Austin and McCall's Wedding Pictures

This day was such a special day for our family as McCall and Austin were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple for time and all eternity. The wedding pictures are back and the photographer captured the day perfectly. Thanks to Brandon at brandonburkphotography.com we have these fabulous memories. Here are some of my favorites from this exciting day...

Goodbye Houston, Hello Fort Worth

When Eric accepted the job with BNSF Railway in October 2013, we were so excited. Eric had graduated just 6 months prior in April 2013 and this job was something that he was really looking forward to. It meant moving to Texas but we were great with that and were excited for the many adventures ahead. BNSF is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX but Eric received a job in one of the smaller offices in Houston. We knew that a move to Fort Worth would probably be in the future because that is where corporate headquarters were but for the time being, we were excited to be in Houston. 
In January 2014, we packed up and moved to Texas from Utah. It was hard leaving what I had known all my life but, Eric and I were excited to go out and experience different things together. A year and a half later on May 1, 2015, Eric and I were traveling in Utah for my college graduation and we got word that he was getting a job transfer to Fort Worth. We prayed about it together and felt like it would be a good move for our little family and for Eric's career. If we were going to move, we especially wanted to get it done and out of the way and be settled before baby girl comes in October. 
Eric and I absolutely loved Houston! We lived near the Woodlands and it was so nice! The shopping is incredible but the only down side was the heat. The humidity is so bad in the summer that when you walk outside, it is sometimes hard to breathe. Eric and I had our first apartment together in Houston which was so exciting for us. We were able to get involved in our ward, Eric was able to start off his career learning so much and being able to travel around, and I was able to finish my schooling while watching a baby a couple days a week to keep busy. We were able to see the Houston Astros MLB team, Houston Texans NFL team, and the Houston Rockets NBA team. We experienced Galveston beach and we were able to make many friends that we hope to keep in touch with. In the year and a half that we lived in Houston, we feel like we were able to do many great things and spend a good amount of time in that part of Texas. 

Eric found out about the job transfer May 1st and by July 1st we had moved into our new house in Fort Worth. The move was quick and we were sad to leave. I had to say goodbye to the cute little boy that I was able to watch, I was released from being the YW President and had to say goodbye to all the sweet young women, Eric was released from serving in the YM presidency, and we had to say goodbye to our friends that we became so close with.

As soon as I found out that I was having a baby girl the end of May, my sweet friend threw me a darling baby shower with my old ward. Baby girl and I were spoiled and it was so fun to celebrate this little one before we left. She got so many darling clothes, diapers, etc. Made me even more excited for her arrival. 

When the moving truck showed up at our apartment in Houston on June 29th, it finally hit that we were moving. The movers were at our apartment for 12 hours. It was so hot and so humid in Houston that day and Eric and I felt so awful. They poor guys were so hot and had to pack everything and then carry things down 2 flights of stairs into the truck. Being pregnant I was not much help and it was a miserable hot day to be moving but they got it done. The next day (June 30th), Eric and I cleaned the apartment, turned in our keys, and packed up our valuables and liquids in the car and drove three hours to our new home in Fort Worth. 

Both of our cars were packed to the brim with liquids and valuables. Stay tuned for the story about finding our new home in Fort Worth and for the many adventures leading up to it. Eric and I are feeling very relieved knowing that we are settled in our home and we are hoping that the craziness slows down for a little while. 

A Piece of Paper...

This is going to sound so funny but since this is our little family journal, I wanted to be sure to write down what I was thinking. When I was a senior in high school, I remember telling everyone that I just wanted that piece of paper and wanted to get out of school. After my Certified Nursing Assistant course, I had a piece of paper that said I was officially a CNA and could work in the state of Utah. After seminary graduation, I had a piece of paper in my hands that said that I was a four year seminary graduate and I was so excited. After high school graduation, I had a piece of paper in my hands that stated that I had done everything that was required by the state and I was a high school graduate.
All of these things have been accomplishments in my life that I am proud of. However, I wish that I would of lived in the moment more and would of just taken it in. Life goes so fast and I will never be able to go back and relive those years of my life. The day Eric and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Temple, we were given a sealing certificate. This is a piece of paper that Eric and I have in a special place and whenever we look at it, we are happy to have it in our home and cherish it. It is a great reminder of that special day and even though it is just a piece of paper, it is something that we are grateful to have.
As a freshman in college, I remember telling my family and friends that I just wanted that piece of paper and to be done with school. I never thought that I would have a college diploma but I was determined to get it and I was going to work hard until I did. I switched my major to nursing, then to dental hygiene, then I wanted to be a nutritionist, and then I finally ended up sticking with Emergency Management. I kept switching my major and in my mind, I felt like I was just adding more and more years onto my schooling and there was no way I was ever going to get that piece of paper that I had always wanted. After my sophomore year, Eric and I got married and moved to Houston which meant that I was going to have to finish my degree online. This was a hard thing but once again, I was going to do whatever it took to get that piece of paper. I found out that I was expecting during my last semester of school and I was super sick. I knew this was a possibility so I had tried to prepare myself for it by saving some of my easy courses for the last semester. There were many days where I did not want to do one thing but lay in my bed and not move. Instead, I would hang out in bed and be sick but also do homework because I knew that paper was just a few months away.

I received this piece of paper in the mail about a month ago and this is something that I look at often and am proud of. Even though I don't work and I am just planning on being a stay at home mom to my little girl and my future children, I find so much comfort in having this paper in case I need it. I am glad that I made the decision to not just "get the piece of paper" but to actually learn and grow. We are always reminded that the knowledge that we gain is something that we will have with us forever. Having this paper is a great feeling and even though it was hard work and there were many bumps in the road while trying to get it, I am glad that I was able to stick it out and am so thankful to have it in my hands. 

Eric and I love to have those "pieces of paper" that mean so much to us. In our home, we both have a four year seminary graduate diploma, a high school diploma, a bachelors degree diploma from a University, Eric has his mission plaque, I have a CNA certificate/license, and most importantly, we have a sealing certificate. Even though there are hard times and life throws curve balls at us sometimes, it is important that we are always keeping our eyes on the goals that we have set for ourself. We truly are capable of accomplishing whatever we set our minds to. Getting those "pieces of paper" is hard work and sometimes it seems that we do all of this work and we just a paper in return. I know I have felt that way sometimes but in reality, we get so much more than just a paper. The knowledge that we get from diplomas and certificates and the blessings that we get from serving missions and being sealed in the temple are far greater than the piece of paper that we are given. Those papers are just great reminders of the things you have accomplished.

Think about the "pieces of paper" in your home that you value and cherish and remind yourself of the importance behind them. They are truly a treasure and something that we should be very proud of. That was my little Sunday inspiration for the day. :)

Baby Girl Cecil- 24 Weeks

The blog has been put on hold while we have been moving. I am now 26 weeks but better late than never. One thing that I have loved about being pregnant is that I get to see my baby girl so often. I have been told by so many people that I am getting spoiled and that I can't expect to have so many ultrasounds every time I am pregnant. Because I was getting ready to move, my doctor in Houston let me have one more ultrasound before the big move to check her growth. I didn't know how long it was going to take me to get into a doctor in Fort Worth so he let me have one more before we left. Eric has been to every doctor appointment and I was so bummed that he had to miss out on this one. He had to travel for work and the doctor could only see me on that one specific day before we had to take off but I was sure to send him pictures of his little baby girl. I was so sad to leave my doctor in Houston but am so glad to have found such a great one in Fort Worth. 

Baby girl was hiding her face from the camera but, she let mommy see her fingers and toes which made me very happy. It is so crazy to see how much she has changed since week 5 and 8. It truly is a little miracle! 

How Far Along?

24 Weeks!! Can't believe it!

Baby Size?

Baby girl is the size of a Cantaloupe. When I went to the doctor she weighed 1 pound 5 oz.

Sick?

Heartburn and little aches and pains here and there but for the most part I am feeling great!

Showing?

Oh yes! This belly of mine is very noticeable now. People say that from the back you can't tell I am pregnant but as soon as I turn around there it is. Eric tells me that it looks like I have a soccer ball under my shirt. 

Maternity Clothes?

Nothing fits and I am just fine with it. I wear lots of leggings and t-shirts, dresses, and skirts. Sometimes it is hard to get dressed in the morning and find something to wear. When I start to get frustrated, I am always reminding myself that I have a healthy baby girl that is growing and I need to snap out of it. It is a good feeling when nothing fits but you have a good reason for it. 

Movement?

Absolutely!! This has been so fun. Every morning after Eric goes to work, I crawl back into bed and love to watch her move around. It has started to look like a tidal wave in there. She is always moving around unless she is sleeping. The kicks just keep getting stronger and I am loving it. I cherish the times that I just get to relax and watch my belly move around.

Making me Sick?

Dealing with raw meat makes me a little queasy. Other than that though, nothing is making me sick at all! Yippee!!

Craving?

Lemonade and Chinese food are now the cravings! I am trying to drink as much water as I am lemonade. Sometimes it is rough but, I am managing. 

Happy, Sad, or Moody?

It is hard to tell how I am going to feel on certain days. Most days, I am happy but I most definitely have my fair share of occasional breakdowns for no reason. I keep reminding my hubby that hormones are a real thing.

Looking Forward to...

Continuing to feel my little baby girl move and getting everything ready for her to get here. I can't believe how soon she will be here. Eric and I are getting into gear and are getting her nursery all ready. I have started to feel a little overwhelmed that I am going to be a mommy to this little child. There is so much responsibility that comes with being a parent but we couldn't be more excited. 

2015 Utah Trip #4- Wedding

Eric and I can both honestly say that this trip to Utah was the best one yet this year. There was nothing better than watching my best friend and sister be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity to a guy that we just adore. We couldn't be happier for McCall and Austin and feel so blessed that we were able to be there with them as they celebrated this special time in their lives. 
Eric and I flew in on the super early flight from Houston and were able to get into Utah at 10am. We spent the say visiting with family and then we were able to be with McCall as she went through the temple. This was something that was so special for me. I loved being in the temple with my parents, husband, sister, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and my soon to be brother-in-law and his family. It was also very fun to be sitting in the session and feeling my baby girl moving around. Nothing makes this mommy happier right now than knowing that my baby girl is healthy. 

On Thursday, Eric and I spent the day just hanging out. This mama went to go look at baby blessing dresses for my little girl, I helped McCall pack for her honeymoon, Eric went to Austin's bachelor party, and we loved catching up with friends and family. Friday was spent helping McCall and Austin move into their new place, catching up with more friends, and attending Macie's dance recital. Saturday was WEDDING DAY and it could of not been anymore perfect. My mom and dad left super early with McCall to get to the Salt Lake Temple and Morgan, Macie, Eric, and I drove up separate. I can't say enough how much I loved being in the temple with McCall and Austin. They walked in the sealing room and I started balling like a baby. Of course, as soon as one of us starts crying, it is a ripple effect. McCall saw that I was teary and she looked at me and told me to stop because she then started crying. Everyone kept saying that I was a mess during the ceremony and I like to blame it on hormones and my baby girl but deep down, I know that it was the spirit and my tears were happy tears for the new Mr. and Mrs. Nate. 

The luncheon was perfect and Morgan, Macie, and I wrote a poem that we read to Austin and McCall. It was pretty funny and people got a good kick out if. After the luncheon was over, my parents, Morgan, Macie, Eric, and I went over to the Grand America hotel to change. My dad was smart and planned ahead that we were going to need a place to change before the reception. He booked a room for us and we hurry and changed and cleaned up a bit before we had more pictures and the reception. The reception was perfect and McCall and Austin just looked so happy. The day could not have been more perfect. We don't have all of the pictures back but here are a few that we took throughout the day.

On Sunday, Eric and I packed up and came home to Houston. It was sad to leave and I miss living close to family but I am so thankful that we were able to go and be apart of McCall's wedding. McCall and Austin came home from their honeymoon to Cabo last weekend and this past week has been to fun to talk to my sister about married life. She is such a great wife already and she and I have loved swapping recipes, ideas, and just talking about married life. I am so glad to have a sister that is married now that understands everything that comes with marriage. I love McCall so much and Eric and I love that she and Austin are married for eternity and for their lives together.