Pregnancy! -what a weird thing!

I had never realized the craziness that comes with pregnancy. There are 100 things different with me being pregnant than not. ALSO I didn't realize the difficulties that comes. I really don't know why people do it more than once!
First off I don't ever get sick. I might have little things like a headache or something but I am a fairly healthy person. I haven't thrown up in YEARS, so long ago I don't even remember how long ago it was. This pregnancy I don't just have morning sickness, its ALL DAY LONG. I am very grateful I don't throw up daily but when I do I am not one of those that feels better after- I feel worse! I get so weak and exhausted and I usually get a headache shortly after. This is just ONE of many things that is different than I am used to.

Ten crazies of my Before and After!

1. I have these food aversions that drive me nuts. Who doesn't like Cafe Rio? I absolutely LOVE it. Well I guess not when I'm pregnant. It even sounds GROSS. The biggest downside of this the food aversions is that  its not consistent. One night BLT's sounded so GOOD. So we made it. I thought this would be a good food for left overs so I can make something quick. Nope sounded nasty from then on. (mind you I didn't get sick from it either.)
2. Before I never have ice put in my drinks out to eat or at home (even water). Now I crave the coldness of Ice water. This isn't a big deal but totally threw Gary off when I asked him to put ice in it.
3. Smell. Well I have ALWAYS had a good sense of smell. But it has enhanced drastically. I can smell my deodorant with my arms down, to the computer getting hot from overworking it. Most smells just make me sick. I can be a little blunt so don't be hurt if I straight up tell you that you need a mint. :)
4.  Before I was an early bird. 7-730 was often when I would wake up naturally. I would be wide awake and really liked my mornings. NOW I am exhausted at 8:30 at night make myself stay awake until at LEAST 10. I most often am in bed by 11 with nightly routine stuff done. Then sleep in until 9-10! I even slept until 11 once! That is UNHEARD OF! (for me)  Gary loves this one!
5. Before I am a GO GO GO type. Straight from vacation to a temp job to school and trip up to SLC for the weekend was a common occurrence. Now I don't like having things planned for 2 days in a row. Its draining. We were invited to a little trip and initially I would jump on the option even with working out other plans around it with having stuff the day before and after the trip. I hesitated with already having NO plans.
6. Gary has always wanted to watch movies a ton more than I. I really do like movies but if I had the choice I would socialize, play games, get whatever else done needed or various other things. I don't often FEEL like watching a movie. NOW we watch movies 5 or more times a week. One day Gary came home and asked what I did today. With a head bowed I said, "I watched 2 movies." He was shocked. First I watched a movie even without him and on top of that 2. I wasn't feeling very good that day he concluded. TRUE.
7. I won't go into detail on my blog on this but plainly put sex is different. Not in a bad way just different. :)
8. Before I vowed I would do SO good with NO medications during pregnancy. I am a little hypochondriac and I would forever feel horrible if I ever did something to hurt the baby. Well, I have to stay alive. That's really how I feel. I did NOT want to take ANY medication. I broke and took unisom at night (which I love.) But as I continued to feel so sick all day after one night of crying because I felt so horrible Gary called up and got me a prescription of zofran. I didn't disagree anymore and it really is a Godsend. But I take more medication when I am pregnant than I ever did before!
9. Before I would NEVER take naps. When it was day I just had the HARDEST time to fall asleep. I would even at times feel so tired that I swear I could sleep if I tried- so I did and I would be up 15 minutes later with no success. Now, I don't take naps still all that often but when I do its not all that hard. The blinds can even be open. (If you know me you will be surprised at that.)
10. This one is a weird one! Beforehand I was ALWAYS conscious of money. And now I still am but its different. When I want something (most of the time food, gum, suck on candy to get rid of the nasty taste I always have in my mouth etc.) I don't even begin to wonder if I should I just DO. I want it. Now I am still me and am still conscious of a lot but I don't even care half the time it is WAY more than I'd usually spend. Its quite a weird concept. I sure love my husband for even encouraging me to get what I want (normally I have a hard time getting things).

Before I end the 11th best of all is Gary. He has become all the more sweet, tender, errand runner, patient, giving and so much more that he was already good at but has enhanced it. He is the best man out there for me. I can't be happier with who I chose to live my lifetime and eternity with!

He brings many laughs which makes the pregnancy not so hard.

Gary Swearing IN!

It has been official for a bit but GARY LYMAN is SWORN in to the air guard. He signed his life away for 6 years! The swearing in was a lot cooler than I thought. I had a little American pride come and an excitement of the future being involved with the Air Guard.
There are MANY benefits that come and a potential full time job when we return to SLC. I can't take all credit we have been far blessed by God with the path we have been directed. He has abundantly  blessed Gary and I in so many ways I can't even explain! I am so happy, life seems to be working out just fine and dandy. (even though I know some rough roads are ahead while Gary is gone for 5-6 months! But I will always look for the silver lining. -which I might not always be good at but I will try)
Here are a few pictures of the grand event!

Swearing in

Head of Gary's department

Gary's Recruiter. She's WONDERFUL! 

The crew that came

Proud wifee

Man is there NEWS!

My life never seems to be calm. But I might bring that on myself. Well, a lot has happened. I have moved up to Sandy for the next little while (friends let’s play!). I have done this for many reasons. First off, Gary joined the Air National Guard! He will be leaving for 6 months and I didn’t want to live in St George all by myself… not only because there is no point, BUT I am PREGNANT! I didn’t want to go through everything alone especially if there were any complications and I didn’t have anyone to help me. Although I will miss my friends and ward down there!

My first choice of where to live worked out. And sure happy it did because my mom doesn’t have any room… well unless you count a half of a bedroom with food storage and a fridge in it! I don’t know if any of you have an in law that you would feel comfortable living with WITHOUT your husband? But I don’t. So my dearly family the Brunson’s that I have lived with for 6 years off and on since I was 18 offered their home once again to me. They are amazing and listen to what Rick (the dad) said to me when I asked if he wants me to pay rent. “No, we don’t want anything. We do this in hopes that those we help can do things for others.” What an amazing man. We do help around the house, Gary has spent 2 full days with some construction things they are doing on the house (which I’m sure he will be helping out more on other days) and I try to do dishes once in a while and show appreciation for all they do. We also have taken kids to school and other things. Although it doesn’t pay for all they do we hope they realize our gratitude.

About pregnancy… well I will do a whole post on the craziness but as for general information.  I am 12 weeks along. I am due March 28^th (well this is MY calculations not a dr.’s) I haven't actually had a first dr's appointment yet. :/ I had a free consultation and the midwife asked if we wanted to hear the heart beat! Yay! It was so cool. It actually was cooler for Gary. I mean it was awesome for me but here is the back story on that:

The night before this I had a dream that I sort of had a dream that I miscarried. But I wasn’t worried I have had lots of weird crazy dreams and didn’t feel like this was a premonition or anything. I also have been sick and the realization of me having a baby has come from all the weird things that happen with pregnancy. So when the midwife starts searching for the heartbeat and she can’t find it for quite a long time Gary actually got nervous. (I just thought it is probably hard to find) Then she found it. Fast little heartbeat of 175 beats per minute and it made the realization for Gary a lot more real. It was very cool to listen to but it was Gary’s moment of truth… I feel like it will even be more for him when we get an ultra sound!

Anyway, that is our update. Up in Sandy, I’m prego, Gary joined the Air Guard and leaving for basic on a date we will find out in the near future.

My new favorite amazing blog

I have never seen a person be SO creative with taking something from the DI (or looks like DI clothing...) that are HIDEOUS and are transformed to something very trendy, fashionable and CUTE!
Its amazing that with a little creativity (or a lot), and a little cutting, sewing and fixing (or a lot) you can turn THIS:

Before

After

into
THIS:






Her website is http://refashinista.net/

AMAZING!

Life update

Life has been quite different the past little bit.

At the end of June Gary and I went up to SLC. He stayed while by weekend's closure I was going back to St George. Gary has a window washing business he does over the summers (makes really good money which helps with our lack of motivation to work full time jobs the rest of the year). All of his clients are in SLC and he knows great places to find more clients up here. And who in their right mind would want to work in the extreme heat in st george anyway. SO I have 2 jobs in St George and nothing in SLC.
SEPARATION!
Off I went to St George, knowing little of the struggle that was awaiting me. The first little bit wasn't too bad. I was very busy with my 2 jobs, unpacking, projects I had written previously and other random things I set up. The hardest part of the entire month alone was CONSTANTLY going home to an empty house, sleeping alone (while constantly scaring myself with "did I lock the door?" type things), and no one to make food for, go out to eat with, watch movie with, go to the park with, shop with, anything. The normal things I never realized how much I LOVED doing with Gary and now I would sit alone unmotivated to do other things watching the health and fit show.
The funny thing is I didn't mind at times being alone, to do whatever I please and how I pleased. It was times when I would talk to Gary and he's going camping, fishing, downtown with my best friend, seven peaks, my families fathers day party and my sister's birthday party. I missed a lot in June and if I wasn't planning on coming up so much in July I would have come in June. But Gary had something often. I was happy he was keeping busy, having fun and I loved hearing about it. I soon became ok with it all.
One night I was talking to Gary. He was off to go do something fun and I said, "what should I do?" Being the kind hearted man he is, he said- "do something for someone else." OF COURSE. I used to do this all the time when I was younger. I loved making brownies, cookies or anything sweet then writing a note and doorbell ditching it. Or anything to make someone else feel special. This made me realize that I had all the opportunity in my own hands to have fun.
That night I ended up doing something for Gary but ended up planning many things so I wouldn't be bored or alone so much. First, a fun party at my house with ward friends. This was an absolute blast. It made my entire month worth it! I got closer with all of them and it has now become a monthly thing! (So excited for July 13th!) Then, my another friend of mine, (Christie) and I went and saw Hairspray at Tuachan. It was WAY fun and I sure love doing things with her. My companion texted me one night and she ended up coming down. We went to Benja's (SO GOOD...I highly recommend anyone who is coming to St George to try it out!!) and a movie. She slept over and came to church with me.  We both had a spiritual experience that brought us back to our mission and a man we both love (I think I will do a different post altogether for this experience.)  Lastly I also took a temp job for one weekend. It became a very busy and fun time. Although I missed Gary still I was reminded that we have to make our own lives into what we want. Giving or moaning, exciting or boring, alone or friendship, happy or sad. I was waiting for someone to invite ME over, I was the one ALONE. It would be so nice of someone right? NO, I create what I want my life to be. I became okay with what was going on in our life. Not seeing Gary every day wasn't the top of my bucket list but it doesn't mean I can't be okay with the situation and have fun otherwise.

I think too often we are waiting for WHEN THIS happens then it will be okay. It is always NOW, WHEN never comes. Its always in the future and its so easy to constantly find the when. Yes I wanted to see Gary, I knew when I got to see him again I would be happy. But why waist all the happy times I did have waiting for the ONE happy thing to come.

I am SO glad I followed the promptings to keep my jobs, to be separated for a time and to learn once again that NOW is the time to live life no matter what the circumstance is. I give all praise to God, He knows us so well. He is so aware of our tiny details of life. I am SO grateful for the MILLIONS of blessings I see constantly. God is REAL. I use to wonder, and I still have many religious questions or misunderstandings but this I KNOW God loves us, is aware of you, he is VERY real in my life.

Mission Mondays

                       Greenie!

First day meeting these two wonderful people!

I thought since I graduated I would have all the time in the world... well it hasn't happened yet. But I am wanting to try and start with more about my mission! So I will fit in time.

I was probably the most green you could get. (On the mission when you first get out in the mission field they call you green-you don't know anything but you think you know how it all should run down.) I was pumped, so excited and ready to go.
Nov. 1st I shipped off to my first area. (Before I left my mission President called my mom and told her happy birthday for me-with me there listening. What a fantastic and kind man! Wait until you hear more later!)

Sister Wolsey and I in our apt.

Off to Livingston Montana with my cluelessness to start what people call a mission. I met my first companion- Sister Wolsey. She was very nice and I really liked her. As time went on my greenie head was disagreeing with what was going on. I have absolutely nothing against her but we weren't working as hard as I wanted to. No need to go into those details but in my weekly letter to the mission president I explained my situation. He made a few calls to other people (you can't take a greenie's word for it for SURE!) and after a week and a half I was adopted. My birth mom (more mission lingo) was gone and my adopted mom in.

SISTER MICHELLE HANNA!

Isn't Hanna gorgeous?

The cool thing about this is my room-mate from college (Emily) was in the same ward back at her hometown. Before my mission I went to Emily's home with her and at church saw that Hanna was in Montana (No pun intended but she sure got that one a lot as it was a big fad at that time) I wrote her a letter and told her that maybe she will be my trainer. She didn't think anything of it because she was pretty green herself. But nevertheless SHE TRAINED ME! (at only 4 and 1/2 months!) On top of that all it was pretty much being doubled in. She didn't know the area, the people, any details. And being there only a week neither did I!

Hanna did this for me above my bed.

It goes without saying that Hanna was an AMAZING trainer. I am sure my greenie-ness came out at times but she was a great.
In my journal I said, "I got my new trainer and I LOVE her. Sister Hanna is ready and willing to work her guts out and I LOVE it!" I went on to say how much we did on the FIRST night she was there! I was so pumped.
As I skimmed through my journal I would constantly see "I love her."

Out working HARD!

My biggest struggle in this area was my naiveness and expectations of something else. As I said before I was very green. Coming from the MTC with Gabbart it was only called for. I rarely missed everything at home and just wanted to work but didn't know how to work hard and still live normal. I expected difficulties to just go away. That my companion and I would push them aside and work. This is NOT realistic but it is what I wanted. Later being transferred looking back I know I was too hard on companion, me and the mission as a whole.

Laughter an often occurance

Don't worry she isn't breaking rules... it is her
birthday.... and its rootbeer. :)

Although next week I will talk all about the area I can't go without saying that Hanna loves like no else. If someone was down God would send us their direction because Hanna had just the words to say to help them feel better. More on this next week.
Hanna and I laughed a lot. She has a great sense of humor and always would make me feel good. I still look up to her as she has such an amazing testimony. Her strength continues to buoy me as she has such a powerful testimony of this gospel. I love her and will always have a tender spot for my mission mom.

I LOVE YOU SISTER HANNA! Thanks for being such a GREAT Trainer!

Side note:

This will be mostly story for later but when I went to zone conference in this area President Fisher would constantly say, "I love you." Especially to the sisters. He was such a tender hearted man. BUT when I had a meeting with him at the very end he asked what's going on. I said this and that. Then he paused and said, What else? I knew what I was thinking but kept going around the topic. He asked me for a third time, What else?  I finally spilt it out and said, "when you say you love me.... I don't believe it." With a big long pause and tears in his eyes he said something that shocked me as a response. "Then I will continue to love you until you do." Those words still pierce me as I realize now the pain he felt when I told him those words. YES this man loved me... I just wouldn't let him in.

My motto song

I have been trying for the past hour how to have one of those cool playlists to my blog. But to no avail I have failed. I have really started to love listening to Lady Antebellum. They have some REALLY good songs. I have found my life motto in one of their songs. I will always get chills when I belt it out (You don't necessarily want to hear it) It resonates inside me as if I am singing out a part of me. I love it and have dedicated it as my motto for life!

Its called I was here by Lady Antebellum here is the link for the one with lyrics with it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRUgTNJdLs
Love it!