Merry Christmas

A couple of days ago, I woke up early in the morning and rolled over to snuggle with my honey. As I nestled into his side, Faith woke up. She started rolling, kicking, and fluttering. JD was situated where his arm could feel every movement. About 15 minutes later, he had his hands on my belly talking to her in the voice that only grown men use when talking to their own little baby. It was a perfect moment. 

I've wondered over the last several years if JD and I would ever share such a moment. I feel so incredibly blessed.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Elder Holland:


"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."

I know that this is true. And this season for me celebrates that message. Because of Jesus Christ- His birth, His life, and His resurrection- 'good things' come. 


So my Christmas wish is that you will feel an increase of hope in good things to come. That your hearts will be strengthened as you wait on His timing. And that the many blessings we have all been given will be easy to recognize and easy to rejoice in.

Decking the Halls

We have a very special Christmas tradition. We collect ornaments from the places we travel to.

This one is from our recent trip to Hawaii with my family.

This one we got in Boston. Couldn't resist the cute little baby bump.

Another one from our trip to Hawaii.

This one JD surprised me with. It commemorates the day he proposed to me. He knocked off the number 1 item on my bucket list and gave me a pretty ring all at once!

This one was from our trip to San Francisco a couple of years ago. So fun to pull these out every year.

This summer's white water rafting trip

From Graceland- a pit stop on our move out here.

From Santa Fe, NM

Another one from Boston

From the Hershey Factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania 

Made from shredded money- from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

From our road trip- stop in Oregon

This one I had to throw in because it's a pretty picture. I made it to go with the Christmas Eve program JD and I were in charge of for the Santini side 2 years ago. It went with the story The Christmas Orange.

This one started it all- from our honeymoon to Bozeman, Montana.

Another Boston ornament- we got a little crazy on this trip.

I blew this one from glass at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

From New Orleans, Louisiana

From the good 'ol Bitterroot Valley- my Montana home

Elvis glasses- Graceland

That was just a fraction of the ornaments we have (angel is in storage somewhere). I love pulling them out every Christmas and reminiscing. We have been very blessed to be given the opportunity to travel so much during this season of our lives.

And although life is changing for us very soon....

.....we look forward to the most important ornament we will be getting next year: Baby's First Christmas

She's Got Some Cheeks!

29 weeks

November and the beginning of December

Hair rollers and belly

Mark was one of my students I brain trained for 6 months. This is at his graduation. We put his hand print on the wall to recognize his efforts.

Buddy came for the special occasion.

Here we are going over his results. His IQ increased by about 7 points.

A little gift I gave him as an inside joke.

The whole team

Here I am busting out of the Rexburg Temple before my sweet sister Paige exits as a married woman.

Paige Mousley

The happy couple- Mr. and Mrs. Brad Mousley

Because Brooke couldn't be there with us, Mom, Paige, and I each wore one of her rings so she could be with us in spirit.

The wind was so crazy my hairdo didn't hold up well. As least Paige's did!

All of the cousins

Grandparents and the couple

Daddy's girl

Hanging out during Thanksgiving

At Festival of Lights

Elder Perry and the Ambassador of Portugal

The beautiful temple

Elder Perry's advice to us was to get as much sleep as we could before the baby comes.

JD's birthday dinner at That's Amore

Happy 33rd Birthday!

Ward Christmas party Nativity- we were delighted to play Mary and Joseph