Stephanie and the Davids

CaTCheRiN' uP!

2010-09-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is over, it's time to play catch! Or catch up. Oi. It has been one crazy but fun and eventful summer!!

David Sr. took two summer classes that had fun kickin' his trash and taking up most of his time, but leaving us a little time to survive and put off homework to hang out with other people somehow. :) We got two weeks of a real summer, though, so that's good! (But no swimming - waaa!)

2-3 weeks ago Jr. decided to start doing everything at once (finally). He got 2 bottom teeth, started army crawling everywhere, clapping, sitting up without throwing himself back, weaning himself from nursing (not by my choice), sleeping through the night (at least most of it, but it's better than waking every 3 hrs like he used to), etc! It was awesome!! I can't believe he's almost 9 months old...

Oh! And we finally got to go camping for the first time since before we met each other!!! Yay!! Jr slept pretty good, surprisingly, even through coyote howls and barks. (I guess only me and Sr didn't out of all the other people from the ward that were there.) Twas fun! I loved it!!

Now school has started again for Sr & we're lacking on together time sometimes, but we're still doing great! The whole putting off homework works okay for us until it's due, ha ha.

I think the reason we have the time and resources we need still is because of our efforts to put God first, though. We make time to take 2 Institute classes (Sr is in 3), do our callings, help people when we can, read & listen to talks a lot, and we're blessed with everything else we need. I'm surprised every time we make it financially, etc, when I'm so sure we're not going to! It's amazing.

In other news with our families...David's sister, Katie, sister-in-laws, Penny and Heather are all having baby girls!! YAY!!! And my sister, Shalae's son, Axel, is about to turn one already (9/21)! And my little sister, Natalie, joined the Marines and is in boot camp in South Carolina. Crazy awesome stuff!! LOVE it!

Boy, that wasn't hard to catch up, was it? I thought for sure I'd write a novel. This is GREAT! Thanks for the motivation, Kirsten!!

ConGraDuaTioNs, Daddy DaviD!

2010-05-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official! Husband now has his Associates of Science degree! Yay! It was odd being the only family there, ha ha, but uh, we didn't tell anyone about it. Oops. Mostly because life's been so busy that David didn't even remember to order his cap & gown till a couple days before he graduated! Besides, he'll be here another 2 years anyway & will be in school probably at least another 4 years, if not more...let's not get too excited now! Jk.

I made him a special Oreo necklace to help him make it through work right after, and made him a delicious chicken alfredo pizza for lunch with breadsticks and "garlic loaf" (buttery garlicish biscuits baked in a pan together). I surprised myself with how it all turned out! It was awesome! Perfectly golden & cheesy & yummy. If you want the recipe, let me know & I'll email it to you.

ProJeCT ExteRniMaTioN

2010-03-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Project Externimation is fully under way! My wonderful fellow Relief Societians came yesterday to help me finish detail cleaning, put poison, steel wool, & caulk in all the 26 and counting holes/enemy points of entry. Oh! And did I mention we caught our first intruder?

David opened the closet door under the stairs and said, "Wifey! Look!" So I did, saw a dark blob, felt nervous, slowly walked closer and...well, I guess I had my first genuine girly moment. I scrunched up my face, gritted my teeth, exclaimed, "Ewwww!" and...brought my hands up near my face and...I fanned it! Valley girl style! Without even thinking! Then I did small jumps up and down and went, "Ew ew ew! Bleh!"

It didn't look or smell gross...it was just a dead diseased mouse. It actually looked pretty cute! I feel sorry that it was lead to believe that it could live here. As for the rest of them...they've been warned to leave or commit suicide by means we have provided.

Here are a few pictures of some holes:

WhAt iS LoVE?

2010-03-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

Love's been on my mind lately for some reason. I keep getting thoughts of, "When you really truly love someone, what does it entail? Do I show it, or do I think I'm showing it?" etc.

The past few weeks, almost everything I've listened to or read seems to have some message about love that enlightens my mind. For example, this morning I was reading the scriptures and flipped open randomly to 1 John 4. 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

Made me think. I'm always afraid to hurt David's feelings or afraid to offend someone or the other. And the same goes for David and just about everyone else, too, I'm sure. Here are my thoughts on the verse:

Fear scares us and keeps us from doing good.

We can't ever make someone offended at us. THEY choose to take offense.

Love includes chastening and correction. They help us to be the best we can be.

>>Consider this, we're all making cakes. You forget to put the eggs in it. I notice, but don't tell you because I don't want to hurt your feelings or make you feel dumb. Your cake turns out horrible and flat and you wonder why. I then tell you that I noticed you forgot the eggs as you were making it, but didn't want to tell you for fear of hurting or offending you. How much would you trust me after that? Because I didn't tell you, you feel more dumb and hurt than if I would have, not to mention that you now don't have any cake to enjoy.

Compare this to life. Anything in life. When someone is making a mistake or missing something vital and we know a better way, or have experienced it before, or whatever the case may be, and we don't try to help them, we are limiting them and not really showing them that we love them. In the end, when they find out that you knew better and didn't try to help them they will feel hurt, confused at the least, and lose trust in you.

How much better could we all be if we were honest and helped each other, even if we knew it would cause a little pain along the way?

The people we trust and care about the most are usually the people that were honest with us, there for us, and cared enough to help us. Are they not?

Obviously, I'm still not "perfect in love" - probably won't be for a long time - but I'll definitely try harder to be.

MoVe iT

2010-03-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

So we're movin next weekend! Nice place, eh? $495 a month for 2 bed, 1 bath basement apartment and an extra storage room with our own washer and dryer! Aren't we just so lucky? Oh yes!

We'd been stressing about finding a newer nicer place with cleaner air vents and carpet as opposed to a house built in 1940 with disgusting air vents that are constantly clogging up our noses (including the baby's) and wood floors that give you splinters.

While sitting with the new landlord to sign the contract for this place, we mentioned that we were surprised that the place wasn't snatched up by someone else first. She then said that she believes the place was meant for us. She told us the following:

The last guy got kicked out of the place in November because he was living in filth (trash all over the floors and never cleaned). December they cleaned the place, and all of January and February they had the For Rent sign up, but everyone who called about it wanted to rent the entire house, not the basement. They finally decided to get a more obvious sign saying BASEMENT FOR RENT and put it up the following Monday. Within a few hours we drove by it and called, and the rest is history!

Talking to David afterwards about it, it turns out we were both fasting and praying for a place at the same time. Prayer works. Fasting and prayer REALLY work. We were also able to find a washer and dryer quickly and for cheap ($25 each) by the same means.

Now all we need is a vacuum, broom, and queen size bed frame...

EveRyOnE's HaD a TuRn

2009-12-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well, as of last night, everyone in our little family has had a turn in the hospital in the past three weeks. Dec 3 - me having the baby. Dec 6 - David Jr. getting a billirubin test for jaundice, and Dec. 20 - David Sr. checking into the emergency room.

He'd been having sharp pains in his lower right abdomen near his appendix all day Saturday and they still weren't gone Sunday so he called our home teacher for a blessing. He told us not to hesitate going to the hospital because if it is the appendix it could be life threatening. Hence, we took him to the emergency room since it's the only place in the hospital open on Sunday.

They drew blood, which David doesn't do well with - he almost passed out and broke into a cold sweat - so they put him on an IV of fluids for an hour. They gave him a cat scan as well.

Turns out he has an inflamed small intestine due to virus so all they could do was send him home with Lortab and a list of instructions. At least it wasn't appendicitis! It'll be interesting to see the bill when it comes. I'm not sure much of it'll be covered...

BUT for some reason David's financial aid was increased $800 for this coming semester... The

Lord is definitely watching over us ~

Final Decision

2009-12-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

After reviewing our accounts just barely we've noticed that we're barely even going to be able to make rent this month... and David is working Christmas Eve as well. We're definitely not going to be able to make it to Salt Lake for Christmas - We're so sorry!

What's HAPnin

2009-12-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

Baby's doin great - I'm doin great! Christmas is coming - both of our birthdays are past and went well - we're having fun with visitors, etc! Still up in the air about whether we'll go up to Salt Lake for Christmas, but we're leaning pretty far to the probably not side... LOng drive for a new baby and healing mom, lots of stress, lots of people, possibly uncomfortable sleeping areas, more possibility of sickness, lack of funding for gas, lots of packing... but it would be great to see family and let them see the little man. Choices choices...

ANyway - here are more picture updates

Gettin ready for Christmas!
We love to sleep!!!

Mavanee in from Book of Mormon and Sermons on the Atonement class made us this blanket

Our favorite most bestest Christmas present!

Dad's so proud of his mini him :)

He just loves to lift his head up and stare - looks like he's having a conversation with me - except for the huge thing in his mouth, ha ha.

Dad's a good Daddy! He changes diapers and everything!!!

Grandma talks so much to the baby - he's getting really good at staring and listening, ha ha.

David gave me the movie Up for my birthday! YAY!! I lOVe it!! He kept telling me I had already seen my present in plain sight, etc... we watched the Jackson's copy a few times before. What a dork, ha ha. Look at him knowing he's just so funny!

PiCtuReS WoRtH a ThoUSaNd WoRdS...

2009-12-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

This the story of how we came to be three ...

Mom got some pain and then baby came out.

Baby was so cute and had a healthy strong cry -

Then mom and dad made phone calls and were tired and happy!

Daddy was so excited and wanted to play with baby but baby took a raincheck till he was old enough to smile (Dad's still waiting and trying to play).

Mom loves to cuddle selfishly with baby!

Baby has a nice bump on his head from posteriorness... and he makes a dang cute naked baby!

Dad and baby are often caught in their favorite father-son bonding activity - sleep

Baby got tortured again by the hospital on Sunday for a Billirubin count. But this time was worth it - never again shall they poke you for that my son! Never again.

Daddy found a way to have fun with baby! Burping!!!!

As each day comes to a close,

It's almost as if he knows...

Someday he'll be quite the heartbreaker.

OuR MiRaCLe

2009-12-07T23:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it happened! Wednesday I had irregular contractions ALL day - Sheila Bealer was with me half of the day, the wonderful soul! We went to the hospital at midnight when the contractions became more regular, but all that had happened was more dilation of the cervix. So - we went home.

Lying down trying to sleep I started getting them every 2-4 minutes apart again and WAY more painful so we went to the hospital again where Dr. Gray's wife, Tami, met us to help. In that hour I dilated to a... 2+ or 3+? But they decided to keep me and I walked around, etc., - the rest became kind of a blur. I'd have pain, then fall asleep and wake up to another contraction somehow. I have no idea how I slept so much...but it was a sure blessing! There's no way I would have had the energy to make it if I didn't.

Anyway, the baby was born at 6:32 PM - that was amazing & crazy! Such a sacred experience - David cried more than I did of course - he loves his little man so much. Not that I don't, I'm just not usually much of a cryer. I was in shock, ha ha.

David's parents drove down as soon as they were told I was in the hospital in labor. My mom was pretty concerned we wouldn't have the help we needed, so that helped a ton! David's oldest sister, Mandee, and her husband and kids came down Saturday to visit and bring more gifts, then my Grandma, & Grandpa Henderson and Candace showed up unexpectedly with gifts and well wishes. They drove down just for that and headed straight back. That was awesome -

Anyway, we're enjoying our time with our little one - David says he looks more and more like me every day. Ha ha, Shalae's baby has the same blessing. ;) We had to claim our babies somehow!

- Jr's telling me I really need to go to bed... So ...goodnight!

THanK tHe HeAveNs, YaY!

2009-11-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

Sooo... ready for the latest update?? I went to the doctor this morning and I am dilated still to a 1+, BUT - I'm 70% thinned/effaced and the baby's head is at a zero station (right in the pelvic bone!)! Laurie Hansen, my CNM, says he could come this week and he's definitely not waiting till Christmas, woohoo!! But holy moly...THIS week?! Poor David Sr if that happens, ha ha. Pretty stinkin exciting though, eh?!

Speaking of other things to be thankful/grateful about...we spent Thanksgiving with the Jackson Family and it was FANTASTIC! SO much fun! Made us not miss our family so bad - Thank you guys So Much!!

David got to play some basketball - here's a sweet picture that Todd took... (So dramatic!)

The food was delicious - ate it all day - and more the next day, ha ha! We played games, held babies, played with the grandkids, took the family pictures for them, watched them open Christmas presents, and played the Wii and Kyle's most awesome redneck gift from Kaden - Hunter Hero!! Now THAT was fun - stayed up till around 1 am playing. Me and Kyle killed the same amount of deer - 24, and David and Kaden killed the same amount - 14. I want to play again...

Here are some of the family pictures - they're fun :)

Oh! And then all the girls, plus me, went to go see New Moon the day after - ha ha me and Jessica feel it was a bit cheesy and fantasy-like. Some parts were almost a comedy - great laughs! Jessica's done with Twilight stuff, ha ha. I don't care either way. I've got my own man with beautiful abs and a more manly voice and he's not going to kill or hurt me, ha ha. It wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't my favorite. :)

Progress & Memories

2009-11-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

So! Latest news? I'm dilated to a 1+ and my cervix is thinning, which could mean not very much, or it could mean baby's coming soon! Who knows. Either way it's exciting for me!! I'm excited for next week's appointment! (Tune in Monday - if I post another update - for the next piece of progress)

As for memories...Katie Boyack took some fantastic pictures of Me & the Davids at our baby shower for friends up in Salt Lake! She charges what, $20-30 depending on what you want and then takes the pictures and sends them to you on a CD! AWESOMENESS!!! Here's some of my favorite pictures...

Are they not just SO lovable!?
I know I love them!

She did a GREAT job! I'm so excited to get this little guy in my arms and do some more pictures!! Goodness! What does he look like?!

iMpeNdiNG HaPpiNeSs...

2009-11-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hello all! We are 3 weeks and...1 or 2 days away from the due date for our little David Jr! Holy moly, where does the time go?! Last week flew by and if it keeps going this way we'll have our baby before I get to post another blog probably, ha ha!

From the moment we set eyes on each other on MySpace it was doomed to be. Attraction, weird but fun phone calls and messages were sent, and then my Uncle Louis unknowingly made it possible for us to meet and have our first date at his funeral viewing. (Thank you and miss you, Louis!) Since then we pretty much knew we wanted to spend our lives together for all eternity and we've done everything we can to keep it that way. We both feel like we're the luckiest people in the world and sometimes wonder if we live in a bubble of giddiness and can't see whatever goes wrong...

Everything has worked out almost perfectly and we are constantly being blessed and surviving when we really shouldn't be. Seriously - I have no idea how we are affording to live still with David making $600 a month and our rent being $600 a month and still having to pay bills, eat food, and all of our trips to Salt Lake to visit family. We end up with exactly the amount we need to keep us going and I feel that it's truly a blessing of tithing and doing our best to do what we feel is right.

Anyway, the days are flying and we're getting closer and closer and almost feeling ready except for a few things! I talked to my doctor this morning and am still measuring a little over a week behind (but it's been that way the entire time) - he's really good at hiding! I talked to her about the baby shower we were thinking about doing for the family and she doesn't think we should be driving up to Salt Lake and back a week before the due date for Thanksgiving and shower. If I didn't care who delivered the baby or where then it probably wouldn't matter but it was kind of risky...oops! So - I guess the family gets to see the baby when we finally get to do the baby shower! I'm pretty bummed to be missing two of my favorite holidays with family though...Thanksgiving and Christmas - it'll be strange for sure! I'm sure the new addition to our family will keep me pretty occupied though. :) I can't wait to see what he looks like!! My face, David's head shape? Blonde? Brunette? Red-head?? Blue eyes? My guess is ... David's head shape, brunette, blue eyes...and ... my tan skin. We shall see!