Some Resolutions Completed

I was briefly reviewing my New Year's resolutions and I realized I've actually completed some. Others have gone out the window given my current condition, but here is the update.

• Take a real family vacation and go somewhere exciting. The first week of April we spent a week in California and we visited Legoland, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, the beach and Pacific Ocean, and the San Diego Temple.
• Figure out some way to combine 2 spring birthdays without minimizing the importance of each child and breaking the bank on birthday parties. We are actually going to have two separate parties over the next two Saturdays to try to keep life low key and not wear Mom out too much. Thanks to Oriental Trading we got some inexpensive and fun party favors.
• Potty train Bekah. We finally found the right motivator for Bekah back in February. She decided that if her friends could use the potty then she could too. Now she wears big girl underwear all of the time, even at night. We still have an accident or two once in a while, but for the most part she tells us when she needs to go and uses the potty successfully every day.
• Have my wisdom teeth pulled. Thankfully that was done before we found out we were going to be adding to our family this year. Yay for having less pain in my mouth every day!

Unfortunately, losing weight and starting a business have taken a backseat for now. I am pleasantly surprised that I have completed so many things I set out to do this year. The other goals are underway and that feels good too.

Daivd and Denise are Engaged!

We met this cute girl at Thanksgiving time when she brought David home to my parents' house for the holiday. On Saturday, I received a text message announcing their engagement! We are delighted and excited to be adding her to our family this year.

Goodbye Grandpa

Two weeks ago, my maternal grandpa passed away after 5 years on oxygen and 4 consecutive weeks in the hospital, in and out of the ICU. I was so blessed to have the change to visit with him one last time on Easter weekend. He was really weak, but lucid and in his usual good humor. I love him so much and I will miss him greatly.

One of the things I love the most about Grandpa was his ability to love unconditionally. He did not judge you based on your choices. He loved you first and judged the choices, if he judged anything at all. Another thing I love about him was his sense of humor. He loved to joke around and find the humor in any situation, unless it was sacred.

In 2001, Grandpa returned to full activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sealed to his family for time and all eternity in December of that year. When I lived with him and Grandma the summer after I graduated I discovered his love and devotion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others around him. I gained a testimony that big miracles do happen.

Another thing that happened the summer I lived with Grandma and Grandpa was I was able to see for myself how much they loved each other and still enjoyed each other's company, even after nearly 50 years of marriage. It was fun to watch them flirt and tease each other, something that we don't always get to see at large family gatherings.

Grandpa died one day shy of celebrating his and Grandma's 55th wedding anniversary. The funeral was held the following Tuesday and was a beautiful service. I am so thankful to have had him be a part of my life and love me so much. I will miss him, but I can only imagine the wonderful things he is accomplishing without the hinderments of an ailing body among the spirits who have already passed from this life. Love you, Grandpa.

We're Expecting the Unexpected

Yep. We are having another baby come October. Totally unexpected, but a blessing nonetheless. We were quite surprised to find out I was pregnant shortly after I had my wisdom teeth removed, and I thought the medicine was what was making me nauseated and exhausted.

Now we are almost 14 weeks along and the nausea has dispersed, but the pain started 6 weeks ago. I spend a lot of my time with my feet up and moving slowly because it hurts so much to walk and sit, but we are surviving. The good news is that we are 1/3 of the way done, and our looking forward to a safe arrival this fall.