Touchdown

Touchdown!

Can't wait to go with Daddy to my first BYU football game!

Parenthood 101

Since being a mom I feel I have already learned so much and I want to remember it for in the future so I am going to write it all down.

1.When you give your baby a bath and you dry them in their towel, RUN to put that diaper on and then you can cuddle all you want.  If you decide to cuddle while they are still in the towel, well... you may get a little more than wet!

2.Little girls are almost always "Daddy's Girls".  McKae loves to sit in dad's lap.  She will often calm right down.

3. Did you know the word "blow-out" does not always mean up the back?  Oh no, it could me out one side, or even a whole 360.  We have just learned to appreciate that McKae doesn't like them anymore than we do and she'll let us know what's going on.

4.  Baby girls are so reverent!  (This swing has been a lifesaver for us) 

5.  McKae may end up being a super dancer, because she has the best stretches I have ever seen.  We take her out of the car seat and lay her down and she will stretch EVERY part of her body and then just lay there.

6.  I have heard it said many times that time just seems to move too fast when you have a baby and I couldn't agree more.  Slow down and enjoy every moment or at least to learn to laugh at em' (refer to number 3.).

7.  I once heard it said that raising children will be the hardest job we will ever have to do, but that the joy that comes from them will be the GREATEST joy we will ever have.  I know everytime McKae smiles we see just what that means.  We love our sweet baby McKae!

It's a Girl!

Kaitlin is all hooked up to those ivy's, just waiting for that baby to come.  This picture was actually taken after the water broke so McKae is nearly a part of the family at this point!

It's a girl!  McKae is literally seconds old in this picture, getting cleaned up by the nurse.

The cone head is a testament to the ordeal both Mom and Baby had to go through!

But so worth it!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful pair?

I mean trio?

Next is a trip to the nursery...

Where McKae met an anxious Uncle Carl!

No name card yet for a while...Mom and Dad were still deciding on McKae

Uncle Carl

Uncle Gary!  We were so glad to see their excitement to meet McKae.  Everyone's support has been so great!

Melanie visited on Saturday and was a huge help!  Thanks!

Mom and Baby ready to go home!

Leaving the Hospital!

Cute!

Baby loves Daddy!

And Mommy!

Lesson Learned

This past week has been quite the week. My students were crazy and I was really struggling. I have been struggling to get through to one of my students who cannot focus. I did not know what to do. My incentives and discipline plan were not working and I was at a dead end. This child does not have an easy life by ANY means and I knew I needed to be the source of love and attention. I believe it was Jordan's grandpa that used to always say "The answer is always MORE LOVE". Well this particular day it stuck with me. I said a silent prayer that I could have more love for this child. Later in the day I was struck with another thought.." a soft answer turneth away wrath". I did it literally. As I spoke lovingly and almost in a whisper the events of the day took a whole 360. The next day, worried I had scared this child, the child came up and said with a big grin "You are a nice teacher!" I love how the Lord knows what we need to learn and the best ways for us to learn it. Every child needs love and more love on top of that.

Other recent news: I am now 28 weeks along and still kicking. Here is one of the few pictures we have. Everything is going great! My main cravings... cheese sticks, hamburgers, and fries!

Extra! Extra! Read All About it!

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

1. Our first bit of news is that we went and had our ultrasound before Christmas and we are going to have a BABY GIRL! Things are going great so far! We have already decided she will probably be a soccer player, because she loves to kick. We both love feeling her kick.

2. Jordan finished his first semester as a BYU MBA student and did awesome! Lately, we have felt so blessed to have a bunch of interviews for summer internships. After much prayer, list making, and contemplating we are headed to...

Cincinnati, Ohio
We truly could not feel more blessed and grateful for this opportunity to work for Proctor and Gamble in the state of Ohio for the summer. What an adventure it will be?! (I'm just excited to have a lil' buddy to keep me company this time).

3. Christmas was a blast! We spent the majority of it with the Ellingson family in Mesa, AZ. Man, I have a new love for oranges. We ate at least 2 a day. We then spent a little time with the Tingey's in Flagstaff, AZ enjoying a wonderful BYU bowl football game. I have slacked on all picture taking lately so this is all I have... hope you enjoy!

Jordan's little brother got a little puppy for Christmas. Let's just say I think I got a little attached. It was cold outside and I was worried about him so Jordan helped me come up with a plan. We found a sleeve from an old sweatshirt and turned it into a nice turtleneck sweater. Call me crazy!It was quite the blast having little kids (our nieces and nephews) around during the break. These two would sit on the chair while Jordan spun them around... they couldn't get enough of it. Jordan is going to be an incredible dad! I am constantly amazed with his love and compassion for all little children.

4. Teaching is great! If you are having a rough day, read this! Probably my new favorite quote from one of my students.
Background: We were celebrating a half birthday and the girl brought a box of candy hearts for each student. On the outside of the box it had pictures of hearts with some of the sayings. One of my boys started laughing hysterically.

Teacher: What are you laughing at?

Student: (Pointing to the box) It says b-f (making the letter sounds)

Teacher: Oh, ya that is BFF, it means best friends forever.

Student: (still laughing crazily) b-f means best friends forever!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage...

Then Comes ....(about 15 weeks)

A BABY IN THE BABY CARRIAGE!

We are so excited to announce that we are pregnant (due April 19th)! I am about 17 1/2 weeks and going strong. We have heard the heart beat twice and have felt so blessed to have been feeling fairly well. We will find out gender in about 3 weeks so let us know your guesses! We feel so lucky and blessed to be future parents and are thankful for both of our wonderful parents who have set perfect examples of how we want to be.

Other exciting happenings:
2 year anniversary
We celebrated our 2 year anniversary. The restaurant gave us the best seat and best food there was. Jordan also enjoyed his first ever corn maze. We also returned to the Salt Lake Temple to do sealings (until I nearly passed out and had to sit down). We always take a look at "our sealing room" as well. It was wonderful!The next morning we hiked to the top of Ensign Peak in SLC. It was a gorgeous view!
Football, football, football!We love to go to BYU football games. If we aren't watching them, then most likely one of us is at least dreaming about it (you guess who). We are die hard fans! Go Cougars!
Halloween Fun!(Just some of the girls)
We love our ward! We have made so many friends that we hope we can always continue to keep in contact with. We feel so lucky to be surround by such wonderful people and good examples!
(the guys)
Each of these guys have wives that are pregnant and so we were the group with all matching costumes.
*We also had a party with some of the old roomies! We made soup and played some fun games. Jordan and I are so glad that we have them around for just a bit longer.
* School this year, the Kindergarten team decided to be butterflies because we did a whole unit on insects this year and even had the caterpillars that turned into butterflies. It was so cool!
(Mrs. Menlove, me, and Mrs. Money)
My kids were awesome and we enjoyed going to a retirement home and singing a Halloween song to them. My kids loved it!
I know that is a total overload... but that is about how our life has been lately... crazy and fun!

Opportunities to Do Good

So lately I feel i have had more time to think about life and I have decided I just want to be a better person. I want to do more than just live my life on a day to day basis. I want to be able to find something special about it or something wonderful I can do. Daily I am reminded by the people that surround me that I am so lucky to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel happiness in the little things I do like reading scriptures, spending time with Jordan, and watching General Conference. My testimony has been growing so much lately. Tonight Jordan showed me a mormon message and I want to share it with you.
I am ready to do some good!