Missouri Vacation!

On Monday we went to Missouri for a vacation! We had a blast! We went to see Jenny's brother and his family. While we were there, we went and saw Jesse James' home and where he was shot, and also the museum (which is an old hotel from back then) that showed so many things from Jesse James' time, and when the Pony Express was started. It started in St. Joseph Missouri. It was so fascinating to see old carriages, guns, shops, tools, occupation set ups, furniture, paintings, stories, cars, trains, planes, and so much more! After we had a BBQ for J.D's birthday (which isn't until next week) and a birthday cake! Before we ate though, J.D. and the boys, Jaidon and Chase, set up a slippin slide in the backyard! J.D. was definately too big for it, but still was able to slide! ahaha! It was so nice to be able to relax and see family.


This is the world's tallest man! He visited St. Joseph, MO
at one time, and they hung his picture here.
J.D. is 3 ft shorter!!!
This train was huge! the first cart was the mail cart. We
were barely taller than the wheels. we are standing on a
plank next to it.
This is a hurst back in the day! You can see the coffin!
Notice only 13 stars on this flag!

10 weeks to go!!!

Well, today J.D. and I went to our last 4 week appointment! Hurray! Now we go every 2 weeks! This makes it seem more like a countdown. The doctor said he definately has a strong heartbeat. Dawson was just moving all around (like always) and kickin as hard as he can..... lol! And good news, the U.T.I is gone finally. It's taken a bit, and a couple different medicines to get it gone... but everything is good now! Also, while we were there, Jenny tried to strike a deal with the doctor about setting a date for the baby if he doesn't come earlier... he just laughed and said he'd rather it be a spontaneous delivery rather than planned. So she ended by letting him know she would do all the tricks possible to go into labor earlier than Sept. 22nd, and he said as long as it's spontaneous go for it! ahahah! So if you have any ideas let us know b/c we are getting anxious! :) Jenny still has the picc-line. It's been a blessing once again. She's always had an issue with motion sickness, and with as much as Dawson is moving it really gets to her. We've had to do the medicine a bit more than the past few weeks. The Doc thinks we should just keep it in the whole time, and we think so too.

We went and go the logs to build the crib, and have it all designed and ready to start. We have to finish Jenny's brother's bunk bed first, which is coming along great, and then we'll get the crib going. J.D. loves working with the wood and it also gives him a break from everything.

On the 4th of July we went to Holden and it was so much fun! It was so nice to be with family and just relax. It was the best firework show yet, even J.D. agreed that's the best one Fillmore has had. J.D. was able to help his dad with his shop... by the way is looking so awesome! It was the first 4th of july in Fillmore for Jenny, and J.D's first one since he left on his mission. It was so neat.

Everything continues to go well with our jobs, and friends. We really love Cedar! Our neighbors love to visit and hang out all the time. Our ward is incredible! We are primary teachers for 9,10,11, &12 yr. olds. We also get to speak in church this week. We've grown so close being down here and truly feel blessed with so much!

Dawson is well on his way here!

Well, there's baby Dawson starting to poke out! Being able to feel him squirm and kick makes being pregnant more exciting. He definately is kicking a lot! (it's like he never stops) The doctor says he's a pretty active fellow! The other day Jenny could feel a constant poke for about 1-1/2 hours! We kept pushing to get him to stop, but nothing seemed to work, it was just a constant almost annoying poke. Come to find out he had the hick-ups! Hahaha! He also starts to kick no matter what time of the day, if someone or something is pushing even the slightest bit on Jenn's stomach, he just kicks until nothing is pushing on her stomach anymore. We've decided that he must really like his space! :) We only have 3 months left! But Jenn keeps saying that he's active because he's so excited to see us, so she feels that he is going to come earlier than what we think.... who knows though right!?

Family Home Surgeries

During the weekend that my sister Jori got married, my brother Chad flew over from Missouri. While here, him and my brother Matt decided to play surgery on the dining room table! Matt has always had this bump next to his nose. Chad brought his surgical tools and he cut it out! It was so sweet! He numbed Matt up, and then started cutting! The part I didn't get on camera was the part where a HUGE white sac popped all over!

Blessings!

Well, since we moved here things have been sweet and bitter. We absolutely love cedar, especially being so close to family. We have so many friends here that have taken us in. Our ward has been so great! Our neighbors have come over and gotten to know us and so when we see them at church it makes for a more welcoming feeling. We just got a calling in the primary. We both teach the 9, 10, and 11 year olds. Our first lesson was last sunday and it was so fun to get to know all the kids. There is one that is kind of a handful, but that just means for a better time, right? :) Jenny is working at the Abbey Inn hotel, and its been a wonderful job. J.D. just started a job with bottling milk factory yesterday. He will train on graveyards, but his actual shift will be during the hours that Jenny works, so that makes things more perfect! J.D. got his class schedule figured out for that fall, and will stay working full time while attending SUU.

The baby is very active! It's a boy and his name will be Dawson James. He is always rolling and kicking for hours. It's so fun to watch Jenny's stomach. J.D. loves to read stories to him by putting his neck on Jenny's stomach. Dawson will just kick away and get excited everytime J.D. does this. We are so excited for him to come! We had a doctor's appointment last friday and the doctor mentioned how active he was and also said he has a good, strong heartbeat. It's always such a comforting feeling to hear the heartbeat. It's so wonderful to have the technology we have.

In Cedar!

Well, we finally made it to Cedar City last week. We are all done unpacking and decorating! The baby's room is so dang cute, and just needing a crib to finish it off. J.D. is going to build the crib with his log furniture business. We are still struggling finding jobs right now. We've had a few interviews that have gone very well, but no luck yet. Jenny has a job at Mountain America Credit Union in a couple of weeks if she decides to wait for it to start, but we aren't sure yet. Keep us in your prayers please. We still have a few things to move over from Kanab, but aren't sure when that will happen... ahaha. We had a doctors appointment when we got here and things are going pretty good. Jenny seems to be getting kind of better. She still can't drink straight water so we still continue to do IV fluids twice a day, but with the nausea/vomiting medicine (Zofran) she is down to about 1-2 doses a day. This is quite an improvement and are hoping it continues! The baby has grown a bit more, and it's saying we are 1 week ahead than what the "widget" is saying. Thats a relief! the closer the better! We also found out we are having a baby BOY! His name will be Dawson James Stevens. It's J.D.'s initials backwards... and James comes from the J in J.D. and also grandpa Shelley, cousins on the shelley side, and back further. We have to keep the James' going. We were praying for a boy, and prayers were answered as always.

1 week to go!

No more CLASSES!! Hooray! We still have to take our finals, but we'll both be done by Tuesday. We move out of our apartment on Friday the 25th! We have to travel straight to Kanab because Jenn's sister is getting married on Saturday.... so it's going to be double excitement! We have started packing and slowly cleaning. We got approved for our housing, so we are going to be moving into the house on May 7th, so until then we will be staying with Jenny's mom in St. George.
The baby is coming along. Still no improvement on not vomiting or feeling nausea. She still has a picc-line in her arm which isn't very fun, but such a great blessing in our lives. It has made huge improvements for the both of us. We are so excited to be parents and have such a great blessing of a child.