Third Trimester, Birthday Bliss, and Mother's Day Miracles

Last Friday I turned the big 2-3.  I thought we would just do something simple here in Layton to celebrate but Johnny convinced me that it would be much better to have a little birthday getaway to St. George.  I had only driven through St. George in the past so I was excited to explore a new place with Johnny.

He had unused personal days at work so he took off Thursday and Friday for the trip. We started our 5 hour drive Thursday morning and I'm not going to lie, I handled it like a third trimester champ!  That's right, I'm 28 weeks along and so ready to get this baby here!  We came prepared with snacks and packed lunches, so when we stopped to gas up the car, I got a bathroom break, a nice walk, and a nutritious meal.  That's all a pregnant woman ever needed.

It was raining on and off when we got to St. George but we were still able to get in some great hiking right away.  We had time to kill before we could check into our hotel so we were happy that the rain let off a bit.

We checked into our hotel and went for a little swim.  Thanks, Emily, for sending me those maternity swimsuits!  Something tells me I would rip the stitching out of my other suit at this point.

For dinner we went to a delicious restaurant called Benja's Thai.  It was in the cutest little area of St. George, the downtown historic district.  Plus it had the most delicious crab wantons either of us had ever tried in our lives- yum!

We visited the temple and had a really great time there.  It was so beautiful and even just walking along the grounds felt so peaceful.

The next morning we had a nice breakfast at the hotel and then checked out.  We wanted to do a little more hiking before heading back home and we were able to find the coolest place to climb around.  It was called the Red Crack or St. George Narrows and it was the skinniest little pass to get through!  I couldn't fit because of my belly, but Johnny made it through when he held his breath!  It was so much fun.

 

When we got home that night we went to Margo and Daren's house for cake and ice cream.  That pretty much topped off my birthday celebration.  It was one to be remembered.

On Saturday we brought Ryan to Willard Bay so we could join our friends Mark and Jadda on their boat.  It was a blast!  The water was very cold so Mark let me wear his wetsuit for a quick swim.  The rest of the crew did some wakeboarding and tubing which was actually super fun to watch.

Johnny showing off

It felt so amazing to lay on my stomach for the first time in 7 months!

Brothers on a tube

Of course Lucy is wearing a life jacket! Safety first. 

The next day was Mother's Day and it was fun to celebrate it for the first time.  Johnny got me flowers and we spent the day at Margo and Daren's with lots of Johnny's siblings.  Oh, and I made my very first turkey!  I'm ready to be a mom now.

Sorry for the long post but we had so much fun last weekend it just had to be documented.

Tulips and Temples

On April 23rd, Johnny and I celebrated our two year anniversary.  Time sure flies when you're having fun!

Our anniversary was on a Tuesday this year so we celebrated the weekend before (and, of course, a little bit of celebrating on Tuesday).  On Saturday, we went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  It's a beautiful garden full of beautiful flowers and I've always wanted to go.

After Johnny got back from work on Tuesday, we drove down to the Bountiful temple- the place where it all began.

 2011

2013

We had a great experience there on our anniversary.  It reminded us of the importance of our marriage covenants we made and the blessings we have already received and have in store for our future.  I'm so grateful that Johnny and I started a forever family in 2011 and I can't wait to add the newest member in three months!

After the temple we had a great dinner at Paradise Bakery and then we drove back home for the night.  We aren't really big into anniversary presents, but we did get some little gifts for each other.  Johnny gave me the book, "What to Expect in the First Year," which I really wanted to help answer some questions about what the heck I'm supposed to do with a baby.  Johnny's a sweetheart.  

I just made him a little picture slideshow full of our memories since we became friends in 2009.  It was so fun to relive the happy times from our history. 

Here's to many more years ahead of us!

Mom's Utah Visit

Like I mentioned earlier, my mom came to visit for two weeks last month!  It was such a blast and I wish she never had to leave.  Every other time Mom has come to Utah since I've lived out here, things have been super hectic with weddings, graduations, and other big events.  There have been schedules to maintain and not much, if any, time to relax.  This trip was different.  My Aunt Carol got Mom out here for a sisters trip in Park City, so even though she spent some time there and some time in Provo with Laura, I got lots of one on one time with Mom.

We did lots of shopping and she helped me find some maternity clothes.  We went out to eat a lot, because Mom and I love not having to cook.  She completely spoiled Johnny and me and of course we loved that, too.

We celebrated Mom's birthday with a delicious Mexican food dinner and a surprise birthday cake courtesy of Margo. The night my in-laws got back from two weeks in Australia, Margo still finds the energy to get Mom a birthday cake.  She's a sweetheart. 

Two things Mom loved about staying at my house: the horses and my growing belly.

Here we are shopping at City Creek.  I'm pretty sure I shopped more in the two weeks my mom was here than I have in the last five years I've lived in Utah.  It was tiring on this pregnant body!

I know Mother's Day is still over a week away, but I might as well take this time to say that I have the best mom in the world.  She is caring, loving, smart, spiritual, and so patient.  She's the perfect example of what a mom should be and I hope I can be just like her when I'm raising my son.  I love that we can just talk and talk for hours at a time and not run out of things to say.  My siblings and I are lucky to have her as our mom.

It's hard for me to live far away from my family back in Arkansas, but these visits make it a little bit easier.  Except when the company leaves and I miss them so much because I remember how great it is to be around them.  Of course Mom made it easier on me in her own thoughtful way.  When I went to change the sheets upstairs, I found this little surprise.

Best Mom ever!

I'm thankful Mom came out here and I'm thankful Dad allowed it:)  Now I get to look forward to our trip back home in June to see the family again!