Skylar Bloom Haas

Among the world's most treasured gifts,

Among it's most precious pearls

God smiles upon the earth,

And gives us little GIRLS!

Skylar Bloom Haas is due April 22nd!

Can't wait to see if she has dimples and if she looks like Blakeley...

That Smile...

I love this smile...

It lights up a room...

...and it makes me happy!

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

Awhile ago for FHE, we watched a "Mormon Messages" video about forgiveness.  I'd consider it the ultimate forgiveness.

I was extremely touched by this video and wanted to pass it on.  If you haven't already watched it, click here to view it.

It's called "Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light"

I could only hope to be as forgiving as this man was if faced with that situation.  I am in awe of his charity and love for others.

May we remember our Savior's example and forgive others.

Will it be...

pink...

 or blue...

???????

We find out on Tuesday!

Can't wait!

Guardian Angels

 I'm grateful for Guardian Angels.  I know they exist and help protect us here on earth... 

There are three specific instances that I can recall right now where I know someone was watching out for me and my family.  I know the Spirit is involved in these experiences as well...I think they go hand in hand.

Years ago, before I met Tyson, I was in a situation where I was at home and I got a very strong and powerful impression that I needed to call my brother, Chris and have him come over to my house.  I didn't know why but the prompting was so strong...it was like a warning where I knew I needed to act.  I called my brother and he came right over.  Within a few minutes after he got there, my ex-boyfriend came over who I had recently broken up with.  Let's just say I was extremely happy that I was not alone and that my brother was with me.  Such a powerful example to me of the Spirit acting as a warning signal and protecting me.  

Another example happened only a few months ago.  I was driving with my friend in the passenger seat and her son and Blakeley were in the backseat.  I was in the far left lane on the freeway going like 65 miles per hour.  All of a sudden, the car to my right in the next lane started changing lanes and coming toward me.  I was right next to the car and they must not have seen me.  I immediately reacted and swerved to my left and honked at them and I can't remember if they ended up in front of me or if they corrected themselves and went back into their lane.  All I know is that it was like my car was on auto pilot...I reacted perfectly to the situation, however, it all happened so fast, it was like a guardian angel was helping me and doing it all for me.  I don't know how I was able to react as fast as I did or in a safe way and I don't attribute it to anything I did.  I know a guardian angel helped me that day and I'm so grateful.

The last example happened today and it was pretty scary.  We were at our friend's house for Thanksgiving and all of the final preparation was being done to the food.  My friend opened the oven to pull something out and walked away to put it on the counter.  I was standing nearby and all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blakeley walking over toward the oven.  My friend had left the oven open!  Blakeley was literally an inch away from placing her entire open palm on the inside of the HOT oven door.  Again, I reacted so fast that I don't even know how it was physically possible but I was able to grab Blakeley and pick her up seconds before she burned her hand.  I am teary right now just thinking about it...partly because of pregnancy hormones but mostly because I'm so grateful that I was prompted to turn around at that particular second.  I know the Spirit prompted me of impending danger and a guardian angel helped me react so fast.  I am so, so, so grateful for that warning and that I was able to respond quickly enough to prevent what would have been a horrifying experience for all of us.  I don't even want to imagine the outcome had the situation not occurred that way. 

All I can do is pray and thank my Heavenly Father for his tender mercies. 

I'm grateful for Guardian Angels.  I know they exist and help protect us here on earth.. 

Much to be Thankful For...

Another year has flown by so fast.  I can't believe it's already the holiday season.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be grateful for.  Life is such a rollercoaster with so many ups and downs.  Recently, I re-discovered what I'm sure I already knew at some point in the past...a very valuable and comforting realization.

I was re-taught that when things are rough financially and it all seems to be going amuck, I know that I will always have the basic necessities.  I will always have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes on my back, and the love of my family.  When it comes down to it, isn't that all that really matters?  It truly is.  I will also probably always have electricity and running water, and at least one working car and those could be considered luxuries.

It's really hard when money is scarce but it makes you re-evaluate what's a want vs. a need.  I think there is a valuable lesson to be learned in being "poor."  And the beauty is, the situation is pretty much always temporary.  And as "poor" as we think we are, we truly have an abundance.  We have much more than so many people out there.  And we have always been giving people and I know what goes around, comes around.

Basic necessities...this lesson has been on my mind a lot lately and I'm grateful for it.

A girl I met once at a book club poem reading wrote a haiku that read, "Loads of dishes and laundry mean an abundance."  Can't you just see that as vinyl lettering or on a wood plaque in the laundry room of every LDS home in America?

I know that there is a lesson to be learned from every trial and I love that knowledge.  I ask myself, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"  There's normally more than one thing to learn but trials always make me relate better to others.  They teach empathy and humility.  They make me want to give and serve others more.  Without trials, what would we really learn in this life?

This is what I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving.  I have much to be grateful for.

P.S. We have been in San Antonio for exactly one year today.

12 Week Ultrasound

At the very beginning of the pregnancy I had a dream that it was a boy so I've really been convinced that it's a boy. However, today at the 12 week check up, we had an ultrasound and I asked the tech if he could tell the gender. Of course 12 weeks is too early to be definite but he guessed that it's a girl because "the area" was flat!

Ever since that appt, I've actually kind of been hoping it's a girl. I think it would be fun to have 2 little girls and for Blakeley to have a friend. Of course I wouldn't mind if it's a boy because it would be great to have one of each. This pregnancy has pretty much been identicle to the first though so I really think it's a girl.

I guess we will just have to wait and see!

Best Feeling in the World

 This morning, I felt the baby move for the first time. It was so soft and faint that if I wasn't laying down and if it wasn't quiet, I may not have felt it.  It was about 6 very soft pokes or hiccups.  It made me happy.

I also went to the temple with Rachael and did initiatories and I felt the spirit really strong during some of the things they say to you. I'm really glad I went. I needed it badly. I felt really happy and I was so excited to see Blakeley afterwards. When I was at the temple I was thinking about her and how she is such an angel and I'm blessed to have her in my life.

Can't wait to meet Baby #2!