best fortune cookie ever

this is the story of how I told scotty I was pregnant...

{warning:  I only spared a few details}

A little over 3 months ago I woke up to a normal Friday morning and went to the bathroom to get ready for work. I had been feeling kinda crappy but since I recently got off of birth control it was totally normal for me to feel bad and to be a couple days late.  Being my curious self I took a preg test anyways just to get my hopes down and prepare myself for another torturous period. I didn't think anything of it and continued with my normal morning routine. When I got out of the shower I remembered and look down at the stick in disbelief. I stood there dripping wet, all by myself, in total shock. It was positive.

I'm pretty optimistic but when it came to getting pregnant I prepared myself for the worst. Even though it would be frustrating I was totally prepared to try for at least six months before I even started tracking ovulation and wait at least a year before I became obsessed and go to the doc for help. I watched my oldest sis try for years and I just assumed it might also take long for me... so I was fully ready to not be disappointed once a month. That being said, Scotty and I were trying and hoping and praying but not expecting anything to happen right away.

I don't really remember what happened during the next couple minutes... I was freaking out. I had to tell somebody... I knew scotty couldn't answer his phone and I couldn't say it over text/email. How was I supposed to get ready for work now?! Scotty was in the middle of his OBGYN rotation and had been really busy with long hours. I hadn't seen him really in the last couple days and I was looking forward to our Friday date night. Could I wait til then to tell him?! Being close with my coworker Mandy (who also found out she was preg that week, crazy!) I texted her and ran over to work.  Working together for over a year now we knew each other really well and had talked about ways I could tell my family when I got pregnant.  Since I couldn't tell Scotty right away I thought it would be so awesome to surprise him in one of those ways! For lunch we went over to P.F Changs and told the manager what I wanted to do... I grabbed some fortune cookies, made reservations, and bought a gift card.  We came back to work and after many attempts we put the same fortune in two of the cookies. (wrap the cookie in a wet paper towel and microwave for a couple seconds... then quickly replace fortune while cookie is still warm) We even glued that plastic covering back over them and you couldn't even tell!!  

Work was agonizing to say the least. I finally got a text from him around 4 asking how I was doing... I told him I had won a gift card from my Rewards & Recognition committee and I had made reservations at 6. He was stoked for free dinner and didn't even question it because I had won gift cards before. When I initially saw him it was hard to not share the huge news but by this point (and after all my planning) I could wait another hour. With the fortune cookies in my purse, we finally went to dinner. When I told the hostess my name she smiled at me and the other waitress's all gave that cutesy look at us and totally almost gave something away (scott says he didn't even notice but it was obvious haha) They sat us at a nice private booth and our waitress was super nice. I don't know if I was just anxious or cause I was sick being preg but chinese food was the last thing that sounded good to me..  I barely ate anything. gag.  We had a great dinner though- we hadn't really spent time together in awhile so it was nice to catch up and hear all about his rotation and his experience delivering babies. At one point he even said "its totally normal to take a year to get pregnant for like 80% of women"... little did he know he was about to get the biggest surprise of his life. I acted like I had to go to the bathroom to give our waitress the fortune cookies and told her to bring them out asap cause I couldn't wait any longer. We weren't even done with our meal but she brought them over and Scott picked one up right away. I could see the super glue on the plastic wrap where we had carefully put it back together. I tried my hardest to continue in our conversation but I was just staring at the cookie as he opened it up and read it. His expression was priceless... total shock/confusion. I can't say his exact words since he swore haha I guess my well worded fortune was so legit he thought it was just a coincidence cause we were just talking about pregnancy. He looked at me and I said "its true... I found out this morning... I'm pregnant!!!" AH he had no clue, we hugged and laughed and smiled and got really nervous/giddy as reality sunk it... it was such an AMAZING moment. I was so happy that he finally knew and that we were going to have a baby!!! The manager came over and said congrats and that he had told some of the tables around us.. one even payed our bill but remained anonymous. I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping it a secret, everything worked out perfect!

What was going to just be our normal every friday night-date night will now be a night we will never forget. We coudn't be more excited for this next chapter in our life :)            

2011 highlights

{2011 highlights}

Went snowshoeing when everything closed down since wisconsin got the most snow in one day that it has had in over 10 years. saw janet jackson in vegas with my sisters. Celebrated my 24th bday. I survived the lack of husband during his busiest year by watching Friends. celebrated our 3rd year anniversary. Scott passed the step 1 boards!! I helped out with young women girls camp. Stayed at a b&b in Door County for a little summer getaway. went to nauvoo with my mom and lil sis. Scott started his 3rd year of med school with easy rotations. spent a lot of time being photographers and learning how to edit. went to north carolina for the baby blessing of my 4th niece Ava. Spent a week at myrtle beach. Officially been at my job for a year. went to chicago with my girls. Found out I was pregnant! dressed up as snooki and pauly d for Halloween. Had a delish thanksgiving at the Jackmans surrounded by friends. Celebrated scottys 28th bday.
 Had an amazing christmas back in utah with family that we already miss so much.

Here's to 2011!!
 We had an amazing year.  2012 will be even more amazing... We are happy to finally tell the world that baby carver is due June 21 :)

blessing in disguise

When we first moved out here it was difficult for me to find a job. After applying everywhere I finally got an interview at the Medical College. After the initial interview I received 6 more from different departments that were interested in hiring me asap. They all went great and HR told me to choose which department I wanted. I was thrilled- after months of looking I now finally had options- but at the same time, being the indecisive person that I am, I was overwhelmed. I made the pro's and con's list. Discussed with the hubs. And prayed. I prayed that I would choose the right position for my future and that I would be happy there. Feeling comfort in my eliminating process I choose Admitting. The first day I nearly came home in tears... it was terrible. I hated my job. It was so difficult for me to get a college degree in Child Life and end up typing on the computer all day. On top of a lame job, I was adjusting to living in Wisconsin {during winter!} and accepting the loneliness of being a wife of a medical student. I prayed for strength to stay positive and gratitude for even having a pay check. I slowly made friends with some co-workers and slowly got recognized from management.
About three months in, I starting catching on to other employees taking advantage of me because I was dependable and a fast typer. I would notice them slacking off and at the end of the day handing me a pile of their work for me to finish. As ridiculous as it was I had to finish that work because we were a "team." My manager didn't care. Despite wanting to quite on the spot, I kept a smile on my face and stayed positive.

One day I was talking to Lisa, a girl that sat three computers down from me and she said "The first time I saw you I thought you were going to be a total brat but your actually one of the nicest people I have ever met".... um ok.

Months passed and my coworkers had a greater understanding of who I was. I wasn't just the blond short girl- I was religious, I didn't drink {ever}, I was married at 21, I spent my Tuesdays with the youth, I was easy to get a long with...aka "Mormon from Utah". I became really close with the crazy lady who sat next to me, Barb. Love her. Every day we would eat lunch together where she would tell me about her religious views and I would tell her more about mine. It was so different living outside of my Utah bubble. Since no one knew about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it was nice to have an opportunity to break down the misconceptions of what they saw from the HBO show "Big Love." No my husband doesn't have more then one wife and we're not in a cult- I was normal, I was a Christian. Lisa starting hearing our conversations and one day came up to me and asked, "What do you believe happens when you die?" As nervous as I might have felt, I got a huge smile and answered then said "...anything you want to know about Mormons just ask!"

For the next couple weeks she would ask and I would answer the best I could. We would email back and forth and meet for lunch. I would pray each night to have the Spirit with me as I tackled some of her hard questions. She appreciated that I was honest with her if I didn't know right then, and would give her the answer the next day. She confided in me that she was Pagan and believed she was a witch and had powers. Her views were based on the Universe and a Scientific Theology. We shared equal respect for each other. I'm not one to press religion on anyone but I decided to give her a Book of Mormon. I highlighted the scripture Moroni 10:4 "I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true..." and I wrote her a card with my testimony and the influence this book has had in my life. She came in the next morning and said she read all of 1 Nephi !! She loved it.. and of course came to me with more questions. We starting reading the same chapters together each night and discussing it at work the next day. I invited her over for dinner so she could met Scott and really get into a discussion about our faith. She loved that we believed that we are not punished for Adam's transgressions, we get baptized at age 8, the role of the woman, that we were "true" Christians in the sense that we go to church every Sunday and don't make exceptions like other religions, and that there must be opposition in all things.  Joseph Smith's story of restoring the Gospel made perfect sense to her. I set up dinner with the missionaries a couple weeks following, and despite having some really awkward shy missionaries, we had a great time discusing her questions. She appreciated Scott giving her straight answers instead of a round-about way to try to "convince her". She loved that I would correlated some of our concepts into her views- Like how she felt she has a knowing power, or intuition, and we have the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us.

Over six months passed and I finally got my current job. I would still see her around the hospital and we would catch up on the drama of my old department. A whole year passed. We would email and occasionally go out to dinner. She would complain about trying to quit smoking/drinking and I would complain about living in Wisconsin.
Last week I got an email from her that said "I quit my waitressing job and I can finally go to Church with you!!" After working weekends for the past 6 years it surprised me that she would want to spend her first free Sunday going to Church...

I was kinda nervous to be honest- I couldn't imagine coming from her background and experiencing the "culture shock" of investigating another church. But it went GREAT. We walked into the church building and she starting tearing up when she saw a picture of Christ not on a cross and people making her feel welcomed. Sacrament meeting was very spiritual. The Young Women and us leaders sang "As I have loved you" and the two talks were on last weekends General Conference messages of the Prophet. She gained a better understanding that the most important Prophet is our living Prophet and she thought it was very relevant to our time. She was confused that our Bishop didn't speak every Sunday but thought it was fantastic that the members held great responsibility to prepare talks/lessons. I explained that everyone had a different calling asked by the Bishop and the organization of our Church. Our Gospel Principals class was on the topic of faith and it was a relaxed atmosphere to have open disscusions. I had to teach in Young Womens so she went to Relief Society and learned more about the Second Coming. She said it was the friendliest church she had ever gone too and everything "made sense" :) She left saying that she now was 50 more questions for me... and wants to come again!

 

http://mormon.org/

When I think back on those crappy 6 months in the Admitting department I now have a greater understanding of why the Lord wanted me there over the other options. While it was a trial for me, it was a blessing to have become friends with Lisa at a time when she felt there was no hope left in her life. It was an amazing lesson that I need to stop being so self absorbed and take each situation (as terrible and long as they might seem) with a Christ-like attitude and eternal perspective. You might question why your going through certain trails in your life but I have a testimony that God knows you and can see the bigger picture.

I'm not a cute cry~er

Before yesterday I couldn't remember the last time I cried for no "apparent" reason... like not frustrated bawling out of pure sadness type crying but just simple honest tears. Until my friend had to go and sing such a beautiful song in church and get me all emotional, thanks Dani ;) Blame it on that time of the month but I also know that I felt the spirit so strongly and even though I didn't really relate to the words I felt something that I needed to feel.

 Humble, simple tears went down my cheeks and I felt alive.

{Danielle and her hubs are trying to adopt and she has been such a great example to me of patience and trust in the Lord. Check out her blog. She writes daily on the ups and downs in their lives and its hilarious! If you know of anyone who is considering adoption or can help out in the process in anyway, please spread the word.}

I also spent the rest of the day on the verge of tears while "never forgetting" what makes 9/11 such an emotional date. Besides a great fear in terrorists I was not personally effected or had a loved one die on that awful day 10 years ago but I distinctly remember that morning. I was in 9th grade. I remember watching the first tower up in flames on the news while getting ready to leave for school. My mom was driving the carpool and I remember trying to turn the radio station and getting annoyed that she wouldn't let me (so young and naive) I remember being in English class and watching the second tower fall and feeling pain for all those people in NYC. I remember the teachers and principal deciding if they should let us keep watching the news or to turn off the tvs and act like it was a normal school day. I remember them saying that in the future this day will be written in History text books.

Although hard to watch, today I was memorized by the 9/11 10 year aniversary special reports. My thoughts and prayers are with those who's lives changed forever. I am proud to be an American.

U of U days {ki-Yi}

The University of Utah had their first preseason football game today and Scotty got so excited to watch it... online. Living outside of Utah and away from our old college friends makes us miss the hype of walking over to the games from our apartment, standing in the MUSS, dancing with the crazy lady, and going out to Wingers with the gang to celebrate after. Back then we always talked about the future and say things like "We can't wait to live away for med school" but now that we're here its funny how we tend to reminisce about "The good old days"

Its helps to think that one day in the future we'll be back home and have season tickets of our own (don't worry hubs) & I'll take over for the crazy lady...she told me last year that I could :)

homecoming 2007