Christmas Festivities

 So much has happened this year and i've loved it, both the good and hard times. It's been a fun month and one of reflection for sure. You can't help but think about everything that's happened and then think about the upcoming year and endeavors. I also felt the Christmas spirit so strongly. Thinking about the Savior and his sacrifice made me feel closer to family. Luckily, I have a few siblings here in Utah and when they aren't around, Adam has a huge family around that I get to spend time with.

We started the month off with our gingerbread houses. I actually don't remember doing this growing up, but Adam and I have been doing this since we've been married and we love it.

Cassie's Temple!!

Chase's gingerbread raid

My gingerbread log cabin

Adam's model size dream house

It took four nights to finish....

Most of the month was a bit rough with the pregnancy. I just finished up the end of the first trimester and I am starting to feel much better with my little lemon size baby. We find out the gender on Tuesday!!! It's nice to find out earlier than usual. I think it's a boy because the Chinese calender said it was...so, it has to be correct, right? haha and I 've felt less sick compared to my first go around but we shall see! I totally had a dream it was a girl.

Can't wait to have TWO cuties!

Snow isn't my favorite, but seeing my baby play in it is the best! Emery loves to look at the snow and loves when I throw it up in the air or throw snowballs at the dog. However, she doesn't like walking in it without someone holding her hand. Anyway, the first snowfall was a neat experience for me to see her in it. She was a little too young last year to appreciate this white stuff. 

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we have a little tradition of going somewhere to play with Oakley and Emery in the snow. Afterward, we have brunch at Dennys.

The meal was YUMMY as always. As we were leaving, our waitress told us a stranger paid for our meal! That was so nice of them. I love all the good deeds people do especially around the holidays. 

We spent Christmas Eve evening celebrating with the Ruben family. Every Christmas Eve they get together for food, talents, a spiritual message and games. My sister in law Lisa did a great job putting the games together for us. 

I think Emery's favorite gift this year was a deck of Hello Kitty cards I gave her to keep her busy. She carried them all night and on Christmas Day!

Christmas Day

Emery's first tubing! It was still snowing haha

So, I don't want to seem like I am bragging. But, I want to shout it to the world how amazing Adam is!!! He's been working side jobs and saving up to buy me a new camera. I was so surprised, I cried...and I cried some more.  More so becuase he did this for me and not becuase he got me the camera I've wanted..which I am SO estatic about. 

I also wanted a necklace with Adam and my initial and he got that too!

After opening our presents, we headed up to Ogden to visit my family and enjoy dinner with them. 

It's rare I can see my siblings for the holidays so it was awesome to have two of them around!

Okay, Here we go 2016!

Three Year Anniversary

On November 23rd, Adam and I celebrated three years of Marriage! I have to start off by thanking my In-laws who funded our anniversary festivities this year. Adam and I like to spend the day together, going to dinner and staying a night in a hotel. I mean, out of 365 days a year, we should get at least one night away with no kid right? Finances were tight this time and we decided not to do our traditional get away. Thank goodness my mother-in-law is on the ball with gifts this year. She wanted to get all her shopping done early and asked us a few times what we wanted. We couldn't think of anything we REALLY wanted right now...other than celebrating our anniversary the way we usually do. So, at our request, that's what we got and it couldn't have been better spent.

     We started off at Boondocks to play like little kids. Adam got to impress me with his driving skills in go karting and zombie killing ( I was very impressed). We spent all our coins on the giant claw machine trying to win Emery a stuffed animal. Those things are so rigged!
     Following our playtime, we had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. As usual, I can't resist their calamari so I got that and  then we split the Steak Diane as always. This time we gave the lemonade a try and HOLY SHMOKES! The cucumber lime is my absolute favorite!
The one tradition I wish we wouldn't continue is overeating on our anniversary. We can take the food to go but we try to eat it all in one sitting and feel like complete gluttons after. After dinner, we dragged ourselves over to The Anniversary Inn. If you're looking for a unique hotel, this is the place! We stayed in the Jungle Safari room with all the elephants and crocs and Zebras. I love the customer service here. They also gave us complimentry sparkling cider and cheesecake. YUM.

Twenty four hours later, we headed back home. It's such a treat to spend quality time with my husband. The next few days I thought about the last three years and everything we've learned together.
I've learned patience. As a couple, our goal is to be better than we are overtime. It takes patience to accept shortcomings and love to continue encouraging  and nurturing each other's growth.

I've also learned to forgive FAST. I remember one time, I was givng input that was not needed on something which created stress for Adam, as he told me later. He made a remark that upset me and I felt like he deserved the cold shoulder. But, a few minutes later, I saw how hurt he was, how sorry and how he didn't mean to upset me even though that was the result. Knowing him, he has a hard time concentrating on anything knowing I am upset. I quickly grabbed his hand and told him it was okay and to enjoy our evening together. The night could have been miserable for the both of us, but we made the choice to forgive and move on QUICK.

Adam once shared a story when we were newly weds. Say, I am backing out of the driveway and I run over my kids bike. I didn't do it on purpose, it's the last thing I wanted to do but I did do it. Most times, our spouses don't have the intention of hurting us even though that's the outcome so its wise to forgive and forget.

I've also learned that the Saviour needs to be part of the marriage. Individually, as we follow Christ's example and his Gospel, it becomes easy to be on the same page, easy to forgive, easy to understand each other, easy to love, easy to serve. I think it's this way becuase our desires become the same. When I pray and study my scriptures, it helps me feel closer to Christ, and when I don't do these things, I feel more short with my husband and that's not fun for anyone.

I have learned so much and still have so much more growing to do and I'm so happy I can do that with Adam. He's so supportive and still gives me feet rubs every week. What a guy!

The First Snow

Today we had our first snowfall! I'm not a snow kind of person but I was so happy to see snow this morning. There's something so magical about it...unless you have to drive! Adam stayed home and worked till the afternoon to avoid the snowy roads and traffic so we got to steal him away for a little bit to play in the snow. Later this week, snowman, snow angels and tubing are on Emery's bucket list. Yay for snow!

Raising Rubens

So much to do, so much to do! We're getting ready for a baby next JUNE!

I am three months pregnant (12 wks) and the baby is expected June 25th! I've always wanted a June baby :) So far, it's going well. This pregnancy has been night and day compared to Emery's pregnancy. I still have really sick days and I have been plagued by fatigue constantly but I am still able to do most things like normal. I have been really lucky in having cravings for salad and healthy stuff...what the heck! Of course, ice cream is always on the menu. Anything cold is actually wonderful for my nausea- ice water, sniffing peppermint (thanks doterra!) , ice cream and the frigid outdoor air have helped a ton.

Im still seeing my OB in St. George and will probably see them one more time for my gender check next month. Their office likes to check for fun at 15/16 weeks which means I'll find out right after new years. Yay for not having to wait till 20 weeks!

I talk to emery everyday about having a new baby. I'm not sure if she understands but she recognizes what a baby looks like and will kiss my tummy when I ask her to kiss the "baby". She's also been really sweet to me lately. Whenever I can't hold my food down, Adam rubs my back as I do my business. I guess Emery notices becuase the last two weeks as I am holding my hair back and leaning over, I feel this little hand rub my lower back each time. What a cutie! She'll be a great big sister for sure.

Recently, we moved in with my in-laws temporarily. I have to admit, it's been really nice waking up feeling miserable and having grandma happily volunteer to watch Emery. A couple days I let her roam around while I slept, she ended up smearing half a jar of pertroleum jelly on her clothes and got a hold of my makeup and smeared that. Grandmas are life savers.

So yup, I've been around family a lot lately because of the holidays but have made no attempt for any socializing. I'd just rather sit in my sweats and eat ice cream and salad (seperately) and watch documentaries on Netflix. I'll do my best for for updates on the baby bump. We're excited to be a family of four!

Pics for giggles

Happy Emery. 

Sad Emery- Can you see what's in the washer? I have to secretly wash Coco because she doesn't like

 to be apart from her but she walked by and noticed her spinning in this monster machine trying to eat her Coco.

Thanksgiving

     Hello SLC, we've returned. A few weeks ago we packed up and left St. George. I've grown so fond of St. George and the people we met there. I miss it so much! I was sad on the days leading up to our move and cried a little after the fact. Don't worry, I'm all better now!
     Currently, we are staying in my in-laws basment till we get work figured out. As most know, Adam has been working for a startup Solar Company. With all Startups, It hasn't been exempt from growing pains. Despite all the challenges and uncertainty, he's determined to make it successful. A reason why I fell for him, he's a hard worker.
      But, not gonna lie, it has been hard. Plans change and I don't know where we'll be or what will happen in the coming months. We've had to rely on our faith to help us through this hole of uncertainty. In the spirit of thanksgiving, I am  grateful for the Gospel. We are blessed with Personal revelation to help guide us. When times were dark, Adam would remind me of the confirmation we received from the spirit to move forward with this venture. There were numerous times I would look back at our comfortable life and yearn for it again, but for reasons beyond our understanding, we're pursuing something greater.
     In the meantime, Im just happy we are together and healthy. We have so much support from Family and just couldn't do this without them and our friends we've met along the way.  We have been blessed with so much.

     Speaking of Thanksgiving, it was a great holiday! The Sunday before Thanksgiving, All of Adam's siblings were able to get together! It was a nice little reuion. One Great Grandma, two grandparents, 12 parents and 16 kids. It was a party. We ate yummy food and of course danced! When Rubens get together, you can always expect a showcase of musical talent.

Lots of movin and groovin!

Lisa and Rachel playing for us

     On Thanksgiving Day we traveled to Idaho to spend the day with family. It was great to see my aunt and uncle who hosted. My uncle was in a motorcycle accident and is still recovering so It was nice we all got to come to him.  Aunt Becky worked hard making a great meal, as well as everyone else who brought dishes. 

Hangin with G-pa

One necklace is never enough

Aunt Becky working in the Kitchen

My cousin's wife Emily and their sweet baby

As much as I appreciate Thanksgiving, I've felt the Christmas spirit for weeks! The gingerbread houses are done and there's lots to look forward to this month. I'm looking to start some Christmas traditions. What are some of yours?