My sister turns 22 today!

^^ My beautiful sister Megan ^^

Today is my sister's birthday! She is 22 today which is so weird for me! I still feel like I am 21 sometimes! Ha. But obviously that's not true. Megan is such a beautiful person inside and out. And you can see it just by being around her. She has so many talents and loves to try new things all the time. She is a wonderful aunt and Evelyn loves when she stops by in Provo for a quick visit! 

Happy 22nd birthday Megan! We love you and hope you have a fantastic birthday!

The details

Despite the fact that Evelyn had a fever and wasn't her normal cheerful self, the party went great. The house was bursting at the seams with family who love our little girl. 

You gotta love your streamers!

ONE

The birthday girl!

We wanted to set off a big chinese lantern (like in Tangled) for her first birthday. We had a bunch of us write something for Evelyn on it before we set it off. 

And it's off!

Then it was time for some birthday cake! Evelyn is one of those babies that likes to feel out her food. She played with the frosting in her hands for quite sometime and then when she felt like it was okay, she dug into full force! Of course my dad decided to put a balloon on her head, so naturally she grabbed for it with her fingers covered in frosting! 

One messy, happy baby!

Birthday preview

Mmmmm.....cake!

One

One year ago today, Jake and I welcomed our home, our arms and our hearts to our baby girl. This day has been looming around the corner. I was excited but something about the fact that my  baby was turning one made me want to cry a little bit. I love seeing her grow and become a little person more and more everyday. But sometimes I long for those days that I could just sit and snuggle with her all day long. She's not my baby anymore. She is a little person with a quirky personality. 

My very first time holding my little girl

Just look at those cheeks! 

I often look back at the pictures and video clips of when she was just a newborn and think about how fast time has gone. They really only stay little for so long. But I welcome in this new stage of growth and learning for this little one. She has given Jake and I a new take on life and we have had quite an adventure so far. Happy birthday Evelyn! We love you very very much and love how you have captured our hearts. 

Highchair faces that I love!

My better half

Happy 24th birthday to my Mr Wright! You are the best husband, father and friend Evie and I could ask for. We hope you have a wonderful day full of all your favorites and we are going to celebrate your birthday all weekend long!

Evie and I think the world of you and are so glad we get to celebrate your birthday today. 

Happy Birthday!

Let's celebrate a wonderful lady

Don't you just love those cheeks!

Today is a very special day. Today is my mom's birthday! My mom is such a beautiful woman inside and out. She has taught me so much and continues to teach me every day through her actions. Evelyn adores her and thinks she is a pretty cool grandma! Thank you for everything you have done for me and helping me be the woman I am today. I think you are pretty amazing.

We love you mom and hope you have a fantastic day! You deserve it.

Welcome to the hood...

Motherhood that is.

Yesterday was my first official Mother's Day! I don't know if any of you new mamma's feel like this, (or maybe it's just me) but I sometimes forget I am a mom. And it feels weird to say that I am a mom. Like I have a little girl. And I'm her mom. And she is my daughter. Weird right? Motherhood is still something new to me. I was telling my mom that I am getting small glimpses day by day on what it is like to be a mother. To take care of others before you even think about what you need. That you would do anything and everything for your little one. And that when you are completely exhausted from a hard days work and all you want to do is just sit down and sleep, you take care of your little one some more because you love them so much. Evelyn has started to smile quite a lot and I always tell Jake that no matter what stressful thing was bothering me before, as soon as I see that little smile I forget about it completely and smother her with kisses.

My first Mother's Day!

Anyways, Jake got up super early and made a wonderful breakfast for us and made sure that I didn't do a lick of work. It was fabulous. Then we spent Sunday morning with his family and then headed back down and spent the evening with my family. It was also Amie's 15th birthday which we celebrated and.....we got to skype with my brother! That was probably the highlight of our day. He looks so good and it was so fun to actually see him instead of just hear his voice. Boy do we all miss him.

He said he felt like he was playing Halo again with the headset! 

The fam talking with Nate

Well I hope all you mother's, grandmother's, and soon to be mother's had a wonderful Mother's Day. Let me just say that I am so grateful for my own mother and my mother-in-law. I love them so much and this world would be a sad place without them.

Last week...

we celebrated my 23rd birthday! I don't know what it was about turning 23 that made me feel old for the first time. Maybe it's because I keep looking at our little girl and thinking "Wow...I am a mama!" Jake made me a cheesecake that we feasted on all week long. It was amazing. My dad usually was the one to make it every year for my birthday growing up but he has now passed that tradition onto Jake. I might have influenced Jake a little bit to make it his tradition now...! During the weekend, Jake and I were able to have a little date without our little girl. Let me just tell you it was the hardest thing for me not to call my mom every hour to make sure she was doing okay.

Evelyn sunbathing and tummy time at grandma and grandpa's house

Jake and I both felt so guilty leaving her for some "us" time, however it was nice to get away. She sure got lots of attention from grandma, grandpa and all her aunts. Our date included going to the Draper temple to do a sealing session, shopping, and dinner at The Cheesecake factory (of course).

This was actually my first time eating dinner here. Usually I just come for the cheesecake! They pretty much have just about everything in their menu. I chose pasta and let me tell you it was amazing. 


A big thanks to my wonderful family for letting Jake and I go on a little date. 

Lets Celebrate!

My beautiful, amazing sister Megan is turning the big 21 today!

If Evelyn could sing we would sing you an awesome birthday song. But alas, that will have to wait!

Happy Birthday Megan! We love you. 

23

Today my best friend in the whole entire world turned twenty three! 

Oh how I love him so!

Now lets celebrate!

Ten years ago! 

Today is the 10th year Megan and I have been celebrating our BMT (bone marrow transplant) birthday! I can't believe it's been ten years. I love that it always falls right after Thanksgiving. Jake and I have been just exploding with thankfulness this year. Ten years ago I never would have imagined I would be where I am now. Married to an amazing man, and with a beautiful baby girl on the way. The baby girl especially. I remember the doctors telling me it would be very hard for me to have children because of the chemotherapy. I also remember the blessing my grandpa Crosland gave me telling me I would be able to have children (can't remember exactly how he said it). Because of Megan I am able to fulfill one of the greatest missions in my life. To become a mother. I have so much to be thankful for and Megan is one of them. Happy BMT birthday Megan!

Also, I've been reading again in the journal my parents kept while I was in the hospital and found my dads testimony my dad shared with his ward that I would like to share with you.

Nov 23, 2001
"24-28-14-35-6-6-4-8 These are the genetic codes that make up my daughter Heather. It seems odd having one of your children reduced down to a series of numbers and knowing that for Heather to have a good chance of survival one of her siblings would need to have that exact series also. Last Sunday you all joined with us in prayer and fasting that we might be provided a perfect match for Heather. I'm grateful to be able to stand here today and share with you a testimony of prayer and fasting. On Tuesday we received word that Megan was a perfect match for Heather. You would never know it by looking at them or by their personalities but in a direct answer to prayer she was. Even though Natalie was praying and hoping that somehow it might be her. She even broke down in tears and laid on the floor crying with disappointment that she was not the one. But our Heavenly Father knew that her small body would have a hard time providing the 600cc of marrow that would be required for the transplant. Thank you so much for your prayers and faith. I have to tell you that I was struggling during this time. But your combined faith more than made up for my own deficiencies. It is not often you get to hold in your hands such a tangible answer to your prayers, but here is the HLA Class 1 Antigens for each of our children and next to Megan it reads.... 24-28-14-35-6-6-4-8. I know God hears and answers our prayers. And if any of you are sometimes weak like me, and it would help to hold a physical answer to prayer in your hands, I'll leave some copies of this report with the Bishop."

Heavenly Father really does listen and answer our prayers when we are in need. This is an example I look to often and I hope it will help you any time you feel the possible is impossible. Because with the lord and faith, everything is possible. Even an exact match for a bone marrow transplant.

The big 19

My one and only brother is turning nineteen today! For most boys growing up in the LDS faith, 19 means a mission is just around the corner. I never thought this day would get here. It still feels unreal. Like he still has a couple of years to go before that even comes up. Growing up, most of my friends had older brothers and had experienced the whole "missionary" thing. Me? I knew my brother would be going some day but that was a long ways away. And now it's here! Like in 14 days here! Holy crap! But I couldn't be more excited for him. Maybe Jake, baby, (wow...another unreal) and I will stop by for a visit when we head back east for a little touring with Jake's parents.

Happy Birthday dear brother!

22

Yesterday was the big 22! Can't believe it came and left so quickly. Do I feel any older? Not really. I have a feeling birthdays are going to be like that from now on. You are getting older but you don't feel it.
The weekend before I was pretty much on my deathbed. It was awful. It's like my immune system went on vacation for a month because this is twice this month I have been sick. I was hoping with Monday being a holiday, I would be well rested and better for my birthday. I should've known, it never really works like that when I get sick. So I worked till four, behind my mask all day, coughing, sniffing, sneezing, obviously when patients were not around. Those that I work with also threw me a party with balloons and a cake so that made it a little better to be at work. Jake came around four and whisked me away to Buca di Beppo, this cute authentic Italian place. I can never say no to some pasta. They have all sorts of fun rooms and Jake reserved the kitchen room where you actually dine in the kitchen so you see everything made right there. Loved it! All the chefs wished me a happy birthday. It was a good birthday minus being sick.

P.S. Jake starts his new intern today. You should've seen him all nicely dressed up in his new shirt and pants! I can't wait to ask him about it when he gets home.

Don't worry about my orange nails in these pictures. Totally painted them at night in the dark and I thought I grabbed my Salmon colored fingernail polish. Guess not.

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes! You guys are the best. 

21

So it's been a while since I have written! Life just got a little crazy. I am now twenty one and it feels....really not different....but extremely different at the same time! Getting my license changed was a pain but I actually didn't end up waiting for a long time. I think I was there for a total of forty-five minutes which was amazing! However I was surrounded by a bunch of smokers in line which just about made me puke. I don't do well with that lovely smell! My signature still sucks but my picture isn't awful! The Saturday before my birthday I met up with a dear friend and we went out to lunch and celebrated my birthday, followed by a night of 80's dancing and eating lots of cookies. I had these awesome neon green pants and some bright blue shorts, TONS of makeup....it was awesome. Then on my actual birthday, all the family got together plus Jake and grandparents and we had my yummy birthday dinner which my mom slaved away all day to make! When I told her I wanted chicken cordon bleu for my birthday, I didn't get a nice look from her! Haha I'm sure I will understand why she gave me that look when I myself make chicken cordon bleu someday! After dinner it was time to blow out my candles....however I didn't have any.

I have now reached the age where cakes come without candles.

Then it was time to open presents and I got everything I could have asked for and more. It was such a fantastic birthday. I finally got my crock pot which I actually used this week and made a very yummy chicken Thai dish. Super good. Received some more clothing which is always needed. Jake surprised me with a gorgeous pearl and diamond necklace which I absolutely love! My mom and dad gave me a pearl necklace and the second edition of the Packard family cookbook which I am thrilled to look at. Overall it was seriously the best birthday ever!

Sun kissed

My sun kissed grandparents are back from Hawaii and I am happy to report that the bonsai trees are beautifully green, and I am no longer responsible for their life. While they were gone, the poor kitty got extremely lonely and wouldn't stop following me. My roommate and I were hardly ever home and when we were, seriously....I walk into the kitchen, it would follow me. I would then go do laundry....it would follow me. I walk into my room....it would follow me!

Drove me crazy!

I am not really a cat person, however....I don't loathe them.

Can you believe we are almost in March?! It boggles my mind how fast this year is going by. Five more days my friends. Five more days. I've decided that you know you are getting old when you know you are getting a sweet crock pot for your birthday AND you are excited about it!

Birthday

Today is officially Megs 19th birthday!!

This video is for you.



Happy Birthday!

A little this, A little that

Who would have thought that life could get even busier when not in a semester of school.

Well it is.

But....it's grand!

We just celebrated Meg's 19th birthday....which it really isn't until Thursday but she was working that day, mom and I are both gone for choir stuff....pretty lame. It was great though! I hope she got everything she wanted. I'm counting down the days for mine! Twelve days my friends! Honestly I think twenty is a fat age. Boring. Twenty one...now that's exciting! But I am sad I have to change my license. I am quite fond of mine, except for my awful signature. I should start practicing that.

I spent the weekend with Jamie and her family which I always love! They are pretty much my second family. We went to see her sister in a musical called The Boyfriend. Loved. It. We got home so excited to watch Italian job because who wouldn't want to see Mark Wahlberg's amazing arms and cute smile. We both fell asleep within the first ten min. It's those couches I tell ya!


I met his whole family this last Sunday and had a blast! Of course I was a tad nervous at the very beginning but soon just found my place. One of his little nephews, who is five mind you, came up to me and said this.

"Heather, what are your intentions with my Jacob?"

Me: face turning redder by the moment and laughing. A lot. Does he even know what that word means? It was so cute.

So I've decided I want to explore the whole crock pot thing more. So if any of you have some really yummy recipes you should holla!

Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love all the colors and smells that it brings. Plus it means more pumpkin pie being made which is my favorite as well! On Monday the family and I celebrated my brothers' 17th birthday. So weird. I can't believe he is 17. One of my favorite presents he got, and this is only because I can play it too, is the new Halo ODST. I know I'm a nerd....but it's so fun! Very much enjoyed it. After all the cake and everything, my dad decided it was time to harvest all our pumpkins. Most of them were ready anyways. So we took the family down and all took dibs on "our" pumpkin. I took 5 home with me, Grandma and Grandpa Crosland took 4 home with them...and the other 33 were placed in our yard.

That's right you heard correctly. 42 pumpkins!!! Lets just say our plot was extra blessed or something. We are going to have a pumpkin carving-pumpkin pie eating festival!

I can't wait.

Late

I know this is rather late, but I finally got the pictures from my birthday. It's weird to think now that I can no longer be called a teenager. I never thought that would ever happen! But life is just getting started and I am so excited to see where it takes me next! So here are a few pictures of my birthday along with a random picture of me snowshoeing which I was able to do with my dad during my birthday week! So much fun!

The family plus Jamie. Nate is gone on a date :)

You'd think a camera would come in a smaller package.

Blowing out the candles of my heavenly tasting cheese cake

No birthday of mine is complete without some type of pearls!

Snowshoeing

As I look a these pictures, I notice that my dad is so much tanner than I am! Oh yeah that's right....he and my mom and leaving me and the rest of the kids to go to Hawaii....I will muster all the smiles I can and wish them the best! I really do hope the have a fun time though!

Thanks to my friends and family for making this a wonderful birthday for me!