Coming this February...

We are delighted to welcome another little boy into our family. I've been carrying around this news for what seems like forever. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to hide my 22 week growing belly so we decided it was time to share our joy with our family and friends. Coming out with something that is so sacred to us, really feels unsafe. My bishop was preaching from the pulpit and it felt like he was talking straight to me. He said he knew that there were people in the congregation who were suffering in silence with deep pain and sorrow. He challenged all of us to reach out and share our experiences with others. He promised that by confiding in others it would help people going through similar struggles. Isn't that what we were commanded to do?

Mosiah 18:9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

It isn't ever easy to put myself out there and be vulnerable. I tried to explain it to my mom once. It makes me feel defenseless, unprotected, exposed, and naked. I hold all of my struggles tightly knit into a locked box. I feel obliged to say that we, like so many others, have suffered pregnancy loss, and are fearful it would or will happen again. This pregnancy has been just as uncertain as some of the past. Today I choose to let go of the fear and uncertainty and embrace the now. We are expecting a precious little boy in a few short months and that makes me happy.

 

Joey turns 4!

It's hard to believe that life ever existed before this little man. Four years ago today, he came into our family and filled our home with love, happiness, and gratitude. I had always heard motherhood was something you couldn't put into words. Until I had Joey, I didn't understand what it meant to love someone or something unconditionally. He has taught me how to be patient and empathetic. He is the first person I see each morning and the second to last person I kiss goodnight. Every day I learn something new about life from his perspective. 

Top four reasons that make Joey the very best:

1) His love for life.

2) His contagious smile

3) His facial expressions when telling a story.

4) His pure heart. 

Matteo's pirate face!

Eden knocked the pinata down!

See you later

The hardest part about being so far away from home is being without family. Thankfully we've made friends here who we now consider family. Being in the same situation has brought us closer. We help each other like sisters, in time of need. When other opportunities come that take my dear friends to far away lands, a piece of my heart goes with them. This is not goodbye, this is see you later.