I have an announcement ...

For those of you assuming, hoping and praying...... you are right! After 2 long years of trying, 2 surgeries, too many Dr.'s appointments to count, numerous frusterated - tearful nights, and many many prayers, we are FINALLY having a baby! That's right...as Nick likes to say, "He finally beat the Goalie!" I almost can't even believe it myself, it just seems too good to be true. And I didn't even have to go on fertility drugs! (Which is a relief - just to know that my body could do it itself.)

I am 12 weeks along and just nearing the end of my first trimester. I'm due May 27th, though I already know that I'll be delivering via C-section 2 weeks before my due date. Because of the scarring from my surgery, my Dr. doesn't want me to go through any sort of labour or contractions in fear of any rupturing or tearing of my delicate uterus. (Sorry if that's an overshare for some of you). So needless to say I know exactly how and when the baby will come (which works well for me, since I love to be a planner).

I hope everyone is having as fabulous of a day as I am. Thank you for all your continued love and support and prayers.

Beside You - Marianas Trench

I am loving this new song by Marianas Trench right now. Usually their songs are faster, more punk style - but this one is kind of out of left field for them. I love the chorus, it's very "Lion King-esque". And there is just something about this song that makes me think of my mission. Makes me think of the music we'd listen to like Jericho Road or other Mormon groups. I can't quite put my finger on it though. This always comes on the radio when I am driving home from work, and it makes me just zone out and relax. I just really like it. So, if you haven't heard it yet - scroll down and listen. Enjoy.

A little of our house.

Okay, okay, I will stop being a blogging-lazy bum! A few of you have been hassling me to see some pictures of our new house, so here they are. The house is by no means as glorious as I would want it to be yet, but I'm a realist... and since I have no idea when that will actually happen to the way I want it, this will have to do for now. Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING our new house, I've had a lot of fun getting organized, and I am definitely enjoying our new furniture. I just wish I could figure out what I want to do on the walls. I want to use as much of the other pictures that were up in our old place as I can, I'm just not sure how I want to arrange them so they are as esthetically pleasing as I'd like. Plus I'd like to print off some newer pictures and maybe frame a few and put up some cute shelves or maybe some vinyl lettering. So we'll see. Any suggestions?

Our front entry leading into the living room

This is our new, super comfy couch set. I LOVED the accent pillows they came with, and I totally lucked out with the rug. I found it separately at Home Sense, and it was a match made in heaven :) We currently have a wooden coffee table and end tables that I think clash with the couch, but painting them brown is on my to-do list.

I love our bright, spacious and clean kitchen. Yay!

This bedding has been my favorite buy so far. I LOVE it. I even have cute curtains that match that I've tied with white ribbon (sorry I forgot to take a pic). And just so you know, the bed actually has an Amazing white headboard and footboard, they just haven't been deliverd yet. I can't wait!

This is what our bedroom furniture looks like. We also have a dresser w/ mirror that is being delivered with the headboard. It's going to be so fun to have it all arranged, and it should arrive any day now!

Wedding Celebration!

Nick and I had SUCH a great time in Richmond, Virginia for Cam and Sheri's wedding last month. We were there for the whole week before the wedding so we were able to help out with last minute prep and helping decorate, etc. It was also great bonding time for Sheri and I, and I had such a blast getting to know her better. I know that she and Cam are going to make eachother very happy, and we wish them nothing but the best! So Congrats again, you two! We miss you already, and we love you very much!

Just before the ceremony started. Isn't my husband so handsome?

Cam and his beautiful daughter Samantha

Sam's dress was basically a mini version of Sheri's and she even had her own pink shoes! So adorable

The whole bridal party

I love these pictures, because it shows how emotional and blubbery Cam and Sheri got during Nick's best man speech. (Okay who am I kidding? I was a blubbery mess too!)

Nick and I with the respective bride and groom. Sheri looked beautiful, and Cam was as debonair as ever. (haha like I've ever used the word debonair before... but it just seemed to fit!)

I think Cam was mostly so excited because he knew the night was finally over! ;)

Sightseeing in D.C.

The White House !

Nick and I are lucky enough to be on an 'after summer' vacation right now. Our friend Cam, is getting married in a few days in Richmond, Virginia so we flew out to be here for that. My Aunt and Uncle live just outside of Washington D.C. so we got here yesterday and spent today with them. Cam & his fiance Sheri, and his brother Blair & his wife Kassidy, came up from Richmond so we went and saw the sights in downtown D.C. today. It was such a blast, but boy are my feet tired! It was great to get back to John & Brenda's house and have a delicious BBQ out in their amazing backyar, topped off with a bonfire and s'mores. I am going to sleep great tonight, I'm sure!

The beginning of our LONG walking day!

Eager tourists...

The Washington Monument

The Captial Building

I LOVE the architecture and all the beautiful columns on all the building in this city!

Outside of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The boys doing their best poses...


Sheri, me & Kassidy

Orangutang & GIANT Sea Turtle

Nick & I inside the Smithsonian National Musem of Natural History (Isn't the column and railing beautiful?!)

World War II Memorial Fountains

The Washington Monument & reflecting pool

The Lincoln Monument

The Vietnam War Memorial

Guess what we bought...

A HOUSE!!! Whoo hoo! We are so excited (can you tell from my amount of explanation points?)! We are first time buyers, so this has been a pretty exciting decision for us. I am so glad to be finally through with paying rent (well soon anyways). We get possesion of the house on September 28th and it couldn't come sooner! My mind is just reeling with all the decorationg possiblities, and the setting up and organizing I will get to do. It is a 1300 square foot bungalow with a mostly unfinished basement. We are actually glad for that as we will be able to develop it as we need it and how we want it. In the meantime we get to enjoy our 100% renovated 3 bedroom mainfloor. Woot woot! The best part is the huge kitchen, wood burning fireplace, mainfloor laundry room roughed in for stackable washer/dryer, and a big master bedroom with 2 closets and an ensuite full bathroom. (Okay, so I pretty much just described everything - but that really is the best part - EVERYTHING is fabulous). Yay! I will attach a few pics, but there will be another post to come in October once we are moved in and somewhat decorated :) Right now there is just a bit of furniture in the pictures from what the sellers had staged the house with.

Front door/front entry

Front Entry

Main floor spare bathroom

Master bedroom

Living room (I will be painting the brick and adding a mantle)

Dining Area

Last but not least, my beautiful kitchen - with an older fridge (you can't win 'em all right ;) )

Flathead Lake 2009

Well, another Schow reunion has come and gone. It's crazy how fast the time flies by. We look forward to these reunions for two years, then when they finally get here they are over before we know it! We found these great cabins on Flathead Lake in Montana, and we rented all four of them (which was totally necessary since there were something like 45 people there this time). We had beautiful weather for most of the week, and everyone had a great time relaxing on the dock, swimming, tubing, boating, playing cards and of course eating lots of great food. A couple highlights of the trip would have to have been all the fun us young marrieds would have in the evenings. Whether we were showcasing our (lack of) breakdance moves, moon walk skills, or paper bag grabbing technique, we were constantly laughing our butts off. My family truly is great and we had such an awesome time. So thanks to Grandma Betty and to all of our parents for funding this vacation and providing all the great food and fun memories. We can't wait till the next reunion!!!

Our first night at the lake - we were the only brave ones to go for an evening swim (And yes, Steve is actually wearing a swimsuit, he was just trying to trick you - and his face is classic Steve for ya ...haha)

My Aunt Sopi is the one looking very Vogue and reading a magazine.
She is so cute.

Jane has some pretty awesome skiing skills ;) And Jill is obviously
doing a great job of helping her!

Tauri and baby Ella

Nick managed to stuff 28 giant marshmallows in his mouth.
I always said he had a big mouth....

Nice worm Alex

Luke doesn't look like an awkward dancer at all.....right....

My sweetie and I sure had a great week together

Jane and I spent many hours in the boat taking the boys for some pretty harsh tube rides. I felt bad when they'd have some pretty bad wipe outs and get launched off. No, no I actually didn't feel bad at all...

This was our "rough and tough" girls tube ride. Kate was the bravest of all ;)

Now this is what a real tube ride should look like! I think Kenny and Luke were the two victims in this particular instance.

Nice hair Levi!

Shane & Jennica and their kids on Luau night

Playing some good old fashioned Rook. (I'm pretty sure
Grandma and I creamed them!)

This is what kids look like when a piniata of candy explodes. Chaos!

Jane, me and Ashley working on making some pendants. So fun! (Thanks Kate for all the great crafts)