It's the Small Things That Matter Most

Hey little man,

Yes, I know, it has been 2 weeks since my last post but hey, I can explain! Well, actually, I can tell you my excuse. Last week (week 18) your momma was  a little bitter. I was hurting a lot that week and just felt like a scrooge so instead of blogging I decided I would skip the post that week and hopefully be feeling better by the next. And guess what? It worked! There are a lot of different things that made my weeks go by better but here are just a few of them:

I've been busy working on getting your nursery together. I know that we have a LONG time till we get to finally meet you and bring you home but since I'm stuck at home anyways I figured I might as well get a little sewing done. Instead of getting lots of Christmas presents for each other this year your Dad and I decided to buy you your crib and dresser. We got that and decided to write letters to each other as gifts instead. I think we might make that a little bit of a tradition in our house from now on. Your Dad and I tell each other we love each other a lot and we get along really well but there is just something about being able to write down exactly how you feel as well as receiving and reading that letter that is pretty special. So, this Christmas my little man was all for you already! :)

This little guy has sure made my day too lately. He is such a sweet puppy. He somehow just knows when you need a little snuggle or someone to play with. That night we put your Dad's hat on him and Grandpas reading glasses. He didn't seem to mind too much!

This is picture of me at yet ANOTHER physical therapists office. Although having to be at a PT office doesn't make me happy, they finally were able to make a difference in how I was feeling. It's not better by any means but I feel like they might be on the right track.

Since momma can't walk around much I didn't get to go see the lights at Temple Square. That's something that I love to do every year and a tradition I look forward to. So this year, my friends and husband being as awesome as they are, decided to all to drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point. It was fun to be able to see some holiday lights and not have to walk around to see them. At the end of the drive we walked over to the campfire they had and looked at the Reindeer. They sure were big!  

On Tuesday of last week you hit your 18 week mark! I'm sure feeling a difference in my belly and hips! You must be growing big and strong!

On Wednesday of last week your Uncle Taylor flew out to Richmond, Virginia to really start the mission. He has been in the MTC here in Provo since he left a few weeks ago. He got there safe and sound and said he really liked flying. (It was his first time being on an airplane) I have a picture of that phone because that phone was on speaker when he called us from the airport. It was so good to hear from him. We could all tell his spirit has changed already in the few short weeks that he's been gone. I hope someday it is you that's calling us from the airport and headed out on your mission. It has been really hard to have my little brother gone and I can't even imagine how hard it would be if it was my son leaving, but I am also so incredibly proud of the choice he has made in going out and serving the Lord for 2 years. I know without a doubt there is no better place for him to be right now than serving the people in Richmond, Virginia.

All this yarn (and some not pictured) has also made me happy over the past couple weeks. I made NINE scarves for some of the girls in our family. I've done that the past couple years. I've made different styles, but still scarves and it seems like they really like them so I keep on making em :)

This is a selfie. I took it just as I was leaving for Church on Sunday. It was the Christmas program and I sang a song called "Breath of Heaven" in Grandma and Grandpa's ward. I've sang it for the past couple years now and It's something I really like to do. It was different singing that song this year though. It meant so much more to me. The song is written from Mary's point of view and she's asking Heavenly Father if he is sure she is the person he wants to trust to bring the Son of God into the world. She is scared but she says she will do her best and knows that he will be there to help her. It meant so much because right now I know I have a sweet little child of his in my tummy too. Sometimes I worry about not doing a good enough job and wonder if I am really ready for this. When I sang the song it made me remember that I'm not in this alone. I have your Dad, our families, and most importantly I have the gospel and a Father in Heaven who is always there for me to lean on when I need it. 

These pictures are from Christmas Eve and Christmas. On Christmas Eve we always have a big ham dinner, read the Christmas story, play games, eat pie, and open some pajamas. We had so much fun laughing and playing but we all missed Uncle Taylor. It just wasn't the same without him there. 

Also, Beth, Malia, and Milo stopped by for a little visit! It was sure fun to see those little ones! They LOVED playing with Sebastian and carrying him around. It was also really fun for me to visit with Beth. She is like the sister I never had. I love catching up with her and talking about babies! :)

These pictures are from my favorite part of Christmas :) Uncle Taylor got to Skype with us for an hour and a half! It was so good to not only hear his voice but to see his cute face too. He is doing so good! Right now he is in a place called Newport News, Virginia. His area is 4 miles by 2 miles and there are 130 different churches built in the area! He said everyone there loves Jesus and love to talk about him with the missionaries. Not many of them are LDS but they sure love Christ. The area is a little scary though. There is a part of the area where they aren't even allowed to go because it is all controlled by gangs and drugs. I think the rest of the area is scary too but it's a lot safer than that specific part I guess. They are actually making the area a 3 companion area instead of the normal 2 because it isn't as safe there. There's safety in numbers! I'm a little worried about him but I try not to thing about it very much. The Lord is watching over and protecting him while he does his work. So proud of that boy! 

Well handsome, that has been our last couple weeks together. Nothing too crazy but lots of small things that cheered your mom up :) Love you little man! Talk to you soon!