Happy 80th Papa!!!

We just got back from Texas were we had a WONDERFUL visit with our family there. When we got there on Saturday we were able to go to Papa's 80th birthday party. Kyle was there and so were Beth, Clark , and Jonathan. We all came down to be a part of the big party and I am so glad we did! Here are some pictures from the evening- compliments of Becca who doesn't know I snagged all of these off her camera when I borrowed it :) Thanks Becca for your great photography contribution! The pictures are great! We had Papa's favorite- Babe's Fried Chicken, Mashed potatoes, corn, biscuits... the whole shebang and it was fantastic. As you can see, the kids enjoyed the meal and the yummy cake :)

Fun Visit

We had a great visit from the traveling Blad family last week. It was a quick visit, but we loved every minute of it. I would have put up a real fight if I didn't know we would see them again this weekend (YAY!!!). The girls were really cute with Henry, and he was pretty good with letting them play with him. I would love to write more... but there are two days left of finals, and 3 finals still to take, so I have got to get going. More to come later this week as GRADUATION approaches :)

Quick updates

Well, month 6 is here in full force. There is an updated picture of the growing belly :) Some days seem bigger than others- is that just me, or did anyone else feel that way? Anyway- I discovered this week how much more fun it is to buy baby clothes than maternity clothes. I told Charles, if this keeps up, we are going to have the best dressed baby with the worst dressed mom because I am spending my clothes money on her. I love it though... and besides- do you really feel cute in ANYTHING when you are pregnant? lol just kidding- I have it pretty easy I have to admit. So far pregnancy has been pretty fun.
We are really excited to see Lori, Jeremy, and the girls tomorrow! They are coming through for a couple of days on their way home from visiting Jeremy's family for the week. We are really looking forward to their visit!
We are down to the wire!! We have 2 more days left of class and then finals and then... GRADUATION! Wow... I can't believe I can say that!! I'm graduating in less than 2 weeks!! After that, we are headed to Texas for a few days and then we make the trek to Washington to settle in and get the house finished up. It is coming a long great! I get excited when I see pictures of the progress. Mama Himmer is working double time for us up there and we are SOO grateful to her for all of her hard work so that we can have a place to live when we get there :) I'll post a few pictures soon so you can all see how things are coming.
I had to share these two pictures of Charles during Conference last weekend. This little stitching thingy was one of my projects while we listened to the talks. After watching me through a few hours of talks, Charles asked if he could try. It was so cute I just had to take a picture to show you all.

Well- thats our quick update for the week. More to come as we have some VERY exciting things coming in the next 2 weeks. It might be a blog overload :)

Baby Quilt... projects begin :)

So this weekend with Mom, Courtney, and Alissa we went shopping for fabric and got everything for all the baby bedding. I got going right away on the quilt with the help of Mom and Alissa on Monday. Since then... I have boycotted all homework and studying so that I could get it finished because I couldn't wait to see the finished product. So- tonight I finished!! I really love the colors and fabric we chose- I can't wait to see the room when I get it all finished. I realized this weekend that I have an obsession with brown. Wedding colors, nursery colors, half my wardrobe... What next?? So many opportunities in remodeling our house, haha...I assure you... there will be more. I'll try not to get too carried away- but brown just looks good with so many colors!! Anyway- here is the quilt. It turned out a lot bigger that I thought it would, but thats ok- charles pointed out, well- she'll probably be a big baby :)

Henry's Blessing

Well it was wonderful to have lots of family here this weekend for Henry's blessing. I have been REALLY missing home lately, so it was really good to have a little piece of it here this weekend. The blessing was great! Somehow I didn't get any pictures of Henry in his blessing outfit, I know Courtney took some, so I'm going to have to get some. I'm sure Alissa has lots too. Anyway- I just thought I would put up a few pictures from the weekend. I love the first one at the top... Henry is the cutest little thing ever :)

BIG movement

I just have to say- holy cow... I thought I could feel this baby move before, but boy is she growing fast! My new fascination is just watching my belly move with her kicks... I can't believe I can actually SEE when she moves now. It is getting hard to focus in class when she's active because I just want to stare at my belly.

I can't wait to see family this weekend!! Mom, Brad, Courtney, and Papa are all coming up for Henry's blessing. It has been a long week waiting for Friday to come. Also... I am now less than one month away from graduation- and we take off for Washington one month from today. Lots is progressing with our house, so that is exciting! I'll get pictures up as soon as I have some.

Projects

So, lately I have been wanting to get lots of fun projects going! This weekend I had the idea that I wanted to make a journal/book of pictures and stories from when Charles and I first met, up until we got married. I am writing down everything I remember because I didn't write much in my journal at the time, so I have spent the last two days making up for missed journal entries. So far I have 11 single spaced pages in word... I am amazed at how many details I remember, and how fun it is to write it all down now looking back at it all. I am making Charles write his side of it to, then I am going to put it all together in a book with pictures from our friend days, and dating and everything up to the wedding. I am going to find somewhere that can print it and bind it in a book. I think it will be a pretty cool thing to have :) I also have another project I need to get started on for one of my classes. For my Religion in the Home class (I know... only at BYU), I have to spend 10-20 hours on a religious object for our home as the final project for the class. I have put in my proposal to make lots of different things to hang in our new home. I want to make some wooden signs to hang with our favorite scriptures and quotes. I think I want to try making some cute little pillows with some on them too. I might even try a cross-stitch! Haha... we'll see, I will have to learn how to do all of these, but I think it would be really fun!
The most fun project I am looking forward to is to make all the bedding for the nursery! I know what I want to use, the store is just out of the fabric I need, so I have been calling every day hoping it will come in soon! Well, I know my blogs have been a lot of text, and not many pictures lately- sorry... kind of boring. I could take some pictures of us at school or work or something if that would liven things up a bit ;) Anyway- thats it for now- hope everyone is doing great!!

Counting up... counting down :)

Nothing is really going on for us right now... I am actually extremely bored this week. My classes are all really laid back this week. Of my five classes, one was cancelled for the week, and one we had a guest speaker, so we haven't had any reading for it. Another one I read ahead and finished the book we are reading, so I didn't have anything for that. So basically, this week I have had only 2 classes to read for- which is AWESOME... but none of you probably care about that :)
Anyway- I am bored without school work. I was hoping to have the fabric I want to make a quilt, but they are out of the fabric I want... so I've just been waiting.
As for the title of the blog today... I think reality is starting to set in a little bit- we graduate 6 weeks from today... and I am 23 weeks along today. WOAH... it is crazy to me how much different our lives are going to be in the next few months. It is exciting though :) I can't wait! For anyone who is interested or going to be around- our graduation is the 24 and 25 of April. It will be very exciting... haha We weren't planning on walking, but Kyle and Alissa convinced us that it would be a good experience- so we are gonna do it :) Well.. I am going to stop babbling and find something to keep myself occupied with!!

Nesting, Cravings, and the Sweetest husband ever!!

So this week has been a fun one... full of lots of interesting things. I thought I would just highlight a few that might be entertaining for y'all. First of all- our FHE this week some how turned into me insisting we go get some boxes and start packing things we wouldn't need for the next 6 weeks (yes.... that is how soon we are moving- I can't believe it!!). Well we got some boxes and I packed most of my clothes- considering I can't wear 90% of them. That got a little out of hand because you all know what happens when you move- you just decide there is a LOT that is not worth moving. Well by the end of my escapade, I had for boxes packed, and about 9 garbage bags full of clothes, shoes, and other random things ready to take to the DI. Charles was a little alarmed... "Are you sure we don't need any of that?" haha... I just said- Darling, I think its safe to say my nesting instincts have kicked in. Charles laughed and said- its about time- I've been waiting for those to kick in :) I would take a picture of the pile that is still sitting in our living room... but I don't want evidence.
Well Tuesday night brought an interesting occasion as well. Charles plays basketball with the Elders Quorum on Tuesday nights, so I normally just go work out while he's gone. Tuesday I was not feeling too hot though, so I just stayed at home and made him promise to be home by 10 (I can't go to sleep without him there... My imagination goes crazy :) So he got home at 10 and we were both exhausted. Charles couldn't sleep well the night before so he had been awake since 4:45 that morning. Well after about an hour of tossing and turning, I talked Charles into going to the store to get me some ginger ale to settle my stomach. He wasn't feeling well either so he thought it was a good idea, but wanted me to come ride along. This is the beginning of our first late night craving experience. I know what you are thinking- Heather, thats pretty normal. The only thing is.... it wasn't me with the crazy cravings- it was my dear husband. Well, I waited in the car- Charles was embarrassed for me to go in with my leopard print pj pants :) After about 10 minutes Charles rounds the corner carrying the ginger ale and 2 full sacks of groceries. I burst into laughter and he grinned the whole way to the car. When he climbed in he informed me that when he went inside he realized that he was hungry and that's why his stomach hurt and that EVERYTHING looked good. So he bought: ginger ale, cocoa puffs, queso, french bread, yogurt, spaghetti o's, and a couple cup o' noodles. You must also know that my dear husband ate a little of all of that before he retired to bed that night. My favorite quote while he was scarfing it all down came when he tried the french bread dipped in queso: "Oh GOSH- this is so good. It tastes like those pretzels and cheese at the basketball games." He kept insisting I try some, but I was still not feeling well... and watching him eat it made me nauseous :)
Last but not least... I have the best husband EVER. I have been bombarding him with things that I want lately. One of which is a heart rate monitor for working out. I have wanted one ever since Lori showed me hers a few years ago, but especially since I have been prego. Well this week we got a package with Charles' name on it. I was in a hurry so I didn't open it, just told him he got a package and he said no.... you did. That peaked my interest so I opened it right away. Well, the morning he woke up at 4 am, he decided to just surprise me with this lovely heart rate monitor. I was so excited!! I tried it out the next day at the gym and love it!! What a lucky (and spoiled) girl I am :) :) :)

21 Weeks and goin' strong

Well... I took this first picture 2 weeks ago because Courtney had been ragging on me to put one up. By the time I got around to uploading it- I figured I might as well document the growth- so here's big mama!!

19 weeks

21 weeks

And... you know what is SO fun... trying to take a "flattering" picture of yourself when you are pregnant... haha... fat chance!! Anyway- everything is going great! I am feeling good AND I got another pair of jeans today so now I have TWO pair that fit me, haha. Very fun :) I am feeling her move around all the time which is pretty fun and reassures me that there is actually something down there, not just me making it up for an excuse for my insane hunger.

Birthday Girl

Courtney has to LOVE this picture, but I keep looking at it and BUSTING up laughing... I just love it!!

Wow, I cannot believe my little sister is turning 19 today... where has time gone?? She's turning 19, and I'm sounding like a grandma saying this haha! Anyway- Today's blog is a Happy Birthday Shoutout to the firecracker at the end of our family, HAPPY BIRTHDAY QBERT!!







Courtney is the kind of girl that comes into your life, and you never forget her. She is a fiery little ball of energy with a little bit (ok, she can have a lot) of sass. One of my favorite things about Courtney is the way she is never afraid to just let loose and have a good time. She is one of the most caring people I know- especially when it comes to caring for people who need extra care. She has always taken special interest in anyone or anything that she feels she can help. Whether it is an old neighbor who needs someone to talk to, someone who is handicapped and needs a friend when everyone else is picking on them, or just a dog at the pound that "spoke to her." Courtney has brought home more helpless animals than anyone I have ever known, we used to tease her and call her Dr. Doolittle. She has a huge heart and has a way with people that few people can compare to. AND... this girl was made to work magic with children. I know she is the favorite aunt by FAR, and I will never compare to her on that note. Sure love you girl! Hope you had a great day!!

CONFIRMED!!

Well, we had our official ultrasound tonight and we have confirmed that we have a very health (very active) little girl. She was moving all around but we got a good look and the technician said to go ahead with the pink purchases. We got 3 cute shots of her face- she wouldn't let us have another profile shot, but thats ok. Everything else looks great. We saw the four chambers of her heart which was pretty cool, and her heartbeat is normal. AND... good news- we got some good shots of her bum as the Dr. said she was boxing out- an early basketball player. She must hear me yelling during Charles's basketball games for those guys to get some rebounds!! I see some real potential here :) We couldn't be happier!! There's the latest for us!!

Ok, Ok...

Ok Lori, I guess I will find things to write about in my exciting life :) School has kept me really busy the past couple of weeks, and Charles has been swamped with work- so our lives have been just roaring with excitement. I have a couple pictures from Valentine's day, Charles got me some really pretty roses, and I made him a cookie bouquet. For our Valentine's night, we baked a Papa Murphey's Pizza (Gourmet Veggie... our favorite), and stayed home and played a game together. It was such a fun night. We borrowed Settlers of Catan from Kyle and Alissa, its a really fun game we just learned. I beat Charles five times!! The sucker just kept coming back for more... :) It was really nice to have a quiet night at home during such a hectic time.



Last weekend Charles's parents came up for his cousin Steven's wedding in Salt Lake. We are SOO excited that Steven and Allison are finally married~ they are by far one of our favorite couples to hang out with. Charles loves it because Allison is a perfect audience for him. She is the happiest, smiliest girl you will ever meet and is just a blast in any situation! I'm gonna throw in just a few pictures from their wedding and say CONGRATS! We are so happy for them!


Anyway, it was a fun weekend with the Himmer's here. Charles's mom wore me out!! Haha... we went shopping friday while Charles and his dad had a business meeting. She bought us the cutest little dress outfit EVER!! I have been looking at it all week, wondering what I will do if the ultrasound on Tuesday shows different than the last one, haha! But we shopped for a couple of hours and then on Saturday, we got down to business with the house. Spent a couple of hours at Lowe's going over things and picking some of the little details. Charles died laughing when we got home because I looked like I was about to die and his mom was still her regular ball of energy! I'll blame this one on the pregnancy...

Anyway- that's the rundown on our last couple of weeks. I'll be better about keeping this updated :)

Wake up call...

So I was just telling one of my friends yesterday that I really don't think my stomach has grown much over the past few weeks. Well, this morning I went to put on my last pair of jeans that still fit me. I wore them LAST WEEK and they fit fine. Well, this morning, I couldn't even zip them up, so I guess I realized the baby must have hit a growth spurt or something. And I realized... its only just begun- kiss those clothes goodbye...

A Giant Among Men

All week I have been thinking about President Hinckley and his passing. I can't help but feel what a great loss it is to the whole world that such a great man is no longer with us. At the same time, it is near impossible for me to be sad about it. I have thought back on the things that I have learned from him as Prophet and there are so many. One thing that has always touched me is his deep love for his dear wife. What an example they are to what we should strive for as husband and wife, sealed for all eternity. I was forwarded a poem this week that I really liked:

I imagine he’s running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.

I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.

I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, “Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance, I welcome
My noble, most excellent son.”

I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception’s just fine,
But he hopes that he’ll get an assignment or two
Since there’s no need to waste any time.

I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward – there’s work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.

Anna M. Molgard
January 27, 2008

Watching his funeral many different tributes touched on the contributions he has made to the world and to the church. He has done great work and will surely be remembered for that. I will remember him as something different though. I will remember him for all that I learned from him. I learned from the spirit he brought with him as he bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. I gained my testimony that we have a living Prophet on the earth as I listened to him speak, and felt the spirit confirm to me that he was a Prophet of the Lord. He taught me to love the scriptures. He challenged me to be a little better, and stand a little taller. What he taught most to all who saw him serve, was how to be like Christ. He taught how to love everyone despite religion, race, culture, etc. He taught by example in a way that makes everyone who sees him want to be their very best and serve the Lord's work more fully.