Back in July we spent a couple of days up in Roy when Grandpa Hull died. He was 94 years old, and Jordan and I had been visiting him on a pretty regular basis, about once a semester. Every time we would go, he would make some funny joke about this being the last time we saw him. For instance, "I don't buy green bananas anymore..." One of our personal favorite conversations goes like this:
Jordan's Dad: "So! You turned 94! How doe it feel?"
Grandpa Hull: "Well, I wouldn't want to do it again..."
Ultimately, this was a great man of faith who loved his family and longed to be with his deceased wife. It's hard to be super sad at a funeral under these conditions. It was so lovely to reminisce on his life, and to know it was truly a good one.
Jordan had a ton of family come in for the funeral: Dad and Courtney from AK, Megan and her two oldest girls from Missouri, and Mandy and Casey and their family drove from Missouri. We all stayed with Aunt Kay in Roy for the couple of days leading up to the funeral. We had a great time! We got to go through Dad's memory lane and see all the places he went to school and played football, etc. The Sunday afterward, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Aunt Kit's where I got to meet more of Jordan's Thompson side of the family. Mandy and Casey stayed until the next Friday, so just played and played and played.
For me, this has been a great summer filled with lots of family, which I am grateful for. Heavenly Father is really looking out for me. If no one was coming to visit and such, I would just be a fat pregnant lady stuck in my apartment watching House... but instead, I've had the great opprotunity to spend a lot of time with the people I love!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wilson Familiy Reunion
Yesterday Jordan and I made an appearance at my maternal grandma's family reunion. Growing up in Alaska, I hardly ever went to any family reunions, although I attended this one about 10 years ago when I was 14. It was so fun! I'm so lucky to be related to such great, faithful people. Jordan and I had a lot of fun looking at my family tree and trying to see if we're distantly related (I know that seems weird, but it seems like it would be weird if we WEREN'T related in some distant way. Both families are old Mormon pioneer families who settled in the Ogden area...).
There's a lot of people who I had heard of, who I may have met once or twice, that I'd seen pictures of that I got to talk to, which I really enjoyed. One of my favorite moments was when my Grandma and her sisters were talking about their father, who died when my Grandma was just 6 years old. They were all very young when their father passed away, but their memories were precious and sweet, and reminded me how I feel and remember my own late father. They talked about how even though they were very small (7 years and younger), they remembered him playing with them, and killing snakes to protect them when they were outside. It was these simple memories that they clung to and remembered how much their father loved them, even though he left this world when they were so young. Mostly, I was just struck about what an effect a man could have on their lives to be remembered so many years later.
I found myself contemplating Fatherhood. Who would my own father, who died 12 years ago, be to my child? I hope I can describe the incalculable love I felt from him, and how both his life and his death shaped my life. I also hope that I can express how sometimes really hard, inexplicable things happen, but you can be happy. As I grew up, Heavenly Father sent other men into my life who helped me and loved me, even though my own father couldn't be there. I guess more than anything I want to be able to express to my children that I don't feel I was handicapped by his absence, but ultimately I am happier because of it. And that Heavenly Father will always take care of us and fulfill our needs when we have faith.
Jordan is such a good father, already. I know we aren't yet holding our baby in our arms, but I am continually impressed with his commitment to our livelihood and safety. I can sense his excitement, and that brings me such joy. I am lucky that he married me, and that we can have such a beautiful life together. And I can't wait to meet this little baby!
There's a lot of people who I had heard of, who I may have met once or twice, that I'd seen pictures of that I got to talk to, which I really enjoyed. One of my favorite moments was when my Grandma and her sisters were talking about their father, who died when my Grandma was just 6 years old. They were all very young when their father passed away, but their memories were precious and sweet, and reminded me how I feel and remember my own late father. They talked about how even though they were very small (7 years and younger), they remembered him playing with them, and killing snakes to protect them when they were outside. It was these simple memories that they clung to and remembered how much their father loved them, even though he left this world when they were so young. Mostly, I was just struck about what an effect a man could have on their lives to be remembered so many years later.
I found myself contemplating Fatherhood. Who would my own father, who died 12 years ago, be to my child? I hope I can describe the incalculable love I felt from him, and how both his life and his death shaped my life. I also hope that I can express how sometimes really hard, inexplicable things happen, but you can be happy. As I grew up, Heavenly Father sent other men into my life who helped me and loved me, even though my own father couldn't be there. I guess more than anything I want to be able to express to my children that I don't feel I was handicapped by his absence, but ultimately I am happier because of it. And that Heavenly Father will always take care of us and fulfill our needs when we have faith.
Jordan is such a good father, already. I know we aren't yet holding our baby in our arms, but I am continually impressed with his commitment to our livelihood and safety. I can sense his excitement, and that brings me such joy. I am lucky that he married me, and that we can have such a beautiful life together. And I can't wait to meet this little baby!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Life is Happy
Lately I've been thinking a lot about how happy I am. How happy Jordan and I are. We feel like we're in such a good place. We're getting close to our two year anniversary, and things just feel... in place, I guess. What's most surprising is there are so many things going wrong right now! I mean, no job, we're still in Provo, baby on the way and we don't know where we're going to have it, we're living month by month not sure what will happen the next month, we are currently separated by the great country of Canada, etc. Yet despite all the unknowns, we feel monumentally blessed and happy.
I'm currently in Fairbanks for a couple of weeks while Jordan hangs around Utah. I waited apprehensively for this seperation, this is the longest we've been apart since he got home from his mission over two years ago. Yet I have felt great comfort and stability and love from all directions, and I feel confident we'll do just fine.
The job situation isn't necessarily better than any other time. He's in talks with two companies, although both are taking their time in getting a hold of us and such. Yet... even the fact that he is talking to companies and that interviews are happening makes everything ok.
And we're so excited about this new little baby coming to us. We're as ready as anyone could ever be (which is that you're never really ready for a baby), and we feel confident that this is the path that was meant for us. We feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has given us this beautiful gift. I know that this baby will change our lives dramatically, and that we'll never be the same. It will be hard, but it will also be wonderful.
So that gets me thinking of the joy we can feel in our trials. That even when everything seems to go wrong, in our hearts we can still find joy in something that is more eternal and everlasting than our worries. Those things are important, of course, but at the same time being happy is not dependent on what happens around us, it's what is going on within us. I'm so grateful for that assurance and the peace I feel. And I'm so grateful for a wonderful husband that reminds me of this all the time.
I'm currently in Fairbanks for a couple of weeks while Jordan hangs around Utah. I waited apprehensively for this seperation, this is the longest we've been apart since he got home from his mission over two years ago. Yet I have felt great comfort and stability and love from all directions, and I feel confident we'll do just fine.
The job situation isn't necessarily better than any other time. He's in talks with two companies, although both are taking their time in getting a hold of us and such. Yet... even the fact that he is talking to companies and that interviews are happening makes everything ok.
And we're so excited about this new little baby coming to us. We're as ready as anyone could ever be (which is that you're never really ready for a baby), and we feel confident that this is the path that was meant for us. We feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has given us this beautiful gift. I know that this baby will change our lives dramatically, and that we'll never be the same. It will be hard, but it will also be wonderful.
So that gets me thinking of the joy we can feel in our trials. That even when everything seems to go wrong, in our hearts we can still find joy in something that is more eternal and everlasting than our worries. Those things are important, of course, but at the same time being happy is not dependent on what happens around us, it's what is going on within us. I'm so grateful for that assurance and the peace I feel. And I'm so grateful for a wonderful husband that reminds me of this all the time.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Still problems in graduating
So, I know I've said this for a month, I really am almost done with my Masters.
I just have one thing to say about it: Right now, there's ONE PARAGRAPH preventing me from graduating. That's right, one paragraph. I've revised it twice for one professor on my committee, who still disagrees with me on some analysis (don't worry, I'm totally right).
In my 26 page paper, 1 paragraph is preventing my graduating. I just had to get that on record for posterity.
I just have one thing to say about it: Right now, there's ONE PARAGRAPH preventing me from graduating. That's right, one paragraph. I've revised it twice for one professor on my committee, who still disagrees with me on some analysis (don't worry, I'm totally right).
In my 26 page paper, 1 paragraph is preventing my graduating. I just had to get that on record for posterity.
Family Reunion in Missouri
What kept me going through all my classes, exams, and recitals was knowing that soon I would be lounging around lazily with family in wonderful Missouri. So... Missouri is kinda hot, which isn't my thing, but what IS my thing is tons of people to talk to, games to play, dinners to make and a good book to read. I enjoyed all of this and more for two weeks at Megan and Ben's!
We took our third drive there in our less than two years of marriage (what can I say, we love these people!). It's a good 18 hour drive, so we broke it up into two days. The worst part of the drive was the fact that I had horrible pain in my lower ribs/side area. I had exercised a few days before, and I think I did something to my back when I tried to do a really slow job... (I have this bad habit of forgetting there are things I PROBABLY shouldn't do pregnant...). So whenever I would breath deeply/yawn, it was pretty painful. By the time we got to the hotel the first night, I was in pretty major pain where I couldn't get comfortable and it was painful to just turn around in my bed. The pain went away by itself after a few days, so no worries, the baby and I are just fine!
Road trips with Jordan are the best. They really are just never boring. We can talk, and listen to music and overall just have a grand time.
The reunion itself was so great. There were a ton of kids (22, I think?), a bunch of adults, and lots of space. It was so nice getting to talk to all my in-laws, I really just lucked out in the family part when I married Jordan. We spent a fair amount of time talking about babies and different views and thoughts on childbirth and having an infant, which was so helpful. I have a great support system when I have this baby. We also guessed at what gender our baby will be... I was really tempted to take the ultrasound video with me to see if Ben could tell us what we were having (Ben's a doctor), but I was strong and just left it in Provo so I wouldn't be tempted.
When we weren't playing games or talking, I was usually reading a new book called the Hunger Games. AWESOME. I really liked reading it and then going and discussing my thoughts with Kelly. I can't wait for the next book (due in August). I highly recommend it.
The trip home was fun with no problems. We went through Colorado, which is so beautiful! It was really hard to leave Missouri, though. I kept telling people I was too pregnant to say goodbye, because I would just cry at night missing everyone. The good news is that I have high hopes that we'll see everyone before the reunion next year, and we hope move close to SOME family somewhere (I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for Connecticut, Kelly!). I like them all too much just see them once a year!
We took our third drive there in our less than two years of marriage (what can I say, we love these people!). It's a good 18 hour drive, so we broke it up into two days. The worst part of the drive was the fact that I had horrible pain in my lower ribs/side area. I had exercised a few days before, and I think I did something to my back when I tried to do a really slow job... (I have this bad habit of forgetting there are things I PROBABLY shouldn't do pregnant...). So whenever I would breath deeply/yawn, it was pretty painful. By the time we got to the hotel the first night, I was in pretty major pain where I couldn't get comfortable and it was painful to just turn around in my bed. The pain went away by itself after a few days, so no worries, the baby and I are just fine!
Road trips with Jordan are the best. They really are just never boring. We can talk, and listen to music and overall just have a grand time.
The reunion itself was so great. There were a ton of kids (22, I think?), a bunch of adults, and lots of space. It was so nice getting to talk to all my in-laws, I really just lucked out in the family part when I married Jordan. We spent a fair amount of time talking about babies and different views and thoughts on childbirth and having an infant, which was so helpful. I have a great support system when I have this baby. We also guessed at what gender our baby will be... I was really tempted to take the ultrasound video with me to see if Ben could tell us what we were having (Ben's a doctor), but I was strong and just left it in Provo so I wouldn't be tempted.
When we weren't playing games or talking, I was usually reading a new book called the Hunger Games. AWESOME. I really liked reading it and then going and discussing my thoughts with Kelly. I can't wait for the next book (due in August). I highly recommend it.
The trip home was fun with no problems. We went through Colorado, which is so beautiful! It was really hard to leave Missouri, though. I kept telling people I was too pregnant to say goodbye, because I would just cry at night missing everyone. The good news is that I have high hopes that we'll see everyone before the reunion next year, and we hope move close to SOME family somewhere (I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for Connecticut, Kelly!). I like them all too much just see them once a year!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Big Accomplishments!
Jordan's graduated! I'm almost graduated! Jordan took the third actuarial exam today! I didn't cry through my last oral exam!
Yes, we've been quite busy trying to tie up loose ends with school. First up was my graduate recital, which I am very happy to announce is OVER! And I passed! I had a lot of really difficult, high powered music. I was happy with the first half of my performance, but I was quite fatigued by the 2nd half, so it didn't go as well as I hoped. There's always those things that you wish you could back and do differently... but it's finished and I can move on! I'm looking forward to singing with the Fairbanks Opera this summer. I think it'll be a great way to get out and try out my professional chops, and I certainly it leads to more opportunities in the future.
This last Tuesday was my last oral exam, which I manged not to cry through! It went... ok. Well, I made the mistake and totally forgot that I was allowed to ask my committee members what to study ahead of time, so there were some tense moments trying to define "Behaviorism" and "Constructivism" and remember what the bell curve for my supervised teaching meant. My committee was very understanding, and pleased with my responses that I eventually squeezed out of my memory. I walked away with a pass... as long as I corrected a couple of issues in my paper. I should be totally done by Friday!
Today Jordan took the MLC Actuarial Exam! On all sides, we've heard this is the toughest actuarial exam there is. He had some very tense moments yesterday when he was feeling a lot of anxiety and frustration, but we were able to call the home-teachers for a priesthood blessing. We both felt much better after that, and Jordan feels calm about the exam. The bad news is that we probably won't hear the results for another 8-10 weeks. LAME.
So the next few days are all about preparing to leave for Missouri! I'm SO excited to get out of Provo for a bit! I love spending time with the family, and I plan on spending the whole time sleeping, reading and talking to my sisters-in-law. Who can ask for a better vacation? Plus, road-trips with Jordan are ALWAYS tons of fun. They really do go by so quickly, it's kinda weird how easily we pass the time together.
Still no job news, but we remain vigilant and hopeful. For sure getting out of Provo a bit I think will renew our spirits. We're in a really awkward phrase where Jordan doesn't have quite enough work, but has got some, and we've very hesitant to leave Provo and the help of Dr. Tolley. It's a strange balancing act in trying to figure out when we cut our loses and run back to Alaska, and when to just stick it out and stay here for another month. Basically, any month from now we could scamper back to Alaska. I know for myself, it's really frustrating not knowing what's going to happen next month! But it's a great faith-building experience at the same time. We really have to rely on the spirit to figure out our best choices.
Anywho, we're ready to get out of Provo for a bit! Missouri, ho!
Yes, we've been quite busy trying to tie up loose ends with school. First up was my graduate recital, which I am very happy to announce is OVER! And I passed! I had a lot of really difficult, high powered music. I was happy with the first half of my performance, but I was quite fatigued by the 2nd half, so it didn't go as well as I hoped. There's always those things that you wish you could back and do differently... but it's finished and I can move on! I'm looking forward to singing with the Fairbanks Opera this summer. I think it'll be a great way to get out and try out my professional chops, and I certainly it leads to more opportunities in the future.
This last Tuesday was my last oral exam, which I manged not to cry through! It went... ok. Well, I made the mistake and totally forgot that I was allowed to ask my committee members what to study ahead of time, so there were some tense moments trying to define "Behaviorism" and "Constructivism" and remember what the bell curve for my supervised teaching meant. My committee was very understanding, and pleased with my responses that I eventually squeezed out of my memory. I walked away with a pass... as long as I corrected a couple of issues in my paper. I should be totally done by Friday!
Today Jordan took the MLC Actuarial Exam! On all sides, we've heard this is the toughest actuarial exam there is. He had some very tense moments yesterday when he was feeling a lot of anxiety and frustration, but we were able to call the home-teachers for a priesthood blessing. We both felt much better after that, and Jordan feels calm about the exam. The bad news is that we probably won't hear the results for another 8-10 weeks. LAME.
So the next few days are all about preparing to leave for Missouri! I'm SO excited to get out of Provo for a bit! I love spending time with the family, and I plan on spending the whole time sleeping, reading and talking to my sisters-in-law. Who can ask for a better vacation? Plus, road-trips with Jordan are ALWAYS tons of fun. They really do go by so quickly, it's kinda weird how easily we pass the time together.
Still no job news, but we remain vigilant and hopeful. For sure getting out of Provo a bit I think will renew our spirits. We're in a really awkward phrase where Jordan doesn't have quite enough work, but has got some, and we've very hesitant to leave Provo and the help of Dr. Tolley. It's a strange balancing act in trying to figure out when we cut our loses and run back to Alaska, and when to just stick it out and stay here for another month. Basically, any month from now we could scamper back to Alaska. I know for myself, it's really frustrating not knowing what's going to happen next month! But it's a great faith-building experience at the same time. We really have to rely on the spirit to figure out our best choices.
Anywho, we're ready to get out of Provo for a bit! Missouri, ho!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Ultrasound today!
We just got a DVD, no still pictures, so I don't really have anything to post, but it was still really cool! Sometimes I forget that there's a baby in there, so it was nice to be reassured of that fact. We're waiting to see if it's a boy or girl, so the Dr. didn't tell us (although he knows!), but we did see him/her move the little arms and wiggle around a bit. I still haven't felt the baby move... or nothing that I've been able to feel consistently, so it was really awesome to see that. The baby is measuring a bit big, so instead of being 18 week, it looks like I'm really close to 20 weeks. It wasn't enough that the Dr. felt like he wanted to change my due date (there could still be some error), but definitely a big baby! YAY!
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