Kreativ Blogger

I was recently given this most distinguished Kreativ Blogger Award from Erin :). Upon accepting this award I am to list 6 things that make me happy and then pass the torch to three other lucky ladies. This just happens to fit so well into my theme recently of thinking about things that make me happy. I'll keep this list short and sweet:

1. Being married to my best friend, cliche right? But seriously I don't think it could be any better.

2. Finally being able to feel my baby move-- Talk about being an emotional pregnant woman, I vacillate between sheer joy and tears to overwhelmed at the prospects growing inside of me!

3. My dog, while he drives me crazy on an almost daily basis he also is very entertaining and companionable.

4. My family, immediate to extended. I feel so lucky to have such a great support system.

5. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and developing a personal relationship with my Saviour

6. Learning new things and making new things.

I now present this award to:

Becca Robinson
Erin W.
Becca Jones

Things that make me happy! Part Deux

Hearing our baby's heartbeat for the first time.

And

Hearing all of Adam's concerns about having a girl vs. a boy, from diaper changes to periods to dating. Could he be any cuter?

Things that make me happy!

I'm planning on making this a series of posts over many days of things that truly make me happy. Of course they are in no particular order. This one is first because I already happen to have the picture on my computer!

Misa & Fam

I am sure we all have people in our lives that truly change us. Misa is one of those people for me. So, when I thought for sure I had lost contact with her only to receive this picture in the mail, it made me truly happy. Not only because I was sure my address for her was correct and that she had my current address etc, but more than anything because of what I know the picture represents both to her and to me. Besides, look at those chubby cheeks, have you ever seen a cuter baby? I think not. (and she said he was born in March!)

I'm sure you're all dying to hear some backstory. This could take awhile!

I first saw Misa's picture (this sounds like a love story, lol) in President Young's office during a leadership meeting for trainers of new missionaries. She was not yet on the island, but was scheduled to arrive with a new set of missionaries in a couple of months. The moment I saw her I felt connected to her. I couldn't explain it, I just knew that we were going to be companions. So, when the call came to train again the feeling was again brought to my mind. I went to President's house for dinner with all the new missionaries and trainers not knowing yet who I was going to be training. I spent most of the time trying to converse with Sister Kobari (Misa). Her chinese was difficult to understand and her vocab was limited, her english was even worse. But, in those few moments she shared her testimony and I felt it so strongly.

Over the course of 3 months or so that she was my companion we tried everything we could to communicate. She consistently carried around 2 different dictionaries-- Japanese to English and Japanese to Chinese. She amazed me with her diligence in studying the language all with the intent of being able to share her testimony. I have never met a more powerful, dedicated, charitable person in such a tiny package.

Pregnancy Brain

Recent events have found me feeling a little bit like this guy:

I know most people complain of forgetfulness etc. My problem is obsessing. Like clockwork almost every night I wake up with something on my mind (very random things) that I then continue to obsess about for approx. 1 hour before I can put it to rest and fall back asleep. Earlier in the week it was about doing a craft project that included painting rocks to look like ladybugs, last night it was about going back to school, the week before that it was about smocking and getting to Art in the Park to see if the vendor who did smocking would be there from last year. Seriously it's starting to drive me crazy. Normally I can write things down, talk myself out of thinking about them and go back to sleep so I can do my normal obsessive thinking during daylight hours. Not anymore, it's taking over my brain and I feel like I have no control over it!

What are your pregnancy brain experiences?

P.S. I've found you don't necessarily have to be pregnant to experience this phenomenon. Maybe it's hormone based? I myself had a very forgetful time on my mission (ok most of my mission) when I actually wasn't having any signs of normal monthly womanly behavior (aka I didn't have my period for like a year) So, don't be shy about sharing your "pregnancy brain" experiences even if you never have been or are not currently with child.