Anxiaty and Haircuts

I'm getting a haircut today in preparation for my trip to Utah this weekend for my baby shower. I'm so excited and yet nervous for my Utah trip. It's been such an interesting month. At the start of June I had this sudden overwhelming anxiaty about all the baby stuff to buy - I just did not see how we could do it. We headed to Atlanta for an amazing PFS convention and we came home with so many new hopes.

As life would have it, our hopes that June was going to be a month of huge growth kinda died. In fact in a weird way Ty and I are starting right back at square one when we got home from the convention rather than the big explosion we though we would have. Here's the weird thing. In the midst of all the chaos and tons of uncertanty which would usually make me freak out - there is a lot of peace.

Last night we met with some great RVP's. We asked their advice. We listen to their powerful story. It put our struggles into perspective. Tyson got up this morning and went out. It sometimes breaks my heart to see him suffer and push past his doubts and fears. His so brave. He wants so much to win and is winning in so many areas already. He is also doing missionary visits today at 1 pm with the Elders.

Having this baby inside me has changed the way I handle trials. It's made me tougher. I believe and hope more in the things that I can't see, but believe can happen. We have been amazed at people's generosity. The world is filled with so many great people. I'm grateful for the gospel, what would I do with out it. We are so blessed.

22 Weeks

Most of the days I feel great. I'm really active. I am most productive in the morning and usually I'm still pretty useless after 9 pm. My current obssesions include cleaning, donating and just creating more white space. I freak out at night about all the baby stuff I want (like a boppy and a dresser) and wonder how the heck all the parents out there make it.

Some days I feel really cute, others I feel just fat. I think my arms and my face look humogous but everyone tells me I'm so small. Sydney still kicks the most at night and in the morning when I lay on my back. Today though I was sitting reading a book at work when all of the sudden a felt two very strong kicks on my upper left side - she usually kicks on the bottom right side.

I leave for Utah next weekend for my baby shower and spending time with teh family. I'm really really excited for it, but at the same time sad that Ty can't come with me.

Convention Day Two

Thrusday I arrived at 11 am and we went back to the hotel for me to change. We drove to downtown GA, found a place to park and then headed to the CNN center for lunch. It was madness with 70,000 agents. Thursday night we had the partnership workshop and we learned so much about working together and just being better spouses. I loved it. We had our hiarchy breakout with Brandon Niel, Jeff Fieldsted and Igor Rocha and we did not leave the dome until 11:45. To make things worse, Aimee's phone died so we had no GPS and we got lost. I'm pretty sure we were in the ghetto to Atlanta. The funniest part was that Tyson kept saying "I know were I'm going ..."

We finally made it back to the freeway and then we were all starving. So found a McDonalds which had the crappiest service ever! We finally made it back to our hotel at 1 am and shoved food down our throats.

The next morning we had our workshops for divison and regional leaders, after we had a 4 hour break so we went back to the hotel and slept. We made it back at 5 pm for the opening ceremony at the dome. It was incredible to listen to so many speakers who beat the odds. We made it back to the hotel around midnight.

Saturday we had an early morning. We were at the dome by 8 am and had our ceremony from 9 - 1 pm. After we had an hour and then Women in Primerica from 2-5, then another break and the closing ceremony from 7-11. By this time my poor body was hatting me. I was running through this huge dome trying to get seats. Poor Sydney must have thought I was doing a marathon.

Sunday morning we all just slept. My body felt like it was hit by a truck and I was sore all over. We finally checked out of our hotel room at 11 am, we headed downtown and went to the Atlanta Underground Mall. We had lunch at Johnny Rockets and then headed the airport. We found out our plane was too full so we asked if we could give up our seats for free vouchers - and sure enough we each got TWO free flights :) This also meant we had to hang out at the airport for 4 more hours. I read and tried to sleep. We finally made it to Denver at 11 pm.

Monday I slept until 10 am. Tyson said I was out! It was such a great convention. It reminded me of the first time Tyson and I went, four years ago, three days after we were married. So many things have changed. We have grown so much because of Primerica. I'm grateful everyday.

Convention Day One

We just got back from a pretty awesome and intense Primerica convention. It. Was. Awesome.

Tyson arrived Tuesday and I flew in two days later. Tyson was able to hang out with his parents and also go see a movie and attend a Braves baseball game with the team. He loved it. He did mentioned that he accidently gave his cell phone to Aimee (one of our agents) and took of in the huge stadium. The result was them looking for each other for about an hour. Tyson said it started to rain so hard that the game was postponed for 2 hours so even thought they got there late - they were able to see a full game. Tyson loved it.

Goodbye Office

Yesterday Tyson started taking apart his office - moving it to our room to make room for the nursery. Slowly things are starting to take shape. It was actually sad. Tyson was such a good sport but he loved his office - it was his little sanctuary. Having a baby changes you. It makes you sacrifice things you never thought you could - also living in a 600 sq apartment helps :)

We took the computer in and then the internet would not work so we called Comcast. They could not figure out the problem so they are coming today to check it out. Tyson leaves for Georgia tomorrow and I will join him 2 days later.

Church was great. We talked alot about adversity and progression - the spirit was strong. We had dinner with Brad Romero's family and their little girls were so cute. They kept touching my belly and saying hello to Sydney. I started feeling really really hot at 8 pm so we came home and got ready for the week.

My focus today is to clean the house so that we can come home to a nice clean home. I love coming home to a clean home. We watched the movie Limitless in bed last night - I lasted 30 minutes and was out. I was really hot last night and had to turn the air super low. Must be hot flashes.

I am loving this time in my pregnancy. I feel really cute and I love my belly. Sydney moves here and there and everytime I am amazed. Our bodies are so amazing to be able to make babies.

Uncle Nolan & Aunt Bev

Uncle Nolan and Aunt Bev were in Denver on vacation and took the time to come visit us. We love it when family visits. They got here at 2:30 and brought Ty and I some frosties - so good. Tyson joined them down to Pearl Street and thanks to our awesome friend Bob Gardner, they were treated to a tour of Google. I got off work at 6 and changed. We all headed to Dave and Busters to play fun game. After they treated us to a great dinner at La Hacienda - such good mexican food.

We talked for a good hour after on parenting and kids and what they learned from raising 7 great kids. It's amazing how much work it takes. Tyson and I were humbled but excited for the chance to do it.

This morning Sydney kicked Tyson for the first time. It felt sooo cool. It just felt like a little bump from the righg side of my stomach. Tyson looked at me and said "did I just feel her?" and we both said wow! Tyson joked that Sydney will be just like me and not like his really warm hands on her - "too hot, too hot" is what I always say.

Baby in Bump

It's been such an amazing couple of days. We have been waiting for so long to find out the gender that Tuesday we felt like our hearts were going to explode. We woke up and tried to keep buy. Tyson went to the office and I kept busy cleaning the property. Tyson got home around 12:45 and started lunch. I got off at 1:40, changed and ate pizza.

We headed to the hospital for our appointment and got there right at 2. We only waited about 10 minutes before being called back. The ultrasound first examined me and then the organs of the baby. I was so fascinated that I actually missed when the lady said " and this is her labida .... that means your having a girl.."

A girl! A girl!!! WERE HAVING A GIRL!!!

I was so excited! My dream of sweet Sydney Jane was going to come true. Tyson and I were beyond esctatic! The nursed checked her heart, lungs, brains ... everything looked great. We met with Dr. Kimberly Roose after and she said my body looked right on track and that the baby is great. She gave me some exercises to start helping the baby get positioned right.

I am officially in my 6th month of pregnancy. I can't believe it. We waited so long for this time and as much as I try to slow down and take it all in, it all feel like it's flying by. I've gained 13 lbs in my first 5 months, so I am on track for a very healthy 25 lbs.

Tyson spread the news during our opp night while presenting. Everyone was so excited. We love being able to call Syndey by her first name. Everything feels more real now. The doctor said placenta is right in the front of my stomach, which is why I probably have not felt Sydney move. She said I am very cushioned but should be able to start feeling very clear movement by 24 weeks. So excited!

Oh by the way .... were having a girl!!!!!

Debbie and the Kids ...

Im so glad when Debbie comes home ....

We were so lucky to have Debbie come and spend a night with us with Chenille's kids on their way from Carthage to Utah. They got here 6/04 at 2 pm. It was so exciting. Of course I went crazy to make sure the house was clean and Tyson was awesome to help me vacuum right before they got here.

They got here and rested for 20 minutes until I got to go on my break. Debbie then treated us to McDonalds for lunch. We came home and the kids took a nap and I finished work. After work we walked to Walmart and Debbie bought carrots for the praire dogs next to us.

We got home and the kids went crazy finding praire dog holes to stick carrots into. After we went shopping at Gordmans. After we went to KFC for a late dinner at 8:30. After dinner we headed to Dave and Busters to let the kids play arcade games. We got home around 10:15 pm and we were all pretty exhausted. We pulled our beds, read scriptures and went to bed.

Sunday morning we woke up at 8 am and got ready for early church. We attended sacrament and then drove Debbie and the kids to the freeway. It was so sad to see them go. We always hate seeing family leave. We get to see Debbie and Gaylan next week at the Primerica Convention and I fly out to Utah the 2nd of July for my baby shower. Family is just so awesome.

Sunday morning we got up super early

20 Weeks

Man it's amazing what 4 weeks can do. The last picture was 16 weeks and things were going as normal, now looking at my 20 week picture I am amazed at how much bigger I am getting :) My belly is no longer hide-worthy. Even my baggy work uniform can't hide it. I am loving my growing belly. The big day comes Tuesday to find out the gender! Keep growing baby!

The Height of the Cleaning ...

It continues. This last week our heigh of decluttering and organizing was reached. The Scottorns came over Friday night to keep rearranging our storage unit to fit more stuff and what started as simple 1-hour project ended up as a 5 hour treck through our stuff and theirs. I was surprised how much Ty and I got rid of including a book shelve we got for free two years ago. Tyson's office is looking much bigger for the baby room.

We also took advantage of our new storage containers and put away books, office supplies and stuff we did not use. We got rid of ton's of stuff. Oh man it was work. We celebrated by buying chinese food and eating it at the Scottorns place.

For the first time in 2 weeks my house feels normal. I vacuumed yesterday and there was so much more room! The only real things left to do is put my cedar chest back at the storage unit and possibly our coffee table - but I go back on that over and over again.

It's funny because the ideal thing would be if Ty and I could just get a bigger place, but since we can't, getting rid of all the extra make me feel empowered - not forced into something. I'm so grateful that Ty has been ok with my massive decluttering. It harder for him to get rid of stuff but he has been amazing.