and it is DONE.

Well, we signed away our home today. We finished all the cleanup yesterday and our renters signed for it today. I am actually doing a lot better than I thought I would. Since i was such a wreck over the past 2 weeks ---- but I know its right and have come to that conclusion and have accepted it. It was SO weird seeing our little house completely empty. I cannot believe HOW MUCH stuff we actually had in there! It was a great house for us. I am not sure if we will ever move back in there again --- so today I had to take a minute a reflect on it. Our house is an old -- starter home that we completely made our own. Surrounded by great neighbors and an incredible ward . . . we couldn't have started our life back in Idaho any better! Araleigh has had almost ALL of her firsts in that house. We moved in when she was 5 months old. It was hard on her the other day when we were there fixing things up . . . I got mad at her for going near the road . . so brought her inside-- she ran straight to her room, saw nothing in there . . . and dropped to the floor in tears. She was so confused it broke my heart. I don't know how long it will take her to get back in the groove of things --- probably not till we move out. Her schedule is completely messed up. Now because its one big slumber party in the bedroom-- she wont go to bed until we do (which is like 11 at night). NOT FUN! This will be very hard once baby boy Arnold gets thrown into the picture. We will see how things are handle. Anyways, there is a small update. Haven't done any scrapbooking really-- but will start soon as we get more settled and into a routine.

Small Update.

Well, we are almost completely out of our house . . except a few lamps and stuff from our garage. We got all of it out today and some cleaning done. The last 3 days have been completely exhausting for me and my family. My body aches everywhere and I know I completely over did it 2 days ago by pulling the ligaments under my stomach (where baby is). We aren't settled in yet --- but are slowly piecing everything together at the in-laws. We have pretty much created our own little apartment at their house-- with a door going up next week. So I will feel more like its my little piece of space. Araleigh has REALLY had a tough time adjusting. She thinks its fun right now having mom and dad in the same room (ya-- not a fun thing for mom and dad) but it works. I can't believe how ALL of our stuff fits into one room. The room, although is huge. Bigger than any room I have seen. We have a king bed, twin bed, crib, changing table, and two big dressers in there---- and have a TON of space in the middle. Things are coming together slowly-- and I hope we can feel at home soon. I know Cory does . . . but he lived here before-- so no biggie right? Anyways, well . . I am 100% exhausted and need to get my swollen feet up.

It's official. We are moving.

Well, I know I have been referring to some trials lately and most of this has to do with the fact that we have decided to move out of our house. We have been debating this idea for about 6 months . . so that we could get out of debt and just breathe a little. But over the last week and a half-- things have happened suddenly and unexpectedly. We never listed our house because we weren't quite sure if we wanted to do it... but we got a random phone call from my sister who knew someone who wanted to look at our house if we really did want to rent it out. Cory jumped on the opportunity and they came and saw it within 3 days and said they wanted it. Everything has happened so fast that it has been a very emotional ride for me. We are going to be moving in with Cory's parents and will be in there by next week probably (our renters move in on May 1st and we have lots to clean up and get ready for them!). I really do hope that everything will turn out well. I have been having mixed feelings over the whole situation because I haven't had time to sit back and take it all in . . . it's just happened so fast. It doesn't help that I only have like EIGHT weeks left in this pregnancy and we are not going to bringing our baby "home" (plus my emotions are out of control... literally). But I know its for the best. Cory is getting back into school (finally) and so moving in with his parents is the most logical thing right now---- especially so we can be closer to the school. I am grateful for their willingness to take us in at this time and hope that we can make it work. I am a very personal and private person that needs my space ... so this will be more of a change for me than anyone.

We are hoping that within a year (when our renters lease is up) we will be set in our ways with Cory in school, things figured out and our debt taken care of so that we will either move back into our house or sell it and buy up in Rexburg (where we should be anyways). We will have to see as the time comes. I know that this is what we are suppose to be doing because it truly was an answer to our prayers on what to do at this time . . . and when we got that random phone call . . it was a bit relieving that we didn't have to go through a rental company and that we know who will be renting our house out. Cory and I have both been grieving a bit about having to leave our ward family. I have never been so welcomed and involved in a ward like I have this one . . . so this is a struggle for me. I love my calling and those who I have served with . . . as does Cory. We realized tonight that this Sunday will probably be our last in the ward . . . because of our moving this next week.I just hope we can feel this same love in the ward to come. So this coming week will entail a whole lot of packing . . . probably some tears on my end . . . moving to Sugar and a whole lot of cleaning. Oh the joy. Wish us luck. (Especially me and my crazy hormones.)

Easter!

Alright- here are my Easter pictures. I finally had a bit of time tonight to get some pages done. We had a good Easter. It was filled with lots of family . . birthday parties . .. food . . . and fun finds for the kids! My mom holds an Easter Hunt for the grandkids every year and this year we did it at Sharee's house. They had so much fun! We then colored eggs afterward. Araleigh had such a great time. We weren't home for Easter because we spent all weekend trying to get the taxes ready for our business (yeah, they didn't tell us something was missing until Friday night LATE . . so I spent the next 3 days LITERALLY trying to fix everything.) But Araleigh had fun. The Easter bunny found her and she got a little trike, TOO MUCH CANDY, Dora Kite, a new dress, and some gum . . . which we fight over EVERY DAY. She gets SO mad at me if I don't have gum for her on demand. She is getting to be pretty bossy! As for me: It was a hard weekend for me. I not only had the stress of getting all of our books up to date . . . but have been personally going through some hard trials. I have been trying to endure and found myself very emotional over the Easter weekend. As everyone was getting all their fun stuff and embracing the Easter traditions . . . I trully had to step back and reflect on what Easter was really about. I am so grateful for the Saviour and his sacrifice to us. At this time in my life when things aren't going as planned I have to reflect on Him. Though I pitty myself sometimes and sometimes feel like there is nothing more I can do to overcome . . . I just think of the Saviour. He bled from every pore of his body just by the anguish and emotional trauma's of the worlds sins. I cannot even imagine going through that much pain . . . on the inside. When I think of my little petty problems that seem so big to me I have to be grateful for what I do have. I have my family, my friends, and the love of our Saviour to pull me through . . . I hope everyone else had a good Easter and could reflect upon the true meaning of it. Sometimes it's hard not to get caught up in the worldly traditions . . . as I am very guilty of this but this year was a humbling one for me.

No Posting. . .

Okay- I know I have been MIA for about 10 days - - - which is like a year for me! But I have been SOOOO very busy. We have A LOT going on in our lives right now . . . and some big changes coming our way. So we have been busy figuring out our life, getting taxes ready for the business (still working on them . . I am on a break), doing end of year videos, Spring cleaning, Easter and birthday parties. I have never been so overwhelmed in my life . . . so blogging has been put on the backburner. So for now . . this is all you get. Next week I may be able to sit down and breath but for now life is crazy. Bear with me . . for those who actually read this! (BTW- Amanda- if you read this. My brother told me you were wondering why I haven't updated my blog. HAHA . . . now you know!!) So for now --- we are to be continued......

Lil Catchup

So the other day Cory and Brock showed up with all source of ingredients to make Sweet and Sour Chicken and Ham Fried Rice. WHAT A MESS! It was quite funny watching them try and figure it out. It was a HUGE process too. I was surprised they chose such a complex recipe to begin with . . . and my kitchen was a TOTAL MESS. I didn't eat it cuz I already had dinner . . . but they seemed to enjoy it. (Thankfully) The fun part for me was watching them do all the clean up after their huge mess! It always make me happy when Cory gets a nitch to cook because he NEVER cooks (unless its grilling). Dustin even came over and made brownies. It was quite the night! They ended up making breaded chicken with a sweet and sour sauce and ham fried rice with baby shrimp in it (sick.) But they said it was good. All I could smell was raw shrimp. Yuck!


So this is embarrassing but for my own personal journal I wanted to have on here a picture of me at 28.5 weeks. I went to the doctor on Monday and was up NINE lbs from my last appointment 5 weeks before. Yes, I wanted to break the scale and call the nurse a liar. I seriously think I am on my way to gaining like EIGHTY lbs. (not really . . . but seriously). I am currently at my 25 weight gain limit--- and am a little nervous because 35 is max for normal and I still have 11 weeks. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I went into the doctor and had my glucose test. I was a little nervous because I am insulin resistant but passed.... phew! I DID not want to take the big test again. I also got my Rogham shot taken care of. I am RH- which means my blood type is negative and Cory's is positive so without this shot if baby has a positive blood type my body will think its a virus. . . and start fighting it off. So thats been taken care of! I have now realized I am in my third trimester and now all the yucky stuff starts. The shots, the check ups, the contractions, the fat ankles, the sleepless nights--- every night and the joy of labor. I am really starting to get nervous. I don't know why I get so psyched up over it because I have done it before--- but its still its nerve racking.

Five Years. Where did they go?

Today is our FIFTH wedding anniversary. How crazy is that?

In the last 5 years we have:

2004:

*Were married on April 2-- ended the night in a limo and spent the weekend in Utah shopping in Park City and loving being married!

*Won our honeymoon: a Mexican Cruise that we took a week after we got married

*Bought our first car together -- our Honda that still is running . . . now sure how though!

*Worked at Artco and Cory at the Ranch

*Had SEVERAL trips to the Urgent Care for careless stupidities at the ranch (With no insurance) and one choking hazard on my end. We were jinxed.

*Moved from a small studio-type apartment to my parents and finally to Orem, Utah

*Started our journey of getting back into the church

*Found life long friends . . . the Shirts Family

*Started school at the American Institute for Dental lab technology

*Had the highest car insurance known to man (in my opinion) because of Cory's lovely driving record!

2005:

*Cory went through silly jobs: selling vacuums (terrible), shoe salesman, and finally started his job welding which he did for 2.5 years after that

*Dealt with the physical and emotional ride of infertility

*Graduated with the highest GPA in my class in July

*Started my career at Arrowhead Dental in August

*Was Sealed to my family for Eternity in September in the SLC, Temple

*moved to Draper, Utah to a sweet apartment that we thought we could afford on our double income!

*Spent almost all the money we had on dinner and movie dates at Jordan Commons (like twice a week) We did whatever we wanted this year! It was awesome!!

*Had TWO break-ins in our car (same car)- cd players stolen each time-- did I mention in was within two days of each other? (You'd think he'd learn to take precautions the day after . . . not my Cory!)

*Dealt with a bad semester at UofU . . . enough said

*Our first anniversary was spent at the Anniversary Inn, eating at the Melting Pot and standing in line for Conference on Sunday, which we ended up just getting into the auxiliary building. Also received a diamond ring . . . promising me a Temple Marriage. It was great! (which he had fulfilled in September)

2006:

*Found out we were pregnant in January

*Dealt with the toughest pregnancy known (in my opinion) gaining only 5 lbs TOTAL and throwing up everyday for 9 months and spending about 4 months sleeping in the bathtub because of early contractions.

*Bought our jeep --- we were so excited

*moved BACK to Orem into a 3 bdrm apartment that we loved

*put lots of miles on our new car while commuting everyday to work in Sandy, Utah

*Was promoted to be a full time cosmetic waxer . . and got a raise! Loved this!

*Dealt with the passing of my one and only Grandmother-- Roberta

*Had the priviledge of having a hand in and say on the making of my hubby's fake tooth lol (and it was 50% off!!)

*Spent our anniversary in Draper at our apartment-- can't remember details but Cory had a setup with the fireplace (which we never used until then) it was sweet.

*Had our beautiful little girl on October 3rd. Best day of our lives!

*Was offered to get into our diabetic supply business and move back to Rexburg

*one semester at UVSC

*Lost Cory's grandpa in Dec.

2007:

*Bought our first home in February in Idaho Falls

*Started our new lives in Idaho - - -

*Went through all the firsts of parenthood

*Slowly learned the stresses of home ownership!

*Received callings as Elders Quorum Activity Director and YW Beehive Advisor-- currently still do

*Started dealing with health issues on my end . . . it never ends!

*Anniversary spent out to dinner at Jakers (where we ate when we got engaged) and a movie I believe and then back home to the new baby!

*Went on our first family trip to Clarkston, Wa -- where Cory grew up

2008:

*Again, started the process and treatments of infertility

*Sold our Jeep and got a better one (so we thought)

*Started learning how to be parents of a terrible two toddler! lol we love her.

*Took our second family trip to Washington

*Dealt with the new roller coaster of Dieting and Exercise!

*Found out we were pregnant in October-- at a friends house in Utah

*Spent our first Christmas as a family in St.George with the Arnold Clan

*Spent our Anniversary again in SLC at the Anniversary Inn, ate at the Roof and Market Street Grill and got a beautiful necklace from the hubby. It was fun!

2009:

*Found out we are having a boy!

*Dealt with some hard trials and are still trying to endure

*And for the Anniversary I got treated to a trip to Pocatello to Red Lobster (my favorite of all food!) and some alone time with the hubby before baby #2 comes along! (Thanks to Uncle Brock and Uncle Dustin! haha)

Although I have touched on some highlights (or lows) I have to say that Cory and I have been together for EIGHT years . . . married for FIVE. It is SO crazy how fast time flies. Where did these years go?? I think back to our relationship 8 years ago--- oh the drama of being high school sweethearts. I am surprised we made it through some of the trials we have had to endure together. But I know for a fact that we are suppose to be together and it gives me comfort to know that I have spent these last few years with the one who no matter will always make me smile . . . I never imagined marriage being so hard and yet so rewarding. As I see our family grow it just gives me peace that we are eternal. I am grateful for my marriage and especially my temple marriage. I know Cory will have me laughing in the next life probably more than in this life. Love you Cory!