Dan. I have really been aware of the time we have left together while it’s just us. I can’t wait for our little guy to join the family but I’m trying to soak up this last time that we have together as just us!

These gals came over last week to visit and once again, we had a good time. Shell was visiting from CT and they brought their cute kiddos too. It was so fun to have their cute kids in my house and we could talk for hours! Love the heart on my belly. Dan and I considered taking maternity pics like that but decided against it

On Monday, I had my last shower! Danny’s aunts (on his dad’s side) did it for me and it was the cutest thing ever. They did a mustache theme and they had so many adorable decorations and fun stuff! I couldn’t believe it and it was a lot of fun.

They made these adorable onesies with ties and mustaches! There were rice krispy treats with chocolate in the shape of mustaches, mustache suckers, mustache straws, and they got us a sweet mustache binkie for the babe!

We all put on mustache stickers and even my nephew Benson got one. So awesome.

I had another shower by Danny’s aunts on his mom’s side too and they tied a quilt for me. I am awful and didn’t take any pictures! I was too busy trying to help my mom figure out how to do the quilt. But the fabric is adorable and I can’t wait to see it all finished!

My mama and sis came and I’m so glad they did. We were all rockin’ sweet staches! I got a lot of awesome stuff and I just can’t believe how nice people have been at all the showers I’ve had. We have gotten so many great gifts and have had so much fun!

Baby Updates

I have had several showers the past few months and I have gotten so many amazing gifts! My ward/neighborhood had a shower a while ago and my mom and sister were able to come, which was really nice.

Natalie, Kayleen and Michelle were in the Primary Presidency with me and they did the shower for me. There was tons of yummy food and it was really fun to visit with everyone.

The presents were awesome too!

Last week, my dearest friends, Shelley and Bre did a shower for me. My sister also helped a lot and my mom brought some food too! These gals mean so much to me and have been the best friends a girl could ever ask for. I am honestly so blessed and grateful for their friendship. It’s also nice to have their mommy knowledge and I’m sure I will be taking even more advantage after the babe gets here!

Steph made these adorable favors with cheddar popcorn.

They put up these circles and people wrote some advice and tips for me to read.

We had a bunch of delicious soups, bread and of course, treats!

Lots of people came and I got so many fun gifts! I just love seeing people that I don’t get to see a lot. There were people from my mom’s ward, girlfriends, their moms, family friends etc. It was awesome.

Kaley (left) just had Reese a month ago, Kelsie (middle) is due at the end of January and Kristin (right) is due in March! We also have another friend due in February and we all went to high school together!

Kinda blurry but I love having my mom and sis come to my showers and share the fun of opening gifts and looking at all the fun baby stuff! These two are chomping at the bit for this little guy to come and I can’t wait either! They are going to be an awesome Grandma and Aunt!

Nursery update: the room is about 95% finished! I will probably do a full nursery post soon but I just need to finish up some final things! I made some artwork and got it up and I LOVE it!

I painted the frames the same dark gray as the dresser.

I have gotten all his little clothes put away and everything organized. He has SO MANY tiny baby clothes! I haven’t even pulled out anything over 6 months and the drawers and closet are full! So excited for him to wear all the cute stuff!

And finally a belly picture since I haven’t done one in about 2 months! This is almost 37 weeks. I don’t feel like my belly is that huge but looking at this picture reminds me that it is! I love it though and I have been feeling really great for the most part. I sleep all night without any problems and I still have tons of energy and don’t want to sit very much. I definitely need to take more breaks and things are getting harder to do (bending over is a nightmare!) but so far so good! I have been trying to eat healthy and exercise and I feel like it has really helped me feel so good during my pregnancy. Hopefully it continues to go well and I can just keep busy until he decides he’s ready to make his appearance!

Nursery Updates

I have had the nursery done up to this point for quite a while, I just haven’t posted pictures. But we are almost done and I just have some final small things to do like accessorize the bookshelves, hang curtains, and do some artwork. I’m loving it so far!

Our silver/gray glider will go in the right corner kind of in front of the bookshelf. We should be getting the glider this weekend and I can’t wait!

I’m going to hang some curtains and I’ll probably try using a tension rod between the bookshelves. I think I’m going to use the tan canvas drop cloths and add a strip of cute fabric vertically along the edge of the curtains.

I made the crib skirt without sewing and attached it using velcro strips.

I love how the dresser turned out. I got it on KSL for cheap and I re-finished it. The gray was darker than I wanted but I actually really love the contrast between it and the blue/gray wall color.

My mother in law made the changing pad cover for me. I love the cute knobs! I’m going to add some artwork above the changing table and some large map artwork above the crib.

I may end up adding an upholstered pad for the top of the blanket chest at some point.

We are just about finished and I can’t wait for it to all be done so I can just enjoy it. I know I will just sit in there in my glider and love it. It makes me smile every time I walk by and peek in his cute room!

Dad

I have been debating if I want to write anything about my dad’s passing or not, but I finally decided to do it. I think it will make me feel better to share some things. The past two weeks have been really really hard and overwhelming.

My dad passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on the 24th. We still aren’t certain if it was a heart attack, stroke or something else, but most likely a heart attack. It was very quick and he was just gone. He had been fine all day and made dinner for my mom and grandma that night. He didn’t complain about any problems and even though he has had some health problems, he saw the doctor regularly and didn’t have any sign of heart problems or anything like that. My mom was getting ready for bed and sometime that evening he took out the garbage cans. Our wonderful neighbor across the street noticed a garbage can tipped over in the driveway and realized my dad had fallen and was gone. It appeared to be very quick and painless which is a blessing for us. But the shock of it all has been really overwhelming. It was just so sudden and surprising, although I have learned that it doesn’t matter how they go or if you know it’s coming, it is still a heartbreaking and awful thing to go through.

Growing up, my dad was awesome. He always took us on hikes, to the mountains and we had season tickets to the U of U football games. We have so many awesome memories of going to those games. He is the reason my sister and I love sports and love being outdoors. He was a great dad and I always knew how much he loved us.

I will be forever grateful for the amazing example that my wonderful mother has set for me. She always loved my dad and always took care of him and stood by him. She is a perfect example of loyalty and true love and if she hadn’t shown me that, I wouldn’t be able to say that the past 5 years with my family have been especially wonderful. I have been able to grow closer to my dad and gain a great relationship with him and we have had a lot of happy memories together as a family.

I always thought it was a lot easier to lose a parent once you are “grown up” and have your own life and family. It didn’t seem quite as tragic to me for some strange reason, but of course I realize that is definitely not the case. My heart will forever be heavy knowing that I won’t get to see my dad enjoy his first grandchild on this earth. The heartache of planning a funeral, picking out a casket, and all the other things that must happen during a time like this is unexplainable.

There are a lot of things that I have learned in the past 2 weeks. This experience has made me want to be kinder to people. I want to try harder to have patience and be loving and kind towards others even if they don't seem to be kind back to me. You never know what kind of pain or heartache others are going through. I also want to make more of an effort to reach out to people I know who may be going through a difficult situation. Most of the time, I will just think about them and say a few prayers for them (which do help), but that is all. I have been amazed and extremely touched by the outpouring of people who have come to visit, sent cards, flowers, texts, facebook messages, etc. There are no words to make it better, but feeling that love and support from others has really lifted us up and has moved me. So many people came to the viewing and funeral and it made me want to make more of an effort to support others during difficult times.

 

The most important thing I have learned through all of this is that spending time with the people you love is priceless. I am kind of a huge homebody and love being home by myself. Driving all the way down to West Jordan seemed like a big deal to me and I didn’t do it a lot. I realize now that not being able to do things at my house or getting home later because we go to visit family and friends is not a big deal. I don’t want to look back and wish I had more time with people I love.

There have been a lot of small blessings that we have been able to reflect on. 6 months ago we were able to be together as an entire family in the temple for Steph and Andrew’s wedding. Technically my baby was there too but I didn’t know I was pregnant yet! That was wonderful and something we will be able to remember forever.

We were also able to go to dinner as a family to celebrate mine and Dan’s birthdays on Monday only 2 days before my dad passed. It was so much fun and we opened presents, ate dessert and just chatted. We all stayed for a long time and it was really great. That was the last time I saw or talked to my dad and I’m so grateful that I had a real goodbye. He gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and I will cherish that memory forever.

My dad’s favorite meal is spaghetti and he made a spaghetti dinner on Wednesday night for himself, my mom and grandma. That is a small thing but something that made us all really happy. For the past year, he has been taking care of my grandma and for the past 6 months, he has taken care of my mom through her cancer treatments. We found out 2 days after he passed that her scans came back really positive and she is done with treatment and will just do follow up appointments.

Most all, I am extremely grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation. Although there are times when I feel angry or lost or confused and just want to know why, I don’t doubt that my Heavenly Father is there and that He loves me and my family. I don’t just hope that my dad is in heaven and hope that I will see him again. I know I will and there is no doubt in my mind. I am so thankful for the knowledge and it brings me a lot of comfort.