Just Thinking.....

As we approach the arrival of our next baby it has made me stop and think a lot about how it was when Kate was born. Lately Chris and I have been talking about how he wasn't even around for this part of the pregnancy last time. He has never seen my belly quite this big before or me in need of quite so much sleep. Last time when I was about 34 weeks Chris received the phone call we had been waiting over a year for. The only problem was that we was scheduled to leave for training in two weeks and wouldn't be back for three months. It was a complete shock to both of us. Many tears were shed over this new direction our life was taking but we defiantly knew that this was what we were supposed to be doing. So we dried our eyes and Chris took off for Georgia and I stayed behind to welcome our new baby into the world. Lucky for me I have so many amazing women who were there to fill in for him. I would not have made it through any of those long days and lonely nights without them.

Luckily with the kindness of family and friends Chris was able to fly home a week and half after Kate was born to meet her. This is the first time he held her. Doesn't he look scared! Let's just say it was a bit overwhelming for him to leave with a pregnant wife and come back with her holding this tiny baby girl.

They became good friends right away and it has never changed. We are so stoked to get to do this again. Chris is excited to get to be around this time for the delivery. We feel so blessed for the opportunity we had last time to grow and mature through our trials and also that this time we now get to be together. It makes me grateful and glad that I am not the one in control but that there is someone much wiser in charge of the show.

Elder Wirthlin

I was sadden today when I learned that Elder Wirthlin had passed away. He was one apostle of which I was hoping would be around for ever. His sweet spirit and calm demeanor I have always enjoyed. It is so nice to know that he is now with his wife. It is times like this that make me grateful again that the heavens are still open and that there are apostles and prophets on the earth again. I am grateful for his life of service and dedication and hopefully now he can receive some rest.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Monday. Chris and our next door neighbor work together and they both have to work on Thanksgiving day. We decided to do an early celebration so that they could both enjoy the day and not have to rush off to work after eating. I thought it wouldn't feel the same but it did. We had such a fun day.

A couple weeks before we had a Family Night about Thanksgiving. Then we made Thanksgiving placemates. We just cut words and pictures out of magazines about of things we were thankful for. I was aiming more for teaching Kate about being thankful for the things we have but I was pleasantly suprised with how much the adults got into it. Kate was finished and everyone was still diligently looking through all the magazine searching for more things they were thankful for.

I made my first turkey this year. I was so stressed about it the week before. I think it was because I have seen so many movies were the turkey starts on fire or burns, so I figured it had to be pretty complicated to do. I wasn't. Plus I had my lovely assistant to help me out in the kitchen and he knows his way around a kitchen!





I picked a 20lb turkey. Of course I didn't know what I was doing and it ended up being tons for only four adults and a toddler but we have had plenty of leftovers-which everyone loves!




Chris thought this comparison was hilarious. He said, "Which is the baby and which is they turkey?"

Chris, Jade, Chloe (baby), Mark, and Kate

Going along with the West family tradition we had our neighbors over to eat doughnuts. Supposedly it helps make more room in your stomach so you can eat more during dinner. I think it is just a wonderful tradition and a good excuse to eat doughnuts.

Jade & Chloe.

Then we hung Christmas lights up on our house and the guys went out and tinkered with Chris' scooter.

After all the stress the turkey turned out perfect. I was so happy and grateful for all the wonderful guidance from everyone.

During all the hussel and bussel from moving food from one house to the other I accidently locked the door to our house and neither of us had keys. I wasn't going to tell Chris till after dinner but I couldn't keep it in. He was really irritated because our house is too tall to climb in a window or something. We unfortunately keep all our windows locked up tight. Luckily with great skill on him and Mark's part they opened the door later.

This is our yummy meal. It was the perfect dinner!

After Kate and Chloe relaxed and watche Sleeping Beauty. That night we went and bought our Christmas tree and after setting it up headed off to see Twilight the movie. It was so good. I think the best book to movie I have yet to see.

Last night we decided that with our Thanksgiving over we would get ready for Christams. We set up the nativity with Kate. It was so much fun and she was fascinated by it all. I hope everyone has a wonderful thanks giving and enjoys it as much as we did! Happy Thanksgiving!

Books.....

I have decided to start sharing my thoughts on books I read. Kind of like a book review. Reading is something I really love doing. Since I find myself not sleeping quite as much as I used to lately I have had a lot more time to read. Especially in the middle of the night.

I just finished the book by Sheri Dew If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard. I really, really like this book. I felt like every time I read from it I learned something of immense value, but it has so many wonderful anecdotes and stories that it makes the learning process enjoyable. It makes me sad that I didn't read it sooner-it has been sitting on my self for over two years. Particularly what I like was her wonderful phrase that is used for the title-If life were easy, it wouldn't be hard. I have come to understand and appreciate trials like I never thought I would before. During the time I was reading this book I was facing an immense personal trial and instead of feeling sad for myself, I found myself kneeling down in praying and thanking Heavenly Father that I had to opportunity to struggle and so by doing growing and learning. I also enjoyed the very last chapter were she talked about how many of us are making our own lives hard because we don't ask for enough help from our Father in Heaven. We don't feel that he should be concerned with us or our trivial needs. When in reality he is simply waiting for us to ask for help and he will be there. I now realize it is much the same as I am with Kate. I always love to help her out and comfort her no matter how small or trivial it may seem. If it matters her, it matters to me.

If any of you have read this book you'll have to let me know what you think or if you haven't I highly recommend it. It will definitely leave you feeling better about yourself and life in general. Helping you feel more prepared to take on challenges of daily life.

Goings On....

My wonderful friends threw me a baby shower last Saturday. Unfortunately I only took two pictures and they were of Kate. While we were opening presents she snuck off and starting licking all of the frosting off the "cake". It was really yummy pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting on it, but while all the adults were distracted she took advantage of it. She would take a big piece of frosting off the cake and then hide under the table and eat it. It made me laugh. Luckily we had already eaten. Thanks Jade & Diana. I had such a good time and it was nice to have a get together.



These are some pictures I took of Kate to put on Christmas cards.

She is quite a tough girl to take pictures of, but man she is cute.

We are working hard to get ready for our baby boy. He is coming in about a month. We are so excited and are mostly trying to prepare Kate for this little boy that I am sure will rock-her-world. It should be interesting.

Good Old Weber....

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yeah
2. What kind of car did you drive? A brown, 1983 Toyota Trecelle when I was a Sophomore-that managed to fit 13 people in it and then a Saturn when I was a Senior.
3. What was the most embarrassing moment of High School? The only one I can think of is when Shawn Boucher came up behind me and kicked my feet out from under me and I fell hard on my butt. My books went everywhere and I was so ticked off because I was a sophomore and already socially awkward enough!
4. Were you a party animal? No not in the least.
5. Were you considered a flirt? Ya, even though I thought I was just being friendly. I know it was always something I had to remember not to do when I was dating someone else.
6. Were you in a band, orchestra, or choir? I was in orchestra in Junior High.
7. Were you a nerd? Always-who wasn't.
8. Were you on any varsity teams? No.
9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Never.
10. Can you still sing the fight song? No, I never did know it though, but I still know the "Good Old Weber" song and sometimes I sing it to Kate and Chris rolls his eyes. That song still brings back good warm, fuzzy feelings. It is very catchy.
11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mr. Rhoades....I had the that class with Chelsie if anyone read hers. It was really fun. I appreciate that he understood how to mix fun with school. We could come to class, do our work, and then hang out. It was a much need break from all our other stressful classes. He's a good guy.
12. Where did you sit during lunch? I didn't sit in one specific place. Mostly in the lunch room so I could eat!
13. What was your school's full name? Weber High School
14. School Mascot? Warriors
15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? Jordan Murry and I think Jess Dickson.
16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? No. Life is too wonderful now to ever wish going back. I am grateful for what I have learned and how I have grown since. I didn't hate high school but adolescents is incredibly awkward. I wouldn't mind going to Seminary again though. I would love to have a required class to go to everyday to learn the gospel. The teachers know just what to say and have the greatest stories. Plus I loved going with friends because you really got to see a different side of them. Those were good times.
17. What do you remember most about graduation? I remember grad night I won a $100 that Jackie Okroy's parents donated and that I had a blast. I also remember grad night was way too long and everyone ended laying on the ground falling asleep while they kept calling out names, so everyone it the class would win a prize. The saying "It is better to leave the party 5 minutes early, than 5 minutes late" is fitting for the situation.
18. Where did you go Senior Skip day? I went to Pineview Damn, I think, but then I had to go into work because my boss wouldn't let me off-lame!
19. Were you in any clubs? Yes, but I can't remember what. I just remembering getting my picture taken.
20. Who was your prom date? Jess Dickson. I went to prom with laryngitis. It was pretty bad.
21. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? It really depends on if my friends go. Most of the people I love from school I see on my blog. It would be nice to see how everyone has turned out. Hopefully they are happy!
22. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? To enjoy everyday and everybody I meet. "This too shall pass!", so don't sweat the small stuff. Life doesn't end after high school. It is really just beginning.
I tag whoever wants to take a trip down memory lane.

Happy Halloween!

I love fall! It is hands down my favorite season. I was slightly disappointed when we didn't get back to Maryland until mid-October because I felt like we had missed so much of the fall season. Chris had to go out town for business two days before Halloween, so it was just Kate and I for the day.

We took off to pick a pumpkin and ended up at a whole harvest shin-dig. Kate was fascinated with these miniature donkeys.

Kate just had to do this maze that was set up. She didn't get it at first but by the end we were having fun.

This is a gigantic balloon-jumpy thing that was filled with air. I've never seen anything like it before. There was a gazillion little elementary school kids jumping on it when we got there so we had to wait till they took off. They were all a little intimidating.

Then Kate picked a pumpkin out. This is Kate's "baby" pumpkin. She picked it all by herself and it has been hauled all over our house. It has been fun because Halloween and pumpkins have always been my favorite things. It seems like her and I have lots in common.

Then after we went to Bob Evans-its a restaurant-and ate some lunch. After being on a farm picking pumpkins we needed a "hearty, home cooked meal". I really just went because I wanted pumpkin bread. Yum!

Tinker Belle


Then we went to my friend, Diana's, house to go trick-or-treating. We decorated cookies and had such a good time. Thanks Di for all the fun!

This is Tinker Belle and the Little Witch-Kate and Bella!

This is My Guy.....Happy Birthday Hun!

September seems to be the best month of the year for me. It is the month I went on my first date with Chris, it is the month he was born and it is also the month my baby Kate was born. I love September!

Chris turned 27 on September 20Th. The month has come and gone. Even though I wasn't able to blog about it at the time I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. This is what happens when you are traveling endlessly but that is for another blog.

I told Chris he could go anywhere he wanted for his big day even Taco Bell....and guess where we ended up. I put on a big smile and said lets go. Lets just say we didn't hold back. We ended up spending a whopping $15. In Taco Bell currency that is a lot of money. Then we did what we have missed doing since we moved out to the big cities of the East coast. Went on a drive. We just drove around and went to places we hadn't ever been. The thing about driving back here is that it is very apparent that Brigham Young did not design there streets, therefore, nothing is on a grid system like in Utah. On a positive note you can end up in the most random places you didn't know existed. The down side is we don't have GPS to get us back home. It was a fun relaxing day.

I just want to tell you babe I love you! I know I tell you a lot but I can never tell you enough. I love you! You are a great person and I am grateful I have you for eternity, because without you the idea of eternity would seem pretty daunting. I am glad I have you to hold my hand through all the great times and the not-so-good times. I am most grateful of all that on this day you were born!

Tropical Storm Hanna.....

We weathered our first tropical storm out here on the East coast. One hit here a few years ago that did a lot of damage so many people were on edge. We were very fortunate to be on the outer bands of it and barley were hit. Still I know that some people were still flooded and damage was done. Watching the storm made me understand, only a tiny bit, how scary and dangerous a real hurricane must be. Well we planned to simply stay in for the day but it seems that fate was conspiring against me.

Tell me if this sounds right.....To get my two year old to stay in her diapers I promised her that I would go buy her a new potty and big girl underwear. I have been dreading the day she learns to take off her diaper herself because I have seen what my sisters have gone through. Particularly when they go to get there kids up from naps to find a naked toddler with surprises all over their crib. This was a day I could put off for another year and with no older sibling I thought we would, but Kate had other ideas. So, after running around naked for awhile screaming "potty" and then compromising with the hopes of big girl underwear we set out in the storm to fulfill my promise.

Umbrellas were almost useless and my clothes ended up drenched anyway, but we made it there and back in one peace. The worst part was that it seems the more rain and the harder it falls the faster people drive. Luckily we only went a few blocks. We came back tried out our new underwear and potty then we took a long nap. We spent the afternoon playing dress ups with the windows up to listen to the rain. This too was a compromise instead of Kate being out in the middle of the downpour and wind. She loves to be in the rain.

She can pull off anything.

Then to top off our day Chris and I set out to get a new bed for Kate. We had to get it while it was on sale and we got the very last one. It was worth the effort.

Kate is a little suspicious of her new bed to sleep in it but she likes to play in it right now. She has four months till her brother comes so hopefully she can adjust. But we are grateful we made it through our first storm no damage done.

First big game!

Chris, Kate and I went to our first Nationals game. I have never been to a professional baseball game before. We had a blast going. It was so much more fun than I thought it would be.




This is just a random pic we took, on our way to the game, when Kate found a squirrel running around. She named him (or her) Bunny. It was probably because here the squirrels look like full grown bunnies. When I we first move here they freaked me out because they are everywhere.

The stadium is right in D.C. I didn't think they could fit a stadium in D.C. but lo and behold here it is. I thought this was an awesome pic with the Washington Monument in the back ground.

Kate was wonderful despite the crazy humidity. If you look at us you can tell we were soaking wet.


We were surround by Philly fans-who the Nats -Nationals-were playing-it was pretty intense. The Nats almost won but couldn't quite do it. It was fun to be there anyway.

Elder Miller

I just wanted to give a shout out to my little brother Cameron. He was just called to the Richmond, Virginia Mission. We are so excited and happy with his choices and his decision to serve. I am still a little in shock because he is only going to be 2 hours away from me. It is so random out of all the missions across the world he is going to be right by me. It sounds like a pretty hard mission-Good Luck Buddy!

Here's Elder Miller with Jay's little boy.

I stole these pics form my sisters blog because obviously I wasn't there. Good thing he has lots of sisters to take care of him.

The family minus me!

I'm so excited for Cam. Here I have had a greater opportunity to work with the missionaries and get to know them. The majority of my ward here are converts. It has been wonderful to see what missionary work does for people and their families.

Baby, baby, baby....

It's a Boy!

For sure. This baby boy was not shy about showing us his stuff. We are still a little surprised and shocked. We are so stoked. Kate is excited about her baby brother.


They also did some 3D images for us. I thought Grandma might like these. The top one is of his face. The bottom one is the side of his head with his hands over his face. His big sister did the exact same thing and we never were able to see her face. Luckily we did with him. We had a hard time getting pictures of his face because his arms were always there. He has learned well from Kate.