Counting down the weeks...

Thirty Three weeks baby!

     I have been pregnant for approximately 235 days. I feel like a champion. Just wait till this baby is here... woo.

To update anyone who is interested the baby is massive. We did an ultra sound about a week ago (so at 32 weeks...) and baby girl was already about 5 pounds and 9 ounces. Her head is massive and in the 97th percentile. This is good and bad...
     Bad: I will be giving birth to a small giant.
     Good: Ok there is way more good then bad... Lets see for one... she is super healthy. And super active.  I have been having super high blood pressure and the doctor told me one thing they worry about with high bp is that the baby will not get blood and it can stunt her growth but obviously this is not happening! SO that is good. Also... becuase the baby is so big and becuase my blood pressure is so horrible there is a good chance this baby is coming early. Like probably around 37 weeks! That is like in four weeks!
      So amidst the challenges of having high blood pressure and all the fun that comes with that, it has been so reassuring to know that baby girl is doing good. And that I will get to meet her earlier then expected!

My awesome swollen feet... I know you are jealous

     I feel very blessed these past two weeks, as things have been getting more challenging for me, to have the wonderful friends that I have. Becuase of my blood pressure I am not supposed to be doing too much. He has not yet put me on bed rest (he told me to expect it soon... I told him no way you can keep me stuck in a bed!) but he has told me to "modify my activities"... which means he wants me to do nothing all day long. Well that has been depressing and boring. BUT I have had some friends come visit and go to lunch with me. I even had a sweet friend take me to the grocery store and then to the DRs office becuase my bp got too high hahaha! I feel so blessed to have such kindess in my life. Thank you wonderful friends.

I know that things seem scary, things seem uncertain and I easily get discouraged becuase I don't have all the answers. But I know that this is where I need to be in my life and that Heavenly Father is helping me even if I can't always see everything perfectly. I am grateful for my friends and family who help me to see that. And who listen to me and love me. It means the world to me. Just sitting with me and talking means more than you know... so thank you for making me feel so loved.

I am excited for this little baby. She will be here so soon... and my life will never be the same again.
She will be worth it :)

Eric holding our friend's turtle... I think this picture is amazing! Hope it makes you smile. :)

Father's Day: A Day of Reflection.

Uncle Obed, Grandma Leath, Dad, Mom, me and Jimmy
outside of the San Diego Temple

     I don't remember anything about eleven years ago. I don't remember what I said or did. All I know is that even years ago I was 12 years old and I was celebrating father's day for the last time with my Dad. I didn't realize this at the time, nor did I realize that in a few short months I would lose him to cancer. I wish I had treasured just a few more moments with him.
      But wishes are useless when they are based on the past. Every moment we live is gone the next and all we can do is learn and move forward.

    It has been about ten and a half years since I last saw my father here on this earth. Ten and a half years since I heard his voice, held his hand or saw his blue eyes and handsome smile. Days like today are tough. I tend to think I am strong. I tend to think that after ten years I should not hurt, cry or ache, but I realize that we all have sad days. That is what makes us human I suppose.

Me and My dad 

     I think what has made it so hard this year, more than past years, is that in just about 5-7 weeks I will be holding my very own little girl. I know that my Dad would just have adored her. He was the most amazing guy with kids... or "Babas" as he called them. But he won't be here to welcome her to the earth. He won't be here to kiss my head and tell me how beautiful she is. Just like he wasn't here to take pictures of me at prom, watch me graduate high school or even dance with me on my wedding day. He never got the joy of harassing any of my dates, hearing me call and complain about college or having my husband ask his permission to marry me. Days like today make me think a lot about that. Sometimes it really hurts. Sometimes a girl just needs a hug from her Dad.
     I know without a shadow of a doubt that this pain, this aching, this longing for someone who was taken from me is only temporal. It will not last forever. I know that my Dad and I will see each other again. We were sealed in the San Diego temple when I was ten and that means that we will be a family forever. I was sealed to my husband in that same temple one year ago and that means that our baby will be ours forever.

My first Birthday

     There is hope. God did not take my Dad from me to punish me. He did not do it out of spite or to watch me suffer. I am not sure of all his reasons but I, like Nephi know that God loves his children. And I am a child of God. (1Nephi 11:17) "And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."  I know that the passing of my Dad at a young age has taught me many things. I am grateful that I have was able to learn and I am grateful to the Lord for helping me through. I know I was never alone and I never have been through anything.
      God has promised us that he will send us angels to help us. I was reading the other day about Elisha in 2 kings chapter 6. He is faced with spying against a huge army with only his servent next to him. The Servent is a little nervous about this obviously but when the servant's eyes are opened he is shown horses and chariots of fire around him. They are not alone. Elisha says to his servant, " Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (verse 6).  Like this, I realize we are never alone. There are so many people with us every day that we can not see.

     Doctrine and Covenants 84:88: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

Me and my dad at the "Calico Ghost Town"

     I know that our Heavenly Father keeps his promises. He says in this scripture that Angels will be round us to bear us up and I believe that with all my heart. I know that my Dad is not far from me. Even if he has missed out on earthly experiences with me, I know that he has been there as much as he could. I know he is helping me more than I know and I often wonder if God knew he could help more where he is then maybe he could have here. Who knows really all the reasons why, all I know is that there is hope. This is not the end. I will see my Dad again.

So on this father's day I remember one of the greatest men I ever had the privilege to know. He was not perfect. He made a lot of mistakes. But he came back and became the best guy he could. His story is remarkable. I am so grateful for his amazingly strong example and that I had the time with him on this earth that I did. There are so many things I remember about him. And so many things I admire about him. I hope I never forget them. 

Family Picture... I am about 8 or 9 years old I think

     I am so grateful for my cute wonderful husband who will be the most amazing father. I am so grateful for my awesome father in law who treats me with such love and is such an outstanding example of strength and what a dad should be like. I am grateful for Eric's family especially his Uncle, who is a great example. I am so grateful for all the men back in California who were strong role models in my life of what righteous men should be like. I am grateful for the bishop I had in my single's ward who always encouraged and guided me when I really needed it.  

But Mostly... I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who suffered, agonized, bled and died for all of us so that we can live again. I know that it is true. 

President Thomas s. Monson, God's prophet on the earth today, said, "Every thoughtful person has asked himself the question best phrased by Job of old: “If a man die, shall he live again?”¹¹ Try as we might to put the question out of our thoughts, it always returns. Death comes to all mankind."..."My brothers and sisters, we know that death is not the end. This truth has been taught by living prophets throughout the ages."..."The answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” came when Mary and others approached the tomb and saw two men in shining garments who spoke to them: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” As the result of Christ’s victory over the grave, we shall all be resurrected. This is the redemption of the soul."...Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go after this life? No longer need these universal questions remain unanswered. From the very depths of my soul and in all humility, I testify that those things of which I have spoken are true.

Me and my daddy <3

Our Heavenly Father rejoices for those who keep His commandments. He is concerned also for the lost child, the tardy teenager, the wayward youth, the delinquent parent. Tenderly the Master speaks to these and indeed to all: “Come back. Come up. Come in. Come home. Come unto me.”
Read the whole talk here.  

So happy Father's day to all you wonderful Dads out there. Thank you for your example to me. 

And a happy Father's day to my sweet father James Leon Evans. I can't wait till we meet again. Thank you for teaching me about a father's love. I love you so much. 

Lets take a trip from reality...

The past few weeks my health has not been wonderful. My doctor kept worrying about my blood pressure. BUT this last week the doctor told me I was stable and I was not having any new symptoms so... with the Dr.s blessing, Eric and I decided to disappear to Saint George for the weekend.
When things are kinda rough sometimes you just need a break.
I am glad my health is better... but Eric and I both have just had a rough couple of weeks...
We know that Heavenly Father loves us and is aware of us and for that we are grateful. We are very blessed with so many things.
And we are very blessed with amazing family members who love us. Words can't even express my gratitude for them.

Sometimes though, we all just need a little break... and a little "me" time.

Delicious cupcake I devoured

Cinnamon roll and soda made for a great breakfast

Got a wonderful free haircut from a sweet friend

I like the way it turned out... Such a sweet
friend to give me such a kind gift!

My cute Husband and I in Saint George about to go to dinner with our Wonderful Aunt and Uncle

Most wonderful treat of all... My awesome aunt treated me to a Pedicure...
who doesn't feel pretty when their toes look so pretty?!

A whole year

Its been a whole year... I couldn't be happier

     Yesterday was Eric and my year anniversary  of being married. I can't believe its been a whole year... I feel like it was only yesterday we were surrounded by all our friends and family as we celebrated our new life together. That day was so perfect. I can't even begin to explain how grateful I am for all the wonderful ladies back in California who made it happen. It was more then I ever imagined it would be. It was the happiest day of my life. I think of that day so fondly and the memories still seem to clear and fresh, yet it feels like ten years have passed by as well. We have learned so much this past year together. We have grown as a couple and as friends.

swedish pancakes

     To celebrate our year I made us swedish pancakes... they were amazing I won't lie. Here is the recipe if you want to try them yourselves. Eric informed me that members in Germany made them for him all the time! I think that is a plus! We put some Nutella on them and enjoyed.
    We then went to a movie together and we even splurged and got popcorn! We went to babiesRus to look at strollers and car seats. We then went to the driving range and Eric hit a bucket of balls while I sat and coached him on his swing. He did pretty good. :) We went to Costco and bought a watermelon (can't beat 5 dollars!). Then we went home and rented a red box movie and ordered take out. All in all it was a pretty awesome day.

As of late I have been trying super hard to be positive. Things are never going to be exactly how I want and I know that as trials come our way we need to accept them as a challenge from God to become better and learn and grow. But I also realize that doesn't make trials any easier. I have caught myself feeling discouraged and sad at times lately. I realize that I need to be grateful for all the good in my life and focus on that.
     I honestly have been so blessed. As many little problems as I have had with my pregnancy, the baby is fine. So that is a huge relief. I have a great apartment with a great landlord. I have clothes and food and a TV. I have an amazing family (mine and my inlaws) who help me to feel loved and important all the time. My struggles and problems really are so small but at times they get me down and I tend to feel a little alone or overwhelmed.
      Today I was feeling pretty dizzy, weak and my blood pressure was kinda high. But I had to go to the grocery store becuase I have been putting that off for a long time and my fridge was getting kinda bear. It took me far longer then it should have becuase my swollen feet hate being walked on. I got home and all I could think about is how I didn't want to carry all the groceries down stairs. I saw a little girl who is in my primary class outside. I asked her and her mom if she could help me carry some things down stairs real quick. She said yes without even hesitation. She grabbed all of the groceries she could (which was almost all of them... including both gallons of milk!) and carried them for me inside. I thanked her and walked her out. Five minutes later she knocked on my door again. She then asked if she could help me do anything else around the house. I was so excited to have company and someone to help. She helped me put everything away and make dinner for tonight. She is only ten years old and yet she was such an amazing example to me of our Savior. Her act of kindness reassured me that God is aware of me and my tiny struggles. Even when I feel alone... I never am.

     My greatest blessing is my wonderful husband. And since it was our anniversary yesterday I feel that it is only right that I express a little on here how blessed I feel to have him.

    He really is the smartest, kindest, funniest guy I have ever met. He deals with me complaining, whining and crying. I am not easy to live with especially since I am pregnant and have a million hormones making me all sorts of crazy... and yet he some how tolerates me. He always makes me feel beautiful even when I feel gigantic. He is such a great man who helps me to be all I can be. When I feel down he helps me to be happy. When I feel alone or unimportant he reminds me of my divine worth and how Heavenly Father is always there.
     I am so grateful to Eric for all he does for me everyday. A year ago we did not see ourselves where we are now. This is not what we had planned. But its perfect. We are together and we are happy. I am so grateful that I found my best friend. Some one to laugh with and share memories with. I am so grateful we got married in the temple and that our baby girl will enter into our family so soon and she will be with us forever.

Things are never going to be perfect and easy. But I know that everything is worth it. I know that I have so much to learn. I know that God is helping me to be who I need to be... I just need to do my best and get there.


As for baby news... Things are looking good. We had an ultra sound today. Baby is already 4 pounds and 3 ounces. She is pretty big so she will probably be coming early. I meet with the dr tomorrow to discuss it some more. The tech did tell us that she already has a lot of hair! So that is pretty dang cute.
Just gotta keep my Blood pressure down and everything will be good. But hey.. I know everything is in the Lord's hands... so I not worried. I am excited to meet our cute little girl.

And yea... this is her cute little face 3d style. We saw it on the machine and it was crazy to see her there... she looked so real and so adorable... I won't lie, I started to cry. It was an amazing feeling to see her face and to realize that she in fact is REAL. And all the crazy sickness that I may feel is worth it. She is so worth it. 

 

These past few weeks: a family affair

WHEW.  Time has gone by lately and I have not posted very much. I am done with work for the summer so hopefully I will post more often now.

My week in Pittsburgh was amazing. It finished up as much fun as it started. I was able to go to a Pirates game, went on a ducky tour of Pittsburgh, and spent lots of fun times with my amazing in laws. I love the time we had together. And I adore my sisters. They are just so fun, beautiful and kind to me.

When I got back I was able to go to the last few days of work and said goodbye to the kids we have been working with this year. It was fun to see them moving on to first grade but sad to see them go. I was impressed to see all the progress that they have made this year. My job has been a wonderful blessing and such a fun experience. But it was nice that the year ended right when it did. I was starting to feel the pressure of being 30 weeks pregnant and trying to do my best at work.

This last weekend Eric and I took a trip up north to Ogden to visit with his family. We had a wonderful time. We went with his great grandma and cousin Carie to Antelope Island. We had a lot of fun driving around looking at all the Buffalo. We hung out with Eric's mom's family and had a lot of fun seeing everyone.
Sunday we went to dinner at Eric's Uncle's house and had a blast. Everyone was so nice and friendly. I wish we went up north more often. It is so fun to talk and laugh with everyone.

This week we have been able to see Eric's uncle Chad and his wife Jen a few times and their cute boys. That has been a lot of fun. Tomorrow we are going to cheer Jen on as she runs the Utah Valley Marathon... so impressive!

My favorite day this week was actually Wednesday. I woke up not feeling too hot and found out my lovely car needed to go to the shop. So I took it there and found out it was going to be a few hours. Sad and lonely I was afraid of what I was going to do all day without my car. Well Eric's wonderful cousin's Mallory and Meredith came to the rescue. They came got me from the dealership, took me to Jamba juice and kept me company all day. It was the best way to spend my day.

All in all the past few weeks have taught me a very important lesson... I LOVE MY FAMILY. And by that I mean not just my family but this wonderful family I married into. I come from a super small family. My extended family is small and we all live far away from each other. It has been such a blessing that all of Eric's family have all welcomed me with open arms and made me feel so incredibly loved and happy. I am so grateful for family. I love mine. And I am so happy that my "in laws" don't feel like "in laws" at all... they just feel like family. <3 I have been so incredibly blessed.

Here are some fun pictures!

We went to the Hinz Pittsburgh Museum. SO FUN! and they found this awesome dino!!!

I love this picture of the girls at the museum because its totally not posed... I caught them doing this. :) Too cute right?!

Eric built a model rocket and we had fun launching it

They went super HIGH

We got excited!

We went Mini Golfing yay... Em and I got holes in one!

View from the Pirates game!!!

Cute girls on the ducky tour boat/truck

Eric and I on the ducky tour of Pitt!

Me and my adorable sisters

Eric, his great grandma and cousin Carie at the Antelope Island Museum

The Great Salt Lake

All those dark dots... yeah those are Buffalo!!!

Two of these guys ran infront of our car at different times crossing the road!

Thirty weeks.... 

31 weeks....


Yeah I am getting pretty big pretty fast... Just a few more weeks till baby is here. She is  doing well and I am so glad.

:)

Pittsburgh: The road so far...

I am in Pittsburgh for a little bit and loving it. It is a much needed vacation.

I got here saturday and Eric and his sisters and friends picked me up from the airport. It was very fun to have a welcoming party for me.

     We came home and they cooked a yummy dinner for me. Then we headed over to our friend's house where the YSA(young single adults) were doing a cookie party. We Just wanted to see the Johnson's so we sat in the living room and chatted and ate cookies. Now I have to admit one of the coolest Pittsburgh traditions is this idea of having cookie parties. They do it for all types of events and the cookies are heavenly!!!

     Anyways... after the cookie party we decided to go to the park and light flying laterns into the sky. We all took a lantern and wrote a wish on it. Then we let it go. It was beautiful. The first few attempts were not as good as the last few. One of them did not stop burning before it hit the ground so Ana jumped a fence and ran out to make sure it did not burn anything down. Luckily we realized there was no harm the fire just went out and everything was ok. But still we were unsure if this was okay to be doing or not so we kept joking that a fire truck was going to appear. Around our 6th or 7th lantern we saw what seemed to be a fire truck pull up. We all booked it to the car and drove away. Out of breath we decided we should drive by this fire truck... we did so only to realize it was in fact not a fire truck but a trailer pulling up to the farm  that was by the park. 

first lantern of the night

Getting them ready

This picture doesn't even begin to show how cool it was

Eric explaining the Lanterns to us

So excited!!!

We had fun :)

Getting ready to launch

Getting ready....

.

Here we all are!

Our wishes for the baby

      We decided to go to another park and light off the last few. It was beautiful. Everyone decided to write a bunch of wishes on the lantern for baby Wahlstrom. We titled it TO: BABY WAHLSTROM   LOVE: YOUR FAIRYGODMOTHERS

It was adorable. It was really neat to watch that lantern float off into the sky. I was filled with such love and excitement for this baby girl. I also felt such gratitude that my baby is coming into this world with so many people that love and adore her and want the best for her. It makes me so happy to know that she will never have to wonder if she is loved. 

A silly wish Eric wrote on a different lantern

Eric was in charge of lighting each lantern

Getting ready to launch!

Holding on 

Waiting for the right moment

Last three of the night :)

     Sunday we went to church. We were welcomed by the wonderful members of the ward there and I felt so at home. Everyone is so kind and loving in this ward here. It was wonderful to see people who I am blessed enough to call friends now. The meetings were wonderful and I felt the spirit so strongly. 

     After church we ran off to a band banquet for the girls followed by a piano recital. 

My sisters are so talented. all the kids who played were it was so impressive. I was mostly just amazed at how much patience, practice and time goes into these pieces. It was so beautiful and enjoyable.

I was so grateful to be able to see my sisters preform. They did such an amazing job and have such grace and beauty. They are such amazing girls.

At the band banquet.. I asked them to smile... They all refused. haha

Beautiful girls at their recital 

Monday was a fun day too. Eric and I spent the morning at a golf course. He called ahead and asked if his 7 month pregnant wife could ride along while he played 18 holes. The lady was so nice and agreed. When we showed up she said, "OH there is the sweet beautiful pregnant lady!" Every time we passed the pro shop she would come out to chat and ask how we were doing. It was so fun and sweet. I really enjoyed watching Eric play. I also loved how beautiful PA is and how serene the course was.

me in the cart!!!

Watching were his chip went

Putting

Later we got the girls and shot off a model rocket Eric had built. That was a lot of fun and I was suprised at how high that thing went. The second time we launched the rocket, it went into the neighbors yard but she was so nice and thought it was so fun what we were doing!

We ended the night having family home evening. Eric taught us a lovely lesson about the Atonement and we played scatagories and listened to courtney play us a beautiful song on the piano. What stood out to me most about this was that the girls did not argue or complain about having Family home evening. They were excited and wanted to help. When Eric gave the lesson they didn't complain that it was too long or try to leave, they sat and listened and gave input. It was so awesome to see such young girls so willing to be with family and talk about God. I hope that my daughter is like her beautiful Aunts. Because they are truely special and amazing girls. I am so glad I can call them sisters. 

So I have a few more days here. I look forward to what they bring. :)

I am so glad to be here and to be having such a nice relaxing time.