Madisen's 1st day of 3rd grade....

We made it through a really fun summer and Madisen started back to school on Monday August 18th. She was extra excited because she has one of the best 3rd grade teachers EVER!!! This will be a wonderful change from last year.... She was definitely ready to go back to school. I think was ready too. :0)

Madisen's baptism gift

So one tradition that Jared's parents started was that they would take any grandchild that was baptized to "Build-a-bear" and they could pick out what they wanted. Madisen so looked forward to this for a long time.

Grandpa Andersen took her to the store. I asked Jared to go along so that Madisen would not bankrupt her grandparents!

She picked out this super cute bear. She picked out this outfit because it looked "High School Muscialish"!

The biggest news of all!!!

Ok - so you may be wondering why I have not posted to this blog for almost 7 weeks now. Why would I let things get so out of control? I usually am more organized and more on top of things.
Anyway - I found out the 2nd week in July that I was expecting. Jared and I were totally shocked. I was about 7 days late with my cycle and he told me to take a pregnancy test. I did not want to because we have taken pregnancy tests and ovulation tests for 7 years now just to be disappointed. So - I went ahead and took the test before going to bed. It came up positive almost immediately! I was completely shocked. Jared was so excited. We can hardly believe it!
Most of my time has been spent at work or asleep. I have been SO tired with this pregnancy. Some days are worse than others as far as feeling sick. I almost have welcomed the feeling sick (sort of) because then I knew I was going to keep this pregnancy.
So two weeks after that I was at work and asked one of my co-workers if she would take a look and see if there was anything even there by ultrasound. She looked and told me she thought there were two sacks. I could have died. Another co-worker looked the next week and sure enough there were two sacs with two heartbeats!!! So right now- I am 11 weeks pregnant with twins....
We were not even trying anymore. We had decided to start our adoption file with LDS Family Services. We had given up on having any more of our own. No fertility drugs, no ovulation tests - just pure Heavenly Father decided it was time.

All I know is that Heavenly Father has His own time frame and only He knows why He has it. I know that He has a purpose and reason for everything that happens in our lives. He is the creator and loves us and knows the desires of our hearts. He blesses each of us accordingly.

Enjoy this video from the day we told Madisen she was going to be a big sister. My family is also there and knew that we were pregnant, but not with twins.


We also told Jared's family this past Sunday. Many of the ladies in the family had had dreams that we were having twins. Funny how the Spirit works through the ladies!!

Idaho for a quick trip

Madisen and I took Wynter home and while we were there my sister was able to get us tickets to the Twin Falls Idaho Temple open house. The temple was beautiful inside and we had a lot of fun. Great Grandma Mills was able to go with us too. The chaperones in the temple kept asking Grandma if she wanted to take the elevator or needed a wheelchair. She politely told them "no" and she preferred to walk because she could. Afterwards we went to Sizzler for some yummy lunch! It was so good to spend a special day with some of our favorite people.

Finally done!!!

Yes I can officially say that I finished school!!! I am SO happy to be done. July 28th was the last official day of school in the Ultrasound Program. I cannot believe how fast the last two years have gone. I would not under any circumstances want to start over again though either. It was a really tough program, but has proven to be worth every hard, frustrating, fun moment.

2nd week in July

Madisen's cousin Wynter from Idaho stayed with us for 8 days this summer. We had a lot of fun. Wynter is such a well behaved kiddo. We love her so much!! She really showed Madisen how to not be so spoiled.

We spent the time at the water park with other cousins (BLAST!!), shopping, going to the Gateway Discovery Zone (I would highly recommend this) and at swimming lessons. It was a fun 8 days and we hope that Wynter will come and stay with us again next summer.

We know that Wynter really missed her family while she was with us, but she was such a joy to have around. We love you Wynter!!

Shopping and swimming lessons

At the Discovery Zone at Gateway....

Major catching up!!!

I cannot believe how fast time has gone. So much has happened in the last few weeks. I have definitely learned that it does not pay to get behind in your blogging.

Madisen was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 5th. As her mom, it was one of the most joyful and happy experiences of my life. It was amazing to see my child make a decision, which was totally hers, that will have eternal consequences not only for her, but for her children, etc.

We had lots of friends and family that supported her. I appreciate everyone's help and support in Madisen's decision. After Madisen's baptism we had a get together at our house. We had yummy Hawaiin haystacks, cake, cookies and more food! It was a lot of fun to have everyone together. It was the perfect day!!!