Wow! I am so behind on blogging. That is what being big and prego will do to you. Well, here goes November! Hopefully I can still remember back that far. November was filled with a little fun, and a few hard things too. Luckily, we made it through!
The first big thing that happened in November was that Scott had to go on a work trip for a week, early in the month. For his job, he occasionally travels to conferences that his company helps with. This time he went to San Francisco, California. I was a bit nervous about him traveling since he is such a HUGE help with Alexander and since I am big and prego. But, we managed just fine. Of course we missed Daddy lots, but Russ and Diane were great at helping give me a few breaks. One night, Diane came down and watched Alexander so I could go to my Bunco group (a dice rolling game with some friends from the ward that I attend once a month). That was super nice! Russ and Diane also invited us down for dinner a few nights too. That was a huge help because I needed some social interaction, and it can be hard cooking a meal just for myself. Anyway, we were super excited to have Scott come home. Luckily, he only travels about once a year for work, so we are blessed to have him around tons. Alexander was so excited to see Scott when he came home, he squealed with delight. For the next few days he also enjoyed playing in Scott's suitcase. Adorable!
The next big event that happened in November was that I (Virginia), earned my Young Women's medallion! About two years ago, the Young Women's General President invited any and all women who had never earned their Personal Progress, to start working on it. So, I took her challenge. I started working on my Personal Progress. Since I joined the church after the age of Young Women, I thought it would be a great idea to earn it, and would hopefully be a good example for my daughters (which hopefully I will be blessed with some day)! Anyway, I started to plug away at it, and then moved to Utah, where I got called to serve with the Young Women. As I was serving with them, I quickly realized that we weren't placing enough emphasis on Personal Progress. We barely even talked about it. So I came up with a plan. I created a tracking board and once a month we would invite the girls to bring in their books and if they had done at least one thing during the month, then we would give them a treat. Well, as I was trying to motivate them, I would tell them about the things I had been doing too. It was fun to earn the ribbons and such right along with them. I actually finished earning my Personal Progress at the end of September, but was finally awarded it in Sacrament Meeting the week Scott was gone for his trip (November 10). It feels like a big accomplishment! I have to say that I have grown to love the Personal Progress program, as I have earned my medallion. Honestly, I wish as a new convert I had been encouraged to go through the Personal Progress program. It really did help build my confidence and strengthen my testimony.
One of the hardest things that happened in November, was that I got released from serving as the Second Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. You have to know, that I have absolutely loved serving with the Young Women in our ward. Since I was never in Young Women, it has been a chance for me to learn what the program is, and also regain a little bit of my youth. It was so much fun hanging out with the girls. I really felt more like a Young Woman than a leader. But, alas, as the pregnancy has progressed, it has been hard to serve in the capacity the way that I have wanted to. There were many days, pretty early in the pregnancy that I would be in so much pain that walking was unbearable and would bring me to tears. Even the smallest of household chores could send me in pain for days. This made attending activities really difficult. As I started to miss more activities, it was that much harder to feel like I was fulfilling my calling.
Finally, in a night of tears, Scott recommended that we fast about whether or not I should ask to be released from my calling. Honestly, I hated the idea because if the Lord said I should stick it out, that would be unbearable due to the pain; and if He told me it was fine to be released, that was unbearable because I didn't want to leave the girls. Well, we did indeed fast about it. The night we started the fast, I felt I should ask to be released, but the next day I got such mixed feelings about it all. The one thing I did keep feeling was that the Lord was telling me that I shouldn't run faster than I have strength and that it was okay to take a break. But, I kept it to myself. That night, Scott encouraged me to ask for a Priesthood blessing from his Dad, Russ. So I did. The blessing was beautiful and not what I wanted to hear. He told me that though the young women are important, my first priority is to my family and that is where the Lord wants me to focus my efforts right now. He also said that I shouldn't "run faster than I have strength" and that I should listen to the needs of my body. Well, as soon as the blessing ended, Russ looked at me and said, "I guess it is pretty clear what you should do." And everyone in the room agreed. The sad part is, even with all that, I didn't want to accept that he was right. As I pondered over his blessing, and the words I felt earlier at church, I knew it was the right thing for me to do (to ask to be released).
The next day, I called up the Young Women's President and told her how I was feeling. It was amazing because she said she had been receiving promptings that I needed to be released, but had ignored them due to the fact that I am so good with the girls. It just so happened that the morning before I called her, she had sent an e-mail to a member of the bishopric to ask if I could be released. It was so nice to hear that the Lord had been telling her the same thing, because I never would have imagined asking to be released from a calling, especially one that I loved. So, I was released and it was hard. But it truly does feel like the right decision. As the pregnancy has progressed, I have experienced even more aches and pains. It seems like it is what was best for the girls.
The good news is that the new leaders are great! We got a new Beehive Adviser just a few weeks before I was released, and she is great! The leader who replaced me, is also great. To ease the transition I attended one last Beehive Presidency meeting to help get them up to speed. I can see that they have such enthusiasm for their new callings and for the girls. It is funny because had I been asked who would be good in those callings, they are EXACTLY who I would have suggested! When the leader who replaced me got called, I couldn't help but giggle a little because I had told Scott the night before she is who I would have chosen to take my place. Heavenly Father really does know what He is doing! They were so sweet to me too! During our last meeting, I helped them plan a service project for the next week. Well, they threw all my plans out the window and surprised me. They showed up at our door and brought me a huge card signed by the girls, some baby stuff and kidnapped me to take me out for ice cream. During our ice cream visit, they had all the girls share something they loved about me. Our newest convert, Dayna, had the most heartwarming comment. She said that every time I share my testimony it makes her cry. It was really sweet. I am really going to miss those girls, but I know they are in good hands!
Of course, we can't forget to mention Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was great...as usual. We truly had a blast. We went down to Russ and Diane's and shared a nice meal. We were in charge of bringing rolls and mashed potatoes. I made the potatoes from scratch and let the Walmart bakery take care of the rolls. The potatoes turned out yummy! I left the skins on, and added garlic, cheese and lots of butter. Scott was amazed at how much butter I used, but they were super yummy. Alexander has been super picky when it comes to food, so it was hard to get him to try anything. We put a little of everything on his plate, but he basically just poked at it all. At least he tried a roll! It was great spending time with the family and thinking about all that I have to be grateful for. I have to say that I truly am so blessed. I feel like the Lord has given me so much. We have a great home. Scott has a great job. We have a sweet little boy who brings us so much joy. We have another little boy on the way, and the pregnancy may be tough, but he is healthy and growing stronger each day! I have a husband who adores me, and I truly could not have picked a more perfect mate. He makes me laugh and helps me when I am weak. I have the gospel in my life and have felt the love of the Savior in my life in more ways than I can count. I guess I could go on forever. I am just so thankful for all the many blessings the Lord has poured out upon me.
Let's see...what else has happened? Oh! All of Alexander's milestones. Well, this month he gained a new molar! This was exciting because he has been working on getting four molars since August. It was nice to see one finally break through. He also learned how to feed himself with a spoon and fork. One day, I went to feed him yogurt, and he just wanted to do it himself. He was pretty messy, but he did it all by himself that day! It was so adorable. Since then, all he wants to do is eat with a fork or spoon. He even likes stealing ours. Sometimes he will go to the silverware drawer or the dishwasher (ewww!) and pull out a fork or spoon to play with. It is so cute! He has also learned how to use a slide! We like to take him to this little play area at the mall, and one time during November he just mastered it! He would climb up the stairs, then turn himself around, and go down the slide on his belly. He has so much fun that he squeals with delight each and every time. It is so cute! We have been trying to find cheap ways for him to have fun and to be able to get out of the house, that wont wear me out too much. Another one of the things we have been going to is the library. We will all go as a family and pick out a book for each of us. Alexander mostly likes running up and down the aisles though. We are trying to teach him how to be quiet, but it is a work in progress.
Oh, and it has snowed a few more times too! We just love playing in it. We have yet to take Alexander sledding, but we finally bought a sled. So hopefully we can take him sledding soon. He just loves the snow. I have to say that I also realized how much you make sacrifices for your children during November. I realized that I had gotten him all the gear he needed to play in the snow, but had yet to think about what I might need. Being all big and prego, I had forgotten that none of my coats fit! So we went to play in the snow and it was snowing, and all I had was a sweatshirt. Let's just say I got really cold and wet really fast. But it was worth it to see my little guy having so much fun. It was a reminder that I needed to invest in a few things for the winter. Since then, I have discovered that I had a coat that mostly still fits and we pulled out the hats and gloves.
Well, that about covers the month of November. Whew! That was a BIG update. If you made it this far, you are a true friend! Tune in next time for another pregnancy update :)
For several years, I have had a dream of growing my hair out to donate it to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is an organization that makes wigs for children with cancer. I first heard about it when I was 18. I thought it would be so much fun to be able to do that. The problem is, that I was blessed with really thick hair. So every time I would get close to having enough hair to donate, I would get crazy headaches that would cause me to need to cut it off. The other issue is that I never thought I looked good with short hair, so I would have to grow it super long to still have some to donate.
Well, when I got pregnant with Alexander, I had awful morning sickness. I was constantly hot, and constantly visiting the bathroom and having to tie back my hair. Scott finally convinced me to cut off my hair, and for the first time I actually enjoyed having short hair. Scott liked it too, so it was a bonus. Well, as time went on, and Alexander was born, my hair started to fall out and thin out. I just kept letting it grow because I was too lazy to cut it.
