IT'S A GIRL!!!

Well, we've had our ultra sound and it's official: we're having a girl! We're both really excited. I guess Lauri's desires and wishes and dreams weren't for naught. Seeing the baby on the screen and realizing that she's actually there and growing sets in the realization that I'm going to be a dad and Lauri will be a mom. Part of the reason why I'm so excited that it's a girl is that I would be scared that a boy might just end up being just like I was as a kid. That would be like having 3 kids at once. I'm glad we've got a girl to start off with. As for names, we both really like the name Lucy, but that could change before the baby is born. The due date is still for February 28. Lauri says that she can feel the baby moving all the time as well. One time I thought I felt her move, but it could have just been my imagination.

In other news, we've come up with the decision that I'll be going to Graduate School to become an Occupational Therapist. We've decided that it's the perfect fit because I really want to help those with disabilities, don't necessarily want to be a teacher all my life, and love to work one-on-one with people. So this is our exciting news!

Gettin' Ready for Conference

I do love this time of the year. It's like the flashback sequence of a movie, only it's a whole season of flashbacks of all the years experiences for me. I was in Mexico this time 2 years ago. It was a precious experience that I will cherish my entire life. I remember very well the food, the people, but I often forget the little things that made that experience so unique. I was taking a walk in a neighborhood close to our house one evening, and accross the fence of a small house a rooster crowed. This immediately brought a smile to my face. For the 3 months I lived in my small village, the roosters were my alarm clock, with no snooze button. They started calling about 5:00 am in the morning and seemed to just wake one another up until you had an entire chorus of roosters singing through out the entire village. I didn't enjoy this as much then as I do the memory of it now.

October conference is always a memorable, because it means St George marathon time. When we were much younger, I remember my mom and dad often took their European gettaways about this time of year. Traci and I would usually stay with my Grandma Sullivan while they were away, but we liked to go and spend the Friday night before conference with our Grandma Rose, so we could wake up early and go watch the marathon in front of my dad's office. Actually the tradition started because one year we went and helped pick up cups that the runners would throw to the side of the road. Some of the volunteers saw us helping and gave us a free t-shirt. We thought that was the ultimate, so each year we would do the same thing hoping to get another t-shirt. I don't believe we were ever wished the same fate but we had fun and helped out regardless.

Now I love conference time, mostly just that it is conference time. I love to hear the prophet and all of the apostles. I love to hear the messages they have each prepared. James' mom always made home made cinnimon rolls during the Sunday morning session. Ever since we've been together, I've done the same, and I look forward to it. At our house growing up I just remember every TV being turned on to conference. You couldn't miss a bit of it even if you tried, because the prophet's words were ringing throughout the entire house.

I add my testimony to those that will be born this weekend. I do know that God lives and this is His church restored once again on the earth. I know Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and is the only one through which I can return to live with my Heavenly Father again. I love my family and know that I can live with them for eternity through Heavenly Father's plan. I love my dear husband and I am thankful for the priesthood he holds. I hope you all have a wonderful conference weekend and I hope it is appropriate to share all of that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Things that made me happy this week.

It seems like all week long there have been little things that have made me soooo happy. I usually find things to make me happy each day but this week, all of them stuck out as something special that I needed to share with someone else.

It's only September but the mountains have already begun to change colors. This started to cause me some anxiety in the beginning, and I couldn't quite figure out why, because I love to look and see the mountains painted orange, red, and yellow, all my favorite colors, but I always know that it doesn't last very long. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it or take in enough of it to last through the dreary winter. I later realized that this was the real source for my anxiety. As much as I enjoy the crisp fall weather, and the beautiful colors that come with it, it meant that winter was coming... and I am not prepared for that. I have realized that it is not a very healthy way to live, waiting in fear of every winter that comes. I have since committed my self to enjoy the colors on the mountains, and live in the moment. Enjoying what beauties God puts before me now.

James is currently working at Provo High School as a math aid. I came home on Thursday and these were sitting on our table. How happy did this make me???? So happy! My first instinct was to cut up the wallet size pictures and start handing them out to family and friends. This was something silly that made me happy, it was mostly just nostalgic thinking about when I was younger and we'd be so excited (or very unexcited if the pictures turned out terrible, but at least you could find comfort that retakes were just a couple weeks later) to show my mom and change our old picture on the wall to the new and improved version for the year. I told him I wanted to frame the 8X10 and hang it on our wall. He admitted that he wondered if he should even show me them in the first place, obviously anticipating such a reaction from his overly sensitive wife. We didn't hang them up, but it made my day.

James knows when I make a meal that really hits the spot, because he hears my praises for hours after the meal has been cleaned up, and on occasion into the next day. We happened to have two of those meals this week. We made my friend Michael's italian beef on Tuesday. It was delicious, but even more delicious than the beef and the salad that I made to go with it was the great company that we had. Ashley, my old roomate and her fiance James happened to be wandering around Provo and she called to see if she could stop by. I always make too much food, so we had plenty to share. It was a great and perfectly composed meal.

The next day I made my mexican rice and beans that we ate with fresh corn tortillas. DELICIOUS!!! I love beans. I dare say they are my favorite food, and I couldn't get enough of this. I've been eating it all week long, because I made so much. I think it was one of Traci's roomates that made the comment once, "you guys talk about food so much." I do love food. And I love cooking for James. It's something that makes me happy everyday, to be his wife.

Monday I had my first doctors appointment. I wasn't expecting to have an ultra-sound but that's where they sent me. It was so fun to see that there is actually a growing human being inside of my growing uteris and not something else. Everything looked healthy and with the measurements taken they even upped my due date, to February 28th. I met my doctor for time and was glad to find that he did come well recommended from others not just the nurse at the Orem community hospital.

This made James happy today and he took a picture of it himself. I have nothing more to add except that we are all happy and well, and our baby continues to grow and we both continue to stay busier than we want to be sometimes.

On Our Way to Being Parents

Lauri is starting to notice her stomach getting bigger and bigger whether she likes it or not. She went and bought some maternity clothes the other day because nothing is fitting anymore. Oh, the joys of a being pregnant. Tomorrow Lauri goes in for her first appointment and then we should have a calculated due date. We are currently on week 16. Seeing all of these other couples in the ward with children always gets us excited to be parents. We also watched a BBC Special called the "Miracle of Birth," which made us both excited to have a child as well nervous all at the same time. You can kind of see Lauri's belly started to stick out in this picture. But as always, she looks great!

I just sent out a lot of family history to my family and talking about being a father reminds me of the experience that my ancestor describes of the birth of his first child, Owen Mets Stewart:

"The long and anxiously looked for day had arrived and Owen put in an appearance just a few minutes before midnight, or a few minutes after midnight. I was too excited to tell exactly, but he was present and that was the big thing for me at this particular time and place. I felt that a great battle had been won, the child was born and the mother who had been lingering between life and death for hours and hours had passed, at least, the first milestone. And now while the doctor was working with her I was watching the heir that had been the cause of all the trouble and while it seemed an age to me, when in reality it could not have been but a moment or two, I wanted to be sure that he was alive, for as yet he had not moved, or breathed; and while I waited those ages of 60 seconds each, there was many reflections passing through my mind. For mama and I had been married for ten long years and this little stranger, although it seemed that I had always known him, was the fist that had come to brighten our home. And would he stay or would I have to wait for another. But soon my hopes were renewed for I saw something which I cannot describe, a vibration, a shudder, or a thrill or a something and behold the babe was alive, a real live baby and my own; as he cried my heart was overjoyed as the truth began to dawn upon my soul that I was a father."

Happy Birthday to ME!

I could really care less that I turned 23 (again) this year. Actually the number doesn't mean anything to me. I just see my birthday as the best excuse to party however I want to. And I make sure every year that I have a blast. This year was no exception. But just to prove my point, lets look back at the series of Birthday Celebrations for the last several years.

August 18, 2006

That's right, I was in Disneyland! Need I say more??!! If you ever get the chance to be in Disneyland on your birthday, DO IT!!! I've never had so much fun. You get to wear a button and everyone, I mean EVERYONE, wishes you a Happy Birthday. Oh and you should buy some ridiculous crowns that flash lights and wear those all day too.

August 18, 2007
I don't have a picture for this one, but my mom does. It just so happened that the premier of "High School Musical 2" fell on my birthday. We had a huge party with lots of food, all the girls from my relief society were invited, my awesome roomates, my mom was there and Traci surprised me too and showed up. It was not a disappoinntment. HSM2 was filmed in St. George and it was so fun to pick out familiar places and a few local faces as we watched the musical drama unfold.

August 18, 2008



This was a good one! We were down in St. George, and probably a little bored, so Traci and I came up with the idea to through a themed birthday party. I loved themed birthday parties growing up. The kind where you got little baggies filled with candy and toys before you left. The kind where the cake had figures on them that you could keep after the cake was devoured. The kind where adults are dressed in silly costumes and lead all of the kids in silly games. Back in the day our calendars were ruled by the next upcoming birthday party.

We decided upon princesses and pirates. That way no one was left disappointed. It was all that was described above and so much fun.

This actually took place the weekend before my birthday. Jack Johnson came to visit on my birthday in Salt Lake USANA Amphatheater. He sang to me all night long. WONDERFUL!!

August 18, 2009

James and I started dating (we say anyway) on July 18, 2009. Just one month before my birthday, I visited him in Silver City, we had our first date in Deming, NM and I spent the next couple of days with him. When I finally left the following Monday at 4:00 in the afternoon, I would not see him again for another month. We talked everynight, but I missed him so.

James returned to Provo, Utah for the upcoming fall semester just around my birthday. This was the first time I had seen him in a month. We hiked the Y that day. Then we went up to West Bountiful and saw my sister. She had made me an Awesome Rollerblade cake for my Birthday. Another great birthday!

August 18, 2010


James and I love to attend musicals. It's one love that we realized we had in common from the beginning. We've been to many. Pirates of Pensance is one I've wanted to see ever since I met him. I found it was playing at the Hale Center theater around my birthday, and that sealed the deal. I bought these tickets months ago in anticipation of a good time. James thought it was funny that I didn't really have any surprises on my birthday. It's not that I don't like surprises, I just feel like it's my birthday, why leave the planning of it to anyone else. I know I'll have a good time if I plan it.

James did surprise me though. He wrote me a book, similar to the one he gave me when he proposed. Only this one was about our wedding day. I've been begging him to write about it for months. He finally did and put it together with my journal entries. It was perfect.

So there you go. Another momentuous birthday. No disappointments. Just fun. Next year we'll have a third to celebrate with us in our home, which will just add to the fun.

Despicable Me. a post by James

Well, school is out and I've got two weeks of vacation. We've already got lots of things planned since this is Lauri's birthday week. But a reflection on last summer term...One of the things that we have both noticed about this last summer semester is that I have a strength that I never knew I had. This strength is analyzing literature and movies. I really enjoyed my Spanish Lit. class and I feel like I do better with Spanish than with English sometimes. Before I could tell people when I really liked something, but now I have the tools and ability to explain why. Also, I feel that it brings more meaning which makes me like the book or movie or play or whatever it is even more. Take the movie "Despicable Me," for example, which we both loved. Here's my thoughts that I'd like to share with everyone.

There are two symbols in the movie "Despicable Me" which stand out. One is the moon and the other is the unicorn. These are both symbols of filling in the empty holes of our hearts. Let me explain by first discussing the symbol of the moon in relation to Gru.

First off, the moon's physical features help us understand what it represents, for the moon itself has holes. This makes it a perfect symbol. We learn from the flashbacks into Gru's life what the moon really really represents for him, the thing which he is missing. The moon represents the affection that he never received as a child. In his way of thinking, reaching the moon will fill in what he has missed. However, Vector prevents Gru, over and over again, from ever realizing his dream. Ironically though, Vector is actually a symbol of Gru himself. Vector is everything that Gru wants to be as a villain. The parallelism between Vector stopping Gru from reaching the moon, what he thinks will fill in his "holes," is that it's really Gru himself that is preventing him from actually reaching what will really fill in his "holes." We see Gru finally reaching the moon, shrinking it, and laughing in triumph only to realize that he's still left empty. Not until he sees the ticket to the ballet recital does it dawn on him how to fill in the holes of his heart. In triumphing over Vector, Gru actually triumphed over himself. Now, with no one really stopping him, he goes after the girls, who finally gains what he's always been looking for.

The unicorn represents what the girls are missing in their lives - a fatherly figure. At the beginning of the movie when we first meet the girls, the youngest one starts singing a song about unicorns by which the other two are completely annoyed, showing us that only the youngest girl holds onto the hope of someday being adopted and having a guardian that cares for them. and when the girls are finally adopted by Gru, the unicorn gets disintegrated, representing their dashed hopes. None of them believes Gru will ever be anything more than a villain. However, the makeshift unicorn that is brought back is the small hope that the girls may somehow be able to cope with their situation and at least have the minions as company. Then, at the moment when Gru wants to drop off the girls and never return for them, he ends up accompanying them throughout the theme park. Of course, at this point the biggest, fluffiest unicorn is shown in the whole movie. Even the older girls start to believe in having a true fatherly figure someday. Then, at the end of the movie, Gru makes a puppet unicorn book, but who represents the unicorn in the book? Why, none other than Gru. For he is the one who sticks his nose through the puppet book. Then Gru changes from being the figurative unicorn to becoming the actual unicorn, or true fatherly figure, by kissing each one of the girls before they fall asleep.

Happiness.

I've mentioned before that James and I don't often eat out. Or we try not to. We went to Panda Express this last week. We chowed down our chou mein and orange chicken and read our fortunes from our cookies. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted when I read my fortune. It read: "You and your spouse will be happy in life together" Not only will this come to pass, but has been the case since we got together on July 18th just over a year ago. With out being over the top and grossing anyone out, I love James and I am so thankful for him everyday. He makes me SO happy and I know exactly where I'd be with out him, but frankly, I'm grateful to be here instead.



So we still need to buy a camera. Actually we have a long list of things we need. Currently our Laptop isn't working, we have no Internet or cable that wants to work, and I could really use a trip to Disneyland or North Carolina. But we are saving. Always saving. I'm not really sure for what... Mostly it's just hard to spend a lot of money on anything for both of us. Even things we need. I mention this only because still we have a lack of new pictures. I have even been trying to take more with my old camera but because my laptop doesn't work I can't plug in my SD card directly into my computer and there isn't a converter for SD cards on BYU campus computers. And because my camera was a hand-me-down from my mother we don't have a usb cord for my camera. You can see the dilemma. I really only mention any of this because I promised my dear sister, so far away, one new blog a week. and I failed to keep my promise last week. Which I apologize but I feel there is a little justification, but I will not let it happen again. I promise, dear sister. My blogs may be with out new pictures for a while longer but I will be faithful. I will write. I do have something to say. And I will have more to say in the future. ;)