Elder Moojalsky

I miss him.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Braden. It was his birthday last week so naturally I was thinking of him and then last night I was going through some old texts on my phone and I found a couple conversations with him. I missed talking to him. It's been a long time since Braden and I have actually sat down and had a one on one conversation so emailing shouldn't be all that different for me but he's so busy that I miss getting a letter just for me. I miss being able to talk to him whenever I want/need it. Today I was looking at some pictures and I miss seeing his face. I miss enjoying his humor. I miss his hugs. Braden has been there with me through everything. It has been such a blessing in my life having him so close to my age. I have loved growing up with him! He let me boss him around a lot but wasn't afraid to put me in my place when I needed it. He was the person I went to when I really needed help and wanted advice. We didn't always agree with each other but once we got older (there was definitely a phase where I couldn't stand him) we never fought. He understood. He was my favorite person to share those big events in my life with. He was there when I ran for president in Jr. High and High School. He was there for my first break-up and my last. He was there when I was convinced I would never marry. He was there when I found Mark, he was there when I fell in love with Mark and he was there when I married Mark. And I'm sad that he won't be here when I become a mom...

But having said all that I couldn't be more proud of my missionary! He is working hard and serving faithfully and I hope those people next door appreciate having him there. He is exactly where he needs to be and I am so grateful for his courage and determination to work through all the hard stuff to be where he is and to go where he needs to go. He truly is blessing me and our family by serving and I love him for it!

Halloween.

Fun with the cousins.

An assembly in Jr. High.

After the final night of Bye Bye Birdie.

At conference.

Christmas

Christmas with only the 4 of us!

Right after I got out of the temple.

On my wedding day:)

I love you Brade!

Congratulations!

(So I started this post about a month ago. Better late than never!)

Mark finally received his acceptance letter to the University of Saskatchewan. It was never a worry-for me- that he might not get accepted but it felt like we had been waiting for it for a long time. It was the best acceptance letter I have ever seen! Not just because it was a relief to know that our plans were working out so far but because of the actual letter. You can't see it very well in the picture but there was confetti in with it! And the letter it self made you so excited about the future! It said things like, " You have so much to be proud of, and I want to take a moment to personally celebrate this accomplishment with you." and "Whatever path you follow at the University of Saskatchewan, I want you to know that you'll always be part of our community, your community--one that will support you along your educational journey and wants you to succeed." I know every received the same letter but it really did feel like Peter Mackinnon was talking just to us and it was exciting! It made us both so excited to go! I find myself looking at apartments in Saskatoon often even though it is kinda early. I just am excited to go! And by that time we'll have a wee one. Thinking of life in Saskatoon is so different than where we are now. Add a new place filled with unfamiliar people, a new school and a new baby. A very new baby. Scary? Definitely. But so so exciting! I can't wait for the adventures!

In other news...

Happy Anniversary to us!

That's right! And what a year it has been. We have had so much fun being married and we've learned so much. I couldn't be happier with my life right now. I have the most incredible husband who makes me so happy! I'm so grateful for someone who loves me like he does and I feel so blessed to love him more and more everyday!
Mark and I celebrated our 1 year mark 2 weekends ago by going back to Whitefish. We even spent the night at the same lodge where we spent our honeymoon. It was such a fun trip. Kinda weird when we first pulled up to the lodge but it's such a kool place that it was fun to be back and once again we didn't take any pictures. We were planning on doing some baby shopping and price checking while we were down there so before we left we made a couple stops. My mother and sisters will testify, I am not a shopper. I never have been and I'm starting to realize that I never will be. So after about 2 hours of shopping I was ready to go home. So we went for lunch and then got groceries that we needed and went home. We did get a few things like a few maternity clothes for me and a crib but there was so much more things on my list that I'm anxious to go back. I know better this time though. I will bring my mother with me so she can drag me around all day and make sure that we don't go home until everything is done. The biggest thing I'm bummed about not getting is fabric. Who goes all the way to Kalispell and doesn't make a stop at JoAnns?! Especially when their expecting...and somewhat unemployed and have so much free time for sewing projects!

There is actually a Baby in There!

19 weeks

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 10 pounds! (That feels like so much to me!)

Maternity clothes? Mark and I went to Kalispell last weekend and I got some cute shirts and then the rest is stuff from my sisters and SIL.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I get tired pretty early and my nights are pretty restless. I just can't seem to get comfortable.

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move and having our ultrasound.

Have you told family and friends: Yes! And if I haven't told you, you'd be able to tell.

Miss Anything? The way I used to sleep. And being comfortable. It's harder than I thought it would be to get comfortable doing anything! Sitting, standing, lying down...

Movement: Yep! I was so excited to feel the baby and now that I have I notice it all the time and sometimes it's not all that comfortable. The first time I felt it was on Tuesday and then later than night Mark was able to feel it. I obviously couldn't recognize it until it was really kickin. 

Food cravings: Ketchup. And I've lost my appetite for sweets. They just aren't that appealing anymore.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! 

Have you started to show yet: Yep! I feel like in the past week I have really popped out.  

Gender prediction: Dr. Low said it was a boy based on the heart rate at my last visit but I'm not totally convinced. I honestly have no idea.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but tired for the most part. I do have my occasional emotional break downs.

Weekly Wisdom: It's so awesome to have an ultrasound tech that you know. We were lucky enough to have that and we got some really awesome pictures and she really made it exciting!

Looking forward to: The baby arriving. I know it's kinda a long way off but ever since our ultrasound I just want to see it for real!

Baby Update

Well I'm 17 1/2 weeks right now and I don't know if I believe there is actually a baby in there. I haven't felt any movement and although I've heard the heartbeat I just feel fat. It hasn't sunk in that there is actually a baby in that bump. Here are some pictures, don't mind my face. There are few things more awkward to me than taking a picture of how fat you are. But I know I'll regret it if I don't.

15 weeks

17 weeks

How far along? 17 Weeks, 4 Days

Total weight gain/loss: not exactly sure...

Maternity clothes? Only shirts that I have borrowed from my sisters and sister-in-laws

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I get tired pretty early and my nights are pretty restless. I just can't seem to get comfortable.

Best moment this week: Sunday I wore a shirt that showed off my bump more than usual and Mark noticed. I think it made it a bit more real for him. He couldn't leave my tummy alone.

Have you told family and friends: Yes! It's been a month since we let the cat out of the bag and it's still so weird to tell people but it feels so good to not have to hide it!

Miss Anything? The way I used to sleep.

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Ketchup. And I've lost my appetite for sweets. They just aren't that appealing anymore.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Nothing specific anyway. I'm hoping those days are behind me now.

Have you started to show yet: A little bump so far - basically looks like I ate too much... which is actually exactly what's happening.  

Gender prediction: Mark thinks it's a girl and I go back and forth.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! ... I think. I guess you should probably ask Mark that.

Weekly Wisdom: Embrace the bump!

Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move! I just can't wait.