Two Years Ago...

..I married my best friend in the Salt Lake Temple. It's hard to believe that 2 years have already flown by. I still feel like it was only yesterday. Actually, it feels like I met him only yesterday. We had been exchanging emails and phone calls for about 2 months when we finally met each other. It was Conference weekend in April 2006 and some friends and I came up for a couple of days. Chip originally had invited me out to dinner but we ended up going to the Malt Shoppe with my friends (this is the very condensed version, and MY version- Chip's is way more interesting!) because I was too nervous to be one-on-one date. I remember exactly the outfit he had on (and I am not the kind of person to remember or notice what people wear, I promise), the smell of the cologne he was wearing and knowing at the moment he first hugged me that this boy was here to stay. I'm not trying to be sappy or corny. I knew that night that he was the one for me. I don't think I have ever been so nervous as I was around him that night. My friends immediately gave their approval and we all had a great time. The day after we had our second date and I kissed him because I thought he wasn't going to and that was that. We did the long-distance thing from April to August, I moved up to Utah, dated for 7 more months, he FINALLY proposed, and we were married 2 months later. Each day only gets better. Chipper, I adore you and love being your wife. Thanks for asking!

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day weekend we met up with my in-laws and brother-in-law and his family in Page, Arizona. The weather wasn't the best but being on Lake Powell is always nice. It's so beautiful, I love it.
Originally Chip and I were thinking that it would be best if i didn't get on Papa's boat at all since I am (or was at the time) 36 weeks along and those killer bumps could send me into labor. However, once we got there, Brigitte (my sister-in-law) was persuaded to bring aboard little Danni (6 weeks old) and I knew that this was my chance to tough it up. If Brig could do that, then I definitely could get on the boat too! Surprinsingly, our multiple rides on the boat went very well. This little girl is going to be just like her daddy, a complete daredevil and fearless. I can feel it. She was such a good baby. I think the motion was soothing and she didn't move at all for a while that it even scared me. Once we were back on land I told Chip that I was scared that I hadn't felt her in what seemed to be a long time (she's usually pretty active during the day and extremely mellow at night). After a little prayer and feeling like the worst mother-to-be, she started kicking and punching like her normal self to my relief.
The boys did a lot of wakeboarding and found boulders to jump off of into the water. Chip and Dad got to go exploring Antelope Canyon which they loved! Thanks again Mom and Dad for a great weekend!

Dreams

It seems like the closer that I get to giving birth, the more I am involuntarily dreaming about death. Pretty morbid, right? In the past week, I have woken up several times in the middle of the night, sobbing and very perturbed, scaring the heck out of poor Chip. I wonder if every pregnant woman goes through this. Last night was my last episode; I have never had a nightmare that bad and that felt so real. I dreamt that I was apartment searching with an adorable little girl in my arms when suddenly we come to a big blue and white complex and I tell the person with me (whom didn't have an identity) "This is where Chip and I used to live" (which is strange because we have never lived in an apartment) to which that person replies "You are just going to have to let him go". Right then I understood that I was a widow and I was trying to find somewhere to live for my daughter and I. I started sobbing and this woke me up but I continued to cry just thinking about how horrific my life would be without him. Chip patiently rolls over to say "it's just a dream honey" (this time he didn't even have to ask what was wrong) and put his arm around me. I don't know what I would do without him. I feel so blessed to have met him and to be his wife and now to be starting our own family. He is such an amazing person whom I love and admire more each day. I am so grateful for the church and for knowing that he will always be with me.

Sushi Night

This week for FHE (family home evening) we were invited over to our friends Nayelli and Ludwign's house to learn to make our own rolls. Nayelli and I know each other from when my family and I lived in Merida, Mexico (that was in 1996! Holy cow!) and she is like family to me. Making the rolls is surprisingly easy but a bit time consuming. It was definitely worth it though! The boys took care of all the cooking and Naye and I got to chit chat while we watched the chefs at work. It was nice to eat rolls till we almost popped without popping our wallet. It was a lot of fun!

7 weeks left!

Almost there and it shows! I feel HUGE...and I can't wait to be able to see my feet again when I lay down. Mostly, I can't wait to meet this little girl.

The Best Moms

We love you both so much. Thank you for everything that you do for us. We are so blessed to have had you as our mothers. Mami (Marta), gracias por ser quien eres. Admiro la mujer que eres y te amo con todo mi corazón. Mom ( Darlene), thank you for raising such a wonderful son who is the best of friends and husbands that I could ever ask for. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother and friend to him. Thank you for your love and for also being a mother to me.

Graduation Weekend

Although Chip technically graduated last Summer, he formally graduated from UVU this past weekend. He originally had decided not to do the whole cap and gown/walking thing but we are so glad he did. Mom and Dad came up from Phoenix for the weekend and we had such a good time with them like we always do. The graduation ceremony was exceptional! President Monson was the honored speaker and he delivered such a powerful and moving speech. What a special man he is.

After the graduation (which lasted about 5 hours-my pregnant body wanted to die), we all drove up to Salt Lake to have dinner at The Melting Pot. It was sooo yummy! Although it is pricey, it is definitely worth it. I highly recommend dining there at least once. On Saturday, we headed back to Salt Lake to have lunch at The Cheesecake Factory (also very yummy) with Grandma Joan, did some traditional shopping with Mom at Nordstrom, and headed off to Park City. Dad got a suite at the Silver Queen Hotel with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living area, dining area and kitchen. It was amazing! It was what I imagine a Manhattan apartment to be.We got to tour Main St, have a cozy dinner, and return to our place for a movie. We had such a great time. Thanks Mom and Dad for all your love and generosity.