Counting my Blessings

With the baby's arrival soon approaching, I have been thinking a lot about the many things I have already been blessed with ... To think about my loving Heavenly Father and all He has already given me, and then to realize there is so much more to come ...

Coming up on two years, Ty and I were married and sealed in the Oakland Temple and we couldn't be happier. Time goes by so fast though, we can't believe we get to be parents... any day now!

I feel it a huge responsibility, but more a divine privilege to be a mother and help bring another child of God into the world. Ty and I, of course are a little nervous, but are incredibly anxious for our beautiful son to be with us and to bless our home. Our wedding day was the perfect day, and though we don't anticipate a perfect labor, we are thrilled to have a perfect little person grace our lives with his presence.

I cannot express how thankful I am to have such a wonderful husband. Ty is the best person I have ever known and it brings me so much peace knowing he is by my side for all eternity. I will forever be grateful for his loving example and influence. He is going to be the best daddy! Well, two of us will think so!

One more thing, I did have a picture ready to go from our actual wedding day, but it was from my mom's computer. I am at home now and I accidentally deleted it... so sad... so in the meantime I guess this one will have to do. :o)

Baby Shower!

One of the little boys in my primary class commented yesterday that he was so confused why all these girls get together to give a baby a shower, "Does it really take that many people to clean a baby?" It made me laugh. Speaking of showers, while Emily was in town last week they threw Bryce and me a shower... I don't have pictures yet, but I will try to add some later. It is always so fun to be surrounded by wonderful people and celebrate babies! Thank you to everyone who came, it was wonderful to see you all!

On the topic of pregnancy, I am looking forward to the baby coming! I currently have one cankle... completing my left leg... Ty and I currently find it very amusing... but with our current heat wave, I am not sure how long I will find it funny! The joys of pregnancy! No pictures on that one either!

Wicked in San Francisco!

Friends!

Babies are great at bring everyone together! Linda, Michael and Kim were passing through Fairfield and wanted to see how big I'd gotten. Emily, who is also in town for the week pointed out the odd height of my belly button, they all enjoyed that. Thank you Emily!

San Francisco isn't too far away, but it still is so difficult to get together, so it was so fun to visit with them. Ty and I are so blessed with good friends!

Disneyland!!!

We decided to make a quick trip down to Anaheim while we could still travel light (before baby). Dad Carlson, Shane and Brea were in an awesome play about the Savior, it was Renee's birthday and Ty's, so timing seemed perfect to take a trip and celebrate all these wonderful people! Over the weekend we had a joint birthday party for Uncle Ty and Renee and on Monday we all went to Disneyland together, since Renee got in free as the birthday girl! Ty and I also went for a couple hours the following day for his birthday. They really know how to treat you special at Disneyland. Everywhere we went, staff and other random people would tell Ty "happy birthday", they would sing to him, and he even got a free bag of fresh tortillas!

Here we have the "spin your guts out" teacup (on top) and the relaxing teacup (bottom). The pregnant lady preferred to sit out on this one, though I have to say, I think I enjoyed myself more than anyone. It was hilarious watching Philippe try and take pictures of the other teacup! I am still not sure if he actually got a shot while his own teacup kept turning him around.

One Year!

We have been in our home for one year now! We really can't believe it. Time goes by so fast! In the back of our minds we wonder if we may have bought a little too early, since home prices have continued to drop... however we couldn't be happier with our neighbors and the area we now call home.

Ty and I have done a lot to the house. Starting with a new coat of paint on the front door that was teal, magenta and purple. That's right. The front yard came next. We went from a huge dead tree, sewage pipes gracing the over-sized front flower bed and more rocks than I wish to remember... to what you see now. To us, our front yard is a beautiful sight and we still smile every time we drive up.

Continuing with the changes, we've painted, ripped out dead trees (lots in the back yard), assembled a space-ship-looking shed that could double for a bomb shelter and for a biggest and most recent completed project... re-tiled the down stairs. It took forever, but it looks awesome!!! That's all I am going to say about that.

Ty and I have been blessed beyond measure. Mom and Dad Biggs have helped us so much. It's been a huge help to have Dad's expertise and his tools :o) so close by. Most of our projects would be a lot more expensive if we would have had to go out and buy the tools, so Dad, "thank you, thank you, thank you"! Also, during our tile project, I think we were doing laundry and cooking meals at mom and dad's for a good two months. I think we're relieved, on both sides, that we again have a functioning kitchen and laundry room, though they never complained once.

Of course the projects are never finished, but with the baby coming, I think they may at least slow down for a bit, or at least we'll stick to the smaller, weekend projects!

It's starting...

The past year, Ty and I both have had several requests for us to join Facebook or begin a blog. With just the two of us, even though much has happened since we've been married, we haven't felt any overwhelming urge to begin "blogging". Nevertheless, I have recently been inspired by my sister-in-law Jen, and feel now is a good time to start. Jen helped me realize that with so much family living far away, having a blog is a great tool to help us all feel a little more connected, not to mention a perfect way to journal and keep a record of family outings and events. So even if this blog is only viewed by a few, I am excited to try it out and document the wonderful life I have been so richly blessed with.

Speaking of family, and perhaps biggest reason people will view this blog, our little family of two is growing to three! We are so excited for our little baby boy to arrive and bless our home!



It's no secret, his name will be Bryce Bowen Carlson and if he moves as much when he's out as he does now, Ty and I have our work cut out for us! He'll be with us around the 15th of May, give-or-take, so you can anticipate pictures after that. (No promises, it may take a good month ;o)

People keep commenting that we may end up with a girl. Well, if that is the case, we would still be thrilled, however, I will have lost all confidence in the technology of ultrasounds. As shown in two ultrasounds, Bryce is already very proud of his man parts. We hope and pray he won't always be so willing to display them.



I guess this is it for now. A brief update of Ty and I and our past year will come shortly - once I get better at this and make sure I know what I am doing.