2 Years

Yesterday was Ontario's and my two year anniversary. I really wanted to surprise him with a getaway while Gabe can stay home with a babysitter and before a new (nursing) baby arrives. It was a pretty small window of opportunity and I wanted to take advantage of it. Sadly, things were looking pretty tight and I didn't think we were going to be able to afford it. My sister told me to pray and ask for help, and if you read our last post you know that Heavenly Father ended up really blessing us. Even more than I wrote then...we ended up with double what we were expecting.

So, I sneakily took some of the money (that Ontario had not found out about), made a reservation at the Hines Mansion Bed and Breakfast, and bought a gift certificate to Chef's Table, the fanciest restaurant in Orem. We have been wanting to try it out forever. I also made sure we would have a babysitter, and everything was set up for a fun anniversary surprise. I made the reservations for January, since that the timing that worked out for babysitters, hotel, etc.





This is a picture of the room I chose, called "Whispering Willow". There was another one I actually liked better, but this one had a shower, while most of them only had the hot tubs. I figured Ontario would like both.

Imagine my surprise Christmas morning when I opened my stocking and found that my sweet husband had decided to surprise me with a nights stay at the "Whispering Willow" room at the Hines Mansion B & B, dinner at Chefs Table, and a play at Hale Center Theater. When he went in to make reservations, he found that I had already made them, so he just moved it to our actual anniversary (Dec. 29). The funniest part is that he chose the exact same room I did, for the same reason, only he thought I would like a shower. He didn't know until he had already picked it that it was the one I liked. It worked out really well, since I really liked getting surprises, and he really likes figuring out his presents ahead of time. So it turned out nicely. Plus there is no doubt we are united!

The other side note to this is that I really wanted to get him the "Amelie" soundtrack (AMAZING!) on iTunes, since the copy we had was not legal and also scratched up and not working. I was waiting until Christmas morning to buy it so he wouldn't know ahead of time. Oh the irony when I opened my email Christmas Eve and he had gotten it for me first. Nothing harder than shopping for the person who can read your mind. :)

Last night we went out for our getaway and it was a lot of fun. We checked into our room, then headed off to the Chefs Table. It was really good (and also it was really good we had TWO gift certificates, since it wasn't cheap either). The best things we had were the bacon wrapped sea scallops (YUM!) and the cream of mushroom soup. The entrees were good, but they overcooked my pasta. As my friend Heidi would say, I am a pasta snob, and I really can't bear to eat it if it's not al dente. The sauce was very tasty though, and I was mostly full by that time so it was fine.

After that we went and watched the show "Room Service" at the Hale Center Theater. It's a 1930's comedy about a producer trying to get his show on Broadway while trying to not get kicked out of his hotel. It was fun, and well done. We haven't ever been to a play together, so that was also fun.

Then we headed back for a romantic evening at the bed and breakfast. At least, that was the plan. I soaked in the hot tub for a little while and drank my complimentary sparkling cider, and then I got super nauseous and had to lay on the bathroom floor for awhile trying to decide if I was going to be okay or if I was going to puke. I finally decided to brush my teeth to decide the point one way or another, and I threw up all of that lovely meal. My poor husband. Afterwards I felt really tired and quivery, so we just laid in bed and cuddled. Not exactly what I was picturing, but thankfully I'm married to Ontario and he was wonderful about it.

The breakfast this morning was tasty whole wheat pecan pancakes and homemade yogurt. We also found out that friends from our old ward, Scott and Abby Rey had stayed there last night for their anniversary. It was fun saying hi and catching up with them. After breakfast we checked out, picked up some Brazilian treats for Evan who had been watching Gabe, and headed home.

Gabe didn't seem overly excited to see us again-happy, but not over the top, until Ontario tried to leave for work. Every time his daddy tried to leave again he would get so sad, and stand there saying please and asking to go with him. It was too cute, and I think it made it extra hard for Tari to leave. Still, it's nice to know you were missed.

We spent a lot of time last night talking about the last two years, and what we want the next year to be like. I think the main thing we have noticed about our marriage is how great it is. I love being married to Ontario. We had so many people warn us that marriage is hard, and you have to work at it, but it's worth it. They always made it sound like a constant uphill battle with occasional bright spots. I have found that it's the opposite. We are happily helping each other up the mountain, and it's only occasionally that things seem to get overwhelming or hard. I love being with my husband, and wouldn't have chosen anyone else. I just think I'm terrifically lucky to be married to him.

Happy Anniversary sweetheart, I love you!

The men in my life

This post is dedicated to two of the most important men in my life: Heavenly Father and Ontario, my amazing husband. This week started out a little stressful as we were getting ready for the holidays. I realized whilst doing our budget that we would have almost no money for Christmas. I had kind of a little breakdown about it, which Ontario was very sweet and supportive of. The next day I felt much better. It was definitely a situation where I knew Heavenly Father would take care of us, I just didn't see how. Then on Friday we got our check which was quite a bit more than we were expecting. That was our first miracle, taking the crunch off Christmas and food and gas for two weeks! In addition to that though, Ontario had two business meetings this weekend where he helped his company land two large contracts. That means he gets a 10% finders fee, which is significant. We get the first payment on it on Monday, so instead of a lean Christmas, everything is looking up. I am so proud of my husband. He has worked really hard the last few weeks, and he did a lot to make things happen in time. I am also so grateful for Heavenly Father taking care of us. I know none of it would have happened without His help and guidance. He really does watch over and bless us always.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!

Hurray for a positive attitude!

I thought today was going to be stressful and chaotic. I didn't do my before bed routine last night, and I got to bed really late. Add to that waking up at 3:00am to take Krissie and Aaron to the airport, and then waking up to a sink of dirty dishes, I was sure that I would be too tired and stressed to deal with the day.

However...

My husband woke me up before he left for work so we could have family scriptures. I got dressed and decided that even if it started late, I could still have a good day. I did go back to bed for a little while, but I woke up when Gabe woke up and started talking to me. We have some very nice morning conversations. We went upstairs, had breakfast, I took all my supplements, and then we cleaned the kitchen. Gabe helped me with sweeping and dishes, which he thought was great. We need to get him a little broom so he can help me more often. I talked to my sister while I cleaned, so it was fun for me as well. Also, I feel good knowing that I didn't let the inauspicious beginning determine the tone for the day. I actually think it's going to be a great day!

Now I am going to write a to-do list and a shopping list, cycle the laundry, and make sure I am ready to run errands this afternoon when Ontario comes to get me. Then I might lay down and take a little nap until he gets here. I think I've earned it.

Random morning thoughts

It is currently 6:38 am, and I am sitting in my dark quiet living room enjoying the lights on the Christmas tree. I love this season. It makes me happy just thinking about all the wonderful things it brings. I like how everyone is focused on service and looking for ways to help others.

Our house is still a little crazy as we are trying to get Heidi settled in, but I think most of the major stuff should be taken care of today. I am mostly concerned about Evan getting his bed fixed so it is no longer in my kitchen. Once that happens I think the rest of the house will be able to come together. I can finish decorating, get all the laundry finished, and start my Christmas planning. I know it's a little late for that, things have just been so crazy and up in the air with Tari's work that I haven't known who/what/or how much I was planning for. Now that I have a budget it makes things much easier!

Yesterday in Primary one of the little boys got very excited during sharing time. He wanted everyone to know that he was reading the Book of Mormon, and he had gotten almost to the book of Helium. It was so funny. I love serving there. I always learn something new.

I am mostly sitting here hoping I will get sleepy enough that I can catch another hour of sleep before I need to get up. I had to take Tari to school this morning, which meant waking up at 5:40. That wouldn't have been too bad, if I had been able to get to sleep before 2. Gabe woke up right as I was drifting off around 1 and insisted on screaming and thrashing around for an hour before going back down. I think he must not be feeling well, because he usually has an easier time sleeping than that. It's just been somewhat of a crazy night.

It's crazy to think that we only have 5 more weeks before the baby gets here. I need to hurry up and get my house ready. I have been so focused on Christmas, and moving people around, and new callings that I haven't realized how little time I have left to finish preparing. I think that's nice in a way though...it helps the time go faster.

Since we decided not to find out the sex of the baby this time around, it's been a little trickier deciding on names. We pretty have a boys name agreed on (amazing, since I have the hardest time thinking of boys names I like. Maybe it's because there are so few of them that it narrows it down really quickly) and there are quite a few girls names we have talked about, but nothing definite in that area. It's so exciting thinking about meeting this person for the first time, and finding out just who they are. I can't wait. Also, this baby likes to kick and poke out a LOT, so I won't mind getting to cuddle it externally for a change.