Halloween 2012

We had a fun Halloween this year.  (Who are we kidding?  We always have fun on Halloween.  Anyway... this one didn't disappoint.)

It started off with my work Halloween Party.  Jordan had class that night, so I dressed up with my single friends at work, and Jenny and her husband as a POLYGAMIST FAMILY.  Haha  We had fun getting ready together, ratting our hair, taking off the make-up, and adding extreme unibrows ;)  It was hilarious.  It was a fun night.  We played Fear Factor, and I was a giant wimp.  There was no way I was eating baby food, spam, sardines, and pickled pigs feet.  I am so happy with my job.  The people I work with are awesome.  It's not every day you get to work with some of your best friends.

 Later that week I took my Camille's and Kim's kids over to Station Park by my house and we had a little Halloween party there. The kids had fun, and looked so cute all dressed up.  That evening was the annual "Memmott Halloween Party", at my Mom's house.  Jordan and I dressed up like "Blind" Refs.  Kind of stupid, but whatever.  

Don't ask what Jordan's doing in this picture.  He looks ridiculous, I know.  That's why I requested a second try where we tried to act a "little" more normal.  He claims he was calling a foul.... sure.

 The whole crazy Memmott clan

Me and my cousin Lindsay

 And on Halloween night, we decided to stay home and hand out candy to the Trick-or-Treaters.  This was our first year doing it, and it was really fun.  We have such a cute neighborhood, and it was fun to see all the kids so excited to see "Brother Harrison" at his real house.  He's loving teaching Primary, and is so good with the kids. 

Mrs. Wiggles stole the show of course.  She is a natural poser.  She's been waiting patiently all month to wear her costume, and wanted to be outside all night with the kids.  I think the trick-or-treaters were more excited to see her than get candy. I sent these pictures to our family and said, "Mrs. Wiggles wishes you a Happy Halloween".  The unanimous reply was, "We're so glad you guys are having a baby. You're obsessed with this cat."  (True...  But she's just so cute.)  

Our Angel Payson

I hesitate to post about my perfect niece Payson, because she is so close to my heart.  But at the same time, I don't want to forget a second of her life, and the things she taught me, and so I post these things out of perfect love.

On October 9, 2012 Payson J. Black was born to my incredible sister Julianne & her wonderful husband Paul, weighing 3 lbs. 12 oz. and 16 1/4 inches long

Her time on this earth was just a few short hours, and I wasn't able to hold her.  But her life has touched mine in a way that none other could.

Payson was diagnosed with "Potter's Syndrome" at around 20 weeks in utero.  Meaning there was no amniotic fluid to cushion her sweet body, and to help develop lungs and kidneys.  Julianne and Paul knew that this baby was special, and they chose to keep her as long as possible, even though they knew the road ahead would not be easy.  But when the road is hard, it is worth it.  

When Payson was born she cried a perfect cry, and Julianne & Paul were able to hold, rock, and snuggle her until she peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father.  During that time Paul was also able to give her a name and a blessing.  Paul said that her passing was the most spiritual experience ever imaginable.  After her passing the hospital let them keep her as long as they wanted.  Brooklynn, Landon, and Paxton were also able to come in and hold, touch and kiss Payson.  Landon touched her skin and said, "oh, she's so soft, and now she's going to turn into an angel." Children are so close to the veil.  Those kids have been amazing.  They love their little sister, and know that she is a part of their family, even though she now watches over them from above.  

My parents quickly drove down to Arizona to be with them, and were also able to hold their 10th grandchild.  A perfect #10 as my mom says.  The people at the hospital were amazing.  They provided Julianne with blankets, clothes, bows, took imprints of her feet and hands, brought in a professional photographer, and gave endless love and kindness.

And the kindness never stopped.  I was able to drive down with my 3 other sisters Friday morning for Payson's memorial service, and witnessed an outpouring of love and service from friends and neighbors.  People are so kind.

An absolute beautiful memorial was put together quickly.  We put together a darling display honoring this sweet little one, and it brought my heart happiness.  Kim had two identical blankets made with Payson's name and birthday embroidered on them surrounded by "Families are Forever" one for Payson to have and one for Julianne to keep.  We had a family viewing, and Payson looked beautiful in her tiny little white dress with pink flowers and her tiny little bare feet poking out, and wearing a precious locket Camille made with pictures of each of her family members on it.  I couldn't get over how much the kids loved her.  They couldn't get enough of her.  I watched as they each held her hands, rubbed the skin on her forehead, left her with love notes, and as Brooklynn tucked one of her stuffed animals away with her to have.  The love in that room was amazing.  

After the viewing we had a beautiful service where my angel Mom, and Paul spoke, Julianne read a poem, and darling Brooklynn read a love note she had written to Payson.  It couldn't have been any sweeter.  The words that were expressed weren't words of pain, anger, and bitterness.  They were words of eternal love and gratefulness.  Families are Forever.  Payson came to this earth because simply, she needed a body, and to belong to a family.  The Lord has a greater plan for her now, and now we all have a reason to do what is right.  We have an angel waiting for us in Heaven. 

I love my family so much.  I am so grateful to be a member of this church.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that this life is not the end, It is only the beginning.  Julianne will be able to raise her beautiful daughter one day, I have no doubt of that.  The Lord's plan is a plan of HAPPINESS.

  

We love you Payson J.  Thank you for sharing your big heart & a piece of heaven with us.

We're Having a BABY!!

  Yep, you read it right... We're having a BABY!!! I found out I was pregnant in June, and then surprised Jordan with the news on his birthday by giving him a few baby UTES onesies.  He was so excited, which made me even more happy.  

We told my family a little while later because everyone was in town hearing about my parents trip to Europe. We got together to take a picture in our apron souvenirs, and Jordan took our picture.  He said, "1,2,3.. Say Cheese. Now one more, "One 3.. Say... Shalyce is PREGNANT!!"  Everyone was caught off guard, and so excited.  It was fun to have it all caught on video.

We went to our  first doctor's appointment at 10 weeks.  We had an ultrasound and saw our sweet little babe, and heard it's heart beat for the first time.  The due date is Feb. 28th 2013.

And on September 13th we had our 16 week appointment with another ultrasound.  At this appointment we found out that we were having a BOY!!!  Jordan and I both had feelings it would be a boy, and we were right!  After our appointment we had went to my sister Kim's house to celebrate her birthday.  We walked in handed her our present, and then some blue balloons and said that they were from the baby.  Attached to the balloons was a paper that read, "Happy Birthday Aunt Kim!!! Love, your NEPHEW!!!"  Everyone was so excited, and there were hugs all around.  

We couldn't be happier and more excited to start our family and have a sweet baby boy joining us soon.  I've been so lucky and haven't been very sick at all.  And now that I'm in my 2nd Trimester, I've got my energy back and am feeling great.  Hopefully it'll continue, and things will continue to go well.

Birthday Week

Yet again I find myself another year older, and spoiled like crazy.  Jordan had night class on my actual birthday, so to make up for it he made sure we celebrated all week.  I really hate having birthdays, but they remind me of how many wonderful people are in my life, and how truly blessed I am.  Here are a few photos from the week.

  

 Jordan insisted I open presents bright and early.

After work my parents drove me up to Logan to visit McKenzie at Utah State and we all went out to dinner together.  It was so fun to see my little sis again.  I'm seriously missing her living so far away.

 

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I seriously have the cutest next door neighbors ever.  My neighbor KayeLynn text me these pictures of her cute boys (and Wiggles) patiently waiting for me to get home from work to give me my birthday presents.  They gave me a bunch of cute stuff, but I especially loved this cute set of 4 scarecrows.  Each one a different color, that they named after each one of their cute 4 kids.  I love this cute family.

 Then Jordan invited my whole family over for birthday dinner that weekend.  We made cafe rio salads and had skookies for dessert.  Best birthday dinner ever.

 The best part of my birthday though was the present my sister Camille gave me.  Megan ran in the house saying, "Shalyce, my mom has a surprise for you... and it's ALIVE!!!" haha I had no idea what she was talking about.  Camille smiled and handed me a cute little box that had a note inside that read, "I thought the best gift I could give you would be a COUSIN for you little guy." Ahhhhhhhh

I'm still so excited about that.

 

-We also went out to dinner with friends Casey & Nick that week.  I guess birthday's aren't so bad afterall.

Mutual Nights

We have had some great Young Women activities lately.  We just barely took the girls to the Brigham City Temple Open House.  It is such a beautiful temple, and I think it's such a good experience to let the girls see the inside of a Temple, and feel the spirit inside.  It was a great night.  

(Never mind the 2+ hour wait that we had before we could get in.)

 One of our leaders is an awesome photographer, and took these gorgeous pictures.

-Another awesome activity we had recently was where we told the kids we were doing a photo scavenger hunt.  And then at the different places the kids went we had "actors" set up pretending to be in need of help.  We had someone set up at the library who dropped her books,  someone at the park searching for a lost wedding ring, and my awesome Dad pretending to have a hurt leg and needing help grocery shopping.  

 It was awesome watching the kids help out the strangers.  They were champs, and helped every one of them.  One girl even asked the lady looking for her ring if they could say offer a prayer to help them find it.  My Dad was so impressed with the kids.  Hardly anyone walked by him without offering help.  We then returned to the church to see what team one the scavenger hunt, and then brought in the guest actors.  The kids were so surprised and it was an awesome night.  The kids had fun, and learned a great lesson.  I love it when mutual is a success.  

 In other news, I was asked by our YM President to teach the combined Young Men lesson on Sunday about Respecting Women.  Jordan & I ended up teaching it together.  I was so nervous, and felt so out of place, but I think it went over okay.  I was just glad to have Jordan there with me.  

Lost Kitty

We lost our Mrs. Wiggles on Friday the 17th.  It was quite ironic, maybe we deserved to lose her because I was home sitting at the kitchen table working on some things watching the neighbor kids play with the Mrs. when I text Jordan telling him that she loved them more than us, and that I felt dumb that she was over at their house, but I was too embarrassed to go get her.  This is the exact text Jordan then sent to me, "Give her some love.  Suck it up and go get her, we are losing her."  At the time, I of course laughed my head off, and went on with my daily routine, and when I left later that day Wiggles was no where to be found.  She was actually no where to be found for four days!! Good thing all our neighbor kids are in love with "W" because they were all over finding her.  Kids were out late calling her name, others were putting out cans of tuna for her.  It was so sweet.  Monday night Jordan had just about given up hope and printed some Lost Kitty posters and we hung them all over the neighborhood.

 Then at about 10pm our many prayers were answered when our sweet neighbor called and said her son Noah had seen Wiggles at someone's house about 5 blocks west of our house.  He didn't know the family that was playing with her, but was in the neighborhood and walked up to them and said, "that's my neighbor's cat", and when they said it was a stray and they were keeping her cause they had already named her Daisy, he replied with, "well, it's their cat, and I'm giving them your address." hahaha I still laugh at this ridiculous story.  So, Noah told his mom and we all went over together to find our little lady.  She wasn't at their house, but actually at another neighbor's house playing.  We scooped her up, brought her home, and ran out the next day and got her all tagged and collared.

Check out that new jewelry.  Love it.  We're glad to have you back Mrs. Wiggles!!  Your Daddy is quite sensitive, and was dying without you :) haha (I can write stuff like that cause Jordan never looks at this.)  And I've learned my lesson... Loving you will no longer be only the neighbor kids job :)

Weber River Daddy-Daughter Date :)

My cute dad has seriously become obsessed with tubing the Weber River.  We've gone about 5 different times this summer.  It seriously never gets old.  My Dad took McKenzie and I up on August 17th, and we went out to lunch at Taggart's Grill, and then tubed the river one last time before Miss Moosecake here went off to college.  We had a blast as always,  and it was fun to go up just the three of us.  I'm sure going to miss that McKenzie girl once she leaves for Utah State.  I can't believe my parents are "empty nesters" now!!!