Discovery Day

Actually this post has nothing to do with Discovery Day, other than the fact that it falls on the same day as pmc's birthday! This week I get to fill in for pmc, so as to allow myself a chance at a birthday post for him, as well as let him take next week, when he can spend the time he wants to on a good post (since finals will be over).

So, as though he didn't already get spoiled enough, here's his last present.....a post about how wonderful pmc is! I'm going to give you my current top five reasons why I love him!

1- He wants nothing more than to be the best husband - meaning, his favorite thing is to spoil me! He listens so attentively to any advice given on how to treat your wife, and he puts it into action. I have never once felt like he is not trying his very hardest to make me feel special, important, and loved!

2- Other than being the best husband, he wants nothing more than to be the best dad - even to the extent that he's trying to learn how to NOT spoil them! His major in school is Human Development and Family Studies, and he's going to take two summer classes - Strengthening Home and Family, and Fatherhood! He comes to every prenatal appointment, and attended every childbirth class, and prays for our baby in EVERY prayer!

3- He does everything he can to help me feel confident in my roles as wife and mother! He is so patient as I learn all of the responsibilities that come with these roles!

4- Pmc is passionate in his endeavors. Granted, I rarely understand what there is to be passionate about in watching baseball, football, basketball, and golf....to me it's just a game. But I sure do love to see his dedication to his teams, and his passion is for more than sports. He is passionate about his work, his career, his family, and especially The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5- He is logical and balanced! No matter how much pressure there is on him to make more money, or study more at school, he knows that he must never let it get in the way of family.

The thing that amazes me most is this: because of my parents' divorce, I (more than once) nearly talked myself out of marrying him. Even in the first six months, I nearly talked myself out of it again a few times. This was not something I hid from him. Rather than becoming angry, offended or hurt.....he patiently helped me sort through my feelings and come to my own decision each time. I am so grateful for this, that I now take great pleasure in finding my own ways to spoil him!

Yes, THAT is the official Red Sox Convertible Gamer Jacket. And THAT is his GORGEOUS braceless smile (okay, I didn't have anything to do with him getting his braces off, but I did kiss him to make the smile extra big)! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PMC!

Here are a couple extra pictures from the week: We finally  went swimming....not a very good picture; My students had their spring recital this week, here's my two students that are brothers, both are Twinklers!

Sweet Relief in Memories

This was a strange week for me to say the least. I've been unhappy with my job for some time now, and I've been trying to stick it out for the sake of the company, but also because we need the income. Well, I reached my limit this week, and quit cold on Friday. I decided that it just wasn't worth the stress and unhappiness. I came home hardly believing that I had actually stood up for myself. I hadn't gotten very much sleep the night before, so I decided to take a nap. Well, for two hours I had nightmares about it....everything from them not caring at all, to deciding to let them talk me into continuing to work for them. Nonetheless, I got through the day and still felt I had done the right thing. I felt relieved in a way, but still kind of nervous about how we're going to make ends meet.

Then Saturday, we went to one of my favorite places....Logan, Utah! For those who don't know, I attended USU for 4 years.....and I'm very loyal to it. My cousin had a wedding luncheon up there, and we visited a few friends as well. I finally found peace in this painting we saw in a little art gallery:I absolutely love what the artist has captured here, it is everything I love and remember of my life in Logan. First, the quad....it's that green grassy area surrounded by trees. This is where I spent many days doing homework, talking to friends, playing frisbee, attending school events...the simple college life. Next, Old Main itself....that big building with the "A" on it. Old Main reminds me of my ancestors, which is what I love about USU, formerly known as the "AC." Many of my ancestors attended and taught at the "AC," and I feel connected to them through Old Main. Then, there's the Logan Temple, just a little in the distance, but still on the hill overlooking the valley...this is one of the "rocks" I built my foundation on during my life in Logan. Okay, now here's something that I just love. The artist hardly put any detail into the actual valley....that's because it mostly actually looks like that. Cache Valley is not super-populated, it still has lots of farmland, and for me.....it was that simple life that always helped me feel grounded. Last but definitely not least.....the Wellsville Mountain Range across the valley. I absolutely loved watching the suns rays gleam on that snow, even in summer. Those mountains are so stately, and truly testify to me that God is our creator. I watched the grandest sunrises and sunsets on those mountains, they were truly formed for our enjoyment!

All of this somehow just brought me back to who I am, and how great life is, and how it just can't be wasted away in stress and worry. The last thing I want to do is let that stress get to my beautiful baby boy too.

I am so grateful for experiences and memories which remind us what life's about, and help us get through today's experiences so we can look back on them with joy as well!

p.s. The song - sung by a group that was formed at USU....I actually wanted to put their song "I Remember Yesterday" on here, but couldn't find it. It's a fun one, look it up!

Spring is in the air!

Today has been absolutely beautiful! Blue skies and 70 degrees... a perfect April day! I'd love to stuff today's conditions in a box and open them up next Tuesday so that I can have another perfect weather day for my birthday. But alas, I cannot, and will undoubtedly have to endure rain and cold, as usually is the case on the 22nd. Oh well. (I guess that's why we're giving our baby a June birthday!)

As for me this week, I've just been struggling to stay afloat. More big projects to complete and present at school left my body weak and susceptible to sickness. Thankfully, my sisters-in-law had a cold which they were willing to pass along to me in my moment of weakness (remind me later that I need to thank them for their selfless act...) With the help of my friends at Halls, and a little - well, a lot - of generic DayQuil, I've been managing to move along with very little disruption. My apologies to my sister who brought her kids out from Vernal for a few days; I really hope none of you caught it.
A couple of exciting points to make now! First, we have someone genuinely interested in buying Roland! He's bringing his sister over tomorrow night for a second look after he liked what he saw on Saturday morning. Hopefully he offers enough for us to sell it and move on... we're so ready to move on! Second - and more important - everything is still going well for our little boy. He's kicking stronger each day, and he seems to be pretty accurate too. He's really good at hitting atec's bladder and her ribs, which I can tell really excites her because she yells about it every time! She yells so loud sometimes that I have to wonder if she's going to encourage him to play sports when he's older even more than I will. She's so proud already of our talented little boy! OK, I'll just put my apology to her in writing now to save myself the consequences of making light of the actual pain that a kicking baby can cause - sorry beautiful!
Finally, I'd like to comment on General Conference a bit because we didn't last week; wasn't it wonderful? While I was on my mission, I learned that it is helpful to enter General Conference with a purpose, praying that whatever it is that you need will be addressed and that you will recognize the answer when it comes. This conference, I was looking for help in one area. Atec has had a few times of being unsettled about transitioning to motherhood, and dealing with being a young mother. As conference was winding down, I got a little disappointed because nothing of note had yet been said, and my last hope was from Elder Ballard. As he stood up, I prepared myself for a missionary-themed talk as usual. But what I heard was an answer to prayer from an unexpected source. His talk was wonderful, and even more than it simply addressing the concerns I had prayed about, it provided me with a priceless experience of having my wife in my arms as we listened to a talk that seemed to be delivered only to us. I will cherish those few minutes as long as I live.
Life is good. I wish I had that thought more often. Life really is good, and the moments that bring happiness come more often than we seem to remember. If there is one thing I'd like to internalize before my son is born, it would be the perspective to live in the moment and appreciate the things that bring involuntary smiles and the moments of carefree joy. That's what life is really about. That's why I go to school then work (then back to school!) It's not about the money, it's about those moments. It can't be mastered in mortality, but it can always be improved and implemented. I'm getting better, and that's what matters. Keep your eyes open and they'll happen.
P.S. from atec.....here's a few pictures, although I'm realizing it's hard to get pictures right now that make me look pregnant and not just fat! Oh well! The first is us at the Conference Center on Saturday morning, the second is us with my best friend Nikki and her husband (she was down from Logan for conference!), next is a cool picture pmc took at my sister's graduate recital, and last is from our final "prepared childbirth" class.