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!

Quotables

Life always seems to go according to a plan. But it isn't necessarily my plan. It is evident that it is my Heavenly Father's Plan. Each time something changes, I am a little hesitant. However, in the end, I am always grateful that I didn't get what I thought I wanted. And in time, His plan becomes my plan. Each time my major has changed, it has been in result of a huge life change that I didn't know was coming. A change that has made me progress into what I need to become. I can't wait to see what this change of major is going to change in me. I'm excited to see what is to come.

 

It's also a reflective time of year, with the year wrapping up, and I have found myself looking back over this past year. And looking towards the future. There have been so many great things that have happened in the last year. I have absolutely loved the time I've had with my sweet husband. I've learned a lot about him, and a lot about myself. Each and every day I am so glad that we ended up together. He is the one person who can make me the most infuriated and then two seconds later make me laugh with an uncontrollable laugh. Sometimes I feel like my heart will explode because I love and care so much about him. As cheesy as that sounds. We aren't perfect, and neither is our marriage. But what makes it my absolute favorite is that we work at it, each and every day. Marriage is the most rewarding, difficult thing there ever was. But I'm grateful that I can be married to Isaac.

I look forward to all of the upcoming adventures of the next year. It's crazy to see all that has happened in the last year. I am excited to see where we will be a year from now, and all of the exciting adventures that we will get to experience. Life is good. And, it will be a whole lot better once finals are over next week! :)

2013 Recap

This blog post is something I continuously worked on throughout the year. It was something I wanted to do, so that we could remember all of the things that happened this year. Often times at the end of each year, I try and think back to everything I have accomplished that year. Sometimes it is difficult, and I often only think of the negative things. Which is the other reason I wanted to do this. To remember all of the great things that happened to us in our first year of marriage. I hope to do this in the future years to come, but next time I promise to try and include more pictures :)

January:
-My best friend came home from his mission on the 10th.
-We started dating again on the 12th.
-We had our last first kiss again on the 16th.
-I turned 20 on the 31st, Isaac did a fake proposal (just to psych me out).

February:
-We went ring shopping on the 1st.
 -My wedding dress was ordered and purchased on the 2nd.
-We scheduled the temple on the 5th.
-We got engaged on the 8th.
-Most of the wedding planning details, at least the big ones, were done this month.

March:
-I started birth control this month, and boy did it make me crazy.
-We took a trip to Utah with my family.
-After much thought, prayer, and conversation, I decided to change my major.
-We went and supported Cassie at some of her softball games.

April:
-On the 3rd, we toured our first place for the first time.
-I was offered a job at downeast on the 10th.
-We signed the lease for our first place together on the 12th.
-I officially changed my major to accounting on the 15th.
-My first day at Downeast was the 16th.
-I went through the temple on the 27th, and received my endowments.

May:
-We ended the semester, and took all of our finals the beginning of May (we both did well in classes!)
-We were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 10.
-We went on our honeymoon to Park City, and enjoyed a nice week of relaxing.
-My best friend, Hailey, left on her LDS mission on the 22nd, to Richmond, Virginia.
-We quickly learned just how great married life is. Being together is our favorite place to be.

June:
-After no other birth control working, we went with our last option, the dep-provera shot.
-We were introduced into the real world when we got our first real callings on the 9th. We were put in Cub Scouts together, more specifically the bears. I also was put into primary as a "buddy" for a little down syndrome sunbeam boy. 
-On the 13th, Isaac found out he got a job at Fedex as a package handler. He had been searching all summer and finally got his second job!
-We realized just how early we needed to go to bed, just so that we could function, especially since Isaac now had to wake up at 4 am Tuesday-Saturday.
-We witnessed Isaac's youngest sister get married to her sweetheart on the 22nd. All of the Wood children have now been married off.

July:
-I had been sick most of June and into July. We started charting what I ate, and realized it was dairy that was making me sick. Almond milk became a regular part of my diet! :)
-We were able to spend the 4th of July up in Idaho Falls. We went boating with some of Isaac's family for a little bit that day, then had a barbecue at his parents house. We went to the Chukar's game with his parents and his sister Karlee's family. We went and watched fireworks with my family in our usual spot.
-On the 23rd of July, I was offered a shift lead position at Downeast, which I took. It pretty much means that I have to work a minimum of 20 hours a week, and just have more responsibilities than before.
-Towards the end of July, I couldn't really eat any food without getting sick. My health problems started linking with gallbladder symptoms. Which led to multiple doctor appointments, a hide-a-scan, and ultrasounds.

August:
-I had surgery on August 5, to have my gallbladder removed. My first surgery ever, and it went well.
-Isaac decided to start training for a half marathon in November, and boy was he excited.
-Right before school started up again, we were able to go with Isaac's family to a condo up Ogden canyon for a few days. It was filled with boating, a cousin's mission farewell, more boating, and cherry hill. Isaac got burned crazy bad, but it went away fairly quickly. We had a great time, and it was nice to have a tiny vacation from real life.
-One of our best friends, Breanna, left on her mission on the 21st, to Louisville, Kentucky.
-School started up again on the 26th. Isaac had 16 credits, and so did I.
-Isaac's last day at Domino's for awhile was on the 30th. Since his semester was going to be very challenging, we decided it best for him to only be working 1 job, with about 17-20 hours a week.
-Very quickly I discovered that I couldn't work 20-25 hours a week, take that many credits, and still find time to clean the house, so I cut my hours at work to 10-15. I had been very nervous about working during the semester, since I had never before worked while going to school.

September:
-We were able to make many trips home this month, which is always a great relief.
-My parents took us to the fair on Labor day, which was a blast. Fair food is definitely one of the best things.
-I switched up my birth control, yet again, to progesterone only pills this month. Still trying to find something that will work well with my body.
-Classes were very different for each of us. Isaac's were some of the harder classes he had taken, up to this point. Luckily, this month he found a wonderful statics tutor, who helped him understand all of the concepts.
-My classes were somewhat easy, in comparison to all of the college classes I had taken. I was thoroughly enjoying almost every single one of my classes. I discovered that I was finally in the right major, and was extremely excited about it.
-On September 28, Isaac rode in his first bike race. 50 miles. He loved it, and can't wait to do it again next year.
-I developed a sinus infection towards the end of this month. The same week I had 4 exams.
-Isaac also started thinking about changing his major towards the end of September. From mechanical to civil engineering.

October:
-We watched conference together the first weekend of this month. It was wonderful to just be able to spend some time together and not have to worry about anything else.
-This month was crazy with midterms, projects, tests, work, and everything else that seemed to happen.
-We were THRILLED to say the least when our infrared heater came in the mail. Now we don't have to freeze this winter!

November:
FLEW by!
-Isaac ran his first half marathon on the 2nd, with a time of 1:37:35. It was very close to the goal he had set.
-I got a 95% on my Accounting test, and was oh so excited about it!
-We hit our 6 month mark of being married!
-I went to Utah with my mom and sister for a couple of days to do our annual shopping trip.
-Our ward's primary program was on the 17th, and the cute kiddos did great.
-Isaac turned 22 on the 25th, and also went skiing for the first time of the season that day.
-For Thanksgiving we drove down to Provo to be with Isaac's mom's side of the family. It was great to see everyone. 

December:
-We went to The Forgotten Carols on the 2nd, it was my first time going.

-We tried the advent calendar for the first time this year. We weren't super successful with it, but we had a lot of fun doing it.

-We celebrated our first Christmas together, and started a few traditions as a new family. 

-We went to temple square and saw the lights on the Saturday after Christmas with my family.

-We rang in the new year together, and look forward to the year 2014 and all of the wonderful things that will come our way.

5 years

Wow. Who knew that when we first met that we would eventually get married.
This time last year, this is what I had to say about it.
Here is the story of when it all began, if you'd like to go back and read.
But here we are, five years later, married. 
Here's to an endless amount of years to come, or in other words, eternity.

Reasons

Well there are endless amounts of reasons why I love my husband. But a couple of my favorite ones are:

1. He is one of the only people that laughs when I'm laughing uncontrollably. Most people will just look at me like I've got a problem. Nope, not him. He will just start laughing. Which in turn makes me laugh more, and so the charade goes. It is my favorite.

2. Sometimes I don't speak correctly. Aka I jumble up my sentences, use words that don't even make sense, and pretty much talk jibberish. BUT, he usually understands me. He may question me a few times, just so he can get a good laugh, but he usually understands the first time. What can I say. I have a husband who understands me, well mostly :)

Southwest black bean chicken in the crockpot (tacos)

We made this on Sunday night for dinner. It was DELICIOUS!

We found the recipe here!
The recipe looked like it made a ton, so we halved it. It still ended up being A TON of food.
We also had a salad with carrots and cucumbers in it. Since I haven't been able to eat dairy, ranch was out as a dressing. So we tried balsamic vinaigrette instead.

Wedding pictures :)

Here they are:

 

Our faces! HAHA