Autumn Colors are Prettier in Utah

Tia Mayra sneaking in some great shots during our Elle Imagery Photo Shoot

We had a whirlwind trip to Utah this week! We left on Friday morning, and by morning I mean 3 am. Mauro was sick with fever and the big d. What a day. So we survived and made it to beautiful Utah at about 930am. Bryce was planned to fly in an hour after us, but his plane got delayed in Argentina. So we went to take a nap while Cary picked up Mom, Pops, and Dawn. We lazied around, ate lunch at a great cafe, and spending the afternoon/evening talking and laughing together.

Saturday was the BIG day! Bryce flew in, and expecting a warm homecoming, instead got a solo tia Mayra saying 'come on Brycey we have to HURRY to the temple, your brother is getting married!' So he left his luggage and rushed to the Bountiful Temple, where Shaun and Sharon were sealed. Everyone was there to greet Bryce and congratulate Shaun and Sharon. We then had a fantastic luncheon, followed by more naps for our family and then the beautiful reception! What a day!

Sunday we went to church and listened to baby Ezra get a name and blessing. The circle to bless him was the biggest I've ever seen! Uncles, grandparents, friends, neighbors, loved ones all gathered for this sweet event in his life. Then we listened to Bryce's homecoming talk, while he struggled to find the words in English that he hasn't used in two years! His accent is beautiful, and his words are powerful. He bore his testimony in Spanish and another dialect I didn't recognize. It was a wonderful meeting that all of us will cherish. Followed by even more food! Then we went up to Mueller Park to take family pictures! We miss Glen, but will hopefully do this again when he comes home in a year and a half.

Monday we decided to get some fresh air and take a hike! Up again to Mueller Canyon, we all enjoyed a colorful, awe inspiring hike. We all took a million pictures. Then lunch at Paces. Mauro and I had to take mom, pops, and Dawn to the airport. Their whirlwind trip was over! Afterward we snuggled downstairs for more family time, laughed and enjoyed being together. Then a short trip to the park, with the boys doing flips and being crazy. Then Kelsey wanted Texas Roadhouse of all places (in Utah!) so we ALL went to enjoy a steak dinner. Yum! Tuesday morning we flew home. This time Amali was the one with the big d, which was a disaster. But we survived and made it HOME!

Well that is the weekend in a nutshell! Amali LOVES Ezra. She wanted to hold and feed him the whole time. It was so sweet and I hope she feels the same about our baby coming! She loved visiting with everyone, and we all had such a great time!

Pictures-

Loving baby Ezra

Here we go!

She wanted to feed him all day every day!

The beautiful couple outside Bountiful Temple

before church started

fun in leaves

sweet

love this sculpture

Salt Lake Temple - can you see Amali, Mauro, and Opa?

saying "Baby EZRA!"

This is his usual look

She loves him

cousins hiking

hold my hand pape!

she likes to run. up mountains.

the hikers (minus opa who was taking the pic)

at the top

happy hikers

nature boobs. spotted by Kelsey. or maybe Tisha. or Jennifer.

Dropping rocks into the stream

running down the hill in Carys front yard. i remember doing the same as a kid!

Bryce flipping up the bridge

Eating lunch

Amali loves Uncle Carlos

 

jumping

dancing with Kelsey

our dinner table at Roadhouse

Thump Thump Goes My Heart

Today we got to hear baby Bun's heartbeat! The appointment today was merely to check up on my labs, and I had several questions for Dr. Braunstein. I got in the room and the nurse said "Well, you are almost at 12 weeks so lets try to hear the heartbeat! But don't worry if we can't, its still early" She pulled out the monitor, put it on a few different spots, and there it was! Loud, strong, and breathtakingly beautiful. 170 bpm. Amali's eyes got big when she heard the rapid 'thump thump thump' and she said "What is THAT? BABY?!?!" She excitedly crawled on the table, pulled her shirt up, and said I listen to baby in my tummie too. Such a sweet girl. Daddy missed it bc we didn't think we'd do anything except labs. But he can come to the next one and listen to the enchanting thumps too. I'm 12 weeks on Friday, so this concludes my first trimester. I have started feeling better which is a great relief. Dr. B also said it sounds like I have severe acid reflux which is causing some of my throwing up, so put me on Zantac. Hope it helps! I've lost 8 lbs, but she's fine with that as long as it comes up next time. I've also been feeling Bun moving this week, it's incredible! So fun and reassuring. Great appointment, great day! Amali and I went for lunch and to do some shopping afterward.

Oh and can I just mention how AMAZING this fall weather is! Beautiful outside, a cool 68 right now. Ahhhh.. Smells like fall.

Family Service

This weekend has been fantastic.

First, Teresa came over on Friday to clean my kitchen and fridge, and cook 2 full meals for us. She also took Amali for the night to the land so we could get some sleep. I so much appreciate her selfless service, she is always there for us whatever our need. Even when she is busy with work, Operation Christmas Gift, and everything else, she makes the time to show her family she loves us.

Then, on very short notice, my parents came down to clean the entire house, do laundry, build a gate for the chicken coup, and play with Amali. This gave me time to work on Amali's Halloween costume and get some much needed rest. Mom worked her tail off, doing dishes, dusting, vacuuming, organizing, and feeding everyone. Mauro and Pops worked outside building the gate for the chicken coup- which looks wonderful! Pops also gave me a blessing, and gave our home a blessing. It was a beautiful prayer that I know will protect us and bring the Spirit to our home. 

 

New Gate for the Chicken Yard

 Amali knows how to open the gate....

What joy our family brings us. We appreciate their hard work and sacrifice to help us when we need it most. Not only the physical help they bring, but the emotional and spiritual love they provide. What a blessing!

Teeth Tickle

I had an appointment to get my teeth cleaned at Teresa's office. After I was done, Nancy (the sweetest hygienist you will ever meet) asked Amali if she wanted her teeth tickled too! Of course she did! Amali loved every minute! 

Thornton Family Reunion

The first weekend in October this year was the Thornton-McCorquodale family reunion. So we loaded up the car and headed to far east Texas. The trip was miserable- between my hormone fog, carsickness, and having to stop to throw up every hour- and Amali cranky from being strapped in a 5 point harness- and Pape not enjoying seeing his babes so sad. Well, we got there. We stayed in a cute but dirty cabin at Artesian Springs in Newton. After cleaning and setting up house, Amali and I crashed for the night. Mauro went to his uncles cabin for some good family time, and came back to fall asleep early in the morning. 

 

Yes, we let her drive sometimes. :) Okay it was down a country road.

Saturday was a much nicer day! Jenne kept Amali and Gabriel busy while I got ready, then we went "into town" for supplies. Then was the reunion! It was great to see everyone, and for everyone to meet our little Amali! 

 

 Family Photo

Then on Sunday we stopped by Kathleen McCorquodale's home, which was so fun! We got to look around her sewing room and hear so many great stories about her quilts. Beautiful! We walked around her property, got to see the family sawmill that still works, and talk gardens and plants. Lovely day!

 Kathleen's Sewing Room

 Kayla, Cody, and Mauro by the sawmill

Gabriel and Amali checking out the sawmill

Bathing Beauties

They love bathtime, and what is better then bathtime with two!?!?!?

 

Classic

Didn't stay up long!

Looks Like A Bear Came Through Here

So. In preparation for our new bun, we have made a short list of things that MUST get done to the house before May. Preferably before March. Mauro is on it too, working after work and on the weekends to have the house in great working order so we can enjoy the first few years of our new baby!

On the list you ask?

1- Garage cleaned and organized. Almost done for now. Still need cabinets and a few more shelves, but much much better.
2. Entry way and office closet. Mauro is working on that right now!
3. Plumbing re done, and completed in the second bath.
4. Finish ripping out and replacing everything in the second bath. Biggest project!! Any volunteers to help? We're thinking this is a Dec-Feb project.
5. Repaint, refloor, and move into the master bedroom.
6. Replace the awful flooring in the kitchen and entry way.

Woohoo! We will then be using our entire house! There will be many side projects along the way, and I'm sure setbacks. But with my handy, strong husband, anything is possible! My favorite part is finding the new fun stuff to put in; bath, flooring, doors, etc. And organizing spaces. Hard work but so fulfilling.

So today, we pulled everything out of the office closet and are working on organizing it. For the next few months, I will do my best to keep the house organized and everything out of Mauro's way. Oh the joys of renovating a house.

Pic of the door put on and entryway work.

Love At Home

There is beauty all around, When there’s love at home;

There is joy in ev’ry sound, When there’s love at home.

Peace and plenty here abide, Smiling sweet on ev’ry side;

Time doth softly, sweetly glide, When there’s love at home;

Love at home, love at home, Time doth softly, sweetly glide,

When there’s love at home.

In the cottage there is joy, When there’s love at home;

Hate and envy ne’er annoy, When there’s love at home.

Roses blossom ’neath our feet, All the earth’s a garden sweet,

Making life a bliss complete, When there’s love at home;

Love at home, love at home, Making life a bliss complete,

When there’s love at home.

Kindly Heaven smiles above, When there’s love at home;

All the earth is filled with love, When there’s love at home.

Sweeter sings the brooklet by, Brighter beams the azure sky:

Oh, there’s One Who smiles on high, When there’s love at home;

Love at home, love at home, Oh, there’s One Who smiles on high,

When there’s love at home.

These past few weeks have been wonderful and painful all at the same time. I am in love with this baby, and we are so excited for him or her to join our family. But this pregnancy has been very rough on me, and thereby hard on the entire family. I feel so much guilt. My house is a mess, dinner is rarely cooked, laundry is spilling out everywhere, and my poor husband watches his wife lay around all day moaning and in tears. I will do anything for this baby, even if it means 9 months of vomiting every food I encounter, and 9 months of struggling to stand at all hours of the day. Some days are good. I get around slowly but surely, getting the basics done. But most days I am in a fog of hormones. Yes, I do realize this is normal for pregnancy. No, I do not feel sorry for myself. I write this to share our life, the days when smiles and joy are tucked away. I pray for a healthy baby, and if in May we welcome a happy healthy little tot, all of this will be worth it a million times over. Today I am feeling the weight of being a horrible housekeeper and wife. So I turned to the Ensign, and the scriptures. And felt the comfort and love of my Heavenly Father, as I read an article from President Monson, and the words of the hymn Love at Home rang in my mind. There is beauty all around, when there is love at home. My family knows my love for them, I share it with them every day. Amali knows her mommy is sick but trying very hard to make sure each day is a joyful one for her busy little feet. And that is what matters. Not the dishes in the sink, not the piles of laundry, not the torn up bathroom and incomplete entry way, and everything about this old house that bothers me. But the love we have for each other. And some days, that is the only thing that will get us through. But we are so blessed for that. We must cling to each other, and to the comfort of our Heavenly Father. Leaning on him for understanding and peace. Yes, my life has been a struggle the past few weeks. But my life is more blessed then I could have ever imagined, richer then I could have ever dreamed. 

Buns...

There are many 'buns' in my life that I love. One, my grandmother is Bunni, and she is a very strong woman who has taught me the importance of standing strong and having an opinion. My best friend's mom is also named Bunny, a wonderful woman who kept me in line as a teen and welcomed me with open arms to her fantastic family. Then, we always have cinnamon and orange buns for my moms birthday- a reminder to me of the importance of celebrating that special day in our loved ones life. But a new bun is emerging...

 

That's right! There is a 'bun in the oven!' 

We are excited to announce that sometime in early May 2012, the Rodriguez's will be welcoming a new little baby! Amali is already so excited to be a big sister, she loves to pat my belly and say "hi brother" and "mommy there is a baby in your belly." She asks to play with her brother too, and when can he come out? We tell her that her brother or sister has some time before he can be born, but she will get to play with him or her in a few months. She is content with that answer for now. 

Names

There is so much importance in a name, and Mauro and I love to pass on family names when they seem to fit our little ones. Amali's middle name is Eve, following my fathers family. If this bun is a boy, he will of course be Mauro Rodriguez V, and be known as "Cinco." The fun thing with this? Baby is due around May 5th, Cinco de Mayo! If we have a Cinco de Mauro on Cinco de Mayo, well that would just be awesome. Plus Amali was born on Juneteenth, so we'll have the may/june holidays covered! If it's a girl, she will be named Lillian Esther. Lillian is Teresa's mother, a remarkable woman who we feel honored to name our next daughter after. Esther is my grandpa Wayne's mother, another beautiful woman in our ancestry we would like to honor. Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Lillian's birthdays are both in mid-May, so very appropriate to name our girl after them!

So there you have it! Our little family of 3 is expanding, and we are excited to welcome our new addition in the spring!