These past two and a half years have been a long road. That's how long we have been wanting a baby of our own. That is three Mother's Days, three Father's Days, two Christmas Seasons, two long years wishing you had a child to hold in your arms. Most days over those two years I was be content with my life. I really have been so blessed and live a very happy life!

But there were days that would just get to me. When your heart yearns for something, sometimes it is hard to watch people around you have something you can't (yet). I wasn't bitter. I was determined not to become bitter. My heart just hurt.

After finally getting pregnant on our own last August followed by an ectopic miscarriage,  we finally decided to reach out to a fertility doctor to get to the bottom of the problem. But, everything checked out just fine. The only thing the doctor could see that was wrong is one of my fallopian tubes is pinched a little (TMI?).

Kinda a problem. Kinda not.

The doctor said we were one of the cases of unexplained infertility.  It was a relief knowing nothing was "wrong" but it was almost more frustrating at the same time.

She recommended proceeding with an IUI and we agreed with her. It was time to take the next step.

I was nervous. This was a foreign world to us. Plus, it was a lot of money to bet on a chance. But we didn't care.

So we proceeded, with high hopes. Unfortunately, we didn't get the results we had hoped for. Negative. We tried it again ... and again one last time. All three came back negative.

We were then faced with another tough decision. We knew what the next step for us was, but it was an even more expensive and more invasive process. It was something I never thought I would have to go through.

IVF.

Because we didn't have anything wrong, the doctor said we were really good candidates for IVF. She gave us 60% chance that it would work. The negative side of me kept thinking that was still 40% chance that it wouldn't work. But Scott and I felt good about it and decided it was time.

We started the 8 week long process. I won't go into the nitty gritty but let's just say it involved a lot of shots (sometimes up to 4 shots a day) and me feeling like crap for at least a month of it.

The only important thing was after it was all over we finally got the POSITIVE we had been yearning for so long!!

That's right. I'm pregnant! I still have a hard time believing it! But I'm now 13 weeks along! I am still considered high risk because of previous health issues so we are proceeding with caution but we are so happy to have gotten to this point.

All I know is that miracles happen. The Lord is in the details of our lives. And that I will never take this gift of motherhood for granted.

We found out the middle of January we were going to take a trip to Cabo San Lucas. Scotty had earned the trip for us through an incentive at work! SIDE NOTE: I am so grateful my husband has a job he loves and am grateful every day how hard he works to provide for us! 

It's the end of February. Already? I feel like in some ways the last two months have flown by and in other ways have drug on.  Aside from normal daily life, it's been mostly a time for me to reflect on life, lessons I've learned and what I have yet to learn.  Life is hard sometimes and can easily get you (me) down if you let it.  I am at the crossroads of where I consciously have to not let it get me down.  To intentionally choose happiness every day. Luckliy I have a positive husband who helps me see the good in every day and every thing.  Here's to choosing happiness and (hopefully) a more exciting March!

It's official. 2014 is in the books. I love being able to reflect each year at this time to see where life has taken me.

I have been so blessed in my life and 2014 was no different. I feel like I finally know who I am and am content and happy with me. Only took 30 years! Ha. But this year was one of growth and change for me (mostly just on the inside).

I have learned to stand up for myself.
I have learned to adapt better to life's constant changes.
I have learned that being busy all the time isn't always a good thing.
I have learned how to take time for myself and my husband.
I have learned that life doesn't always (or ever) go as planned and that's ok.

This year has been good to us. I'm excited what 2015 in store!

Ahh Home Sweet Home.

I love visiting Washington and being back where I grew up. There is just something about that place that reminds me of who I am. We were able to spend an entire week in Spokane for Christmas! It was heavenly. I love spending time with my family. Though we have our moments and sometimes butt heads, I am so grateful for my family and love spending quality time with them. Their isn't anyone who can make me laugh as hard as they can!

We played a lot of games, watched movies, shopped (duh), skyped with family and ate and ate and ate (oops).

This Christmas season I was determined to be better about celebrating throughout the month of December and taking advantage of the festivities around us. I will say, Utah does Christmas right!

+ Lights at Temple Square with my sisters and family ... Though I made the plans and totally failed to remember that Scotty was going to be out of town that night on business. Not my finest moment. Still, it was fun. Just felt like someone was missing. Oh, wait ...

+ Girls Night at The Nutcracker ... Yes, the ballet. Don't we sound sophisticated? Don't be too fooled by that. We (and by we, I mean Stephanie) may have broken off the Nutracker's arm during a photo op.

+ Scotty's Work Christmas Party ... I am so grateful Scotty works for a great company that value's its employees. Not to mention they throw a sweet Christmas party with awesome prizes. Didn't walk away with one this year. Maybe next year?! Regardless, it was fun to finally meet and talk with the people my husband works side by side with everyday.

+ Dinner at The Roof ... We celebrated Christmas a few days early with Scotty's side as we went to Washington for Christmas. It was great food and awesome company.

+ MoTab with Sesame Street ... The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed their Christmas Concert with Sesame Street this year. Genius! Whoever thought of that should get a raise. Pretty sure we laughed more than any adult should at muppets.

We somehow seem to find ourselves in San Francisco around Thanksgiving time. Three years ago Scotty proposed to me the day before Thanksgiving at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was fun to reminisce and reflect on our lives since then.

Aside from the mushy stuff, we had a great time! Toured Alcatraz, went on an unintentional hike in the Muir Woods, walked the grounds of the infamous Pebble Beach and saw more touristy sites such as Coit Tower and Lombard Street. But the main reason for the trip was so the boys could go to the Seahawks vs 49ers game. Though the outcome didn't go in the boys' favor, they were able to get field access during pre-game! Pretty much it made their life complete.