"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious..."

D&C 78:19

Most of you know that this weekend was....pretty crappy, to say the least. As if throwing out my back and Jared not passing his licensing exam was not enough, I also found out that I was passed over for a promotion at work (unofficially because of my current *ahem* "health status"), our check engine light came on in our practically new car, I missed out on a really important family activity at the temple, and it looks like my husband is now jobless once again. Not a good weekend.

Here's the funny thing: Today, I am feeling really grateful. There's nothing like having the world kick you in the face to remind you of how good you have things.

I am grateful that I have a husband that is determined to be successful, even during setbacks. That loves me, holds me, and reassures me in ways that no one else can. His optimism brings me joy. His love for life reminds me that there are some things just not worth stressing over. Even his presence brings me peace, which is something to really be thankful for, considering my anxiety!

I am grateful for parents that support me and for a mom that shows up at my house because she hasn't heard back from me and she knows I threw out my back. I love her for buying me beautiful RED chargers to go under my plates for Christmas. I love her for taking three batches of laundry so I can have clean clothes, and I love my Dad for encouraging her to help and loving me unconditionally. They are always present and always willing to support me. They are constant in a very uncertain world.

I am grateful for two wonderful sisters that put up with all of my crap! Thank you to Beth for always coming to fix my computer and being generous by inviting me to dinner when she knows the last thing I want to do is cook! Thank you to Brooke for talking so much that I forget about my own problems and for letting me kiss my niece anytime I want!

I am grateful for good friends that call me to check in, and offer to help, even when there's nothing they can do...especially to Abby who listens to me complain and makes me laugh harder than anyone else possibly can! I have a wonderful support system that makes my life easier.

I am grateful that I have a job to go to everyday! It may suck some days, but they have been completely accommodating, and for that, I am thankful.

I am grateful that by paying tithing, Jared and I have been able to make ends meet, even when there's no earthly reason that we should.

I am grateful for the scriptures, that they provide so much clarity in my life. They keep me centered and remind me that God has a plan for me, even when I can't see it right now.

I am grateful for the Young Women's program and the Beehives that I get to teach. Their simple testimonies help keep things in perspective, and their enthusiasm is contagious.

Mostly, I am grateful for the gospel and for the atonement. For a loving Heavenly Father who is patient with me and understanding of my shortcomings; for a savior that gave hope to a world without any and died to give us all a chance to live with our Father in Heaven again. There's something about this knowledge that just makes the other things in this life seem not as important.

Thank you to those that support me. I hope that I bring as much joy to your life as you do to mine!

Can I get an Ice Pack?

Well, for those of you who know me well this will come as no surprise, (but I have to admit that being pregnant has made this a much worse experience than I ever thought possible!): I threw out my back again! It has been such an amazing couple of days. I think the only thing worse than not being able to walk, stand or sit without any pain, is also not being comfortable lying down because there is a crazy baby in your uterus! Okay, okay, I promise this post is not just me complaining. : )

I have accepted that this is my life and the back that I was blessed with. Maybe one day I will have surgery on it, but until my odds are better than 60% that surgery will actually help...I will just take my chances.

This post is actually to break the news that this kid HATES the cold even more than his mama and I just think that's funny! :) When I was laying on my back with an ice pack he went CRAZY. It was the first time that I could actually see his kicking from the outside. He was kicking and squirming and moving up high and down low trying to get away from the dreaded ice pack. As soon as I took the ice pack off...he stopped moving. It was the weirdest/coolest/funniest thing I have experienced so far in this pregnancy. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS we moved back to Cali because this kid would never have survived the snow! ;)

On another note: my awesome, wonderful, talented, beautiful and extremely generous older sister, Bethany, fixed my internet at home so I am finally able to post the picture of me at 4 months. I know it doesn't really matter because I already posted the 5 month picture, but I use this blog as a semi-journal, so I didn't want to miss out on a month! Any way, I will post the 4 and 5 month pictures just so we can all see the difference

Well, there's the proof! I am getting bigger :)

Anyway, prayers are welcome for me and my gimped out back because right now, I feel like I am dying! Now that the internet at home is back up and running, I will have to post pictures from Halloween and my very special surprise date to celebrate being "halfway" through the pregnancy a few weeks ago. I wish you all a very happy weekend!

5 Months

Man, I can't believe it has been 5 months already! It seems like the time has just FLOWN by :) I am feeling good, looking HUGE and ready for the next 4 months to fly by as well. Hopefully with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up I will be in the last trimester before I know it.
I think my stomach is officially bigger than my chest now, what do you think?

Things are going well, so I can't complain! The mood swings have stopped, which I am sure Jared is VERY relieved about, there are still no cravings, but for the most part, I am no longer nauseated and that makes me happy. Next week we go in for the echocardiogram on the little guy, so I will keep you updated on that.