our life right now

This picture sums up our life right now

We are living in chaos. Last weekend we moved most of our stuff out of our apartment and spread it out between Robert's parent's garage and basement and my parent's house. We are moving to my parent's for 3 years while they serve in Guam. I cannot tell you how weird it is to sleep in your old high school bedroom with your husband and a big, preggo belly. I think Robert felt almost as funny about it as I did. I hate living out of boxes between a million different places. I also detest moving, especially at 8 months pregnant.

Never have I wanted this baby to come more than now. My back is starting to really ache and her little head keeps pinching a nerve that almost paralyzes me. I can't lift a dang thing and I look like a neanderthal when I try to bend over and pick something up or clean as I try to maneuver around this big buddha belly. After lifting bags and boxes and climbing a million stairs moving into my parent's bedroom yesterday, I woke up this morning feeling like someone had seriously beat me up. I am so grateful that we have such a nice place to live for FREE, but I'll be even more happy about it once we're settled.

Take a look at these big puffers below. My feet have EXPLODED the last few days. I can't seem to drink enough water and yet it all seems to just go straight to my feet and ankles. It's kind of humorous, and Robert tells me I have Polynesian feet these days. He is right, that's exactly what they look like. I no longer have the signature "skis," as my uncle used to call them. I can't wait to get them back. It's also very difficult to find shoes to fit these puppies anymore and they feel like they're going to explode whenever I try to bend my ankles. And in spite all of my complaining, all of this is worth it for our little girl. I say I'm ready to have her now, but I'm not even close. We still have a TON to do before she arrives.

And lastly, my brother Nick and I dropped my parents off at the airport yesterday. It was pretty heart-wrenching but I am glad they are on their way. There has just been so much waiting and so many goodbyes and it just feels like it's time for them to jump in and get going. They flew directly to Tokyo and should be arriving in Guam in the next couple hours. I can't wait to hear from them! They are going to be unbelievable. I wish my dad could have been my mission president. Love you guys!!

they're off!

These three are now all down at the MTC together. Julia left June 15 and my parents headed down there today. My Dad just called me to check in and told me they saw Julia in her b-ball shorts heading across the street to go to gym time when they pulled up. Sounds like they were pretty excited to see each other.

Preparing for their departures has been hard on my heart. My parents aren't technically gone (they'll be back for Sunday dinner prior to flying off to Guam Monday afternoon) but just the thought of it always looming in the future has been killer these past few months. I am glad Julia's mission has already begun and that my parents soon will. If there's one thing I've learned in life it's that you WILL get used to change, no matter how much you dislike it. and it will be ok. Truly, they could not be doing anything better with their time and I know it's a huge sacrifice for all of them. I can't wait to hear about all their adventures in the next few months.

Yesterday we were able to go see my dad get set apart as the mission president and my mom as his companion for the Micronesia, Guam mission by Elder Perry.

I'm a big doofus and left my memory card in my computer but thank goodness for Megan's iphone. It was pretty neat to just walk around the Church Administration Building in the presence of all these men I admire so much. I passed Pres. Uchtdorf in the hallway and we saw Elder Oaks as we got off the elevator. Elder Perry is such a good and kind man. He spent quite a bit of time in the islands of Micronesia during WWII and had a lot of cool experiences to share. Nearing the end of our time with him he asked if my parents had any questions. My mom looked back at me then back at him and then told him that she had one. I tried to stop her but she was determined. She asked if she could come back to SLC when I had my baby. All of us held our breath but he said yes! I'm not sure if it will all pan out, but the thought of having my mom here when my baby comes puts me at so much ease. If dreams come true she'll be here with me August 5, or whenever this little girl decides to enter the world.

There have been quite a few family festivities during the course of all these events, including weddings and parties. Charlotte and my aunt Alison arrived early in the week with their boys for the farewell so we were able to spend some time with them.

The whole clan watching the NBA finals at the Courtyard Marriott.

Lincoln doing some wild dancing. It was so funny watching him mimic Alison's boys.

This is a random picture I took of Lincoln after he woke up from a LONG nap. He doesn't look very well rested. Love this boy!


We had a wonderful baby shower with the Mecham girls while everyone was here which my dearest sister-in-law, Megan, arranged. It was so much fun and we ate SO much good food! I loved it! Unfortunately Charlotte has all of the pictures from that event, so I'll have to steal them from her. My parents and Juila's farewell was really nice and it was fun to spend time with family and friends. The day after Julia went into the MTC my cousin Leslie got married. We had such a good time at her reception. Here are a few shots of the day and the reception that night.

Leslie and Dano outside the temple.

Mom with snoozing Baby Bennett.

Cool Gramps and Grams





The love bird's first dance
Lincoln let nothing stop him on the dance floor. Good thing the cousins love to dance!

Grams and cute Sam

It had been pretty blustery during dinner at the reception but cleared up just in time for dancing. The clouds in the sky made for such a cool sunset.

It was so fun to be with everyone and I was grateful for some partying to lift my spirits after Julia left. We have such a fun family!

the bathroom that's pink and the miniature sink

As the time nears for us to pack up and leave our tiny wooden box I thought it would be appropriate to finally showcase it's two most interesting features, both of which adorn the title of our blog.

Believe it or not, but this pink bathroom was actually a selling point for us when we first looked at the apartment. Robert thought it was quite manly (joke) and I just thought it was kind of charming. It's a little shocking though, isn't it?

And here is our infamous miniature sink that cannot even hold a single plate.

Where in the world did they get this thing?! Out of a camping trailer? It's the most impractical sink in the world. If nothing else, get rid of the middle divider and make it ONE sink so you can at least lay a dish in it. You'd think the size of this thing would have prevented dishes from piling up, but you'd be surprised how many cereal bowls you can fit in this puppy. Robert has been a serious champ these last 10 months in this place. When we got married we agreed that if I cooked dinner he would wash the dishes and I swear I have barely even touched a sponge and soap. Dream husband. We are moving to my parents house this weekend as they depart to serve as mission president and wife in the Micronesia, Guam mission. We are so excited to have a yard and more space to spread out in but I think Robert's most excited about having a dishwasher.

bon voyage my love!

This here little lady pictured on my left departed this afternoon to the missionary training center to prepare to return to the land we are standing in above. I think I gave her about 12 hugs last night as we said our final goodbye. I also had the worst case of the "ugly cry" I think I have ever had. Bless Robert's heart for letting me just cry on his chest when we got home, even in spite of the fact that he knew I'd get mascara all over his white dress shirt...which, I did. How I am going to miss Julia! She is one of my very best friends. However, I could not be more proud of my baby sis. She is going to be such an incredible missionary and will just steal the hearts of the people in Korea. All day I've been trying to imagine what her MTC experience is going to be like, after having spent a few weeks there myself. She will get a quadruple dose of that place, just like Charlotte, as she'll have to learn a language before she's on her way. One thing I'm sure of...she's going to love the chocolate milk. I love you Jigs! Selfish me is going to miss you like crazy until you return. Can't wait for you to meet my 1 1/2 year old when you get home...so weird!!

is it really a ball if you don't dance?

Last weekend Robert and I went to the American Heart Association Ball, a fundraising event for the American Heart Association. My boss was on the executive planning committee and I'd helped coordinate a lot of the planning meetings and was asked to attend because of my participation...and not because I was going to spout out big bucks at the live auction that night. Most of the tables were filled with big spenders. We just sat back and enjoyed the food. In any case, do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a dress to wear to a ball when you're 7 months pregnant? Nearly impossible. Luckily I found this black little number for about $10 at Uptown Cheapskate. What a blessing! Thank goodness for baby doll dresses that give you PLENTY of room to work in the middle. Not the fanciest, but you can't go wrong with black at a black-tie affair, eh?

Here's the buddha belly in all its glory. I can't believe how quickly 7 months have come and gone. Only 8 more weeks to go starting tomorrow. Don't you love the weeds we have growing in the front of our apartment? I thought it was the perfect place for a photo.

The event was held at the Downtown Marriott and turned out great! The food was unreal (and heart healthy). It was fun to see all the planning come together. My only complaint was that there was no dancing. How can you call it a ball when there's no dancing??

My boss was the emcee for much of the event.

This is Cheryl from Leavitt Partners and her friend Ben. Cheryl is a southern woman who knows how to have a good time and has made life a lot more exciting at LP.

This is Adam...my right hand man at the office, and his cute wife Jenny. Robert and I love them!

I'm hoping we don't have another black-tie affair to attend in the next 2 months, because I'm not sure how much longer this dress will fit. I may have to squeeze into it the day before the baby's due to attend Robert's brother's wedding. Who planned that?? (Thanks Mikey)

baby's all grown up and we're moving on

Julia hates that I call her Jiggies, but it's a name that just stuck and I'm not sure why. She then got the nickname "Baby Jiggies" from others and that's stuck too. Sorry my dear! Well, sweet Baby Jiggies is heading to Korea in about no time flat to serve the Lord and I am very proud of her. It's not an easy decision. Doesn't she look great here? Don't kill me, Jigs.

In any case, I have been trying to spend every ounce of time (I think time should always be measured by weight) I have with her here in SLC before she leaves. She and Rangey (Ranger/Ryan Gregson) came with me and Bob on a little outing to a restaurant we've been interested in sampling just down the street from us last weekend. We feared it might rain, but it ended up being quite lovely. And, as you can tell, Julia quite enjoyed her burger smothered with BBQ sauce. Oh, Rich's Burgers. Slimiest place in town but delicious burgers...even though mine was slightly undercooked.

Just above us hung the place I call home for 8 hours of the day. No, not the traffic lights...if only in my dreams. I sit atop the 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo building day in and day out. Isn't it weird that I just hang out hundreds of feet above the ground all day?

Rootbeer...Bobby's favorite.

Here's the best picture we could hack that night. So full. So tired. Don't we look it?
Behind us in this picture you will see our pony-tailed friend who whipped up our burgers. One man show that night.

Ranger is really excited he was going to make it onto my blog.

We took a little stroll up Main Street to settle our stomachs and then rode Trax back to our apartment. Robert and I are moving to my parent's house in a few weeks as they are off to Guam to serve as mission president and wife. There are things I will miss about living right downtown, such as last-minute jaunts to nearby restaurants and events and my proximity to work. I really have enjoyed the time we've spent living downtown but I will not be sad to live in a sunnier, cleaner-feeling house. Our apartment has been great. It is so quaint and actually has a lot more space than you'd expect for a one bedroom. However, it is old and I feel like even if I dusted and swept every day, there would still be dust bunnies hidden in every corner. It is also FREEZING and dark during the winter, and we really haven't experienced much good weather during the time we've lived there. Robert said yesterday that he's starting to like our apartment again now that we can open our windows. Too bad so sad...it's time to go.

Last night Julia went through the temple for her first time. Doesn't she look like a real, live sister missionary?? What a beauty.

It was so nice to all be together. I always enjoy going to the temple but it's especially nice when you are with those that you love and care about most.

Julia is going to be such an incredible missionary. Her mission is going to change her life, and in turn, she will help change the lives of those she serves. It's such a scary thing to give all of yourself to the Lord for 1 1/2 years, but it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. I get teary just thinking about my time as a missionary. Jigs is my girl. Truly, she is one of my best friends and I am going to miss her like crazy...but I wouldn't have her trade this experience for anything. Love you Jigs!

seriously

I consider myself a fairly classy person, but lately I have begun to realize all the little things I do that do not represent classiness in any form.

Exhibit A: Take this blue cooler we received as a wedding gift (thanks to whoever gave it to us...I'm still getting through my thank you notes from our wedding NINE months ago. We're going to have a child before I complete those). This cooler has been sitting useless in our cubby in the hall since we were married, until...we discovered this very handy use for it:

Our TV stand (which is not really a TV stand) which holds our baby TV is not nearly high enough for us to watch movies in bed. The TV is usually in the living room, but some nights you just want to be comfortable, especially when you have a human being in your ribs. Anyhow, I scoured the house for a box-like structure light enough to not break our non-TV stand, TV stand, and...voila! We now have a use for the cooler.

Exhibit B: Who in their right mind, unless you own your own house, would have a stash of wrapping paper? Ok, so many probably do, but I just can't get myself to buy something like that which I know I'll just have to move with me in a few months when our lease is up. The result: April birthday presents looking like this:

Merry Christmas! It's April...and it's your birthday. Hey, Jesus was actually born in April anyway, right? I'm just celebrating it in the correct month.

Exhibit C: We enjoyed this little dandy last night after a lovely trip to the temple. Robert and I (especially ME) love Mexican food. I mean, I could eat ALL kinds of Mexican food any time of the day, starting with Taco Bell. In fact, it's one of the only things that didn't make me nauseous during the first 4 months of my pregnancy...that, and a big juicy burger. Go figure. Alberto's on 500 South in Salt Lake has become a mainstay for us. It's two steps above Beto's. Classy, right? Carne asada burrito with a hefty amount of guacamole and pico de gallo? Yes please! And, who can beat a deal like free horchata all day on Tuesdays?!




Well, somehow, after months and months of shopping at Smith's, Robert and I finally discovered the coupons on the back of our receipts. "Buy one burrito get a second free"??? I may or may not have sifted through most of our plastic grocery bags we keep under the sink to find all our old receipts. Now we get 2 burritos as big as our heads, 1 churro and 1 large drink all for about $7. What's classier than using a coupon from the back of your grocery receipt at one of the cheapest restaurants in town? Nothing.
We're setting the new standard for class.