On a more spiritual note...

note: this picture was taken SECONDS after we found out we were having a baby. I love it!

My amazing sister Taylor just blogged about this idea, and I loved it so much that I'm doing it too! The idea is to find a theme scripture for 2011. This year, I've chosen Psalms 27:14

"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord"

I chose this scripture because I've felt pretty anxious about this pregnancy.... I'm always worried something is wrong with me or the baby. (I shouldn't have ever started reading 'What to Expect when You're Expecting!) This scripture will remind me to have faith in the Lord and focus on the positive. I also really like the idea of the Lord strengthening my heart... I could always use a little of that!

Neal's theme scripture is Luke 17:15

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God"

Neal wants to work on glorifying God this year (and me, hopefully... joking, joking. I have about the most appreciative husband in existence) and also focus on being grateful.

I love this idea! I tried to find a funny scripture for baby Gideon, but it was taking way too long, so insert funny baby scripture here < > Now I shall leave you with a recent picture of my sixth month belly... I'm still shocked to see how big I look! Luckily I won't get any bigger... oh wait...

Christmas Break and my first blog about being pregnant

Hello friends, it's been a while, I know. Christmas break this year was SO MUCH FUN-- mostly because we got to spend it with family. I've posted loads of pictures on facebook, but here are some highlights for your viewing pleasure:

I'm very proud of these two "artsy" shots..... isn't Utah GORGEOUS!?!?

Very relieved that my second homemade stocking hasn't disappeared yet!

All 4.5 grandchildren!
We mostly spent time with my family, but we did make take a very stressful drive up to Boise to see Neal's Grandpa, parents, and sister. It was a lot of fun, although the driving was STRESSFUL because the roads were pretty awful. We also tried to see as many friends as possible-- if we didn't see you, don't take it personally! No matter how much time we have in Utah, it seems there are always people we didn't get to see. See facebook for friends pictures, I don't have the patience to upload them all here!
Kudos to my husband for surprising me with tickets to go see Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center-- I was THRILLED!

Okay, so I guess it's time to blog about my pregnancy. I know I surprised quite a few of you with my "It's a boy!!!!" on Facebook since that was the first many of you had heard about it. I found out I was pregnant the very beginning of September. We were THRILLED and also shocked-- this baby was planned, but let's just say he didn't waste ANY time implanting himeself in my uterus! Sheesh! I haven't been sick at all, which has been really nice. This might be TMI, but the reason I waited forever to tell people was because I've been spotting on and off my entire pregnancy, and at the beginning it made me too afraid to tell people. Then, by the time I was ready to tell people, I was almost 20 weeks along, so I just thought I'd wait until I know if it was a boy or a girl. . . and I must say, the reactions I got were pretty awesome! I'd highly recommend waiting 5 months to tell people--the shock value makes it TOTALLY worth it! and here is a pregnant looking picture of me, if you were wondering:
I am 21 weeks along in this picture-- about 5 months along. I'm not HUGE, but I do have to wear maternity pants now, which is a really strange development! Baby boy is due May 7th and we are EXCITED!!!! 'Hope everyone had a great Christmas break!

Truffle Extravaganza 2010

As many of you know, my Aunt Stacey makes gourmet truffles to sell around Christmastime. Family flies out from Utah to help, and we all drove up as well. It was so much fun to be around everyone, and DELICIOUS! These are no ordinary truffles... they are probably the best truffle you will ever eat in your entire life. My French co-teacher, Vèronique, the chocolate snob, was VERY impressed and has asked me to bring in another one every day all week. (yes, that's right, I only gave her one.... they're THAT good!) Anyway, here are some fun pics! Stacey, the chocolate Master herself, hard at work!

My cute grandparents

My darling Aunts

Me teaching Kerri the perfect angle for a self portrait....darling!
boxing up truffles
Shelley got these PJs for the babies.... this might be the cutest picture ever!
Finished product!

My husband is the hottest, I know. We're leaving for UT next Saturday and I'm SOOOOOO excited to see my family! Especially this little one:

CAN'T WAIT!!!! :)

Thanksgiving weekend of amazingness!

Thanksgiving weekend was so RELAXING and amazing! For Thanksgiving Day, we went up to Baltimore to have dinner with Josh's family. It was so much fun and DELICIOUS!!! here's a slightly blurry pic of everyone:

and the Pipster:

Then on Friday, Neal and I went to see Harry Potter (still annoyed about how boring the second half was--it was so obvious they were just drawing it out to have enough for part 2!) then out to Bertucci's, then to the temple, and then got a Christmas tree and decorated our house for Christmas... it was so fun! If you didn't already know this, I REALLY REALLY love Christmas. The music (except for that WRETCHED Christmas Shoe song), the decorations, the baked goods, the smells, the family time, and of course, the presents. :)

On Saturday we went downtown. For some reason, Neal has REALLY been wanting to go the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. So we went. I wasn't thrilled but I must say, it was pretty awesome.

Now we're relaxing on this beautiful Sunday.... life is GOOD! :) Especially since next weekend we'll be in Delaware spending time with family and making the most delicious truffles of all time. WOOT!

Today I'm grateful for.....

The Melting Pot... Neal and I went there for our 18 month anniversary (I know, cheesy) and it was DELICIOUS as always... AND CHEESY, come to think of it! ;) They even had a card at our table and brought us a candlelit piece of cheesecake.... AMAZING!

My brother Matthias. He's on his mission right now in Florida, and I MISS HIM!!!! I'm so proud of him though. He is one of my favorite people on this earth.

My newest niece-- Lucy Jayne. She is so darling! I can't wait to see her in December! I'm so grateful she's here and healthy. . . I know Kaitie and Logan are going to be great parents (even if it took them a week to name her!!!) ;)

And lastly:

I'm grateful for Thanksgiving! For the holiday, and for the time off of work and with family! WOOT!

I'm grateful for......

Camping with Neal
Gorgeous fall leaves!!!
Breathtaking views
Hikes with Neal
S'MORES!!!! This one was totally cooked to perfection.... YUM!

Giving Thanks

I want to post each week of November about things I'm grateful for, although I've seen it already on about 15 blogs. It is truly a good idea, and Thanksgiving is coming right up.

First of all, I'm grateful for, you guessed it: Neal. He is THE most patient, loving, thoughtful and willing person I have ever met in my entire life. And he's super hot. I'm so grateful I finally convinced him to marry me after 6 long.. months of dating. ;) He is amazing even when I'm grumpy, as you can see. People always tease me about how gaggy my blog is.. well, I just can't help it. Neal is just THAT wonderful. And if you know him, you will surely understand.

Secondly, as materialistic as it is, I'm very grateful for have a new phone! :) :)

More than one person asked me "is that a real phone?"

And now VOILA! Touch screen amazingness. We still didn't spring for internet on our phones, but I LOVE having a cool phone that actually gets service in my house. HOORAY!

Thirdly, I'm grateful for these people:

I LOVE my family!!!! I am so grateful for them. And last but not least, I am grateful for Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, oh how I love them so!