Spirit Guide

It's no secret that I love my job.

Love it to the point of obsession...and here's one more reason why.

Every year New Haven goes on a river rafting trip for one of the weekends when parents come out to visit their girls.

That annual weekend was about a month ago.

I was able to go, but just couldn't be in the fun, battling rafts since it can get a little crazy trying to commandeer the fellow rafts.

It was quite sad, but I still had an awesome time going down the river and camping with my girls and their families.

Also on this trip, there is a special ceremony where the girls get their animal spirit guides.

If you've seen the movie "Brother Bear" you have somewhat an idea of what I'm talking about.

A spirit guide is an animal that has characteristics like you.

There are things within the animal that others may see, but you haven't yet seen in yourself.

Sometimes the animal shows up in your life more frequently than other times.

This animal is supposed to help remind you of where you need to be, what you need to work on, and how you can be the most happy.

The guide is always picked by someone who is close to you, knows you really well, and usually has some sort of authority.

The girls really enjoy receiving them and a lot of them really connect with the animal.

After the ceremony and everyone went to bed, the staff had a mini ceremony of our own to receive our spirit guides.

Of course you start to speculate what animal you'll receive.

I really wanted the dolphin because it's my favorite animal.

Or the cougar would've been fun since I went to BYU.

When it was my turn, however, the animal I received had never crossed my mind.

My supervisor called me up and started talking about all of the animal qualities that my guide embodies and how my co-workers can see those qualities within me.

Then he said my guide:

The dragonfly.

And I love it.

Absolutely love it.

Here is the description of what being a dragonfly means:

"The dragonfly has many things to teach you with many powerful symbols and abilities.  They inhabit two realms: water and air.  This is symbolic of your ability, with practice, to achieve balance between the mental and emotional states, bringing peace to the past and present.  They are hatched underwater and remain there for the first 4-5 years of life.  At that time a major transformation takes place in their bodies.  They climb out of the water and shed their old skin and their bodies become long and slender and 4 large wings emerge.  This drastic change reminds you of your ability to change yourself in ways that may appear impossible at first thought.

The dragonfly has 2 very large eyes on each side of its head.  Each eye is divided into 2 section that can look in different directions.  One can look up for danger while the other looks down for food.  Each eye has 28,000 lenses which increase its ability to focus.  A dragonfly can focus in on a mosquito flying 20 feet away and catch it with its legs.  The dragonfly's sharp sight and depth perception has led to the belief that it can help you gain greater perspective and see past the illusions in your life to a clear picture of the truth about yourself and the past.

Its 4 wings can flap in 4 different directions at the same time allowing it to change directions, stop, hover, or fly backwards in an instant.  The dragonfly has been clocked at speeds of 60 miles per hour.  Scientists have tried for decades to duplicate the flying capabilities of the dragonfly and have not even come close.  To the dragonfly, this impossibility is reality.  The dragonfly teaches you to never accept 'I can't' as a  motto for life.  Let the dragonfly guide you as your learn that you can."

There literally is 2-3 full pages describing the dragonfly, but those are some of the mini highlights.

I love the qualities of this beautiful insect and want to strive to always emulate them.

You can tell you're not living in harmony with your guide when you are unhappy.

You have to refocus and get back in line to have the most success.

I also received a necklace with a dragonfly on it and I now wear it all the time.

I've also become obsessed with trying to find one!

So next time you see one...think of me. :)

Letter to 17-year-old Me.

I love me some country music.

I love me some Brad Paisley.

On the way home from work I was listening to said B. Paisley and on came his song "Letter to Me."

If you've never heard it...go do so.

It's great.

In it he writes a letter to his 17-yr-old self.

I've heard it lots of times before, but this time I started to think more about myself at 17.

And then I decided to follow Brad's lead and write to 17-yr-old Kaycie.

Hello Kaycie,

It's me...Kaycie.

(I'm starting to feel awkward.......

I'll finish it anyway.....)

Right now it's 2013 and oh how much will your life change from where it's currently at in 2004.

First things first: you're so beautiful with those big, brown eyes and thick, brown hair.

So since you are...QUIT plucking your eyebrows so dang thin and QUIT putting blonde highlights in your hair.  It looks bad.  So just stop.

You're not fat.  You're so far from fat it's ridiculous.  Quit comparing yourself to the twigs in your ballet class.  Your body was made for other styles of dance.

Enjoy being a size 5.  The birthing hips will come in your Freshman year.

Don't feel bad that you don't get asked to come to the school parties.  They DO NOT matter so keep enjoying your time at home with your parents on those Friday nights.

Be more thankful for the paradise you live in.  There are no beaches where you currently are!

Most of your friends will fade.  Keep spending quality time with them, but just don't think they will last forever.  The most important friendships will last.  

Which leads me to Katie Claire and Brittany.  Good thing you love them so much because they're not going anywhere.

Enjoy free room and board while you can.  Life starts handing you bills.

Your first kiss will be "meh" or "blah" or any other non exciting word you want to put there.

Your second kiss though...that'll be fun at the time.  So just enjoy.

Take some tumbling classes now.  You'll be a better hip hop teacher in the future for it.

Keep being honest with your parents.  You get more privileges that way.

Thankfully you already know this, but, keep being an example at school.  You will receive the kindest compliments in your yearbook and the nicest notes from your classmates expressing their appreciation for it.

When you get to college...soak in EVERY LAST BIT while you're there.  You're going to miss it more than you realize once you graduate.

Don't feel bad when you never get asked out at BYU.  I know, I know...it's BYU...isn't it branded for that sort of thing?  One would think.  But you don't need any of the guys there romantically so it just doesn't matter.

Well...I guess I ruined that surprise.  Yes, you will get in to BYU!  All of your hard work will pay off.

Cutting your hair to your ears may sound like a good idea at the time.  But it's not.  I repeat.  IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA!

I won't ruin all of college for you...but just be flexible.  Your college life will end up being far more fulfilling than you ever realize because of flexibility in your plans.

Besides all of that...you're doing pretty good for a 17-yr-old!  Your life is actually quite fun, you go to a great school, you're happy & talented...consider yourself lucky.

Lastly, you're going to go through something hard.  So excruciatingly hard.  So hard that you'll wonder if you even still have a soul at times.  But if you stay close to the Lord you will get through it.  I promise.  You won't get through it quickly...but you'll find yourself triumphant on the other side and it will all make sense.

It will all make sense because Heavenly Father has an amazing life planned for you.

(Well...up to 26, but I'm sure it's planned out to be amazing beyond 26.)

He will bless you with someone far more loving and honorable than you ever could have imagined.

He will bless you with someone who will cherish you so so much.

He will bless you with someone who has the same life goals and will help you accomplish those goals.

I won't tell you his name, how you meet, how you fall in love, or what you're doing now...but just know you're in for quite a treat and you will thank Heavenly Father every day for blessing you so.

Enjoy Senior Year and eat as much Rita's Italian Ice as you can!

-2013 Kaycie

Grow Old With You

The other day at work I witnessed something that really made me so happy.

The campus I work at is currently building us a new school house so in the mornings right now we take the girls to the local community gym for PE.

Every so often the PE teacher lets the girls pick what they want to do for the week.

Some of my girls wanted to go swimming so off we went to the pool area.

There's always a fair amount of old people doing water aerobics or just walking up and down the length of the pool.

One of the pools is right across from this giant jacuzzi.

Towards the beginning of PE I had watched an older couple enter the pool deck together.

The man had gotten out of the pool and headed to the jacuzzi sooner than his wife.

She was taking a breather and was right by the little bit of deck between the pool and jacuzzi with her back turned away from her husband.

I just watched as his eyes lit up that his wife was nearby and then watched how his brain thought of how to get her attention.

So what does any boy do?

Splash water of course!

So for about 3 mins I watched his frail, little arms attempt time and time again to splash water on her.

Sometimes he couldn't even get it out of the jacuzzi.

Sometimes he only got the water 3 inches out.

Every so often he would finally get her, but she didn't even notice.

So...he'd try again.  And again.  And again.

Until she finally noticed, turned around, gave him a little scolding look that immediately turned in to a smile.

He smiled back at her.

And then off she went doing her exercises while he just watched her.

They looked a little something like this (except imagine swimming gear and a pool instead of clothes and a hammock...but you get the gist):

At first I was just happy I was able to watch that interaction from afar.

But then it really got me to thinking (in between telling my girls floating is not exercising so get goin' on those laps) how grateful I am to have someone to grow old with like that couple.

I'm fairly certain Alex and I will have similar interactions in 50+ years.

We already do annoying cute things to get each other's attention.

If I ever stopped tickling him when he least expects it...he'd miss it.

If he ever stopped curling up in my lap like a cat...I'd miss it.

(You can imagine how awesome it is for a 6'3" tall man to curl up in my lap.  This baby bump has made it even more interesting.)

I sure do love this man of mine and can only hope and pray that the life Heavenly Father has planned for us involves wrinkly skin, white hair, and hands clasped with Mr. Foster.

And just because you've probably already been singing this song...here it is for your viewing pleasure:

A real life miracle

Not that I didn't already believe miracles can happen in our lives, but I know more than ever that miracles are real.

And to me and my growing family...this miracle is just as real as parting the Red Sea.

Alex and I went in for an ultrasound to check up on my placenta.

Obviously it's also a plus to see our little man!

We went in with the attitude that most likely the placenta had not moved from my cervix opening.

My doctor had just been very realistic and kept telling us at our check ups that the likelihood of it moving was slim to none.

In all of his years delivering babies (which is upwards of 35 years) he has rarely seen a complete placenta previa move.

So more or less we have just been praying that my body would be a good home for our son and that everything with my pregnancy would go as smooth as it could.

Well...we get in there and the nurse brings us back.

She squirted the warm goo on my belly and off we were to seeing the innards of my belly.

She went ahead and went straight to my cervix so that the baby could be more of the highlight of this visit.

She pointed out my cervix and as I'm looking at it I'm thinking, "There's nothing blocking it.  But maybe I'm seeing it wrong."

After studying it for a few seconds our nurse pointed out where my placenta was and it was NOT blocking my cervix!

It kind of had to sink in before I actually realized what she had said.

I could not believe it!

It felt like I was living in a dream and that I would wake up and she would actually tell me it had not moved.

But oh was it real!

She measured how far away it was and it was measuring 3 centimeters.

When delivering they want the placenta at least 2 centimeters away so not only had it moved from the opening, but it moved even further than expected!

I was just in shock the whole time, but more than anything I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude.

I could not believe that I was one of the lucky few in this world that recovers from placenta previa.

She then of course showed us our baby boy.

His heart was beating just great, his blood vessels were bringing blood in and out, he had all of his toes...he's just this perfect little human.

His face is the cutest though...of course. :)

And he had his little hands crossed right underneath his chin.

Talk about break your heart!  He has already smitten us.

Afterwards my doctor called me when he got the ultrasound results.

He was dumbfounded.  He said he was really shocked and that someone up above must love me a lot.

He then told me I could live a normal life now and do everything I haven't been able to do!

It was such an amazing feeling to be released from being a prisoner within my own body!

More than anything it's amazing to not worry.

I had been doing a lot better with not worrying so much, but obviously it still crept in fairly frequently.

Within that next day I was able to run around with my niece, go on a walk, and just live care free.

So care free I decided to use my sister's stairs as a slide. (that one was not on purpose.)

I am so grateful for all of the family and friend prayers sent up above both in our homes and in the temples.

I know that was a huge part, if not the main part, of why my placenta moved.

Heavenly Father works in amazing ways and I'm so overwhelmingly blessed that He decided to work a miracle within me.

I suppose two miracles have happened within me since our little man is such a miracle in and of itself. 

A little longing.

Just looking outside my window and seeing beautiful weather.

Then looking at this picture and wishing we could go do that.

 I try very hard not to complain...but daggum it, it's hard sometimes.

I miss not feeling so enclosed within my body.

For now I'll just lay in the grass and dream about the day when we can take the little man with us on such excursions.

(Alex carrying him up the whole way, of course.)

Now I look like this.

Quite drastically different.

Anyone willing to carry me up a mountain so I can see those views this summer?

Disney Child

I can't explain it really.

It just happened.

I fell in love with Disney the moment it hit my life.

See...look at this 2 year old birthday of mine:  Mickey plates, cups, and sweatshirt. (and Karly's awesome purple leotard thing that who knows why she was wearing that to my party?)

Now I know what all of you are thinking...

"Yeah, yeah, yeah...we all love Disney.  Who doesn't?"

However true your thoughts may be, I guarantee that my obsession goes beyond the "norm."

- I watched "The Little Mermaid" an unhealthy amount of a few too many times that I full on broke the VHS and my family had to buy me another one.

-My room was lined wall to wall with Disney posters. (they only came down when I decided in my 13 year old mind that my love for 'Nsync was stronger.)

-I was always the latest princess for Halloween: Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Nala, Esmerelda, etc.  Thank heavens my mother appeased my wishes and always did an awesome job of hand constructing those suckers. (which are all, by the way, in my home closet.)

Belle

Jasmine.

I had the over the shoulder glance down.

-My first time at Disney World when I was 7, I was far more interested in getting autographs from the characters than going on any of the rides.

-I had a paraphernalia of Disney dolls, Barbies, room accessories, etc.

My personal fav was my Aladdin lamp.  The shade glowed in the dark.

Why oh why am I dressed like this?!

I can't decide if it's awesome or embarrassing to post this outfit.

However, I think my family's fondest memories of my Disney obsession is how I personally became the characters.  You're thinking like while I'm playing with my dolls.  Ha...nope.  I mean for days on end I literally was that character.

I think my first was Wendy.

I spent my days singing "You Can Fly" and jumping off the couch.

If someone asked me to do something like, "Hey, Kaycie...it's time for dinner," I would look away as if I did not hear them.  They'd try again.  "Kaycie, it's time for dinner."  Still no acknowledgment.  A sigh and then "Ok, Wendy...it's time for dinner."  That was the golden ticket and I would graciously oblige any request as long as it was the correct name.

I then switched to Patch from 101 Dalmations.  I think this was my sisters' worst nightmare personal fav.  I spent my days on the same level as our own dog, Matey.  I would walk around, lay around, eat, and do anything Matey would do.  When my sisters came home I'd growl and bark regardless of whether their friends were with them or not.  They were truly grateful when I moved on to Ariel.

Ah, Ariel.  My family probably does not want to know how many forks I brushed through my long locks.  I would set up something like a rock jetting out of water, push myself up on it (you know what scene I'm talking about) and sing my little heart out.

Also...you guessed it.  Everyone best be callin' me "Ariel" or I would not respond.

Jasmine followed.  I loved getting a towel or blanket and making that my magic carpet.  I'd sing and look out over the edges at the city below. (Aladdin is still my dreamboat.)

I could go on and on...but I think it's safe to say my imagination was awesome.

To this day I still am obsessed with Disney this much.

Thankfully though, I don't walk around in my Halloween costumes or make Alex call me "Rapunzel."

However, I DO buy Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets. (Because why get circles or dinos when Mickey's an option.)

I DO listen to Disney music on a fairly regular basis.

I DO have dreams about being at Disney World/Land.

I DO watch the movies whether I'm with someone or by myself.

I DO dream about gently suggesting enforcing Disney upon my own children.

 Post-EFY day to the Animal Kingdom!

My first time at DisneyLAND!

 Where "World of Color" takes place at night.

I may have teared up the whole 30 minutes it was going.

Disney On Ice in SLC!

My ONE and ONLY complaint about Disney is that going to their parks is so dang expensive!

If I had it my way I'd be there WAY more often, but when funds are low...I just have to dream about being there.

I honestly can't explain it.

Disney makes me giddy and I don't even care.

It's too good of an obsession to try and overcome.

Cool, placenta. Real cool.

Baby boy enjoyed his first Festival of Colors.

So remember that time my placenta decided to attach to the absolute worst part of my uterus?

Yeah, me too.

I didn't even know this was possible.

Alex and I were at our ultrasound to find out the gender of the babe.

We were having quite the grand time in there as they went through all the parts of our little baby's body and revealed that he is, indeed, a male.

I'm was on such a high!  I'm so beyond excited and when I get really happy I get emotional.

Good thing I'm sure that happens frequently in that room.

So Alex and I are rejoicing when they hit us with the other news.

The nurse informs me that my placenta is in front of my cervix opening.

I don't know what the heck that meant other than knowing what a placenta and a cervix are, but not realizing they should not be together at this stage in the game.

All I'm thinking is, "Sweet!  I made a placenta!  I know that's what you're supposed to have in there.  What up, men of the world?!?  I made a placenta...bet y'all can't.  Booyah!"

She clearly saw I'm not understanding the seriousness of it so she briefly explained it and then got the doctor to come talk to us.

When he came in all rejoicing was over.

He informed me just what placenta previa is.

(linked that for those of you that need a more in depth science lesson.)

I just laid there for a bit taking it all in.

A billion thoughts started pouring through my head.

"How did this happen?"

"Why did this happen to me?"

"He's too little to come out."

"Is my body going to cooperate?"

Then I was emotional all over again...

Alex and I had an appointment with our OB shortly after.

He was able to explain things better and since I'm more used to him, it calmed me slightly.

He told me how to treat my body, what to do in an emergency situation, and that we'll just have to wait it out.

On the ride home I was such a mixture of emotions: sad/frustrated/angry/worried/anxious/happy (I mean, I did also find out the gender.)

When we arrived at the house I asked Alex for a blessing.

I didn't think I could continue until I felt some peace.

I always love receiving blessings from my husband.

I'm so grateful he's always able and willing whenever I need that boost.

I felt better after, but I was still just mostly quiet the rest of the day.

When hard things hit me, I usually need to let things set in so I can figure out how I'm going to handle it.

In the following days I was doing alright.

I can handle this.

I had to take it easy at dance and work, only take walks/swim, and just listen to my body.

Then a month later we have our next appointment.

He took away all exercise.

Baby boy is too big now for me to risk the gravitational pull with any kind of exercise since I have a complete coverage of the cervix...not a partial.

I started to cry all over again.

NO...I had finally gotten used to this adjustment in my life and now I had to adjust again!

Eventually I got around to being grateful that I was NOT on bed rest.

But still...having to sit/lay down AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE?!

Does this placenta of mine not know me?!?!

I was frustrated all over again and my poor husband had to deal with me being all mopey for the rest of the day.

But I figured it out...as I always do.

I was already coming to fairly good terms with this road block in my life, but our Institute lesson last night helped my perspective a ton!

We were in Section 67 of the Doctrine & Covenants.

We started talking about how we can "see" Christ.

Verse 10 tells us the 3 things we need to do: strip ourselves of all jealousies, strip ourselves of all fears, and humble ourselves.

That's it!  HA...easier said than done FOR SURE.

However, our teacher (who is bomb) focused for a bit on stripping ourselves of fear.

He said if we truly believe we have a Father in heaven, if we truly believe Jesus if the Christ, if we truly believe there is a perfect plan of happiness, if we truly believe the Father & Son love us...then what is there to fear?

There is no need to fear because we would more fully understand that everything in this life has been planned out for our growth and happiness.

So my new goal is to strip myself of fear.

Fear of my baby being born too soon.

Fear of my placenta hemorrhaging.

Fear of the future/unknown.

I'm sick of being afraid.

I do know I have a Father in Heaven, I do know Jesus is the Christ, I do know there is a perfect plan of happiness, and I do believe the Father & Son love me unconditionally and in a way I cannot comprehend.

So my prayers now include asking for help in this lifestyle that I'm trying to adopt.

It's only been a day so far...but it's going well. :)

I know I won't be perfect at it, but I really want to be more aware of trying to be fearless in my life.

The moment of truth will be when this baby decides to enter the world whether it's through my placenta hemorrhaging, having a 37 week c-section, or my placenta miraculously moving and making his way through the birth canal.

I'm so grateful for everything I'm already learning from this little guy who hasn't even taken his first breath.

I love him so much.

He's already so full of life and reminds me constantly that he's still here.

(I wish he wouldn't camp out on my bladder or sciatic nerve as much as he does, but that's ok.  I'll take it.)

Alex and I just a few weeks before the little man was conceived.

Little did we know what the next month was going to bring...

K, seriously?!

So I have this friend.

And quite a dear dear friend she is.

Her name is Brittany.

I've known Brittany since circa 1999?  Ish.

Regardless, that's more than half my life.

This is us Freshman year as roommates.

Remember that time I thought it'd be a good idea to gain 10 lbs AND cut my hair short?

Bad move, Kaycie.  Bad move.

There we were just young babies starting out our adult life.

I'll spare you all the sappy/awesome details of our friendship (with the mix in of Katie Claire) because my pregnancy hormones cannot handle it.

Which is precisely what this blog post is about.

Long story short: Brittany and I are BOTH pregnant.

BOTH with baby boys.

And are due 10 days apart from each other.

WHAT?  How does that happen?!

It's always your dream growing up to have babies at the same time your best friends do; but it's just that...a dream.  Not reality.

Well this folks, is reality.

And to show you just how bad these hormones will get you, lemme 'splain.

I went over to Britt's on Saturday night while Alex was going to Priesthood session.

I asked her what all she had for the babe so far and she started showing me.

Then she had some doubles of things so she gave them to me since I'm having a boy too.

One of the items was this hooded pool towel with this sweet green trimming and a tiny giraffe over the chest.

Then all the sudden my mind flashed to when our babies will be almost a year and we take them to the pool together and then after they're done having fun, we put them in these matching hooded towels and they'll hold hands and eat popsicles and give each other kisses (the masculine kind) and just be the best of friends.

Then I got a clump in my throat, my eyes started to well up, and I started to be a ridiculous mess of emotion.

That just made Brittany at first laugh but then her pregnancy hormones got the best of her and she started to cry.

So there we are just a crying mess, but also laughing at the same time because let's face it...it was dang funny.

Finally we pulled ourselves together and carried on.

I'm so grateful I have a friend who just started crying with me.

She's the best.

Our boys are already friends.  We just know it.

We stomach bump them and say "Hi, best friend!"

(It's kind of like a fist pound...but way more awesome because amniotic fluid is involved here.)

That is just one example.

I could seriously embarrass myself with what I cry about these days.

Gender Reveal!

Well I suppose I should FINALLY put up what we did to reveal the gender of our little baby!

We had quite the party....which is just how I like it.

I'm not one of those people that just wants a little post on Facebook.

No, no, no...this is revealing what my firstborn will be.  That definitely calls for a party!

Since we were going down to Arizona the day after we had the ultrasound, we decided it would be so fun to have the party down there since a bunch of family could be there too!

My sister, Karly, and her family as well as Alex's sister, Brittany, and her family live in Gilbert.

Plus my bestie, Ashley, now lives in Mesa and I was SO happy she could be there too!

My in-laws also drove down from Santa Barbara for the weekend.

We had my parents on FaceTime as well as my other sister, Krista, on FaceTime so everyone could watch the big reveal!

Everything was blue and pink and everyone had to cast in their guess!

This box had the blue balloons inside.  On the outside everyone had to write their name on the boy or girl and then tape it on accordingly.

Everyone who guessed girl with their pretty lips!

(I had some family and friends who guessed girl as well...so their names are on the box.)

Everyone who guessed boy with their curly mustaches!

My in laws opening the box!

And the blue balloons floated on out!

It was very exciting!  I loved everyone getting in to it and getting all excited!

It was so fun to have the balloons float out, everyone cheer and clap, and just be so happy for this little man to come!

 Now for some pictures:

Now if that isn't the cutest hand you ever did see.

His cute profile!

Look at that face.  I'm sure I think it's the cutest since I'm the one growing him, BUT...I think his little face is so adorable!

Alex went "Look!  He has your nose!"

I guess he does...it's still hard for me to tell. :)

I won't show off his man business because I'm pretty sure that'd be child porn and I'm not down with that.  But he sure did show it off once he decided to stop being wiggly!  No denying he's a boy!

I love this stage of my life.

It's all so new and scary and exciting all wrapped up together.

I'm so grateful for my sweet husband and that we can share all these new things with each other.  It's been so fun watching my husband grow more and more in love with our little man.  Alex has now felt him kick quite a bit and his kicking keeps getting stronger and stronger.

Only 17 more weeks to go!

Turning 26!

Wow...I am 26!

It really is so strange that I am closer to 30 than I am 20.

When did I grow up?

When did I graduate college, get married, become a mother in the making, and oh yeah...turn 26?!

I realize I am not old by any means, but when you start to accomplish all of the main things you pictured for your life...you start to go, "What the heck?!"

I spent 26 half at work and half traveling to/in AZ.

I really need to blog about our baby BOY, but first I wanted to think about my year 25 and what all has happened, so I decided to list my top 25 favorite moments of the year and then put up my 25 favorite photos from being 25!

1. Bike riding in Central Park.  Seriously a dream come true.

2. Running in the Ragnar Wasatch Back.  It was SO hard, but SO fun and SO rewarding!

3. Really coming in to my own at work.  I feel like my instincts are on and that I truly do a great job.  Plus it's nice when you feel valued and get a lot of positive reinforcement. :)

4. Eating breakfast at Tiffany's on 5th Ave in NYC!  Hello, bucket list success!

5. Seeing "Wicked" twice!  I really don't think it's possible to EVER get tired of that show.

6. My friend, Rachel's, wedding.  It's amazing watching people you care about kneel across the alter from their love to get sealed forever!  Plus, when you are bridesmaids with some of your greatest friends, it makes for an AWESOME weekend!

7. Going to the 9/11 Memorial.  It has the most intense feeling that is indescribable.  I truly am in awe about everything that happened there.

8. Celebrating our 1st anniversary!  It flew by and if what everyone says about the first year being the hardest, then boy do we have it made!

9. Going to the water park with Alex A LOT.  That was our favorite summer spot and it was so great!  We had so much fun together!

10. Going home and having a Lowcountry Boil on Christmas Eve.  It really was good for the soul.  I never wanted that moment to end.

11. Visiting the Florida Keys with my parents.  I love going to parts of the country I've never been before.  

12. Going along with 11...swimming with dolphins.  We legitimately SWAM with them.  It seriously was amazing hearing their clicks under water and having them look at you right in the eye.  Just one more reason to add to why they're my fav.

13. Disneyland with my in law family!  It was such a fun week and it really is the happiest place on earth!

14. Repelling off the Corona Arch in Moab, UT.  Did I mention I have the best job?!

15. Putting together the best Christmas program ever!  I'm so grateful for all the help and amazing talent of the people in my ward.  My choir, the narrations, small groups, and solos just all came together so nicely.  My Bishop also said he enjoyed it more than the MoTab Christmas concert.  Even if he was just saying that to be nice...I don't care!

16. Watching my dad and brother in law give Alex a blessing on Christmas Day because my poor husband was so sick.  It's amazing watching the Priesthood in action, especially when it's benefitting someone you care so much about.

17. Seeing the Statue of Liberty in real life.  It's was one of the moments where you think to yourself, "Wow...it actually is a real thing!"

18. Having my mother clean my house when my parents visited.  I was still in my 1st trimester and not feeling well AT ALL.  While I was at work she (with my dad and husband's help) cleaned up a ton.  It was so relieving to not have to do it when I felt so crappy.

19. Watching my brother in law open his mission call.  I haven't witnessed one in awhile, but it's such a spirit filled moment.  I'm so grateful I could be there for it!

20. Reading "The Anatomy of Peace." Everyone should read it!  It is life changing.

21. Discovering the beauty of Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Wheat Thins dipped in cottage cheese.  UH-MAZING!

22. Having a stint with bangs.  They were slightly more work than I was wanting, but they were fun to experience.  Once I found out I was pregnant, I decided to grow them out because I figured I was not going to want to deal with the extra time on my hair while having a newborn.

23. Taking the test that confirmed I was pregnant!  It was the most nerve wracking/crazy/amazing moment I'm pretty sure I've ever experienced.

24. Watching my husband gradually go from being terrified of being a parent to being excited to be a parent.  At first Alex was hesitant about rubbing my belly or talking to the baby, but slowly he's come around.  Now he loves to rub my belly, say good morning or good night to baby, or put his head up to my tummy.

25. This one barely made it in the 25th year, but finding out our baby was a boy.  I've never felt so much emotion in such a short span of time.

And now 25 pictures.  They are all out of order and I do not have the motivation time to put them in order.

Ragnar.  LOVE my team! (June 2012)

 Sister time at Granddad's funeral. (May 2012)

 Granddad's funeral. (May 2012)

 25th bday party! (March 2012)

 Meeting Audrey. :) (March 2012)

 Hollywood Walk of Stars! (March 2012)

 Seeing the Braves in AZ! (April 2012)

 Laela.  She's just too cute. (May 2012)

 Statue of Liberty! (June 2012)

 Breakfast at Tiffany's! (July 2012)

 Central Park riding! (July 2012)

 NYPD. (June 2012)

 The things that happen in Times Square! (July 2012)

 Unbelievable. (June 2012)

 9/11 Memorial. (June 2012)

 Hoboken, NJ. (June 2012)

 The Voice chair.  My fav show! (July 2012)

 Disneyland! (Oct 2012)

 Tower of Terror! (Oct 2012)

 Oakland Temple. (Sept 2012)

 1st anniversary trip! (Aug 2012)

 Rachy's wedding with friends! (Sept 2012)

 Halloween! (Oct 2012)

 Disney magic! (Oct 2012)

 Announcing the news! (Dec 2012)

You will notice there's no pics from January and February of 2013.

There's something about the mixture of nausea, fatigue, throwing up, and the lack of showering due to dizziness that makes a girl not want to document her life.

Here's to a great 26!  With the little man on the way...it's bound to be an adventurous year!