We had an appointment yesterday w/ Dr. Anderson, and we were able to find out what we are having!! We thought from a previous ultrasound done by one of the nurses at the hospital that it might be a girl, so when asked if we knew what the flavor was we told him we thought it might be a girl. He then informed us that what we were looking at on the screen was a little penis!! I was so surprized, I just exclaimed, "It is?! Really?!" I looked at Shayne and he was just smiling. :)
We were definitely ok w/ having a little girl, but we have both felt like we were having a boy from the beginning. So, to hear Doc tell us Shayne is going to have a little fishing buddy was a good feeling! I would post a pic of the ultrasound showing the little stem on the apple, but I'm in Anchorage @ Kaye's taking a class for my teaching certificate, so I'll post it next week. Just wanted to let everyone know. We are excited!! A little boy in October!! :)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Our Week...and the 20 Week Baby Bump
Shayne, me, Bo, and Tipz on Kasilof Beach
Wow! What a week. I actually have posted three different posts tonight, so make sure you check them all out. Sorry, but this is a long blog! Anyway...let me give a way too long description of what's been going on the past week in the Pond home:
Wednesday: Last day of classes, and high school graduations. Shayne and I went to both my school's graduation and Skyview's. My school recognized me, and gave me the most beautiful flowers at the graduation. The kids gave me a standing ovation as I accepted the flowers. What a great group of kids! They actually made me cry. Shayne worked that night as well.
Thursday: Last day of work for me. I cleaned my room, entered grades, and turned in my keys. It was actually really hard for me to leave. I have absolutely LOVED teaching at the Alternative H.S. They are some amazing kids, and a great bunch of teachers to work with. I'm going to miss them lots! Shayne didn't sleep, at all, but did a bunch of chores and what not around the house to get ready for our guests that were coming for Memorial Day weekend.
After work we met the vet at Corey's to have our 3 yr old horse colt, Cojo, "cut" or castrated. It didn't go as well as we'd hoped and we ended up being there for about 2 hours. It wasn't a pleasant experience for him...not that it would have been anyway, but it was made worse by his lack of cooperation. But...it got taken care of, and I now have a nice gelding to work with...I like that much better than having a stud horse to work with.
Jared, Kaye and Malia, and Ty, Liz and Zack showed up around 10:00 that night. We all stayed up way too late talking, but it was nice to see all of them.
Bo actually getting out into the water and retrieving the stick...he usually gets distracted and doesn't retrieve the stick! :)
Friday: We found out on Friday that Haakon, Lyndsay, and their kids, 5 yr old Corinne, 3 yr old Lauryn, and 14 mnth old Torstin, were coming down as well. They had a motor home to stay in, so just needed a parking space. They are a very fun family, and we loved having them here. Everyone was coming down, b/c the opener for King Salmon fishing was that Friday night at midnight. So, their plan, (and by "their" I mean, the men) was to drive down to the Ninlchik river and start fishing at midnight. They left @ 11:00 pm and didn't get home until about 7 am the next morning. I might add that Shayne was the only one to bring home a King. He hooked into three, landed two, but was only allowed to bring home one. Yeah for him! :) Us women stayed up way too late talking again, and just having a good time.
Shayne w/ one of the King's he landed. Doesn't he look warm?!
Saturday: After the men got home and got about anywhere from 2-4 hours of sleep depending on their kids, or lack thereof...they did a bunch of work around the house. They cut up a bunch of dead fall, and built a huge wood pile for fire wood. The place looks awesome!! A couple of us went into town and got groceries for our big BBQ. Shayne grilled up the King salmon he caught, and it was delicious! We had a blast just hanging out! Ty, Liz and Zack left shortly after the BBQ.
Sunday: We don't have church until 1pm on Sunday, so we got to sleep in again. Haakon, Lyndsay, and their kids left around 12:30, and the rest of us were planning on going to church. However, I got a call about 12:15 informing me that my newly gelded horse, Cojo, and been spooked the night before by a bear and had ran himself into a metal roping chute, built for small cows, had wedged himself in there and had been there for most of the night. He had a massive hole down to the skull in the center of his head, just above his eyes, and had scraped off most of the hair and hide on his back. We called the vet...again, and ran over there and met him. We had to anesthetize him...again...and he put about 12 stitches in the front of his head, and I clipped, cleaned and treated his massively scraped up back. Shayne helped the vet with the head, and even got to administer medication via Cojo's jugular...after he was asleep. Cojo was a little easier to work with this time, but it was b/c he was so exhausted from fighting in the chute all night. The poor horse has not had a good week! Needless to say we missed church, but Jared and Kaye were good and went any way.
Monday: Memorial Day. Kaye cut my hair, and then they left shortly after that. Shayne worked around the yard, pruning and cleaning up the raspberry bushes and mowing the yard. It looks so good...he's doing an awesome job! Later that afternoon we went to the Hansen's for a BBQ. The Swanson's, Wilson's, and Anderson's were there. It was pretty darn fun! Shayne then had to go back to work. I went over and doctored Cojo. I have to put some ointment on his back every day for about 2 weeks. He wasn't a huge fan of it tonight, but I did get some on. He's still awfully tender, but at least he's letting put some on.
I also took pictures of my 20 week baby bump. Keep in mind that I had just eaten WAY too much at the BBQ so my stomach is a little bigger than normal. :) I'm actually carrying way low, and most people are surprised to know I'm as far along as I am...if they recognize I'm pregnant at all.
The 20 week baby bump...I think Baby Pond went through a growth spurt the last couple of weeks.
Whew!! So that's been our week! It's been crazy, but that's what Alaska is like in the summer. It's just crazy. We actually have an ultra sound tomorrow, and then I head to Anchorage for a week to take a class for my permanent teaching certificate. Shayne has a basketball clinic this weekend, and then maybe headed to our ward's girls camp for a couple of days to help out as the Priesthood leader.
Gotta love summers in Alaska!! :)
Memorial Day
WELCOME TO SUMMER IN ALASKA!!
Malia being funny w/ Shayne's hat...she is CONSTANTLY on the move! But we love her anyway!!
Here are SOME pics of our visitors over Memorial Day weekend...I can't believe I didn't get any pics of Baby Z, and the rest of the Zollinger clan!! Sorry you guys!! :(
Anyway...It was kind of a crazy weekend, but we loved having all the company. Jared, Kaye and Malia, and Ty, Liz and Zack showed up Thursday night from Anchorage. Haakon, Lyndsay, Corinne, Lauryn, and Torstin showed up Friday night from Anchorage as well. (I'm sure I've spelled names wrong here, if so...I'm really sorry.)
The Johnson Family...minus Lauryn...who is probably...
Yup...here she is, walking into the water to wash the sand off her hands...again. :)
Shayne, Jared, Ty, Haakon, and Gordo (Ty's friend), went fishing on the Ninilchik river Friday night about 11:00 to fish for King's on the "opener", and got home about 6:45 am the following morning. They were crazy! The rest of us hung out at our house, stayed up way too late talking
Friday night, but slept in on Saturday.
Corinne w/ Tipz...isn't this the cutest picture?! She LOVES pets, but only has her beta fish, Mr. Squishy McGregor Johnson, to love. :)
Ty & Liz left Saturday early evening, and the rest of us went to the Kasilof beach to enjoy the sunny weather. The pics are from Kasilof beach. Haakon and Lyndsay and their family left Sunday morning, and Jared and Kaye left Monday afternoon.
The Tuia Family
Shayne did a bunch of yard work Monday, and then we went to a BBQ at the Hansen's w/ the Swanson's, Wilson's, and Anderson's. So, our weekend has been full of friends we've known for a awhile, and friends that we are just getting to know, and are so glad to call them our friends. It's been a good LONG weekend!! :)
My Shayne...
I was tagged by my friend, Daniele, to answer questions about my best friend and husband, Shayne. This is him this last weekend landing one of the three a King Salmon he hooked into (he landed two and the third came off.) He was the only one in his group of friends to do so, and he was also the only one not fishing bait...strictly flies with his fly-rod. That's my man!!
A-ATV of choice? Maybe 4-wheelers, but only with a helmet. He calls ATV riders (especially those w/o helmets) organ donors. He's a nurse in the ER...what can I say...he's not a big fan of ATV's
A-ATV of choice? Maybe 4-wheelers, but only with a helmet. He calls ATV riders (especially those w/o helmets) organ donors. He's a nurse in the ER...what can I say...he's not a big fan of ATV's
B - Born? July 9th
C-Cookies or Candy? If you've got milk...cookies. If you've got jelly beans...candy. He's not a big sweets fan though.
D-Date of Choice when you go out? Dinner and then Cold Stone
E-Essential Item? 4 piece, 5 wt, Winston Fly Rod w/ Nautilus Reel, and a full fly-box.
F-Favorite Foods? Eats pretty much anything (avocados and bananas the exception), but LOVES seafood...especially scallops.
E-Essential Item? 4 piece, 5 wt, Winston Fly Rod w/ Nautilus Reel, and a full fly-box.
F-Favorite Foods? Eats pretty much anything (avocados and bananas the exception), but LOVES seafood...especially scallops.
G-Gas or Diesel vehicle? We have gas powered vehicles, but Shayne's not much of an "engine" sort of guy.
H-Hobbies? Fly-fishing, Fly-tying, Fly-fishing, Fly-tying, and oh yeah...sports of all sorts (when he's not fly-fishing or fly-tying)
I-Ice Cream Flavor? LOVES any ice cream, but is completely happy with Vanilla with Chocolate Malt Ovaltine sprinkled on top.
J-Job? RN in the Emergency Room...see first comment.
K-Kids? First one on the way! :)
L-Last Vacation as a couple? Los Barrilles, and Cabo San Lucas Mexico in March.
M-Morning person or night owl? Chooses to work only nights in the ER...definitely a night owl.
N-Number of Siblings? 2 sisters, and 2 brothers. Oldest of all 5!
O-OCD or sloppy? He's a bit sloppy...I wish he was a little more OCD about something more than fly-fishing and fly-tying! :)
P-Pet Peeves? Dumb drivers, stupid people in the ER, and obnoxious tourists on the river in the summer.
Q-Quiet or Loud? Quiet in social situations, but loud at work and when comfortable around others.
R-Restaurant? Anything that serves really good food...there's a killer restaurant in Sitka, AK that he LOVED!
S-Sports? Any and all...baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, soccer, rugby, you name it, he likes to watch it...he's honestly almost as obsessed with sports as he is with fly-fishing and fly-tying. Good thing I like sports!
T-Tight wad or spender? Depends...he's good at being both. :)
H-Hobbies? Fly-fishing, Fly-tying, Fly-fishing, Fly-tying, and oh yeah...sports of all sorts (when he's not fly-fishing or fly-tying)
I-Ice Cream Flavor? LOVES any ice cream, but is completely happy with Vanilla with Chocolate Malt Ovaltine sprinkled on top.
J-Job? RN in the Emergency Room...see first comment.
K-Kids? First one on the way! :)
L-Last Vacation as a couple? Los Barrilles, and Cabo San Lucas Mexico in March.
M-Morning person or night owl? Chooses to work only nights in the ER...definitely a night owl.
N-Number of Siblings? 2 sisters, and 2 brothers. Oldest of all 5!
O-OCD or sloppy? He's a bit sloppy...I wish he was a little more OCD about something more than fly-fishing and fly-tying! :)
P-Pet Peeves? Dumb drivers, stupid people in the ER, and obnoxious tourists on the river in the summer.
Q-Quiet or Loud? Quiet in social situations, but loud at work and when comfortable around others.
R-Restaurant? Anything that serves really good food...there's a killer restaurant in Sitka, AK that he LOVED!
S-Sports? Any and all...baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, soccer, rugby, you name it, he likes to watch it...he's honestly almost as obsessed with sports as he is with fly-fishing and fly-tying. Good thing I like sports!
T-Tight wad or spender? Depends...he's good at being both. :)
U-Unknown Fact about him? He had open heart surgery at the age of 22 months, and he also worked for a year in Australia in 2003...he went there all by himself. Brave man!
V-Vegetables? Any, other than Avocados.
W- Worst Habit? Hmmm...he gets a little too intense and focused on fly-fishing and fly-tying and I have remind him about being non-sloppy. :)
X-Xtra Curricular activities in high school? Football, basketball (loved it...extremely competitive), golf, and National Honor Society (straight A student)
W- Worst Habit? Hmmm...he gets a little too intense and focused on fly-fishing and fly-tying and I have remind him about being non-sloppy. :)
X-Xtra Curricular activities in high school? Football, basketball (loved it...extremely competitive), golf, and National Honor Society (straight A student)
Y-Your favorite things about him? Wow...too many to list. He's very good at giving me hugs and kisses and telling me he loves me every day. And...when I'm having a day when I feel like punching someone, he loves me even more! He is sooo patient w/ me. How amazing is that?!
Z-Zodiac Sign? Cancer
Z-Zodiac Sign? Cancer
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Deep Creek Camping
So this past weekend we had our first camping adventure for the year. A group of our friends all got together and crashed the Deep Creek campground. We went with Darcy & Aaron, Becky & Miles, Angela & Eric, and Dave & Whitney, and their families. We camped right on the beach with an incredible view of Redoubt (one of the volcanoes in the area), on the horizon.
There were four-wheelers (Tipz LOVED them), and a trailer to haul the kids around, and they had a blast with it. Those of us who had dogs brought them, and they wore themselves out playing. Shayne and the "boys" went out on the ocean to fish for halibut. They didn't catch their limit, but had a good time. The "girls" spent a lot of time making sure kids didn't freeze to death b/c they couldn't stay away from the ocean, and just sitting around the camp fire. Anyway...it was fun. I couldn't ask for better friends.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Springtime In Alaska!!!
Greetings y'all, this is Shayne, thought I'd chime in on what's going on here with the Pond clan in the 907. This spring has been pretty good to me. I can't complain with the fishing as I've caught more fish this spring than any other since I've moved up here. There have been plenty of steelhead in the Kasilof that incidently is only about 15 minutes south of where Peps and I live. So with gas prices, 4.25/gallon as of right now, I'll be learning a new fishery which is fine with me. I could get used to catching fish that are around 30" long and fight hard just a few minutes from home. What more could a fishing bum want?
As for my wife, she has patiently put up with me this spring. She's also been working with her horse a little bit as she may have said in an earlier post. She finally got Cojo to lead, after finally getting a halter on him that he likes. That may have had something to do with it. She's also stayed busy being pregnant and reading all of the information that she can get her hands on. I'm starting to contribute by using the bbq more often as that's my preferred way to cook. It's also a lot easier for me to clean up. Just burn it off right!! Bo and Tipz take care of cleaning the bbq utensils that are hanging from the bbq, just don't tell our guests or pepper.
The weather recently really hasn't been that great. With the freakin' wind blowing makes it feel like Ririe when I was growing up. The temps have been in the 40's and 50's so the rivers are staying low and it's just not spring yet. Usually we have leaves by now on more than just a few raspberry plants. The moose aren't hanging so close to the house recently so have been missing them. Just getting the yard ready and the rods for fishing. Looking forward to the guests that will be coming up, though I don't think that it's as many as last summer.
For the record, the perk to working in the ER is that I have access to the sonogram machine so we can pretty much look at the baby whenever we want to which is comforting to Pepper and myself. It has been moving a lot lately which is nice for Pepper other than not letting her sleep very well.
Anyway I'm at work and sounds like business is coming in so I'll sign off. Hope all is well with the friends and family.
As for my wife, she has patiently put up with me this spring. She's also been working with her horse a little bit as she may have said in an earlier post. She finally got Cojo to lead, after finally getting a halter on him that he likes. That may have had something to do with it. She's also stayed busy being pregnant and reading all of the information that she can get her hands on. I'm starting to contribute by using the bbq more often as that's my preferred way to cook. It's also a lot easier for me to clean up. Just burn it off right!! Bo and Tipz take care of cleaning the bbq utensils that are hanging from the bbq, just don't tell our guests or pepper.
The weather recently really hasn't been that great. With the freakin' wind blowing makes it feel like Ririe when I was growing up. The temps have been in the 40's and 50's so the rivers are staying low and it's just not spring yet. Usually we have leaves by now on more than just a few raspberry plants. The moose aren't hanging so close to the house recently so have been missing them. Just getting the yard ready and the rods for fishing. Looking forward to the guests that will be coming up, though I don't think that it's as many as last summer.
For the record, the perk to working in the ER is that I have access to the sonogram machine so we can pretty much look at the baby whenever we want to which is comforting to Pepper and myself. It has been moving a lot lately which is nice for Pepper other than not letting her sleep very well.
Anyway I'm at work and sounds like business is coming in so I'll sign off. Hope all is well with the friends and family.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
18 Week Baby Bump
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!!
Yeah for Mother's!! I decided that I'd spotlight our own mother's today. They will probably kill us because of these pictures, but I think they are great! :)
This is a pic of me and my mom, Teri. I think this is my blessing day. Anyway...I am the first born of six kids, and that is pretty amazing. I say amazing, because my mom had SEVERE morning sickness during the entire 9 months of her pregnancies. Not only that, but at the age of 24, she had to watch while her 4 year old little girl had to undergo her first of 15 surgeries. My mom was 5 months pregnant at the time of my first surgery, and was pregnant during some of the others as well. So, not only was she very sick, she stayed in the hospital with me 24/7, never leaving my side, unless I had another family member to stay with me. Because of the nature of my surgeries, for a short time I was a four year old in diapers. So, there was a point in which my mom had 3 children in diapers!
My mom was a stay-at-home mom, which financially-wise, wasn't easy, but for us kids, was worth it. We may have been poor with money, but we never knew it! I had the best childhood! My mom was like our best-friend. She always had time to play with us. Whether she was getting us involved in her love or painting and crafts, or playing outside, she was involved. She is a great teacher. She taught most all of us piano, which I could never do!! She also taught me a lot about being patient and understanding.
But...most of all, my mom instilled in me early my testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ. My mom is one of the lucky few who was born with an inherent testimony of the Divinity of the Savior. Her faith, obedience, and diligence is a huge reason why Shayne and I are on our way to getting the miracle we have desired so strongly. She is the one who never gave up faith that I would have a child someday. We were told when I was 12 almost 13 that I would never have children. However, my mom never allowed herself to doubt I would have children. With her prayers, suggestions, encouragement, and love, Shayne and I are expecting our first child in October. She's not the only one who prayed and worked for us, but my mom was the one to helped me to realize that we needed more help than the medical community could offer. She's the one who helped coordinate the whole "create a miracle" that has been so successful for Shayne and I.
My mom has been one of my best friends my whole life. I'm so grateful I was blessed to be sent to a mother who was such an incredible example of what it means to have the true love of Christ. She truly is my hero! I love you mom!
This is a picture of Shayne with his mom, Jonette. I know she'll hate this picture, because I think she's about 6-7 months pregnant with his little sister. :)
Jonette's story as a first time mom is similar to my mom's, which is kinda crazy. Shayne is the first born of five kids. Jonette's pregnancies were pretty uneventful, which she is grateful for. However, when Shayne was one month old he was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect. They were referred to Primary Children's Hospital in SLC, which had not performed this particular procedure before, and had to consult with different pediatric cardiac surgeons across the country. So...Shayne had to wait until 22 months before he had this procedure performed. During this 22 months, he was a sick little boy. Jonette was only 20 when this whole ordeal started, and 22 when he had surgery. Shayne was constantly battling severe fevers in which he would have seizures, ear and upper respiratory infections, and so on. While his dad hated to see his little boy have seizures and would have to leave the room...Jonette always stayed with Shayne. She tells a story about how they were traveling and Shayne's fever was so high and would not break they literally stopped, pulled over, and put Shayne in a snow bank to cool off his little body. When if finally came time to have the surgery, they were told that he had a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgical procedure. Not only did she have to deal with the fact that her little boy had a 50% chance of not living through the procedure, she was pregnant again as well. I can't imagine going through that kind of emotional trauma. Well...we all know that Shayne was a little miracle. In fact, the picture is taken about 6 weeks after his one and only heart surgery. There were tens and even hundreds that were praying for Shayne, but I'm sure it was through the faith, prayers and obedience of his mother that Shayne survived.
Jonette has had to deal with a few trials in her life, and she has always remained strong in the gospel and her testimony of the truth. Her love of the gospel is evident in Shayne's unwavering testimony. She has been an incredible mom, and I know this because she has raised an amazing son who respects and loves me in ways I can't describe. She has been the most amazing mother-in-law I could ever ask for. I feel completely comfortable around her and in her home. She has so much love for her children and shows it every day. She has never referred to me as a daughter-in-law...to her I'm another daughter.
She has been a rock of faith as Shayne and I have gone through this ordeal as well. In fact, she has had to be a rock to two of her children, as Shayne's sister KayCee also dealt with infertility and is pregnant with twins. She has attended the temple every week, and has shared some incredible spiritual experiences as a result. She has been so instrumental in our success as well. She has been completely supportive, and I love the way she makes me feel so important. Even though she has a daughter there who is pregnant, she makes me feel like our pregnancy is the most exciting. I'm sure she does the same for KayCee, but I appreciate what she does for Shayne and I.
She is amazing because she had been completely supportive of Shayne as he has traveled around the globe living out his dreams. It had to be hard to let your little boy, that you were so close to losing, travel so far from home. But...she knows and understands Shayne and his need to be independent. I love her for that. I love her for all the ways she supports and loves Shayne and I.
I am so grateful for the blessing of having two incredible mothers in my life!! Happy Mother's Day!!
This is a pic of me and my mom, Teri. I think this is my blessing day. Anyway...I am the first born of six kids, and that is pretty amazing. I say amazing, because my mom had SEVERE morning sickness during the entire 9 months of her pregnancies. Not only that, but at the age of 24, she had to watch while her 4 year old little girl had to undergo her first of 15 surgeries. My mom was 5 months pregnant at the time of my first surgery, and was pregnant during some of the others as well. So, not only was she very sick, she stayed in the hospital with me 24/7, never leaving my side, unless I had another family member to stay with me. Because of the nature of my surgeries, for a short time I was a four year old in diapers. So, there was a point in which my mom had 3 children in diapers!
My mom was a stay-at-home mom, which financially-wise, wasn't easy, but for us kids, was worth it. We may have been poor with money, but we never knew it! I had the best childhood! My mom was like our best-friend. She always had time to play with us. Whether she was getting us involved in her love or painting and crafts, or playing outside, she was involved. She is a great teacher. She taught most all of us piano, which I could never do!! She also taught me a lot about being patient and understanding.
But...most of all, my mom instilled in me early my testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ. My mom is one of the lucky few who was born with an inherent testimony of the Divinity of the Savior. Her faith, obedience, and diligence is a huge reason why Shayne and I are on our way to getting the miracle we have desired so strongly. She is the one who never gave up faith that I would have a child someday. We were told when I was 12 almost 13 that I would never have children. However, my mom never allowed herself to doubt I would have children. With her prayers, suggestions, encouragement, and love, Shayne and I are expecting our first child in October. She's not the only one who prayed and worked for us, but my mom was the one to helped me to realize that we needed more help than the medical community could offer. She's the one who helped coordinate the whole "create a miracle" that has been so successful for Shayne and I.
My mom has been one of my best friends my whole life. I'm so grateful I was blessed to be sent to a mother who was such an incredible example of what it means to have the true love of Christ. She truly is my hero! I love you mom!
This is a picture of Shayne with his mom, Jonette. I know she'll hate this picture, because I think she's about 6-7 months pregnant with his little sister. :)Jonette's story as a first time mom is similar to my mom's, which is kinda crazy. Shayne is the first born of five kids. Jonette's pregnancies were pretty uneventful, which she is grateful for. However, when Shayne was one month old he was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect. They were referred to Primary Children's Hospital in SLC, which had not performed this particular procedure before, and had to consult with different pediatric cardiac surgeons across the country. So...Shayne had to wait until 22 months before he had this procedure performed. During this 22 months, he was a sick little boy. Jonette was only 20 when this whole ordeal started, and 22 when he had surgery. Shayne was constantly battling severe fevers in which he would have seizures, ear and upper respiratory infections, and so on. While his dad hated to see his little boy have seizures and would have to leave the room...Jonette always stayed with Shayne. She tells a story about how they were traveling and Shayne's fever was so high and would not break they literally stopped, pulled over, and put Shayne in a snow bank to cool off his little body. When if finally came time to have the surgery, they were told that he had a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgical procedure. Not only did she have to deal with the fact that her little boy had a 50% chance of not living through the procedure, she was pregnant again as well. I can't imagine going through that kind of emotional trauma. Well...we all know that Shayne was a little miracle. In fact, the picture is taken about 6 weeks after his one and only heart surgery. There were tens and even hundreds that were praying for Shayne, but I'm sure it was through the faith, prayers and obedience of his mother that Shayne survived.
Jonette has had to deal with a few trials in her life, and she has always remained strong in the gospel and her testimony of the truth. Her love of the gospel is evident in Shayne's unwavering testimony. She has been an incredible mom, and I know this because she has raised an amazing son who respects and loves me in ways I can't describe. She has been the most amazing mother-in-law I could ever ask for. I feel completely comfortable around her and in her home. She has so much love for her children and shows it every day. She has never referred to me as a daughter-in-law...to her I'm another daughter.
She has been a rock of faith as Shayne and I have gone through this ordeal as well. In fact, she has had to be a rock to two of her children, as Shayne's sister KayCee also dealt with infertility and is pregnant with twins. She has attended the temple every week, and has shared some incredible spiritual experiences as a result. She has been so instrumental in our success as well. She has been completely supportive, and I love the way she makes me feel so important. Even though she has a daughter there who is pregnant, she makes me feel like our pregnancy is the most exciting. I'm sure she does the same for KayCee, but I appreciate what she does for Shayne and I.
She is amazing because she had been completely supportive of Shayne as he has traveled around the globe living out his dreams. It had to be hard to let your little boy, that you were so close to losing, travel so far from home. But...she knows and understands Shayne and his need to be independent. I love her for that. I love her for all the ways she supports and loves Shayne and I.
I am so grateful for the blessing of having two incredible mothers in my life!! Happy Mother's Day!!
Catch Up
So...it's been a couple of weeks since I posted. It seems like sometimes I just lose motivation to do anything once I get home from work. So, I decided to update on a Sunday while Shayne's sleeping (he worked last night) before going to church. Here's what's been going on during the last couple of weeks...nothing too eventful, I promise. :)
*We've decided to "cut" our horse colt, Cojo, before breeding him. He hit puberty in the past couple of weeks, and has turned into a dingle-fritz. So...with the help of a good friend, Doug Wehrli, we got a halter on him. However, when I went back yesterday to work with him, it was off and Corey and I had to put on another one. It wasn't too bad, and after getting the halter on him, he lead right out. I was very impressed. There wasn't any fighting or stubbornness. I was pretty excited...I'll have to take some pics of him today and post them later. I've gotten him groomed up pretty well, and he's starting to look like a pretty good horse.
*Shayne's been fishing at least once or twice a week. He catches something almost every time. Right now that means a lot of Steelhead. They might not be big every time, but he doesn't care.
*Last Sunday we traveled to Anchorage for the day so Shayne could participate in the blessing of one of his best friends' babies, Ty Zollinger. Ty and Liz's baby boy, Zack, is the cutest thing you've ever seen...I think it has to do with the amazing amount of dark, thick hair that boy has!! We were glad we could be there to support Ty & Liz. They have been great friends!!
*Last week another good friend, Andy, came down just to get away from the bustle of Anchorage. We all went out Saturday on the ocean for the first time this season with a guy from our ward, Travis Keller. He's a charter boat captain, and invited us out for the first run of the season to work out all the kinks on the boat. It's still pretty early for May, and it wasn't the warmest day on the ocean. We had constant swells the entire day, and that makes for one long day! I am proud to say that I did not "lose it" over the side of the boat!! The captain, his little boy, and another guy on the boat "lost it", but the pregnant lady didn't!! :) We all caught our limit of halibut, which was awesome! There's nothing better than fresh halibut on the grill!!
*Last Friday night we went over to Becky and Miles for a BBQ...however, it wasn't just a BBQ. It was a BBQ and a "raise the playground set" party! You know how they used to have "raise the barn" get-together's? Well, Miles and Becky bought the largest, most intricate playground set I have ever seen!! It took 2-3 guys about 3 days to put it all together. Pretty insane! It was fun though...at least for Becky, Darcy, and I who went and watched a movie Friday night while the men worked on the playground! :)
*This past Monday we invited Becky and Miles, and Darcy and Aaron and their families over for a BBQ at our house. I started up a camp-fire and the kids roasted hot dogs and marshmellows, while the rest of us, excluding Becky, had fresh grilled halibut. It was fun...and the kids loved the fire!
The weather has been getting a little bit better. No more snow, but it hasn't truly just warmed up! It's consistently been in the 50's but it's always partly cloudy and threatening to sprinkle rain, when it's not actually raining. Yesterday was the first really nice day we've had in a long time...I took advantage of it and worked with Cojo...our horse.
It's really sad, but I don't have any pics of any of our events for the past couple of weeks. I need to get a smaller camera and start carrying it around in my purse. We have a nice camera, but it's big and kind of a pain to haul around.
Anyway...there's what's been going on in the past couple of weeks in our life. I will just note here, that I only have 8 days of school left!! Whoopee!!!
*We've decided to "cut" our horse colt, Cojo, before breeding him. He hit puberty in the past couple of weeks, and has turned into a dingle-fritz. So...with the help of a good friend, Doug Wehrli, we got a halter on him. However, when I went back yesterday to work with him, it was off and Corey and I had to put on another one. It wasn't too bad, and after getting the halter on him, he lead right out. I was very impressed. There wasn't any fighting or stubbornness. I was pretty excited...I'll have to take some pics of him today and post them later. I've gotten him groomed up pretty well, and he's starting to look like a pretty good horse.
*Shayne's been fishing at least once or twice a week. He catches something almost every time. Right now that means a lot of Steelhead. They might not be big every time, but he doesn't care.
*Last Sunday we traveled to Anchorage for the day so Shayne could participate in the blessing of one of his best friends' babies, Ty Zollinger. Ty and Liz's baby boy, Zack, is the cutest thing you've ever seen...I think it has to do with the amazing amount of dark, thick hair that boy has!! We were glad we could be there to support Ty & Liz. They have been great friends!!
*Last week another good friend, Andy, came down just to get away from the bustle of Anchorage. We all went out Saturday on the ocean for the first time this season with a guy from our ward, Travis Keller. He's a charter boat captain, and invited us out for the first run of the season to work out all the kinks on the boat. It's still pretty early for May, and it wasn't the warmest day on the ocean. We had constant swells the entire day, and that makes for one long day! I am proud to say that I did not "lose it" over the side of the boat!! The captain, his little boy, and another guy on the boat "lost it", but the pregnant lady didn't!! :) We all caught our limit of halibut, which was awesome! There's nothing better than fresh halibut on the grill!!
*Last Friday night we went over to Becky and Miles for a BBQ...however, it wasn't just a BBQ. It was a BBQ and a "raise the playground set" party! You know how they used to have "raise the barn" get-together's? Well, Miles and Becky bought the largest, most intricate playground set I have ever seen!! It took 2-3 guys about 3 days to put it all together. Pretty insane! It was fun though...at least for Becky, Darcy, and I who went and watched a movie Friday night while the men worked on the playground! :)
*This past Monday we invited Becky and Miles, and Darcy and Aaron and their families over for a BBQ at our house. I started up a camp-fire and the kids roasted hot dogs and marshmellows, while the rest of us, excluding Becky, had fresh grilled halibut. It was fun...and the kids loved the fire!
The weather has been getting a little bit better. No more snow, but it hasn't truly just warmed up! It's consistently been in the 50's but it's always partly cloudy and threatening to sprinkle rain, when it's not actually raining. Yesterday was the first really nice day we've had in a long time...I took advantage of it and worked with Cojo...our horse.
It's really sad, but I don't have any pics of any of our events for the past couple of weeks. I need to get a smaller camera and start carrying it around in my purse. We have a nice camera, but it's big and kind of a pain to haul around.
Anyway...there's what's been going on in the past couple of weeks in our life. I will just note here, that I only have 8 days of school left!! Whoopee!!!
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