Happy 2009!

Happy 2009!!! New Year's Eve was spent pretty mellow. My parents and my brother had been talking about coming out to Salt Lake to visit, but during the day on New Year's Eve, my Dad called to say the flights were impossible on his airline and they weren't going to make it out. The hardest part was getting my brother here. My parents can fly on different airlines, but he can't. At some point, he must have told them it would be okay if they went without them, so my parents called to say they would try to make it out on the 1st! So, I spent New Year's Eve relaxing until Gregg got home from work a little early, around 10:00 pm. We rented a movie and spent the night with each other! We even paused it for a 12:00 smooch! :-) It was nice. The next day, my parents did make it in around 2:00 pm and we had a wonderful couple days together! Gregg went to work early that day so he could go to dinner with all of us that night. The next day was my 17 week OB appointment to check up on everything and my parents got to hear the heartbeat! It was so great! I had my blood draw to test for disorders like Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida, etc. We'll have to see how those turn out when the results come back. We all went bowling and had some fun! My parents just happened to be in town the night of the Sugar bowl, Utah v. Alabama and we all had a GREAT time watching that! Utah proved most of the country wrong and beat Alabama, 31-17! When nobody thought we could do it, it was a great win for Utah!

After the game was over, my parents broke some news to Gregg and I. Our family dog, Rocco (Paco as I loved to call him), had finally come to the point he needed to be put down. They had to do it a couple days after Christmas and wanted to tell us in person. He had been sick for quite some time and they had really gone above and beyond in doing everything they could to prolong his life. They thought about doing this a while back so I was somewhat prepared for the emotions, but he got better, so they didn't go through with it at the time. But the time had come. He wasn't eating, but he was still throwing up constantly. And my parents said that even though he would not typically leave the deck in the back yard anymore in the winter, twice, he had taken off and headed below the retaining wall behind the pool and wouldn't come back when called. They believe, and I want to believe, that he knew it was his time and was looking for a place to die. Even though I knew this was coming, it didn't hurt much less. I'm sure it is very hard for my family to have to come home each day and have him not be there and knowing he won't be there the next time I visit home breaks my heart. But I guess this is all a part of having family pets. In my family, they have always truly become a part of the family and each loss has been difficult. But I find comfort in knowing my parents did everything they could and we all loved him very much. It was his time.

It's back to work on Monday after some great time off here and there over Christmas and New Years! We spent some wonderful time with Gregg's family in Wyoming, all of the Australians that came to visit, and my parents when they came to town! I wasn't able to see my brother, but he's been talking about coming out to visit for the first time and snowboard! So, we're really hoping that will work out this year! I might not be able to board with them this year, but Jeff would really love the mountains here! Happy 2009 to all who read this and we hope 2009 brings you many amazing blessings!

Christmas in Wyoming

So, as mentioned before, Gregg and I spent Christmas in Star Valley, Wyoming with the Jones Family and 5 Aussies came into town! This is part of the reason we HAD to stay in the west this year, you just can't miss an opportunity like this to see them! Those who came are Grandma Dorothy, Papa Bill, Aunt Dianne, Uncle Les and Dean (one of their sons). Pictured above from left to right, back row to front row, in case you aren't familiar with the family is: Gregg, myself, Cherie, Warren, Dean, Dianne, Les and Leslie (Jay), Katie, Grandma, Papa and Ian. This photo was at the Christmas Eve service. Warren wrote a very cute skit that starred himself and Uncle Les, it was very good, as usual!

You can't quite see ALL the presents, but needless to say it took HOURS to get through them all! Gregg and I felt very spoiled because it was TRUE! With all the wonderful gifts given to us by the Joneses, the presents my parents sent from Minnesota and the gifts Gregg and I bought the new baby... we felt very blessed and quite spoiled! Thank you to everyone, everyone was so generous. It was a wonderful Christmas day. I definitely missed my family, but I got to talk to them a couple times on Christmas Day and it sounds like they made the most of their day as well!

The family spent a bit of time outdoors! I wish I could have put more pictures to show! The first attempt, Gregg could not get the snowmobiles working, so we were all outside, to include Grandma! and decided to make the most of it! Jay and Dianne did a little sled race pulling Ian and Grandma! She really enjoyed herself! This was their first white Christmas, so we wanted them to experience the snow... and BOY, was there SNOW! I think it snowed every day we were there! Above was the day Gregg and Warren got the older one working, so Gregg, Warren and Jay took turns pulling each other around on the sled, Dean had LOTS of fun out there getting buried in all the snow! We also went tubing up at Snow King in Jackson! Dianne and Dean had such a good time! It was a bit pricey (Thanks, Warren!), but it was so much fun! It's been years since I've done it!

Gregg's Grandma and Papa came in 2005 to our wedding, which meant a lot to us then and it was SO great to spend some real time with them this time. It was hard to get good quality time with them at the wedding, but they are such WONDERFUL people with the most beautiful hearts! As soon as we told all the Aussies were are pregnant when they first got here, first thing out of Grandma's mouth was, "I'll have to save up and come back for the baptism!" You'd think after 40 hours of traveling to Utah, she would have re-thought that, but nope, not for a second! Whether or not she makes it, it was the thoughtfulness behind the words that made us know just how much we mean to her even from here! She mentioned wanting to win the lottery and come back for Jay's Graduation in May, too! They are 91 and still enjoying and appreciating every moment! I fell so much in love with them! My grandparents have all passed away, so I love spending time with these two and Gregg's Grandpa in Montana. I'm so attached! I can't wait to go to Australia in 2010!

These are all the Aussies that made it! Dean, Grandma Dorothy, Papa Bill, Aunt Dianne, and Uncle Les! It was my first time meeting Dianne, Les and Dean and they are all so easy to love! They all have such beautiful hearts... I couldn't stop the crying the minute we had to leave Star Valley! We'll get to see them briefly when they come back through Salt Lake to fly out on the 10th and I think it will be even harder to say goodbye again! On their way back to Australia, they're going to head to Disneyland for a few days... I'm sure it will be such a great time! It is Dean's first time to the U.S.

My family is attempting to fly standby this week and come and visit. I thought it would be such great timing as the Court is giving me 2.5 days off for free around the New Year! The flights are looking pretty crazy, but I'll be praying they'll make it here... if anyone wants to send out a few extra for me! My brother is thinking/ planning on coming as well! It would be his first time here! It would be nice if they made it because my next Dr's appointment (17 weeks now!) is on Friday and it would be fun for my parents to get to hear the heartbeat! We'll have to see how things go! So, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is well on their way to a blessed New Year!

Bummed

Well, if you follow our blog, you would've read just a few blogs before this one, that we just recently became members of our church. Today at church, we got some pretty sad news. Pastor Elijah announced that he has been called to another church. He didn't share all the details and said that there would be more details to come, but I think Gregg and I both know he's not staying in Utah. I was devastated... shockingly so! I started tearing up the minute he announced it and the shock was written on Gregg's face. I guess some people had gotten a heads up during the week, but this blew Gregg and I away. I tried to regain my composure long enough to shake his hand as we left the sanctuary, but as soon as he reached out for my hand, he said, "Are you going to kick me?" It was in the few seconds before that where he didn't say anything that I felt all the tears coming and couldn't hold them back. I think we all knew how important he was to our decision to join the church. He just said, "We'll talk soon". Gregg and I fell in love with the church when it was he that welcomed us on that first day and when we heard his sermon. My Mom mentioned that sometimes it's hard when you fall in love with a Pastor and they leave, because it can tear a church apart. I hope that this isn't the fate for this church and I don't think it will be. Many people in the congregation have wonderful connections already established. We just hadn't had a chance to do that yet. We had made our incredible connection with the Pastor.

It's just awful timing. Gregg and I had talked and prayed long and hard about this decision, one that was made just a few weeks ago. Had we known this to be his fate, we may not have made the decision we did, I don't know. I do know that if he hadn't been the Pastor of this church, we would have looked at other churches, not to say we would not have come back to this one. It's just hard. Gregg and I know that while we resided in Utah, this man made this church a home for us. We were looking forward to more time with him, his family and getting to know the congregation. Gregg and I knew that we would want this man to baptize our baby. Now, 4 months along in our pregnancy (16 weeks tomorrow!), we don't know what future this church holds and whether or not it will be right for us and our new family. I guess we'll just have to see how things unfold in the upcoming months and make a decision at that time.

We were both shocked and hurt. We know that we can not be mad at him for making this decision and following a call that he has been given, but it doesn't make it any easier on us right now. We will hope and pray that good things come to him and his family on their new journey as well as to the church.

Maternity Shopping!!!

It was a pretty busy weekend for us... with TWO trips to the mall for fat lady...I mean... Maternity clothes!! :-) Our friends, Jason and Ali, also recently told us they are pregnant. Ali should be about 7 weeks now. And I am now 15 weeks!! So, we all headed to the mall on Saturday for a little maternity clothes shopping! I hoped the store would be helpful and they were GREAT! It's called Motherhood Maternity. Not only was the sales girl EXTREMELY helpful, but the prices are pretty reasonable! Gregg and Jason thoroughly... okay, not completely... but mostly, enjoyed watching their wives try on TONS of clothes! Using the tummy pillow is kind of funny to imagine what we'll look like in just a few months! I HATE clothes shopping, but this was actually pretty fun! Although we normally don't buy so many clothes at one go, so it made it a little expensive for us, I made out with a lot of things! A couple pairs of pants, two dresses (one of which, I'm wearing in the above picture), some shirts and a couple other things! All in all, we did GREAT! And Gregg is truly wonderful for being patient, supportive, very sweet... and picking up the bill! :-)

Saturday night we headed to the Utah Jazz v. Orlando Magic basketball game. It was my Anniversary present to Gregg this year. Last year the Jazz did great, winning most of their home games.... apparently, this year, they're on a bit of a different path, one that includes losing too many games! It was fun to go, but since the Jazz did lose, Gregg would have liked to see Dwight Howard play, but even he was out injured! We did have a great time though and ran into a good Dr. friend of his, at the ER and his wife on the way home, so it was a good night... even with a loss!

Sunday night was Gregg's work Christmas party! It is quite the treat! The VA ER doctors pick up the whole bill, to include open bar!, and we're not talking about Applebees, they are usually Wonderful restaurants with excellent food! Last year, it was at a hotel up in Park City on a Saturday night, so Gregg and I got a room and made a weekend of it. This year, they scheduled it for a Sunday at a really nice restaurant in Salt Lake called Market Street Grill. Gregg and his friend Mark are in charge of the "awards", usually incredibly funny inside joke awards given out to all the members of the VA ER. It's typically the highlight of the evening and it was no different this time! The boys spent quite a few hours gathering up the best of their humor and everyone was impressed! I've got quite the catch!! The night ended a little earlier than normal due to it being a Sunday, but it was lots of fun and great food!

This week, Gregg has finals and I have a few days of Court, so it's a busy week before Christmas! The Aussies are flying in on Friday so the fam is driving in from Wyoming to pick them up and bring them back that night. So, the plan is hopefully that Gregg and I will have a little time to get to see them at the airport before they head out on the long drive back! My parents have been talking about visiting and I'm really hoping it works out. They always fly standby and flights are busy this time of year. I'm in need of a good visit since I won't make it home, so I'm going to pray that something works out!

I hope that everyone is having a relatively stress free holidays! It's a great time of year and it's nice that Salt Lake is starting to see some of that famous "best snow on earth"! It's about time!

Members!!

Today, Gregg and I became members of the church we have been going to, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. When Gregg and I first started our church search, I made a list of churches. We visited a few, but never made it past Our Saviour's. The man in the picture is our Pastor, Pastor Elijah. He and his wife are originally from Zambia and he has 4 beautiful children! They have been so welcoming to us from day 1. He is the reason we never left. His Sermons always speak to our hearts and from the sounds of it, he truly speaks to everyone. He is a big reason many people never left the church after coming to visit. We were treated to a wonderful New Member dinner at the Pastor's house last night where we got to spend time with other new members as well as members from the council. Today, they asked all the new members to attend both services so that all of the congregation would come to know us. It was really nice. Many people took the time to come and talk to us and congratulate us on the pregnancy! We really found a home at the church and the last two days were a great welcome! We're just excited to be a part of it while we're here in Utah as it's already been a blessing in our lives!

I am 14 weeks pregnant! Which means.... I've begun the second trimester! (at least according to my OB!) That, in and of itself, is so exciting! I'm over the big first, stressful hump! I can tell I've become a little less nervous since I've treated myself to the occasional Diet Coke. I haven't had more than one on a given day and I'm allowed more than that, but it's nice to just have an occasional pop as a treat! Since I won't have the glass of wine this season, I'll have to settle on a nice glass of Diet Coke... ha ha! I'll take it!

Out of the Army and new Baby Picture!

Two big pieces of news!! Clearly, we got another ultrasound picture to share with you. At first, Gregg and I didn't think the picture she gave us on the top was the best one she could've given us because there were some great ones, but I realized today why she gave us that one... you can see (I don't know how well on here) the baby's facial profile... forehead, nose, chin... it's incredible! We definitely have a real, complete baby in there! It's no longer my little rice krispy blob... although it will always be in my heart! :-) The bottom picture is of it's little face looking up at us. The ultrasound tech said that it is 7.7 centimeters.. so it's definitely growing and quickly!

We were in yesterday for our appointment with the ultrasound specialist/guru as I like to call Dr. Ball. He was mostly questioned why we got the test done to begin with since my parents hadn't been tested and I had no history or family history of blood clots. He considered it to be looking under stones, which is true, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we didn't do something to prevent any problems. He knew that and thought that any shots would be too much for me since I don't have the worst of either mutation that I tested positive for. So, we decided I would take a quadruple does of folic acid and a baby aspirin every day. I'm okay with this plan. He says I'm doing "a lot" when I told him I just needed to do "something". So, I think we are. Without knowing if I would have had problems, this is a good path for me.

I also happened to get the phone call from my unit yesterday. I am discharged from the Army as of 25 November. I knew it was what I wanted as quite a few people in my unit had me afraid that if I did stay in the rear if my unit deployed, there was still the chance I would have to leave my baby and our new family. That wasn't something I could risk. So, ultimately, this was the best thing for us. It would've been nice to finish out to the full 8 years, but I think 3 months shy will be okay! It was a big part of my life and although there are many reasons I'm getting out and am happy with that decision, there are a lot of things I will miss. This was very sudden for me, so after I wrap up some loose ends and hopefully get a chance to say goodbye to friends, I think I will have some closure on it and will be happier about it. But overall, this a blessing. One less thing over my head and to worry about. We can really just focus on this baby and bringing it into the world happy and healthy.

My next appointment isn't until the 17th week on January 2nd. That week we'll get another heartbeat reading, test for some of the genetic disorders and schedule the ultrasound where we'll find out the sex of the baby! Those few weeks will be so exciting! The Aussies come into town on the 19th and we're going to tell that set of grandparents on the day I go help pick them up from the airport! Should be fun to tell them.

So, we've had some good news! My service with the Army is complete, no more gray clouds in the sky for me and we're doing all we can to help this pregnancy have as few complications as possible! Sounds good to me! :-) A friend at work, Amy, had one of the greatest quotes on her blog today and I'm going to borrow it for today, it was so comforting..."The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you". How great is that.

Thanksgiving in Wyoming

Gregg and I spent Thanksgiving with the Joneses in Star Valley, Wyoming. It was a VERY relaxing 4 days! The best part of spending time in Star Valley is definitely the time with the family, but the next best?? Spending most of the time in our comfy pj's! We did manage to make it out of the house a few times, once for a failed attempt to go to the Parade of Lights... we had the wrong day, but didn't realize it until we got down there! Oops! Then we drove up to Jackson Hole to see the movie, Australia. My parents had seen it the day before and LOVED it, so we thought we'd check it out and we also... LOVED it! It really was a great movie. It sparked some of my Dad's history curiosities, so each time I've talked to him on the phone, he tells me about the new things he's learned as a result from conducting a little research after seeing the movie! Aww, he's cute! And then of course, we made it into some respectable clothes for church on Sunday!

After Ian begged and pleaded to get the tree up and promised to help with putting it up, it was Gregg and Katie that did all the work! Is she not the cutest little helper! We put up the tree, the Christmas village and some berries and such on the mantle and banisters.. the decorations were great!

We had to take the annual family picture, this one is the "funny" one. Everyone thought to point at our +1... awww, before we know it, he/she will be part of the picture, too!

Here was our other attempt at a family picture. It took a lot of "takes" considering we were trying to do it with the timer, but this one turned out pretty good! It was a nice weekend with the family. Setting up all the decorations, puts me in a bit of the Christmas spirit. It's been hard to think about not getting to go to MN this year, but my parents have mentioned trying to make it out to us sometime within the next month or so, hopefully that will make up for it a little bit! But my parents really do an excellent job getting the house ready, my Mom especially! She is a decorating machine and as an adult, I have come to appreciate the work she puts into it so much more!

Cherie's parents and sister's family are coming to visit from Australia for Christmas and will be here in just a couple weeks. So, it will be one bustling household in Wyoming! This is not a trip made often, so we wanted to make sure we were around to spend time with them. We're just hoping for some snow soon so they can see their first white Christmas! I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Gregg and I had a lot to be thankful for and we hope you did, too.