The Ball Family

NEW BLOG

2009-07-15T20:53:00.001-07:00

If you are having problems getting to our private blog the address is
devandsarahball.blogspot.com
then just enter in your password and your there!

2009-05-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hey Sorry everyone I am retarded! I just sent you all invites to our old blog not our new blog. I am working on getting it fixed! You should be getting an invite soon to our new blog. if you don't get one or if I miss someone then add your email here!

We've Gone Private

2009-05-12T12:06:00.001-07:00

We started a new blog that is now private. So all recent posts will be made on there. If you haven't recieved an invite to our new blog and would like one leave your email so I can add you! Don't be shy, We love sharing our lives with you!

Graduation

2009-05-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Devin graduated as an LPN last weekend. It is such a good feeling to have that year over. He worked so hard and I am so proud of him! The next day we went to Parowan to go to Region Baseball, but the game got moved to Hurricane because of the rain. The weather was perfect in Hurricane. We played the first game which if we didn't win we wouldn't go to state, so it was a little nervewracking but we ended up winning. After that first game it is now double elimation. We played Parowan the second game, they were number 1 in their region and number 2 in the state so they came out pretty much thinking we didn't stand a chance. We had an amazing 6th inning and ended up beating them too. So we are still in the winners bracket! it was a really fun day. Devin loves being a coach. It is cute to see him out there. State this weekend, wish us luck! That night we stayed at my parents house in Cedar. And then had a BBQ at my brothers the next day! It was really fun to see my family. Overall it was a fun and busy weekend!

Alumni Basketball game

2009-05-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Last weekend they had the alumni basketball game for those that played the year Gunnison took state against this years basketball team. It was especially fun for us because Devin's little brother, Drayson plays on this years team so it was brother against brother. Before they even played the game Devin and Drayson were talking smack saying who was the better team. So we knew no matter which team it was we would be hearing about it! We had a great time watching those two and The alumni boys ended up winning the game.

2009-04-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! yesterday....Devin made my birthday awesome. Date with my hubby. yummy cake. wonderful gifts. I love you babe.

I am now the big 24... wow I feel old.

Going Private...

2009-04-19T10:13:00.001-07:00

Hey all! we have decided to go private! Too many crazies out there! So everyone leave your emails so that we can add you and you can continue reading our blog. Don't be shy, even if I barely know you or don't even know you read our blog, leave your email! I would like to add ALL of you, even those that are only acquaintances! We like sharing our lives with you, just not all the wierdos out there as well! So leave your emails!

Weekend fun!

2009-04-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Cooper grabbed his bowl of carrots and as you can see had lots of fun making a mess!
This weekend we got to go to the LD's concert and meet up with some of my old LD's buddies! it was so fun. makes me miss singing though! Then the next day my parents came up for a visit. it was great to get to see them! I love living close to both of our parents! it was so fun to see them and Cooper loved them! He loved dancing with Grampa to oldies music and he kept giving my mom what we call "Coopey kisses".. they are very slobbery! Overall we had a great weekend! Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to see us!

Easter Weekend!

2009-04-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Handsome Cooper in his church clothes
four generation picture
Cooper and Gramma&Grampa
Cooper with Great Grampa Rex

We had a great Easter weekend. It was rainy on saturday so we decided to go bowling. We haven't been bowling for quite a while and had a great time. But now I owe Dev a foot massage! I was doing so good at the beginning and up by 20 points when I fizzled out and Dev got two strikes at the end so he beat me. But Ronnie (Dev's dad) beat everyone. He was on a roll! Then we came back and went out to Devin's gramparents and visited. Then back to his parents to play games. It was a great day! Easter was Cooper's first time at church. He looked so cute in his little church clothes. It was fun to have him with us, some people forgot we even have a baby! but it is hard keeping him quiet. He likes to talk and laugh and make noise! Overall it was a great Easter!

Best Friends

2009-04-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Chris Larsen, Casey Dyreng, Seth Hendrickson and Dev

The Daddies- so cute!
All of us
The babies- Cooper, Sydney Hendrickson, Kate Larsen, and Dillon Dyreng
We got together this weekend with Devin's best friends, they grew up together in Gunnison. They all married awesome girls and we had a fun time having mother/girl talk. It was great to get together now that we are married and have babies all around the same age. Chris and Jennie are moving across the country for the summer so we wanted to get together before they move, so it will be the last time for a while. But it was fun to see everyone, we had a great time!

Where is Cooper?

2009-04-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

hmmm... I left him on this blanket.... do you see him?oh there he is! silly boy!

He is trying to escape! good thing he can only roll so he doesn't get too far. but he definately doesn't stay where I left him anymore.
Oh and other good news for us today- Dev got accepted into Weber's RN program! we are so happy! only one more year. anyway it just made me laugh when Coop went MIA so
I had to share. hope everyone has a Happy Easter!

Thankful

2009-04-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

playing with Sydney
Cooper and Mommy
Cooper with Cousin Elle
My Baby is already 7 months old! It sure flies by. Update on us- Cooper is getting his 2nd tooth in. teething is no fun for mom's. I feel so bad for the poor little guy! He is such a good, happy baby though.. even though he is teething he still is so happy. Dev finished up his clinicals and is back in school for the next 3 weeks. He can't wait to be done! Baseball is still consuming our lives but Dev is absolutely loving it. He is so cute out there. Though my fam wasn't huge into sports growing up I always thought it would be cool to be a coach's wife and always wanted to marry someone into sports so that he could teach our boys. I have a thing about a guy in uniform and my hubby is sure handsome in his! =) Last week we had some pretty nice days and I loved being able to take Cooper for a walk. I can't wait for summer, we are going to be outside all the time! I am especially excited for this summer because we aren't doing alarms and it will be our first summer since we got married to be home! I love that we are settled now and we won't have to move and pack all our stuff to storage and that Dev won't be gone all the time. I am so excited for camping, BBQ's, vacations, and Dev having more than one day off a week! It will be so nice to have him home with us! I am just feeling so thankful today. Eventhough I have gone through some really hard trials to get where I am today I feel like Heavenly Father has blessed us tenfold. I am exactly where I wanted to be and where I pictured myself. I love being a mom. I love being a wife. It is the most amazing blessing. I have a wonderful supportive family, amazing inlaws, belong to the gospel of Jesus Christ with a wonderful Prophet and apostles to lead and guide us, and live in a great community in the blessed USA with a roof over my head. What more could a girl ask for?

Spring Break

2009-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

We have been crazy around here with baseball season starting. Dev is helping Coach the High School team and loving it but it sure keeps us busy! there is a game or practice everyday. When it is warm out me and Cooper have had fun going to watch them play. Here are some pictures of when we went to Kanab to watch. And then after we went to Cedar and stayed with my parents. We had fun seeing my fam, we hadn't been down to Cedar for awhile so it was good to see Robert and Mel and my parents. Cooper didn't sleep very well down there and he usually sleeps all night but then when we got home he got his first tooth so that explains it. Cute little tooth. He also had his sixth month checkup this week and weighs 16 pounds and is 26 1/2 inches long. He is in the 39th percentile for his height and 14th percentile for his weight. May not seem like much but when he started out not even on the chart at .003 percent he is doing great! His doctor is very happy with his growth and his development, he has already caught up great for being 2 months early. He rolls over both ways now and makes his way all over the living room. Getting so big! We sure love our little boy!

Friends!

2009-03-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

With Hilary and JoEllenGinger and Cy
D8 Roomies!

This last month I have been able to reunite with some of my old friends and roommates! First I got together with my best buddies from LD's (we missed you Laura) JoEllen and Hilary. Both are married and we went out to dinner with our hubbies and caught up with eachother. We had a lot of fun and it was great to see them again! I also got to see my friend Shana Lynn while I was up in provo (I forgot to take pictures =( it was great to see her cute kiddos and talk with her for a couple hours! She is such a great mom! I don't think I am ready for 2 it looks like hard work but she handled it like a pro! Next my Best Friend Ginger came up and stayed over at my house for 2 nights while Dev was at a Nursing Convention. We had a blast! We didn't do too much, just went to the park and had a picnic, went to Walmart and hung out at my house. We got out old scrapbooks of us and reminisced about the old days. Stayed up till 2 in the morning laughing and talking! it was so fun! We have been best friends since we were 10 but haven't been able to hang out too much lately with her being busy with school so it was great to see eachother! Then the girls from D8 at snow (our freshman year at college) got together for lunch in Provo. Only one of the roommates was missing cause she lives in Oregon! but it was sure fun to see everyone. It had been since my wedding the last time we were all together. Can't believe it has been 6 years since we first met at D8. Best Roommates ever! Been so fun to reconnect with everyone! I love you all and the great friends you are!

I Heart Spring!

2009-03-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

We are loving the warm weather! We busted out our new BBQ we got for christmas this year from Dev's parents and loved it! mmmm I love BBQing and can't wait until it is nice enough to do it on a regular basis. It has been back and forth from nice to cold and windy and I can't wait till it just stays nice!

SIX MONTHS OLD!

2009-03-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

cute little baseball bum!

I can't believe my little boy is already 6 months old! It goes so fast. Cooper is the best baby. He is such a happy little boy. He is my joy. I love being Cooper's Mommy. He is growing and growing. Last time we had him weighed he was 14 pounds. He has started eating solids and loves squash and peaches! He gets excited when I put him in his high chair and starts grabbing for the spoon cause I guess I'm not fast enough. He loves his bath. He loves to just lay there and kick really hard so that he splashes me and him and thinks he is pretty funny when he does it! He also really loves his nightly rub down. I strip him down about an hour before bed time and rub him with lotion and let him play on the floor. He loves it, he just plays with his toys and rolls around. I love this stage and wish he would just stay this little forever! I know every stage is great but I am just having so much fun with him right now.

Cooper's first Valentines!

2009-02-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

sleepy little baby... so sweet!
I love my two brown eyed boys!
Happy Valentines day from little Cooper boy! Here he is all decked out in his Valentine outfit. He loves this little puppy stuffed animal, he especially likes to eat it. We had a good day just hanging out at home together and then Dev took me to dinner. K so we were having a good dinner of yummy salad, scones and steak. Talking about childhood valentines and having a great time. When I took a really big bite of steak and tried to swallow... AH panic. It won't go down! I take a drink of water and it goes down just far enough so that I can't breathe. but just wait it gets worse..It works its way down just far enough that I am still having a hard time breathing but can get a little bit of air through. But it still wont go up or down. at that point I leave the table to go to the bathroom. In the bathroom I am kneeling down with my finger down my throat trying to get myself to throw up so that I can breathe. That is when someone comes in the bathroom that only has one stall and apparantly I forgot to lock the door and she walks right in on me trying to make myself throw up! AAHHHHH talk about embarassing this girl prob thinks I am bulemic! I have never made myself throw up in my life except in this special circumstance where it is either throw up or have a hard time breathing! Anyway I get a little bit of the steak up and go back to the table. My appetite is ruined now and we get up to leave. Just as we are walking to the front I see the girl that walked in on me.. I try not to look at her but lo and behold her husband happens to be a good friend of Devin's from his college days and they come over to talk to us! So here I am talking to the girl that walked in on me! And in my mind I'm thinking do I tell her that steak was blocking my airway.... nope I don't say anything about it and we leave. Now the whole way home I am wondering if she is telling her husband its too bad that his friend married a girl that is bulemic! haha what a hoot! Never a dull moment.

BIG BOY!

2009-02-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

He wasn't too happy about wearing that hat! but it looked so dang cute on him!
made me laugh- he looked so shocked when I put him in his bouncer!
Loves his daddy!

Going on a walk- we made it 2 blocks before he was ready to come home!

eating cereal.... not sure what to think yet.

I love that he got Daddy's beautiful brown eyes!

I know this is a lot of pictures but my momma wanted to see new pics of Cooper so here ya go Mom! Today Cooper is 5 months old! I can't believe my baby is already 5 months old. It seems like it has gone by so fast. We have so much fun. I spend my days playing with Cooper. He loves when I read books to him, dancing around the living room, and when I sing. It makes him laugh. Maybe that's not a good thing =) He is the best baby. He is always happy and has brought so much joy into my life. I love waking up to him talking and gooing in the monitor and when I go to pick him up in his crib he always smiles at me so big. I especially love that he is sleeping 9 hours at night, and I didn't even have to implement a crying it out method or any other method that i was uncomfortable with. Not that I'll be able to repeat it with the next baby, cause I have no clue what I did, he just did it on his own. What a sweet little boy. He truly has been our miracle in so many ways. He is rolling over now, but only front to back. He talks and smiles and laughs and is just getting so big! Devin has started clinicals at different hospitals and is loving it! that is a relief, he picked the right career! he comes home just so happy and loves what he does. I love that he is only gone 3 days a week and no studying! it is pure heaven compared to all the studying and tests and late nights last semester! I am sure going to love this nursing thing when 3 days a week is considered full time. We have been having a great time hanging out and playing with our sweet little boy. As for me, I am loving life! I love living in Gunnison and my house, our ward and neighborhood and the friends I have already made here and living close to Dev's family is the best. I am so completely grateful for my blessings. The other day his two brothers came over and hung out and I couldn't stop thinking how nice it is to finally be close to family and get to see them on a regular basis! I have also started a new hobby! Dev got me a guitar for my birthday 2 years ago and I am finally learning how to play, it has been so fun! Thanks Katy for giving me lessons!

Gratitude

2009-01-29T13:15:00.000-08:00

I came across 2 blogs over the past couple days that have inspired me. They are nieniedialogues.blogspot.com and andrealarsen.blogspot.com 2 women that have gone through great trials in their life. I don't know what it is but I am especially drawn to people that have gone through really hard things, I don't know if it is because I have too gone through some tough things in my life or what it is but when I come across a story that involves tragedy and hardship and trials I am immediately drawn in. These two blogs have really helped me put my life in perspective lately. Over the past week I have felt sorry for myself. It was my 3 year anniversary on Jan 19th of the accident that could have so easily taken my life as well. For those of you that don't know my body was hit by a car going 40 mph, at only 20 years of age and loving my college life it was quite the setback. I should've been taken home to heaven that day, and the only explanation for how I am still here today is because Angels literally lifted me up over the car, I believe this with my whole heart because I felt it and I knew that I wasn't alone that night. The only thing that happened was my leg was broke in half and I had to have surgery on it. That was 3 years ago. It has healed very well and I thought I had full use of my leg back. Until the other night when I went Kickboxing and have been limping around the house for a full week in terrible pain. So that is the reason I have been feeling sorry for myself. I have had thoughts like- why can't I be normal and workout as hard as I want? How is it fair that I am only 23 and already in so much pain? I want to be able to run again, I want to dance and jump like I used to.... anyway all these thoughts were in my mind. Until today. and now I am ashamed of those thoughts. After reading two blogs about women that are so amazing and have gone through so much. And now my attitude has changed and I can't help but feel gratitude to be alive and to have such a wonderful life. After having 2 experiences that could have very well taken my life I have looked at life with different eyes. Eyes that remember every little experience, that take in the smell of my baby, the smell of my husband and commit them to memory forever. Eyes that try to remember every little detail about my husband because I don't want to forget anything. I don't want to take even one second for granted. Because life is so precious. And can be so short. But even after these experiences sometimes we forget and reading those 2 blogs really helped me to remember. Helped me remember not to take life for granted. Every single moment is wonderful, even if it contains washing dishes, doing laundry and changing poopy pants. Every single moment with our families and every single breath is a gift. Lets all make the most of it and live every second as if it were our last.

2009-01-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Need I say more.... I Love being a Mom!

I love my boys!

2009-01-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

Sick of pictures!

I have officially decided that growing up is harder for moms than babies! My little boy is getting so big. I guess I shouldn't complain because we have had him a baby and little a lot longer than we would have if he wouldn't have been born 2 months early. But still it just feels like he is getting big so fast! He has been sleeping really good at night and so we decided we should move him to his crib before he gets too old and knows that is what is happening. The night that we moved him into his own room in his crib was hard on me. I kept worrying about him and thinking he was lonely without us. Our house is built so our room is on one side of the house and the other rooms are on the other side so I was really missing him and worrying about him. He on the other hand slept great. I think he likes being in his crib better cause it is more room for him to spread out. But I still miss him right next to me all the time. Also we had Cooper weighed yesterday and he is now 12 POUNDS 9 OUNCES. So big huh? He is so much more aware now too and starting to talk and goo at us. Sure do love that boy!

Daddy's little boy!

2009-01-06T11:51:00.001-08:00

Can you tell which pics are Cooper and which are Devin? He looks just like his Daddy. Some people have said Cooper is starting to look like me, but to me he looks just like Devin. So cute! I love that I get to have a little Devin. I sure love my two boys!

I am a little depressed though. Devin went back to school. I have gotten very used to having him with me every day and I hate not having him here. I miss him. I know I'm pathetic but we have seriously had the best time together. We spent most of our time just together at home, didn't go anywhere really or do anything. And that was the best part having him all to myself and all I need for a great time is my hubby. We just stayed home playing settlers of Catan (that game is addicting, we got it for christmas and couldn't stop playing), scrabble, watching movies and playing with our baby. It was the life. And now its back to real life and school and being busy. Anyway I sure miss my Devin. Thank goodness I have little Devin to play with or I would sure be lonely.

Happy New YEAR!!!

2009-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Smiling at Mom!
Above- Cooper and Sidney Below- Cooper and Kate
Sorry this is a bunch of posts in one but I just finally got around to posting. It has been a great couple of weeks. I LOVE having my husband home with me. We have a had a great time sleeping in, playing games and just hanging out together. We had a really fun new year with some friends over at our house. I can't believe it is already 2009! hopefully I will be able to keep my new years resolution this year, usually they last about 3 weeks. ha. We have had some visitors with little girls that were born around the same time as Cooper. Two beautiful little girls. Cooper loved having them over as you can tell from that first pic he is so excited! And then the next pic they are linking arms, so cute!

Reflecting back over the year 2008 I have so much to be thankful for. During this year we have lived in Cedar city, Philadelphia and now happily settled in Gunnison. We had the miracle of our lives with the birth of our son and watched him go from the lowest of 2 pounds to now almost 11. What a trial it was to have a premature baby all at the same time of moving and school and having to be apart for a month, but what a truly remarkable son we got out of it and I would do it all again anyday. I am thankful everyday for having my baby at home with me, it was so hard to have to leave him every night in the hospital and to miss him near me so much. What a joy to have in our home and now I can't even imagine what we did without him. This year we also bought our first home and Devin finally got into Nursing school. Wow it is amazing how the Lord blesses in so many unexpected ways. Everything this year just fell into place and I know that we were truly watched over. I will always look back on 2008 and remember the many blessings and trials and good times we had! Now on to 2009 and I just know its going to be a great year!

Playin In Cedar!

2009-01-01T19:08:00.000-08:00

My biggest role models, My mom and Sister Jan'L

Cutest Kabryn! Love that little face!
Me and my Honey
Silly Sisters!
The day after Christmas we drove down to Cedar City to spend some time with my family. We only spent a few days because Cooper wasn't sleeping very well away from home and we also think he is starting to teethe. So sad, I hate when he is crying and in pain. Since there are lots of kids in my family we had to keep Cooper clear away from them so he wouldn't get sick so that was a little hard but it was worth getting to see everyone. The first night Jan'L and Dev and I stayed up talking late. Then the next day was Tyler's birthday and we had a party at the church for him. We stayed there playing games and basketball. That night we stayed up late after the kids were in bed playing cards. We had a great time seeing my fam. I miss you guys already!

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-01T18:36:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas this year. We stayed here in Gunnison and spent it with Dev's family. It was our third Christmas together and I am now 3 for 3 on surprising Devin for Christmas. That is my favorite part. This year I got him a flat screen TV and he had no idea. A week before Christmas Dev had to go get something in his parents basement (which is where I had hid his TV) and he comes up after taking a long time and tells me all excited that there was a flat screen TV down there covered by a blanket. I was SO mad. but he had no clue it was for him and decided it was prob for someone else in the family, never guessing that I had bought it for him. But on Christmas eve just to make sure he didn't suspect we made up a story that it was for his Uncle for Christmas and that his Aunt had asked to hide it there. So Devin's dad came and asked him to help him bring the TV out to the car with him and then his dad even drove to their house pretending to drop it off. So then Dev was really convinced it wasn't for him. So on Christmas morning we opened all our presents and Dev opened just 2 small presents and then we cleaned up all the boxes and starting getting ready for breakfast. Dev was changing Cooper's diaper and his Dad and Brother put the TV on the table with a big bow. When he walked into the Kitchen he was SO surprised. It was great! Then we just played games all day! I love Christmas!

Cooper's Blessing Day

2008-12-22T05:27:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday we blessed Cooper with a small group of loved ones at our home. We decided to do it at home now rather than wait a couple months when RSV season is over and we can take him to church. It was perfect. Devin did such a good job and it was a very special day for us. Cooper looked especially handsome in his mini tux. My parents came up that weekend and stayed with us a couple of nights. We had so much fun playing with the baby, playing games and watching movies. I love living close enough to my parents that we are able to do that. (too bad to most of my bros and sisters living so far away you are really missing out. =) All in all it was a great weekend and a busy one. Only a few more days till Christmas.. I can't believe how fast this last year went, looking back over the year we have so much to be thankful for. Most esspecially our wonderful families. I am convinved Me and Dev came from the two best families, and I am so thankful to be a part of both. I am also thankful for the little family we are starting, Cooper has been the biggest blessing and miracle for us this year. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2008-12-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

We went and weighed Cooper today and he has hit the big 10 pounds! what a chunk. I can't even believe that he has gained 7 pounds since he was born. He loves sleeping by the fire and looking at bright lights. He esspecially loves the lights on the christmas tree, and when I dance with him and sing to him. I love spending everyday with my sweet angel baby. The world likes to make us think that success is measured by what career we have or what degree but now I can see more and more each day what was meant by "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." And I really truly think that if I don't do one other thing in life being a mother has made me successful. I sure love my sweet little boy. and in other news the holiday season has officially started for us in the Ball home! Devin just finished his finals and has a 25 day break to be home with me! Today was his first day to have absolutely no homework or tests to study for, and I just love having my husband all to myself. He did so good in his first semester of Nursing school and is loving it but this was a much needed break for us. And honestly I am more excited that he is home with me for the next little while than I am about Christmas. It feels a lot more like Christmas around here with Devin home!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-12-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Cooper and his cute little hat ( Thanks Mel) Sweet baby (last time we weighed him he was 8 pounds 2 ounces)

We had Thanksgiving this year with my family. We had it at our house and had so much fun. With my fam usually it is lots of people and kids running around but since a lot of them are coming for Christmas they didn't make it out for Thanksgiving. But we had a lot of fun with our small group. Me and Dev were nervous about ruining the turkey but it ended up being so juicy! All the other food turned out great too. The boys all played Risk for a couple hours while the girls got the food ready. Then after dinner we watched family home videos of us growing up.. "TINILLE bring my shoes over here!"....me almost tipping over on my rocking horse...JanL pulling the wagon and pulling the wagon.. and my families all time favorite that we have to rewatch at least three times each year.. "He went the bathroom in his pants!" haha (Love you Ty Guy). Robert and Mel were going to head home after dinner but we got to chatting and it got later and later so they decided to stay the night. It was fun having my parents and brother and sister in law stay over. Thanks everyone for coming up!

The next day my parents stayed and watched Cooper while we went up to get Dev's little brother Dallin at the airport. He just got home from his mission to Philly, can't believe it has already been 2 years! Thanks Mom and Dad for watching Cooper. And can I just tell you what an Angel mother I have. While she was at my house watching Cooper she made my bed (we were in a hurry that morning) cleaned my house, made me a cassarole for dinner, and wrapped Christmas presents for us. I love you Mom and hope one day to be just like you!

New pics of our angel!

2008-11-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

Since thanksgiving is in 2 days I have been thinking a lot about what I am thankful for. I'm thankful for an angel baby that has brought so much joy into our lives. I'm thankful for our families and the love and support that they give us. And I'm thankful for the blessing of an eternal marriage and that I get to be with my best friend forever.

Home Sweet Home!

2008-11-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Baby's Room

View from the backyard

Where I try to cook =)

Living Room
Where Devin sleeps (I'm up all night with Cooper=)

Welcome to our home. It's official We are now homeowners! YAY! after 2 years of renting we are so excited to have a house of our own! Especially since I don't get out much anymore because there are limited places we can take Cooper, at least I have a place all my own to be in! its the best!

He's getting so big!

2008-11-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

We took Cooper to the Doctor on Tuesday and he now weighs 7 pounds 7 ounces! He has gained 4 pounds 4 ounces since he was born! He is getting so chubby, I love it! They also measured him and he is now 20.5 inches long- so he has grown 4 inches as well. He has been awake so much more lately. He loves to look at bright lights and just stares wide eyed at them. Devin has been really busy with school lately and we are counting down the days until this semester is over. I can't wait to spend almost a whole month with my sweetie! It will be the best to have him home. Also we are getting excited for Devin's little brother to get home from his mission in less than two weeks. Besides schoolwork we have just been enjoying watching our sweet baby grow and get to be a big boy!

A day in the Mountains

2008-11-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Dev and I went fourwheeling with his Dad and Aunt&Uncle. We went up in the mountains by Gunnison. It was beautiful up there, Next year I want to go before all the leaves fall. But even then the mountains were so pretty. I love living in Utah and feel so blessed to be able to just take off up the mountains and its only a fifteen minute ride to get there. Our four wheeler ride ended up being 4 hours long, longest ride I've ever been on but we had a great time!

The Joys of Motherhood

2008-11-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

Today has been quite the eventful day. This morning I got spit up on twice and peed on twice while changing his diaper. Then this afternoon while I was trying out feeding Cooper (He has taken a liking to a bottle and refuses to nurse so I have been trying to nurse him once a week or so to see if he will go back) So while I was trying to nurse him he was kicking and scratching me and then in an attempt to get it away from him he pointed it at me and squirted me in the face with my own milk! So back to the bottle we went. I have officially decided that he likes the bottle and there is nothing I can do about it. At least he is still getting my milk in the bottle. Besides that I am letting him have his way on this one. Then tonight while I was changing his diaper after feeding him I was wiping him when he spit up a lot so I averted my attention to that to clean him up when he poops on me and all over his blanket. It was like projectile poo! So after today I have come to the conclusion that I need to wear a plastic bag over my clothes to protect me from all the baby bodily functions thrown my way. And I wouldn't trade it for the world! Being Cooper's Mommy is the best job. I wouldn't give away the opportunity to be with my little one everyday for anything. I am so blessed to be able to be a stay at home Mom. I love every second of it! even when I am covered in poop =)

Halloween Fun!

2008-10-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

Cooper and Mommy
Sweet baby Cooper and Gramma

Our little punkin

Baby Cooper in his Halloween onesie!

My Beautiful WIFE =) haha

Devin dressed up as Florance Nightingale for his Halloween Carnival for school
Devin and one of his teachers. They both won best costumes!

What we have been up to Lately- We went to a couples Halloween party for our ward members last week and had a really great time. We already love our neighborhood and everyone in our ward is really great. The pictures of Devin as Florance Nightingale was for his school Halloween Carnival. He got extra credit to dress up as a girl nurse! good stuff. I couldn't stop laughing at him, he looks so funny as a girl! He is gonna hate that I put these pictures on here, but I couldn't help myself. It isn't everyday that my husband dresses up as a girl! For Halloween we went to dinner with Devin's parents and then came back to our house to play cards. We had a great time hanging out. It is so fun living in Gunnison and being so close to family. Also Devin's parents have been great to help watch Cooper for us when we need to go out. They are the best! Happy Halloween!

Life with Cooper

2008-10-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

Mom and Gramma Rae came to visit baby Cooper! We had a great time visiting! thanks for coming to see us!

We have had so much fun with Cooper home. He is such a good baby. I love being able to stay home and play with him all day. Its the life, I love being a stay at home Mom. Before having kids everyone would tell us that our lives were going to change and things were never going to be the same. Now that I am a Mommy I agree that having a baby does change things but in the best way. We love being parents! Cooper brings so much happiness to our lives and we love our sweet baby.

Looking Back

2008-10-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Dating Engaged
Our wedding day! September 8, 2006

Above- Our first year Anniversary!

Now- 2 years together and parents to baby Cooper!

So I didn't get to write on our 2 year anniversary cause I was in the hospital recovering from having the baby. September 8th was our 2 year anniversary. I can't believe we have already been married 2 years. and I can honestly say they have been the best 2 years so far and I'm so glad I get him for eternity! I love being married to Devin and couldn't ask for a better Husband. He takes such good care of me and we have such a good marriage. When I was still single and would dream about what married life would be like I couldn't even imagine it this good because my marriage is even better than I had dreamed it would be. Devin is such a good Daddy and I love watching him with Cooper. He is so good to help out with him. When he knows I am super tired he will get up with him in the night to feed him and let me sleep. Last night I wasn't feeling very good and he told me to take a nap and he would watch the baby. When I woke up he had folded the laundry and done the dishes. He is so thoughtful. One of the things I love most about our relationship is he is always making me laugh. He knows just how to cheer me up and he is the only one that can make me smile when I am mad. Thanks babe for 2 wonderful years, and here's to Eternity!

Cooper comes home!

2008-10-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

I finally had a minute to update my blog, and I really shouldn't be doing it now either, I should be resting! Having a new baby home doesn't really mean tons of sleep. But we are so unbelievably happy! We finally got to bring our sweet baby home from the hospital. It has been a long hard month, but we survived! The pictures show Cooper's journey to get big and come home from the hospital, the one at the very top is one I took today, so that is how big he is now. it is so nice to be home and together as a family again, I love getting to see Devin every day. It was killing me to be away from him. We bought a house in Gunnison and finished moving all of our stuff in last weekend. My mom came up and stayed with me for a few days and really helped me put my house together, I couldn't have done it without her. She has been an angel throughout all this and has taken off over two weeks of work to be with me over the past month, we have had a really fun time together I loved getting to see her so much. I love you Mom! Devin's parents have also been great to take care of Devin while I was up north! Now we are just home and loving life. I love waking up to the sweetest cutest little baby and taking care of him all day. I love being his Mommy! Since Cooper was born premature and it is coming onto RSV season we are homebound for the next 6 months until he is big enough to fight a sickness if he got one. So we are going to be home bodies for a little while, but after being away for a month I am just happy to have him home!

Cooper Devin Ball

2008-09-25T14:02:00.001-07:00

Wow I don't even know where to start. For those of you that don't know Devin and I welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world on September 5 at 9:38 pm. He was 3 pounds 3 ounces and 161/2 inches long. We named him Cooper Devin Ball. It was quite a surprise to have a baby 9 weeks early but we are so thankful he is so healthy and doing so good. On the day Cooper was born I was on bedrest so I was reading, talking on the phone, and I even updated my blog that day. At about 3 in the afternoon I started getting a really bad migraine, a migraine is a symptom of Preeclampsia and so my Dr. told me that if I got another one to go into the hospital. I decided to rest instead. Devin got home from school about a half hour later and that is when I started feeling worse. The migraine was getting to be unbearable but more than that I had this horrible pain from my ribs down. Devin finally convinced me to go into the hospital and see what was wrong. We got in there and they took my blood pressure- it was really high, which is another really bad sign that the preeclampsia was getting worse. The nurse left to call my Dr. and by the time she got back I was in such bad pain I was sobbing. My Dr. was in provo that day and so they told me that another Dr. was going to come in and have a look at me. I couldn't stop crying, I hurt so bad and I was so scared my baby wasn't going to be okay. The Dr. finally got in there and checked me, they decided something was definately wrong and since it was still 9 weeks before my due date that they would be sending me to provo in an ambulance. When the ambulance people got there they told me it was a liability thing and Devin couldn't go with me in the ambulance. I went hysterical. I was so scared to go alone, I needed my husband. The Dr. turned to the ambulance driver and said this is a special situation and her husband will be going with you. As soon as we got to Utah Valley Medical Center they got me right in and the nurse looked at me and said I think she is abrupting, get the Dr. in here. He was in the room within minutes and introduced himself to me and said Well lets have a birthday party! I instantly liked him, his attitude was so calming. The next thing I knew the epidural guy was there telling me to lay on my side, I hate needles but I wasn't scared at all I was in so much pain that I loved getting the epidural. Within minutes my pain was gone and I was in a very relaxed state. I looked over at Devin and he was all dressed up in a white suit with a face mask signing papers to let them give me an emergency c-section. All my pregnancy I had told Devin that having a c-section was my worst fear and here I was having a c-section. But honestly in the situation I was so scared my baby wasn't going to be okay that I would have let them cut me open anywhere to get him out. They wheeled me in the operating room and no kidding like 4 minutes later showed me our sweet baby and then whisked him away to the NICU. It was all very surreal to me. Now, looking back, I am so thankful that we were being watched over and that we got here just in time to get our baby here and that he is thriving and healthy. My placenta was abrupting when they delivered him and it was already 60 percent abrupted. If we had waited any longer we wouldn't have sweet baby Cooper here with us today. Cooper is just over three weeks old and I can't believe how much my life has changed in that time. I love being Cooper's Mommy, it is such an honor to be a mom and I love my sweet baby so much. Cooper is still in the NICU at Utah valley but is doing so good and growing like a weed. Last night they weighed him and he is 4 pounds 7 ounces. He is starting to eat really good and once he gets the feeding down he will be coming home! I can't wait to bring him home! I pretty much live at the hospital right now so I haven't had time to get pictures up but I will as soon as my life slows down a little bit! Thanks for all the prayers and love from family and friends. It means so much to have wonderful people behind us!

Baby update!

2008-09-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Belly Shot- 31 weeks along
New Haircut!
Update on us and baby update! Dev started Nursing school and is gone from 8-4 and then once he gets home he studies most of the night. It is going to be one busy year for him I can already tell. But I'm so proud of him for working so hard and studying his brains out. I have been trying to get stuff ready for us to move into our new house, once they have the carpet laid and the last touchups done we will be able to move in. Last weekend we moved all our stuff up from our storage unit in Cedar and it is now in the garage of our house just waiting to get it all moved in. As far as the pregnancy goes I was feeling really sick on tuesday and made an appt to see my doctor. We did some blood tests and it turns out that I have preclampsia and am now on strict bed rest until this baby comes. We had a scare because my levels were so high that we might have had to enduce me this weekend but thanks to lots of prayers from family and a priesthood blessing from my sweet Husband I am looking better and am just on a strict watch to make sure they don't go back up. It is pretty much week to week of when our baby will be here but we are really hoping that I can carry him until 37 weeks. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support. I am so thankful I have such a good doctor that is so attentive to me and my needs and even realized there was a problem. Thanks to my family for the regular phone calls that keep me going. And to my wonderful Husband that eventhough he is so busy with school he takes such good care of me! It's going to be a long couple of weeks but I can't wait to be a mommy and to have my sweet baby!

Fish Lake!

2008-08-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

This is Jan'l giving us a gripping rendition of one of her stories. Look how mezmorized we all are!

Here is the three girls modeling their oversized sunglasses.
Here is Jan'l, Davin and Kaeden. Doesn't Kaeden look really Happy :).
Here is us sitting on the picnic table.
All the cousins sitting around the fire. It was harder than it looked to get them all to sit there long enough for us to get a good picture of them but it sure is cute.
Twins?
Here is our fishing bait. ha ha
These are us on the fishing boat that we rented for the day. It was alot of fun to hang out on the lake all day.
Dottie is checking out the lake thinking maybe its time for a swim!
After Lake Powell with the Ball family we headed to fish lake to spend with the Petersen Clan camping. We had a lot of fun spending a couple days together in the mountains. We rented a big fishing boat and spent a whole day on the boat fishing and hanging out. We had a great time staying up late around the campfire telling stories and roasting marshmellows. Our last night there we stayed up playing phase 10 and laughing cause we all had what Dev calls the TJ's (tired jollies). It was our first camping trip since getting married and it was a lot of fun! I love family! it is so good to be home! It was a perfect ending to our summer to get to spend the weekend with both families! Now its back to school...

Lake Powell

2008-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dev waterskiing!
Me and Dev on the boat- look at the view behind us!

We have been super busy since getting back to Utah. The next day after we got back Devin had his nursing school orientation and then afterwards we drove down to Lake Powell. We only had 2 days to spend there but we had a fun time anyway. We went waterskiing, boat tours, and rode the wave runners. The boys made a golf course in the sand and started up the Powellisade golf tournament as well as a horse shoe competition (which Devin won=). We had fun staying up late playing games and telling stories! It was great to get to see family right after being gone for so long!

On the Move... AGAIN!!

2008-08-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

And we are on the move again! Heading back home to Utah. We are SO excited! I am so relieved that we survived another "alarm" summer. It is hard and Devin works his butt off all summer long. We left Utah the end of March and Devin has been working hard since then. It takes a lot to stay motivated all summer to work. Especially when family at home are going camping, boating, BBQ's and all the other fun summer stuff we miss out on. We are glad we came out here this summer and have had a lot of fun experiences, but are so ready to be home in Utah again. It is amazing that after being away from home for 5 months I realize more and more all the reasons why I love living in Utah so much. I love being near family, I love being able to go to Sunday dinners at our parents homes, birthday parties, or just spending the weekend with them. I love the Mountains! I love the red dirt. I love the dry mountain air with no humidity, it is so awesome to not feel moist all over your body all day long. I love the people, just random strangers smiling at you in the grocery store. It will be nice to have people look at my pregnant belly with a smile and think that I am old enough to be married and pregnant instead of out here the way the look on their face says, "teen pregnancy!" because they just can't fathom that I would actually choose to marry at my age. I love not having to pay a toll for everywhere we want to go! I love being surrounded by people with my same values. I am so excited to live in a small town. I am really looking forward to living in Gunnison, away from traffic and the big obnoxious city, just a down to earth slow paced life where people know the meaning of life and live it to the fullest. That is where I fit in and where I am really meant to be. I love so many things about living in Utah I can't even begin to name them all. But being away has been a great adventure for us and I have enjoyed our time here and am thankful that it made me love my home that much more! Here's to home to Utah and to getting there soon!

Washington DC

2008-08-06T15:40:00.001-07:00

The WWII memorial with the Washington Monument in the background! Beautiful! Devin at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery
Lincoln Memorial
The South side of the White House
Me and Dev in front of the main entrance to the White house
We went to Washington DC this last weekend with our friends James and Travis! That was the last place on our list of things we wanted to see while living in Philly this summer. It was a fun day in DC though it is hard to see everything in one day we were able to see a lot. We went to the Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII memorial, and saw the White house and the Capital Building. We also went inside the National Archives Museum and saw the original Declaration of Independence and United Stated Constitution. Then we rode the Metro to Arlington Cemetery to see the tomb of the unknown soldier. That was one of my all time favorite parts.. on the tomb it says the words,"Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier known but to God." It is always guarded and it is one of the highest honors to be a guard for the tomb. We got to watch a changing of the guard Ceremony, it was very humbling and made me feel extremely grateful for those that died for our freedom. I love Washington DC, it was so awesome to see everything and to see the monuments honoring the great leaders of our country and the men that died serving our country. It makes me very proud to be an American!

Girl's Day to the Amish Country!

2008-08-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Me and my cute friend Carson
Amish women in horse and buggy!
All of us prego's posing in front of the pregnant goat! (you can't see it very well but the poor thing was so big! )
On our Buggy ride!

Me and some of the other wives that are out here (Carson, Ligia, and Jennilyn) all went to the Amish Country! When we got there we went to a bunch of the little shops with homemade stuff the amish people made. There was a lot of crafty things and I wanted to buy it all but knew we wouldn't have room in our car to take it home to Utah! They had some amazing smelling candles and beautiful quilts! We also went on a buggy ride through the Amish neighborhoods. My favorite was all the little kids, they were so cute riding through town on their bike/scooters and driving mini buggy's pulled by pony's! The Amish people really work hard and it was kinda cool to see how they live. We went to a Buffet for dinner and stayed for like 2 hours talking and eating! and the best part was they had this amazing homemade peanut butter and a really good peanut butter pie dessert. Overall we had a really fun girl's day out!

Philly vs. Braves game!!!

2008-07-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

At the game!

Getting Bigger everyday!! Me at 26 weeks!
So last weekend we went to a Philly's game. Devin's favorite baseball team the Atlanta Braves were in town so we just HAD to go! =) We got pretty good seats on the 23rd row behind the Braves dugout. After the 2nd inning we had a rain delay for an hour in a half. And then the Braves ended up losing 10-12. It was a really good game though with lots of home runs! I love going to Baseball games, it was so much fun! especially when you have such good seats. It was funny cause after we got home I said to Devin, "I love Baseball." and he about died. and then I was like, did I REALLY just say that? cause if any of you know I am not the biggest sports fan in the world. I enjoy going to games but my family just wasn't that big into sports growing up, not like Dev's family they love sports so it was kind of an adjustment at first. But honestly since we have been married I have learned SO much about sports and really do love it! who knew I was a secret sports fan all this time!! hehe. I'm so happy my honey loves sports and that he will pass that on to our little boy. I can't wait to watch my little boy play!

2008-07-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

This one is taken at the hotel, gotta love the 70's decor! Here are some pics of me at 24 weeks pregnant, so 6 months. Its great to be showing that I am pregnant now instead of just feeling it! I have been feeling pretty good except after I eat. Usually I have to eat a tums after every meal, it settles my stomach a little for some reason. I have felt the baby moving around a lot lately. It's so cute I love feeling him move. When I am wearing certain pants he kicks really hard as if he thinks they are too tight and restricting on him. I love how everytime I push on my belly he will kick my hand in greeting, as if to say, "Hi mommy Im still in here!" hehe. And each time I move my hand to a different spot he will kick wherever I push down at. So cute!

Lately our life has consisted of working and studying. Devin has two online classes he has to take before Nursing school starts this fall so I have been helping him out by studying with him. Right now we have been staying in a hotel 3 hours away from our apartment cause that is where they are working. Most of the other wives stayed back at the apartments but I just don't like being away from Devin so I came along! We can't wait until the summer is over and we are headed back home, only 3 in a half weeks left out here! I just can't wait to get home and get things settled for the baby. We have so much to buy for him, a nursery to plan, and we need to find a place to live! It will be so nice to be in Utah for the fall. I have missed Utah Summers the past two and last fall we were in California so I am really looking forward to the changing leaves and the perfect Utah fall weather! Home is calling to me already and the best part will be living by family again!

NEW YORK CITY!!!

2008-07-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Empire State BuildingOn the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

Pictures from going to see the Statue of Liberty. It was really cool to see up close. They don't let you go up in it anymore because there is no quick way to evacuate people since it is just one spiral staircase going up to the top.

Us at the Manhattan Temple. It is right in the middle of the city but when you walk in the front doors the same spirit is there.

Me and Devin went on a harbor lights night cruise that takes you all along the shore of New York City and down under the bridges, by the statue of Liberty and back around. It was beautiful. Especially the sunset!

At the Broadway play Wicked. It was SO good! Devin wasn't really excited to go because he doesn't really like musicals but he ended up loving it and wanted to see it again! it really is a must see. I loved it and now can't stop playing the CD at home. The music is so good, especially after you have seen the play!
On the 4th of July we went to the Yankees- Red Sox game at the Bronx. They are tearing down the Yankees stadium after this year and Devin really wanted to see it before they did. We went to Monument park in the Stadium that has all the monuments of all the greats that played for the Yankees through the years. Devin loved it! The game was alot of fun. It was hard to get tickets for the game being on the 4th but we managed to get some at the very top. Well it rained out the game and so there was a rain delay.. most everyone went home so when the game started up again we moved down. It worked out perfect! And even better, the Red Sox won! Below is a picture of all of us waiting for the fireworks to start. It started to rain and we only had one umbrella for all of us! The fireworks were amazing, even in the rain. It was fun to see so many let off at once but I still prefer the small town firework shows while laying on the grass in a blanket instead of watching in the company of a million people!
Us playing on the Big piano from the movie BIG in Fao Schwartz on Fifth avenue and below is a pic of me and Dev in times square at night!
Last week Devin took off four days of work and we drove to NYC to meet Devin's family, they flew out from Utah for the vacation! We all rented a house in Queens like 30 minutes from the city by train. We had so much fun getting to see family this summer, usually we go all summer without seeing anyone! We stayed there 5 nights and rode the train every morning into the city to see the sites. There is a lot to see in New York and we crammed all that we could into the 4 days we were there. We got to see Central Park, 5th Avenue, Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Yankee Stadium, Chinatown, Little Italy, Times Square, The Empire state Building, Rockefellar Center, World Trade Center Site and many more. My favorites would have to be Wicked, the Yankees game, Times Square and the Ground Zero Tour. On the Ground Zero Tour they take you through a gallery of pictures and quotes from people who were there on September 11 and then on a tour to see the site from an adjacent building. The tour guides are people that were there on Sept 11, it was really cool to hear their stories and to really picture what it would have been like on that day. It really hit closer to home to be there and was really touching to read the stories of people that lost their loved ones and coworkers. I also really liked Times Square at night. So many lights and tons of people and shops and fun places to eat! We had a lot of fun in New York and were so glad we got to go. NYC is so busy with so many people and we had fun seeing it but decided we really do like our laid back slow paced life in Utah!!

Beach Day!

2008-07-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. I really loved the long boardwalk with all the shops and restaurants but the beach part wasn't all that great. They made you pay 5 dollars to go sit on the beach for the day. How dumb is that! I refused to pay it so we waited till someone left their post where you pay and ran down there anyway! It was a pretty beach and the waves were perfect the day we went. We had a lot of fun hanging out on the beach, playing in the sand building things and making tunnels and looking for seashells. After we were done we decided to go drive by Atlantic City to see what it was like. I have heard that it is the Vegas of the east. We decided we like Vegas way better though, there is lots to do in Vegas besides just gambling and that was all there was to do in Atlantic City. They only had like 4 casinos and they were all in a really ghetto part of town. The best casino was the Taj Mahal. All in all the day was a success!

2008-06-27T19:37:00.001-07:00

The city of Philly behind us!

Us in front of the Rocky Statue!
Devin is ROCKY!! haha

The Betsy Ross house
Last weekend Devin and I went to downtown Philly to go to a few things that we missed last time. We went to see the Betsy Ross house and also to see the Rocky Statue. I love the weekend! I live for the day when Dev doesn't have to work and we get to be together. It doesn't even ever matter what we are doing as long as we are together we have the best time! It's what I look forward to all week long!

CONGRATS BABE!!!

2008-06-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the news! We found out today that Devin got accepted into the nursing program at Snow College in Richfield! It's a two year program, the first year he will have his LPN and then apply to do the weber extension to get his RN from weber for the next year. We are both really excited to be living in Central Utah again (Dev obviously grew up there and I fell in love with it there after going to Snow College in Ephraim). We would love to settle somewhere in Central Utah and we are so happy that we get to move there now while he is going to school instead of after he is done!

Dottie Girl!

2008-06-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

I was reading different sayings on how life changes when you have a baby and it said, "Now your dog who all this time has been your baby turns into just a dog." Sad to think that is coming for little Dottie girl, but I personally think I can have two babies =). She really is a spoiled little dog and she is our baby. We have had Dottie for just over a year now. We adopted her from a lady in South Carolina who had too many dogs and had to go back to work, she felt bad for Dottie because she needs a lot of love and attention and she was never home. We got her for free! Usually things for free aren't the best but not in this case. We really lucked out. We love our dog. She is the best mannered dog I have ever had. She came potty trained and hardly ever messes up. She rarely barks and she is just so dang cute. She has some funny little quirks like she is shy when she first meets new people or new dogs but overall she is the best doggy and we love her! She is so funny when she gets excited and tears through our apartment so fast zipping in and out of the furniture! We love our Dottie girl!

2008-06-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

It's a BOY cake!!! Me at 20 weeks pregnant! Halfway there! Dev being cute!
Trying out our timer on the new camera we just bought!
This is a random post but everyone keeps wanting pictures of the ever growing prego belly so here they are. Still fitting in my old jeans so far but I did buy some maternity ones cause i just know I'm going to wake up one morning HUGE!!! haha So far still loving the pregnancy. The second trimester really is the best. The first was rough but the second has been great. Not too uncomfortable yet and I actually feel pregnant since I can feel him moving around now! Also we made a Boy cake to celebrate having a boy! YAY for little boys!

ITS A BOY!!!!!!

2008-06-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Our babies profile! Devin-

Ten tiny fingers and Ten little toes

Sweet chubby cheeks and a little nose

Big Brown eyes and dimples too

I can't wait to raise a little YOU!!!

Love- Sarah

This is the poem I wrote to Dev when we found out we were pregnant. And I'm so excited that we really are going to have a little Devin! I hope he looks just like his daddy! It was so fun to go to our ultrasound today, Our little boy is so big and I loved to watch him move his arms and legs all over and put his thumb in his mouth. He's so cute and I can't wait until he is here!

Blue or pink???

2008-06-10T09:51:00.001-07:00

We find out on Friday morning what we are having. I can't wait! What is everyones prediction on what it will be? Will I be buying blue or pink? Comment here or vote to the right! Hurry and vote only 3 days left!!!

Being Silly in Philly!

2008-06-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Me & DevOur little Dottie girl
Yeah were silly!
Just hanging out with Dev before he has to go to work! I love the time I get to spend with my sweet husband. He always just laughs at me when I get in my silly hyper moods. He always knows just what to say to make me laugh when I'm having a bad day and he is the best listener when I just need to vent. I feel so blessed to have him for my Husband. I am so happy that though it is hard to be so far away from family that we have eachother and that is all we need. He is the only thing that I need in life to make me completely happy.

on a different note.....We find out in one week from today what we are having! I can't wait to find out! I need to start buying either blue or pink.. YAY! Now that I am in my second trimester I have really loved being pregnant. Just this past week I started feeling my baby move, I can't really say kick cause it feels more like a baby nudge than a kick. But the first time I felt it I instantly felt a surge of love for our baby growing within me. I can't wait to be a mommy!

2008-06-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

NASCAR in Dover, Delaware!
Us and the Monster mile!
Right after a really big wreck

All the techs in our office and Me went to Nascar in Delaware. I had never been to Nascar before and honestly I think its a really boring sport to watch on TV. Its just cars going round and round a track, right? So I didn't really know what to expect when we got there. And I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I was going to. My favorite part was when they first start the race, the cars are SO loud and its really amazing how fast they are going around the track. I was completely fascinated for the first 20 or so laps. Right at the beginning there was a huge wreck that took out a bunch of cars that was awesome to see, but also scary, they were going so fast it was crazy to see so many totaled cars. After that It got kinda monotonous.. 400 laps takes a long time. But i really liked the end too, where the winner does his burn out and they shoot fireworks. So overall it was pretty fun, a little long but I'm glad I can now say I have been to Nascar.

2008-05-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

At the Liberty Bell

Tomb of the unknown soldier
Independence Hall

Statue of George Washington

We went and toured Philly with our friends Boone and Krystal and it was really cool to see all the sights. I especially liked Independence Hall where men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin all met among others and signed the Declaration of Independence. Also we got to see the Liberty Bell, Franklin Court, and the tomb of the unknown soldiers where over 2000 soldiers were buried from the Revolutionary War. It's very humbling to see some of the places where this great nation started and where men brave enough to fight for our independence once met. I'm so grateful for these men and that because they trusted in God we have the great country that we do. I'm so proud to be an American!

2008-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Our apartments in Philly!Our River! I love the Greenery next to it! We can see it from our apartment! Its calling to me and one day I will swim in it! =)
Just ME! Went dark again- Just can't keep track of what my hair color is now can we!
So here is a peak at our life in Philly. This is where I spend most of my time. At the apartments, either at home, the office, at the gym, at Krystals, at the pool, or taking Dottie on a walk. Since I don't have a car I only get to venture out with Devin. Well for the most part. Except this week on our day off, Wednesday Me and my friend Krystal decided we wanted to be dropped off at the mall. We shopped for 5 hours and then went to catch the bus home. We are obviously NOT your average bus riders. So here are some rules to follow next time you attempt to ride the bus home. Number 1- you must have exact change when trying to pay for the bus. The bus driver does NOT have change for a 20. hah Number 2- The Bus does not stop at every designated stop UNLESS you first pull the cord. Sad to say but if you do not pull the cord the bus will not stop and you WILL miss your stop. Number 3- When everyone gets off the bus except for you and the Bus driver says, "Well Ladies this is as far as my bus goes." get very worried and hope and pray you have a nice bus driver that will take you home and not just drop you off in some random town far from where you live! and Number 4- when you do get dropped off at the right stop make sure that you are able to get home from your stop and the key thing here is BEFORE you actually attempt it at 10 o clock at night. So after missing our stop and riding the bus for what should have been a ten minute ride for over an hour we finally got dropped off at the right stop. But what we didn't realize is that from our stop to our house is about 200 feet of no sidewalk right by a freeway on ramp and off ramp and lots of fast moving cars! So just picture 2 girls with shopping bags running wildly to get from point A to point B. After all was said and done was our adventure to the mall worth it! OH YES every second was worth it!

2008-05-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

This was a fun sunday! it was our second sunday here and Dev couldn't wait any longer, he had to go see his brother! Devin's little brother Dallin has been serving his mission in philadelphia for just over a year now and so when we found out we were going to be working in Philly this summer we were excited to get to see Dallin. We made sure no one told Dallin we were going to be in Philly this summer so we could surprise him when we got there. It worked out even better than planned. We arrived at the church and as we were walking up we could see some missionaries in the foyer through the window. Devin walked in first and there were 6 missionaries standing there, Dev looks at Dallin and says, "Remember me?" Dallin's face was Classic when he realized it was us. He grabbed onto his companions arm and looked like he might pass out and said, "That's my brother!" it was hilarious! It was a little awkward at first but it was good to get to see him. We could tell how devoted of a missionary he is! Dev loved getting to see his Bro and can't wait till he gets home!

My 23rd Birthday!

2008-05-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Me and my presents! And Flowers my mom and Dad sent me! Thanks everyone!

You gotta love Devin's wrapping paper! I sure did!

I can't believe I am 23 years old. It just seems like such a BIG number. haha I know I know soon I'll be 30 and 23 will sound very young. =) I had a great 23rd birthday thanks to my sweet husband. It was my second birthday spent far away from family since last summer we were in South Carolina for my birthday as well. This year Devin got off early from work to take me out to Dinner, then we came home and opened pressents. Dev got me a digital scrapbook program and I love it! He is so observant, I told him prob 2 times that I wanted one but it was over 3 months ago that I said it. And I didn't ever tell him which one to get. He remembered that I wanted one and got me the exact program I wanted! I'm so thankful for my amazing husband that is so thoughtful and sweet! He takes such good care of me and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be married to him!!!

2008-04-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for!! "

We are excited to announce we are having a baby this October!

We couldn't be happier about having a baby and are really excited to be parents. It's wierd to think that I'm actually old enough to be a Mommy =) I'm almost out of my first trimester and hope to be feeling great again soon! This first little bit has been full of not only morning sickness, but ALL day sickness! FUN! But the hardest thing has been to get over my aversion to food. Eating is a nightmare and nothing ever looks good, which would be great if I was trying to lose weight but isn't so good when I have a growing baby inside! I hope to love food again soon! I don't mind being sick though, it will all be worth it when I hold my sweet angel in my arms.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

2008-04-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Beautiful NAUVOO temple!

Joseph & Hyrum monument at the Carthage Jail
Monument of Joseph & Hyrum's last ride before the martyrdom

Me in front of Carthage Jail
The BIG ole Mississippi River!
Joseph & Emma's Mansion house
Devin preaching from the pulpit of the Seventies Hall

On our drive out to work in Philly this summer we stopped for a day in Nauvoo. Neither me or Dev had ever been to Nauvoo before and it was an amazing experience. Its truly humbling to walk where the Prophet Joseph once walked. The spirit was very strong in this little city and I loved every minute of it. One day definately was not enough time to spend and we want to go back soon. What they call "old Nauvoo" is the part of town that is now owned by the church and has been restored to the way it once was. Being there I could almost picture myself one of the early saints as well. Nauvoo is a beautiful little town right on the mississippi, with the most beautiful temple that overlooks it. We crammed as much as we could into our day at Nauvoo and didn't even stop to eat the whole day cause we had so much to see. We got to see some of the homes of these early saints including John Taylor, Lucy Mack Smith, Jonathon Browning as well both the Homestead and the Mansion house where The Prophets family lived. One of the best parts was all the couple missionaries that give the tours at each site. We drove the half hour to go to Carthage jail where the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. When you go in the room where it happened it is an overwhelming spirit that is there, I felt so much love and admiration for the two great men that gave their lives for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for them. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith and know that he was truly a man called of God and will forever be revered as the Greatest man to ever live.

2008-04-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Jason & TiNille's wedding day!!! Devin & Sarah! Me and My Sisters Jan'L and TiNille!Dev and Audrey baby!
Here are some pics of my sister's wedding in Cali. She looked very beautiful and they looked so happy together!

Crazy Week!

2008-03-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have been such a slacker lately! actually we have just been REALLY busy! We have been trying to get all packed up and ready to move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This past week we packed up our whole house, moved it to storage and flew to Cali to go to my sister's wedding! It has been CRAZY to say the least. We are staying at Jan'L's and having a blast! TiNille gets married tomorrow ( I will post pics as soon as I can) and then we fly home on monday and leave to drive clear across the country on wednessday! Its going to be a long 5 days of driving, but I'm excited to get there. Our apartments from the pictures online look SO nice and I'm excited to live at the pool again this summer. I love swimming, and last summer I practically lived in my swimming suit! It will be another great summer adventure, at least I hope =)

2008-02-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! I love Valentine's Day! I had to work tonight so we didnt get to go to dinner or anything
(We'll go tomorrow night) but I thought it was really cute that Devin surprised me with roses. He's such a sweet Husband and I love him so much!

2008-02-09T10:06:00.001-08:00

I've been TAGGED!!!

So here goes---
10 YEARS AGO- I was 12. Wow that was a long time ago. I never couldve imagined I would be so happy and so fulfilled with my life. I am so thankful for those growing up years that led me to who I am today.

5 things on my " to do" list for today
What to do list =) its my day off.... no I probobly should clean the house, do the laundry... that should take all day!

3 of my BAD habits-

1- Talking TOO much, on the phone, at work, to strangers- you name it!

2- I Run into things, stub my toes, hit my hand on sharp corners.. I'm constantly getting

hurt from not paying attention.

3- I'm bad at time management... before I know it the day is over and I still have so much to do!

I ENJOY- Spending time with my Husband! Singing, playing the piano. Scrapbooking, cutting hair, Reading, shopping!

Snacks I love- apples and cheese, yogurt, chips and salsa!

What would I do if I was suddenly made a billionaire? I probobly wouldn't change anything, I'm really content with things just as they are. Probobly just invest it all and help out anyone in our families that needed it-- paying off houses, cars that sort of thing. Then maybe take everyone on a big vacation!

5 places that I've lived?

1. Leavenworth, Washington

2. Cedar City, Ut

3. Ephraim, Ut

4. Greenville, South Carolina

5. Emeryville, California

And this summer Virginia Beach, VA!!

5 jobs that I've had?

1- Golfland

2- Tutoring English

3-Waitressing

4-Receptionist

5- Cosmetologist

5 things people don't know about me....

1- I was raised in a very conservative Republican home and to this day I am a very political person. My Mom is very patriotic and taught me to be as well, and to want to know what is going on in the world and to actively get involved. God bless the USA!!!

2- I love kids! I have 23 nieces and nephews and love each one of them very much!

I am so excited to someday be a mommy.

3- I love traveling- and driving long distances doesn't bother me thanks to my Dad. Growing up when we would go on vacation my Dad would take the extra long route home to see new country and so as to avoid taking the same road twice!! Love you Daddy!

4- I am the youngest of 8 kids! I loved growing up in a big family, and am still trying to convince Dev that having 6-8 kids of our own isn't too many! haha

5- Two years ago I got hit by a car. I honestly think that me being alive today is nothing short of a miracle. But the good thing of having lived through that is I truly live each day as if it were my last!

I'm tagging- EVERYONE that reads this!

2008-02-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

When you preview the book make sure to hit the aarow at the bottom to see all the pages!! enjoy!

2008-02-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

2008-01-28T13:22:00.000-08:00

President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away last night. I was very saddened by this news, but at the same time so happy for him to be reunited with his wife. President Hinckley was such an amazing Prophet. He did so much to further this great work. He was Prophet for all of my growing up years and really the only one I remember, its hard to think about having conference without his testimony, he will be greatly missed. We love you President Hinckley!

2008-01-21T19:03:00.000-08:00

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA!!!!! So we found out this last weekend that we will be moving to Virginia Beach the end of April. We are really excited to be by the beach! YAY! I lived in Virginia Beach when I was 13 for a summer and stayed with Justin & Christie and Amber & Rob. I loved it out there. I'm excited to be moving back now that I'm older. So its official we are going to be beach bums this summer =) I can't wait!

2008-01-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

Devin at the Bowling Alley- after getting a strike! Me & Audrey Baby
Me and Dev playing with the Kiddos
My beautiful sister and darling Ayvri Silly Sissy's!
More Holiday Fun!Toni Dee and babies Ayvri and Audrey- so sweet
The Cute kids making a gingerbread house!

2008-01-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

Tyler and Dad playing Wii!

Audrey on the sleigh!

Christmas in Cedar! We had another really great Christmas together, this year it was spent with my family. My brother Kade, his wife April and their 4 kids were with us and it was so fun to see the kids open their presents. Also Devin got to experience the opening of presents one at a time like my family does and this year it did take us way too long to open them but we had a really fun time! The only thing I'm sad about is that Christmas is over and I have to wait a whole year again! I love christmas! We spent the rest of the day playing with presents (mostly Devin's Wii he got) and sledding. My Dad got a runner sled this year and we tried going down the hill by my grampa's house but it just wasn't going fast enough, so we tied a rope to the sled and to my Dad's truck and away we went. The funniest part was when my sister Jan'L and I went on it together, we were screaming the whole way and then on the straight run my Dad started driving really fast, we hit a bump and my bum fell off the sled but I was still holding onto Jan'L and dragging my butt at 20 mph. Pretty soon I pulled her off too and there we were dragging our butts in the gravel. When we were finally free of the sled we just layed in the snow and laughed, even though we both got bruises from our adventures!

Christmas Eve Party!

2007-12-16T22:16:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in Gunnison

We had a lot of fun in Gunnison this year for Thanksgiving. We played a lot of games and just had a really great time together as a family. It was my first thanksgiving to be away from my family and my mom's way of cooking Thanksgiving dinner. My Mom is such a good cook and I was really thankful this year to find out that my Mother in law is also a good cook and we had a delicious dinner. At this time of year it reminds me of how thankful I am for the blessings in my life. I am so thankful for first of all my amazing Husband and the wonderful first year we have had together. I had heard so many times before getting married that the first year is the hardest and I can honestly say that if thats true then I can't wait for many more years to come, cause this year has been bliss. I am also so thankful for my family and for the opportunity this year of getting to know better my inlaws. Me and Devin both came from amazing families of values and hard work and I am so thankful to not only have been born to the family I did but also to have married into the family that I did. How blessed are we to be surrounded by so many amazing people. We love you all and hope that this holiday season finds you all blessed and happy!

YUMMY Thanksgiving pies!

2007-12-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby Audrey!

While in California I got to spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews. It was so much fun to live only 45 minutes from my sister JanL, 20 minutes from my sister Tini and an hour from my brother Kade. We did a lot of fun things while in Cali- including going to a corn maze and pumpkin patch, Going to Great America, and 2 trips to the Kenney Ranch in Northern Cali. We also got to help TiNille and Jason move into their new house and help Jason and Jan'L remodel their kitchen. We spent many nights up until 2 in the morning remodeling, but at the same time having fun. Me and Jan'L of course got a little giggly by 2 in the morning and were no longer that much help. Including putting on the wrong cabinet doors in the wrong places but that of course made us laugh even harder at how dumb we were. JanL, Tini, and I had some great adventures at the Park doing my trick on the swings, and also shopping. We had a really fun shopping trip to the Gap outlet with all three of us in the same handicapped dressing room with piles of jeans of the floor. I am so thankful I got to spend so much time with my Sisters and get to know the wonderful women they have become!

Cutie kids playing in the Boxes!

Devin and Jason hard at work

2007-12-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

So for everyone that has been bugging me to update my blog, here it is! Sorry for taking so long!

Here are our official first year anniversary photos taken by my sister JanL. Thanks Sissy!

2007-09-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

Since we have been married we have had many adventures together. We lived in Cedar City for 7 months, South Carolina for 5 months and are now living in California until December! It has been crazy moving around so much but we have enjoyed the many places we have been able to live! It really gives you a new perspective of "home", which we now know is definately UTAH! i can absolutely say we are living life to the fullest and years from now I know we will be thankful for our fun experiences before kids and the great time we have had being "just the two of us!" Here are a few pictures of our adventures this year!!!!

Family picures and Thanksgiving in Cali with my family!!!

Our First Christmas together! the best part of this christmas was seeing Devin's face when he realized I had gotten him a snowmobile! He was SOOOO excited!!!

Happy Valentines Day! In San Diego for Vacation! On a hike to a waterfall in SC with Roberto and Mel! This was our first week after we moved to South Carolina. We are at the Reedy River Falls, just 10 minutes from our house. This was the first of many evenings enjoyed at the Falls. Happy Fourth of July! We added a sweet little additon to our family named Dottie! At the Braves Game! We had so much fun. The Braves has been Devin's favorite baseball team since he was little and I have never seen someone more like a kid in a candy store then Dev was when he got to go to the Braves Game. We had the best seats too... five rows up from the Braves dugout! At Beautiful Lake Powell with Devins Family! What a blast! Devin is an awesome water skiier! Me on the other hand, just learned to water ski this year Our one year Anniversary!!! Devin and Sarah enjoying the beautiful Burney Falls in Northern Cali! Petersen Family Reunion at the Ranch! My beautiful sissy's and Momma!!

How we Began....

2007-09-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time at Snow College Sarah sat down at the computer lab in the library and said Hi to the handsome boy sitting next to her. He flashed his dimples at her and that was the end of that, she was a goner! A year and four months later they were married in the Manti Temple for time and all eternity! And lived happily ever after...