Smiling

Have you ever taken the time to really think about what makes you smile? Or the fact that your smile is sometimes all that is needed to make someone else smile? I started thinking about this, this morning as I was looking at pictures of my niece I had taken while feeling little Emily moving around. :) I realized something. I tend to take for granted the things I enjoy. For one reason or another, I take for granted the things I find the most joy in. Doesn't this seem a bit backwards?

I don't stop and think about the immense joy my family brings to me. Granted I do think about my family, and what they do for us, but I don't actually think about all of the amazing times I have with them. I don't think about how much I would feel blank if they suddenly were to disappear. I tend to take them for granted.

Another thing I'm great at taking for granted is education. I tend to complain sometimes that it's too hard or whatever my complaints may be that day. What about the day when women couldn't go to school, and only the high-class males could? What about the instructors that put so much time into teaching us different principles? Do I ever thank them? Or how about all the different resources out there for me learn from- do I ever stop and ponder how much time and effort went into them?

For me, these are two things that bring me immense joy. My ever-growing family, and education, and yet, these are two things that I take for granted. Isn't that ironic? I feel I could and should be doing much better on this. On saying how much I appreciate both of these things, and how much I appreciate what goes into it, and the people that are always there.

Anyway, that was my little smiling/grateful/takes for granted tandgent. Until next time.

Life...whoa...

You know how they say that life comes at you fast, yeah, we've really been experiencing that lately. Quite frequently actually.

About two weeks ago, we were driving to the temple, and when we stopped, we started looking for a pack of gum. We couldn't find the gum pack, so we looked in the glove box, only to discover that all of the papers we had in the car were gone. Not just- oh we misplaced them. Like- oh crap it's been stolen. We were going crazy that night trying to figure out how to handle this. Ok, more me than Michael. We finally called the police department, who had an officer come and take a report. He gave us a card with the case number on it, and said that if we should get pulled over in a routine traffic stop, that that should be good enough to say, "hey we really do have registration!" But that we could still get a ticket. Fabulous. Thankfully we haven't been pulled over yet, but I can't help but feel that we're kind of playing with fire on that one, so this coming Monday, we're going to go to the DMV, to get a copy of our registration. Thankfully, that won't take too much doing.

I started school again as well. I'm back at Provo College studying Medical Assisting. I kept feeling like there was something I was needing to do, which included being back in school. I was talking with Michael, and he said to go for it. I called the school on a Wednesday, and the very next day, I was in classes again. I feel absolutely grateful and amazed to have the opportunity to be back in school. I love learning, and I love teaching that which I learn to others.

Last night, (October first) Michael and I went to his mission reunion, and they had a testimony meeting. I started thinking about one of the missionary moments I've had that impressed me greatly. I was up in Salt Lake with, then my fiance (no not Michael. Long story.) and I felt very strongly that I should bring an extra Book of Mormon with me. Gratefully I listened to this feeling. We were in one of the museums there by the temple, looking at the Angel Moroni statue, and a lady asked if we could explain who he was, and why he was important. Immediately, I started explaining what I knew, and pulled out the Book of Mormon which I quoted. I asked her if I could leave the book with her. I remember the look of utter joy on her face as she took it from me, telling me that this was the greatest gift anyone had given her. I remember feeling the spirit so strongly as we were talking with her, and it really made me pause. I could feel how much love Heavenly Father had for her, and I could see how badly she had been looking for the truth. To be honest, it reminded me of when I was meeting with the missionaries. I knew, without any doubt, that this is the true church. I just had to get my mom to say okay to me being baptized. Which proved to not be that difficult after bearing my small testimony to her. I couldn't help but think about this woman last night, and where she was now. Did she continue on the path she was pursuing that day, or did she take a different path? Either way, I know that Heavenly Father loves her dearly, as he does for all of us.

So, yes, life has been coming at us rather rapidly, but somehow we're still chugging along. Together. We're doing everything we can to be there for the other, and to support and encourage the other. Sometimes we may stumble, but we always get back up, even if we need the support of other. I love Michael dearly, and am very happy in our marriage. It may not be perfect-our marriage that is- we have disagreements, and disputes. We have hard times. But we talk through them. We rely on each other, and especially Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of all of us, and our various hardships, and that he wants to help us, but we need to take the first step and ask for his help. I'm grateful for my life, the people in it, and the different steps I've taken to get where I am.

Baby news

I hit 13 weeks yesterday, and how did we celebrate?? We listened to the heartbeat. The baby wasn't too happy about the coldness of the jelly, and I felt her moving around for quite awhile after we got home. We get an ultrasound in about 7 weeks. YAY!!!! :)

Okay, that's all on the baby news.

Blessings-Hidden and not so hidden

So, Michael and I have been receiving blessing after blessing lately. Both big and small, hidden and not so hidden. It still amazes me how much Heavenly Father is trusting, guiding, respecting, loving us. It just seems to me that one day all this should just run out, but that's definitely not the case. Thank goodness.

I am so grateful for all we have been given, and all the help we have received. I know that there's a plan for us, even if it doesn't necessarily jive with what we have planned for our life. :) I'm amazed that Heavenly Father has put the people in our life that we need the most right now, and that they haven't turned their back on us.

Well, it looks like this is yet another short entry, but I have to run. :P Not literally. Well, kind of. Mostly I just have to go do some errands. Fun times...ish.

Our First Summer

It's amazing how much can happen over the course of a few months. We're winding up here and getting ready for the school year. It's hard to believe that in a couple weeks we'll have known each other for a whole year: it feels like so much longer than that. Anyway, with me going back to school and Yannie being pregnant, we're both kinda excitedly nervous for the next few months, and seeing what they bring.

Lazy

Wow.. I just realized that neither Michael nor I have written anything in a while. Life has been pretty hectic to say the least. Morning sickness, job losing, school starting.. just to name a few things, but we're still alive. That's a good thing right?

Ok, so you're probably wondering what's going on with the baby news. So far, everything seems to be going well. We hear the heartbeat in two weeks today, and we both are pretty excited for that. :) In about 9 weeks, we have an ultrasound. I'm positively loving being pregnant, and knowing that there's a little person growing inside me. And Michael? He's so pumped and nervous about being a dad. It's cute.

Well, I have to go do some things that I've been putting off. :P Have a good one!

Little moments

Just thought I would share a tid bit from my nephew. :)

So, the day after I took a pregnancy test, my sister invited us over to celebrate. As we were getting ready to leave, I told Ronan to say bye. So he puts his hands on either side of my tummy and says, "Bye baby. I love you. I know you'll be safe!"

One of the cutest little moments!

Our little family

Hey this is Yannie here! I've been thinking that maybe we should get a blog up, to reflect a portion of our lives, so here it is. :)

Michael and I are absolutely enjoying marryed life. From the hikes, to the swimming, to the just being lazy and hanging out together, we are always learning more about the other and realizing more why we fell in love.

So, come March our little family of two is going to expand into a family of three. :) We're pretty stoked about it.

Anyway, that's all for now. Hope you enjoy!