It's a Boy!!

Yes, it's a beautiful, healthy baby boy! He's right on schedule at 21 weeks, and we're so thrilled to know that little Ryan Wayne is on his way. Just like a kid on Christmas Eve, I didn't sleep a wink the night before the ultrasound. I was too excited. Every hour seemed to drag on and on, as if the morning would never come. When it finally did, even breakfast took forever before we could finally get to our appointment at 9:30. Once we arrived at the doctor's, we had to wait almost a full hour before my name was called. We watched everyone in the crowded room get up before us for their appointments. Even people who came in after us. It was driving me crazy. I had to keep telling myself, "you've waited 20 weeks. What's a few more minutes?" And I had to remind myself to be grateful that we could even distinguish the sex at all. That's a pretty recent feature. I knew I had to count my blessings.

Finally our name was called, and I excitedly took Brenton's hand as we went into the office. Once in the chair I was surprisingly calm. All I wanted at that point was just to see my baby and know that he/she was ok. I can't express how amazing it was to see him. His perfect little spine, his arms, both tiny feet and hands, and all four chambers of his rapidly beating little heart. The same little heart I had listened to for the first time only a few months before. It was incredible. I was so afraid he'd be facing the wrong way or have his legs crossed. Not to worry with Ryan. He spread himself wide as if to announce quite proudly, "Check me out Mom and Dad! I'm a boy! It's me, Ryan!" I was amazed at how the second I knew who it was, I felt Ryan become a part of our family. Almost as if I knew all along that it was him, because he is exactly who Heavenly Father wants to come first in our family. I knew right then and there that this is the Lord's plan for Ryan, and for us.

That weekend to celebrate, Brenton took me to BYU's 3rd annual Traditions Ball. We've been to all three, and as long as we're in Provo, we plan on keeping the tradition. Luckily, I had a formal turquoise dress with an empire waist, so there was room for me and Ryan. I'm glad the ball was when it was though. I don't think that dress would have worked even a week later, because I'm getting so big so quickly these days! We had a wonderful time, as we always do. It's not very often I have a reason to dress up, curl my hair all nice and go out dancing. I remember when they had the first one in 2008, Brenton and I were dating at the time. On Easter Sunday he made me a card asking me to go to an enchanted ball with him. It still makes me smile knowing that even when we were just dating, Brenton has always viewed me as a princess.

This past week Spring finally came to Provo. I spent most of yesterday outside cleaning the car with Brenton, cleaning my bike, and weeding our flower bed. The flower bed hasn't been used in almost two years, so it was completely overgrown with grass, weeds, and a huge population of snails. Ick. However, it's still blooming with daffodils and tulip buds. I wanted to clear everything else out to give those pretty flowers some room to breathe. Even with all the work I did, I still only managed to get a little over half of it pulled. I like how my mother says that whenever she gardens she can't help but think of the creation and the Lord's plan, and how she's helping along with it. I love that, and I agree with her. It was hard work, and my back and legs are very sore today, but I feel this urge to help those flowers grow, and do everything I can to eradicate anything that would hurt them. I feel I'm giving them a new start, and there's something very godlike in helping His creations grow.

And now it's back to starting another week. I wish I had more than just one day a week that I could use for cleaning the house, yard, car, garden, and everything else I have to do. Alas, there never seems to be enough time for everything that needs to be done. But I'm doing the very best I can, and I'm happy because of it. The harder we work for the right things, the happier we are. One of the many eternal principles I've learned from watching my parents.

Easter and Emergency Root Canal

What a lovely Easter weekend. The weather was a bit cold, I'll admit, but Conference was wonderful. I loved getting to listen to general authorities from the church give excellent remarks on several gospel principles, particularly those on motherhood and the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Before Conference I always write down a few questions that I want answered in my life. This time most of my questions focused on how I can be a good mother, without ever being one before. I was amazed at how many talks were focused on raising children in the gospel. Surprisingly, there were also a fair amount on motherhood specifically. I particularly enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk on the relationship between mothers and daughters. I have always known that my mother has been the greatest influence in my life, but it was reassuring to hear from an apostle that the best way to be a good mother is to emulate the wonderful qualities my own mother has. That is a great place to start, and I feel like it won't be so scary being a new mom when I have the example of my own mother to guide me.

On Easter morning, Brenton and I surprised each other with Easter baskets. He got me the Primary songbook, and children's scripture stories on dvd. And of course, because he is so thoughtful and always tries to think of ways to make me smile, he hid five pink princess Easter eggs around our family room for me to search for. I never would have thought of something sweet like that. I know he's going to be a great dad because "the greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." There's never been a doubt in my mind how Brenton feels about me.

After the conclusion of Conference, Brenton and I along with two of his siblings, Garrett and Giselle, went up to Kaysville to visit Aunt Shelley and Uncle Brian's family for Easter dinner. We had a lovely time visiting with family and watching the kids hunt for eggs. We played games and spent time socializing together. As always it was wonderful getting to visit their family.

Today I went back to work as usual, ready to start the new week. Now as a quick update, I had previously been to the dentist and knew I had some cavities that needed to be taken care of next week. However, this morning my top back molar started to hurt, and within thirty minutes the pain was so bad I could hardly think straight. I raced over to the dentist and had an emergency root canal. While it was not how I wanted to spend my Monday, the dentist was very quick and skilled, and once the ridiculously painful numbing shots were in, the pain went away with the nerve he drilled out. And because he was so delicate with my mouth, I'm not in too much recovery pain either, even though I can only take Tylenol. I know that is because Heavenly Father is looking out for me, and He hears the prayers of me and my husband. We were very grateful that I was taken care of so quickly, and that I have good insurance to allow the work to be done with minimal cost to us. I'll be back to work tomorrow hardly the worse for wear.

The Lord loves us. He watches out for His children. I'm grateful for that. I know He watches over me, and helps see to it that even in times of emergency, I'm helped along the way.