Summer Summer Summer Time

Summer has been great. Being a teacher has it's benefits. Everyone asks if I am getting bored yet. But no way, I have been too busy enjoying. I have been able to get together with lots of friends. I have had lots of lunch dates, dinner dates, nap whenever I want, work out with Kelsey every day, work on my gardens/yard, and organize my life. I love it. I realize these days will end. So why not take advantage of it?

I went out to Provo last week to hang out with some girlfriends. I stayed with Marcy. She is getting married in August, so I got to tag along and help with some wedding stuff which was fun. We were able to shop, eat, relax, visit people, and chat. Unfortunately I wasn't the best company the first few days. NEVER again will I eat Chipoltle and then fly. Bad combo. I am past the sick stage but that brought it all back. Literally. I think they were a little freaked out the rest of the week, wondering when I was going to throw up again. So I was lame with pictures, but I managed to get a few.

These are some highschool friends. I could talk with them forever. So fun.

This is a reinactment of Monday night after the plane.

We went to Park City and did some shopping.

Oh Baby!

Alright people... the time has come to share the news. I am pregnant! I am now officially in my second trimester. I am due December 12th.

It seems like for a long time the word "pregnant" has been a bad word to me. I really didn't enjoy hearing it, and it almost made me cringe each time. We had been trying to get pregnant and stay pregnant for a long time. I don't know why we couldn't or why we are now, but obviously Heavenly Father has a plan for us.

I don't feel like I have had that many really hard trials in my life, but this has been on the top of the list. It's one thing when you have a trial and it's hard but you know you will get through it, but it's another when you don't know if it will ever end. Several times I wanted to write a blog about how hard the trial was but how much I have learned from it or that I still had faith and hope that Heavenly Father was doing what was best for me, but I didn't want the added pressure or sympathy. I would like to think that even if I never got pregnant that I would still be faithful and happy just the same.

Faith is an amazing thing. I have a friend who is just beginning the process of trying to become pregnant and she asked me how I dealt with it. I said, "Well... I'm Mormon." She was slightly confused I think. I told her that I honestly don't know how people get through trials without some sort of faith to hold on to. Some reassurance that it's happening for a reason, and the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves them, and understands how they feel. I told her to try not to just suffer through it but learn from the experience. NOT to say that it isn't HARD, because it is.

I know that in the whole grand scheme of things we didn't have to wait that long, but it feels like forever while you are going through it. This experience has brought me to the depths of humility and gratitude. I still can't really believe that we have been blessed to be pregnant. I don't know if I would have felt as grateful or as close to Heavenly Father if I didn't have this trial. Another thing I learned was patience. Patience when you have absolutely no control over the situation. And to be happy for others. I know it sounds selfish, and it made me feel extremely selfish when I wasn't genuinely happy for others. It's funny because when I finally felt like I REALLY could be happy for others and not just fake it or go to baby showers and have fun is when it happened for us. I know it sounds weird to say that I am grateful for the trial, and it seems easier once it is done, but I really am grateful, and that I was able to see that throughout the trial.

Anyway, we find out the gender in July, so stay posted.

Garden

My first flower garden. I have been so excited to plant some flowers since we moved in. I know it looks sparse right now, but don't worry it will fill in.

Random

Ok so look at me.... another blog baby!

So we had Drew's parents and sister over for dinner tonight because they all have birthdays at the end of March. Margaret's is March 24th, Mickey's is March 27th, and Megan's is March 31. To celebrate, my wonderful husband and I made some kabobs. This is the third time we've made them and I love them!! I thought I would share the marinade that we use. Also I am loving seasoned tomatoes with mozzarella cheese.

On a completely different note, I put a picture of Kathleen and I from her bridal shower on Saturday. Kate and I have been friends since we were 2. She is living in Montana right now so I don't get to see her that much. So it was so good to catch up on the last couple of months. We are getting so old!

I am now on Spring break!! Woo woo. I have some fun plans. I will share when it comes to an end.

1 1/2 c. oil

3/4 c. soy sauce

2 tbsp. dry mustard

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp. parsley

1 tbsp pepper

1/2 c. vinegar

1 clove garlic (I just use minced garlic)

1/3 c. teriyaki sauce (it's fine with out as well)

1/2 c. honey

snow day

Correction... make that a two day work week.

Estes Park

You all should be impressed, because this is my second post this month! Well, Drew and I went up to Estes Park for the last few days. He is on spring break. No, I am not on break yet... of course it is next week. But actually let's be honest this is so much better. Having a three day week of work and then spring break.

It was soooo fun. It is exactly what I needed. I love having my hubby all to myself. I know I pretty much always have him to myself. But it's different when we are on vacation. There's no school, work, homework, cooking, ect... It was perfect. I feel like I laughed for three days straight. We have so much fun together. I love him so much. Here are a few pics from the trip.

Here I am getting my snow shoes on at Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful day!

I am standing on a frozen lake.

Drew is a bit more daring by going out to the middle of the lake.

Ok this looks like a very small jump. I don't know why from the top it seemed far.

This is the result.

We hiked up a few steep hills.

This is looking down from a little ways up.

We found some elk. No moose though. Drew was hoping.

Look at this burrito. I couldn't get over it. It might just be the biggest burrito I have ever seen.

We played a little pool.

Here is our conversation before hand.

Me: Hey Drew do you want to play pool?

Drew: Well sure but it won't be very fun for you.

Me: why?

Drew: Because It will be a short game. I'm pretty good.

Me: uh huh.

Guess who won? Well I wouldn't be sharing this if I didn't.

They had a nice workout facility. This is me workin hard.

Unfortunately I forgot to pack Drew's workout shorts. He did the bike in his swim trunks with me. Nice guy.

Here's Drew relaxing in the tub.

Go Green

So.... yes I am a slacker. But here is a short post to give you a glimpse into my life. Today was St. Patrick's Day and I think it might be one of my favorite days. We did leprechaun traps again. It is so fun to see their creative juices flowing. I had Kelsey come in and destroy the room while we were at recess. I think she really enjoyed it because I am such a neat freak with my room. They were so crazy when they saw what the "leprechauns" did I even had to blow my whistle to get their attention.

We just completed CSAP (colorado state test) today, and doing something fun was definitely needed. Oh man I am glad that's over. I think they did well though.

Here are some pics for your enjoyment.

Here's Kels and I going head to head. We actually really do go head to head all the time. In a good way. We are so competitive with each other. I am so glad to have met Kelsey. My days would definitely not be as fun with out her. Our students have seen us in some crazy moods together. I don't know if they know what to think about it. We go to the gym everyday, which has motivated me a lot more. We even have a gym boyfriend who loves to help us with our lifting:) We are even having a weight loss challenge. It's been really fun.

This group brought a brick to drop down and apparently kill the leprechaun instead of catch it.

This one is hard to see, but it was a spa for the leprechaun to come and enjoy.