Still here . . .

For any of you out in the blogging world who are wondering if I've had my baby yet, I haven't. :( With Annie I was ultra prepared to go late. I really thought I would be overdue, and I thought it would work out better that way because I was in school. With this baby, I have geared up to be 2 weeks early, despite warnings and protests from those I love (Brad and Babs). Unfortunately, 2 weeks early came and went with no baby to show for it. I just may be pregnant forever.

Big News!

Yesterday my parents received their assignment for their mission. They will preside over the Brazil Sao Paulo South mission! They had our family guess which mission they would go to, and I guessed the exact mission! I'd like to say it was inspired, but I think it may have been just lucky guessing. In any case, we are so thrilled for them! We are also thrilled that their mission includes a nice strip of beach and hope we can plan a trip to see them at a good time of year to see the beach as well. :)

". . . that they may be light"

When we were deciding which school Brad should attend, we felt really good about him coming to Rochester. All along I sort of assumed that this was mostly for Brad - maybe there was a professor he needed to work with, an opportunity that he could only have here, a classmate who would need him, etc. And while all of these things may still be the case, I'm feeling more and more like the answer for us to come here was for me and for our whole family as well. I LOVE where we live!

We live in a married student housing complex with 17 other LDS families and several other LDS families that live close by. Almost none of us have family very close, so we get to rely on each other in a way that's quite different than when you are close to family. In the last couple of days, I have been helped by and been able to help several different people. I was so grateful both of those types of opportunities. I'm also grateful that I don't feel like the new kid on the block anymore who doesn't know anyone and doesn't have anyone to turn to. I really feel a part of this community and I love it! I love that my friends feel like they can ask me to help, and that I know I can do the same when I need things. It's such a great feeling. I spent the good majority of an hour-plus long drive today thinking about that. I'm grateful to live in a place where people are keeping their covenants "to bear one another's burdens THAT THEY MAY BE LIGHT". My burdens are lighter because of these opportunities.

Yesterday, I had an early birthday party for Annie. One of my friends watched Annie for an hour before, so that I could get everything set up. Annie was so excited for her party. We held it in the community room because so many of our friends and neighbors were able to come. We had so much fun! We played games, decorated cupcakes, sang Happy Birthday, and ate pizza. All day after Annie kept talking about what she had done for her party. The clean-up was so quick because most of the moms stayed to help. :) Thanks to everyone who came and helped! Annie really does love all of your children.

The pictures are courtesy of another friend. I brought my camera, but then didn't really use it.

Then last night we had another friend watch Annie so we could have a Valentine's date. I love swapping with other moms for baby-sitting. Annie adores the time to play with the other kids, and we adore a date every so often.

Then today I had a friend ask if we could watch her son this morning. It turned out she didn't need it (her husband stayed home because he was a little under the weather), but I was so glad she felt she could ask. On my way home from a doctor's appointment, my other friend called to say she was on her way to the Buffalo airport and had forgotten her wallet. I was happy that I had no pressing plans, so that I could meet them halfway and help her get on her flight. When one of my friends heard I was doing this, she graciously offered to let Annie play at her house so that she wouldn't have to sit in the car anymore today. It also saved me from the 20-minute catnap that would have inevitably happened in the car and "counted" for her regular nap.

We've also come home to delicious Valentine treats on our porch twice now! :)

I feel so happy to live in such a great place with so many covenant-keeping neighbors and friends.

You know you live in Rochester when . . .

You hear a forecast for low 30's with snow and think, "Great! It's warming up!"

Foosball Champ

News flash: I happen to be married to the 2nd best foosball player in the Rochester, NY stake. I never imagined I could feel so proud of my husband! ;)

Apparently there is a long-standing in tradition in our stake of having a foosball tournament at the stake center the Saturday before the superbowl. Lest you think this is a just-for-fun event, let me explain a few of the details. They bring in 3 tables. One man brings a level to make sure every table is perfectly level. This same man also brings silicon spray to grease the rods. They have several brackets. It's a major event.

I guess the med school has a foosball table that Brad has spent most class breaks at for the last few months. He was already a good foosball player before he discovered this table, but he's gotten even better. Lucky he has been able to gear up for this competition. The one person Brad lost to all day is the man with the levels and silicon spray; he's won this competition for the last several years. Maybe after three more years of med school (and associated class breaks), he'll be able to beat the reigning champ.

Baby Shower

Thanks to my good friend Mary, I was showered with gifts the other night for baby James. I had showers for my wedding and for Annie, but for some reason this shower made me feel particularly grateful. Maybe it's because I don't have lots of nephews just older than James, so I know the hand-me-downs will be fewer and farther between, maybe it's because I'm away from family right now, maybe I'm just getting to be a more grateful person (here's hoping) . . . Who knows? Whatever the reason I really feel so lucky to have so many generous friends in my life! A big thanks to everyone who came!

Here are some pictures of the event. Ash, I'm even including a couple of me at 8 months pregnant (ugh!) just for you.

Kira, Dani and Hazel, Shanna

Meta, Melanie, Rebe

Shelly, Jenna

Lisa, Hayley

Lisa, Annah, Amberly

Mary (the hostess), Heather, Angie

Me, Celeste, Katie

And finally, because I can't resist, a couple of cute pictures of Annie in a new jacket that my friend Meimei sent to me. She's doing her frowny face in the first one. So cute!