2009 year in review

Here I'll share a few things that didn't make it to the blog, but I wanted to keep record of.

First off we always start our year out with Elizabeth's birthday. She turned two in 2009. We took her and her friend Anela to the Kangaroo Zoo where they could go crazy jumping around on large blow ups and slide down slides. For a special treat we took the girls to McDonald's on the way home. They were ADORABLE!

With the economy fall out of 2008, a lot of the effects didn't necessarily show up from 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' until the spring. We were unsure about Jake's employment. All over the country there were massive cuts, layoffs and it came to Jake's company too. We were unsure as to our financial future. Besides the fact that Jake had gone as far as he could go with his company. So we worried a bit and prayed about it a lot. We felt strongly that everything was going to be okay, no matter the outcome. We prepared for a change we felt was to come.

An opportunity arose with a company that had purchased 15 locations from Jake's current company. They were a Canadian company who weren't exactly knowledgeable about US laws and regulations regarding guns etc. Which so happens to be Jake's specialty. Jake just happened to have been helping with the change over of those 15 locations.

It took quite a while to get things finalized but in May we knew we would be accepting a position with this company. They decided to make one of their new locations their "Corporate Office" for their US businesses. So, July 4th weekend we drove into Washington from Utah. It was scary and exciting.

We had moved several times in the past but we always knew that we'd be moving again so, if we didn't like a place it was no matter because we knew we'd be leaving soon. But if we did like a place it was just icing on the cake :) This was more permanent, as well as we were not planning on me working, so the relationships in our community and ward were very important to me.

This was to be our new home. I just HAD to like it.

Jake was excited right off the bat, I reserved my judgement, I wanted to like it and be happy here so badly. I knew that my happiness was crucial for my family's happiness. Elizabeth did very well and just went with the flow. I was surprised by her lack of reaction and "Go with the flow" fun attitude. She never asked or seemed to even wonder "what the heck was going on?".

I prayed and prayed about it. We drove around and we found a town that I felt very comfortable with and I started to ease my stresses. We found an apartment complex that was close by in a nice area that we felt we could rent while we took time to delve into the community and decide where we would really like to be and buy a home... our first home.

I knew it would take time for friendships to come. It has been hard and lonely at times but we have held fast to the Lord and this all has been a great growing experience for us all.

Jake LOVES his new position and is getting recognition for his good works, ideas and efforts in the work place. I had often felt he was more used and abused before and I would get especially irritated when others would take credit for his ideas or work. Now he just shines with joy and strength. He strives in all areas to be better. I like him a lot. -I always have though :)

Elizabeth gets lonely from the lack of friends to play with, but we're working on that. We joined Gymboree. Her class is one day a week for an hour and a half. Sometimes we do have the opportunity to catch another class or two, which is really nice. She gets to run and play with other kids, do art projects and learn some basic school skills. Every week they focus on a new letter of the alphabet. She's having a blast! It's remarkable how much she has grown. She blows us away!

After trying for over a year to have another baby we finally learned we were pregnant in August. I went to the Doctor right away because I knew my thyroid had to be monitored closely for the development of the baby. After some blood work, I got a call saying that they were "very concerned" about the results. They said they didn't know how I could have even gotten pregnant with my thyroid levels so off. They sent me in for an Ultrasound. They warned me that the outcome may be grim. They said "There may be an empty sac, or a dead fetus" I was told it was a very slim chance that everything was going to be okay.

While I was hearing the worst news ever Jake was out of town, unreachable. I called my parents and they offered me love and support and prayed with me. We felt like no matter the outcome it was going to be okay and the Lord would be with us. Jake came home and I filled him in. We went to the Ultrasound. Everything looked okay, the baby was in fact in there. The Ultrasound Tech said they may have me come back to make sure things were still going on the right track (the baby was still growing). In the mean time they took my thyroid meds from 50 mcg to 125 and told me to take two daily until my numbers got better.

Our second Ultrasound we were needing to make sure of a due date. At this visit the tech saw TWO babies!! We forgot all about a due date while we were excited and stunned by the news. My Dr had her nurse call me and said "The Dr looked everything over, we think we caught it in time and everything looks great! It's okay to be excited. Your having twins!". At this point we needed to switch Dr's to a high risk Dr. (short version).

My new Dr. did an Ultrasound and he said that the babies had stopped growing. [From the first Ultrasound they were only measuring one more day of growth and that was almost a month ago at this point]. He said it would be in our best interest to have a D&C to remove the dead tissue.

When I look back on it I felt my pregnancy symptoms going away. The sickies and me being so tired started to subside. I just felt like "Maybe this pregnancy is just different". A few days before all this had happened I had a dream that I lost the babies. I had never had a dream like that with Elizabeth. Sure we had issues and complications while I was pregnant with Elizabeth but I never doubted for one second that she wouldn't come. I KNEW she was supposed to be here. I think I didn't want to admit that maybe the babies wouldn't live. We wanted them so badly.

I know so many women have gone through this and it has been much more of a traumatic experience for others.

We went through an array of emotions, but never angry. we felt so strongly that the Lord was with us. Jake was beyond saddened by it all. We had been so excited. One day he just came to me and said "It's going to be okay. I KNOW we will have more babies." and his heart changed with that hope.

I still get teary at times. But I know its okay. My thyroid is right and I have started making some other changes to help us on our journey. The Lord will bless us with more babies when the time is right. Besides, we have a pretty dang great kid right now!

This year has been full of learning, growing and healing for us. We have been blessed greatly.

We had the wonderful opportunity to have time off over the Holidays to go to Oregon to visit Jake's family. We have NEVER had time off over the Holidays. Jake has ALWAYS had to work the day before and the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, even when he worked at the Corporate offices in Utah. This company is a huge blessing for our family.

It has been so long since we had the opportunity to go to Oregon as well as at times I wasn't sure I wanted to go because of past hurt feelings. This trip was really very wonderful and fulfilling. I really can't wait to go again! I can't wait to keep building positive, loving relationships with our friends and family in Oregon. Thank you, we sincerely love you all SO MUCH! Everything and everyone was so wonderful!

I feel happy here in our new home, Washington. Its very pretty here.

I have been learning to be more domesticated this year! I have been baking breads and all sorts of other things! I mastered the crepe! I have been making all sorts of decadent deserts and savory dishes with them! SO FUN! Next year I'm getting a sewing machine!! WATCH OUT! I also am excited to learn to crochet! I want to make a blanket, scarves, our Christmas stockings..... HATS! -SO MANY things!

This year we began Jake's birth family geneology for him. Its been an awesome experience thus far. Thanks Mom Morey for all your massive efforts and thanks to Gma Effie for your information and love in welcoming us into your family. You and your family have been so loving and generous. Thank you Marla for everything you contributed, I SO look forward to getting to know you and your family!

I am very thankful for the influence of The Lord in our lives. I am thankful for the gospel and it's teachings. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and for my friend and neighbor in Utah, Christina, for reminding me of how awesome it is to help others. I am thankful for the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, for our ancestors who watch over us and love us, protect us and cheer us on! I am thankful for our family and friends, for the love that they have shown and offered us. I am thankful for forgiveness, -for being forgiven and the blessing of forgiving others. I am thankful for joy in the little things of life. I am thankful for peace.

This has been a great year for us and I can't wait for 2010!

Elizabeth will be 3 in just a few weeks!

The ONLY thing she asked for Christmas was a Birthday Party,

so we are trying to give that to her. PLEASE pray that people will come!!!!

Thanks for checking in and I promise to be a better record keeper in the new year :)

Happy New Year everyone.