East Coasters. . .

I think every young couple (and individual) has their struggles. Some with family, some with schooling, some with employment, some with finances, some with getting pregnant. That's not to say that many people aren't faced with more than one of these trials.

My mister and I both finished our degrees at BYU; he got a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I in Recreation Management. We were married in December of last year, and our "young couple struggle" has been unemployment. Having decided to start a family early and on me staying home, meant this search was for Matthew, rather than myself. The first few months of marriage were filled with online applications, phone interviews, and then a few fly-outs for interviews. Some jobs felt really right, were just what we were looking for, and then didn't work out. Others were duds overall. Some sounded AMAZING and had incredible pay as part of their offers, but just didn't feel right. If you've ever been unemployed (and expecting a baby to boot), I'm sure you can imagine it's hard to say no to a job with no exact promise of another. Some people thought we were crazy. But, there's much to be said for prayer and personal revelation.

In May of this year, my mister flew out to upstate New York for an interview. Actually, when he was applying online back in February or March, I remember him asking me, as he sat behind his computer, "Would we ever live in Iowa? Pennsylvania? California? etc..." As you can imagine, the variety of places I said yes to increased with the amount of time we job searched for. I specifically remember him asking about upstate New York; I remember thinking "It's really cool up there...we probably wouldn't ever end up living there...but, sure...why not." And telling him to go ahead and apply.

I don't think I REALLY thought it through. And, as much as I did think it through...it was more for fun and "well, why not", than for actually having thought we'd end up moving there.

Well, that company contacted us and wanted to fly Matthew out for an interview. I think the person on the other line asked only two questions when he talked to Matthew. 1) Whether or not we'd be okay to wait for a security clearance to go through before starting work, and 2) If the GPA on his resume was actually his GPA. After hearing Matthew's responses, he told him they wanted to fly him out. Boom. Easy as that! What??

Matthew asked me about flying out. I think my mentality was, again, the "hm. why the heck not", rather than, "oh, wow. We could end up moving to New York if/when we get this job." Ha, again, for those who have experienced job searches, I think the idea is more just getting a job, rather than what and where.

Well, the time came for Matthew to fly out for his interview.

He.loved.it. 

The location, the company, the people, the job. His biggest concern was me, and whether or not I'd be okay moving there.

Meanwhile....in Utah...I started actually researching upstate New York, and the area we would be living. From the start of the research, I didn't think there was a real chance of me feeling good about moving there. But, the more I looked at it--the area, the people, reviews of people who had lived there, the weather--the more I loved it. And, really, just felt amazing about moving there. This being said, I didn't want to sway Matthew towards moving there if he didn't want to.

Matthew called me after his interview and I could tell from his voice that something was different about this one. I could tell it was right. We were both worried about not wanting to push moving there too much (for the other's sake), but both felt amazing about it.

I'll never forget how insanely happy he sounded on the phone; his voice was totally different than it had been talking about any other interview or company.

One of those times you can just feel the "click", you know?

Well, we got the job. And, we accepted it, feeling amazing about the decision. With our acceptance came the need to wait for a security clearance. This clearance could take anywhere from 2 to 6 months. Or, even more. But, we felt right about it.

We accepted the job in May, and got the clearance last week. We've been on Cloud 9 since.

The wait has been long. Has our first year been as I might have pictured it? Probably not. But, like I said, every couple has their struggles. Every couple also has their blessings, godsends, and answers to prayers. I've learned that patience pays off. I've also learned that Matthew is my rock.

One of the greatest blessings is knowing you've made a decision that God wants you to, even if haven't seen results yet or things aren't panning out like you thought they would. This waiting game has been a lot like that.

Hearing the clearance finally went through last week was like Christmas :) We couldn't be more excited about this next phase of our lives. The fact that this adventure is going to take place with an additional new best friend for us just makes it that much more more awesome.

That being said, I'm grateful for the time Matthew and I had this year. I'm grateful for our struggles, fun times, and so, so stinking grateful for that boy. 

My dearest "2nd Aunt" sent me a picture yesterday from her recent trip to upstate New York; Schenectady is the city where Matthew will be working. 

Oh, and here's a link to part of the Taylor Swift song that has been the soundtrack of our life this week. Yes, we've listened to it more times than I can count.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81doBkpkdJQ

Week 38

Whelp, considering the fact that today is the 5th, Matthew's prediction (the arrow to the 30th), was a little off. It did, however, sure make me smile to see it drawn on our whiteboard. 

About four weeks ago, we went into the doctor and he told us I was dilated to 2cm.  They were shocked that I hadn't been having a lot of contractions. (Actually, any, to be more specific). He and the nurses went on to tell us that we could really have the baby any day, and that their money was on an October baby. Naturally, this news came as a bit of a shock. I kind of freaked out, considering we still hadn't gone to Target for a big run of everything we didn't have for baby yet, including the carseat for our little guy to get home from the hospital in. I mean, we were under the impression we had five more weeks to prep. . . 

It was on that particular visit to the doctor that we asked about travel, in case our clearance went through in the next few weeks and we had the chance to go house hunting or such. He told us that, if Matthew were going to St. George--he'd say go for it; if I go into labor, they can just call him and he can be back in time for baby. He did say, however, that New York would be a little far of a trip for that. Ha--what he didn't realize was that we were actually asking about ME traveling. When Matthew clarified, Dr. Empey said something to the effect of, "Oh, heck no. She shouldn't be going anywhere."

Ha, our appointment ended with him saying something like this: "Well, obviously I can see you're not in labor right now, which is the only reason we can let you go home...but that's not to say you won't be in labor tomorrow..." 

As you can imagine, the following few days consisted of a record-setting Target run (complete with registering for things as we threw them in the cart, so we could use that handy-dandy 15% off card), moving things from one closet to another, and filling baby's closet with all of his things. We had also been apartment hunting for something in the Salt Lake Area, but decided on staying put for the time being; nothing felt right. And, although we would have loved to have our own space for baby and us, we just felt better about staying. 

I have to say, making that decision and setting up the basinet, closet, and baby things brought SUCH peace to me. It was just such a comfort to know that we were ready for baby. Which was good, because, apparently, he could come ANY day. 

Well, it's been approximately four weeks since that appointment. haha. I have since decided that, no matter how dilated, effaced, or "in-labor" like I may be, I'm not going to expect a baby really....until my water breaks and we head to the hospital. haha. Every week I get more and more dilated--but, you know, I think he's just taking his dear sweet time and my body is just prepping for him. 

I laugh whenever people say things like, "Are you just SO ready for him to be OUT?!" 

Um...no. I'm fairly certain that the second labor starts, this whole pregnancy thing is going to be looking PRETTY nice in comparison. It's likely that it's because I've had such a great pregnancy, but, at this point, I really don't understand people getting induced early or even hoping baby comes early.

It could also be due to fear or the next phase and the unknown. Don't get me wrong--I'm SO excited to be a mom and to meet our little guy...but, with birth comes the possibilities of health problems, complications with labor, and, to be honest, just the fear that maybe he will be born with disorders, disabilities, or any wealth of health problems. It's a scary thing that I think all moms, especially, have on their minds--though many don't talk about. I can't imagine how much I'm going to love our little man, health problems or not. But I can also just imagine the huge relief I will feel if/when they hand him to us for the first time and he is healthy. Either way, I can feel that this little one is exactly who Heavenly Father wants in our family; I know he's been waiting to join us for SO long--and we've been waiting for him. 

A funny little tidbit for you: 

One of my favorite ways to sit in the pews at church is the put a hymn book on my lap, and then to lean forward and put my elbows on the hymn book. Since being pregnant, I have developed a need to give my stomach a little more room. . . So, what was once one hymn book became two hymn books, and what once was two hymn books, became two hymn books and my scriptures....and has since then become two hymn books, my scriptures, and my journal. haha, things sure tend to get crowded. I do have to laugh every time it comes time to add another book to the stack. 

Anywho. . . the wait for baby continues, and, (as I said), I'm perfectly okay with that. 

It is funny though, every night we go to bed. . . .you know how sometimes you'll leave a shirt, or book out, planning to pick it up the next day? My thought now is always, "if I go into labor tonight and we have to leave, I don't want to come back to this room with our little man and have it cluttered!" haha. I even put my scriptures in their scripture case, rather than leaving it unzipped, or leaving my scriptures just placed next to the case. I should live my life like I could go into labor every day. Our room would stay spotless. 

Dr. Empey also referred us to a pediatrician that we LOVE; we met him on Monday. Another relief--check! We randomly stopped into his office to meet him and get a feel for him, and he proceeded to sit down with us for 20 minutes on things to be aware of both before and after childbirth with baby. He answered questions I hadn't even thought of, and more. He wasn't as eccentric or outgoing as Dr. Empey (who we LOVE), but more soft-spoken--which, really, is what I'd want for a pediatrician anyways. His name is Dr. Brasher. The only sad part about all these doctors we love is that we'll be leaving them (ideally) in only a few short months. 

OH! Great story for you. I realize this post has gotten forever long...but, bear with me. I had a dream Saturday night that Matthew had gone to the hospital and had the baby without me. He didn't go into labor or anything--but somehow, in the dream, he went to the hospital without me and came back with our baby. It was SO sad! Baby proceeded to sleep for three days straight, and woke up talking like a toddler and looking more like a one-year-old. I asked him if he had gotten lots of pictures at the hospital, seeing as he was CLEARLY past the newborn phase (which broke my heart--because I had missed it!) Luckily, he had. However, our little guy was not so little anymore. I hadn't gotten to breast-feed him (okay, TMI, probably....but it's one of those things you hear about as being a type of bonding-time for mothers and children), and he only took bottles now. 

Ha, you might laugh and think it's ridiculous--but it was traumatizing! I kept feeling sad all day long, despite the fact that I knew it was only a dream. I think one of my fears is our little boy growing up way too fast, since that has been a recurring theme in my dreams while pregnant. Talking at a day old, running around as a toddler after two days. . . .

I tried to find a picture to post next to this story. Here are two that definitely DON'T relate... hahaha

Well, at least I sure hope they don't relate/aren't accurate.  

Halloween, turned awesome.

So, I found myself in an empty house last night, thinking I would spend the evening writing bills and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with trick-or-treaters or with writing bills/budgeting while my husband is away at work for the evening...but, I won't say I was completely STOKED about my plans for Halloween as I drove home from dropping my hubby off at work. When, lo and behold, what do I find in the mailbox, but a Halloween card from my dearest, most incredibly wonderful neighbor, Cathy. She and Lin are our godsends. They, if you recall, are also the ones who basically stocked us with an entire wardrobe of baby clothes on our last visit to Colorado. They are far too good to us. 

Anywho, along with this card was $20. So, you know what I decided to do? I decided to make friends with my Pinterest account, make a trip to Walmart, make use of my godsend gift, and turn on some Halloween music while getting my craft on. The following resulted: 

It was SO fun. I ended up taking some of the goodies to Matthew and his co-workers, which was so fun. AND, to top off the night, my mister got off work at 8PM, as opposed to 10:30, which is when he was supposed to. So, we finished off the evening with some quality time, and then snuggled up on the couch watching a scary movie. 

Isn't it amazing how far one thoughtful act goes? That card and gift made my day, it really did! I am so grateful for thoughtful people like Cathy, for Pinterest, and for sudden resolves to make what might have been a lamer night...a better night :) Granted, that resolve was mostly inspired by her sweet surprise in the mail, rather than my awesome attitude....but, I sure am grateful!