July and August Update

Wow- I really have been a slacker! I'm super sorry!! I think about writing often but each day that goes by I feel there's more I want to write and less time.. I might not get everything in here but at least you'll be able to see some fun photos of the end of our summmer....

July was fun..I already posted pictures from the 4th so I'll skip past that.
We had a ton of family visits in July. We didn't get nearly as many picture as we'd like but it was great to just see them and spend time with them... Dad,Dani and Paige came and it was over 100 degrees- we decided to just stay in and relax for the weekend instead of wlking around in the city... It was still fun to have a chill weekend with family and games...

Then, our power went out! It was CRAZY! We had this hurricane warning and there was a ton of rain and wind and swirly clouds. it was the craziest thing I had ever seen.. I can't get the video to post so you'll just have to believe me..

Trees fell down and crushed wires, which left us without power for a few days. It was SO hot! One of our fish died and we lost a LOT of food.. bleh..



 That same weekend was our good friends(Sam and Audi)'s last weekend here.. They were moving to AZ! We really miss them.. They recently had their cute little girl and are enjoying life down in AZ with her sisters..During the power outage, we got together with them and some other friends for a BBQ. Hey- why not be hot together right.

After the power finally flickered on and off again, we had power by Thursday for the entire day. What a relief. Grandma, Debbie,Melanie, and the kids all came on Wed night to spend the weekend with us. They were staying in a hotel luckily... We were going to go into the city but gram did the first day and it was to much for her so Matthew and I hung out with her Friday while the rest went into the city. Saturday the boys went on the white house tour which we weren't able to get into so we just hung out at the house and played games.. We went to eat at Comet- a fun little place with a ping pong table. the table was on a slanted street so it was kinda lame but it was still a good place to eat- a bit over priced personlaly but it was recommended by Guy on the Food Network so we just had to try it :)

isn't my grandma just the cutest :)

the grandkids- without anton

my matthew isn't in this one because he took the pictures but it's a good one of the family :)

August didn't bring any slowing down!
Matthew's old roomate, Kyle and his wife Aom came for a visit. We walked around some museums and the mall area. We also went to the crime and punishment museum.. It's not one of the free ones but it was super fun! we have no pictures of kyle tho :( and the FB ones won't upload....  We also ate at 2Amy's which is suppose to be "authentic Italian Pizza".. It was pretty good... Kyle served his mission in Italy and said it was pretty close. we like American pizza better... we like pepperoni :) haha.. but the pizza was very fresh at 2 Amy's..

We had a surprise party for papa bob which was SUPER fun. He really enjoyed having all of his friends and family there and he loved all his gifts- especially the family history and scrapbook we put together for him...... it was a good trip and we loved being with family..

 The Surprise sign that Matthew made for GBOB! hhaa

he was spoiled for turning 70!! :)

The boys couldn't make it to the party.. We missed them tho!

isn't he just so cute:)

For FHE, one week  we went to see the statues of Christ at the Visitor's Center.. Since most of you live far away, i'll post some of my favorites.. It really was a pretty exhibit..We went with friends and afterwords went to this AMAZING sub shop :) YUMMY!

this one was about 6 ft. It was really well done.

  this one was my favorite depicting the story of Christ walking on water..

This one was Matthew's favorite, depicting the story of the First Vision.

In August, we also went home for my baby shower but those pictures will come in the next post because I haven't uploaded them yet...


I know what you would like most is a baby update:

We have our crib

carseat/stroller

pack and play with a bassinet

deciding on a high chair

and a ton of other little fun things.. more to come once shower pictures are uploaded.. :)

of course- nothing is organized or put together yet. but we'll get there... he moves all the time now and I just love to feel him! I sleep thru the night but matthew says i'm pretty restless but for now, i'm only waking up 1ce which isn't to bad:) i am still pretty tired throughout the day, though.. i hear some people get up 4 or 5 times!! he presses on my belly button a lot- but i just try to push him back and let him press on a less tender part of my tummy.haha. we've narrowed down his name to jack matthew or isaac matthew but won't officially decide until he comes and we see his little face :) i'm just loving being pregant! i mean, i'm super excited to meet him too but that time will come and i'll miss the nights i was able to sleep so i'm quite content with where i am right now......

more to come soon!!

crazy day?

i think so..

go here. i'm just glad i got home on time and safe :)
 *this is not my building but the one right across the street*

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_discovery_channel_gunman

Lack of Updates

I know there have been a lack of updates! i'm really sorry.. This summer has been so busy for us but i promise I'll update with all of the fun pictures soon.
 In the meantime, I just wanted you to know that our little boy is growing well and i'm feeling pretty good too... The little guy is starting to kick more now and I love feeling him. Matthew loves it too and it still shocks him a bit to feel it so strongly...we're narrowing down names and picking out the things that we want for him to have.. such an exciting time of life!!

 life is busy but it is so good. i'll give you pictures soon!
 :)

Ten Years in the Making

About 14 years ago, my mom and dad moved to South Carolina. They would soon get divorced and I would be sent on an up and down roller coaster of life. Little did I know, that this trial would turn into one of my greatest blessings. My mom soon met and started dating a man named Eddie. We moved in with him and his two children. His parents were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We'd occasionally have family home evening with them and we'd always have prayers before dinners at their home. What a spirit I felt there. I started going to their ward. I soon became friends with Keri and Chelsea and became quite close with their families. Over the next few years, I would continue to learn about them and their religion. Finally, the summer of 2000, I decided to start taking the discussions. The missionaries came over often to teach me the doctrine of the church.
When i first joined the church, I truely had no idea what things in my life would change and what a HUGE decision this was. I mean- I knew I'd have to be good, I'd have to be different from my family, I'd have to figure out what I really believed in, and I would have to just press forward no matter what. Now, as I'm older, I realize what an eternal decision I made when I was so young. The decision was definitely not made on my own and those people that helped me make that decision have helped change the lives of people for generations. Because of their example, their patience with my questions, their loving and comforting answers, and their true dedication to the gospel of Christ, I was able to know that even though I didn't know everything I was getting into, I would be okay. I knew that by making the decision to be baptized I would have the comfort of my Savior all the time to help me continue to do what was right.

And now, 10 years later, I am still a member of this wonderful church. I am married and sealed for time and all eternity to the most wonderful person in the whole world and we are starting our family with our first little boy. i have learned a lot over the years, and i am continuing the learn. that's what this life is about. learning. 

Life is going to continue to change. It's going to become more complicated. It's going to become better. I grew up knowing who i wanted to be. I was taught by my family and by others that i love that I can do anything I waned. 

As i'm getting ready to bring a child into this crazy world- i have never been more grateful for the gospel in my life. I'm grateful that Matthew's family raised him to be a wonderful man, husband, friend, and father. I'm grateful that Pacman and Spasm were patient with me for 5 years. i'm grateful they were married in the temple and that I saw and knew what I could one day have. I'm grateful that my family was so supportive and let me know that even though I was choosing a different path than they did, that they would still be there for me. I'm grateful that when we bring our little boy into this world, he will see the love that Matthew and i have for each other and the love that we have for our Savior and for His gospel. One day, when i am much older and I look at my children, and their children, I will once again be comforted to know that on August 4,2000 I made the right decision. It was hard and it will continue to be hard but it is worth it. Every minute, every trial, every tear is worth it. 

Life is good. Life is changing. and hey, that's what this life is all about.

happy 10 years to the first big change in my life. :)

child :)

p.s.
 we're having a BOY! :)
and we are sooo super excited :)

June

My new goal is to post at least 1ce a month... we'll see how it goes. Since pictures are more fun-- here you go.

Since we were sooo busy in May, we pushed off celebrating our 2 year anniversary until June. We decided to go to Atlantic City. It was a little ghetto but the boardwalk was soo fun! we just walked around, ate YUMMY food, saw the COOLEST candy store ever, and ate in a "rainforest". We also played mini golf and just had a great time. I can't believe it's been 2 years since we were married... I have the best husband ever <3 We had a blast!

We enjoyed our first round of golf for the summer. 

We went to California to visit Cali. No pictures of our new niece but she was super cute :) Mom took wayy more pictures than us and we're still waiting to get them so there may be more to come from this vacation. It was nice and relaxing.I made jewlery... and  Matthew got to golf..2ce! and once at a real PGA course! he was s uper excited. plus, it was just nice to be with family for a week :) 

from our room... 

i think this is the PGA one... 

and just last week we took the cub scouts on a fishing trip. The younger brother of one of the boys caught the only 2 fish of the day but i think the boys still had fun!

June flew by and I can't belive it's already the middle of July!! July has many exciting things planned for us. Last weekend- on sat we went to the ward's pancake breakfast, went swimming at a friends, had dinner and watched sandlot. sunday we went to church and then down to the mall area to get ready for the fireworks with those same friends! it was sOOOO hott but we tried to stay in the shade.. we played a dice game and ate snacks and had GREAT seats for the fireworks. Monday we all got food and drove down to sandy pt beach. it was really a ton of fun. i didn't take nearly as many pictures as i wanted too but at least here are some from the fireworks!!!

sad after losing a round of Zilch

This weekend, our friend, Kyle (Matt's old roomate) is in the area for buisness. Well, he'll be here a lot of the summer but today he's spent the day with us... We went down to Tyson's corner for lunch and to get him and then we came back so the boys could play Tiger Woods. After a few hours of that, they went to the real range to hit a few balls. Tomorrow, after church, we'll watch the World Cup and have some yummy foods. It's been super fun and Matthew was really excited to see him..

Next weekend is free.. Really?!? We're super excited!

The weekend after that, Dad, Dani and Paige will be spending some time with us and the Wed- Sun after they leave Gram, the cousins, and 2 aunts will be here to visit DC. 

I promise to take many many pictures.. 

Much Love!