2018: A Year to Remember

As I look back on this last year, it has been an adventure for sure. So many good things and hard things happened but at the end of the year, my heart is so full of gratitude and love.
 We started off January 1st driving to California where Adam worked for a startup in San Fran. He worked A LOT and we didn't have family around so It was hard at times. We spent a lot of quality time when we could exploring the area and that brought us closer. While we were there, I met some people who impacted my life in so many ways with their Christlike service and friendship that helped me feel taken care of when I needed it. Their examples have inspired me to be better.

We moved back home to Utah a few weeks before Cohen made his debut. I remember feeling excited to have a boy but also nervous about his coming and how it would affect my mental health but, he's only been a light and joy in our lives.  He's very loved and lucky to have his sisters, well, a sister that takes care of him...the other takes his toys and tries to step on him haha.

In June, Cassie got married and I was so happy to share that special day with her and Tristan. Not only did I get a new brother-in-law but I also got an awesome new Sister-In-Law and a beautiful new niece! It's been a big year for the DeCato side.

Three months after Cohen was born, we bought our third home, turning our second home into an investment property. I didn't think it would happen this year or next but it did and we're so grateful! We didn't move far from our last home because we love the people in this area!

 When Adam and I were first married, we made a dream board and set goals for the future. Being able to do this gets us closer to making dreams into reality. 

We also bought our house with the purpose of being able to open it up to others. With the floor plan, we can comfortably accommodate people and I've always wanted to have that resource when others needed it. It's not fancy but its cozy! It has been used for friends and family already and we love it! So, If you need a place to stay, you're always welcome to be our guest :)

This year I made a conscious effort to be more present with my family. I've loved the fun activities and memories we've made this year. I've also loved the simple moments that made me appreciate these sweet spirits that my Heavenly Father has entrusted in my care. They make me a better person and I love them to pieces! 

One special moment of this year wasn't anything grand on the outside but it was the world to me. I have mentioned a few times in the past but I've never gone into great detail about my post partum depression. I wrote about it at the beginning of the year but haven't published it out of fear till now. You can read about it Here. 

A couple months ago as I was driving home in the early afternoon from running errands, I remember just thinking about life and random things. Suddenly, as if everything around me was dark, everything lit up. Everything around me became brighter. I felt like I could see and feel again. I don't know how else to explain it but at that moment, I knew I was healing from the last two and half years from feeling in the dark. I don't talk about it much and I can barely type because I get way too emotional but I know that God sent Angels to watch over me. Those Angels being my family and friends and neighbors who, through small acts of service, helped me feel Gods love when I struggled to feel anything but sadness for so long. It's been a year of healing for me and I have so many people around me to thank for that.  

Back in October, The Prophet gave an invitation to read The Book of Mormon from then to the end of the year. He promised great blessings of revelation and inspiration which I yearned for. I wanna be a good mom but sometimes, I just have no idea what I am doing! Some guidance would be nice! haha.  As I've strived to read daily, I feel more gratitude and more peace. I have received promptings that I needed and have seen the changes I have hoped to bring about in my home. At some point, I started reading scriptures to Emery every night. We read them, and then I teach her and act out things with her stuffed animals to help her understand better. The most amazing thing is, when it's bedtime, she comes to Adam and I and makes the request that I read to her before she falls asleep. I love her desire to learn and I love the one on one time with her. 

As the year comes to an end, I am so excited for the new year and the journey life is taking us on. Adam has been my rock and I am so lucky to have him by my side through it all.  I've learned a lot and my hopes are to be better than I was last year by starting positive habits, serving others more and finding deeper connections with the people in my life. In the end, my family and the people around me bring the most joy to our lives!

Our new home

Two months ago we bought our third house and have loved our new place. We didn't move far, in fact, we moved only a few streets over within our ward boundary so it doesn't feel like we actually moved! Was this planned? Not necessarily. We talked about moving the following year (within our neighborhood) if we found something we liked. So, we were prepared to move but didn't think it was likely this year until our neighbor put their house on the market. It happened so fast! We were still in the middle of remodeling our min floor in the previous house! I'm so happy we jumped on the opportunity though because we've fallen head over heels for the place.

One of our favorite parts of the home is the finished basement. It's perfect for entertaining and a great place for the kids. We have lots of family movie nights, pillow fights,  make forts and Adam and I hang out watching our favorite Netflix shows after the kids are in bed. 

Adam was called as the Young Men's President two months before moved. Now that we actually have the space to host all the YM, Adam decided it was imperative we get a commercial size popcorn maker and he was absolutely right! We've used this thing for everything!

Our backyard, though small, has lots of potential. It brings us gifts of peaches and grapes! It's also mostly flat, which I appreciate since our last yard was on a hill! It's not yet fully fenced but once we get that done and clean it up, it'll be another amazing hangout for our family and friends in the summertime. The girls love to just step outside and blow their bubbles. 

There's a lot of things that need to be done around here but we love making a house our home. I can see us staying here for a while and making lots of amazing memories and I can't wait to see what's in store for us.

Emery's 4th Birthday

Emery's Birthday was celebrated on the Saturday before. I wasn't sure how it would pan out because I got really sick through the week and then she and Taylor came down with colds over the weekend. So, on Friday, I got us out of the house, went to Walmart and told Emery she can pick out a cake and decorations. Not much planning on my part compared to other years but, she still loved her Birthday!

Emery woke up with her little raspy voice with all of us shouting Happy Birthday to her!

Unicorn Decor of course!

The night before, we set up some decorations and blew up balloons. 

We were all still in our PJ's with bed head :)

One of her favorite presents! We plan to do lots of outdoor activities and camping this summer and thought she'd love a water canteen. 

She and Taylor love to paint and color so I bought more paint and new paintbrushes.

Yeah, they ate cake for breakfast. YOLO

Later on we went to one of Emery's favorite places, a Trampoline Park!

On Sunday, Emery's actual Birthday, we headed over to Grandma's house for dinner and to see all the cousins.

Emery has matured so fast. After the baby was born, she's helped a lot with taking care of him. Lately, she spends time outside most days riding her tricycle with her neighborhood friends, playing make-believe in the closet or wrestling with her little sister. We had to pull her out of preschool when we moved to Cali at the end of last year and she's really missed school. Sometimes she'll get her shoes and backpack on and tell me she's heading out to her school haha. Emery is a HUGE daddy's girl, always wanting to cuddle and play with Adam. She's also picked up singing and will sing when we're in the store, or on car rides and times when she doesn't see me looking, she'll sing to her baby brother. "Lullaby" by Josh Groban and "Gethsemane" are some of her go-to's. We love our Emery Bear!!!

Cohen John- The Birth Story

      On May 11th 2018, we welcomed our third child and first boy, Cohen John Ruben :)
I had been so excited and impatient all week. My body was so uncomfortable and the babies foot seemed to be stuck near my rib cage, it always felt like it was on fire. I was SO ready for the baby to come.
      I had a scheduled repeat C-section so there was no waiting game which is nice knowing when the baby will come but, the recoveries are hard. Finally, when the day came, I was honestly really scared. I had complications with each recovery and still recovering from PPD with Taylor's birth.
 I didn't want to have a similar experience so I asked my darling husband to give me a blessing of comfort. Adam gave me a beautiful priesthood blessing before we headed off to the hospital which brought me so much peace.

The Operating Room- It's very bright and cold and there's always music to jam to. 

After checking in, they quickly got me ready for the c-sections. Adam got to put on his white suit, to me, it looks like he's going to collect some bee honey haha.

At 1:05pm, our baby boy was born! He weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long and a head circumference of 37mm.  I'm going to guess that's big because he keeps getting his head stuck when we dress him in NB onesies. I loved hearing my Doctor's remarks as the baby was being delivered..." all that hair...he looks great...oh, he just peed on you, his plumbing is working..."

Our sweet baby boy! I loved watching Adam hold him while they were finishing me up. The anesthesia was very strong and I could barely lift my arms to hold him on me.   

The extra spacious room where the most amazing nurses tended to me. 

Complimentary Steak Dinner for giving birth, the only thing I really liked, the food was kinda terrible that weekend. 

Later that evening, Adam picked up the girls and my little sister to visit us at the hospital. They were so excited to meet their baby brother! I've heard of others getting gifts for the older kids when a new baby arrives so I got the girls a few things to help them feel special and included. I bought them their own little baby dolls to take care of while I take care of Cohen. They loved it!

Emery covered her ears because she didn't like Cohen's crying during his bath haha

Cohen's First Bath

The view from my window on the Evening of Mother's Day...Not too shabby. 

Baby brother time!

Brother Chase and his wife Karenine came to visit

Auntie Cassie took care of the girls all weekend, She's gonna be a fun mom!

They had all you can drink slushies. We stopped giving them slushies after the second day because it made them crazy hyper haha. 

Adam and I are now outnumbered Eeeeeee!

Heading home!

Tuesday afternoon came and it was time to head home. As much as I loved being waited on 24/7, I was missing the comforts of home. I loved my stay at the hospital and I'm so grateful everything went smoothly!