I planned a little fun morning for our friends, the Smith girls... Jenny (the mom), Katelynn (5), and Caroline (18 months). The Smith family has two boys the same ages as our boys and two girls the same ages as our girls. Anyway, we met up at our local Jamba Juice to get a free 12 oz. smoothie. Then we drove a couple blocks over to the Logan LDS Temple to see the flowers. The girls were so excited that they raced each other up the stairs.
Big Sisters. Little Sisters. All Friends.
It was a perfect sunny morning to see the flowers.
I had a my 36 week doctor's appointment on Wednesday, August 21st.
At that appointment Dr. Kirkman checked me. I was dilated to 2cm and was 90% effaced. He told me to take it easy until my next appointment (5 days later) when this baby would be considered full term.
Also, the doctor told me to have my hospital bags with me on Monday
and to have a babysitter ready for my kids.
Grandma Hallstrom took this picture of me right before I left for my
37 week doctor's appointment on Monday, August 26th.
I had a feeling that this day was going to be an exciting one.
Last self portrait of this pregnancy.
My doctor's appointment was at 10am. Dr. Kirkman was over at the hospital finishing up a baby delivery. I had a 45 minute wait in the patient room so I took a couple pictures of my surroundings.
I can barely see my toes. And yes, I gave myself this pedi.
Waiting patiently at the doctor's office.
Dr. Kirkman checked me again and told me that I was dilated to 3cm and 90% effaced. I was indeed in early labor!
I told him that I had been awake since 6am having some big contractions, but that they didn't bother me at all. He said that it'd be best if I headed on over to labor and delivery (the neighboring building). I was scheduled for a 1pm c-section.
Where I spent 50+ hours this week.
I called Sam and told him the great news. I sent him home to get Tyler off to school and to tell Grandma Hallstrom that we'd need her to stay the rest of the day and the following morning.
I went to the hospital myself, got all checked in, and prepped for surgery.
Sam met me there and we waited for awhile.
Waiting. No pain. I am not lying when I say that I was in no pain. I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes.
About to meet our daughter!
Proud parents
Here she is... Julia!
Julia Elizabeth Ward was born on August 26, 3013 at 2:15pm weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz. and she was 18.5 inches long.
She's a keeper!
Nothing is better than this! I'm loving every second with my girl! #newbornsnuggles
#weneedeachother #tinyfingers
Loved having this reminder in my room. #room24
I wasn't feeling good for the rest of the day. I couldn't keep any food down until the next morning.
Sam brought Grandma Hallstrom and the kids to meet Julia.
We didn't quite get the classic family picture on the hospital bed like I wanted, but at least we got something.
View from my room. When the kids came to meet Julia, Brian said,
"Oh look! There's pink clouds because we had a baby girl!"
The next day, I saw a complete rainbow! #ilovethemountains
Breakfast in bed
Lunch with my Visiting Teacher, Heather Stephenson. We had a nice visit #latergram#thanksforcoming#shebroughtlunch#caferiosweetporksalad
My mother-in-law and my second cousin, Angela Lewis also came to visit me in the hospital.
Grandma Ward with her 12th grandchild, Julia. A special thanks to my Grandma Hallstrom and to my mother-in-law, Carolyn for their help with the kids while I was in the hospital. I would like to end this post with Julia's mini newborn photoshoot... hospital style :)
So, on August 17th, my sister, Jenny and her family arrived from Las Vegas.
We decided ahead of time that we'd exchange babysitting all six kids
so that we could each take our turn going on a date with our husband.
Jenny insisted that Sam and I go out first. After Jenny's family got settled, Sam and I left.
Sam took me to Texas Roadhouse for a nice steak and potato dinner.
Our frozen lemonades hit the spot.
Dinner with my favorite person @ Texas Roadhouse
#ilovesam#welovesteakandpotatoes
When we arrived home, I saw Grandma Hallstrom's car and figured she stopped by to see
Jenny and her family. When I walked in the kitchen from the garage, I was greeted by these ladies (and some friends and neighbor's) shouting, "SURPRISE!!!"
My friend, Lauren invited me to attend Time Out For Women with her last month. It was fun to spend time with 2,100 women for a Friday evening and most of the next day. I was able to enjoy lunch at Fredrico's Pizza with my friends Lauren, Megan, and Linda.
Time Out For Women Theme: Seek the Good "And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY..." - Colossians 3:23
Oct. 12-13, 2012
Kent Auditorium on Utah State University Campus
Receiving is essential in this life. Are you receiving the spiritual privileges you are promised?
Michael McLean - musician - WEBSITE
I wrote down some of his lyrics that stood out to me.
"Are we seeking the light that shines within us all?"
"A mission to be happy and rejoice."
"I'm not waiting for tomorrow."
"I'm going to find my joy today."
"I will follow YOU every day."
"God loves me more than anything."
McKenzie Turley sang with Michael
"Dreams provide insight into your own self."
Jason Wright - best selling author of Christmas Jars - WEBSITE
Talked about FAILURE
- The world and adversary make you believe that when you fail, you need to do more, wake up earlier, etc.
- Many times when we fail, we should STOP and LISTEN to what Heavenly Father wants to teach us and learn what He wants us to do.
- For many successful people, success came because they stopped and listened.
- Don't you think Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are homesick for us? There is no failure that will prevent us from having an open armed reunion after this life.
- We are given trials to learn what we need and to prepare us for what trials lie ahead of us in our lives.
Brad Wilcox - WEBSITE
- The Atonement compensates for any failure we may have in life.
- Acts 4:10
- We are commanded to do all things "in the name of Jesus Christ."
- 3 Nephi 20:39
- Jesus - Savior; God is help
- Christ - Anointed one; Messiah
- The Son of God - spiritual birth
- The Son of Man - physical birth
- God - Man of Holiness
- The Son of the Blessed - son of Mary (Heavenly Mother)
- Mary is the mother of my Savior
- Jehovah - Jesus' first name
The Bread of Life
The Living Water
- Bethlehem = house of bread from which came the bread of life (Jesus born in Bethlehem)
- How many people in today's world will bow and say that Jesus Christ is their king?
- You are a QUEEN.
- When you feel less than a queen, we are commanded to know Christ's name and He is commanded to know our name.
- The Atonement parted the veil and allows Jesus to peek through.
- God loves us just the way we are, but loves us enough not to leave us this way forever..
- We are his creations and He isn't done with His creative process with us.
- The minute we make covenants with God, a hand is extended (ex. receiving the Holy Ghost and when we are making temple covenants)
- God with us
- He gives us His name, His power, His divine help, His grace
- The Piata (spelling?) is a famous sculpture by Michaelangleo. Mary has Jesus laying across her lap. The artist signed his work.
- When you take the sacrament, He is giving you His name
Oct. 13, 2012
Chris Williams - Here is his story and notes from his talk on HOPE:
- There are trials that are tailor made for you 1. Faith in Jesus Christ - "Let it go." Buck up. Repent.
-Get busy helping/serving others = His yoke of charity. As we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we will glorify him.
-"No I have something better. You're just going to have to have faith."
Jericho Road - musicians - WEBSITE
I wrote down some of what they said and some of their lyrics that stood out to me.
song - Amazing Grace
Abe: intro to song: "As a father of six kids, my kids look to me for protection, love, etc. You too should turn to your Heavenly Father
song - "Like a Child"
- "I want to live my life just like a child."
- Mosiah 3:19
song - "Convictions of the Heart"
- "When you see God's love around you..."
song - "See The Light"
song written by Tyler Castleton (pianist) "The Love of a Woman"
"Don't hide your face."
"It is well with my soul."
song- "Homeward Bound"
Sara Wells and Kate Jones - authors of ourbestbites.com
- Make memories with kids. Enjoy the small things in life.
- showed several pictures and told about the realities of motherhood.
- Mothers need to give themselves a break.
- Nobody's family is perfect so don't compare your family to other families.
D. Kelly Ogden - WEBSITE
- Rinderceller (Cinderella story)
- Do something with all your heart
- SUMMUM BUNUM = "the highest good"
- Enoch = dedicated
- Daniel was 80 years old when he was in the lion's den. * Your assignment is to change lives. The position you have doesn't matter, just CHANGE LIVES.
- Success is how much good you do.
- You have to first SEE THE GOOD in yourself before you can SEEK THE GOOD.
- Ogden's son-in-law is an amputee and his name is Jarem. You can read Jarem's mormon.org profile here
- Stay away from the dark side and stay within the light.
- Unless you are fully living the gospel, you don't have enough spiritual light.
- Hebrew: Ani Bat Elohim = I am a Child of God
- You are HIS DAUGHTER. HE is the wealthiest and kindest
Merilee Boyak - WEBSITE - CPR = Caring Plus Response
- Split Second Kindness (ex. telling someone, "Great job."
- 5 Split Seconds a Day Pledge - costs no time and no money
- Matthew 24:40
- The Lord wants us to love. When we give we become more Christlike. You'll feel Christlike love for others and yourself.
- OPEN YOUR EYES TO SEE the needs around you.
- on Merilee's Facebook page, she has a list of things you can do to help/serve others.
- OPEN YOUR HEART TO FEEL
- TAKE ACTION... YOUR WAY
- If you can't do anything, you can always pray.
- You can donate money. Consider donating money to LDS Humanitarian Service
- Do something in your own unique way. (ex. make your front porch into a "magic porch" by collecting items for the homeless shelter or other organization)
- one hour of service a month
- "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Ghandi
- Lead others in action by invitation
- song - "Love One Another"
- Merilee's testimony - "He lives, He loves, and we can love like He does."
- Time Out For Women Theme - Col. 3:23 - Pick one thing in your life that you can put a little more of your heart in to."
Emily Watts - WEBSITE
- video game - Super Mario Bros. - save the princess (princess is me)
- importance of questions to ask the Holy Ghost
- What is good? Chocolate. Toffee should be available year round, not just Christmas, found her own recipe
Hint #1 - Sometimes good needs a catalyst.
Ask.: What can I do to be a catalyst for good.
Hint #2 - Good doesn't always reside in your comfort zone.
Ugly swim suit story
-If you work too hard to try and stay in your comfort zone, everything will end up around your neck (like her ugly swim suit).
- If you're afraid to take the steps you need to get out of your comfort zone, you won't get anywhere.
Ask: How can I reach outside my comfort zone?
Hint #3 - Good often appears in disguise.
- The year 2011 for the Watts Family is referred to as the "Nightmare Year." Her husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer
Ask: What good might be hidden in this trial?
- All things work together for your good if you walk uprightly.
Hint #4 - Good takes patience
- Genesis 15 - Lord tells Abraham, "I am thy shield."
- Genesis 17 - Covenant to Abraham = Sarah will bare you a son, Isaac.
Ask: How can I increase my trust in the Lord?
- What blessing has been withheld form you? The spirit will tell you, "I will make it up to you."
Hint #5 (The hint that wins the game). Good is primarily other-centered.
-serve others (like Christ did) to become close to Him.
Ask: How can I bless someone else's life for good today?
