First Timer

Okay, so I'm new to this blog thing. After some encouragement (thanks, Heather) and checking out the blog pages of friends, I decided this is a great way to keep in touch and give updates. Since I'm alright at checking email and terrible at responding - with no due offense to anyone - I love to read them and have all good intentions on replying "as soon as I get time". Well, that time just doesn't seem to come soon enough and then I've forgotten and feel completely rude in writing back two weeks later. Anyway, I hope and pray that things are going well for each of you and that this may be a good way for us to keep updated! Just know that Derek and I are trying to keep all current pictures of ourselves on the down-low till we each lose weight, so there will be lots of photos of our cute baby girl and the ones of us will either be in the distance or from a few years ago when we hadn't yet gained the "newlywed" lbs. :)

Ashlyn is doing well and we are getting used to this whole parenting concept. It is still a little strange that we have this tiny person that solely depends on us, but it is incredibley amazing how much you can love someone automatically and so deeply without condition. As I hold and look at her, I can't help but feel just a glimmer of what our Heavenly Father must feel for each of us.

I know everyone always says it, but I can not believe how quickly she is growing. She's not my tiny newborn anymore! Ashlyn will turn 9 weeks old this Wednesday. She is smiling tons and loves to "ahh" and "coo" at her mommy, daddy, and especially the animals on her mobile. She also loves her bathtime - she's going to be a water baby like her dad.

The past four weeks since she was blessed have just flown by. What a fun weekend that was. Other than when my mom came down the week after she was born, it was the first time anyone else in the family has seen Ashlyn. Derek's parents came down and stayed with us for 4 days, my dad drove down for a couple days, and my great-grandma & aunts Jerilynn & Mitizi also came. It was so wonderful to see everyone and it made me a little more "home-sick" than I expected. How blessed we are to have such wonderful support. And how cool is it that Ashlyn knows her great-great-grandmother?!

We are excited to be coming to Utah next week. However, the incentive is not a good reason. My sister, Mariah, was in a car accident with her two little girls a couple weeks ago. Taylor and Brentlee were a little bruised but alright, the truck was totalled, and Mariah (being 20 weeks pregnant) broke her back. It was quite the ordeal. She and the baby are doing alright. She had to have surgery and her entire lifestyle will change, but at least she is still here with us & is able to walk. Unfortunately, she will never be able to ride her horses again or lift over about 10 lbs. She has had so much support from family and friends. She is keeping a positive attitude and it brings tears to my eyes that I haven't even heard her complain or question "why me" once.

Anyway, we are excited to be going and hope to see or hear from you all soon.