I went to the Phoenix Temple

I've got quite a few family names to work on. Alan and I have been trying to make it to the Temple and complete their work, as my patriarchal says!

He loves the backyard!

My window valance!

I had been shopping around in stores and online for a window valance that would go with my colors, my taste, etc. I couldn't find anything. Then one day while walking through Target, I got the idea to take two placemats that were the perfect style, and sew them together. And voila! There you have it!  The placemats were $10, and the rod was on clearance at Walmart for about $5. I actually moved it up higher than it is in the picture which helps make the window (and the ceiling) look taller and larger!

His 1st Birthday Party

Ryan is ONE!

Ryan is ONE! He was my hardest pregnancy by far. It was months of nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux, followed by months of insomnia from restless leg syndrome and sciatica. Plus there was the swelling, the weight gain of 60 lbs, the months of braxton hicks, fatigue, moodiness, and a very patient husband. My doctor had me rent medical equipment for back pain-- they said the way he was positioned was causing my body a lot of strain. I was also monitored in the hospital for falling down. He was 9 days overdue and almost 9 pounds at birth and gave me a broken tail bone. Since then he has peed, pooped, and spit up on me many times. He cried for hours every day with colic as a newborn. He has deprived me of much sleep over the last year and probably caused me some gray hairs. Still I couldn't be more IN LOVE with him. I would do it all over again for this little nugget, even if it does seem like daddy is his favorite. For various reasons, it took 7 years for the timing to be right to have him and he has been a source of pure joy to our family. For years we thought we were complete with 2 kids, but after much prayer, we felt strongly there was another one. I was terrified because of the postpartum depression I had experienced in the past, but thankfully I have been spared from that this time around. Thank you Alan for being a rock star partner and father. Thank you Lord for your hand in my life.

The girls dressed Ryan up as a Stripling Warrior!