Thank Heaven for Little Boys

I can't wait to hold my little boy.

A Wonderful Weekend

Chad and I had a really great weekend. We went down to Salt Lake on Friday for a marriage retreat. On our way down we stopped to see this wonderful man, my Bumpa.

And, of course, his beautiful wife, my Grandma Bev. They live in Kaysville. They are currently trying to sell their house so they can move back to Minnesota. I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to see them while we could. It was such a treat to spend a little time and have lunch with them. I don't think I can express how much I love them! In my grandpa's own words...they're just ok. ;)

After a yummy lunch we continued on our way to Salt Lake for an awesome marriage retreat put on by this lovely couple, Gary and Joy Lundberg.

We had dinner Friday night followed by a great seminar. Saturday morning we had another yummy meal followed by another seminar until noon. Thank you so so so so so much to Brent and Lar (Chad's parents) for making it possible for us to go! It was so great! We both learned so much! I'm so happy we were able to go during our first year of our marriage. There are so many things you have to figure out about each other that makes your first year quite the roller coaster. There were a lot of things that we've tried to tell each other but it took someone outside of our relationship to tell us the same thing to make it click. What a wonderful learning experience! It was just amazing!

The whole Phelps clan that went to the retreat minus Tiffani and Nathan. They ran back to their hotel room to pack a little too soon. Bummer that they're not in the picture! It was great to see everyone there!

Chad and I in our hotel room. What a goof! But that's why I love him! Thanks again, Brent and Lar!

The Most Amazing Pie....Ever

This is my current craving: 5 Layer Chocolate Pie. It's layered with dark chocolate, cinnamon meringue, whipped cream and chocolate whipped cream. My mouth waters just thinking about it. You can only find it in Two Harbors, MN on the North Shore. I tried to find the recipe but didn't have any luck. Although, I found out that I can order it online from Betty's Pies and have it overnighted. Downfall- cost of pie and the cost of shipping is $60.

I guess I'll have to wait until the next time I'm on the North Shore.

A Day for the Dads

Yesterday was Chad's very first Father's Day. He felt weird about me getting him something because, to him, he's not a dad yet, but I disagree. We already have a baby even though we can't hold him yet so I got him a couple of things. And he's such a wonderful husband so I thought it would we a wonderful way to celebrate that as well.

The big thing I got Chad was a bottle of cologne. Funny story: The other day, I dragged Chad into Bath and Body Works with me so I could look at a few things. As soon as we walked in he felt uncomfortable and out of place in such a "girly" store. Of course, I poked fun at him a bit. Eventually, when it came time to leave I had to drag him OUT of the store! He had found the men's line of stuff they had and was having a lot of fun. What a goof! Anyways, he found a cologne he really liked so of course I had to go back and get it for him. And I'm glad I did because I really like the smell, too!

I also got Chad a baby necktie. They sell them at Deseret Book and he always has to go look at them when we go. He's so excited to have a little boy! What dad isn't excited to have his very own little man?! Chad was very excited about the tie. After church, I started doing the big pile of dishes in the sink so we could make lunch. I noticed Chad take off his tie and then go into the bedroom. I assumed he was going to change his clothes but came out like this instead!:

I cannot express how much I love my husband. He makes me laugh everyday! He's such a support to me and a wonderful hard worker. I'm so glad I chose him to be the dad of my kids! Hope you had a great Father's Day, Chad! I love you!

Home again, Home again

I just had a wonderful week in the great city of Richfield, Minnesota (highest teen pregnancy rate in the state. Yep, we're cool). Sorry, no pictures. Spent time with my wonderful family that I miss so much and hung with great friends. It was just what the doctor ordered!

Living in Idaho since Chad and I got married has been quite the experience for me. Some days it feels like I'm living in a completely different world. It's the exact opposite of where I grew up. And seeing his family all the time and never seeing mine is hard sometimes. I love the Phelps family. All of Chad's family members are wonderful people and they've done a wonderful job of making me feel like one of the family. I don't feel like a in-law. But the Phelps family has a very different dynamic than my family so sometimes I really feel out of my comfort zone. And at those times I really feel distant from my family and really miss them.

After 7 months of dealing with all of that this trip was just what I needed. I got to be in a place where I really felt the love and support of my family which I feel I've lacked for awhile. Both of my brothers live with my mom which made it all the more wonderful. I got to see my 2 big brothers, my sister (in-law technically but doesn't feel that way) and my adorable niece every day. I got to chat with my brother while I watched him play video games. Something that really made me feel at home because I used to do that all the time. I got to talk to my other brother about books and other things like that. Something we have a mutual love for. I got to chat with my sister-in-law about so many different things. She's always been a great friend. I got to answer all the questions my niece had about the baby in my tummy. Everyday she had to make sure he was still in there :). And I got to talk to my mom about marriage, motherhood and just life. And I also got to hang out with all my great high school friends. It was great to feel their love and support as well, even though we all are at such different stages in my life. The whole week was wonderful!

And as the week ended I was ready to come HOME to Idaho. Yep, I said home. I missed my husband sooooo much and our little apartment. I do love Idaho. I'm just still trying to get used to it. My trip helped me appreciate things I love about Idaho more. And when I get to the point when I really feel out of my element I know I have a wonderful husband by my side and a family that will always be there. I have been blessed so much and I love my life. No matter where I live. Wherever Heavenly Father needs me and my little family to be will be home to me.

Quotes

I love quotes. Here are some of my favorites.

"Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome."

~Elder Joesph B. Wirthlin

"Those who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."

~Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

"To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. You ask, "How might we achieve these goals?" I answer, "By gaining a true perspective of who we really are!" We are sons and daughters of a living God, in who image we have been created. Think of that: created in the image of God. We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power."

~Pres. Thomas S. Monson

"Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal."

~Mother Theresa

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat...We must find each other."

~Mother Theresa

"A person's a person no matter how small."

~Dr. Seuss

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."

~Mother Theresa

"We can not do great things; only small things with great love."

~Mother Theresa

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of one's companion."

~Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

"Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great purpose in heart."

~Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

"Imagine how our own families, let alone the world, would change if we vowed to keep faith with one another, strengthen one another, look for and accentuate the virtues in one another, and speak graciously concerning one another. Imagine the cumulative effect if we treated each other with respect and acceptance, if we willingly provided support. Such interactions practiced on a small scale would surely have a rippling effect throughout our homes and communities and, eventually, society at large."

~Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

"You are you. Now, isn't that pleasant?"

~Dr. Seuss

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

~Dr. Seuss

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."

~Dr. Seuss