Last day of summer

Yesterday was my last day of summer. Not just my last day of summer for this year, but my last day of summer ever. And by that I mean, not having any responsibility for anyone and being able to come and go as I please. Earlier in the week, I was wondering what I would do on my last day. One thing for sure, I knew I would sleep in.

I got news that my new school computer was in, so that took me to school. There were lots of people at work, and it was fun to see friends I hadn't seen all summer. I got my computer and the game plan was to leave, but when I was in my class, I realized I had so much to do. (I don't think that ever goes away.) So I decided that even if it was my last day of summer, I would get some work done, so I wouldn't be stressed and exhausted this weekend and Monday. I also realized that I was doing what I loved, and that was a great way to spend my last day of summer.

My new computer... I am in love. My last school computer gave me the wheel of death all of the time and was so hard to work on. 

My quilting lady called to let me know that my baby quilt was finished. I quickly finished up what I needed and headed over to pick up my quilt. I was thrilled with the final product. And I have to say that this is my favorite quilt that I have made so far.

I came home and put together dinner for a neighbor who had a baby. (Quick side note: In July, we had 10 babies born in our ward... it was crazy!) While dinner was baking I ran to the fabric store and got some thread to match my binding. After dinner I spent the night binding my quilt. I was so glad to get it finished!

These are the same colors as the other quilt I made for baby girl Barber. 

Love this quilt!

I had to take a picture of the minky, and can't you just picture a little naked baby picture on this blanket?

Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower for Amber a week or so after Olivia arrived. It was so fun to have a shower, and to have the baby there to love on.

My sister Andrea holding baby Olivia. I think all baby girls should have a pink blanket like this!

I spent the week before making a few crafts. I had a lot of ideas, but only a little time each night since I had to work that week. 

I have been loving the button monogrammed letters for nurseries. Hope this one ends up matching!

Not the best picture, but I made this banner.

I also spent time reorganizing my living room to fit 20+ people. I doubt there has ever been that many people in our apartment before. It was a little tight, but it was so much fun. Our ward is so fun, and I love the friendships I have made the past 3 years. 

I told my mom that I was planning on doing 3-4 desserts and she volunteered to help make some. My mom seriously is amazing. She whipped up some homemade brownies and then another treat that I can't remember the name of. (Prego Brain) She dropped them off the night before. The next day while cleaning and preparing, I only had the energy to make lemon cookies. If my mom wouldn't have helped me out, we would've only had one option.

The spread. It looks small on my table, I only put out 1/2 of what was made.

The water looked awesome at first, but then kind of gross. I froze strawberries and blueberries into ice cubes. But once they started to melt, it didn't look as cute- but it tasted great!

It was fun to start out with Amber sharing their adoption story. There were a lot of tears coming from the ward members who were hearing it for the first time. 

Then we took turns in small groups to get treats in the kitchen... haha. Seriously, next time I host, I'll need to find somewhere else to do it. I also felt like it was 1000 degrees, but I'm hoping it was only me that felt that way. 

And last but not least Amber opened up her gifts. Baby girl stuff is so cute and I was so excited for little Olivia and all of her stuff! 

(Here is a better picture of the banner, and you can see 1/4 tissue pom poms that I made.)

I love when showers are just like a girls night. We all sat around and talked and enjoyed one another's company. What a fun group! 

Miracle Baby

When I got a text from my friend Amber the other night that she might be getting a baby through adoption the next day, I started to cry. You might remember Amber from previous crafting posts. Last fall we started getting together to craft during our spare time. Both of us were having issues with fertility and to help with our sadness and maybe a little anger, we would craft and vent together. Back in May their adoption profile through LDS family services went live. I know that with adoption it can take quite a while to get a baby. So when I found out, I was quite shocked!

Amber and her husband had had their profile up for 2 months when they were contacted by a birth mom who had had her baby earlier in the week. They picked their baby girl up less than 24 hours later. I seriously was on pins and needles until she text me letting me know that they had her, and that she wanted me to come meet her. I was finishing up some onesies and a blanket that I had put together in the last few hours. 

I met them at Amber's parents house where I first met little Olivia. What a little miracle she is and what a blessing, I am so happy for Amber and Jordan! I seriously cry when I think about their story and how they started their family.  From this post, you can see that we made baby girl dresses and matching shoes. Who would've thought that we would both have miracle baby girls to wear them only 1 year later. 

Strollin around the living room

The other week I came home from school to find that our carseat and stroller had arrived. (I love being able to order things online... so nice!) The 2nd surprise was that Bob had put the stroller together and had the carseat attached. He was pushing the stroller around our living room. He was so cute! It was fun to see his excitement for our baby on the way.

He told me that I needed to take it out for a test drive, and I pushed it around our apartment. (Granted, that only took about 40 seconds.) Later while watching TV, he pulled the stroller over by the recliner so he could use the cup holder while he was sitting in his chair. As of right now it is sitting in our nursery, and sometimes I push it around too.

We are getting pretty excited. The plan is to use the basic stroller frame until spring, and then hopefully get a BOB jogging stroller.

SF Rodeo

This year we went to the Rodeo with my family during the week of the 24th. During the last year, the arena in Spanish Fork got a much needed face lift. I have always loved going to the rodeo each year, and for one night claim to be part cowgirl.

I remember in high school, I was nominated for queen of our Harvest ball. This dance was put on by the FFA and there were a few competitions at school that week to determine the queen. One was a roping competition. My good friend Danielle took me to her barn one day during lunch and tried to give me some pointers. She was a good teacher, but needless to say, I wasn't the queen.

I was super nervous about it being hot and unbearable, as it had been quite hot. So I decided to wear a dress. (I figured that I wouldn't be as sweaty.) I got lucky and the evening was quite cool, and by the end I would've been quite comfortable wearing a jacket. My only complaint is that during the 'facelift' they didn't put some padded cushions on the bench. I was dying by the end of the night.

 Without fail, I will always post a picture of myself with squinty eyes!

 We sat by Andrea and Brent, the rest of our family is on the other side of Andrea.

24 weeks pregnant. (I always thought I would be the one who took a million pictures of my growing belly. But somehow in the moment when you are getting bigger and bigger, taking a picture of yourself is the last thing you want to do.)

Working hard for the family

Bob has been working hard around the clock. Not only is he working in Murray for his pharmacy internship, he is doing loads of assignments when he gets home, working on his calling, and lately helping me cross things off the baby list. (He also helps me with the housework.... man I am lucky!)

Yesterday I went shopping with my Mom and sister Ayrika. Ayrika is getting ready to go off to college and needed a few (or a million) things for her apartment. My Mom's mom, Grandma Andrus wanted to get me a dresser/changing table for our baby. So while we were out shopping we found one that we liked and picked it up. So happy Ayrika and Mom were there, since I can't lift anything and the package was over 100 pounds.

When Bob got home from work, I was happy when he agreed to put it together right then. My goal is to have the nursery completely ready before I go back to school in August. Which basically means the end of this month. We have a lot of work days and team meetings before school starts on the 21st. A lot of people have been asking what I was planning to do, and I am going back to work. I love my job and among other things insurance for teachers runs September to September so we would be without insurance if I didn't go back. I am sure I will also be grateful for the distraction these next couple of months before the baby comes!

The nursery is slowly coming along. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will be able to post the finished product. (Minus the baby, of course!)

Look who I found

This morning I was in Provo getting some blood work done for the baby doctor. (I was asked to do it almost a month and a half ago, and today was the day I finally got it done... slacker!) On my way home I decided to stop at the DI to check a few things out. Yesterday Bob and I went to the American Fork DI to look for a rocking chair, but didn't find anything we liked. Even though I wasn't finding anything I liked online that didn't cost $500 +, I didn't think I would find anything at DI.  I was taking my time around looking for a few specific items I had in mind to decorate, and finally made my way back to the chairs. When I got to the chair section I found this-

Grandpa Hales! I started laughing and wasn't completely surprised to see him there or asleep. My Grandma Hales is a DI professional. She has been going her whole life and can always find the best things. I remember going with her as a child and getting to pick out a couple things each trip. That was at the old Provo DI, where things were much cheaper. My Grandma doesn't like the new(er) DI as much. And as for the sleeping, my Grandpa was known to take his lunch break from work at a nearby park and would nap in his car.

My camera on my phone is broken, so I was pulling out my iPad to take a quick picture when I spotted my Grandma. She had a framed picture in her cart that she was really excited about. I told her I was going to take a picture, and she laughed and told me to to hurry before he woke up. Turns out Grandma had just had some blood work done too, (we compared bandages) and was shopping to make herself feel a little better. What a great example I have in my life!

After seeing my Grandparents, I started looking at the chairs and found a really nice rocking chair. I was so happy, because it was a good quality rocking chair and it wasn't too much. My Grandma gave me her approval and then told me to sit in the chair so no one could take it from me. Now my Grandma knows best when it comes to DI, so I sat myself down for a good 10 minutes. And during that time there were quite a few people eyeing my new find. Luckily my Dad was about to leave work to go to Tooele, so he was able to pick up the large chair and drop it off at our apartment.

This is by far my best purchase at DI. I am going to try to figure out how to make a cushion and then I'll post some pictures.