Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

A month ago Keith got an invitation to the Oquirrh Moutain Temple open house. Strange, I thought, because DUH, everyone is invited! Anyway, this invite mentioned it was a VIP invite, which sounded oh so fancy and important. The only thing we could figure was that he got it because he is a memeber of the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce for work. We had to RSVP and got to go 3 weeks earlier than the public.

I've been to temple open houses before and it's usually just watch this little movie, walk in a line all through the temple, water and cookies at the end. Okay, I shouldn't make it sound like that because it's BEAUTIFUL and definitely worth going, but I was surprised this time. We watched the video and there was just a small group of us. We then were escorted through the temple and had a tour guide that stopped in each area and talked about it and let us ask questions. The temple was absolutely GORGEOUS, honestly one of the most beautiful I have been in. I loved the tile work, and near the baptistry there was a picture of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist that I fell in love with. I'm not really into art and it wasn't the typical picture you always see. The colors were amazing and it really just captured the moment for me. To all of you who go, you'll have to let me know what you think of it.

Afterwards they said we'd be leaving one way and going to a tent for refreshments, which again I assumed was cookies. We walked into this tent and I about fell on the floor. Honestly, the tent was decorated more beautifully than any home. I couldn't believe you could do that to a tent! And then there was a full on dinner buffet! SO YUMMY! Keith and I sat down to eat and met a nice couple from Salt Lake. I leaned over to Keith and asked him if he could be VIP a little more often! Honestly, it was a really neat experience. It would have been just as beautiful without all the extras, but it was sure nice to feel a little important for an hour!

I encourage all of you to go and see how beautiful this temple is. I love the temple and the way it makes me feel whether you are visiting the grounds or participating in temple work. We are planning on going with our friends and I can't wait to go see it again. (PS Carlie, we need to plan this!!!)

Camping

This weekend we went out camping for the first time this year. We were supposed to go with Keith's brother and his wife but that fell through so we went just the 3 of us and had a a really nice relaxing time! We ended up at Vernon Resevoir which was somewhere we had never been before. It was really crowded but someone must have left right before we got there because we ended up with a really decent spot! Gavin was an ANGEL the whole time, I was so impressed! He loved throwing rocks in the water and playing with his tractors. He is so cautious and it was nice to know that he wasn't going to get too close to the water or the campfire. We had rain one night and I always love when it rains camping because we have a trailer :) It stems from being younger and a bad trip to the Uintah's in a tent and the watermelon floating down the river. Dad, Amy and Brit will have a laugh at that one :)


Anyway, here's some fun pics! I'm so glad for the fun weekend I got to spend with my little family!

Ultrasound Pics

Here's some pics! I have a lot more but they all look similar or are really confusing (well to me anyway!)

It's a....

BOY!!!!

I knew it! I am so thrilled! I really wanted Gavin to have a baby brother to play with. I would have been happy either way, but I'm pretty sure this is what I truly wanted! I left my ultrasound pics in the car after this VERY LONG day, so I'll post them soon. But for the record...he's very cute :) Alright, from what you can tell anyway! It was so funny to see him squirming all over the place during the ultrasound. I don't remember Gav moving at all, even when they tried to get him too! The weirdest part was I didn't feel any of it! That will change at my next appt. for my 20 week ultrasound I'm sure!

Pregnancy Update

I wish I could say that I love being pregnant, but I don't. At all. Okay, I think I remember liking the baby moving, but I'm pretty sure that was it. So far...I haven't found anything new that I like. In fact, I'm pretty sure it has been slightly more awful this time. That might be due to the fact that I have a 2 year old to take care of this time around. Honestly, you people out there who love it and never get sick...well, you can just imagine what I am thinking about you right about now!

I have definitely been more sick this time around. Not so much that I throw up more (because I threw up just as much with Gavin. My record is 9 times in one day for you people who like that info) but with Gav, I would throw up and instantly feel better until I had to again. With this pregnancy I throw up and still feel yucky. I have been fortunate enough to feel pretty decent for about the past 3 weeks, but I seem to have fallen back into it again the last 3 or so days. Hopefully this will pass very soon!!! Then maybe I can remember that I like being a mother and the thought that I have created life, and feeling the baby move and all that.

I actually have started feeling the baby a little bit. It's just those first few slight little bumps in my stomach, but they are starting to give me hope!

I'm hoping to not have such a giant baby this time. My new Dr. has informed me that I will most certainly be induced early which is a huge plus if you ask me!!!

I have one craving all the time lately. Nachos. Not the good nachos from a nice Mexican restaurant...I want the cheap gas station nachos loaded with jalapeños. Apparently Keith is tired of running to the gas station for me because this is what I found when I woke up this morning....




Unfortunately, I walked into the kitchen, saw them, thought "Oh how sweet!", and ran to the bathroom. I apparently do not crave them for breakfast! Also, I'm a little concerned he thought I needed this much. Maybe I need to cut back a bit.....


For those of you who stayed through this long post of me whining...tomorrow is the big day!!! Pink or Blue will hopefully be determined (baby cooperating of course!) I'm very, very excited and glad that this has been a busy week so it's gone fast. I'm still guessing boy, so you all may get to laugh at my motherly intuition tomorrow! My appt. is very late in the day and then we are going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house right after, so it will be an evening post.

A Fish Called Water...

Gavin's friend Jaxson has a fish and apparently we have to keep up with the Martins! The other day Gavin kept telling me, "I want fish like Jax!!!" Over and over and over and well, mommy is a sucker. So we headed to Wal-Mart and got a fish and a cheap bowl (I'm not really ambitious about how long this fish will survive...) and brought it home. Gavin's favorite part was dumping the fish into the bowl. Surprisingly, he hasn't asked me to do it again which would most assuredly lead to the fish's demise. The best part was when I asked Gavin what he wanted to name his fish.

Mom: "Gavie...what do you want to name your new fishy?"

Gavin (without hesitation): "Water."

Mom: "Yes, buddy. The fishy swims in the water. What is his name?"

Gavin: "Water."

I gave up after this and decided I would ask him later. He still says Water when you ask. I'm pretty sure he understands what a name is because I can ask him what his name is and he says Gavie, or what's the baby's name pointing to his cousin Myah and he says Myah. Oh well! It's pretty fun to talk about our fish named Water! Notice I did not wipe the tank off for the photo. Gavin LOVES to give the fish bowl kisses.

Gramps and GG

The other day we were able to visit with my mom's parents who are here from New Mexico. The last time they saw Gavin he was only 5 months old so it was fun to be able to show them how much he has grown! I love my grandparents and am thrilled with anytime we get to visit. I didn't grow up near them and I think I've seen them in the last few years more than I saw them most of my life! I've always called my grandparents Paw-Paw and Gramma Peggy, but they decided they needed a different name for their 9 (soon to be 10!) great-grandkids to call them. They settled on Gramps and GG (for Great Grandma).

Gavin warmed right up to Gramps and I love his cute little face in this picture! You can tell just how much he loved Gramps reading to him!

Gramma Peggy taught my mom, Chelsea and I how to make Seafood Gumbo...the real Southern way! YUM! Some of the greatest memories I have of my Gramma Peggy are cooking things with her. I loved when we were visiting them in Lousianna before the hurricane and I learned how to peel fresh shrimp...with the heads on and everything! And she makes some of the most FABULOUS Po-Boys EVER!

I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was too busy visiting, but I'll post more that I steal from my mom!

Prophet, Mom!

Sometimes it really surprises me what kids grasp. There is this guy that always comes to say hi to the kids at the daycare at Marv. He's usually in his raquetball stuff and just a friendly grandpa type guy. Well, the other day he had already changed from his raquetball stuff and he stopped by the daycare wearing his suit and tie and missionary name tag. He's serving an inner city mission in Salt Lake. Well, he's talking to us and Gavin just stops and looks at him really intently. Then he hurries over to me and in this soft voice full of wonderment he says, "Prophet, Mom!" Although it wasn't the prophet (really didn't even look much at all like President Monson!) I thought it was so neat that Gavin would pick up on the reverence this man held. Of course, the guy got a kick out of it and he came in and put his name tag on Gav and asked him if he was going to go on a mission one day. Gav answered yes, which we will hope is one true! The man asked if I had a camera and I was glad I had it!

How sweet it is to me that the little things I try and teach him are starting to stick. I'm thankful that my son is able to grow up in the church and that he has already begun to feel the spirit. How thankful I am that he wants to say prayers and loves to see pictures of Jesus. Mostly I am greatful for a loving Heavenly Father who blessed me with the opportunity to be a mother to one of his children.

And the winner is....

US! Our bowling team took 1st place in the season finals!!! I was laughing so hard I couldn't believe it, I was almost crying! Being a dork has finally paid off! We beat out 15 other teams and got these awesome trophies...and yes, I will be displaying it, if you'd like to come over and see it :) I'm very proud of my teammates and a little sad that I can't do it next year. It will be way too much to take 2 kiddos with me. Thanks Amy and Andrea! It was a blast!!!!

Baby Game

It's that time again! Some of you participated in this the last time we were expecting so you're familiar with this, but if not and you would like to play click the picture to be routed to the game!!!!

Thanks! Keith and Janelle

Unbelievable Deal!!!

My awesome friend from back home had this posted it on her blog-so I'm just passing on the fantastic deal. Check it out-it's for real! Coupon codes do work...I've already taken advantage!!!

Nordstrom is changing the logo on their makeup, so they're selling almosteverything for $1!!!The make-up line e.l.f.(eyes- lips-face) has been bought out by Nordstrom and will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it. They are getting rid of the entire make up in ELF packaging.. They are selling everything for $1. You do have to pay shipping. They have everything - powder, mascara, lipstick, a mineral line (100% natural),brushes & cases, nail polish, lotions, you name it - it's there.

The website is :http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp
When you check out there is a space for a coupon code. Use CAROLINA and save an additional $7.50 if your order is over $15.00.

If you don't want the spend that much, you can enter 2SHIP for $2 shipping - I don't know if there is a minimum is on this because I spent more than enough to use the other code!!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!