Sam's BYU Grad

Sam wanted me to show that this is "proof" that he has officially graduated.

Sam graduated from Brigham Young University, Civil Engineering, Cum Laude, April 23 and 24, 2009.

Sam's parents flew for out for half the week to celebrate with us. It was great having their company and getting to know them better.

Sam and Beth.

I love being on BYU campus. It brings back so many great memories and feelings and motivates me to be a better person, as did the commencement ceremony with Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Russell M. Nelson speaking. The Hinckley Center (background) wasn't even around when I graduated, but I still love this building. (I'm about 22 weeks along in this shot.)

We ate out, met Shari's friend and got a tour of the Hale Center Theater in West Valley (pretty incredible), enjoyed dinner and visiting Kaleb and Suzanne (Sam's cousin's family) and Aunt Pam and had fun playing with the kids on the trampoline, and went to the Provo temple using some family names that Shari had researched. We also took Sam's parents for a drive up Provo Canyon and visited my Aunt Beth in Heber. We stopped up at Squaw Peak. The whole weekend was cloudy and rainy, and you can see that it snowed in the mountains.

Jim and Shari

Feel free to ask me about the "van experience" we had while we were up here. Quite the surprise.

It was a great week, seeing everyone and enjoying various activities. I think my favorite part, though, was just seeing a lot more of Sam. I took the day off Friday and didn't have my usual Saturday morning commitment, and Sam didn't have any work or classes or studying to worry about. I loved waking up and being able just to talk and hang out with him without having to rush off immediately. And then having him with me throughout the whole day.

We celebrated Sam's birthday with everyone here.

Cam was one of Sam's missionary companions.

Happy Spring! April 16, 2009

Snow wasn't exactly what I had in mind for my spring break, but it's pretty cool anyway! I just hope we still get some blossoms, since many of the trees were starting to bloom.At least the duck is camouflaged now.

After taking Sam to work this morning, I had to stop by BYU's botany pond and take a few shots. Good thing I was wearing my most hideous pajama bottoms, so I could be extra noticeable, tromping around in the snow.

It's a BOY!

I'll admit, I've never cared much to see other people's ultrasounds. But seeing our own baby's form and movement was absolutely incredible. He's got Sam's nose, our wide feet, and some great little soccer legs. He was big enough that they set the due date to two days earlier--August 25th.

Three days later (April 10th, one day after hitting the 20 week mark), I couldn't sleep at night. I had gotten to bed at 10:30 or 11 after enjoying Sam's BYU grad night, and was apparently too wired from the ice cream or from beating Sam at bowling or something. I was supposed to get up at 4:45am and was super frustrated that I couldn't fall asleep.

I never did fall asleep until about 1am, but somewhere in those still hours, I felt our baby move for the first time! That was definitely worth it. It's been pretty amazing feeling the life within me. A few days after that, he was moving enough for me to feel it from the outside with my hand. I probably scared Sam calling him to come fast, but our little guy apparently went to sleep right after.

General Conference

Sam's mom got us some tickets to the Conference Center for the Sunday morning session. Beth and her friend came with us. I loved being there in the session, and I loved being in and around Temple Square. Such a beautiful place in so many ways! (My nineteen weeks was really starting to show.)

Glessie, Beth, Sam, Amber

Like so many others, Elder Holland's was one of my favorite talks from this session. And perfect to keep in mind during the Easter season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc
One of these days I'll learn to link this better. Beth, how'd you do it?