Embracing the Beautiful Chaos: Life Updates on Pregnancy, Moving, and Back-to-School Adventures
Life has a peculiar way of throwing everything at you all at once, doesn’t it? As I navigate the final stretch of my third trimester, almost eight months pregnant, amidst a recent move, and the flurry of back-to-school routines for the kids, I find myself in a state of delightful, yet utterly exhausting, chaos. If I’m being honest, a long nap sounds like an absolute dream right now. But with the energy of this particular General Conference Saturday filling the air, napping is simply not an option. So, instead, I thought I’d share a little glimpse into our current world – a candid update for those curious about our latest adventures.
Back to School: A Mix of Emotions and Milestones
The return to school always marks a significant shift, but this year felt particularly poignant for both Cade and me. There’s an inherent bittersweetness in sending our children off for another year of learning and growth, knowing they’ll spend a good portion of their day away from home. This year, the emotions were amplified as our youngest officially started Kindergarten. For years, we yearned for another child, trying to find peace with the possibility of our family feeling complete. Watching her embark on this new chapter made it feel like she was growing up far too quickly, closing a chapter we cherished deeply.
Then there’s our oldest, who feels like she’s slipping through my fingers, maturing at an incredible pace. It feels like just yesterday she was a toddler, and now, before we know it, she’ll be off to college, leaving a significant void in our home. At nine years old, she embodies an fascinating blend of traits: a remarkably keen listener who can pick up on every conversation, an eloquent chatterbox who can talk your ear off, a strong-willed individual with a clear opinion, and a natural leader when it comes to her siblings. Yet, beneath all that spirited energy lies a profoundly tender heart, an unwavering desire to please and do good, and a surprising depth of understanding. While I constantly strive to maintain my patience – a continuous work in progress – I know this remarkable little girl has so much to teach me about life, and I’m committed to letting her lead the way in those lessons. These formative years are precious, and witnessing their individual journeys unfold is truly a privilege.
Our New Home: A Journey of Faith, Renovation, and Fresh Starts
Amidst the back-to-school rush and the deepening stages of my pregnancy, we embarked on another monumental task: moving into a new home. This wasn’t just any move; it happened during my seventh month of pregnancy, coinciding with a week packed with countless doctor’s appointments, maternal-fetal medicine consultations, and blood work. And yes, let’s not forget the dreaded glucose test and the rhogam shot. We certainly know how to pile things on, don’t we?
Our home story is a testament to perseverance, a journey two years in the making. There were moments when we questioned if we were truly following divine promptings or simply being a little crazy with our decisions. Yet, through every doubt and challenge, everything aligned perfectly. We felt at home, truly at peace, from the very moment we started bringing in the first boxes. This house feels like it was meant for us.
Designing Our Sanctuary: Embracing White and Welcoming Change
We’re excited to share some of the transformations we’ll be making over the next few years, but our first project involved bringing more white into the home. I absolutely adore the clean, fresh feeling it brings. I know not everyone shares my enthusiasm – some of you were quite vocal about preferring color, and I appreciate your honesty! However, for us, white feels fresh, bright, and brings an undeniable sense of happiness and calm to our living spaces. It’s truly incredible how a simple color palette can so profoundly impact your mood and the overall ambiance of a home. We believe in creating a sanctuary, and for us, white sets that serene foundation. We look forward to sharing more about our interior design choices and home renovation progress as we settle in.
Kids to the Rescue: Unpacking and Painting with Our Incredible Helpers
One of the most heartwarming discoveries during this intense period was just how incredible and capable our children are. Our oldest, with her innate organizational skills, truly shone, helping us unpack and settle in just under two days – a feat that would have taken us weeks otherwise! Her dedication and methodical approach were invaluable. Our youngest proved to be incredibly handy during the painting phase, taking charge of screwing on light switch plates. Of course, this came after a very serious conversation about the dangers of electricity to ensure her safety. It all went smoothly, and witnessing their eagerness to help and their surprising competencies made the moving process much smoother and more enjoyable. It truly showed us the strength and resilience of our family unit.
Decorating Our Dream Home: Finding the Perfect Rug and Genius Hanging Solutions
The decorating process is, as expected, a slow and deliberate one. We’re taking our time to ensure each piece contributes to the overall feel we envision for our new home. We recently turned to our amazing community on Facebook for advice, asking for your votes on which rug from RugsUSA you liked best. We ultimately went with the beautiful option on the left, and we are absolutely thrilled with the choice. We can’t wait for it to arrive and complete the space! A rug isn’t just a floor covering; it’s a foundational element that can define a room’s style, add warmth, and provide comfort. The anticipation of seeing it laid out is building!
Home Decor Hacks: Discovering Picture Hanging Loops
In other home improvement news, I recently stumbled upon these incredible picture hanging loops at Lowe’s. Have you seen them? They are an absolute game-changer! No hammer needed – you simply push the sharp end through the drywall, and a clever loop flips up and braces itself securely inside your wall. The best part? These sturdy little devices can hold up to 50 lbs! Booyah! This means no more struggling with finding studs or patching unsightly holes. For anyone looking to hang artwork or photos effortlessly and securely, these picture hanging loops are a must-have tool. They’ve made decorating our new walls so much easier and less daunting, truly simplifying the process of personalizing our space.
A Delightful Baby Shower and Cherished Friendships
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, I had the immense pleasure of being celebrated at a beautiful baby shower. My wonderful friends, Deborah from Taste and Tell and Alyssa from The Recipe Critic – two of my absolute favorite people – co-hosted an unforgettable event. We gathered at Rodizio Grill, an incredible Brazilian steakhouse that served more pao de queijo than I could possibly handle (and believe me, I tried!). This shower was a joint celebration for myself and Tiffany from Creme De La Crumb, who is expecting twins and is patiently waiting to discover their genders! The entire afternoon was nothing short of wonderful – a perfect blend of delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and genuine joy.
The guest list was a gathering of incredible talents from the blogging community, including the hostesses from Taste and Tell and The Recipe Critic, along with Creme De La Crumb, Barbara Bakes, Like Mother Like Daughter, Eat Cake For Dinner, The Stay at Home Chef, Your Cup of Cake, and Chef in Training. We spent hours laughing, chatting, and simply enjoying each other’s company. It’s moments like these, surrounded by supportive and inspiring friends, that truly nourish the soul and make the journey of life, and especially pregnancy, feel even more special. The camaraderie and shared experiences within this community are something I deeply cherish.
Eight Months Pregnant: The Bittersweet Countdown
Next week, I will officially be eight months pregnant, and I find myself in a perplexing emotional space, struggling to fully articulate how I feel. Physically, the exhaustion is profound; sleep has become a distant luxury, and unfortunately, the nausea and sickness have returned, mostly plaguing my nights. While it’s certainly not ideal, I want to emphasize that it’s nowhere near the debilitating intensity of my previous struggle with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). I could absolutely handle this level of discomfort for the remainder of the pregnancy, a testament to how truly challenging HG was. For those interested, you can read about our initial pregnancy announcement, our battle with Hyperemesis, and my journey recovering from HG.
My emotional struggle stems from a profound sense of bittersweet anticipation. We absolutely cannot wait to meet our little man and feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that we get to welcome him into our family. He is truly a miracle. Yet, there’s a part of me that wants to stay pregnant forever, knowing deep down that this is likely our last time experiencing this incredible journey. The hardest trials, without fail, always bring the sweetest blessings, and this pregnancy has proven that truth beyond measure. From the initial challenges to the current aches and joys, every step has led us closer to this precious new life.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your unwavering love and support throughout this entire process. Your thoughts, prayers, and kind words have truly carried us through the toughest moments, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Now, as the final weeks approach, it’s time to tackle the last-minute preparations and acquire everything we need, starting with a comfortable recliner rocker for those countless hours of snuggles. The countdown is officially on, and we are ready to embrace the newest member of our family with open arms and overflowing hearts.