Living Room II

Wall number two is done. Now don't mind the pictures. I haven't put new ones in because after baby girl #2 is born we will take family pictures and they will go in those frames. So for now enjoy the ones I have, but really don't mind them. Hehe... :)

I really like this wall and feel like it brings more character to the living room and our life. Tell me what you think and enjoy.

View from a distance

A close up

39 Weeks

Well... I've made it to the last week of my pregnancy (here's hoping, right?!) I am doing pretty good, just ready to meet this little girl. My appointment last week went well, she weighs 5 pounds now, which is great. My Doctor can feel her head and as of Tuesday (6/19) I was dialated to 1 1/2 cm. Now we just need to wait for my contractions to pick up -- oh goody. :)

I can't believe it's about this time. I've been wanting this time to get here for a few weeks now and now that's it's here, I'm surprised (in a good way). I was sitting in church today and it hit me all of a sudden, that next week we will have a baby. I got really excited!! Anyway, I'll do my best to keep you all posted on things are going.

Until then, enjoy this picture of Zoie and me. She really wanted to stand next to me while we took the picture. She is so excited to be a big sister. A baby was blessed in our ward today and she got all happy and came and gave my stomach a nice big, long hug. She's going to be a good big sister.

Staying STRONG in the STORMS of Life

Mosiah 4:27: "Not requisite that a (wo)man should run faster than (s)he has strength"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell pointed out that we have limited time and energy, so we must focus on that which is most important:

"When we run faster than we are able, we get both inefficient and tired. . . .

"I have on my office wall a wise and useful reminder by Anne Morrow Lindbergh concerning one of the realities of life. She wrote, 'My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.' That's good counsel for us all, not as an excuse to forego duty, but as a sage point about pace and the need for quality in relationships."

(Deposition of a Disciple [1976], 58).

Quote from the Book of Mormon Institute Manual-Pg. 144.

We live in a world that constantly tries to "occupy" our time. Sometimes we use our time efficiently and other times we waste it. Satan loves when this happens. I have found myself in my life lately spending more time watching TV shows with my family, than actually taking the time to go out and do some activity or talking and getting to know each other better.

I think this is a good reminder to us all that we need prioritize our time in our life and make sure we are using it well -- to do good and become better servants of the Lord. I believe that when we do so we learn how to stay strong in the storms of life.

As President Uchtdorf states, T-I-M-E is spelled L-O-V-E!

BRAVE

This afternoon we took Zoie to go and see the new movie Brave. She was so excited to go and see a show. She was really excited to get her treats too. She had popcorn and twizzlers. They kept her satisfied through the show, especially the popcorn. She loved that popcorn.

Zoie had a blast. She laughed, got scared, and when something went wrong she would say "oh no!" It was really cute. It was a fun family outing. The movie was good, I thought. Although I do have to say there were some pretty intense scenes, but that's what makes the show, right?! I am glad we took Zoie and I'm glad she had fun.

Farewell

My parents took my brother Josh up to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday. My family and I are very excited for him. He will be serving for two years in the Managua, Nicaragua, South Mission, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Spanish Speaking... how cool is that.

He is very excited and can't wait to get started. I wish we were able to be there to see him off, but we skyped before he left. It was great. Zoie learned to say his name. Now when she sees his picture, she says "josh." (well... the sh doesn't come out very well).

Anyway, Good luck Josh and we'll see you in two years. Have fun and we love you!!!

Mom & Josh at the MTC

Father's Day Weekend

Ryan had all of Father's Day weekend off. It was going to be GREAT!!! Time to spend with each other and celebrate our love for him, especially on Father's Day. Well... unfortunately my little family didn't have an enjoyable Father's Day weekend. Sad day, right?!
Ryan ended up getting Strep Throat. Zoie was starting to get it and she started teething all four canines at once. Poor family. I was the lucky one and didn't get sick at all. Thank goodness for that.

Friday, we made an appointment to see the family Doctor for Zoie, then Ryan drove into Staunton to get looked at and get some drugs. Saturday night, we ended up making a trip to the ER for Zoie who had a temperature of 103 degrees all day. Poor girl, she was so exhausted and in so much pain.

I'm glad to say that all is well now and we are all healthy. Here are two pictures of my sick little family. I think they are so cute. This is how they were all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Living Room I

I have finished decorating one of the four walls in our living room. I am really loving how things are coming out. It really is starting to make our apartment feel like more of a home. Anyway, enough said, here are some pictures.

There is the complete look at the wall. We are putting up blinds this weekend.

I just LOVE it!

Picture of the Resurrected Christ leaving the tomb (Ryan's all time favorite picture)

and The Living Christ.

My Family Wall, I guess you could say. The "C" is cut from

cardboard and wrapped with yarn.

There you go, wall one in the living room completed. I'm hoping to have the mirror finished for you all by the end of the day tomorrow. Have a great day!