Then and Now

Today I have been doing some reflecting as we have recently returned from a fabulous trip to UT to visit family for Thanksgiving. So much has happened since last Thanksgiving and Jake and I have grown so much. This time last year we were going through our second miscarriage (after having gone through one the month before) and feeling really discouraged. I didn't feel like my life was going the way I wanted it to at all. I was lost and wasn't sure what to do next. After pondering through the options Jake and I decided that I would go back to school to get my masters degree - something I had not planned on doing after deciding to start a family. Since starting school in March, I have learned so much and been able to get a promotion at work. Going back to school has been such a blessing in my life. After a few months of being in school and some emotional healing for both Jake and I we decided that we were ready to try again for a baby. We found out we were expecting in early June and were more nervous than excited. Today I sit here, one year from back to back miscarriages, pregnant with a healthy baby girl. SO much changes in a year. We feel so happy and so blessed. We are apprehensive and ecstatic for this baby to come! Timing is in the Lord's hands and we have to trust He knows what He is doing. I am grateful for this perspective that I have been given.

With that being said! My mom and sister through a baby shower for me while we were in UT. It was a blast and turned out adorably! The theme was children's books so each snack was based on a book. I will post some pictures:

This is the "Grinch Punch" based on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

A fruit salad for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

Mini Quiche for "Green Eggs and Ham"

This is the dessert table:

Acorn cookies for "Pooh's Leaf Pile"

Blueberry muffins for "Blueberries for Sal"

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"

Moon shaped cookies for "Goodnight Moon"

This is M. She and I were roommates during college for a couple of years. M is pregnant with a baby boy and is one month behind Baby Girl. It was so fun to catch up and to see each other as we are pregnant.

Reunion with my California friends in UT. B and E worked in the Young Women's Program with me. E moved away over the summer and B was in town for Thanksgiving and dropping her son off at the MTC. They both stopped by and it made me so happy to have part of home with me in UT.

The book banners that my cute mom made!

My parent's house lit with pink lights in honor of Baby Girl

Cheese and crackers for "The Stinky Cheese Man" and a veggie tray for "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"

Pasta Salad for "Strega Nona"

Rolls and jam for "Bread and Jam for Frances"

Meatballs for "The Story of Ferdinand the Bull"

All the food was so yummy! It was so great to see my family and friends that I hadn't seen in so long! I am so grateful for my mom and sister for putting on such a fun party. I am truly blessed. Jacob and I are feeling extremely grateful for all the gifts that we were given.