Exciting Times :)

 This is a photo from this last week at 21 weeks. I like it because it really shows how much I've grown in the last couple weeks. It's like all of a sudden our little baby boy decided to gain some weight. Ha ha! Love it!

Front view. I don't know if these really matter, but I like seeing my belly push out from the front too.

Time is seriously going by way too quickly. The weeks go by like days, and months like weeks. It is an exciting time of life.
I remember before I got pregnant, how my friends would get pregnant and blog/facebook about it all the time. I used to wonder what all the fuss was about. I mean, women get pregnant and have babies all over the world, why is it so different when you are the one who is pregnant? And what makes your experience so unique from every one else's? Well, I have decided it is exciting and unique because it is you, and it is something you've never experienced before. And, I think every pregnancy is a little bit different. So, it is fun to read and learn about the similiarities and differences between each of us.
As I write this, I keep thinking about how pregnancy is pretty much all I talk about any more. It is weird how life changes, and as you become pregnant, you prepare to be a mom and your whole perspective on life changes.
I really hope I am not boring anyone out there with my pregnancy posts. If you haven't been pregnant, just wait...you'll do the same thing someday...and you'll laugh at yourself with being so obsessed with your baby before he/she even gets here.

Well, on another note, this last week we had an amazing Valentine's Day! We really spoiled ourselves! Ted bought me a bouquet of flowers the week before Valentine's, and then a dozen roses with cute heart balloon on V-Day. It warmed my heart!
I got Ted the xoxo mug with teddy bear inside it, chocolates, and a card.
We got my mom and Steve chocolates, then my mom flowers on V-Day.
For Adam and Morgan, we gave them chocolates too.
For Ted's mom, we got her roses.
For Ted's little sister, Elisabeth, we got some daisies (her favorite).
My mom and Steve were very generous to us! They gave us tickets to Bar J Wranglers and an Olive Garden Gift Certificate for a V-Day date night. Then, they also gave us sugar cookies, chocolates, and a card. So sweet!
Adam and Morgan gave us some sugar cookies too. I ate all 4 of them in 2 days. Oops...
We really like Valentine's, because it is one of those holidays a lot of people over look. But we feel like it is a day to spread love, and we have a lot of love to give. :)
Olive Garden was packed on Valentine's Night. Luckily, Ted and I decided to sit at the bar so we could get in and out faster, without the 45 minute wait. It was very interesting and fun to watch the bar tenders and see how many different types of drinks they make. They are very busy! It would be a demanding job. We were making jokes at how we were going to sit at the bar once our little boy gets here. I told Ted it might be hard balancing a baby on my hip and having drinks made in front of me, so we will have to get our bar eating days out of our system before the little guy gets here.
Funny thing, I sat in a bar and waited for Ted and Zach (Ted's brother), while they snowboarded at Targhee this Friday. I can't believe how many different nationalities of people there were there. People from all walks of life gather to good old Alta, Wyoming to enjoy some fresh powder. I like being around people who are different than me. I admire how each one of us are unique and have our own strengths and attributes to share with the world.

Well, we got some exciting callings in our ward. Ted got put in as a Elder's Quorum teacher. He is super excited, and loves to teach. I got put in as Mia Maid Advisor. I love being back in the young women's. This summer and fall was a great break, but it feels awesome to be back with the girls, and to feel their strong spirits and testimonies grow. It is different being with the Mia Maids than it is the Beehives. Beehives have so much energy, and the Mia Maids are more mature and poised. It is fun. Our ward has gotten some new girls, which is super exciting! Can't wait to get to know them better! I feel so blessed and humbled to be called to serve with the youth of the church. They are truly an inspiration and give me hope for a better, brighter future.
As for Adam and Morgan, they got some fun callings. Adam is the Elder's Quorum 1st Counselor, and Morgan is the Primary President. They both will do an amazing job! Adam does well with leadership, and even though he doesn't seek to be in leadership positions, he does great when he's there. Morgan is a natural leader, and will rise under the responsibility of being the Primary President.
Steve is getting put in as Music Correlator in our ward. He will do extremely well with that calling, especially since he has so many years of musical experience and knows where the talent is in our ward.
They shook up the whole ward since we've been back (2 months), and changed most of the presidencies. It is always exciting to see who they put in and how things change, grow, and work out. 

I am excited for this week! We made a bucket list of things we want to do and then posted it on our fridge last week. So far we've done quite a few. We are going to keep track of what we do, and how many times we do them so that we know what we enjoy the most. We usually don't play games, but we went into town and bought a couple games the other night. It was so much fun playing them. Of course, Ted won the games. He usually does, but it is still a blast!
I am so glad I have such an incredible husband who is always willing to spice things up in our marriage when we get in a rut. Even if that means writing a "Bucket List". I hope we get to check off another thing on our list tonight. Family Home Evening Night is usually a good night to do something spontaneous and fun!
On Wednesday, we have a baby doctor appointment. I am going to be 22 weeks along that day, and they are going to be doing the major ultra-sound, etc. to check the baby. Hoping everything goes well, and we get a clean bill of health. Wish us luck!
Maybe you can make a bucket list with your spouse, or by yourself (if you are single), and post it on your fridge. Try to do at least one activity, or accomplish one task each week. We did things as simple as: install water softener, go to museum, walk around Jensen's Grove, make a treat together, plan and stick to a budget, visit our Arizona family and friends, and such. It's easy, fun, and helps to keep marriage a little more interesting than the everyday routine. Maybe you're not like us, and don't get in ruts. But if you do, this really helps.
Have a great week! Remember to smile! A smile a day keeps the doctor away! And we all want that!

http://soundsofsunday247.com/

We've started a new website and Mobile App. http://soundsofsunday247.com/
Please share with everyone via Facebook, blogger, email, twitter, linkedin, G+.

Last monday we launched the site and had only one listener. 1 week later we've grown to 60 listeners already today!!!!!!!  It's our little way of spreading the gospel. We're excited to watch it grow, it's our 2nd little baby :')

Listen to the show while around the house or on the road, it'll brings a special spirit into your life.

http://soundsofsunday247.com/

“The ‘Sounds of Sunday’ features a mix of the most inspirational music – classics from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and the finest newer releases, plus the Glenn Rawson Stories. The music and the stories are truly amazing!” “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righte...ous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” (D&C 25:12)
He gave us this wonderful music of the last days to help us feel the Spirit – to help us preach the Gospel and perfect the Saints.” – Carl Watkins

Our mission is to prepare the hearts of listeners everywhere to receive the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to live by its principles as they prepare to meet the Savior when He returns.

Ted and Kaylee Garling from Blackfoot, Idaho have worked with Carl Watkins to be able to fulfill a need. Many of you have heard the show either over the radio stations that air it each Sunday, or streamed over the internet from one of those stations. Some of you have expressed that you wish you could hear the program every day, not just on Sundays. We found a way to play the shows on the internet, tablet and smartphones. Now you can listen and be inspired anytime, anywhere, even on the go with our mobile apps!!

Joys of Pregnancy and Life

There are so many things that bring joy with pregnancy. I love the fact that my belly is growing. It is great being able to get some extra weight on my bones without feeling guilty. I also love that I am able to feel the little guy now. He loves to move around and push up on my tummy. He also loves Ted, and whenever he is around, he moves to the side Ted is on. It is funny. I totally agree with the studies that show that babies have emotions, feelings, and personalities while still in their mommy's belly. It is amazing how the connection between mother and child can be so strong. It also amazes me how the baby can be so connected to his daddy, even at this stage. I am very thankful and feel extremely blessed to be a mother.
On Monday, Ted and I went on our daily walk together, and I started having extreme pain in my back, around the kidney area. We called the doc and he said to take it easy for a couple days and drink lots of water. So, I did. Well, I drank lots of water, but being married to Ted doesn't include taking it easy. And, Zumba is way too tempting not to do everyday, even if you are sick.
So, after two days, I was feeling okay, no other bad pains, just some discomfort. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, the pain came back, while I was watching a movie. I called the doc again, and we got an appt the next morning. I was worried about kidney stones or something like that, but kept my attitude as positive as possible. At the doc appt they told me not to worry, I just had a bladder infection, which is very common with pregnant women. With relief, I got some antibiotics, and then spent the day shopping for maternity clothes (I am starting to get too big to fit into my normal clothes without stretching them), and watching Ted teach seminary.
It was funny, right after we got out of the doc appt, the Hillcrest High School called and asked if Ted could substitute teach for the rest of the day. Thank heavens we were planning on going to the temple after the doc appt, and were dressed appropriately. So, he took the rest of the day and taught. I sat in on two of the three classes. He does such a good job teaching. I can see why he enjoyed early morning seminary in Phoenix so much. The kids absolutely loved the way he taught and kept asking him if he was coming back to teach. Ha ha. He actually did teach at Hillcrest again, this morning. He had two classes. We are getting so blessed. Ted has taught 3 out of the 5 days this week. And, we still got to go to the temple last night. We did sealings, which are a great reminder of our covenants to each other.
Today, Ted is up at Targhee. It is his brother Zach's birthday, and they decided to go for some snowboarding celebration. Jake and Karleen, Ted's parents, went with them too. It should be a fun day for all of them. I am so happy Ted was able to go. We have this agreement that he gets one day a week to go snowboarding. We decided that today would be a good day because it was Zach's birthday and they had planned on going together, but with the seminary calling, we were worried. But, it all worked out, and Ted was able to do the two things he loves most, snowboarding and teaching seminary. It should be a good day for him. Sure he'll come home happy.
As for me, I decided to stay home instead of take part in the festivities. I'm glad I did, because I need the rest so I can get over this infection. And, it will be good for the Garlings to spend some quality time together without any in-laws.
As you can read, life is good! I am now at 20 weeks, halfway through the pregnancy. It is going by so quickly. I can't believe how time flies. I am so excited to welcome this pure and innocent spirit into the world. I hope to do my best at teaching him right from wrong, and growing up healthy and strong, not only physically, but spiritually as well. If anyone has any tips, counsel, or advice, I would love to hear it! Thanks for reading!