Fashion 101

Today when we got home from church I promptly started making dinner and just as promptly Chris got out of his suit and tie. When he emerged from the bedroom I lost it laughing. I looked him up and down to see him wearing red Nike basketball shorts and a red hoodie and ON HIS FEET was a pair of bright blue socks. Socks I HAD NEVER laid eyes upon before and I do the laundry… I thought I knew all of this clothing by now... think again!

I was perplexed and through my laughter was able to ask him WHOSE socks they were… he said they were his and he had bought them for himself because they are “so warm!” My first reaction was to tell him to take them off! He wouldn’t- he insisted on keeping them on.  I told him that I had to take a picture and blog about it…

When we were sitting down to dinner I was grumpy and as he was walking to the table I looked at his feet and had to make myself stop smiling in order to stay mad. I cannot believe that he owns a pair of socks like this!!

One Proud Mama... Already

On Thursday I went to the doctor- a blessed weekly event now- and she measured my fundal height to be 39 cm which apparently hadn’t changed from the two weeks before. The doctor got worried and insisted that I go for an ultrasound the next day despite me telling her that I knew I had grown. My evidences- I can no longer sit with my legs together, getting up takes real effort, my belly is constantly as tight as a drum, my one stretch mark on either side of my belly have multiplied and are now visible without me pulling my belly up to see them, and the fact that the babies movements are so real now because they have gotten bigger- were all NOT good enough reasons to convince her that I had grown.  I came home and told Chris and he said she can’t tell by just looking at you how much bigger you have gotten in the last two weeks!

So yesterday we went for an ultrasound- both babies had grown a pound and a half in three weeks… take that Doctor. Twin B weighs 5lbs 10oz and twin A weighs 5lbs 7oz. After seeing our little girls again and falling more in love we sat in the waiting room to get the okay to leave. I was resting my head on Chris’s ample arm (church hymn!!) no just kidding his shoulder and I said to him Chris I am already such a proud mama. I was so proud that our babies had grown so much and I was a proud mama that for the non-stress test they were “excellent babies” as per the nurse who did the test. We have another ultrasound scheduled in 2 weeks… we will see if we make it that far AND how big they are then… but for now I am carrying 11lbs of baby around and LOVING most of it!

Our little miss twin B is ever scrunched. Her feet visible near her face in this shot!

Before we went to the ultrasound we went to Old Navy- Chris wanted some sweaters for work and I happily accompanied him- as we were walking in the doors I said you know I have other motives for being here. He thought I meant I wanted to buy things for me- to which I laughed and said what can I wear from here!!

The one thing I have been dreaming about buying for our girls is dresses for the day they get blessed at church. It is really the only thing I insist on buying and it being perfect. It is really the only clothing I have bought for them- everything else has been given to us second hand.  I brought two dresses over to Chris and showed him and he thought they were pretty cute. I told him we wouldn’t get them because it was just too much money to drop… then seeing that he was okay with the expenditure I quickly changed my tune and said but you know it is the only outfit I really care about it has to be perfect so why don’t we just get them… SO WE DID! I can’t wait to see our little girls in them… and here is a sneak peak!

As Per Request

Here is a photo of my new hair cut... please remember that I am VERY pregnant with TWINS!! Oh and I have a cold and didn't sleep very well last night...

I went to a place called Felice Salon and it is an Aveda salon. Needless to say it was beautiful and relaxing and brand new and I of course loved the details ie bathroom sink, mirrors, and general decor. I think I have found my place to get a hair cut in Victoria! 

My Inspirations

After weeks of thinking about getting my hair cut I have finally made an apointment... and it is tomorrow morning! I am so excited. Tonight I went looking for an idea of what I want. this is what I found...

No need to fret- these photos only represent my hair inpsirations-- not the type of woman I aspire to be!!

Things Unspoken

Yesterday we reached the milestone of 34 weeks pregnant with twins and as such the weekly non-stress tests start. Non- stress tests last for approximately 20 minutes and they put a monitor on each babies heart and record their heart beats, it also monitors changes in pressure on my belly and I hold a button and push it every time one of the babies moves- the desired outcome is to see how the babies are doing. The babies were wonderfully cooperative and as I was leaving the nurse said to me “keep doing what you are doing because those babies are just doing great!” As I left the hospital I noticed how happy I was and it made me realize the significance of the little kind things that people say to us that just make us feel so good about what we are doing.

It made me remember a time when I was in my first trimester and just feeling awful, I had been at work and on my way home I was starving and decided that I was too tired to make anything so I better get Subway on the way home. I stopped at subway and ordered a sub- just after I ordered I thought oh wait do I even have my wallet with me… I searched frantically through my purse to find that it was indeed NOT THERE. I told the lady that I didn’t actually have my wallet- sorry but just to put it back as I couldn’t pay. She asked me if I would come back for it and I said no by the time I get home I will be too tired to come back. This kind kind kind girl behind me in the line said “oh I’ll get it for you” I protested and she said “no no let me do that for you” and I STARTED crying!! HAHA I told her I was pregnant and just not having a good day- she was just so nice to me.

I just think it is wonderful that people are placed in our paths that do or say things that are just what we need and make us feel loved, even though they can be complete strangers.

I have noticed that since moving to a new ward, the people I spend time with has changed, as it naturally would. I have noticed that I have become much shyer and don’t say the kind things that come to my mind about those around me. It has been my goal for some time to share the kind thoughts that I have to those I have them about. I used to be so good at telling people these things. It is my goal to change.

Over the years I have noticed that no matter how “good of friends” you are with someone when you say something kind to them it never makes things awkward- in fact in my experience it always breaks down barriers and friendships are developed. Never leave a kind thought or complement unsaid!!

Self Control

Tonight after dinner, Chris suggested that we go to Dairy Queen for peanut buster parfaits. I thought it was a grand idea and quickly agreed. When we parked our car and I was pulling myself out of the car, the thought entered my mind that I can barely move properly anymore and yet I am going to go eat some cool treats… this thought quickly dashed as I thought about how much I wanted a peanut buster parfait.

We got our cool treats from Dairy Queen, Chris ended up getting a MINI BLIZZARD and I had a huge peanut buster parfait. I felt like the stereotypical pregnant lady who can’t control herself… as we walked out the doors a car pulled in with a middle aged couple in it, I immediately felt foolish carrying my huge parfait. I looked in at them only to see them with huge grins on their faces and I immediately assumed they think I just have to have treats.

When Chris and I got into our car I remarked on how EVERY TIME I get a treat I want to put on a sign that says “I RARELY DO THIS!” because I feel like people are always looking at me thinking… there is another pregnant lady eating whatever she wants!!  Every time I am at the grocery store and have chips in my shopping cart I want to tell everyone “these are for my husband not me!”

I have been really good about what I am eating; I haven’t been to Dairy Queen in months! I am not that pregnant lady who can’t control herself… in fact on the way home my husband said “you have great self control for a pregnant lady!” So there you have it!!

 Why do I feel so self conscious about every one’s eyes on me? I do not know. Maybe they are actually looking at my belly thinking oh how wonderful- or something kind along those lines.

I know the first day of spring is not until March 20^th but I feel as though spring is here! As I was driving around Victoria today with my window rolled down smelling the fresh cut grass and seeing the cherry blossoms on the trees I couldn’t help but think- Spring is HERE!!!

A few nights ago I woke up with what I assume were Braxton hicks contractions. I slowly sat up in bed and tried to understand what was happening to my body as I had been in a deep sleep. I decided I needed to walk around to make them go away… so I did… and they did! As Chris woke up and realized what was happening he said “we’re not ready” I responded “in what way do you mean” he promptly said “we don’t have our bags packed and we only have 1 car seat!” It was then that we both decided enough is enough we needed to get the final things we needed. Lucky for me that meant shopping!

Today, after I made a delicious breakfast to celebrate March Madness (NCAA Basketball Tournament), I trundled off to stores to make my purchases. I had been online shopping for months and knew exactly what I wanted- I wanted a diaper bag from the states but realized getting it here was going to be a huge pain AND I kind of need it now… just in case. I am fairly picky but today I FOUND ONE!! It was 50% off and it is huge!  It fits perfectly on the shoulder and has great compartments inside- includes a change pad, a thermal bottle holder and a wipe container.

I also purchased a car seat- we had bought one second hand that was used for 6 weeks by grandparents with a visiting grandchild- and so I bought the same one brand new today- it was on sale!!

 I also purchased a crib mattress- which they had to order so it will be here early April- but I don’t need it right away. Earlier this week I bought crib sheets and more receiving blankets.

I also purchased a breast pump- the dreaded but ever so necessary purchase.

Unless there is something I have forgot something- which is entirely possible (despite the fact that I have made SEVERAL lists) - we have purchased all we NEED.

We are ready- spring is here and our babies are not… YET!

Oh just for the fun of it I took a picture of myself today- this is what I currently look like- 33 weeks and 4 days!

THE VAN

Two Saturday nights ago our car broke down. I had just left a bridal shower to go and pick up Chris from Café Yucatan and as I was driving there I was thinking “oh no the car is getting worse FAST!” We knew something was wrong with the steering as making tight turns was getting increasingly difficult. As I was driving through Royal Oak I thought to myself “I hope I just make it to Chris”… I should have wished that we made it home. I picked him up, we proceeded down the road about 2km only to start to feel as if an anchor had been dropped out of the bottom of our car and was dragging against the pavement! We parked it off to the side with enough room for a tow truck to get in front and called Dave Wight for a ride home. As we drove home we realized we had to drive “the van” to church the next day. Dread and laughter struck us! Chris has a van that he uses to transport all of his painting equipment from job site to job site. It is FULL of “stuff” and reeks of paint. There are 7 ladders on top- one of them a 40ft ladder AND my legs were cramped up every time I sat in the passenger seat- as there are boxes and cords all piled up... adding meaning to the sentance "FULL of stuff".

We got our car towed in to the shop on Monday and proceeded to drive the van all week. Needless to say I didn’t drive anywhere and was cooped up in our house all week. Chris had about 15 estimates for work that week and he had to drive the van to them all.

Needless to say every time we got home from being in the van we were both grumpy. One night when trying to fall asleep after a particularly hard day (a day when we were told our car would be fixed… and wasn’t) Chris lost it- his true feelings about driving the van came out. I had had a doctor’s appointment that day and he dropped me off and went to the grocery store- I was done very quickly and decided to walk to the store and enjoy some fresh air. He confessed that night with great frustration “I felt like such a chump, pulling over in the van to pick up my 32 month pregnant wife…” I cut him off in laughter and said 32 WEEKS!!

The next Sunday when we had to again drive to church in the van we laughed after Chris remarked “oh the early years of marriage!”

We have never been more grateful for our grandma car!!

Where Can I Turn for Peace?

This last week was one of high highs and low lows. It was a week that found me in tears often for a short period of 24hrs. Over the years I have developed a testimony for which I have never been more grateful for then this past week. I want to share some of the things that I heard or read that made me peaceful and happy- that made the unexpected events of life an ant hill instead of a mountain.

Something I heard that I loved was “Heavenly Father handcrafts the situations of our life.” Sometimes things happen that make me wonder why me? Why now? Haven’t I experienced enough? or I can’t do this… the list is endless and the scenarios that get me there endless as well… I was thinking most if not all of these things one day this past week and when I heard that phrase my heart rejoiced as the Spirit confirmed the truth of that statement. I watched several Mormon Messages that made my heart rejoice as I knew that I was not alone, and that there was nothing I couldn’t do with the help of the Savior. I wanted to post some of my favorite Mormon Messages here.  I just love them and I hope they work!

Another thing that helped me a lot this week, and really helps me every day was the knowledge I have of who I am. This week I read (again) a talk by Sheri Dew- it is from 2001 and is called Knowing Who You Are- and Who You Have Always Been. I am going to put my favorite quotes from that talk up here… (there are lots) I wish I could give a talk on this or a lesson… maybe one day! I can’t wait to teach my children about who they are. To teach them that all human beings- male and female- are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

Quotes:

As a people, we talk and sing constantly about who we are. Three-year-olds know the words to "I Am a Child of God." The Proclamation on the Family declares that we each have a divine destiny. The second Young Women's value is divine nature. And the very first words in the Relief Society Declaration are, "We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction." And yet, with all our talking, do we really believe? Do we really understand? Has this transcendent doctrine about who we are-meaning who we have always been and, therefore, who we may become-permeated our hearts?

Our spirits long for us to remember the truth about who we are, because the way we see ourselves, our sense of identity, affects everything we do. It affects the way we behave, the way we respond to uncertainty, the way we see others, the way we feel about ourselves, and the way we make choices. It affects the very way we live our lives. So, today, I invite you to ponder in a new way not just who you are but who you have always been.

Unveiling this knowledge would be easier if we could remember what happened in our premortal life. But we can't. We can't remember the glory of our former home. We have forgotten the language we spoke there and our dear companions with whom we associated. We cannot recall the "first lessons [we learned] in the world of spirits" (D&C 138:56) or the identities of our heavenly tutors. We cannot remember what promises we made to ourselves and to others and to the Lord. Nor can we remember our place in the Lord's heavenly kingdom or the spiritual maturity we achieved there.

There are, however, some remarkable things that we do know. We know that we were there, in the heavenly councils before the foundations of this earth were laid. We were there when our Father presented His plan, and we saw the Savior chosen and appointed, and we sanctioned it. We were there among the heavenly host who sang and shouted for joy (Job 38:7). And when Satan unleashed his fury against the Father and the Son and was cast out of heaven, we were there, fighting on the side of truth. In fact, President George Q. Cannon said that "we stood loyally by God and by Jesus, and . . . did not flinch."3 We believed. We followed. And when we fought for truth in the most bitter of all confrontations, we did not flinch.

God, who saw the "end from the beginning" (Abraham 2:8), foresaw perfectly what these times would demand. Thus, said President George Q. Cannon, "God . . . reserved spirits for this dispensation who [would] have the courage and determination to face the world, and all the powers of the evil one," and who would "build up the Zion of our God, fearless of all consequences."6

Can you imagine that God, who knew us perfectly, reserved us to come now, when the stakes would be higher and the opposition more intense than ever? When He would need women who would help raise and lead a chosen generation in the most lethal spiritual environment? Can you imagine that He chose us because He knew we would be fearless in building Zion.

 Noble and great. Courageous and determined. Faithful and fearless. That is who you are, and that is who you have always been. Understanding that truth can change your life, because this knowledge carries a confidence that cannot be duplicated any other way.

Satan, of course, knows how spiritually potent the knowledge of our divine identity is. He hates women of the noble birthright. He hates us because he is almost out of time, while we are en route to everlasting glory. He hates us because of the influence we have on husbands and children, family and friends, the Church and even the world. It is no secret to him that we are the Lord's secret weapon.

Clearly, Satan wants us to see ourselves as the world sees us, not as the Lord sees us, because the world's mirror, like a circus mirror in which a 5'10" woman (that's me) appears two feet tall, distorts and minimizes us. Satan tells us we're not good enough. Not smart enough. Not thin enough. Not cute enough. Not clever enough. Not anything enough. And that is a big, fat, devilish lie. He wants us to believe that there is no status in being a mother. That is a lie, an evil lie. He wants us to believe that the influence of women is inherently inferior. And that is a lie.

But though we don't always see beyond our hair and our clothing, the Lord does.

Thus Satan's all-out attempt to prevent us from understanding how the Lord sees us, because the more clearly we understand our divine destiny, the more immune we become to Satan.

We will never be happy or feel peace; we will never deal well with life's ambiguities; we will never live up to who we are as women of God until we overcome our mortal identity crisis by understanding who we are, who we have always been, and who we may become.

Asking in faith, fasting and praying, repenting regularly, forgiving and seeking forgiveness, worshiping in the temple where we may "receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost" (D&C 109: 15), and being obedient-all help us better hear the voice of the Lord in our minds and hearts (see D&C 8:2). Conversely, there are things we cannot do-movies we cannot watch, clothes we cannot wear, gossip we cannot spread, Internet sites we cannot visit, thoughts we cannot entertain, books we cannot read, and dishonesty we cannot tolerate-if we want the Spirit to be with us.

Is there anything more meaningful a mother or a grandmother or any of us can do for the youth we love than help them begin to see who they really are?

Women of God who honor their covenants look differently, dress differently, and act and speak differently from women who have not made the same covenants. Thus women of God who know who they are have unusual and sometimes unexpected influence.

Listen to these words from President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Woman is God's supreme creation. . . .
"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more . . . inspiring than a . . . daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so."
"Rise above the dust of the world. Know that you are daughters of God . . . and that there is for you a great work to be done which cannot be left to others.” (end of quotes)

I know that knowing who we really are does change the way we react to situations and helps us overcome sorrow and grief that we would otherwise leave us wounded and broken. The previous statement is true because when we know who we know who we really are we turn toward Heaven for help: we turn to the Savior with complete faith and trust.

As I was typing this up it struck me that our little family (that will double shortly) will begin with the addition of two girls. I am eager to teach them of who they really are. I can’t wait to hold them and feel their sweet spirits fresh from heaven. I can’t wait to talk to them about it, even though they won’t be able to talk back to me about it . I can’t wait to sing them songs that will teach them about who they are and where they came from.  

Our Girls

Today we had another ultrasound- I am 31 weeks and 2 days along now. The babies were again confirmed girls. The ultrasound tech told us that the babies had really long legs and a small head. She said the babies would just slip out- haha if only it were that easy! Chris looked at me later and said they have your legs and my head- which I think is funny. Both of the babies are right around 4lbs. The tech also showed us a 3D image of one of the babies faces. My heart melted. She had chubby cheeks and the most adorable nose and big lips like her dad. For the first time I was very near tears during an ultrasound.  Both of the babies are also head down—YAY! This is great because it means no c-section. Let us just hope that they don’t decide to change position but really this is unlikely considering they are fairly squished in there. In fact one of them has her feet up at her face- the other one sprawled out!

We also had a consult with our OBGYN after the ultrasound. He couldn’t have been more pleased with the progress of our babies- which of course made me one proud Mama. When we met with him at the beginning of February he said just make it to 32 weeks and we are golden… that target is only 5 days away. Now he is looking down the road to 34-35 weeks with high expectations that we will make it there- 50% of twins come at 35 weeks gestation. We of course hope that they don’t come until about 37 weeks so they will be as mature as they can be. Chris and I have decided not to take prenatal classes; this week for FHE we started learning about labor and delivery. I pulled out my textbooks and other books I have been reading and we started preparing for the arrival of our girls. Our date this week will be setting up the cribs.