2015 Recap

January-
~We went on vacation with Mariah's family. A Caribbean cruise that left from New Orleans.
~Spring semester started up the day we got back.
~Mariah took all online classes with her new General Education major, while working 30 hours per week.
~Isaac was chugging along with his Civil Engineering degree.
~Mariah moved to the front desk position at work.

February-
~We celebrated our first legit Valentine's Day as a married couple (last year 2014 Mariah had her last wisdom tooth out).
~Towards the end of February we both decided we were ready to start trying to have a baby.
~We attended the Idaho Falls temple for the last time for awhile, because it closed for renovation.

March-
~One of our best friends Breanna came home from her mission to Louisville Kentucky this month, and we attended her homecoming.
~We were both convinced that Mariah was pregnant this month, but were sadly disappointed when it just turned out to be an ovarian cyst. This lead to a semi-hard few weeks.
~We signed up for Life Insurance this month.
~We looked at our new house in Mid March, and paid the security deposit and signed the lease towards the end of the month.
~We attended Mariah's work party at Outer Limits, where we played laser tag and mini golf. It was a lot of fun!
~We went out to eat at Big Judd's the night before our camping trip with most of Isaac's family.
~We went on our first camping trip at Twin Bridges together this month during spring break.
~We attended Maycee Kerr's baby blessing the end of this month.

April-
~We got keys for our new home on April 1st.
~We went to Isaac's mission reunion the first weekend this month, and had a great time catching up with people he hadn't seen in awhile.
~We watched General Conference and absolutely loved the talks.
~We also moved the essentials into our new home the same weekend.
~Isaac's dad and brother in law, Hans, came down and helped us finish moving on the 11th.
~We also went to red lobster that night with Mariah's family.
~We found out that Mariah was pregnant on April 15. Even though we were "not preventing" we were still totally surprised. I felt great for the most part, except for nights when I usually felt minimally sick and so very exhausted.
~Mariah started working full time again on April 20.
~Mariah had her first doctor's appointment on April 23, which consisted of some blood work, and seeing how far along the baby was. The nurse tried the heart doppler, if we could hear the heartbeat then it was 10 weeks, if not only 6 weeks.We couldn't, so only 6 weeks at that time. 
~We went to our last couple of Sundays in our old ward, and also our last cub scouting events.

May-
~May started with a boom of Mariah being a lot more sick, although less tired.
~We finished up our semester the first few days, and took finals.
~Isaac had a little bit of a break after finals, which was nice for him to get a little bit caught up on his sleep.
~We went home for Mother's Day weekend to spend time with our families.
~We told both of our families that we were expecting a sweet baby in December on Mother's Day,  which also happened to be our 2 year Anniversary. Everyone was so excited, and we got some wonderful reactions.
~We went down to Utah for Memorial Day weekend and stayed with our friends the Bradley's. We went to the Payson Utah temple open house, and spent all of Monday going to baby stores and checking out prices and different products (Idaho has the worst selection of baby stuff).
~Mariah got stranded on the freeway for a little bit after the car overheated, while she waited for a tow truck.
~Mariah taught her first Relief Society lesson on May 31st. She was very nervous.

June-
~We had another doctor appointment on the 2nd. We got to hear the babies heartbeat for the first time, and the doctor estimated about 12 weeks. Mariah had to have her blood taken again, to test her thyroid levels. The nurse called the next day and said her levels were still low so they sent over a prescription of medication.
~After starting to take the Thyroid medication, Mariah started to have a lot more energy than she'd had in a long time.
~We announced the pregnancy the first week in June, at 12.5 weeks.
~Titus came home from deployment, and so the first weekend in June we went to Idaho Falls to see him.
~We went to the Manti pageant on June 20 with Mariah's parents.
~Isaac's summer class ended on June 25, and he was so glad to be done!

July-
~We started out July with Isaac starting work at Mariah's parents shop. He commuted everyday to work while living in Pocatello.
~July 4th was spent with family. Barbecue, Chukars game, and fireworks.
~We had a doctor appointment on July 8th.
~We felt the baby move for the first time on July 10th(M) and July 11th(I).
~We received our new callings this month. Isaac as the Sunday School 1st Counselor, and both of us teaching Sunday School (12-13 year olds).
~Isaac's 5 year class reunion was on July 24th, it was fun to see some faces we haven't seen in awhile.
~Mariah chopped all of her hair off again in July.
~We both spoke in our new ward on July 26th. It was nice to be done with that!
~We got to see our baby at the ultrasound on July 28th. We were both glad we didn't find out the gender yet!

August-
~Mariah's sister Lindsey went through the Logan temple for her endowments on August 1. It was a wonderful experience.
~We had another doctor appointment on the 4th. It's always reassuring to hear that everything is going well!
~August 7th-10th we spent in McCall Idaho with Isaac's parents and most siblings.
~Isaac was finally done working 2 jobs on the 14th.
~The 19th while we were in Idaho Falls, we went to dinner with Mariah's sister Lindsey and her boyfriend Jared. This was the first time we'd met him.
~School started back up on the 24th, Isaac taking 16 credits and Mariah with 15.
~Mariah also gave her two week notice at work on the 24th.
~The 31st brought another doctors appointment. We got to hear baby's heartbeat again, which of course the nurse had to keep trying because of our wiggle worm! Only 15 weeks to go!

September-
~Mariah started out the month with a sinus infection, which is seeming to be a regular thing at least once every fall.
~Mariah's last day of work was the 4th. Definitely mixed emotions.
~Isaac ran in the Pocatello Marathon on the 5th, and finished just under his goal time with a final time of 3:29:23.
~We also went to the last Chukar's game of the season with the Wood family. It was less than 50 degrees, so we were wrapped up in blankets!
~For Labor Day on the 7th, we went to the fair with the Stewart family. We were both exhausted after walking around for 5 hours. Mariah being 26 weeks pregnant, and Isaac having ran a marathon two days prior.
~Mariah took the glucose test on September 23, at 28 weeks. It was definitely not a big deal, like everyone seems to think.
~Isaac ran another marathon on the 26th, the Huntsville Marathon. It was definitely the hardest one he has run so far, with way too hot of temperatures.

October-
~We went to Idaho Falls for conference weekend, to spend time with family. We were able to make a lot of freezer meals with Isaac's siblings on Saturday the 3rd.
~Mariah went to Witchpalooza at Gardener's Village with her mom, sister, and a few extended family members on the 10th.
~We both had dentist appointments on the 14th, and found out that Isaac had two cracked fillings. He hadn't noticed them a ton before, but they got increasingly more painful until they got fixed!
~Isaac had a job interview on October 21, for a promotion at FedEx to an assistant manager type position. He ended up getting the job, and we felt very blessed and happy about it.
~Towards the end of the month, we took a sequence of preparing for baby/birth classes and a hospital tour. We both felt a lot more ready after attending all of those, especially the hospital tour.
~The baby shower was October 24, and we were lucky enough to have so many supportive family and friends bring gifts over to help us prepare for the baby.
~The last weekend in October, we went to Utah to finish up some baby shopping. We stayed with our friends the Bradleys. We were able to get the baby's carseat and many other important things.

November-
~We were lucky enough to do a temple session at the Rexburg temple on the 7th of November. We had to wait over an hour, but it was worth it. It was the last planned temple trip until after baby.
~We registered for classes at midnight on the 8th. Mariah registered for her very last college semester, which seemed so surreal.
~Mariah's first contractions were felt on November 10th. Braxton hicks contractions had been going on for a couple weeks prior.
~The weekend of the 13th-14th, Mariah went to Utah with her mom and sister for a girls weekend, and to do some Christmas shopping. It was a nice, last trip before baby came!
~Towards the middle of the month, we started to finalize all the things for baby around the house and really started to make sure that everything was completed for baby.
~I started feeling a lot of contractions while we were out shopping on Nov 20. We were thinking baby would be coming very soon!
~At our 37 week checkup for baby on November 24th, we found out the contractions I had been having for days were making things progress. I was dilated at a 1-2.
~After our appointment, we went out to a movie, The Martian, and although I had contractions the entire time, we loved our last movie date night for awhile.
~Isaac's 23rd birthday was on the 25th, and he spent a majority of the day taking care of me because I was feeling lousy. We did go out to eat for his birthday at a restaurant called The Bridge. It was the most expensive meal we've had as a date night for just the two of us. We loved our last date night before baby came.
~For Thanksgiving, since it was so close to my due date, and since I'd been having contractions, we had decided to stay in Pocatello for Thanksgiving. Mariah's parents came down and made food/ate with us.
~At our 38 week appointment, I was dilated to a strong 2, and 50% effaced.
~The first week of December, we were both so busy trying to get a bunch of school stuff done before the end of the semester. It was a very stressful, busy week with so many due dates.
~My labor contractions started on the night of December 4th, although I figured it was nothing, since it had been nothing every time before.
~We finally went into the hospital on the afternoon of the 5th, and our sweet Eliza girl was born that night.
~We came home from the hospital on the 7th. Mariah's mom stayed with us for the week, and that was an awesome blessing. That week was dead week at school, and Isaac was busy busy with work.
~Finals week was the following week, and it was very busy and stressful with a week old baby. We survived, and both ended up getting the grades that we needed.
~We went to Idaho Falls for Christmas, and it was wonderful that we were able to go for more than just one day.
~We received a lot of wonderful Christmas presents, but we mostly loved how relaxing our Christmas was and how much we got to see family.
~We ended our year visiting with the Titus family. They are basically a second family to us, and it was wonderful to see them.

2015 was an extremely busy, wonderful year. We had our lives change entirely when we became parents, and we wouldn't have it any other way. This time last year, we never would have guessed where we are today. We are so very excited to see what 2016 has to offer and what is ahead of us!

Who Knew

I watch the Daily Bumps vlog every few days. This song is occasionally at the end of their vlog, and I always loved it. I decided to finally go and watch the music video and listen to the whole song. Holy cow. I love it. It made me cry a little bit, which I guess could be from pregnancy hormones. But. It makes me think of all of the things that Isaac and I have gone through to get to where we are, and all of the things that will happen in our future. It's very exciting and makes me emotional to think about. I absolutely love the love story that I have with my sweet husband. He's always been it. The biggest blessing to have ever come into my life. Next week marks six years since the first time he told me he loved me. I remember my heart just skipping a beat (yes as cheesy as that sounds) not knowing if I should breathe or if I was imagining it. I cannot believe it has been that long, and I am so very excited to see what the next six years bring. 

For when words fail...

Engaged.... FOR REALS!

So. We are engaged. Isaac DeMar Wood and I. Best feeling ever. I was completely shocked, because my best friend told me it wasn't happening until next week. I'll post a video here as soon as she sends it to me. But I will tell the story of the engagement, and post a few pictures.

 

We went ring shopping last Friday, the first of February. We weren't planning on buying a ring that day, but I found THE PERFECT one. Which is odd, because it is not at all what I thought I wanted. But, it's gorgeous, and I am excited to wear it for the rest of forever.
Originally the plan was to wait a few months before we got engaged, but, when it's right it's right. Why wait? :)
So I knew an engagement was coming, and thought it would happen a few times, but he kept me guessing. I kept getting little clues here and there from conversations I overheard, or texts I accidentally saw when we were together. AND, they were ALL misleading. He changed his mind a couple times about what he was going to do. I was talking to my best friend Breanna earlier on Friday, and she told me to not be upset if it didn't happen this weekend. She told me that he was planning something for next week, because he wanted it to be perfect. So I expected NOTHING! I didn't want to be bummed.
Now that the back story. Isaac had involved both of our mothers and also Breanna. He called my mom and told her that she needed to get me to Idaho Falls right after class on Friday, so to make up an appointment or something. She called me Thursday night and told me that the appointment we had with the cake lady had been changed to the next day at 1:00, and that I needed to come down right after I got out of class. Isaac supposedly had to work from 5:30 to about 11, in Pocatello. So I drove to Idaho Falls, and waited for my mom. She was running late, (because Breanna and Isaac were running late). When she got into town, we started to head over to the cake ladies house. Or so I thought.
She stopped by Hillcrest (our high school), and said that she needed to drop something off to someone. She went inside, and was gone for like ten minutes. Then she walked back out, and had Breanna with her. Breanna was carrying an envelope and a blindfold. I was shocked. Because the first thing I thought was, "You've got to be kidding me!" Excitement and disbelief all at the same time. For some reason, I believed them all when they said it wouldn't be until next week. Breanna came around to my door, and told me to get out. I got out, and my mom told me that that was what she was dropping off. She then left. I asked Breanna what was going on, and she said that she just wanted to drive up and hang out with me and go shopping or something. I was so confused. But anyways, we walked over to the front doors and she handed me the envelope to read. It was about how we have so many memories there, and such.
We got into her car, and she made me put the blindfold on. We drove around. I could not see a darn thing, and I was just as confused as ever. I asked about a billion questions, and said that I hated everyone because I didn't know what was going on. But, I really love them all. It was just a joking comment of course. We arrived somewhere, and she helped me out of the car. I couldn't take off my blindfold yet, so she helped me walk to where we were going. I climbed through a bunch of snow, and made it to a pavilion. Peterson park holds a lot of memories between Isaac and I. I opened another letter here, and wanted to cry. This next letter talked about how we always came to that park to talk, and how our first kiss happened just down the road :) A flashback of memories came to mind, and I remembered so many happy things.
We went back to the car, and she made me put the blindfold on again. We drove again, and Breanna claimed to be lost. A few minutes later, we arrived at our location, and I was instructed to keep my blindfold on. Breanna helped me out of the car, and helped me trudge up over a mountain of snow. It seemed like I was walking through snow for forever. I just wanted to get to that next envelope. She instructed me to step up, and I put my hands in front of me to help guide me. I felt a grated playground like material. I had no idea where we could possibly be. I still couldn't take off my blindfold, and I touched something with my left hand that I shouldn't have. She quickly moved my hand away so that I couldn't figure out what it was.

 I was then able to take off the blindfold at the same time music started playing on Isaac's laptop that was sitting in front of me. He had made a slideshow of pictures and music. Where we first met, and a few other memories in between. I cried. A lot. Also, next to the laptop was sitting my favorite flowers, white lilies (which his mother had gone through a lot of trouble to get). At the end of the slideshow, there was a slide that said something about having one question for me. I stared at the screen, expecting it to change. Still thinking that Isaac had had to work that night in Pocatello. And he comes out from the side, pulls me up and takes me down from the playground set. He gets down on one knee, and yeah, I'm really crying. He then asks me to marry him, and I just nod my head. I couldn't even say yes. I was so happy. He put my gorgeous ring on, and then proceeded to hug and kiss me.

I love him. I knew a proposal was coming, and he still managed to propose without me having figured anything out. It was a complete surprise, which was everything that I wanted. He had my best friend involved. He had her take pictures, and video record the entire thing. Our families knew. Everything was perfect. He made me cry, which was his goal. Because then he knew that he had done a good job. I am so excited to marry my absolute best friend and future eternal companion on May 10, 2013 in the Idaho Falls Temple. <3

Ours

"Life makes love look hard.... You never know what people have up their sleeves. Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me. Lurking in the shadows with their lip glossed smiles. But I don't care. Cuz right now you're mine. And you'll say, Don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine, and life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the waters rough. But this love is OURS!"
So despite the fact that I am not the fondest of TSwift. I absolutely love this song. And I am absolutely in love with a certain someone. Everyday is a new day, and yet the only thing that changes is how much my feelings for him grow each and every day.

I am so incredibly blessed. In all areas of my life. I belong to the most amazing church ever. I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves me unconditionally. I have the most amazing boyfriend ever. Who does everything for me, and loves me more than I deserve. My family is the best thing that has ever been. My parents support me in everything I do, and I love the relationship I have with them. My sister is absolutely incredible. She is such a great example. I love them all. My roommates are incredible! I don't see a whole lot of them lately, but we all are there for each other when we need to be. I have the best friends I could ever ask for. I'm grateful for all of the amazing people in my life who are always there for me. I am grateful for the examples that I have been blessed to be able to have help me along this path of life. I am happy.

OH HI

Life is great.

"You are the light in the dark"

Also, this song is just great.

Also, this boy is home.

I stole this from his sister Karlee. But I also look like a weirdo. Not quite sure what I was doing..

Thoughts

I feel like I need to blog about something. But my thoughts are not really needed to be written down right now. I'm kind of a basket case. SOO... instead, I'll post this link to this really cute video of a couple that someone had posted to facebook. It is adorable.

Rylee & Ruben

Two Years

Today is Isaac's two year mark.

I cannot believe he has been gone for two years. The thought of it just blows my mind. However, I am so glad that it is almost over. 5 more days, and he will be home :) Five. Five. Five. FIVE!

Two weeks

Whoa. Only thing that really comes to mind. I seriously cannot believe that my best friend has been gone for almost two years.. He comes home two weeks from today! I'm so excited. My excitement almost can't even really be explained. I love that boy, and the longer I wait, the more worth it he becomes.

Skyping on Christmas was awesome. I didn't take too much time, since at that point I was going to see him in 15 days.

I don't know at all what to expect, but I know whatever happens will be great. I'm excited to get to know him all over again, and to get reacquainted with each other. I have changed so much in the past two years, and I know he has as well. It will add a whole other dimension to the relationship that we had. We have both grown so much as people in this world, and have more to offer in a relationship. We have the ability to be able to get more serious than we were. And the great thing about all of this, we get to decide where it goes. We get to decide, together, if we want to make it forever or not.

I am most excited to be able to communicate with him again. To have conversations that don't take months, but merely minutes and seconds. I have missed being able to constantly talk to him. We dated for a little over a year before he left, and the entire time we dated, we were constantly talking. Either talking on the phone or texting when we weren't together. I am excited to have my very best friend back. The person who knows me better than anyone else. I love the friendship that we have, and I love how much fun we have together. I look forward to all of the fun and amazing times ahead.

In all of the time we dated, the longest we went without seeing each other was 16 days. That is insane, considering right now, he comes home in 13 days. That should be a cinch, all things considering. The longest we went without talking at all was 4 days. So in about 10 days, I'll be practically floating on a cloud with excitement.

 January 10th. Wow. The day that has always been in the future is almost here.

M&L Day

50

Yep, yet another post counting down. It's kinda a huge deal to me. Don't want to hear it, don't read it :)

Anyways. I love Isaac DeMar Wood. Pretty much ecstatic that he comes home in 50 DAYS!!! A lady at work asked about my dating life, and then she remembered that Isaac comes home soon. She instead asked how long until he comes home. It took me a minute to think about it, but I sorta freaked out when I figured it out. "50 days! 50 days? 50 DAYS?!?!"

While driving today, this song came on, and I cried. It is the truest thing there ever was.

Also, I got a letter from him on Saturday. For the first time in three months. And boy was it good to hear from him. He sure does love me. All those doubts, that build up after waiting so long between letters, disappeared the second I saw that letter sitting in my mailbox. Each day that I went without a letter was made up in that two page (front and back) letter. I've spent the majority of the past two years not getting letters. Which has been the hardest, best thing. I've been able to become strong, and not rely on that communication. But to rely on the communication between my Heavenly Father and I more. Going anywhere from 2 to 3 to 6 months at a time between letters, made each letter that much more special. And somehow, it made me fall even more for that sweet missionary. Knowing that he has put the Lord first, always.

Red

I love the original by Taylor Swift, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this cover by Tyler Ward. So much emotion in it.

 

Tears

When I feel like having a good cry, I watch missionary homecoming videos. Yeah, I'm a sap. That is definitely one thing that has changed about me in the past two years. I cry at the stupidest things sometimes. When anyone from my bishopric says how much he loves his wife, I cry. When I watch a movie with an incredible love story, I cry. When any man at the pulpit at church says how much he loves his wife, I cry. When I hear a song with particularly touching lyrics, I cry. When I read my scriptures, I occasionally cry. When I think about having children someday, I cry. When I think about going through the temple someday, I cry. When I think about how soon Isaac comes home, I cry. When I start to tell someone how much I love Isaac, I cry before I can even form a sentence. There is something about love, it just makes me cry. Seeing it in others, seeing it on movies, hearing it through music, seeing it in pictures, I just love love and so I cry. Happy tears.

I'm holding out

I love this song. It gives me chills everytime I listen to it. Every single time.
And yes, I'm holding out for MY hero.

80

80 seems like such a large number, but I promise it is small. When starting with 730, 80 is nothing. Nothing but a blink of the eye. This is the amount of days that Elder Wood has left as a missionary. Bittersweet moment for both of us, I'm sure.

In the next 2 and a half months:
80 days
less than 2 transfers
a few baptisms
many lessons
very few letters
a lot of growth and learning
2 Anatomy tests
3 Chemistry exams
1 Halloween
1 Daylight Savings
1 presidential election
1 Thanksgiving
2 Birthdays (Isaac's and my sister)
1 Anatomy final
1 Chemistry final
1 Christmas
1 New Years
1 dentist appointment
a lot of excitement and anxiousness
January 10, 2013

Lyrics

"I can get up and face the day just fine all by myself. Go out and take on the world, and get it done like nobody else. Oh but I don't do lonely well."

I know that no matter what happens, I am never truly lonely in this world. I have an incredible family, the most amazing friends ever, and a loving Father in Heaven. However, there is always a void there that one else can fill but my best friend. I ignore it for the most part, and busy myself with so many things, but it is always there. I've done a great job at pretending like it doesn't bother me, but the closer it gets to him coming home, the harder it gets to pretend.

Sometimes

Not wanting to get out of the car after you've arrived at your destination, because there are a few amazing songs in a row. So you just sit there, listening to these songs that explain everything you are feeling right then. People pass by and look at you like you are crazy, but aren't we all?

TSWIFT

Yes, I dislike her. But I so LOVE this song. And, I have been maybe possibly listening to it on repeat for the last half hour... Yeah... Most people find it really stupid, but it just puts the point across. WE are never ever getting back together. Great point. Just sayin.

Monday

Mondays are so monotonous. I really am not a fan of them. But, there is definitely some good in every day. The key is just to finding it. Sometimes it is harder than other times, but it is worth finding.
Also, music is the best thing. Emotions that can't seem to be expressed any other way, are expressed perfectly with music. There is a song to express every feeling.

Love and Theft

I have an addiction to the band Love and Theft. They are amazing. Last week I bought both of their CD's. Here are a few snippets of their tunes.

Yes. I did just post about a billion of their songs. But. I just love them. So much.
Also, he is another song, which isn't love and theft..