Make Way for DA HOUSE!

Ok, that is a little mean. But that is how you feel when you're pregnant!

Below is NOT to do if you are decide to take maternity pictures.

Well, as many of you know, my sister is an amazing photographer. (Click the link to see her stuff). So when it came time for maternity pictures, I wasn't too into the whole idea. Who decided it was a good idea to try and get your fat swollen house of a self ready and smiling in front of the camera? Crazy people. But with a little coaching I decided to go out. Problem is, I didn't go out when I was a cute pregnant. NO!!! I went out when I was almost due. I look at these the cringe a little, but I'm glad I get to look back at them now.

Isn't my hubby the hottest?

And of course Mr. Bentley had to get in on the action. 

So although I am large and in charge, I really do love to look back at being pregnant. There was something comforting about it. And I loved that people always held doors open, carried my things and that I got to part in the expectant mother parking at Harmons.

NOTICE: NO BABIES WERE HURT IN THE TAKING OF THIS PICTURE

I just really wanted to belly bump with Kaul. :)

Thanks lishie for taking us out and convincing me I needed to do them!

Eternal Perspective

It doesn't seem like I don't get to teach as much as I used to in church, and I've missed it! I would rather teach and give talks all day long rather then pray in front of a big group. (I know, weird. It's an issue I need to work on...) Anyway, I get to teach this week and the lesson is on Eternal Perspective. I love it when you get to study a lesson that really hits home and makes you reflect on your life. 

It's also neat that I am reading "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey and I am just to the chapter about having the end in sight. It all seems to go together just when you need it.

This is the little reminder I made the girls to remember to reflect on the were we want to be. 

I thought this story by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was amazing and I wanted to share it.

(Full story at lds.org.)

The Story of the Lightbulb, or Losing Sight of What Matters Most

"On a dark December night 36 years ago, a Lockheed 1011 jumbo jet crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing over 100 people. This terrible accident was one of the deadliest crashes in the history of the United States.

A curious thing about this accident is that all vital parts and systems of the airplane were functioning perfectly—the plane could have easily landed safely at its destination in Miami, only 20 miles (32km) away.

During the final approach, however, the crew noticed that one green light had failed to illuminate—a light that indicates whether or not the nose landing gear has extended successfully. The pilots discontinued the approach, set the aircraft into a circling holding pattern over the pitch-black Everglades, and turned their attention toward investigating the problem.

They became so preoccupied with their search that they failed to realize the plane was gradually descending closer and closer toward the dark swamp below. By the time someone noticed what was happening, it was too late to avoid the disaster.

After the accident, investigators tried to determine the cause. The landing gear had indeed lowered properly. The plane was in perfect mechanical condition. Everything was working properly—all except one thing: a single burned-out lightbulb. That tiny bulb—worth about 20 cents—started the chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic death of over 100 people.

Of course, the malfunctioning lightbulb didn’t cause the accident; it happened because the crew placed its focus on something that seemed to matter at the moment while losing sight of what mattered most."

It's so easy to get stuck on the little mishaps and things that don't matter. They keep us from taking in the whole picture and realizing what matters. This week I want to work on not sweating the small things and focus on what really matters. 

baby j's room.

It was so much fun working on our little guys room before he came. Everything just seemed to come together.

So, I'm probably a little too picky when it comes to baby room decor.

I looked and looked for little boy bedding and didn't like a thing I saw. So off to the fabric store me and my sister Andee went. I found these combos of super cute fabric in navy, apple green and aqua and decided, "Hey, I'm feeling ambitious. Why don't I make it myself?"

That thought will probably never cross my mind again... It took forever and cost just as much as buying one by the time you buy fabric, batting and all the foam for the bumpers. But I'm happy with how it all turned out! It might be a little girly for our little boy, but it's a baby, right? :) haha.

Here is a view of the overall room.

I love this crib. It was a gift from Kaulin's parents for all our future kids. 

 I also love the picture of Jesus with the kids over his crib. 

It is something pretty special to our family since it is all my brothers and sisters in the picture. They stopped printing the picture, but luckily my grandma has the original and my sister Lisha is a pro at the camera and photoshop. I think I want to add some sort of vinyl quote later on under the picture about being a child of God.

We really lucked out with the glider/recliner. I really wanted one that wasn't wood and had a good look to it. I found this green one online, but they still wanted a lot for it. Well one night, me and Kaulin were just sitting in the living room surfing the web for rockers, and here the chair was again, but this time 50% off for 3 days only! WOOHOO! Luckily Kaulin's sister Kierston lives in Vegas where it could be ordered in at the promotional price to avoid the crazy shipping costs.  

The curtains were store bought ones with matching fabric sewed on to match the bedding. The rug was from Target and seemed to go with the room perfect. And of course, a pillow owl! What would a room be without a pillow owl. :)

On the other side of the room are his dressers. One is for changing, one is for decor (thank you mommy for hooking a girl up with some dressers to re-finish. They work perfectly!). The bookshelf in the middle is just a $25 bookshelf from Wal-Mart with the back painted blue to go with the room.

I haven't had a chance yet, but these are the knobs going on the dressers. I love how different they all are. I know, the blue rose is REALLY girly. But again, it's a baby. I figure by the time he's 2 he will have something he is really into and I will want to change his room again to go with what he likes. :)

These cute sayings and frames were made by my super creative sister Reese for the baby. They are adorable and go with the room so well!

I can't wait to put these up on the wall.

We have such an awesome family. It seems like everyone had a little piece of the room they helped us with. We feel so blessed to have them around us!

Secrets Out

The secret is out! Yes, we've given into peer pressure and decided to have a kid.

We've told our family so it's safe to tell people. We are having the little one at the end of March. Waiting to tell everyone has helped make the the first trimester go so fast. (In my opinion) And we'll see what part 2 will be like.

 (Hopefully the holidays will help it go by faster too!)

Mr. Bentley is going to have some major competition! :)

Top Secret

When you first find out you have a little one inside of you, it almost seems unreal. I didn't feel much different other then just being tired all the time. Even when we went to see the my Aunt Tracy (Our O.B.) for the first time and saw little flutterbugs little heart flutter, it still didn't seem real. (Especially since I don't think I've been that bad. Maybe Kaulin thinks different! :)

 

We have decided not to anyone in our families yet. We figure, what's the rush until the first trimester has gone by. But it's been really hard! We always tell our families everything!

People just start to think you're a flake, your never want to hang out and are always eating foods you usualy would never touch. (Yes, I try not to eat fast food, but now when it's all that sounds good and I'm never hungery, I totally give in!) I've even had a few family member say something about what I was eating. ha. I'm sure they are catching on, but not saying anything. We will see soon. There just seems to be certain foods that no matter how much you want, you can't eat. Chicken and salmon are on the top of that list for me!

 

 

Things I can look back at and laugh one day:

• Crying over the milk being gone.
• Getting up to pee every night. I used to have a blatter of steel!
• Getting upset at church and not being able to stop crying the WHOLE sacrament. It was like I had a leaky valve. I honestly couldn't stop. It was aweful.
• Rushing to the bathroom at Kaulins parents house to spill everything i just ate, and then waltz back into the room and start back up with the converstation. Yuck.
• Trying to keep myself busy all the time so I don't have a chance to feel nauseated. Really, only at night.
• Lossing weight (Not good), but noticing I am getting a tummy pouch now.
• Being at Lake Powell with 20 people on a house boat and trying to keep a secret...

Me and Karli at the Lake :)

Half way though!

This week I am half way through my 90 day workouts. YIPEE! 

 I've learned a few things about myself.

1. I was SO out of shape!

2. Bangs are no good when you sweat.

3. Eating is boring now.

4. I can actually do a hand stand! (with help:))

5. I don't need mid-day naps anymore.

6. I actually have stared to crave working out and am sad when I miss a day.

Most of all

 I miss sushi and crave it all the time!

Thank goodness for cheat days!

All in all though, I'm kind of enjoying it!

My Adorable Family!

Aren't we just the cutest. ;)

The Boys

The sisters

And what is a family picture with out our little gigolo, Mr. Bentley!

I love you family! MWAH!