Looking Forward

Today is a good day! Jared and I are working hard this week and have forgotten how trying our past week has been. We don't get to see much of each other because we are always on opposite shifts. We are so happy for our marriage and relationship though and we feel fortunate to have the time together that we do get.
Jared is so excited to be a father and always finds excuses to rub my belly and talk to our baby. I secretly love these moment so very much. I think my husband is such an amazing man. I can not wait to see him interact with our son.
I am so exhausted this week and hope that I can find some time to sleep. It has been hard for me to relax without Jared at home at night. I am managing alright though with the help of "tension tamer tea".
I am getting bigger and bigger each day. I want to buy some cute maternity clothes, but I'm clinging to the hope that I will be able to fit in my regular clothes the whole pregnancy. I love fantasy hope.
I hope everyone is doing really well. Jared and I love you all so much

Some Thoughts

I am full of inspiration and hope today. Jared's family is still dealing with the tragedy of the past week, but we are so fortunate to have so much love and support from all directions in our lives.

Last night I was speaking with my father about philosophy. Philosophy comes up a lot in our conversations. My father is a Buddhist and chants/meditates twice daily. There is a specific silent prayer that is given to those who have been lost in life. My father and I were discussing this prayer with one another in lieu of recent events. My father was explaining that this prayer is meant to have one reflect on our deep connection to all those around us. He said that this prayer helps one realize the importance of empathy and compassion for all people.

I know this concept sounds really hippie dippy. However, I was struck by the importance of the explanation of this prayer in day to day life. We know that life is not guaranteed. Jared and I have realized that moments are more special and precious than we will ever truly appreciate. I feel that it is so important to find love and compassion for everyone that you may contact in your life. Jared and I are making a new goal for ourselves to cherish every interaction we make with others. Ryan was a person who we grew to love, but never truly cherished in every moment. For that, we will always regret our inability to recognize the uncertainty of tomorrow. We would like to start today, in honor of our dear brother in-law, to recognize the best in every individual. We are trying hard to tone down the critic in us that inhibits us from seeing how far love can transform our opinions of others.

We love our family and friends so dearly. We hope that we can honor and respect people in every moment of life.

Happy birthday Katie Lou

Today is Jared's sister Katie's birthday. She has to spend it in the hospital this year. A tragedy has struck her life this past weekend and she has lost her dearly beloved husband through a devastating car accident. She is in the ICU right now in Reno Nevada. Astonishingly, she is doing very well on her way to recovery. She is in so many people's hearts and minds right now. Jared and I have felt the full support of so many around us. Cora, Kate's three month old daughter, was also in the car but has managed to escape this tragedy physically unharmed.
I am overwhelmed by the devastating nature of this event. Jared and I are full of sorrow and hope for our dear sister Kate. We loved Ryan and new how much he loved his family. We are struck with wonderment as we turn our thoughts to God in hopes of some glimpse into his comprehension of all things.
Jared and I would like to thank all of those who have shown their love and support, kindness and compassion, and overall hope in this difficult time. We know that through all things we can rely on the Lord's plan in our lives.
I found a quote from Neil a Maxwell that I thought was worth sharing:
“The Lord knows our bearing capacity, both as to coping and to comprehending, and He will not give us more to bear than we can manage at the moment, though to us it may seem otherwise. Just as no temptations will come to us from which we cannot escape or which we cannot bear, we will not be given more trials than we can sustain.” Neil A Maxwell
I am so grateful to know and to love the family I have been given. I will cherrish the memories of Ryan and try harder to show compassion and love to all.

updates!

I have decided to try harder with this blog. Jared and I have been so busy these last months that we are unable to think about blogging. We should update you so you know what is going on:

1. We are expecting our first child at the end of this year. He happens to be a proud and loud boy who is so very strong! We are terrified, overwhelmed, scared, happy, joyous, and everything else you would expect from expecting parents.

2. Jared is fully enrolled at SOU, and is excited to start classes in his education emphasis. He has a CRAZY schedule this year, and will need lots of support as he works to finish his degree.

3. I have graduated from SOU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I will be going back to school when the time is right and plan on pursuing my passions in early intervention work with autism.

4. Jared is also teaching seminary this year! He is so very excited! He will be teaching the book of Mormon.

5. we got the position of resident managers at are apartment complex. we pay $165 a month for rent and work every two weeks. It is a really consuming job but worth it in every way.

We are so overwhelmed by the power of the gospel in our lives right now. We have experienced so much love and support from those around us. I will post a separate blog on some sad and yet still inspiring news later. I do not want to detract from that post with an update of our lives. I am so grateful for my husband and my family.

The Update

I am at work right now stumbling around the online happenings. I decided to update my post so that I don't look like such a slacker.
I am now officially almost done with school! YAY! I have one more term and a week left until I can claim the fame of a graduate. I am really excited, but kind of nervous about what the future holds for me. I want to take a break from school for awhile, but I hope to go back and get a masters degree someday. Jared still has two years left and he is really enjoying his program.
We are really enjoying marriage, but we never get to see each other because I am taking twenty two credits of school and working three jobs, while Jared is taking twelve credits of school and working full time. AWESOME! We do get to tutor this young boy together, a double team action if you will.
So, that was nott much of an update, but at least I tried.