Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Best Year EVER!

When I was first hired as a restaurant server, they started me out as a hostess and I spent the majority of my work day behind a cash register.  At the end of the night there were a lot of steps to take to close it down.  I had to organize the checks and coupons and add up all the receipts for the credit cards.  There were some frustrating nights where the numbers wouldn't add up perfectly and I had to go through every pile to find my simple two dollar mistake.  When you're tired of work and ready to go home, that two dollar difference can almost bring you to tears if you spend the next hour trying to find the missing numbers while thinking, "I could be home right now in my cozy bed!"
But SOME nights... some nights... it was beautiful.  My paperwork was perfectly filled out, numbers added up precisely, and the piles of visa, master card, am ex, and discover cards were flawlessly placed like cuddly ducks all in a row.  I would watch the clock with a huge grin as the hand ticked... ticked... ticked... closing time.  Without stress, I would click off the open sign, lock the front door, and clock out for the night.  It was one of those delightful feelings.  It's up there with bubble baths and hot chocolate.


God is amazing.  One thing I love about Him is how He allows us to learn through parables.  Sometimes He gives me personal revelation this way.  I'll receive answers to my prayers in little ways that only I can relate to or understand.  
One time, a few years ago, we were having a chit-chat, God and I.  I was discussing with Him  complaining to Him about my life not being exactly where I wanted it to be yet.  I wanted to be a mother at home with a million babies baking cookies and all that cliche, stereotypical Mormon mommy rubbish that everyone makes fun of.  All teasing aside, being home and raising kids in the gospel was a righteous desire that I didn't have and pleaded for with God. 
My answer was pretty interesting and unique to only me.  First, the word patience whispered through my thoughts.  Typical.  This usually happens.  But then my mind was steered to the cash register at my work.  That perfect moment where everything falls into place and you clock out exactly on time.  I had this funny feeling.  Something inside me told me this is what it would feel like for me.  Although the time had not come yet and I needed to endure a bit longer, it would all gracefully come together with all the puzzle pieces fitting at once.


And now looking back, let me tell you, 2015 has been my beautiful "clock-out" year.
It was right after our ultrasound appointment, where we saw our little buddy for the first time.  I remember showing my mother-in-law the strand of wonderful portraits of our little sea monkey when Mitch had to step outside for a phone call.  He came back in with a huge smile on his face.  "I got the job!" he announced.  We were now blessed with an awesome career for Mitchell to support our soon-to-be new family member.  A puzzle piece fell into place.


A few months later we were able to get a second car and begin construction on our future home.  Our new little best friend was born the beginning of October.  The pieces to the puzzle were filing in non-stop!  


And a few weeks ago I was blessed with another beautiful puzzle piece...
During a similar chit-chat with God around the same time as before I had asked him for a distraction.  Some kind of passion to keep my mind off what I didn't have.  He told me to start writing.  So I did.  Every day.  And it worked.  It really helped me feel better.  
I had this idea, and this idea became a character, which soon turned into a story, and eventually bloomed into a full-blown novel.  I wrote a book, you guys!  And a few weeks ago I got the email I have always dreamed of getting.  I'm going to be published!

This is something my sister-in-law sent me right after I found out the great news

What a beautiful cherry on top to this fantastic year!  In life, I know there's always good days and bad days, good years and bad years.  And I'm so glad I will always have this one to look back on.  I can always remember God cared about me.  He loves each of us, and although life can be frustrating, like those two dollar register nights where nothing seems to be going right, sometimes he gives us a break and blesses us with a perfect clock-out.


P.S. Here was my New Year's resolution from the beginning of year.  I guess I never got my puppy, but Heavenly Father's gotta draw the line somewhere.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Baby On Board

Life is amazing!  I don't understand how anyone with a baby can get anything done EVER!  And I don't mean because they keep you busy with crying and changing diapers and all that stuff people try to say to make you afraid of parenthood.  I mean, I could literally sit all day and stare at his cute face.  He has bewitched me!  I am absolutely obsessed with our new son.


The coming of Baby Trekker was quite the adventure!  He was cozy as could be in mommy's tummy, so we finally decided to induce him after 11 long days of no-shows.  I was most definitely doing the happy dance when the time finally came.



Long, crazy story short:  After a good three hours of pushing with an epidural that pretty much stopped working, we decided his 15" head was NOT going to fit and switched to a completely-knock-me-out C-section.  When I woke up an hour later I was handed a 22" inch long, 10 pound 3 1/2 ounce, healthy baby boy.  And our lives changed forever.


I have so much I want to say about what it's like.  How my heart melts when I watch him with his dad, or the awe and testimony of God's miracles when I feel his warm, little skin, or soaking in his undescribable, sweet baby smell.  But I think the best way to explain how wonderful the last month and a half has been would be through pictures.










Thursday, July 30, 2015

Happy Anniversary, Love

June 2006

It’s the Sunday after high school graduation.  I’m getting ready for church with Ashley and McKenzie, wearing my bright yellow cotton shirt with a layered pink tank top.  Today is a special Sunday, you know why?  It’s our first time attending the young single adults’ ward!  We are so old!  We get to start going to church with all the college students!
When I walk in the building, my heart begins pounding.  I scan the room and spot a familiar face in the very back row.  It’s my older brother with a chair saved just for me.  I inch through the crowd and take my seat as quietly and discretely as possible. 
The young man sitting directly in front of me turns around immediately.  “Who do we have here, Adam?” he asks with a smile.
“Mitch, this is my little sister, Jesse.”
He reached for my hand and gave it a solid handshake.  “Welcome to the singles’ ward, Jesse.  It’s nice to meet you.”
And that was how it began…   


December 31st, 2008

The New Year’s countdown has begun! 
10… 9… 8…
I wonder if tonight’s the night!  If it will finally happen!  Maybe Mitch will be my New Years kiss!  Our first kiss!  How exciting!
7… 6…
Where is Mitch anyway?  I don’t see him anywhere.  He was here just a second ago.
5… 4…
There’s no way I have been reading his cues wrong this whole time.  I’m pretty sure he likes me.  Where is he?  He has to…
3… 2… 1!
Nope.  He just lept off the stage and tackled the piñata in the middle of the gym.  There is candy everywhere.  Yikes!  That had to hurt.  He just superman’ed to the hard floor with, like, six feet of air.
*SIGH* …Maybe next time


August 2nd, 2008

There is no way I can finish my breakfast this morning.  My stomach is too distracted twisting in knots and butterflies.  I take a deep breath and look in the mirror. 
“Today is just a normal day,” I tell myself.  “Just hanging out with Mitchell like I do every single day… except I’m wearing a wedding dress.”
I feel a beautiful peace as I walk through the temple.  Everything is quiet, and my heart is calm.  I have most definitely made the right decision.  Mitch and I are going to be so unbelievably happy.
I look into his eyes as we are sealed for time and all eternity.  We are surrounded by our loving family and friends.  There is no other place on this earth that I would rather be than right here, right now, with my best friend.  Nothing could possibly get any better than this!


January 2015

I close my eyes in pain, afraid to look and see the results.  I already know the answer.  It will look the same as it has every month.  I don’t know why I even put myself through this anymore.
Somehow I find the strength to peel open my tightly shut eyelids.  And I am greeted by something unfamiliar and new.  Two purple lines.  My mind freezes, unable to grasp the registering information. 
My heart begins to melt the ice-cold prison it has locked itself in for years and I realize it’s for real this time.  I am not imagining this!  We finally did it!  We are finally going to have a baby!
Somehow I hold in the excitement wanting to burst inside of me as Mitchell walks in the door after work.  I ask him casually about his day and what happened, unable to concentrate on anything but keeping myself from grinning too widely. 
We are sitting on the couch together and the moment finally comes.  “I’M PREGNANT!” I scream and pour a giant jar of skittles on top of his head.  I didn’t have any confetti in the house, so I had to improvise.
Tears*tears*tears*hugs*and some more tears*
I can’t believe we made this little soul together.  When he is born we will be able to call him ours and show him how to love others the way we have always tried to love each other.
 

-------
My life has been magnificent from the second Mitchell stepped into it!  How fast the time does go! 

I love you, Mitchell, with all of my heart!  Everyday I think there is no way I could possibly love you more than I do at that second, and the day after I always prove myself wrong and the affection in my heart grows even more.  I ache for you when you're gone.  I feel safest when I'm in your arms.  Thank you for every second of every day and the joy you have poured into my world.  Happy SEVENTH wedding anniversary!


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Baby Countdown


We are officially in the double-digits people.


And baby is growing like crazy.  You see that Pilot Butte mound in front of my face?  That's my belly.  Sometimes I pathetically waddle through the house and Mitchell stops what he's doing, looks down at the bell, chuckles to himself, and walks away.  


I'm also starting to have issues with my work outfits too.  Luckily, I wear an apron all day so no one can see my undershirt popping out beneath my buttons.  One of the bussers I work with points out to me every time we work together, 
"Oh Yessica... Mucho, MUCHO gorda Yessica."
Thank you, Lupe.  I love you too.


To keep myself from getting anxious about labor and delivery I've begun compiling a list of different ideas/scenarios to think about during the contractions.  Who knows, I might be in too much pain to actually concentrate on a single thought, but with sports and stuff growing up it was always more a psychological thing than a physical thing for me.


"MY CONTRACTION HAPPY PLACES"
  1.  Imagine you're a war hero P.O.W. being tortured and you won't give up your secrets.  'Merica.
  2.  Imagine eating Pizza Mondo at the beach with a wombat
  3. If you do this, you will win $1,000,000!!
  4. Nine months of pregnancy over!  No more feeling like a whale!
  5. Imagine transferring this pain to someone you really don't like. 
  6. Baby cuddles!  So many cuddles coming up!
  7. Cruciatus curse from Harry Potter.  "CRUCIO!"  ... Get that wand outta ma' face!
  8. One more down, 314 contractions to go (give or take).
  9. Remember that I was once sitting on the bed in my PJs relaxing and writing this list down without any pain or contractions... Be in that moment.
Just to name a few... I have about 100 of these thoughts written down.

Also, I chopped off my hair.  Driving 45 minutes in the car while pregnant with no A.C. makes a person do things.

And lastly, does anyone else who is or has ever been pregnant find themselves with the itching urge to color on their stomachs?  I just can't help myself.  The beautiful, fresh, round canvas claws at my imagination and demands to be heard!



I am so excited for this little guy.  I could go through all the emotions I am constantly experiencing thinking about him coming into our lives, but more than anything there is just this overwhelming feeling of love.  I don't know how God is able to program us like this, where we would automatically do anything for this tiny spirit that we haven't even met yet.  I can not wait to finally meet little Trekker.  It is going to be such an amazing adventure.  Ninety-nine days to go...

Thursday, April 30, 2015

So Close To Half Way Done

I don't want to drive people nuts with my baby crazies, so I'm trying to limit my preggo posts to special occasions.  Special occasions like, oh, I don't know, maybe my HALF WAY MARK!!!

The reality truly set in when I finally figured the math . . . One week from tomorrow I will officially be 20 weeks along.  I find myself constantly researching the Googles in desperate need of ways to contain my excitement for Beh-beh Bee.  I have found that my favorite thing to do is read about other expecting mothers in the same giddy boat as me so we can cyber giggle and "LoL" together about the new transition slowly making its grand entrance into our lives.

With that in mind, this entry is about all my highlights over the past four and a half months.


I have LOVED every second of pregnancy so far, I confess, to a very creepy level.  It's probably abnormal to be grinning from ear to ear while you're hovering over the toilet because of morning sickness.  But every upchucked Cheerio has reminded me that this is really happening and that I finally get to have this baby.

The spicy and salty cravings have been unstoppable.  I eat like a hobbit now.  There's second breakfast and elevensies, first dinner and another supper later in the evening.  I think it makes Mitchell uncomfortable.  


The other day he was singing LOVE SHACK and changed the lyrics to something he found to be more appropriate.  
"I've got me a Chrysler, it's as big as a whale, and its name is my wife..."

Thanks sweetheart.
January              February              March              April

Most people liken their baby to the size to a fruit or a vegetable.  I have found it's a little more interesting to compare it to something it could fight with fair odds of winning, like a lady bug or a Lego.  Right now I would probably put my money on a successful TKO against a newborn guinea pig.  


At least the alien baby phase is over and it's starting to look more human.  This was from about 10 weeks ago...



The flutters are getting stronger.  It feels like a carousel spinning round and round in my stomach or random pieces of popping popcorn.  I have noticed that baby is most active when I'm at work, walking back and forth, or when I'm playing the piano.  And that makes me SO HAPPY.  We may have a music lover!


To sum everything up, this has been such a wonderful adventure.  Today I'm going in for an appointment and I'm trying to brainstorm how to bribe the doctor into letting us find out the gender a week early.  I've narrowed it down to Krispy Kreme Donuts or homemade cookies.  Cross your fingers she can be swayed easily, because these old wives' tales are just NOT CUTTING IT for me.


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Happy Birthday Mitchell

This year, in celebration of the husband's birth, I posted every hour to Facebook a glorious image of Mitchell accompanied by a personal quote I've recorded from him over the past 6 1/2 years. Please enjoy!

"You can learn a lot from a Mitchell."

(HALF ASLEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT)
"Would you shut that heater off? I'm over here sweatin' like a space pig."

"How do I turn your face off?"

"Well, heck.  I lied to get a new Lego set.  What are you gonna do about it?!"

"On a scale of one to REALLY FAT, how would you rate yourself?"

"Wouldn't it be fun to release 100 pigmy goats in here right now?"
(Whispered to me from the back row of stake conference in the church building)

PHONE CONVERSATION:
Jesse: "Hi Sweetie!"
Mitch: "Well, hello there... Ha heh heh heh!"
Jesse: "... You have a mustache, don't you?"
Mitch: "Guilty."

"Honey, you're about as helpful as a monkey with a permanent marker."

(HALF ASLEEP)
"Just so you're aware, the right side of my robot has missile launchers... and they do work."

"Go to bed, Bartok... You ugly, little bat."

"Don't worry, we'll have cute babies, babe. Hopefully they don't have your moose face though."



... Just love that guy


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Testimony Tuesday

This weekend was the funeral of my sweet Aunt Dorothy.  There are no exaggerated words when I tell you she was the most Christlike woman I had ever known.  Not many people on this Earth are given the opportunity to brush shoulders with such a sacred soul, yet I somehow won the lottery and honor of being included in her loving family.
Aunt Dorothy was burdened with overwhelming health challenges since she was young.  She was the definition of enduring to the end.  Although you could sense the pain she was constantly hiding behind her eyes, she would only focus on you and gently hold your hand and look into your heart with a great, beautiful smile.


Sitting silently on the church benches as the funeral service began, my eyes watered as I read the words to the opening hymn of the program, I Know that my Redeemer Lives.  Never in my life had I attended a funeral where my thoughts were constantly drifting towards the Savior.  The speakers shared their stories and words of comfort highlighting the life of charity of my precious aunt.  Everything she did involved loving and caring for others.  She poured out the Light of Christ and dedicated all of her strength and might to Him and His will.
We all knew if anyone in this world was to make it to the highest degree of heaven, Aunt Dorothy would be the first in line (otherwise, the rest of us would all be in a lot of trouble).
I have also never walked out of a funeral with such a strong desire to change.  I wanted what she had.  I wanted to be remembered someday in a way that drew others closer to the Savior.  I needed that light.  And I hoped I could be known as one who consecrated my life to Him the way she had mastered.



I hope we all try a little harder to make Christ the focal point of our lives.  What if we arose each day like Aunt Dorothy and dressed ourselves in that warm, shining light and shared it with every soul we came in contact with?  May we all put in a little more effort.... for her.  I am so grateful for the plan of happiness and knowledge that I will see her again and that this is not the end.  It is only the beginning.  Love you so much Aunt Dorothy.


Monday, January 12, 2015

Let Your Light So Shine

High fives for awesome mutual activities!  We had a blast with the young women!  The theme for the night was about letting the light of Christ inside of you shine for others to see.


Each girl took a turn standing still outside in the darkness while my hubby ran around them with a lit sparkler to get these pictures.  He ended up doing A LOT of running around.  Thanks sweetie!  You are the best!  Sorry if you're sore now.







Each young woman is so beautiful and their light shines outwardly.  I know it.  I know the people around them recognize that light everyday.  And I encourage us all to seek out that light and let it shine.


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