July/August/September - So many blessings

 I have been putting off this post because I am so far behind!

July:
We went to Randy's good friend Chris's house for for dinner for the Forth of July. The following Tuesday, I woke up feeling awful with a fever of 102. I called in sick to work, went to the doctor and lo and behold I had strep throat. It was terrible, but thank goodness for IM penicillin. Later that month I attended several different bridal showers for my little sister Ashley. We celebrated my birthday late with the Vocklers with Texas Road House and swimming.

August:

For our 5 year anniversary, I found a bakery to duplicate our top tier of our wedding cake. The cake was good, but there was a communication mix-up and it was frosted with fondant instead of buttercream. Randy had a job interview with Utah Division of Natural Resources (Utah's Fish and Game) and he got the job! Better yet, the job is in Ogden, so we get to live together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He started a week later. Ashley and Preston's wedding was on the 11th. They were married in the Ogden temple followed by a luncheon at the Grand View and finished up with a reception at Eldridge Manor. The weather was beautiful and everything went smoothly.  The next day, my cousin Ryan was married and Randy and I attended their reception. Two weeks later, my good friend and classmate Becky married her sweetheart Brandon in Seattle. I was able to switch my schedule around and share in their special day.

Mitch had a rough couple of weeks at the end of August. He got a hematoma in his right ear and I did the surgery to correct it. He had to live in a cone for about 2.5 weeks. He was pretty sure he was broken and couldn't do anything but lay around and look pathetic. 

September:
The next position up from Randy's position became open and Randy was encouraged to apply for the job. He was interviewed and the next day he was offered the job! I am so proud of him and thankful that others see how hard he works and his dedication to his job. Now, this job is not his dream job, but it is working for the right department, with health benefits, and potential graduate position aid. This month we started seriously house hunting. It has been difficult to find anything in our price range, in a decent neighbor, that does not require 10,000s of dollars in repairs and upgrades, and in the area we want to live in. Last weekend we finally found a house. Eric (my bother-in-law's father) is our realtor. We found a ~1400 sq foot 2 story yellow house in the northern part of Ogden. The yard needs a make over and all the flooring needs to be replaced, but it fits our needs. We put in an offer and the sellers countered and we accepted. The inspection is tomorrow. I am excited to pick out paint and flooring and making this house our home.

Lunch date with my siblings

In other news, on August 2nd we found out that we are expecting at baby!!!!!!!!!!!! This is something we have wanted for a long time and I can't believe its really happening! August felt like the longest month of my life, but that could be because I felt so horrible. Thankfully no vomiting, just lots of nauseousness, bloating, no appetite, mood swings, and zero motivation. My work is excited for us and have been doing a great job taking care of me. I am 12 weeks today and the last few days I have felt much better, never normal, but soo much better. Our little one is due April 9th. I have my second appointment tomorrow. At our first appointment last month, Randy and I got to see our little one and hear his/her heart beat. That is the best sound I have ever heard.

These last few months, we have received a down pour of blessings from heaven. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us and wants to bless us. I have everything I could want- a loving husband who has a job in his career field that is 20 minutes way, an awesome job that is very supportive, a house under contract, and a baby on the way!

New York City!

New York City May 2016

On a Bus

This was another Sheets style trip- fast and furious. Mom, Randy, and I flew out on a Tuesday afternoon to JFK airport. After arriving at JFK and trying to find our way through the giant airport we finally found the shuttle pick up. We stayed an 'interesting' hotel just 10 minutes from the airport. The next morning we took a cab to the nearest subway station and began the hour trek into Manhattan. Thanks to Ashley we stayed a Marriott that had a huge breakfast. After dropping our bags off and purchasing 'Hop on Hop off' bus tickets we began to explore. We walked to the nearest bus stop and enjoyed our tour guide telling us all about the different landmarks and what happened that horrible day on September 11, 2001. We walked around ground zero and then couldn't find anywhere quick to eat! We were waiting to take a ferry around the part of the island that took you past the Statue of Liberty but there wasn't any places to eat that didn't have white linen table clothes. (we were in the financial district, so that shouldn't have been a surprise). But that was the theme the rest of the trip, we somehow ended up at high end sections of town during food time. That night we took a night tour of Brooklyn to see the Manhattan skyline.

Times Square

Freedom Tower

The next day we visited an aircraft carrier, walked around central park and 5th Avenue (the AC in Tiffanys was wonderful, but we didn't stay long), and that night Mom and I saw Les Mis. Randy choose to stay at the hotel. He had run out 'people minutes'. Big cities aren't his thing, but he was a good sport and I am glad he came with us. Ashley tried to come for one night, but the flights were full.

Hanging out in Times Square

Waiting for Les Mis to start

Cupcakes after the show! 

I was amazed at how many places and sights we didn't get to see on that tiny island. I knew there were would be a lot of people, but actually being around that many people was something I didn't expect. Thanks Mom for another incredible trip!