Its a.... GIRL!

This was in no way what we were expecting at this point in our lives.
We had just moved to Burley when we found out that she was already part of our family.
We don't have any savings because we paid off my student loan, we make enough to get by month to month but not enough to be able to afford insurance.
We don't even know if Burley is where we are going to be long term.
I haven't done any more than one year of school.
But here she is. 

She already has become part of our family.
I was crying on the way home from the ultrasound because I found out that she is really going to be here two weeks later than we had planned.
I was so upset!
I am not a patient person and I just want her here sooner, but of course healthy.
For a while in our lives it seemed like nothing we wanted happened.
That anything that we thought would be good for our family never seemed to work out.
And then she happened.
Unexpectedly.
We just keep telling ourselves that this is going to be the one thing that will be perfect.
That this is what we are really meant to be doing at this point in our lives.
We make choices but we are being watched over.
We are just following a path that is there, we just can't quite see it with our eyes.
And we know that is exactly what is happening.
And we have trust in the Lord that he knows what he is doing.
A full year of no birth control and no baby.
One month after I started taking it because we had a plan, I got bronchitis.
And that's when I got pregnant.
She must have just been jumping up and down saying she was ready to come be part of our family!

We couldn't be any more excited for her.
We can handle whatever comes our way.
We have so far.
Even still, December seems like forever!
Eventually I will post about my Alaska trip. I promise.

I. LOVE. to. Read.

I just finished a book called "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
It was amazing. To say the least!

It isn't your fairy tale story but it is one that I had a really hard time putting down to get things done.
The perspective is amazing!
You don't just get one side, you get both and I absolutely love it.
Throughout the entire book I went from clenched fists, to excited fist pumps.
And a lot of laughter.

Before I started I kept asking my mother and sisters what is was about.
All they said was, "Just read it."
Don't go into expecting it to be anything.
It just simply is.
And that is what makes it such a good book.

Next book on the summer-to-read list is "The Secret Life of Bees."

Our permanent house guest
Or should I just call it a new resident?
Well either way the second bedroom is going to be in very good use come November.
Around the 28th to be more exact.

We are very excited to be able to be blessed with the opportunity to have a child.
Even though it may not have been in our plans quite yet, we know that it is the right time and couldn't be more happy.
We know that no matter what, everything will work out the way it needs to.

The hardest thing to hear at the Dr's office was the question of wanting certain testing or not.
If we wanted to know if the child has any kind of diseases or anything.
They asked for the testing to determine if we wanted to keep the baby or not.
Do people honestly get rid of their baby early on just because it will have a disability?
We said no of course.
No matter what, we are going to keep this child.
We will love it because it is ours.
And it is meant to be in our family.

BUT other than a baby...
I AM IN ALASKA!!!It has been such a blast so far.
ALL 3 CARTER GIRLS ARE HAVING BABIES!!!!
And my mom likes to let everyone know!
I am not quite showing yet even though I am 17 weeks along.
So we get fun looks.

Jenn & were able to get in on the same flight,
AND sat in 1st class!

Jess got in yesterday (Monday)

So far we have not stopped laughing.It seems like such a bittersweet experience because I know in a week I will be back home and we don't know when we will all be together again.
But for the time being we are just having a blast.

We have already eaten reindeer dogs (like hot dogs) downtown and eaten at our favorite mexican place.
Did I mention that we have been laughing, constantly?
Because we have.

And it is amazing!

We also have dinner at grandma and grandpa's tonight!
(we are taking Moose's tooth pizza),
 camping (at a cabin of course) planned,
hikning (nothing too serious),
THAI ORCHID,And just a lot more laughing and playing.

I love my family so much.
It is just amazing that no matter how much time passes that everything is still the same.
The same dynamics that is.

Jess and Jenn always quoting movies.
As much as my house is my home in Idaho,
This house just feels like home.
Especially with everyone here.
It would just be better if all the boys were here with the kids.

Especially Cody.
He keeps joking with me that he is just going to take a trip and leave me at home.
He would never actually do it though.
I think he misses me too much to want to be away from me longer.

Or maybe thats just me thinking that I don't want to be away from him.
He is such an amazing man.
Two years ago we were just getting engaged.
I still can't believe that I was lucky enough to have someone as great as him chose me.

Jess finds out next week if she is having a boy or a girl!
And we find out the week after!!!
TWO WEEKS from today we will know if we will be buying pink or blue!

We couldn't be happier.

Cody's. foot. is. dead.
At least I think so.  He hurt it a few weeks ago.
For a while he was limping pretty bad.
And then it got better. For a while.

Tonight, I really wanted to watch the Bachelorette.
He didn't.
Surprised?
So with my headphones he was watching a movie and laughing SO hard.
Then his face squints up.
And he makes this face that says, "Oh my heck! THAT HURTS!"
He looks at me and I just know that its right back to where it was.

Good thing he grew up not going to the doctor.
And thinking that everything will fix itself.

This will be fun to see how long he can pull this tough guy act for.
Any bets?!
He thinks he is so brave.
:)

OH! And ALASKA on SUNDAY!
Jenn & I are both trying to get on the same flight.
Standby.
She left me a message the other day.
It said, "If you get on and I don't I am going to kick your butt! I am so pregnant ... and deserve it!"
What in the world is she smoking?!
Of course I am more important!

I could listen to this 100 times in a row and still tear up.
And then would listen to it again.



Happy Sunday.
Hope its as nice and sunny as it is here for you.

Its a... Great day to stay home and be lazy.

This morning I woke up with every intentions of being the best wife ever and getting a lot done.
Cody came in after moving water begging for pancakes.
At 6:50 A.M.
Poor helpless husband doesn't know how to make them.
He thinks I am amazing because I can make pancakes.
 They were delicious!
After he left for work I started out the morning by catching up on everything, like blog stalking, new netflix movies. You know, the usual important stuff.
I decided that I would make cinnamon rolls first because I knew I didn't have a choice in making cookies or not. (We are supposed to bring some to a ward service project tomorrow, which I will not even be attending due to work)
I used a new recipe that I found.
COMPLETE FAILURE.
It was so heavy and dense. So I did what any one with common sense would do.
Called mom and ask for any tricks.

As we were on the phone she informed me that I can buy my ticket!!!!
Did I mention that I am going to Alaska in less than a week and a half?!??!
It has pretty much been one of the only things on my mind for the past few months.
It will be the first time since my wedding that all of us kids will be together.
Minus husbands and kids of course.
We are calling this the baby trip to because both my sisters are pregnant and have bellies.
So of course we have to play before they get even more tied town.

After we discuss travel plans and I come to the conclusion that there is no hope for the rock of flour and yeast, I decided to make the cookies before Cody came home. I like to let him think that I am actual productive during the daytime and not just always napping or reading.
Well at least the cookies turned out great!
The rest of the afternoon consisted of "window shopping" online, a nap, and a nice relaxing bath.
The real cinnamon rolls (I had to make a trip to my mother in laws to get a REAL recipe) will come out to play in the dark of night and keep me company while Cody is out working late.

Speaking of being domestic, making dinner every night is completely exhausting, but worth it. Its not the cooking that takes all my energy at the end of the night but the pile of dishes that seem to come play on our counters when we make an amazing dinner. I will admit though, mashed potatoes and gravy done the right way is well worth the extra time to wash.

If any one is actually reading thing, I hope you have a great weekend.
I will be enjoying cinnamon rolls and cookies.

Love. Love. Love.

I LOVE being able to play. And play with best friends that I haven't been able to in a long time.
A few weeks ago I was able to sit and just talk and hang out with Li-Sha, I miss that cute girl.
And yesterday Allie & Laura came to play! I took Laura's senior pictures and we were able to play.
 

They turned out amazing!
I will post them later though!

Did I mention that Burley has THE coolest park ever?!
Its called Storybook Park
And it is amazing.

Allie showed me the most amazing video ever.
It makes my day.

Dear Bachelorette Ashley,
You have no one to blame but yourself.
You were warned about Bentley.
He is a complete jerk.
You should have listened.

In other news,
the weather has finally turned out to be nice.
It is sunny with blue skies

& Only light, fluffy clouds.

LOVE IT! Please stay Mr. Sun.