BumpDate #2

How far along are you? Week 30. Only a short 10 weeks left! :) We can't wait to meet you Babes.
Weight Gain: Waaaay more than I'd like to say. Around 20 pounds.
Cravings: I am still loving that Crushed Ice and lots lots of sweets!
Maternity Clothes: Whoo hoo I actually have some Prego Belly pants :) these have been total lifesavers!
Sleep? Last night I woke up a total of 6 times to relieve my bladder. It's best not to even get me started.
Any names? Jace likes to call him Russel until we can figure it out. Up until last week Jaces theory was we'll figure it out when we meet the little guy...BUT now we're finally cracking down!
Movement? My Dr. says he should be moving about 10 times every 2 hours. Good news he is moving so much more! I can actually see my tummy move he's kicking and pounding so hard. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Dr. Says:: That my Uterus is super sensitive. I have lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions! ((I'm monitoring these)) She says he's an active little guy and oh heavens, I definitely know.
How perfect can one be?:: He is measuring exactly 30 to 30 1/2 weeks and his heart beats 150. I've got a winner in me!
Any sickness? Unfortunately, I have been feeling a little nauseated and quite a bit of heart burn. I'm starting to pack on the water weight in my feet and hands as well. But nothing I can't handle right now, at least.
Accomplishments: My sweet Mama came over and helped me clean out the babies room this past week. You have NO idea how big of a huge thing this was for me! Also, we got our Baby Registry all complete. Can I just say how much more fun, and less stressful than completing a wedding registry!
What I'm looking forward to: Baby showers and baby boy getting completely spoiled and loved by all our closest friends and family.
FYI:: For any of you wanting to hold our little Monkey we ask you to please get the Tetanus and Whooping Cough Shot if you have NOT had it within the last 10 years. Good news you can get them BOTH all in ONE fast little pinch. It's quick and it's harmless and you can take that from the lady who absolutely hates anything to do with needles.
Wish us luck on our last few weeks of pregnancy! :)

BumpDate::

How far along are you? Week 26.5
Weight Gain: 16 pounds probably more now with all the Peanut M&M's I've been downing!
Maternity Clothes: A total of 4 prego shirts my sweet mom has purchased and lots and lots of leggings!
Sleep? Haha right. Waking up because of the little guy constantly kicking my bladder 3-4 times a night. Lets not forget the nights of endless back pain, hard time breathing, and dying of thirst! Good thing Hubby lets me stretch out all over him..it's my only solution right now!
Any names? We've agreed on one name and about a week later Jace decided he didn't like it. We're back to zero!
Are you ready? We've bought a blanket, 3 onesies, and the rest of our darling baby boy stuff have been gifts from my sister and brother in law, mother, and mother in law..oh and such a cute little bassinet from Shari and Nate! Thanks everyone for giving our baby more than we have up to this point!
Movement? So much. Like I said he thinks my Bladder is a punching bag. Literally. And he likes to get up in to my Ribs causing them to crackle and pop. PS. There's NOTHING better than feeling him move when his Daddy gets home!
Any sickness? I'm feeling pretty good this week, tired, but good! Lots of cravings but at least this little guy gives me the excuse for all these unhealthy snacks! Arctic Circle even offered my pregnant self a courtesy cone! Made my day.
Worries or stresses? We have no baby crib, we have no diapers, we have pretty much nothing ready for the little man. I'm starting to panic. But any of you that know me know I like to be super prepared. I'm not! Can you even prepare for a little thing you've never had before? I don't know. Although, we do have a whopping 800 baby wipes!
What I'm looking forward to: Registering for our baby within the next few weeks. It's on our to do list anyway. If any of you have any ideas of what to register please help a sister out! We need you, your advice, and your opinions! Please comment :)

Dear Husband,

Dear Husband,
A year ago yesterday we got engaged.
Today we've been married for nine months.
What?! 9 months that's as long as our baby will be in my tummy!
I love you for getting down on one knee and asking me to be yours forever.
Let's not forget how much I love the beautiful ring on my finger.
And I mean B.E.A.utiful!
I love the way you make me laugh.
Yes, even the one time you literally made me sick from laughing SO hard.
I love that you work so hard for me and baby.
...even when I beg you to stay home! Because life truly is much better with YOU!
I love that you offer me your pillow even though I don't take it.
I love that you make me feel like a million dollars
when I know I don't look it!
I love that you pretend like you're interested when I read you blogs, show you pictures,
and last but NOT least make you watch the Bachelor with me weekly.
I love that you are always there
even when I know it's hard to be.
I love that at 9:30 at night and I'm craving Ice
you'll make sure I get it.
I love that you know how much I enjoy photography so you bought me a nice camera.
I love that even though I cry. A LOT. You still wrap me in those big arms of yours!
I love that even though you work so hard for that hot bod of yours
you stay home with me when I need you.
I love that you make me dinner even if it takes 15 guesses before you finally name something I'll eat.
I love that you love your PS4 so so much
BUT you love me MORE!
I love that you let me love you.
and I love that you love me!
I can't possibly begin to list every reason I love you.
For my list would grow f.a.r too long.
so know that I love that you chose me, love me, and are mine for all eternity!
Thank you for the time we've shared and everything in between.
Love,
Your wifey!

Will you be mine?

Before you start in to this next blog post let me warn you. It's about to get really mushy gushy. Why? Because I have a husband that deserves to be bragged about every chance I get. It was our second Valentines Day together and we decided we were going to save our money and not celebrate the holiday with gifts. It was Thursday, the day before love day. I was standing in my kitchen doing dishes when there was a knock on the door. No other than the UPS man with a special delivery of beautiful beautiful Roses, the softest bear, the sweetest love note, and the most delicious Chocolates. Oh husband! We agreed no Valentines gifts. He claimed they weren't for Valentines Day they were just because he loved me. Really? You melt my entire heart!

Okay, time for some full on panic. We agreed no presents and now I needed a present and I only had one day to prepare.
I decided I'd make dinner for him. For any of you who know me, know that I can not cook to save my life. The bedroom door had been 'heart-attacked', dinner in the oven, the table set for two, the lights down low, and the candles lit.
...and then my hunk of a hubby walked in the door and not a dang thing could ruin our night, not even the burnt bottoms of my Crescant Rolls.

Our Valentines day was simple and that's what made it great!
Thank you Jace Ropelato for being my Valentine and letting me love you.
I thank my lucky stars every day that you came in to my life!
I love you.

Discovering Baby

For those of you who don't know we're having a beautiful baby boy...and yes, I know he will be the most beautiful thing ever. Have you seen my handsome husband?! Although many of you knew of our fantastic news many of you don't know how this came to be. Let the story begin.
It was a day that I had work off and had decided to spend it with my sweet mother. We were out that morning running errands and accomplishing our check off list. Weeks ago I had told my sweetheart that I felt I was pregnant...He instantly laughed and quickly reminded me of the other 13 times I had said that same thing. Weeks ago, we had finally, after weeks and weeks of praying we had reached our decision of wanting to wait to bring our own precious angel into the world. Wait for what? Well like any newly wed couple we had BIG plans. Plans to go on vacations; camping, Disneyland, maybe something we couldn't afford? Perhaps Europe. We love our alone time and by love I mean we're super weird about it. We want as much of it as we can possibly get. Maybe purchase a new car, a new house to make a home in, and let's not mention the savings account that was dwindling. As we were laying in bed, I asked 'should we have a baby'? and you know what he said? With absolutely no hesitation whatsoever one word and one word alone came out of his mouth. 'NO'! and with that we turned over and went to sleep and didn't talk about it again.
About a week later, that feeling of having a little body in me had not changed. Mom and I were at the dollar store and I grabbed a few of those pregnancy tests to ease my anxious mind. We went to moms and I took the stick out and to my surprise it was positive. What?! A positive?! What in the world was I going to do? All of these crazy thoughts came rushing through my mind. I was in pure panic mode. What was Jace going to say? How would I tell him? He said no baby. Shoot.
I got in to my car, I prayed until I reached Jaces place of employment, and waited for him to come out. I told him I had a few different things I needed to talk to him about. I pulled out the box from my purse, then pulled out the stick from the box and handed it to my husband. He looked at it, then looked at me.. "yes, we're pregnant"! He didn't believe it. I told him that that is what the stick said. Were we ready for this? I'm not sure. But as we sat and ate our fulfilling Wendy's meals I asked if he was disappointed or upset? Luckily for me my husband was nothing but happy, supportive, and hopeful for a boy.
I'm almost embarrassed to admit that later that night I found myself lying in Jaces arms crying that I had this miracle growing inside of me. I wanted that alone time. I wanted those vacations. I even caught myself saying "I really really like my sleep" Pathetic, I know.

Months later we went to the Dr. hoping above all that we would be able to discover the gender of our little baby. Truth be told I was incredibly nervous...not because I cared whether it was a boy in blue or a girl in pink but because I knew just how badly my manly husband was hoping and praying for the little itty bitty thing to be a boy. The Dr. came in after about 1 1/2 of waiting and waiting she knew after seconds that it was a boy. Hurray for us! A beautiful baby boy we will have. A mini me Jace running around is more than I could ever ask for. I don't know if it's just me but the minute I saw that positive sign I was a mom. I loved this little miracle growing inside of me. Morning sickness all morning day and night, Dr. Bills, sore breasts, no clothes to wear, an itchy belly, restless nights, emotional mess, cravings of otter pops all day and even in the middle of the night, and even those awful stretch marks. I'll take it all. This baby is growing on me. June 14th can't get here fast enough. We cannot wait to meet you little Jace Jr.

Seriously! The cutest profile already.

Look at that leg. He will play Soccer just like his daddy!

Your view at 20 weeks! Half way mark :)

My view. A little bit bigger and slightly more depressing for my body.

His love for you is evident

(Picture Credit::Greg Olsen)

Today on my way to work I sat quietly in my car when the thought came to me what am I worth? As I sat pondering, watching the purest of snow fall around me I realized that my worth is infinite. Lately, I have felt ignored and forgotten by our Heavenly Father. I've been extremely sick lately and as I've prayed, prayed, and prayed some more to feel better I had lost my faith and had become super impatient. I wanted immediate answers to my prayers...and well we all know Gods timing is NOT our timing. My husband's exceedingly great faith is what has pulled me though these difficult and trying times. It has taken me days, weeks, months, and years to finally see that the young woman theme is in fact true. I AM of infinite worth. He has healed me multiple times...quickly and slowly.

He has blessed me with an incredible husband who loves me, puts up with me, serves me, works so hard for us, takes care of my very emotional self, and still takes me to the temple.

I've been blessed with an amazing family who is always there, are my biggest fans, and role modes.

I've been blessed with outstanding and beautiful friends; single and mingling, married, or moms they are all wonderful and have been there for me even when it was hard; when I was as chubby as a Chipmunk (from getting Wisdom teeth out)Dating the most obnoxiously awful men, and having those girly mood swings.

Thank you to each of you!

I have a Temple Marriage and will one day have a family (children of our own) with whom I can spend forever and always with. I have been given everything I've needed for my entire life because my Father in Heaven loves me! Now with that said, don't think that my entire life has been all 'easy-peasy' because I'll be the first to tell you it wasn't. I've had my fair share of heartbreak, been lied to, used, and completely lost and headed down the wrong pathway on multiple occasions. I sat there thinking back on my life counting the times I asked 'Why me'? Well why not me? Why have I gone through rough times? Because I am of infinite worth! I'm here to tell you that every step down that rocky path was and has been been very worth it!

A bride and a groom make two!

Well it was September 27th and boy was it a cold cold day. I woke up early that Friday morning after my sweetheart of a husband left for work. I decided I'd call Sabrina and see if she wanted to go get some hot cocoa. She said yes, and we were off on our journey getting some hot chocolate and donuts for the entire crew back home. It was a hectic day, and stress was quickly adding up. I almost felt like a chicken with my head cut off..luckily, my incredible husband was there for moral support along the way. Luckily, as the day went by it got warmer. We started decorating for Sabrina and Jackson to say their I do's. Later in the day, around five o clock pm. Everyone gathered at the Sparks' residence in Hooper to watch these beautiful people begin their newest and most exciting adventure together. Sabrina was an absolutely beautiful bride, in fact, I can't imagine a more prettier bride than her. She was radiating. And the sweet look on Jackson's face as she approached in my dads arms, oh how I love weddings! It was a short ceremony, but so great. Afterwards we headed over to the church and had a dinner with family, and a few of their closest friends. Less formal, and a total party to celebrate these two!

To my Husband, I love every moment with you!

...Even these moments :)

No matter where we go in life, who we become, and what stages in life we're at I know we'll all be best friends. forever.

To these girls, I hope you realize how important sisterhood is. When you feel lost, alone, or heartbroken your sister will be there. In the end it's family that matters. Take care of each other, be kind to each other, and love each other. I hope you feel like each other are one of your greater blessings in life like I do!

The beautiful bride. Mrs. Lemmon. Step Mom. And baby sister. I love you. I love you. I love you. The following day we all gathered again to take part in celebrating with a bigger crowd. If you couldn't make it you missed out on the cutest reception with some of the funnest people and if you did make it, you know what I am talking about. Sabrina had made almost everything on her own and she did a great job at it. One of her biggest talents have always been crafting and making things her own. She did just that, she made her wedding all of her and she did it in a lovely way!

Hooray for the pretty little thing!

Meet my birth mom and beautiful sisters.

and add in the nieces.

and then add in the beautiful lady on the end I get to call my Mom! I love you. Thank you for being the mother you are, taking care of me, raising me, loving me, teaching me, leading me, supporting me, and being the beautiful lady that you are. You have the biggest heart and I hope that one day I can be as special of a mother as you are! :)

This would be my sisters little family.

This is Amy. And yes she's single...as far as I know at least :)

Just one more for good measure!

And this my dears is my best friend/cousin! To Miss Madi, I love you. I am so thankful for you and even though I am married and much more busy I just want to thank you for your friendship and for everything that you have done for me. I look up to and admire you so much. Your beauty, your strength, your massive heart, your kindness, and charity. You make me want to be a better person, always.

To Shell Beans, one of my longest friends. You have always been someone to set an example for me..no matter how many stupid boys I dated or dumb decisions I made you were always right there to pick up all the pieces when it fell apart. Your zest for life and strong testimony never fail to amaze me. Thank you so much for showing me how to love life, and all that comes with it. I love you!

another one of my goober of a husband, I love you. Thank you for being the man I have always dreamed of, wished for, and prayed for. Thank you for strengthening me, believing in me, and always encouraging me to follow my dreams. I feel more and more blessed everyday to be your wife.

After taking nearly five pictures we finally got a good one. To the newly wed couple, we wish you the best. We are so happy for you. Just a word of advice real quick..not that I have been married for long and know all there is to know. But I hope you always remember to put the other one first, be good to each other. Never forget that it takes the both of you plus one, our Heavenly Father, to pull a marriage off in this crazy world. Always remember the reasons you fell in love with each other, and never forget to count the positive before you start listing the negative. And last but not least, fight naked!

To my sweet baby sister, how thankful I am for the close relationship that we have. I never knew how important it was to keep you close until we got older...it probably took longer than it should but i'm grateful that I finally realized it. Thank you for always making me laugh, making any bad day better, for always believing in me and pushing me to follow my dreams, thank you for being the incredible woman that you have become and for always being there for me no matter how hard it has been. Thank you for forgiving me when it's hard and for standing up for me no matter the circumstances. I almost think that you should have been the bigger sister! Always remember to love your husband. He will make you mad, he will make you cry, and he might even tick you off but at the end of the day you are his and he is yours and that means something. Marriage is hard it but it is infinitely worth it. Always be yourself, and focus on that which is good. I love you to the moon and back! Congratulations to you dearest sister!