Last night I had a dream. We were working on cleaning up a park for a ward activity and when we were about finished, my friend and I went to find some donuts to reward those hardworkers who helped clean the park. So, off we go to find some sort of donut shop. I really wanted to find a Krispy Kreme because honestly, it's the best. Anyway, we walk into this store which I think is a Krispy Kreme, but is really this wonderfully awesome donut shop. It is like all those new cupcake shops that are super cute and totally over-priced but everyone will pay for them because of the funness and cuteness. Ya, except it was for donuts. The glazed were normal and really delicious (Krispy Kreme style) but then they had all these other kinds. They had a chocolate bar that was called "Can't stop." Haha, get it, like you can't stop eating it because it is too delicious. They also had cake like things that you could design yourself. You pick the cake and the frosting and then they put it together and heat it all up. It looked DIVINE! And then they had all this cute paraphernalia and I remember specifically thinking... "I have GOT to bring Ryan back to this place" (he loves donuts).
Needless to say, I woke up hungry and really wanting some Krispy Kreme donuts. If there was a donut shop around, I would be there right now! Mmmm... donuts! I also woke up with a new desire to open a fancy donut shop like this one. Do you think it would survive? Maybe we could call it "Go nutz for Donutz" Ok, fine we could work on the name. But I thought it was such a brilliant idea. Oh the ideas that come from dreams!!
10/7/10
10/3/10
Back to Work
Today was my first day back to work. I was totally nervous about going back to work. I mean, 2 months off may not seem like a long time, but to me, it totally was! I felt like I was gonna go back in and totally not remember how to be a nurse. I was so stressed about it that I slept HORRIBLE last night, which doesn't help with being a good nurse the next day :)
Anyway, it actually turned out to be a really good day. The beginning was a little scary: getting report and not remembering what I was supposed to be asking about the patients. I even got some scary patients that had things that I'd never taken care of before (insulin drips, which are normally only done in the ICU!) Talk about scary. But, I was really surprised how fast it came back to me. I had my rhythm within the first assessment and I was caught up all day long, even having enough time to help out the other nurses on the floor. I was really proud of myself! And I'm happy to report that I actually enjoyed it today. I was totally dreading going back to work, but today made me realize that I have a good job and I work with great people, so I should be more grateful!
Anyway, it actually turned out to be a really good day. The beginning was a little scary: getting report and not remembering what I was supposed to be asking about the patients. I even got some scary patients that had things that I'd never taken care of before (insulin drips, which are normally only done in the ICU!) Talk about scary. But, I was really surprised how fast it came back to me. I had my rhythm within the first assessment and I was caught up all day long, even having enough time to help out the other nurses on the floor. I was really proud of myself! And I'm happy to report that I actually enjoyed it today. I was totally dreading going back to work, but today made me realize that I have a good job and I work with great people, so I should be more grateful!
9/26/10
The Boys
In case you can't tell, the one on the left is Mr. Owen (AKA mini-Dave) and the one on the right is Cameron (AKA mini-Brian).
9/24/10
Elder Whitaker
Can you believe it. Look at him walk away from the car so happy to go learn Portuguese and more about the Gospel! Wow, he is so old, which I guess means that I'm really old, but oh well! He is the cutest little missionary in the whole world!! Way to go Jepps!!
9/15/10
9/6/10
8/29/10
8/23/10
Olivia's Funeral
Olivia's funeral was on August 10, 2010. It was such a beautiful service and we are grateful for everyone who participated and helped out in so many ways! We have been overwhelmed with love by everyone we know. We have received so many notes, gifts, and flowers and we are so grateful for your support and love for our sweet little girl. Thank you a hundred times over!
The service was held at Sunset Gardens Cemetery. When Ryan and I were deciding where to lay our sweet little girl, we knew that we wanted to put her somewhere pretty, somewhere we could go often and where we could feel the peace of the Spirit. We looked at a couple of places, and when I saw Sunset Gardens, I felt like this is where I wanted my baby girl to be. It has a beautiful view of the mountains and across the way, there is a statue of our Savior. The cemetery has a baby area that is separated from the rest of the cemetery by trees, which I absolutely love. I love having an area specifically for children, so all those children can be together. Something about that thought brings me peace. It was the perfect spot for Olivia.
We had a short family gathering before the graveside service where we were able to say goodbye one last time to our precious daughter. She looked so beautiful, even then. She was wrapped in the quilt that I had made for her-or half of it, rather. Half for her and half for me to hold and remember her by. I was glad I made that quilt for her so she could have a little piece of me forever. My sister's husband, Dave, made a slide show of the pictures from the hospital of Olivia that played during the family gathering. I loved looking at those pictures and remembering the time we had with our daughter. My dad ended the gathering with a family prayer and then we headed to the graveside for the service.
My dad and Ryan's dad carried the casket to the grave site. Our Bishop conducted the services. Ryan's Grandpa gave the opening prayer and then Ryan's dad said a few words about faith and the priesthood. His words definitely brought the Spirit and made me so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and that families are eternal. Our sister-in-law Brooke and her family sang a beautiful mix of primary songs. When they began singing Families Can be Together Forever I felt the spirit very strongly. I know that because of the Savior, nothing can separate me from Olivia. She will always be mine and that is a great comfort. Following the singing, Ryan said a few words. We knew it would be hard for him to talk at that point, but we did not want to have this great service for Olivia and then not even let people get to know her a little bit. Ryan talked about our adventures with Olivia and her short life on Earth with us. From the uncertain pregnancy to the day we finally got to meet her, we were guided by God to make decisions that would be best for her. She was truly a Child of our Heavenly Father who we were privileged to spend those 37 hours with. Ryan finished the service with the dedicatory prayer, dedicating that spot of ground as a sacred place for our little girl.
There were definitely times that made me sad, but more than anything, the service was very uplifting. It provided the opportunity for each person to feel of the Spirit and gain a stronger testimony of the great eternal Plan of Happiness, for that is what Olivia taught me, among many others: That God's Plan of Happiness is the called such because it brings peace, hope, and that happiness he promises in times that seem impossible to bear.
The service was held at Sunset Gardens Cemetery. When Ryan and I were deciding where to lay our sweet little girl, we knew that we wanted to put her somewhere pretty, somewhere we could go often and where we could feel the peace of the Spirit. We looked at a couple of places, and when I saw Sunset Gardens, I felt like this is where I wanted my baby girl to be. It has a beautiful view of the mountains and across the way, there is a statue of our Savior. The cemetery has a baby area that is separated from the rest of the cemetery by trees, which I absolutely love. I love having an area specifically for children, so all those children can be together. Something about that thought brings me peace. It was the perfect spot for Olivia.
We had a short family gathering before the graveside service where we were able to say goodbye one last time to our precious daughter. She looked so beautiful, even then. She was wrapped in the quilt that I had made for her-or half of it, rather. Half for her and half for me to hold and remember her by. I was glad I made that quilt for her so she could have a little piece of me forever. My sister's husband, Dave, made a slide show of the pictures from the hospital of Olivia that played during the family gathering. I loved looking at those pictures and remembering the time we had with our daughter. My dad ended the gathering with a family prayer and then we headed to the graveside for the service.
My dad and Ryan's dad carried the casket to the grave site. Our Bishop conducted the services. Ryan's Grandpa gave the opening prayer and then Ryan's dad said a few words about faith and the priesthood. His words definitely brought the Spirit and made me so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and that families are eternal. Our sister-in-law Brooke and her family sang a beautiful mix of primary songs. When they began singing Families Can be Together Forever I felt the spirit very strongly. I know that because of the Savior, nothing can separate me from Olivia. She will always be mine and that is a great comfort. Following the singing, Ryan said a few words. We knew it would be hard for him to talk at that point, but we did not want to have this great service for Olivia and then not even let people get to know her a little bit. Ryan talked about our adventures with Olivia and her short life on Earth with us. From the uncertain pregnancy to the day we finally got to meet her, we were guided by God to make decisions that would be best for her. She was truly a Child of our Heavenly Father who we were privileged to spend those 37 hours with. Ryan finished the service with the dedicatory prayer, dedicating that spot of ground as a sacred place for our little girl.
There were definitely times that made me sad, but more than anything, the service was very uplifting. It provided the opportunity for each person to feel of the Spirit and gain a stronger testimony of the great eternal Plan of Happiness, for that is what Olivia taught me, among many others: That God's Plan of Happiness is the called such because it brings peace, hope, and that happiness he promises in times that seem impossible to bear.
8/9/10
Olivia Lane Gardner
OLIVIA LANE GARDNER
8.6.10 -- 8.7.10
5 LBS 11 OZ. 20 1/2 IN.
8.6.10 -- 8.7.10
5 LBS 11 OZ. 20 1/2 IN.
She is our beautiful daughter forever! We love her so much!!
8/3/10
Baby Girl Gardner
This baby girl should decide to make her appearance pretty soon, or they may force her out. They are throwing words around like "induction." Thursday is the deadline...
The upside? No more work for up to 12 weeks from now. Now that is good news!
The upside? No more work for up to 12 weeks from now. Now that is good news!
7/29/10
Cuteness
I (with help from others) have finally finished that quilt that I posted about here. It looks so good! I'm so excited about it! I finished the front and then shipped it all off to Illinois so Vivian could do the actual quilting portion of the quilt! It is so soft and looks so professional! Thanks to Vivian for making it so cute and wonderful! I love it so much! Can't wait to wrap my little girl in it!
7/28/10
7/23/10
Family Reunion
Last weekend we went to Palisades Lake near Manti, Utah for the Howells family reunion. We all stayed in a big cabin so it was fun to see everyone and just hang out. We went rock climbing (we meaning Ryan did, I watched from the bottom of the wall) and hung out at the Lake, played games and talked. It was a blast! I was a little worried going away when I was so close to my due date but thankfully nothing "came round the mountain." haha.
We didn't take as many pictures as we should have but here are some fun ones that will help you see all the fun things we did. My favorite part was sitting by the lake hanging out and swimming. Swimming was totally great too. It was so much fun! We stopped on the way there at the Manti Temple and walked around taking pictures. The temple is so pretty, I think it looks like a castle! It was beautiful! Thanks for Ryan's family for coming and hanging out with us!!
We didn't take as many pictures as we should have but here are some fun ones that will help you see all the fun things we did. My favorite part was sitting by the lake hanging out and swimming. Swimming was totally great too. It was so much fun! We stopped on the way there at the Manti Temple and walked around taking pictures. The temple is so pretty, I think it looks like a castle! It was beautiful! Thanks for Ryan's family for coming and hanging out with us!!
7/12/10
Photos
Stadium of Fire and Happy Birthday to me!
We got to sit with our Farrell Friends. (I always want to say Brassfields because I forget they aren't Brassfields anymore...)
The Fireworks from Stadium of Fire
Two very handsome men
Two very handsome men
You can see his teeth in this picture. So cute.
Thanks to the Brassfield clan for the fun apron. 36 1/2 weeks:
(and if you didn't notice, brown hair won... at least that is what I decided as I sat in the chair to get it done... I'm happy I did brown. I think it looks more natural...)
7/4/10
Blonde Vs. Brunette
I'm getting my hair done on Tuesday and I need help. I can never decide which I like more Blonde Andrea or Brunette Andrea. Please help before Tuesday because otherwise I have to decide all by myself. Oh, and one other thing... please don't judge hair by pre-pregnancy vs. pregnancy Andrea because we all know that then, Brunette Andrea would win and that just isn't fair.
Here is Blonde Andrea (AKA Pregnant Andrea--again, don't let this factor influence you: focus on the hair--This is also not a professional photo so it isn't as good quality as the picture below).
Brunette Andrea (AKA pre-pregnancy Andrea)
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