Living Planet Aquarium

We were able to make an unexpected quick trip up to our families for a couple of days before we started our family vacation in southern Utah.  We were able to spend two days with my family in Draper and then spent another two days up in North Ogden.  It was great to relax and be able to spend some quality time with our families.  

While we were visiting my family in Draper we went to the Living Planet Aquarium.  We had a great time looking at all of the fish, going through the shark tunnel and watching the penguins play.  Jacob even survived walking around with all of the school groups there so that was a win!

Inside the shark tunnel!

 

Petting the sting rays.  Jacob isn't showing it in this picture - but he LOVED it!

Looking at the penguins!

 

Year Three - Check!

Mark finished his third year of pharmacy school - 

WOOT WOOT!!!

I cannot even say how proud I am of my man.  This year was rough - so demanding and vigorous - and Mark was an unbelievable champ throughout it all.  He maintained a schedule that was just crazy and I have no idea how he even functioned most of the time.  He continued to be an all-star husband and dad.  He is amazing.  I love him so much and am very proud of all that he has accomplished.  So here's to you hun, we are in the final stretch!  Can you believe it?!!!

Mother's Day

I really love Mother's Day.  I love the opportunity to reflect on the role of motherhood, my Mother, my Mother-in-law, Grandmothers, etc.  Being a mother is one of the most rewarding - if not the most rewarding - gift I have ever been given.  My whole life all I've ever wanted to be was a mother.  It is humbling and wonderful.  And I truly thank my Father in Heaven every day for that blessing in my life and pray that I will be the type of mother that my children deserve.  

I have had many positive examples of motherhood.  My mother is wonderful.  She is selfless, kind, generous, forgiving, insanely creative, and supportive.  She is truly one of my best friends and I admire her in so many ways.  I am grateful for my wonderful second Mom.  She raised Mark to be such a kind and supportive man and he blesses my life every single day.  He wouldn't be who he is without the love and guidance of his Mom.  And she has always been so welcoming to me ever since the first day I met her (at Cafe Sabor in Garden City - do you remember?).  I am very grateful for such a wonderful second Mom.  

I am so grateful for the women in my life.  For sisters, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and friends who are just superstars.  I love the bonds of sisterhood.  And I am grateful for such a special day to think about all of those beautiful relationships.  

Life is Good

You know, life is an interesting thing.  It can be really difficult sometimes (as we all know!).  I've been doing a lot of thinking the last couple of days.  I feel like there is so much going on right now around here.  We are nearing the end of a huge chapter in our lives.  Mark is finishing his last classes this week which is completely bizarre and totally hasn't sunk in yet.  I am unbelievably proud of him and how hard he has worked the last three years.  The man is a rock star.  And even though we still have another year of "school" it will be different and that's exciting.  

The last couple months have been hard balancing lots of things.  The pregnancy for one is difficult for me which means it's difficult for the entire family.  But these boys have been so supportive and I wouldn't be able to go through every day without them.  But as hard as the pregnancy can be at times, it is A-MAZING!  We are creating life - that's kind of a big deal!  I love feeling our baby girl (and I love saying "baby girl" and "little sister" and may say it every chance I get!) grow and move.  I feel so blessed to see our family grow.  My family makes me so happy.  

We have a lot of big decisions coming up - some sooner than others - but they are on our minds.  I am so grateful that Mark and I have one another to lean on and talk things out together.  And even though life can be challenging and difficult - LIFE IS GOOD!  It really is.  That phrase just keeps repeating itself over and over in my mind.  

There is so much unknown in our future still and things don't always work out how we plan them, but life is still good.  Life is good because I have my two favorite boys by me every day.  Life is good because no matter what happens I can choose to accept and be happy with where life has taken me.  Life is just good and I am happy.  Not because I am perfect or that my life is perfect - but because I try and make the choice every day to see it that way.  

So this is us right now - plugging along at every day life - and that life is good :)

IT'S A GIRL!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

We are beyond excited!  Today we found out that we are having a healthy, baby girl!  We could not be more thrilled.  

It is definitely still settling in.  I keep trying to imagine our little family with a little girl in it and it is just crazy to me!  We are so excited.  It is just so different - but a really great different - I just keep thinking how Mark will be with a little girl, how I will be with a little girl, how already my mind has different joys, worries, concerns and a bazillion other things in thinking of a girl.  I can't wait.  

We are so excited.  Have I mentioned that yet?!  

Isn't this picture great?!  She is our little dinosaur!  She is yawning - I think it is a-dorable!

We cannot wait to meet this little girl.   

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

Yesterday, for our family fun activity we went to the Nature and Science Museum and saw their Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibit.  It was AMAZING!  It was huge and really interesting and their was so much to see and many hand-on things you could do too which combined to make one awesome visit!  

I love to try and immerse myself (even for just an hour) in an entirely different culture and time.  It is really just fascinating.  It was interesting to see what aspects of our ordinary, daily life has remained the same across time and various cultures.  And try and understand the differences too.  Mark and I agreed it was one of the best exhibits we have seen there.  It was awesome.  And the perfect little low-key activity we needed.  Win-Win!

After we were done we walked around outside for a little bit around the park.  It was a beautiful day and Jacob enjoyed being able to get out of his stroller.  It was a great morning.

Amazing to see the artistry and all that went into making these!

This was a replica of one of the many many altars that have been found from this civilization.  Underneath this altar they found that they had buried sixteen jaguars to give the altar more power or impact.  Interesting.

Believe it or not, this is the best picture we got from that day.  Sorry folks.  Not a good look for any of us...

Easter

We had a beautiful Easter.  I love this time of year.  It is a wonderfully perfect time to think of rebirth and starting anew.  I feel more reflective - especially on how I can improve and progress.  And, of course, this is all because of the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Because of Him we can improve and strive to be better every day.  Because of Him I can live with my sweet family forever.  Because of Him I have hope.  It is a beautiful time of year and I am loving it.  

Now for some cuteness...

Isn't he the cutest?!  Oh my goodness, I can't get over him.  He is such a joy in our home - I love him!  All I could think about this year while making his Easter outfit was that next year I get to make TWO!  I can't wait.