IHARM

When Zachary left on his mission back in August 2008 I started my waiting journey. Two years is a long time to be without your loved one, especially when you know you will marry this loved one.

 During the wait it is good to be able to relate to people going through the same situation as you. I started my search on Facebook for a missionary group of some sort. I came finally came across a group called "Waiting for Missionary"(W4AM). I anxiously waited for my acceptance into the group. Finally an administrator approved my request and I started watching everyones comments. 

I loved finding girls who were close to the same amount of wait time months as I had done. I found 2 amazing girls who had there boy leave in August of 2008, all 3 of us married our men and each of one kid with our men. Its weird! I consider these girls some of my closest friends but in real life we have never met. These two girls are only a couple of girls who I have come super close to. 

( I don't want to add pictures of them without permission )

Chrissie 

Kellsi

Once Zach came home from his mission there was another group branch off from this group that I joined. The group is my favorite reason to get on Facebook every day. I love every single girl in that group. I have known many of these girls for up to 5 years. The group is called "I have a Returned Missionary" (IHARM). 

I finally got a special privilege just last night to meet a few of these girls in person. I was so excited to put voices to these friends of mine I have grown to love. I can't wait for more get togethers to meet more girls and for life friendships to form not just Internet friendships. The bond I feel with all of these girls and there individual stories are so amazing. Thanks girls for being my friends and accepting me in this crazy Internet world :)

Job interview

Fall semester is coming up quick, just one month away. With school starting up it means I need to get a job. Zachary had a hard time with full time work and school, then trying to fit in church and family on top. It was to much for him! This semester I will be getting a job. I am excited but yet dreading this so much. How am I suppose to leave Andie to go to work? Plus finding a babysitter is hard work.

 I had a job interview at LDS Hospital for a receptionist position. I am anxiously waiting to hear back from the company on if I got the position. I love receptionist work so I would be ecstatic to get it. I now sit and wait watching my phone waiting for the call on what the future will hold. I know whatever is suppose to happen will work out but I want to know now! I hate waiting!

Missionaries

When Zachary got home from his mission, almost 3 years ago, he had one request. Zach wanted to feed the missionaries and make it a tradition to always try to feed the missionaries in our home. We haven't been able to fill his request until just recently. 

Monday the 15th we had the Elders in our ward over for Family Home Evening. I made Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob. It was a delicious meal, I am turning into quite the housewife! Zachary was in charge of dessert, otter pops it was :)

Every time I see missionaries I have to ask if they have a girl/guy back home. I am weird and feel this bond between them! Both the Elders had girls back home by the way, and I suck at taking pictures ;)

It was so much fun having the missionaries over. I got really excited to have Dallin return home from his mission. November should hurry so I can see my brother already!

Seven Elevan

I have never participated in a July 11th 7/11 free slurpee. It is my parents anniversary so I always celebrated their day, which by the way Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. 34 years is a long time! It's crazy what 34 years has brought to my parents : 10 kids, 4 in laws and 6 beautiful grandchildren. Imagine in almost 20 years for there 50th anniversary. I love you Mom and Dad.

Zachary and I decided to make a tradition this year and head out to 7/11. The line for a slurpee was long, the store floor was so sticky it was hard to keep your shoes on and getting our free slurpee was fantastic. Heck this tradition is priceless (literally). I can't wait to go back next year!

Andie 1 Year 1 Month

My little girl is growing fast, 13 months already. I have been debating if I continue with the monthly posts on Andies progress in life and then I decided, why is that even a question? I love bragging about my Andie every month, I will continue this for her whole life! At 13 months old  Andie....

1. Andie is constantly climbing on and off of furniture. She is so tall so she has no problem pulling herself up. She climbs on chairs, tables, couches and anything else she can possible find an edge to hold her. Andie also has quite a good arm. I will have to put her into gymnastics and sports starting soon! She has far better arm then I do at only 1 year old.

2. Andie has seen fireworks practically every weekend this past month. With West Fest, Taylorsville Days and the 4th of July she has seen quite a few. Andie loves the fireworks, she claps and "Ows and Aws". She is so cute, I just love this little girl of mine!

3. Andie is learning how to clean up after herself. Zachary and I want our kids to learn the small things such as eating right, exercising and cleaning up after yourself. The best way to teach your kids these simple things is while they are young. Andie has bins with her toys in them and she puts them back into the bins when she is moving on to something else. It is so cute to see her cleaning!

4. Andie sat at the dinner table for the first time. Zachary and I have been slacking at the dinner table eating. We sit infront of the TV and that is not good for your relationship or family foundation. Andie loves sitting up at the table with mom and dad with no distractions. She will tell us all about her day by babbling and laughing. We enjoy our family dinner time together :)

5. Andie has gone swimming quite a few times. We go to the apartment pool a lot with my siblings and their kids. Andie loves being in the pool and will kick and giggle BUT only if mom is holding her. She is not a fan of being in the pool if Dad or anyone besides just Mom holds her. Its really funny how she has change her mood so fast just by being in the arms of someone else.

6. Andie is very sociable. She loves people. She loves babies. She loves to flirt and smile. She loves to laugh and be silly. Andie has an amazing personality! She has a love for life that I look up to her for. She is only one but can see the good in everything. She lives life everyday to the fullest, I love her!

7. Andie each morning will pick her own clothes. She loves to be able to pick what she is wearing. We lay out a few options for pants/shorts and shirts and she will pick what to wear. I love watching her decide. She is funny and will put her hand really fast towards one but then stop and hover over all the other options carefully deciding before she picks her final choice haha.

8. Andie finally has learned how to suck out of a straw. I am so glad that she has finally learned that skill so we can break the bottle and pacifier habit. This one will be a hard one for me and Andie but it must be done. If you have any tips to break these habits I would love input. During the day Andie uses her sippy cup with the straw but at night we still give her bottles and pacifiers, I must resist.

9. Andie has gone to her first wedding. My friend Ashley got married and we went to the reception. Andie loved the cotton candy the best from the reception. We got pictures taken in the photobooth and Andie danced to the music. Andie is a party girl she of course would love weddings :)

I love watching my Andie grow. She is so smart, loving and energetic. She is always happy and loves her mom and all those around her. Andie is one sweet spirit I have been blessed with in this life, I am forever grateful to call her mine!

Ashley's Wedding

My good friend Ashley Curfew joined the married club July 5th. She married her man whom she also waited for while he served his mission. They are so cute together and I was so excited when I heard of her engagement so many months ago :)

I got the privilege of going to the sealing in the Salt Lake City Temple. So much good advice was given to the soon to be newlywed couple. Some of the counsel given hit me hard. I love going to the temple, you come out with a fresh mind and a wanting to do better in your life. I was so excited to see the happy couple as they walked out of the temple as newlyweds, reminds me of my wedding day almost 3 years ago!

The reception was fun as well celebrating the new couple. Ashley made such a beautiful bride. The theme of the wedding was kind of like a carnival. There was cotton candy, nachos and popcorn. There was lots of dancing and people I haven't seen in forever. I had so much fun celebrating with my friend Ashley. Congrats girl and I hope marriage takes you to great places :)

July 4th

This year for the 4th of July its the first year I have actually wanted to celebrate. Call me a bad citizen or something but I have never wanted to claim the states as my home. I know it has been 8 years of me living in the states, but I guess I needed 8 years! Canada is still close to my heart for sure but I am opening it up to letting the states in. July 4th I was excited to celebrate with my husband and little girl!

Zachary worked eight in the morning to about five in the afternoon. When he finally arrived home I was anxious to get out of the house and get some celebrating on. We decided to head out to dinner before meeting up with my siblings for fireworks. Red Robin was our choice of food, unlimited fries for Andie how can you resist that. We got Andie a corn dog and she ate our fries too, she dug right in. I swear Andie has a bottomless pit of a stomach!

After dinner we headed to West Jordan for some fireworks. We parked in the library across the street from the park and grabbed some blankets and headed out to find a seat. We actually found a really nice spot super close to the fireworks. I was really surprised how good our spots were!

We didn't wait to long at our spot until family members started showing up. Kari, Nicholas, Brent, Melissa and Brents family all came to watch the fireworks with us. Brents sister had a little girl just 3 months younger then Andie. Andie loved to be able to play with a friend and she was super cute! I can't wait to see Andie with little siblings, she will be a fantastic big sister.

Before the firework show started Nicholas and I played tag around the blankets. I like running when its for fun why does exercising have to be so boring when it comes to running. Andie loved watching Mom run around with her cousin Nicholas, she probably thought it was such a funny site. We played Uno roboto and I won once, yeah! The fireworks started at 10 and it was a fantastic show. I loved being able to celebrate the 4th of July for the first time. It was so fun!