Three Years!

Today is our third wedding anniversary! It's crazy to think it's been three years. In some ways that seems like a long time but sometimes it feels like we just barely got married and are still newly weds. We didn't do anything too exciting to celebrate today. We are going out on Thurs night instead. I will post on that after the fact. Today we decided to work on a much needed project. . . our back yard! We still have a couple places that didn't get seeded last year. One spot was a big pile of leftover dirt and the other spot was bare from a bad sprinkler system not watering it. We've been procrastinating because we don't have a wheel barrow but I asked my grandpa if we could use his on Saturday and return it today so that the job would HAVE to get done this weekend. So, Saturday we started the project and today we got the grass planted. I forgot to take before pics but here is the wet dirt waiting for grass to grow. It will be sooo nice once it comes in and the dogs don't track all the dirt and mud onto the patio.

Just for the heck of it here is a pic of our yard looking out from the patio.

We've made big improvements since we've moved in. Below is a slide show I made last year of all the work we did. I can't believe how bad it used to look. When we moved in, we had more dirt, weeds, and goat heads then we did grass! We hauled in a bunch of dirt to level out the dips and planted grass on the whole side in the front of the house and about 1/2 our back yard. (I don't know why the slides go so fast and I don't want to go back and edit it. Sorry.)

I almost forgot to post that I learned how to make freezer jam on Saturday. Actually I think we made jelly. I get them confused. I usually just get already made jars from my grandma, my mom, or my mother-in-law but I decided I should learn how to make it myself. So . . . we had a girls day. My cousins Deidra and Jamar met with me at Grandma's house Sat and we had 4 batches. I can't believe how much sugar it has in it. We discovered how NOT healthy it is. Twice as much sugar as berries. Crazy! It sure taste good though. Thanks Grandma!!!

Birthday Present

My birthday was on Mother's Day this year. I was 25 weeks pregnant on my 25th birthday and it was my first time celebrating Mother's Day for myself. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is coming up too. (May 25) I convinced Matthew because of the above he should get me a really good present to cover all three holidays. My list of ideas included new pots & pans, memory foam or something like it for our bed, a comfy bike seat, full size ironing board and other "necessity" type gifts. I would have been happy with any of the above but he went above and beyond this year. He got me this. . . . . . . . .



I've talked about wanting a piano ever since we bought our house 2 1/2 years ago. We've looked here and there but haven't even talked about it lately. We decided they were too much money. Now that I'm pregnant I knew we had other big expenses and didn't think I would get one for a few years. The Friday before my b-day I went to dinner with my mom, sisters, and cousin for "girls night" while my dad and brothers were at Fathers and Sons. I came home to a great surprise! I was so excited. I haven't played in a long time so I'm a little rusty but it's coming back. I'm teaching Matthew how to read music too. He knows how to play a few songs by ear but soon he will be able to play what ever he wants! He's a quick learner. Thanks to all who helped Matthew with this wonderful present: Mom and Kimi, Joy and Mitch, Chad and Brittney and who ever else may have been involved. I LOVE IT!

100 DAYS

until my due date! It still seems like a long time but it's actually going really fast. I have pics from the Saturday before Mother's Day but not on my own camera. I will try to get them and post them later. I forgot to take pics on Mother's Day which was also my birthday. I was 25 weeks pregnant on my 25th birthday. I wish I had pics. Oh well. Life and pregnancy are both pretty good these days but heart burn sucks!! Sorry, there is no other word to use. I had problems with it in the past so I figured pregnancy would make it come back. Sure enough, it's here! The back pain is starting too. On a better note however, I have more energy and am able to do more without taking so many naps. I'm sure those days will be gone soon though. DARN!

IT'S A . . . . . .

If you didn't figure it out by looking at the pink hand prints on my new background, the baby growing in my belly previously referred to as "the baby" or "it" can now be called a she!! I just hope she really is a she. I thought for sure it would be a boy. Probably because I was trying to convince myself from early in the pregnancy that I would be okay with having a boy. Matthew said he knew all along she would be a girl but really wanted a boy. I'm very excited we're having a girl but still a little shocked. Matthew is excited too but bummed it's not his boy. His sister swears the only reason he wanted a boy is because he knows how spoiled his little girl will be--He won't be able to tell her no. I went to the mall today on my lunch break to have my wedding ring cleaned. I called Matthew on my way back to work and told him he should be proud of me. I was close to so many stores and didn't even buy anything for the baby. His response was, "Why not?"! Darn, I should have! Oh, well. I will have to remember that next time though. I guess now it's time to start designing the nursery. Sooo much fun! I love to decorate. There are way too many choices!

I almost forgot to post that I went to a new OB/GYN. My Dr that my whole family has gone to forever only delivers at Mercy and we didn't really want to do that. Anyways, so far she is GREAT! Her office is in Nampa but she has priviledges to deliver at St Luke's Meridian. The ultrasound was our first appt with her but we really like her. She had a hard time getting good pics of the baby because she was moving around, kicking and hiting soooo much. It was neat because I could watch her kick and hit me as I was feeling it. This child moves ALL THE TIME! It's been neat to feel her. It kindof freaks Matthew out but he feels her kicks every once in a while. We like to read out loud together at night. The baby seems to want to participate too because thats when she gets really active. It's fun family time. Can't wait for her to get here to have real story time together!!

Easter + 21 weeks!!!!

On Friday we went out to my parents house and frosted cookies and colored eggs. It was a fun family activity. Here are a few pics of our finished products. The frosting didn't stay very smooth after being shifted around during the drive home.

My sister bought a cool tie-dye kit. It was a little time consuming but pretty fun. The results were neat too!

Sunday was pretty eventful. First church. My primary class (5 yr olds) didn't appreciate the empty plastic eggs I gave them. They were quite upset and even angry that the candy was missing. I was trying to teach them how it felt when Mary came to the empty tomb. They understood the feeling then asked for their candy. Unfortunately I forgot to buy some. I guess I owe them next week. After church was dinner with Matthew's family then their traditional Easter edd hunt at Aunt Addie's house. Then my mom knew we were close to Melba so invited us over for more food after the hunt. We were sooooo stuffed! Too much good food.

And the most exciting news. . . . I'm 21 weeks!! More than 1/2 way! Here is a front view taken Sunday after church before all the food that made my stomach stick out even further.

And the side view. Wow is it getting big!! This is going to be a long, HOT summer!!!

Time to Vote!!

I found the gadget. It was way easy. If you already made a comment on my previous post, please vote on the poll too. Thanks to all who are participating. It's kinda fun to see the guesses.

Boy or Girl???

I'm half way there!! Sorry no pics. Maybe tomorrow I'll have Matthew take more. We find out soon if its a boy or a girl. Any guesses? I don't know how to do the question poll that some people have on their blogs. Leave a comment if you want to guess.