25th

^^don't you just love this picture?^^

Happy 25th anniversary to these amazing parents of mine! They are the best parents anyone could ask for. Even after 25 years, they are even more in love than ever. Love you guys!

Three generations....

that's what stands between Evelyn and her great grandparents. I feel so lucky that Evelyn gets to spend so much time with them. Learn from them. Play with them. It's probably one of the biggest perks of living in their basement. Most mornings the first thing she does is race upstairs as fast as she can, find grandpa, climb on his lap and sometimes, (if she's in the right mood) give him kisses. She makes them happy. And they both make her happy. 

It's such a touching interaction to see. 

If you follow me on instagram you have probably already seen some of these pictures but I had to post them again because they are very special to me. 

A weekend, library outing, and runny nose

This weekend was so great besides the fact that we were all sick. Jake didn't have any programs he needed to work on so Evelyn and I had a lot of time with Jake. We both love spending time with him. It was a quiet weekend. Even though we were sick we managed to get out of the house for just a little bit and go to the library (Evelyn's second home) when we knew a lot of people wouldn't be there. You can tell Evelyn is in her element when she walks into the children's section and starts pulling out books to flip through. The rest of the weekend was spend taking lots of bubble baths, and Jake and I taking turns being runny nose police.  Boy does that girl hate having her nose wiped! I love when we get weekends like this. Spending time as a family is my favorite thing to do in the entire world. And when the time comes along when Jake isn't busy with homework, we grab it and go! 

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!

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!

Seamlessly

There's nothing like watching your husband fall seamlessly into his role as a father. It's been such a rewarding experience to see him be the best father to our little Evelyn. He is always so patient with her. And even with all his busy school work, he takes time to play with her and make her laugh. I'm so grateful that she has such a wonderful example to look up to. A father that will do anything and everything for her. I'm also grateful for the father's in my life. Both my father-in-law and my own father. They are both amazing men who care so much about their families. Thank you both for the examples you have left me and my family.

 Happy father's day everyone! And happy father's day to the love of my life. You really are one heck of a guy and Evelyn and I are lucky to have you.

What being a working mom has taught me

Some days are harder than others. Today was one of those days. One of those days where I didn't want to go to work and just stay home and play with baby e. I called Jake this morning to see how she was doing and heard her chatting away in the background. I knew right then she had her favorite stuffed animal in her hands and was telling her all about her morning so far. She loves that teddy bear. It made my day to hear her little voice. Jake and I, (like always) live for the weekends. It's my time to pretend I am a full stay at home mom and spend time with my little girl. I treasure the weekends. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my job. I love the people I work with. I love talking with my patients.

But I love my little girl more.

Being a working mom has made me treasure every second I get with her when I get home. Even when she is being fussy. E-mail can wait. Blogging can wait. Chores can wait. Cooking can wait...(sorry Jake!). Being a working mom can be hard, yet also rewarding. So hats off to you working mom's. It may not be the way you wanted it at first, some of you may not have a choice, but you do it because you love your family. I'm so grateful for Jake's hard work, plowing through school as fast as he can so I can be a stay at home mom.

Jake to the rescue

I woke up this morning and felt like I was going to die. You know when it hurts so bad just to swallow your own saliva, your body aches, your head hurts and you just want to fill up your tub with hot water and disappear for the rest of the day? Well that's what I did.

Jake didn't have class today so he stepped in and took care of Evelyn because I didn't want to get her sick. Poor thing already has a little cold. Seriously what would I do without him sometimes? I am so grateful he was here. Also grateful this semester he wont be as busy as last semester....maybe. Evelyn and I love spending more time with papa.

Drool face. I love it!

Two peas in a pod

These two have become quite the pals. I love watching them be together. Jake is the best dad ever and loves spending time with Evelyn. This week was my first week back at work and Jake was done with finals on Tuesday so they were able to spend some good quality time together. I called during work to check up on them and found out Jake was watching Cinderella with Evelyn! (heart melting...) My first day back at work was hard. Super hard. I cried the whole drive there. But as I got back into my routine, it got much easier. As of right now, it's been a good "out" for me. I love my job. I love the people I work with. And it's been nice to have some adult interaction. However, I can't wait till I can be a stay at home mom. I love being with Evelyn. Hopefully it wont be too long before that happens! Hope you all have a great weekend!  I hear we are supposed to have wonderful weather...I hope! I will be spending lots of time with these two and I am so excited!

Studying with papa!

Feet

So I have a love/hate relationship with feet. I think feet are weird. I don't like to touch other people's feet (except for Jake's) and I don't like other people touching my feet (except for Jake! He gives THE best foot massages). However, I am always taking pictures of my feet/shoes at the different places I have been. A little random I know. I came upon a this guy who does a similar thing with his cute little family.

Adorable right? Gives me an idea to start my own little feet photo series with Evelyn and Jake. Those are the feet I adore the most. 

Baby E's adorable feet

Happy Monday!

I love Monday holidays. Evie is sleeping and my amazing husband is busy making me a cheesecake for my birthday coming up! Boy am I one lucky mama.

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. 

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

Jake and I are spending the evening with our awesome family members and some pretty cool cousins! Playing games, watching movies and eating lots of yummy junk food.

Oh and there will be some kissing involved too! Hope you all have a happy New Year!

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!

My husband...

is the best. Even with all his homework he still has time to give me foot/back massages, make me breakfast, and call me every day to see how I am feeling. 

I love him.

A little bit emotional

Can I just first say that I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who takes care of me and loves me during these wonderful emotional roller coasters I am constantly on! It's crazy how one second I am fine, the next I am about to burst into tears. Today was another long, long day at work. Jake had finished with work and came to keep me company while I was finishing up my notes and cleaning up. I was tired and exhausted. He came to give me a hug and I just broke down in his arms and started the "I don't know why I'm crying" crying. He just held me tighter and tried to calm me down. I always feel so silly when I break down and cry for no reason because Jake has never really seen me this emotional. I usually am pretty good at keeping my emotions at bay, but not any more! They just spill out and I have no control. He is probably thinking, "man what has taken over my wife and when do I get her back?"

But guess what?

He still loves me and he tells me that every single day.

Past, present and future

Over the weekend, Jake had planned a wonderful date for the two of us. He had planned it around all of our firsts and fun things we did when dating. The first restaurant we went to. First movie we had watched together. Taking a little trip to Ikea where we would always meet while dating. Going up to the Draper Temple where we were sealed for time and all eternity.

My favorite was when we came home and both pulled out our boxes of letters we had written to each other. We sat on our bed and just read them back and forth, saying things like "did I really write that? Wow I have pretty good handwriting! Wow that was when I was a missionary...etc" Even now Jake will write me a little letter and I love spending my time reading every little word he writes to me. It was such a fun date, remembering all the fun times we had while dating and getting to know each other. This then brought us to thinking about the present. Thinking how we loved each other a lot back when we were first married and how much that love has grown today. How we love spending time with each other. Life at the present is good. Amazing actually. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Now I don't like to look too much into the future, future plans etc, but I am really excited for our future together. All the wonderful trips we will take and all the memories we will make together. I can't wait to pull out those letters again when we are cute old people!

Fathers that I love

Father's Day was met with a lot of mixed emotions. Some tears, some smiles, and some laughter.

To my father: I couldn't have asked for a better role model father in my life. You have always been there for me, through my high and low times. I'll never forget that moment in the hospital around Christmas time. You and I were reading a book you had found. We got to a chapter that got pretty emotional for you. For both of us. You couldn't finish your sentence. I looked at you and said, "dad, let me read for a bit". It was my little moment to help you however I could. I don't know that I made it very far either but it was good to take over for you when I always felt so helpless during this time. You have always treated mom like a queen and spent lots of time with us kids. We all have so many memories of things you have done with us. You are loved by so many people. And loved especially by your family. I love you dad!

To my father-in law: You have taken me under your wings and have made me feel like one of your own daughters. Made me feel at home. I am so grateful for the counsel and wisdom you have given to both Jake and I as we dated and in our newly married life. I thank you for being such a wonderful father to Jake as he was growing up. He looks up to you in so many ways and has learned much from you. Trust me! Whatever you had taught him, you did a great job. I am so grateful for the way you love your family. I see it all the time when we get together. You always check on everyone and make sure they are all doing okay. You are a great man and I am so glad to have you has my father-in law.

To my grandfather Ivan: Every time I see a tree,  I am reminded of you. Reminded of your love for trees. For your love of life. Your love to watch things grow. A trees roots need to grow deep and strong in order for the tree to survive. Your love, hard work and knowledge has made our family grow deep and strong and we all support you and love you. I am also reminded of your love for theater and how it was instilled in me. I remember when I was in sixth grade and I was trying out for the lead of a play we were doing. I would bring my lines over to your house and we would practice and practice. I also had to faint during my tryout and you helped me faint like a professional! I did end up getting the lead thanks to you! Jake and I have loved being able to spend time with you these past couple of months. Bringing you to his basketball games and seeing you cheer him on and get so excited about the game. It just made my heart swell with love for you. To see you so happy. Jake and I would frequently come up and tell you all the new things that were happening in our life and you were always so excited for us. You are also loved by so many people grandpa. As one of them, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and have learned so much from you.

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful fathers out there!