OLIVIA'S BLESSING DAY.

 

Dress: custom made by my wonderful Mother-in-Law // Headband: Target 

This will be such a special day for Miss Olivia. I'm so grateful for the priesthood and the blessing that it has been in my life and even more grateful that I have a husband that holds the priesthood! I am so incredibly happy and cant wait to see just what Heavenly Father has in store for our sweet little babe. I am so in love with our perfectly imperfect little family!

Double Blessing

We are so happy to announce that this precious little girl that we have been fostering since April of last year is finally part of our forever family!! Her court date was on June 8th at 3 p.m. and then just 4 hours later baby Olivia made her debut into this world also. Two wonderful blessings in just one day!! It will definitely be a day that we will never forget. The miracles of God are nothing short of amazing! He is so good! Our hearts are so overwhelmed with gratitude and love. We love this little family of ours more than anything. ❤ {birth story to follow soon}

Bumpdate: 20 Weeks!!

Today I am officially at the 1/2 way mark! 20 weeks! Wahoo!

Just when I think my belly couldn't get any bigger..........

How far along: I have reached the 1/2 way mark. 20 weeks! Wahoo!

Baby Size: Mango (Weight: 10.58 oz, Length: 10.08 in)

Weight gain: 20 pounds! Wowza!

Maternity clothes: Maternity pants are so comfortable. I love them! Ross is my new favorite store for maternity clothes. Super cute and most of the tops and bottoms that I buy are anywhere from $6-$15

Stretch marks: Nope...at least I don't think so   Sleep: Sleeping all through the night. It's wonderful!   Gender: Sweet baby girl (Hint: I think we have a name picked! Shhhh!)

Movement: Not yet...but can't wait for that. I have a friend who is 21 weeks and she is experiencing lots of movement. I think it just depends. Everyone is different.

Best moment this week: Tackling some more nursery projects to get the room done.

  Looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery and 3 vacations coming our way starting next weekend!

Food cravings: Sausage, egg and cheese sandwich (Starbucks), anything starchy, Jamba Juice, Salad   Anything making you queasy or sick: No.   What I miss: Bending over without struggling. I can officially not put my own shoes on.   Symptoms: These past few weeks I have been feeling like I'm on cloud nine. My body feels good, I feel sexy, and I have lots of energy.

Nursery: Painted, crib purchased, Josh is putting base boards and crown molding in this weekend. I love my handy man!

Wedding rings on or off? On, and no swelling yet! Hallelujah! 

Mood: Feeling super excited and blessed

Workouts: Yoga and walking

My Cup Runneth Over

I cannot find the words to express how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for His unfailing love, His goodness and His faithfulness. Yesterday E's Mom's rights were terminated and we can now move towards the adoption process so that she can be a part of our forever family!!! I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your thoughts and prayers on behalf of E and our family. It really means so much to us. 

First Ultrasound

On Wednesday we had our first ultrasound. As I saw these pictures of our little one up on the screen, I was in completely awe. Speechless to say nonetheless.  I feel so blessed and blown away by God's grace.....by His awesomeness. I am awestruck by His constant hand in my life and by this little miracle that is growing inside of me. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

-Psalm 139:13 

This Is a Pregnancy Announcement Post

Its true!! We are over the moon excited! God is so good!

All Aboard!!

Two weeks ago,we had the opportunity to go on a train ride. We got the tickets free through our Foster Care agency. I wanted to make it a surprise for E and all week I was just aching to tell her, but I knew her reaction would make it all worth it, so I kept my mouth shut. As we pulled up to the train station, I told her to close her eyes and wait until I say open. When she opened up her eyes, she looked out the window and yelled "Mama look look a train! Are we going on the train?!?! Chugga Chugga Choo Choo....all aboard!!"

I gotta tell you that this was definetly a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to go on this train ride. There were clowns, dancing, music, food, prizes, face painting, and balloon making! It was so much fun. E, my Mom and I had such a blast.

You can see a few videos that I posted from our train ride trip on my Instagram HERE

Jumping for Joy

I cannot contain my joy and excitement this morning!! We just found out last night that my Dad is getting released from the hospital on Saturday and will be driving back in a U-haul with Josh on Monday. I can't believe all the the blessings that have come out of this. God can turn a mess into something so beautiful. He is SO amazing! It is my testimony that God hears and answers prayers and that He loves each and every single one of us immensely and unconditionally. He is there. ALWAYS. I just want to also express my love and gratitude towards everyone who prayed and thought about my Dad and especially to my sweet Husband who has been so amazing, selfless and supporting through all of this. I don't know what I would do without him. 

One of my favorite scriptures about prayer from the Book of Mormon:

“Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” 

(Alma 37:36–37)

-KIMBERLY-

DAY 16: MY LOT IN LIFE

Day 16 of the Challenge:

Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.

The past couple of days, I have been reflecting on life. On my life.

I have been reflecting on where I was a few years ago and where I am today. 

I am completely blown away. I am grateful. I am blessed. I am happy. I am peaceful.

Have I had rough challenges in my life? YES!

Do I still face challenges? Daily? YES!

We all have trials, struggles and things that we are trying to overcome. 

Some worse than others. We are here to learn and to grow. 

Nobody said it would be easy and sometimes  a lot of times it's really not. 

Looking back I  have realized that I am so incredibly grateful for all

 those trials because they have shaped me into the person that I am today.

Those "rough spots" gave me so many opportunities to learn and grow.

I still have a lot to learn and a lot growing to do but its so worth it.

I have really learned to trust and lean only on God.

Trust in His perfect timing and His perfect plan.

My plan may make perfect sense to me and it might 

be just what I want to happen. But is it His will?

I have also learned that His will 

is ALWAYS so much better than mine.

Yes...there might be things.... a lot of things that don't make 

any sense to me, but they make perfect sense to Him.

I know that He has a plan and I know that everything happens for a reason.

I am grateful for this beautiful life I have been given along with all the 

trials and challenges that I face. 

I know that He knows me and loves me with an infinite love. 

I can take rest in all of this. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.