Happy Fourth Anniversary!

On our fourth anniversary I'd like to do something a little special for the blog and write our story...however long it will take. We'll see how well I remember everything...

August 2007: I moved to Thatcher and started school at Eastern Arizona College. There was an opening social held by the institute at the ball fields which included food, music, and dancing. It's also the same day Sophie and I started hanging out. Our anniversary is sort of our friendship anniversary too with the Weech's. Anyways, Don was not going to school that semester yet. He was living in Mesa at the time, but came to visit his parents that weekend and crashed the party. He told me he saw me and said I was cute and wanted to date me the next semester.

Snowboarding

January 2008

Later that semester, Don and I "technically" met even though I didn't remember him at all. His friend, Aaron, was sort of dating Sophie (I say sort of because she was just waiting for Phil to get home from his mission). Aaron convinced Don to go to Thatcher one weekend with him to see Sophie even though Don really didn't want to go. The only reason he went was because Aaron told him that Sophie was friends with me. And when they came to Sophie's apartment there I was sitting on my boyfriend's lap being all smoochy. Yeah, you can say it, I was a hussy. That was why I didn't remember meeting Don. Don did not have a good weekend.

So Spring semester came and Sophie and Don were in a class together. We "officially" met at a dance. Sophie introduced us and I told her I thought he was cute. Later, Don told her he wanted to ask me out and she gave him my number. (This is so high school, right?!) I get a text from Don saying, "Can I have your number?" He didn't want to be creepy having my number without asking for it. I was thinking who is this weirdo? Don was really nervous to ask me out on a date and let me tell you our first date was so AWKWARD. It started out with Don saying, "Man, it's cold out tonight..." then wonderful awkward me says, "Well, I hope you brought a jacket cause I'm not keeping you warm!"

Going to a dance

April 2008

Surprised we made it to a second date? Me too. Don was good at creating fun dates. We went on Mount Graham with a bunch of people and watched a scary movie and had a bonfire. And this was another awkward moment. We were sitting on camp chairs and I wanted to make a cuddling move and put my head on his shoulder, but the camp chairs were too far away and wouldn't allow it so my head pretty much just rested on my own chair. So Don tried to put his arm around me, but it was uncomfortable. Then on the way home he told me all about his recent ex girlfriend and how they were going to get married and she all the sudden broke it off on Christmas over the phone. A little much for only a second date, but we both were getting over bad break ups so it was nice to have him to talk to. And that's what I instantly loved about Don. I could be completely honest and say anything without being judged or anything. I felt completely myself around him despite all that breaking the ice awkward beginning.

Other dates included going snowboarding, going to Red Knolls, making tin foil dinners, and he took me to a special secluded spot, played music in the car and danced with me. Don didn't kiss me for two weeks after we started dating. Funny thing was that Phil and Sophie and Don and I had our first kiss the same night. The four of us watched a movie together that night and Don and I kissed on the floor and Sophie and Phil kissed outside on the front step. So romantic haha.

(Yes, we're matching again.)

Before we took a motorcycle ride to Mesa

April 2008

I did break up with Don once before spring break. Anyone who knows Don knows that he is extremely sarcastic and I was not used to that. I also got offended way too easily. This may sound terrible, but I was used to guys groveling at my feet saying how wonderful and perfect I was (may sound nice, but it was annoying) and Don was not that way. I wanted someone that was real. Don told me when I was being a butt. I have never fought with anyone so much in my life! But it was good for me. Don appreciates my good side AND my bad side. That's when I figured out that he was the guy for me. We got back together a week later. I saw him at the institute and we started talking again and we ended talking for 2 hours on the curb just about anything and everything.

In May I went home to Idaho and brought Don to meet my family. When I dropped him off at the airport we sat and talked for awhile. That's when we talked about marriage. He said, "I could marry you." and I said the same thing. It felt weird saying bye to him. It just didn't feel right. I stayed home for a week and decided I had to go back to Arizona. Don's parents graciously let me stay at their house that summer.

In Idaho

May 2008

Our engagement...neither of us remember what day we got engaged! How sad. It was either the end of May or the beginning of June. After church we went up on Mount Graham and had a picnic. He took me on a four wheeler ride and I totally knew it was going to happen. I just wanted to reach in his pocket and say, "AHA!" But of course, I didn't. We were on this really pretty cliff and he said, "Woah! What's that?" I turned and looked, but nothing was there and said, "What are you talking about?" When I turned back around he was down on his knee. It made me laugh.

The spot where we got engaged

Mt. Graham

May or June 2008

Showing off the ring to the family

The next couple months of our engagement were the worst months of my life. Seriously. For many many reasons. It felt like everything was against us to get married, but we did it! We were married August 7, 2008. Right after we got married it started pouring and I wouldn't have it any other way. That's what made it so fun and so memorable. Don still carried me through the threshold when we were drenched and the ground was slippery. We had a honeymoon in Sedona and after hiking and exploring we went back to the hotel and watched the olympics among other things ;) so it's kind of fun watching the olympics now and remembering that.

The Big Day

August 7, 2008

Now here we are four years later, a family. The longer our marriage, the more I love my husband. He is fun and crazy and I have so much fun with him. We are COMPLETE opposites in just about everything, but that's why we go together. You...complete...me...

All ready for our hot date.

Don wanted to take a picture with out medals haha 

we're trying to look tough

And of course we did not take a normal picture

August 7, 2012

Love you, Donald! Happy Four Years!

Carter the Vampire

You see how Carter's tongue is half white half pink?

The last couple weeks have been very tiring. First it was the vomiting that lasted for days then a couple days of relief and now Carter has been biting his tongue. Has anyone had this problem?!

So, a few nights ago Carter woke up crying so I went in his room and his bed looked like a crime scene. There was blood everywhere! Carter was laying on his stomach and when I flipped him over his mouth was gushing blood. He looked like a little vampire. He had been biting the side of his tongue really hard. And he kept doing it all night long! I had a bad mom moment and I called him an idiot at one point. I just don't understand why you would keep doing something that hurt! I thought he was going to bite it off. 

The next night he did the same thing except not as bad, but he was up crying and screaming in pain all night. He nibbled on his tongue a little when he was getting his front teeth so I think maybe one of his molars or some other tooth is coming in? All I know is that the last few days have been hell especially at night. Today is the first day he has actually acted more normal. Poor kid. The side of his tongue is disgusting looking. It's all white and swollen and it hangs out all day so he's especially drooly. Luckily today it looks a lot better. Thank goodness for orajel and tylenol! That stuff saved my sanity!!

If anyone's kids do or have something uncommonly weird, Carter has probably done it or had it. He's always full of surprises.

Insanity did not go well this week. Fail. I haven't done it for the last 3 days so I'll probably start this week over next week. 

Oh and Don and I are giving talks tomorrow in church (my first time). It's giving me an anxiety attack. I rather dance like an idiot in front of everyone than talk.

This is probably one of the most whiniest posts I've ever written. If you made it through you must be a good friend.

Warrior Dash

I have way too many things to post about. So I'm breaking it down slowly so I don't do a massive boring post. A couple weeks ago, Don was asked last minute by a friend, Ryan Williams, to do the Warrior Dash in Florence.  The warrior dash is a 3 mile obstacle course. It contains ropes to climb, being doused with water, jumping over fire, crawling through mud...etc. Sounds like fun, right? I want to do it next year! This year I just hung out and took pictures with the girls.

Lining up at the starting line. They had everyone make viking horns. It was 87 degrees at 9 am.

Tanner Williams, Ryan Williams, and Don

Don punching Ryan to get pumped up

And they're off!

I had to take a picture of these guys. These were young guys dressed up as old men with a walker, cane, and oxygen tank. There were lots of people dressed up in weird costumes, but these were my favorite.

The last obstacle: crawling under barbed wire in a mud pit

There goes Don! Please excuse the 12 year old voice

Go, Don!

Getting the medal is worth it

I'm so proud of my husband. What a man!

Because my Blog Needs More Pictures of my Baby

The Little Man in Action

As of yesterday, Carter now rolls! I hardly ever give him tummy time so I was super surprised when I laid him on his back and the next minute I looked down and he was on his stomach! He doesn't like being on his belly for too long, but he'll eventually figure things out. I love witnessing all of his milestones. I can't believe he's four months old! Time goes by way too fast.

I also have a story that some of you know about from Facebook and I have to write it down because I am still in shock at this old lady. Maybe I'm a little dramatic, but this is the first time someone almost hurt my baby and the mother bear in me unleashed. Yesterday I had to pick up a few things from Wal-Mart for my niece's birthday party. I was just walking when this old lady on a motorized cart t-boned my cart. Carter's car seat flew backwards and upside down in the cart. She was lucky he was strapped in. I didn't even know that was possible. She was coming from the opposite direction and apparently wanted to hurry and rush into the isle instead of waiting for me to pass by. I was furious, sort of embarrassed, and panicked about Carter. And what did I do? I just shook my head and walked away. She didn't even say sorry or anything! I had lots of bad cuss words running through my head so I guess it's a good thing I kept my mouth shut. Note to self: Wal-Mart and old people are a dangerous combination.

What a Weekend

Well, we are officially in the process of moving. We are completely out of our apartment, staying at Don's parents' place until our house closes September 15th!! Living with his parents is a lot harder this time around with a baby, but Grandma and Grandpa have really enjoyed spending time with little man who is now 10 weeks.
Labor Day weekend was quite eventful for us. Don's parents, his brother and his family and us went camping on Mount Graham. Luckily for me, Carter and I slept in Don's parents' trailer so we stayed nice and warm. I had never slept with him before and I really enjoyed it! I woke up in the middle of the night and somehow he had scooted all the way to my pillow and I opened my eyes and his tiny little face was all looking at me. He just makes my heart melt! We went up Friday and spent the night. It was sooo nice to get out of the heat! We even got to enjoy a little rain. The drive and mountain air didn't seem to bother Carter at all. He did great! And he looked so cute all bundled up! Apparently he grew overnight because he doesn't wear 0-3 month clothes anymore. All the clothes I brought were a little small, oh well.
We had to go back home Saturday because Don had to work a graveyard shift and we decided to go back up again Sunday morning after he got a little nap. As we hit hwy 191 by Jobi's gas station we got in an accident. A lady was pulled over on the side of the road and made a U-turn right as we were coming. We honked and only slightly slowed down thinking that she was going to see us, but she never did. Don pulled into the turning lane so she only got the passenger side of us. No one was injured, but both cars got towed. I'm pretty sure our car is fixable, but hers was absolutely munched. Her airbags went off and the front of her car was ripped to shreds. Carter just let out a little yelp and that was all, it just scared him and me of course. I was surprised how my mommy instincts kicked in. When things like that happen it's like a slap in the face and makes you really grateful for everything you have. It could've been worse, we're truly blessed.
My cousin Ty gave us a ride home (thank you!) and we still wanted to get into some cooler weather so we headed up the mountain in our Lincoln aka: the SS Thompson. We got quite a ways up until it over heated. We pulled over and had hardly any water, but luckily a family stopped and had some big jugs. We had pulled over in a perfect spot that had a spicket nearby so we could fill up the jugs with water. After an hour we FINALLY made it to our camping spot! It was worth the trip, we really enjoyed ourselves. We ate lots of crap, played catch with the kids, and quoted Brian Regan by the campfire.

Our camping faces...his is a whole lot cuter

 He is a smiley little boy

 I have the cutest baby in the world, hands down. At one time his hood was covering his face and he let out a few grunts and we looked over at him and cracked up.

 My mountain man

 Our campsite

 Don being a weirdi. He has an axe in his hammer loop and a soda in his pocket.

Carter's laughing already, I have heard nothing cuter in my life

The Waiting Game

I don't know what to do with myself now that I'm out of work. My house is super duper clean. This week my plug came out and I've been having lots of cramping, Don and I were getting really excited that labor might start soon. Well, we went to the doctor yesterday and I'm still dilated just about the same as last week dang it all! But it's a blessing since we're getting sealed TOMORROW :) :) :) (which deserves a triple happy face). Our families are coming down so it will be a good distraction for us too. I wouldn't mind going into labor Sunday though!! yes, YES??

Don has been so funny. He's been restless about me going into labor. Every time he leaves the house to go to work or something he tells me, "Now call me right away if you go into labor!" And the other night (this is disgusting, but I'm telling y'all anyways) I had a bowl of ice cream and watched a movie on the couch. When I got up I totally threw up...sicknasty. I don't know why, I think I just had eaten too much. Don jumps off the couch and says, "Are you in labor?!!?" Hahahaha antsy much? We both are.

We would really like to see you soon, Carter. My belly isn't as comfortable as you think. There's a nice spacious world out here with parents who want to hold you and love you and squeeze your little cheeks and kiss your tiny nose.

IT'S A BOY!!!

There's no doubt this little monkey is a boy!! The ultrasound was awesome! And he was not bashful at all as you can tell. He's perfectly healthy and we couldn't be happier. I couldn't sleep the night before because I was so excited to see him. He's so darn cute and we love him to pieces already! And I'm sorry my blog is now all about baby, but it's all I can think about!

(So please aunt mari, no gay unicorn blankets! hahaha)