Excited for Baby!

I'm getting so excited for our little boy to come! Not just because pregnancy is uncomfortable, but because I can't wait to finally hold him in my arms. I've imagined him and dreamed about him so many times, and I just want to see him and know what he looks like, get to know his personality, and love him to pieces and try not to spoil him too much.

He's getting a lot stronger. For example, if Cameron rolls over too close to me or puts his arm across my tummy while we're sleeping, Baby will kick and poke him until he moves over (or I do.) It's fun to sit and watch my belly wiggle and move when he's awake. I try to keep this positive attitude when he's pushing on my ribs or my hip bones.

We've started slowly stocking up on diapers and wipes and little outfits. Our families have been so wonderful and sent us adorable toys, blankets, and clothes. It's really hard for me to not go buy everything in the stores for him, so I've limited myself to grocery shopping for the time being. I've also decided to make some things for him! I finished knitting him a little aviator-style hat today, I plan on making a little cover for his carseat sometime in the next couple weeks while I can still get onto the floor, and maybe a couple toys. I've painted a poster for the nursery (we're thinking of doing a Winnie the Pooh theme.) We had way too much fun registering and Target and Babies R Us. (That scanner was fun enough on its own before you factor in the fact that everything you're looking at is tiny, adorable, and for OUR baby!)

I just can't wait for this cute little guy to come! 7 weeks and 4 days till the due date :)
(For my friends and family that have been asking, here's a "bump" pic.)

Why I'm Glad I Was Engaged and Married Before I Was 23

I am so in love with my husband. Why? Well, for one, he's practically perfect. But besides that, he shows his love to me. I appreciate that so much. He makes me feel so loved all the time that I can't help but be overjoyed and completely in love with him back! The last few days of break before he went back to school we spent a few afternoons just spending time with each other and it turned into sitting on the couch talking, flirting, and just expressing how much we love each other. I know it sounds totally cheesy and silly, but it made us both so happy. Because we keep feeding our relationship, we just get more and more happy and excited to be with each other.

There's been an article going around facebook that talks about why you should wait to get engaged and married, but I think most of the points are silly. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I feel like I need to stand up and say, "I support marriage and "old fashioned" values. Being born when I was doesn't mean that I automatically have to give up hope that marriage could actually mean something more than a fancy wedding and a pre-nup."

 I suppose for some people it might be easier to have adventures on their own, but being adventurous doesn't mean you have to make dumb decisions. I'm sorry, but making out with strangers is not my idea of a good time. I'd rather kiss my husband. And what's wrong with snuggling the person you love, who also happens to be your best friend?

"If a person is your eternal love", why wait? If you know that you will love that person forever and want to be with them, why are you putting other priorities ahead of them? Yes, it can be scary to have to try to coordinate two educations, jobs, cultures, personalities, but honestly, the longer you wait, the harder it will get.

I am a very timid person when it comes to trying new things. I hadn't even been on a roller coaster until I met Cameron. I am much more adventurous now than I ever was before I started dating him. Recently Cameron and I were talking about where we would like to settle our family. I said something to the effect of "I think that I could adjust to any situation we're put into, even if it's not my ideal setting." Cameron remarked that I would not have said that when we met. It's so true! He has helped me to grow in ways that I wouldn't let myself when I was single. Marriage is about growth, it's about learning to care about more than just yourself, and it's about becoming your best self. It's not being tied down, giving up your freedom, or losing your identity. All of those things are expanded in a healthy relationship.

Being married doesn't mean that you have to settle down immediately and never travel or have fun. Some people choose to settle down, and that's fine. Others take their time as "newlyweds" to have fun and go on adventures together! Cameron and I haven't had the money to travel the world, but we have tried to take advantage of the fun opportunities around us, and to make adventures for ourselves close to home.

This article also talked about how getting married means that you'll get "knocked up and fat." I really dislike the phrase "knocked up." I think it's crude, demeaning, and degrading to the sanctity that is parenthood and family. You don't have to get pregnant just because you get married. I have a lot of married friends that feel like it isn't time for them to have children yet. I also know several couples that have struggled with infertility and would give anything to have the privilege of having and raising a child. Cameron and I were originally planning to wait much longer before we got pregnant, but after praying we felt strongly that it was time to stop waiting. On our one year anniversary we were six months pregnant. This is what was right for us, but is not right for everyone. The decision to start a family, whether through marriage, or continuing through having children, is a personal choice, and no one has the right to judge others for that choice, though we as a society do it all the time.

And I'm sorry to tell you, but you'll get older (and probably gain a few pounds) regardless of whether or not you're married, so you might as well do it with the person who will help you, support you, and make you happy and build your self esteem.

Marriage, especially at a young age may not be for everyone. It is a huge commitment, and shouldn't be taken lightly, or thought of as temporary. But I know that for some people, including myself, it was the right choice. Marriage can be tons of fun and bring deep and lasting happiness. You get to spend every day with your best friend, you can find yourself and become your best self, and do it all with your biggest fan and the person who loves you no matter what.

I know that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. I know that families are part of his plan. I am grateful for that knowledge. I'm grateful for my husband who loves and supports me in everything that I do. I'm so glad that I can make him happy and help lift him us the way he does for me.

Our Wedding: The Dress Part II

While traveling to and from the temple, leaving the reception, and at the open-houses we held in our hometowns, I wore my maternal grandmother's dress from when she was married in 1962 (Please forgive me if I got that wrong, my memory is all but gone these days.)

This grandma always seemed to have fabulous sundresses from when she was a young adult hanging in the closets. The summer that Cameron and I got engaged, we were visiting her with the rest of my family. My sisters and I were playing dress up in the kids room, but most of the things in the dress-up drawer didn't fit me anymore, so I went poking around in the closet to see if my mom's old prom dresses were still there and saw this beautiful lace dress. I tried it on and loved it. I could tell that it was older than anything my mom had worn, so I went down the hall to show my grandma and she told me that it was her wedding dress! I was embarrassed that I hadn't asked before trying it on, but she took me back in her room and pulled out an old album and showed me pictures from her wedding. Soon after, I asked her if it would be ok if I wore it for my wedding.

The morning of the wedding she came to my hotel room and helped me put it on. It was so special to share that moment with her. I also loved that I didn't have to get it altered! I'm really short-waisted so the shoulders floated a little bit, but since it was sleeveless and I wore it with a cardigan you couldn't really tell.

I love the bow at the waist. And the flared skirt. And pretty much everything about it!

Because the dress didn't have sleeves, I paired it with a shimmery pink cardigan. Even though pink wasn't really in our color scheme, it's traditional for the bride to wear pink when she leaves the reception, so I thought that was fitting.

I'm so grateful to both of my grandmothers for letting me share that special day with them, and for letting me use their wedding dresses. I love you both so much!

To see The Dress: Part I, click the picture below!

DIY: 15 Minute Tablet Case

This year for Christmas, Santa got us an iPad mini and we bought ourselves a bluetooth keyboard to go with it. We also wanted to get a case to keep either of them from getting scratched, but they were all pretty expensive for a little envelope of fabric, and none of them fit the iPad once the keyboard was attached. So, I had the thought to just make one! My husband will be using our tablet to take notes in school this semester, so I wanted to make sure it was manly enough that he wouldn't mind carrying it around, but I also wanted to add a little cuteness to it so I chose a largish yellow button to offset the solid gray fleece. This project took me about fifteen minutes, and I'm a pretty slow sew-er.

Here's what you need:

• 1 Button
• Sewing Machine (or Sewing Needle. Or Both!)
• 1/4 yard of Fleece (you can use any another fabric you want, but fleece is pretty durable, very forgiving in the sewing process, and provides a little bit of cushion for your tablet. You may need more or less fabric for your case depending on the size of your tablet.)
• Thread

What to do:

1.  Cut a strip of fabric an inch or two wider than your tablet, and twice as long, plus a few extra inches for the flap (remember, you need it to reach at least half of the depth of your tablet, plus seam allowance on both sides.)

*If you are using a fabric that will fray, fold over and hem both of the short ends so that they have a nice, finished edge.*

2.  Fold fabric, right sides together, so that the tablet has a centimeter or so of space at the fold and the top.

3.  Pin fabric in place and sew the sides together.

4.  Turn the case right-side out. Trim the top flap to the shape you want. I decided to go for asymmetrical.

5.  Decide where you would like your button to go and stitch it to the envelope. I like to do this step by hand. Now cut a button hole in the top flap. (If you are using fray-able fabric, use a sewing machine to stitch around the button hole to reinforce it.)

Hooray, you did it! Your very own custom tablet case is complete.

Happy Crafting!

Our Wedding: The Dress, Part 1

I absolutely loved my wedding dress. I love that it was my grandmother's dress 51 years before I wore it, I love that she made it herself, and I love that her mother-in-law from Germany helped add the lace details. It was so special to be able to share that with my grandmother.

Before I met Cam I had this vision in my head of a white lace gown that was tight to the knees, had a sweetheart neckline, a long, beautiful train, you get the idea. Then, I went to my grandma's house one day. I was looking in one of her closets for an old prom dress of mine she had let me keep there since there wasn't room in my little apartment and I found her wedding dress. The satin was faded to a beautiful gold, the stitches at the shoulder were starting to pull, and the zipper was broken, but it was lovely! I fell in love with it. My grandma helped my try it on and safety-pin the back closed and took some pictures of me. I could tell she really liked the idea of my wearing her dress at my wedding, but neither of us expected that within four months I would be asking her if I could.

I had my dress altered at Avenia Bridal in Orem, UT. The ladies there did a fantastic job. They were so kind and accommodating, and they took such good care of the dress. Im very short-waisted, so to make the dress fit me they had to take a little bit of fabric out of the shoulders. They took off the lace that would have been pulled into the seams and then reattached it once the alterations had been made with the original beads. I appreciated that so much.

I love the princess seams and the pointed, snow-white-esque waistline.

I'm a huge fan of the 3/4 length sleeves. We were married in November and I was planning on having a very cold wedding. Thankfully, we were blessed with a miraculously warm day (in the low 60's when it had been snowing just a week before,) but I think that even if we'd been married in the summer I would still have kept the longer sleeves.

I love this dress, but I didn't want to transport it across the country to our reception in Michigan, so I wore my "Getaway Dress" (which was my maternal grandmother's wedding dress) at our other receptions. To see my post about that dress, click on the picture below!

Our Wedding

It's been a little over a year since our wedding, and I've been looking back and reminiscing a lot. I was recently the matron of honor at my cousin's wedding and helping her plan and prepare made me think more about our wedding, what I liked and what I would have done differently, and just how incredibly happy I was to finally be married to my best friend!

Having all of these thoughts swirling through my head, I thought I'd share them with all of you! You know, if you're interested ;)

So, starting this week, Mondays will be talking about our wedding, tips for brides planning their own weddings, maybe I'll even do some wedding inspiration posts.

Here we go!

The Dress: Part 1

   

The Dress: Part 2

   

The Cake

Invitations

The Rings

What Christmas Means to Me

It's Christmas Eve! This is my first year spending Christmas away from my parents and siblings (we're with the in-laws this year and so far it's been wonderful) and I've been thinking a lot about what Christmas means to me.

Christmas has always been centered around family. I love my family and I love spending time with them, but even if I was alone on December 25th, it would still be Christmas.

Christmas is also about giving. I always try to find a way to give service as well as gifts around Christmas. There were a few years growing up where my family was struggling financially and members of our church, family, and neighbors came together to give us groceries, clothes, and toys for Christmas. Even though I was very young, I still remember and am touched by the love I felt from them and from my Father in Heaven those years, and I try to do what I can to pay that forward and help those who have less than I do. Being a college student and expectant mother I don't have much extra financially, but I can spare a batch of cookies, a few hours of babysitting or cleaning, or just a kind note to someone who needs it.

Ultimately, Christmas is about Jesus Christ. He, who was the best example of unconditional love, selfless service, and who gave the greatest gift of his life so that we can be together with our families forever. Without him, we would have none of these things that make Christmas what they are. I am so grateful for him. I know that he lives. I know that it is through his grace that we are saved. I know that he knows us individually and has felt our pain and suffering and that he will always lift our burdens as we ask. I am am so thankful for that knowledge.


I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas, full of fun, laughter, joy, and the love of the Savior.
Merry Christmas!

How to Plan a Christmas Program

**UPDATE** I am so surprised that 8 years later, I am still getting requests to share this program! Though I’m proud of that program, I’ve organized several since then that I feel are much more centered on the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His gospel, so I would like to share the most recent of those with you. Nearly all of the text is taken from the scriptures. You could easily adapt this to be done with one narrator, but I found that by inviting several people to participate we were able to help nearly our whole ward feel known and included. The congregational hymns are taken from the book Hymns, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope that this helps you bring the spirit of Christ to your Christmas celebrations this year. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U6kxZx_BtF-rU-8iX8tTawWfJLjD2wQaJPf7z7FSr2M/edit

Original Post

This year I was in charge of putting together the ward Christmas program. It was a lot more work than I expected and I couldn't have done it without the wonderful people who helped with the readings and music, and of course, the Savior. Overall I think it turned out really well, and I'm excited to keep working on and improving this program.

For anyone looking to write their own Christmas program, let me just say, keep it simple. For text, use the scriptures. For music, look to the hymns before going elsewhere. A pattern that I've noticed in other programs and used for the one I wrote is to have one or two readers reading from the scriptures, with some commentary thrown in if you like, and musical numbers and speakers intermingled throughout as they correspond with the text.

Make sure that you ask people who you would like to participate, especially soloists, well in advance. This way they can have time to practice and feel comfortable with everything, plus it's just polite. Most people can't sightread their way through a complex piece. Give them time to learn it.

If you would like to borrow mine, or use it as a reference, you are more than welcome to! Here it is:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PBFcn4jMuMNjBWTWtla0lNcGM/edit?usp=sharing

The text I used comes mostly from the King James Bible. The hymns I used can be found here. "Come, Lord Jesus" is from a program that the LDS church puts on at the Conference Center every year called "Savior of the World," and can be downloaded here.

Have a very merry Christmas!

Has it Really Been a Year?

This Wednesday marks one year since my husband and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
One Year! When did that happen?

A lot of people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. I'm honestly not sure what they're talking about. This has been the happiest year of my entire life. We've had a lot of hard things happen in our family that were out of our control, but because of that our relationship was able to grow so much stronger than it would have otherwise. We've learned so much about communication, sacrifice, service, and love. Our testimonies of the love that our Father in Heaven has for us are unshakeable. We know that he is guiding or lives and we are so excited to continue this adventure together!

We are so glad that we were married in the temple. It is a big commitment to live our lives so that we are worthy to go there, but the blessings we have received are beyond imagining. If we continue to live the promises that we made to each other and to the Lord in His house, we will be together forever. Even after we die, we will not be separated. Isn't that so wonderful? It gives me so much comfort to know that no matter what happens, as long as I live the way God asks me to, I will never, ever have to say goodbye to my dear Cameron for more than a short time. We have also been promised to always have our children with us. What a comfort and joy that is. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where we have the authority from God to be sealed together forever, and to be taught His gospel, and to know of the sacredness and importance of the family in His plan.

Want to know more about LDS (Mormon) temples or doctrine? Feel free to ask me any questions you have, or visit www.mormon.org. This website answers FAQ, outlines the basics of our beliefs, can help you locate the nearest meetinghouse and times if you'd like to visit our church services, and missionaries available to chat online with if you have any questions. You can also receive a free copy of the Bible and/or Book of Mormon if you want one. I'd seriously recommend that you check it out this website for any information about what we believe.