IT'S A GIRL!!!! and OUR CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve is always special... but this year was EXTRA special for our family because that was the night we found out that we're expecting another precious daughter and sister to Ellie. We had the ultrasound tech wrap up either a blue stocking or pink Santa hat, and Christmas or Christmas Eve we would open it and discover what we were having as a family with many more on the phone. Ellie seems excited but to her, this baby was ALWAYS a girl and she never thought it could be a boy. It was no surprise to her AT ALL. She was right!

We're very excited. I've already read the names book for the girls, and have about 15 names we're considering. Hopefully it won't be long before we'll have a name picked out for her.

It was a great holiday. We spent Christmas Eve with the Munn family again this year. We like to go to the cemetery and light luminaries on the graves of loved family members who have passed on. After which, we had a turkey dinner, acted out a Nativity scene, sang "Silent Night," and once the girls were in their pajamas - Nana read them THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Christmas morning, after opening our presents, we went back to the Munn's to talk to Elder Patrick Munn on the phone. We had a breakfast, and spent the morning in our pj's and enjoying each other's company. Later that evening, we went to Evan and Monyka's home for a traditional Ham dinner. Evan went all out as host - even giving us appetizers of shrimp, sausage and cheese, and crackers and dip. Everything was perfect.

This holiday will be one we will remember for many years. We can't wait for next Christmas when our new baby girl will be with our family. Thanks to everyone for your love and friendship, and for the part you played to make this Christmas magical and memorable. We love you all. Take care, and here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

20 Week Update

Just had my 20 week checkup and ultrasound.... half way there!!! Everything looks really good with the baby. Growing right on schedule, with a strong heartbeat between 150-160 bpm. We took some cute pictures of the baby on ultrasound - my favorite being it's tiny little feet pressed close to one another. We still haven't found out the gender yet; we plan to find out Christmas Eve or Christmas Day by opening the box with either the baby blue stocking, or the light pink Santa hat in it. We can't wait.

I am doing well myself too. The blood clot in the placenta has dissolved completely, but still, we are going to watch the placenta very closely over the next couple of months. I have an appointment for more ultrasounds in one month, and three months, and more to follow as the baby come's closer to it's due date. I've only gained 15 pounds since the start of the pregnancy. I'm hoping I can keep that in check this pregnancy and not gain 50 pounds like I did with Ellie.

I hope you are all ready for Christmas. We're busy today getting ready for the big days ahead. Ellie is so excited for Santa to come tomorrow night! I just know Christmas Eve and Christmas will be a blast this year. We hope yours is too!

Love the Munn Family,
Laura, Shayne, Ellie, and baby #2 :)

The Christmas Tree

Often I do things for others and I do no get the reaction I imagined. Don't get me wrong, I don't do things for other people to "get a reaction"... but I think we are all guilty of imagining how we thought it would play out and maybe a tad disappointed if something doesn't seem "like much" to the person we did it for. At other times though, when you think what your doing yourself is "not much," it can end up meaning the world to the person you did it for... leaving your heart with warm fuzzies and the lasting memory of that moment.

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As we drove up to Grandpa Underwood's house one cold night in December 2009 bearing a bucket of KFC Chicken, we looked forward to the visit ahead. Grandpa's doorway was dark and it would appear to most that perhaps he wasn't home. We rang the doorbell and a orange light turned on just and we heard the creaky door open. Grandpa Underwood answered the door. "Hello. Come on in," he said.

Taking off our coats, we began with our usual greeting hugs and Shayne's Mom and I set the table for the chicken dinner. We ate,laughed, and enjoyed each others company. We were all bursting in our bellies by the end of the dinner. Once the table was cleared, we moved on to the next "item of business." Grandpa needed a Christmas tree.

Mom had already set the tree up and had cleaned his living room for our evening. The living room had collected months, or possibly even years, of dust but now the living room seemed to gleam. Things haven't been the same for Grandpa since his wife of over sixty years passed away in 2004. For years, Grandpa has managed well on his own, and even today at 88 seems to be making it around well. However, Mom moved in with her Dad a couple months ago and I could tell he is enjoying the companionship and comfort of knowing she is there.

"Where are the ornaments?" Shayne asked.

"Under the stairs somewhere," said Mom. Shayne went downstairs and brought back three boxes of ornaments. Some of which were older than Shayne and I put together.

"Lets bring up the bears too," Mom told Shayne as they both went downstairs to bring up more boxes. I had forgotten about the bears. I remember every Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Underwood putting out their collection of Christmas bears. There are usually a husband and wife bear, all with the year sewn on the bottom paw. They used to fill the room.

Coming back upstairs and into the living room with several boxes, they said, "we got half of them. I think this is all we'll need this year."

It was fun to take the bears out of the boxes and see the dates on them. We matched them up husband and wife, and lined them up on the couch. Ellie loved seeing them and cuddling with a few at a time.

After Shayne and I put the lights on the tree, we opened the boxes and unwrapped the ornaments. Grandpa seemed to smile to himself flooded with memories of the contents of the boxes. It was obvious he and Grandma never threw anything away, and they saved anything they thought they might need or want later on.

Carefully Ellie, Mom, and I put ornaments on the tree. We started with some ornaments with our names on them. Yes, they needed some updating due to more great grandchildren and marriages in the family, but it was touching to see our names on these precious ornaments. Grandpa placed some of his antique ornaments on the tree. Not long after, the tree was glowing and sparkling with the ornaments hanging down. It looked beautiful.

It wasn't enough to us even though Grandpa seemed satisfied with the outcome of his tree and decorations so far. We felt Grandpa needed lights in his window. Grandpa stood closely to Shayne as they bowed the string of lights around his front window. Grandpa gave his "notes" to Shayne, and together they made it look wonderful.

"The neighbors are probably in shock to see that the Underwood's have lights and a tree up," Grandpa said with a smile. It was at this moment I was informed that Grandpa hadn't had a tree up in three years. Grandpa scouted out the window as if to make sure people could see that HE was putting up lights. "People keep slowing down as they pass my house!" Grandpa said with a chuckle.

It was so cute to see Grandpa go outside to double check how his now festive home looked. He smiled as he peered in his front window.

One finishing touch. The star. Shayne put the unlit star up on the tree. We turned off the lights in the living room. After everyone was sitting, Shayne turned on the Christmas tree lights. All at once we started saying, "Wow it's beautiful.... it turned out great..... we did a good job, etc." After several moments enjoying the tree, Shayne, Mom, and Ellie left the room. After a moment, I left the living room too.

After a few minutes, I noticed Grandpa was still in his living room. I wondered if he was fixing parts of the tree or if he might have needed help with something. As I went in to check, I noticed his eyes were tearing up. He wasn't looking at me, just softly sitting in his chair and feeling the emotion of the moment. It was then that I realized this had meant so much to him. He was probably having memories of his dear wife, and the times they shared together at Christmas.

I left the room to give him another minute. I felt like if I had stayed I might have been interrupting his moment. After a while, Grandpa came out and it was time to say goodbye.

As we pulled out of the driveway, Shayne and I both agreed how happy and blessed we were to help him put up his tree this year and how good we felt inside knowing how it seemed bring more light to Grandpa's eyes. We drove away slowly, looking at the beautiful scene in the window and noticing Grandpa as he waved goodbye a second and third time. It is the highlight of our Christmas so far.

We knew that putting up the tree would make his Christmas better, but we never would have guessed what it would do for ours. It gave our Christmas more meaning as we remembered the true reason for the season. It is a night we will never forget, and can not be easily topped.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ellie Belly

Ellie has been so cute lately. I've noticed for the past two weeks that when she needs assistance with something, she'll say "HELP! I need Mommy Power!" It cracks us up and makes me feel like a hero when I can "save the day."

She's been going through an interesting phase lately too. Despite all my efforts in the past to make sure she knows to "color only on paper" I have been noticing her personalizing 'her things.' This has been an interesting process to find out what she has personalized next. Of course she personalizes her toys, and bedroom furniture unfortunately, but even the TV and remote belong to her apparently. Even though it is rather annoying to find my house with little "Ellie"'s everywhere, it's cute and I remind her we color and write ONLY ON PAPER. I find myself saying the things I heard my parents say growing up.... "this is why we don't have nice things" being one of them.... Oh the joys.

Ellie has also been trying to figure out how to tell a joke. She loves to make people smile and laugh. Lately, she will come up to Shayne or I and tell us in a whisper to our ear, "Dad, I need to tell you a secret..... SOUR MILK." Then Shayne will laugh, and she comes over to me to tell some other joke. Her favorite being the word, "CASH" for whatever reason. It's pretty funny.

Ellie is also becoming quite the helper. It's not uncommon to see Ellie washing the dishes.... of course at this age, I have to go back and rinse them again when she isn't looking, but I'm thrilled at her wanting to help and never discourage her from it.

If you ever wanted to know, Ellie's current favorite foods are; spaghetti, spaghetti o's, ravioli's (and to think she says she HATES tomato's! Ha ha ha), macaroni and cheese,Ramen noodles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hotdogs of course, cheeseburgers from McDonalds, fried chicken, chicken noodle soup, spring salads with ranch dressing, and her newest favorite ham and cheese sandwiches. She'll try just about anything though, and if she sees we REALLY like it, usually and magically she likes it too.

This kid loves to DANCE too. When I have music on, she will run upstairs and get her dress up clothes on and come back down to boogy. She has to wear her clip clop shoes (short heeled Sunday shoes), and of course princess tiara. I think Ellie has a lot of potential in dance and I wish I had her in dance this year. For sure next fall. Ellie sings quite a bit too. Her favorite song year round is "Jingle Bells."

Ellie loves school and is learning bunches this year. We have a set of alphabet magnets on the fridge, and she likes to play "teacher." She'll take a letter and say, "what letter is this?" I will say, is it "A?" to which she'll reply with a huge smile, 'YES GOOD JOB!' Or if I got it wrong which I do at times just to test her ABC's, she says, 'No, try again.' It's pretty fun to see her learn. She has come a long way since last year.

We were thrilled that for the first time on her own this year, Ellie sat on Santa's lap without crying. In years past, she's been excited to to Santa, but when we came close to seeing him, she took one look and started to cry. When she was two, she RAN away. This year, as Shayne and I were looking over the picture packages, Ellie ran up to Santa before they were even ready for us. She made sure he knows she has been good and doesn't want a "rock" for Christmas. We were thrilled.

This morning, as it snowed, Ellie of course got bundled up head to toe in her cowgirl boots, coat, hat, scarf, and used my gloves to check out the snow. She went in her pajamas and all. It was cute to see her trying to roll a snowball with my very large gloves on.

Ellie also couldn't be more thrilled about her new baby brother or sister. In her prayers she always prays that the baby "will be good in Mommy's tummy." She can't wait for her birthday because I told her it will be around then that the baby will be coming. Of course she wants a sister. My ultrasound is December 22, but are going to ask the hospital to put the sex of the baby in an envelope for us to open Christmas Day. We are thrilled.

Ellie is such a blessing in our family and we love watching her grow up and being a part of her life. We can't wait to have another blessing in our family. Having Ellie makes me so excited to be a Mom again. We hope you are enjoying your holiday season!

Christmas 2006

(I thought with the holiday coming up it might be fun to write a couple blogs about real life Christmas stories I've known in my life, or the lives around me. I have decided to start with one of my own....)

It was a cold winter’s night, only a few short days before the Christmas holiday. Laura bundled up in her warmest jacket and mittens to go to ShopKo to pick up a prescription and some Children’s Motrin for her daughter who was just over 18 months old. The drive was bitterly cold, and Laura wished she could have stayed home. She knew her husband, Shayne, would go instead but she also wanted to get some last minute stocking stuffer surprises for him to find on Christmas morning.

Before entering the store, Laura called the automatic teller number to find out the amount of funds available for her to spend. She knew that there wouldn’t be much, but there would be plenty for her purchases. $46.00. Laura was happy to find that more money was in their account than she had realized. Pay day was coming close however, and with Christmas ready to go, Laura was reassured that there would be plenty to go around after the holiday.

Laura headed straight to the candy section for her stocking stuffers. Finding large candy bars on sale for only a dollar a piece, Laura grabbed them for the stocking stuffers. She also saw some Reese’s peanut butter cups that were shaped like bells. They were her husband’s favorite; he would certainly love them in his sock. Laura noticed a stack of Stephen’s Hot Cocoa nearby, and remembered the name she had drawn for her the secret Santa at Arby’s where she worked most weeknights. Put a bow on top, and this cocoa would be a nice surprise for the name she had drawn.

Laura then made her way to the baby aisle. She was shocked to find out that Pedia-sure was ten dollars for only six small meal replacement drinks for kids. She remembered her daughter feeling much too ill to eat and worried about her nourishment. Taking it in her hands, she headed towards the Pharmacy where she found the much needed Motrin to lower her young one’s fever.

Laura approached the counter. “Hi my name is Laura Munn, our doctor called in a prescription for my daughter, Danelle Munn,” I said as I handed them our insurance cards.

“Yes, I have it right here. That is $7 with your co pay. Would you like me to ring up your other purchases here?” the Pharmacy tech said as he motioned towards her handfuls of purchases.

Laura turned to look behind her and noticed a line quickly forming and felt badly for making the people wait longer for her purchases to be made, but handed over her things anyway. “That’s $34.52, how would you like to pay for that?”

Laura reached in her purse and pulled out her debit card. As she swiped it Laura remembered that her pin number didn't work, “will you please run that as credit?”

“Your card has been declined,” the pharmacy tech said a little louder than comfort.

“That can’t be right, can I try it again?” Laura felt her face getting hot, and the crowd starting to get anxious from waiting behind her.

“I’m sorry, your card isn’t working. Is there any other way you can pay?” The once nice pharmacy tech seemed to have changed before her very eyes.

“Uhhhh…..” Laura rummaged through her purse already knowing that there was NOTHING that she could give them.

Laura looked up, “I don’t really need these,” she said as she took back the Reese’s bells, and Stephen’s Hot Cocoa. This took her total down to $25.11. “Can I try it now?”

The pharmacy tech allowed Laura to swipe the card a third time. “It’s still not working.”

“My daughter really needs these things…. She’s so sick.” Laura felt tears now starting to form in her eyes. “I’m sorry, if I can just make a phone call, I will be right back.”

As Laura was about to leave the pharmacy, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. It was a woman with shoulder length blond hair behind her, probably in her forties. The woman softly asked, “How much do you need?”

Laura replied, “a lot actually. I’m sorry about all this.” If it were only the difference of a few cents, Laura might have taken some change. However, her total was just over $25. “I’ll be right back,” Laura told the pharmacy worker as she left the counter and walked swiftly out of the store.

Crying out in her car, Laura called the automatic teller number one more time to listen closer. The auto teller said slowly and clearly, “your checking account balance is $46.00. Your total available balance is $46.00.” Something had to be wrong. It said $46 was available and her card wasn’t working. About to call her mother who she knew would come and help, Laura decided to try her card a final time in the store. Maybe her pin number to her debit card would work; she had to try.

Walking into the store, Laura was red and hoping no one would remember her that stood behind her in the line. She also hoped it would not be obvious to anyone that she had been crying. Laura approached the Pharmacy, “can I try my card again? It should be working; I don’t know why it’s not working….”

The pharmacy tech spoke loudly, “the lady behind you already paid for your stuff. She said to tell you MERRY CHRISTMAS.”

In tears, Laura reached for the bag, and said “that was really nice of her,” and blushing left the counter. Scanning the store, Laura tried to find the lady who had helped her. THERE SHE WAS. Laura barely saw her. She was just leaving the store.

Laura had an idea. She thought she could try to buy a gift card for $25 and run it out to her and thank her for her kindness. Laura didn’t know if her card would work, but she waited in line with the gift card in hand. The debit card was accepted, and as soon as her receipt was printed, Laura ran out of the store hoping that the woman hadn’t driven away yet.

There she was again; the kind blond woman and her pre-teen son. “Excuse me…. Excuse me? Do you remember me from the Pharmacy? I just wanted to say thank you and give you this. It’s a gift card for twenty five dollars….. I was so embarrassed in there, I’m so sorry you had to do that. Here,” Laura handed her the gift card, “thank you so much. You have no idea what that meant to me.” Laura felt tears forming in her eyes again.

“No, you keep it. Have a Merry Christmas!” The blond was getting in her truck too fast for Laura to argue.

“Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!!!” Laura was crying again at the thought of this woman’s selfless act.

The drive home seemed a little warmer than it had only an hour earlier. The blond didn’t know Laura. It didn’t matter. She saw someone who needed a little help this Christmas, and selflessly stepped in. She could have walked away with her own prescription saving her $25.00. For that matter, she could have taken the gift card as well. Laura was filled with the Christmas spirit and was touched by the generosity of others, even a stranger who knew nothing about her.

Humbled, Laura went home smiling and grateful to know that there are still people out there who care. To some, it might have seemed like a small thing, but to Laura it meant the world. It was one of their best Christmas’ ever and Laura has never forgotten it.

Random Thoughts

Yesterday, as we curled up in our warm bed on a cold night, our dog jumped up on our bed like she was going to get away with something by sleeping next to Shayne and I(which she eventually did). Thinking back on her day, I had to wonder what was going on in this dog's head that she would even dare sleep on our bed than her puffy blanket on the floor. Then I remembered, I guess to her this was a special day. This thought stirred up some random thoughts about what must go on in a dog's head the way I see it. Here is her day, as she might have seen it.

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DAISY'S SPECIAL DAY!

8:30 a.m. Mom jumped out of bed and let me go outside in the back yard BEFORE she even got a chance to use the bathroom. Very strange.

9:00 a.m. WOW! Dad is making me a special breakfast of vegetable soup! Am I on medicine again? Is he trying to hide something in this food? Oh who cares, YUM!!!! (Eats it up quickly, not realizing the REAL reason she's eating vegetable soup is because the dog food ran out last night.)

9:30 a.m. Ellie lets me have a bite of her uneaten waffle. It was heavenly.

10:00 - 12:00 NAP. Noticed that Mom put a blanket over the top of me since I looked cold. It was a nice nap. Had dreams about chasing Ellie around the park.

12:45 p.m. Spent a lot of time outside enjoying nature in the back yard, and now Mom and Dad are cooking pizza.

1:15 p.m. *SCORE!* I got a pizza crust from Mom.

2:00 p.m. Played "ROPE" with Dad for a while. Dad let me win three times. Starting to wonder what the special occasion is for me to win three times.

2:30 - 5:30 p.m NAP again. No blanket this time, but the sun setting shines right on my part of the couch. It's nice.

5:50 p.m Family goes to Aunt Sarah's Birthday dinner. Wish I could go. Maybe they'll bring home left overs.

5:50 - 7:30 p.m. PATROL HOUSE. Thought I heard someone knock on our door. Tempted to bark. Listened to cars pulling in. Heard some voices next door. Heard dogs next door. Checked house. Everything is good. Took another nap.

7:30 p.m. Door sounds like it's unlocking. Not 100% sure who it is, better run upstairs to hide.

7:31 p.m. Realized it's only my family back, and they brought bags!!! Hope they remembered my leftovers.

8:00 p.m. They went to the store to buy me dog food on the way home!!! Dad is mixing gravy in a pot. I wonder what this gravy is for. I should stare at him and give him "the eyes."

8:30 p.m. Starting to wonder if it's my birthday because Dad just gave me TWO BOWLS of gravy style dog food with ACTUAL GRAVY on top.

11:00 p.m. Mom wants a treat from Maverick so she can take her pills. Dad is going to Maverick. WAIT! Dad just said I could go! "Oh joy! Oh joy! Oh joy! I love RIDES! Dogs love rides!!! I'm a GOOD GIRL!" Jumping around to show my appreciation to Dad. Starting to seriously consider if it really is my birthday.

11:30 p.m. Dad comes home from Maverick. Loved the ride. Smiled the whole time. Dad got two hot dogs. I hope the extra is for me.

11:35 p.m. Mom just gave me bite of her hot dog, and a small piece of jerky. BONUS! Dad gave me bite of jerky!!!! Convinced it's my birthday.

12:30 a.m. After snuggling with Mom while watching a movie, it's time for bed. Seriously considering attempting to sleep on bed with them today.... SINCE IT'S MY BIRTHDAY.

12:40 p.m. Worth a try. I jump on bed and sniff Dad's face to see if I can sleep on the bed. I know he's a softie when I give him "the eye's." I try "the eye's." Didn't need to. Birthday girl gets to sleep on bed. Lucky me! I love birthdays!!! I hope it's a week of birthday celebration.... falls asleep smiling and dreaming about my day.

Surprising Sarah

In my opinion, everyone needs a bigger birthday party AT LEAST every five years. Most years, it can be as simple as cake and ice cream with close family (unless your a kid and a friend party is planned).... but this year, I wanted to do something nice for my sister in law, Sarah Cameron, by hosting a surprise birthday party for her - she has been long past due for one also. Sarah has done so much for me over the years, and especially lately with my bed rest time.

I had a lot of help from her friend Dan in Michigan, and her Mom in planning the party. Facebook also helped me reach some of the friends of hers that I wouldn't be a able to reach as easily. We had the party set for November 14, at 5:30 at Thai Kitchen in Provo.

Sarah walked in after her guests had all arrived, and I could tell she was tearing up as she walked in and was surrounded by several of her friends and family. We ate, and had a delicious strawberry Boston cake after.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! I hope you enjoyed your party!

Halloween Highlights!

Halloween Party with the Munn's

Every year, I have made it a tradition to have a big Halloween Party.... but being on bed rest for most of this Halloween season, planning a party was not an option. But, it didn't mean we didn't have a party! Every Halloween as a Munn family, we carve pumpkins together. This year, with the help of my sister in law Sarah and Shayne's grandma, they made a wonderful Halloween meal to make it more of a party.

For dinner they had dragon eyes (deviled eggs), feet of meat meatloaf, tombstone potatoes, bone bread sticks, purple monster goo cottage cheese, chips and dips, and a creepy drink with a frozen green hand in it. It was a delicious meal! Ellie and my two nieces, Kaede and Arisa, loved the thought of eating "monster toes" for dinner!

After dinner, the girls put on blindfolds for "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin." It was funny to see them playing the game as it was the first time for all of them. Kai and Ellie got really close, but Kaede won the prize Halloween lantern she can use on Halloween night.

Later that night, we carved pumpkins. Every year Shayne picks the hardest one for his pumpkin and carefully spends all night on it. In closing we had icecream cake shaped like a monster head for dessert. It was a really great night full of memories! I love Halloween and I can't wait for the holidays that will follow shortly!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

12 Weeks and Counting!

Today was my 12 week check up. After such a rough start to this pregnancy, I was really nervous for the appointment, and to tell you the truth wasn't truly celebrating this pregnancy until I knew what today's outcome would be. I brought Shayne and Ellie with me to my appointment. Ellie was excited to hear the heart beat.

We decided to hear the heartbeat first. My certified nurse midwife took her fetal heart rate finder and pressed it against my belly. I thought I could hear a heartbeat, but I guess what I was hearing was mine. No baby heartbeat. Of course I was worried, and they scheduled another ultrasound to check on the baby.

After the rest of my appointment was over, we rushed over to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for the ultrasound. I was nervous to what we might see, and told Shayne and Ellie to stay outside just in case. My worry was all for nothing though because as soon as she put the ultrasound stick on my belly, we saw the baby and it was kicking, flipping, and moving everywhere. The ultrasound tech said, "that baby is definitely alive!" The heart rate was 167. Measuring at 12 weeks, 3 days. Perfect!

I still have a very small blood clot, but they say it's too small to really worry about. If I don't overdo it, I can resume a normal life again. We are so happy to be 12 weeks now! We're very happy and feel like now we can start planning for our next sweet little baby.

8 Weeks

(READ THE BLOG ON SEPTEMBER 7th. FOR SOME REASON, I JUST POSTED OCT 2nd IT AND IT PUT IT DOWN THERE....)

(I started this blog Sept 23... Just updated and posted it today on OCT 2, 2009)

I have to admit, I posted that blog on Sept 7th a bit earlier than was comfortable. Unfortunately, when you find yourself in a difficult position, sometimes it's easiest to tell people what's going on rather than battle it alone. So far, this pregnancy has been less exciting, and more emotional. From the very beginning (my birthday in fact) we have had our challenges with it. All I can say is we've overcome a lot already and as of my last doctors appointment I have what is called subchorionic bleed, or a blood clot under the baby's placenta and between the uterine wall. I have had some spotting with it, which comes and goes, and obviously this puts us as a higher risk for a miscarriage.

Right now, there is not much we can do medically for the problem. I am on a modified bed rest - which basically means, I rest most the day, but I can walk from time to time. Lifting and exercise of any kind are not recommended. I'm trying as hard as I possibly can not to aggravate the situation. So far, the baby seems to be handling it well. Still growing at a normal rate, and making sure it's Mommy get's her share of morning sickness a long the way (which I'm actually happy about because IT'S NORMAL in pregnancy and I'm glad to see something normal happening).

I am at 8 weeks right now. I have my next ultrasound October 29th. We hope that the clot will have dissolved by that point, or hopefully being in my second trimester that things will be more stable. For now, all I can do is pray and take one day at a time. I've been on bed rest two weeks now.

Shayne has been a great help during this process. Besides cooking and cleaning, he makes sure that I have water bottles set aside in the fridge for me throughout the day. Same with Ellie and her milk and juices. He packs me a lunch every morning, something that Ellie can pull out for the both of us to have. Family have stepped in and helped with Ellie's childcare, cleaning around my house and even taking my dog out. I've had a couple of friends bring over meals, and more offers for meals coming. I receive many emails from compassionate people with kind uplifting words, and the phone calls to check up on me keep coming.

Even though things are uncertain about this pregnancy, I am happy to know now that we can get pregnant again. We've waited three years to get this far, and despite the problems we are happy. I feel joy to be having this baby inside me. Ellie loves the idea of being a big sister. She kisses the baby goodnight before every bedtime and is talking about it around the clock!

We still really need your prayers and support. Thank you to all the prayers that have been made for us. We hope and anticipate the best!

My Birthday!

It's hard to believe that last week, September 10th, I turned 27 years old. To celebrate, we gathered some close friends and family together for a birthday lunch at my favorite restaurant LOS 3 AMIGO'S in Provo. It was amazing that at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday, and all but two people I invited could make it. I feel blessed that I have so many supportive friends and family. Thank you to all who came and helped make my day extra special. I love you all.

Also, a quick update. I have new neighbors! Evan and Monyka (my brother and sister in law) moved in around the corner. It's been fun to have them near by, and to spend time with them more often. Ellie finally earned her new 16 inch Pricess bike this summer, and rides it nearly everyday. Ellie is also back in school, and her and I are enjoying a Mommy and Me Art Class in Provo at The Center. It's been a lot of fun to see her enjoy making ceramic Christmas ornaments (guess you know what you'll be getting this year!), ceramic beads, and use the pottery wheel. It's been fun bonding with her this way. Also! I have wheels again. It's hard to believe after TWO YEARS of staying home without transportation that I can finally hit the road whenever I please. I have my 1990 Bronco up and in running condition, and enjoy it so much. Shayne is still plugging away in school work, and anxious to be done. I am so proud of him and everything he does for our family.

Thanks again for the wonderful birthday and all the birthday wishes I received. I am looking forward to this fall, and the holidays that are coming ahead.

Memories of Grandma LaVerne Gordon

March 23, 1931 – January 17, 1997

My Grandma LaVerne Gordon was a “professional Grandma” because she fit the definition in almost every way. She loved her three kids and thirteen grandchildren immensely. Grandma seldom put herself first and has been one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known.

From a very early age, I remember Grandma sewing on her large industrial sewing machine (which I was never allowed to touch!) and making us dresses. Sarah and I always had some matching newly homemade dress to wear to wear to church. Love was sewn in the stitches. I was touched even after her passing to go through her sewing room to find two unfinished dresses with tiny papers pinned on that said “Laura” and “Sarah” on them.

Grandma was also a skilled artist. She could draw, cross stitch, paint, and make things from clay. I enjoyed her paintings and drawings most of all. One year, Grandma was teaching Sarah and I how to paint. We each picked a picture to paint on the canvas. Mine was a picture of a house on the prairie, and Sarah’s was a natural scene. Grandma took each step slowly to teach us. Our paintings were looking professional. One day our lesson was interrupted by a ring of the door bell. It was Grandma’s visiting teachers. Grandma told us specifically to keep doing what we were doing and she would hurry back downstairs to help us. Must have been all the “Bob Ross” we had seen with her growing up, but Sarah and I “knew what we were doing,” and finished our paintings. I had added many “wild flower creations” to my painting, and Sarah mixed up some dark turquoise color for her “sky.” Grandma was not too happy about us skipping ahead on our lessons but we all laughed about it later.

Grandma’s house was only 2 and a half blocks away from my home most my life so naturally their house was a second home to me growing up. We watched BED KNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS at least 100 times together. We slept over often too. I remember my sweet Grandma putting extra blankets over me at night when she thought I was sleeping at night.

During the school year, Sarah and I would count down for the summer because that was when we would go out with Grandma, Grandpa, and our cousin Kristl and camp in the RV. We usually went to various Camperworld’s and would stay for up to a week at a time. We loved it. Grandma and Grandpa walked us out to the pool at some point every day when we camped. We would play games together, Pictionary, Go Fish, and Pit.

One night during our camping trip, I remember going through a phase of anxiety when sleeping over places. I would lay awake at night, and watch the clock in the VCR of the RV and watch the minutes blink in green. After some time, I quietly walked through the trailer to where Grandma was sleeping. “Grandma? …. Grandma???” I was whispering, but she heard me. Her head popped up and I whispered, “I can’t sleep…” Grandma quietly got out of her comfortable bed, and took me back to the sofa couch I was supposed to be sleeping on. She told me to lie back down, close my eyes, and she would tickle my back until I fell asleep. Grandma slowly tickled me for a while, and then when she thought I was asleep, crept back up to her bed. Even though I wasn’t fully asleep when she left, I was calmed down enough that sleep finally came.

Every summer Grandma and Grandpa grew a large garden in their back yard. At least two rows of this garden were raspberries – my favorite. It wasn’t uncommon growing up that many of her grandchildren would go through the raspberries and pick them and eat them as we went. I remember eating bowls full with milk for a great dessert. Another big part of her having a garden was snapping beans. During the summer, Grandma and Grandpa would pick buckets full of beans and we would sit around the cool basement of their home in Lehi snapping them while watching a movie. It was so great.

I miss Grandma’s cooking also. Whenever I made my way towards her house, she was giving me something tasty. Sometimes it was a slice of delicious banana bread or peanut butter cookie, and other times she would insist I eat a banana or some other fruit. Grandma made homemade pizza that I will never forget. Extremely thin crust, and thick pepperoni. The year she got sick, for my birthday she made me a meal I requested… Tuna Noodle Casserole. She was so thrilled that I requested that meal, and took a lot of pride in making it for me.

One thing I loved about my Grandma is how she could stretch a dollar. Of course, sometimes this would be a cause of argument too. During a long trip to Salt Lake City once, I recall sharing one three piece meal from KFC with Sarah and Kristl. Grandma would take Kristl, Sarah, and I to the gas station with a 32oz fill up mug, and would fill it up with the drink of our choice, and later at home we split it three or four ways. Thrift shops were a popular stop for Grandma, and I got plenty of treasures growing up from them.

During my years as a ballet dancer, it impressed me that Grandma knew how to make a real tutu because she used to sew for Ballet West of Utah. I always hoped that she would make me one. She was proud of my dancing, and loved to hear me talk about it.

Things haven’t been quite the same without having her around. I have thought about her a lot this last few weeks since my Grandpa Gordon passed. I spent a lot of time with her in 1996 around the time of her passing. We moved from Ohio to Utah that summer and I realize now how lucky we were to spend that time with her before she passed away. I remember decorating her home for Christmas one year while we were watching CHORUS LINE. Just two days before her passing, Grandma squeezed my hand as if to tell me she loved me.

Grandma was a special lady, and she has been missed. She helps inspire me today and I know she would be so proud of me and all her Grandchildren, and especially her little great grandchildren. I’m sure she is close by and watching over us. We love you Grandma!

Now Is As Good a Time as Any

(Yes- those are positive! It's faint but it's there!)

(Written Sept 7, 2009 - POSTED OCT 2, 2009)

About a month ago (August 2008)- I could tell that my luck was changing. August 8th was my six year anniversary with my handsome husband. We had a fabulous day together. He surprised me with some diamond earrings I had been asking for almost four years or maybe even longer. Then, that night, at the show Cirque Du Solieli I won tickets to see the show again the next day! 418 people entered the drawing and MY NAME was chosen! "How strange" I thought - "I'm feeling more lucky lately."

Surely, my Grandpa Gordon passing away was not what I would consider lucky, but everything else was starting to go my way.

You should also know that when we got pregnant with Ellie, it happened during a very sad time in our lives. Shayne's Grandma Elthora Underwood passed away, and two weeks later, we found out we were pregnant. We always joked that Grandma Elthora sent Ellie down to us (and Ellie is a partial name sake of her and my father Dan - elle). I started to joke (and wonder )that Grandpa Gordon would send down a baby for us to.

I even had a dream around that time I was taking a pregnancy test and it was positive. I started getting my hopes up. A while later I found myself falling asleep during one of our favorite TV shows, and became more confident that MAYBE this month. MAYBE.

The morning I took the pregnancy tests was a morning I'll not soon forget. I had bought the tests the day before (I wasn't even LATE yet) and decided to take them the following day. That morning I kept saying to myself, "I don't know if I can handle another NEGATIVE test!" But, I sucked it up and took it anyway. I have to admit that for about 20 seconds, I watched it.... after a little while, I resolved that it was probably negative again or it was too early to tell because it already seemed clearly negative. I left the bathroom with the test still on the counter almost giving up on the hope I had for the month. A few minutes later, I went back.....

AND

I have some news..... WE ARE PREGNANT, Due May 15,2010 or around there. After 3 years of heartbreak, we find ourselves PREGNANT! Right now, I am about 5 weeks, and I haven't told anyone yet (except Shayne - not even Ellie knows!) and I don't plan to start talking for a while but we are very excited and are welcoming the changes we know are happening. Part of me is in a state of major disbelief. It's easy to not tell you all at the moment because I am still trying to convince myself that YES THIS IS HAPPENING. Three years in the making - we are finally expecting again.

I told Shayne that morning. If I would have been thinking I was pregnant, I might have told him a more memorable way than, "SHAYNE SOMETHING WEIRD IS HAPPENING! I JUST TOOK THAT PREGNANCY TEST, AND IT SAYS POSITIVE!!!!" He said, "Did you take the second test?" I took the second test, and it confirmed it again. We were extremely overjoyed.

That morning, I decided to take a long walk while Ellie was in preschool. I remember looking up towards the heaven and taken back with tears, thanking Heavenly Father for trusting me with another of His children and for this baby finding it's way to our family. I really find it ironic that someone died both times I got pregnant, but I feel special that during the hardest of times, that I am being watched over.

I'm sure now that the word is out - we will have many blogs about this upcoming BIG news, and I'm sorry in advance if it gets old but I wondered if we would ever have children again and I'm still unsure if we'll have anymore after this one, so we are going to enjoy every moment - even the morning sick ones.

We have truly been blessed and I am so thankful.

Memories of Grandpa Stan Gordon Oct 30, 1931 - Aug 13, 2009

As early as I can remember, Grandpa was always the “go to guy.” Grandpa could fix anything. I always thought this was a neat thing about him. He was the man that I would go to when I needed patches on my bike tires and even taught me how. I remember him helping with repairs on our house, cars, and he was also a huge help when my father was dying from brain cancer. He was a support to my mom, and role model for the kids. He was a gentle but firm man and we loved him so much for everything he did for us during that difficult time.

Some of my happiest childhood memories have my Grandpa in them. I loved camping as a kid with Grandpa and Grandma LaVerne Gordon. We would ride over to Mount Pleasant or Coalville and stay in their trailer with them a few times during the summer. It was the highlight of the season. We loved to swim, explore, and most of all – FISH. Grandpa was quite the fisherman. Even as early as four, Grandpa took me out on the boat with Sarah and I caught my first fish. He was very proud of us when we caught something. After a good catch, the next day I remember Grandpa frying the trout with a little lemon pepper for a wonderful meal.

I remember him liking the taste of burnt peanut butter cookies, and we would laugh when we burned some “just for Grandpa.” I was also proud as a kid telling all my friends he was once Lehi Fire Chief. I have to smile when I think of him driving his red Ford pickup truck. I found that truck to be very fitting of him to drive since he was once a fireman. It was like he was driving a real fire truck!

Grandpa was also the stand in father figure the two years between my Dad’s passing, and my Mom getting remarried. Grandpa was the person to baptize me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I was eight years old because my Father was physically unable to at the time. He also took me to a Daddy Daughter Date when I was nine years old. I remember telling him that one of the activities was putting the dad’s (in my case, Grandpa) behind a sheet with only their foot sticking out and we would have to guess which foot belonged to who. I studied Grandpa’s feet before the contest to make sure I would know the foot, but Grandpa told me that he would cut a little chip out of his big toe and that’s how I would know for sure. I probably didn’t need the chip in the toenail to know his foot – but we got the right guess and I was very happy. I felt proud to have him as my date that day.

As I got older, and my Grandma LaVerne Gordon passed away, I started to see another side of my Grandpa. When he married Grandma Winona Gordon, she helped bring out a very spiritual side of him. I loved hearing his prayers especially. They were very heartfelt, and thoughtful. He specifically prayed for individuals who needed them, and took time to express his gratitude for the Lord and the things in his life he had been blessed with.

I also thought it was so great that he had the wonderful experience to serve four missions for the church. He and Grandma Noni were such great examples for the family as they faithfully served. I’ll never forget the day that he and my Grandma Noni were sealed in the temple with a room full of family. I had the experience to go with Grandma and Grandpa a few times to the temple and I always felt their spirit so strong when we were together. I looked forward to these moments with them, and wished that I could have gone more regularly with them.

Grandpa and I had some great visits when Grandma Noni was battling her own illness. During these difficult times, we had moments where we could be together in support of her. I remember him driving to the hospital daily to see her and be by her side. He picked me up a couple to times to tag along and visit. I enjoyed our lunches and the one on one moments we shared.

Even with all of his challenges during the end of his life on earth, I seldom heard Grandpa complain. I would ask, “How are you doing Grandpa?” To which he would always reply with a smile in his voice, “Pretty good for the shape I’m in.” I know he had his bad days, but he was very brave, and held a strong face even through the pain I know he was feeling. Grandpa and Grandma were very supportive of our family and I was always happy to see them when they would come to Halloween party or a little birthday party we were having.

I feel blessed to have been at the hospital before his passing. Grandma Noni was talking to him so lovingly, and trying to make him more comfortable. I remember rubbing his arms and neck while recalling memories with him. I saw some of his last smiles, and heard his last words. As I talked, I noticed his heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and most things on his monitors improved. During my talking, Grandpa fell into a deep sleep, almost like I was telling a bedtime story. I like to think he fell asleep during a happy memory and his last moments awake were pleasant ones. I remember telling him in his ear “Grandpa, I love you,” and with tears in my eyes leaving the ICU only to find out only minutes later he passed away.

Grandpa – we love you so much. Thank you for everything you did for our family. You have always been a role model and inspiration to me. You will be missed!

Six Year Anniversary

August 7th, 2003.

10:00 pm. After a night of decorating for our reception, and a brief stop to Maverick to get some soda and a sandwich, I headed home to my nearly empty apartment to get ready for the following day. My wedding day. I took a bath, made sure my honeymoon suitcase was packed, my dress was laid out, hair things were packed away, and I attempted to sleep. I knew I would be content with only a few hours of rest. I wasn't nervous about marrying Shayne. I had no doubt that I was marrying the right person. I was more anxious about how I wanted things to go for my very big and special day.

FLASH BACK - two weeks BEFORE wedding.

"Laura, I'm so sorry to have to do this to you, but with the new changes in plans I'm afraid I will have to refund your deposit, and walk away from this wedding. " Famous last words of my wedding planner from Unforgettable Weddings of Utah. What he really should have said is "Laura, your wedding is not making me enough money, and it's not worth it to me even though we have been planning your wedding since February."

I was devastated. Very tearful, anxious, and upset. The thought of making all the arrangements with only two weeks notice was too much to bear. I was working full time for Payless Shoe Source, and had very little time for the HUGE task ahead. My invitations were out. The temple reservation was made many months in advance I felt I had no choice but to be strong and try to make my wedding everything I imagined it would be.

Luckily for me, Diamond Rentals took care of most of my wishes. Tables, table cloths, chairs, and most anything I needed were there and available for that Friday. My mother in law, sister in law, and myself stayed up late one night making center pieces for the tables. A co-worker's sister could do flowers, and all the rest was just icing on the cake. It wasn't easy, but everything came together, and for much cheaper than Unforgettable Weddings could have done. It made me wonder why I thought we needed seven months to plan for it when it all came together in two weeks.

August 8, 2003.

5:00 am. I woke up and grabbed the diet coke I bought the night before to help me wake up. After a quick shower, and grabbing my things I needed- I whispered to myself "this is it. Getting married today."

7:00 am. I met at my parent's house in Spanish Fork to get my hair done by my close friend and co-worker at Payless. It took us three hours to get my hair as curly as we wanted it.

10:00 am. I was starting to wonder what Shayne was doing, and how he was feeling about this big day. My family was awake and bustling, and I could feel the excitement in the air as we all rushed to do our last minute things. As fixed some decorations, I knew we should be leaving now if we were to make it to the temple on time. I was told by temple workers to arrive two hours before our wedding time at 1:00 p.m.

11:00 - Just leaving the house. I was getting nervous to arrive to the temple so late, but didn't decline the offer the stop at McDonald's on the way over to get the Quarter Pounder which I felt was craving and it being my special day I felt like it was deserved and enjoyed every bite.

12:15 - Finally, we were where we were supposed to be. As I walked in the temple doors, I could see to my left a waiting room full of familiar faces - family anxious for us to be married. I also saw Shayne up ahead. Man, he looked good! I didn't picture it being this way.... somehow I thought it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, but this being a temple wedding things were different. I looked at him differently right then realizing - "wow - I'm spending Eternity with this man." It was a happy thought though.

1:00 - "We don't have time to lace up your dress," the temple worker said. I guess having 160 other brides that day, and my being VERY late, was starting to hurt me. "Mom - please, will you help me lace up my dress! I can't go out like this, even if no one will see it." My mom was the biggest help to me that day. She laced as fast as she could, and my dress was finally perfect.

1:30 - This part was a blur. Everyone was rushing me so fast. I only remember walking up some stairs and seeing Grandpa Underwood and Shayne at the top and Grandpa brushed us by quickly about what was going to happen. Just as we were walking in, we realized in the rush, we had forgotten the part where I give Shayne my name through the veil and made another short stop to the veil to do so.

1:45 - SHOW TIME. "Do you want to be married to Shayne? YES. Do you want to be married to Laura. YES. Well, your married!" Just kidding - but sorta how my wedding felt to have happened. It was rushed like the rest of my morning - however still very special and the most sacred part of the day.

After a very very FAST wedding, barely having enough time to cry, Shayne and I kissed and became man and wife - sealed for time and all eternity. We hugged our family that was present, and even so soon after being married went our separate ways to get dressed into our more formal accessories and attire.

2:30 - As I walked down the hall of the temple I remember scanning the rooms looking for my new husband. I guess I imagined it was going to different - that we would be together in the temple a while, and to be apart so soon was weird to me. It felt much like nothing had changed.

The moment I saw him however I knew I was quite wrong. Things had changed. He was sitting on a chair waiting for his bride, and when he saw me he looked up and smiled. I looked at him in his tux and tails (which he looked so handsome in!), and had to keep telling myself in my head, "wow - I'm really married. I'm a married woman. This is my husband. I'm married..."

LATER

Before the wedding, I was so concerned about the reception and if it would go smoothly. However, now that I was married, none of that seemed as important anymore. It was all being taken care of. I did get a little upset when I realized that half way through our pictures I had forgotten to hand out flowers, but it didn't let it spoil my day. Even the rain sprinkles and the sudden need to move some of our tables didn't phase me. I met dozens of people, many that I hadn't met before and some that I hadn't seen in years. I felt the happiness of the moment.

The night went on. Finally our last guest left, and the feeling of "I guess we should go" set in. It was all over, and yet so much was about to begin. I took my suitcase, and after a hug to my Mom and Dad, my husband and I got in our very decorated car and drove away.

Even now, six years later and after all the things that we have experienced both good and bad, I am so happy when I remember that day. Happy with my choice in a husband, and I feel extreme happiness when I think of our future together. We have one beautiful daughter, we hope to have at least two more children, and with Shayne going to school we know we have so much to be grateful for and excited about. I feel blessed when I think of him, and our life together, and although it hasn't always been easy I love him so much and STILL want to spend Eternity with him.

Yesterday, as we walked on our temple grounds holding hands and talking about the memories of that day, I felt that same calm feeling I remember having six years ago. I looked at him again, and had to pinch myself at how lucky I know I am that we have each other, and we are a happy family.

Shayne, you are the love of my life - I love you today, tomorrow, always. Thank you for marrying me. Happy Anniversary!