From Liberty to Chilli-what?

After we left Independence we drove to Liberty Jail. This was such a neat experience, and it definitely strengthened my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith and the others that served with him. I learned a lot about Liberty Jail that I never knew.
In front of the jail. Notice the 4 foot thick walls so it was impossible to break out. I can't even imagine how it must have been to be down in this dungeon like jail knowing that your wife and children were still suffering on the outside. What an amazing man!

Me holding up the bank (museum) where the first successful daylight
bank robbery took place by Jesse James!

At the Far West temple site- we also learned that revelation was

given to Joseph Fielding Smith that not far from this site is where Cain slew Abel.

Us at Adam-ondi-Ahman- I was feeling a little sick for some reason at this stop- the heat and walking I guess- but nonetheless- it was amazing also. So beautiful and peaceful. It is unbelievable to think that Adam and Eve and their family walked this same area.
Another view of Adam-ondi-Ahman

We drove through Jamesport which has a high Amish community. It was late, but we did see a few Amish men working in their fields. I think its kind of a nice idea to live simple lives. Although then we wouldn't have access to each others blogs.

We stayed the night in a small town called, Chillicothe, there were not a lot of food options, but we found one and I think it was pretty delicious. My sandwich was satisfying and I grew a few months after eating. Chillicothe is apparently the Home of Sliced Bread,

but we forgot to take a picture of that!

What's my excuse now?

I can come up with a lot of excuses, but I think when my camera comes back tomorrow I will take a picture of my excuse and post it! I was planning on posting separate posts about the rest of my trip, but I may scratch that because now I'm like a month behind. Lets see how much time I want to spend tonight.

Time to Buckle Down & Blog!

Okay, so I know it's been a few weeks but I was out of town and my mom's computer is not as easy to work with for updating and loading pics. So I figured I would wait until I got back home, and then I couldn't find my camera. Alas, I have found it and have pictures and fun to share with everyone.

But then, I have just been unmotivated to blog-so since the hubby is playing ball at church still and my super cool sister is no longer visiting and taking up my time- I will blog. Don't expect anything fancy- I think a few slideshows, collages, or pictures with limited text will do.

Be patient with me because it was a long trip and a lot of things happened. I may only blog a little at a time!

Independence

First, my mom, Amy, and I went on a self-guided early church history sites tour. We flew into Kansas City and stayed in Independence. Independence was really neat, I'm sure most of my friends that read my blog, know that revelation was received that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County-somewhere. Pretty crazy thinking that all those years ago, Adam and Eve may have walked in the same area. We also saw in the same block of the city, the Community of Christ temple-not used as a temple. It was neat to see and since we share a lot of the same early church history it was cool. Across the street is the LDS visitors center-it is fun to see how the visitors' centers are similar but different too. The temple lot is across the street owned by the Church of Christ. It was really neat to know that Joseph Smith lived in this area and received revelation. We also saw a cool old jail that Frank James from the James-Younger Gang stayed in the cell and President Truman's mansion home in Independence.

Me in jail 2 cells away from Frank James' cell! Unfortunately, I was not treated like a celebrity like Frank James!
Amy is Frank James' cell, well we couldn't really shut the doors or you couldn't see in but it was pretty cool!
One of the shops in the square

President Truman's Mansion House

LDS visitor center

Temple Site in Independence

Mom and Amy on the brick inlaid world map at the Community of Christ temple. I believe they are in Europe!

Finally!

Finally, I will blog just to probably go incognito again. Haha. I know it's been awhile. So, this post isn't going to be very exciting. It is entitled "Finally" because I can say "Finally" to the following things:

1. Finally! I am finished with school. This school year was great and I will miss a lot of my students, but I was definitely ready for it to end. I am done with it for a few weeks. I checked out and am officially free! Wahoo!
2. Finally! Summer is here! (Well its been Summer for awhile in Vegas) I mean Summer Vacation is here! Time to get everything done, visit friends and family, and more.
3. Finally! My belly is growing. I know that a lot of people think it's crazy that I want my belly to grow. However, I've only got a few months left and would like to look pregnant!
4. Finally! My baby is moving all over all the time. He loves to wiggle I decided. I think maybe he is doing some Polynesian dancing. I have been feeling him for about 5 weeks now, but now it is more often and getting more noticeable. I love it though! Every time he moves I smile and sometimes giggle. Ezra has been able to see him and feel him too. He loves his baby boy! It is so cute!
5. I'm sure there are more "Finally"s but I can't think of anymore at this point in time. I will try to post more fun pics later perhaps some baby bump pictures and summer fun pictures.

Well, just thought I'd give you all an update on whats been going on. I know it's not that great of an update, but it's better than no update!

Happy Father's Day!

I know there are many wonderful men out there that will be honored on this Father's Day, but I will honor two of them. First, I live far away from my family and am not able to be with my own Father today. I wish I was-the meals up there are delicious-I'm sure much better than what I'm making for Father's Day dinner tonight. My dad is one of my heroes. He was for a long time the only man that I held such admiration and love for, now I share that love and admiration with my husband. My dad is soft spoken, loving, kind, hard-working, sensitive, a worthy Priesthood holder, full of wisdom and knowledge, funny, and much much more.

I love him so much more than I can ever express. I know I tell him I love him, but it's always difficult to express so much love. I am sure he understands though because that is probably how he feels about all his children. My dad is wonderful and has taught me so much. He has taught me the value of work. He has taught me how to love my family. He has taught me how to make fudge and check the oil in a car. He has taught me that I am a Daughter of God and worth more than sometimes I would believe. He has taught all of his girls not to let your boyfriends work for your Dad- it never turns out good. :) He has taught me how to cry and laugh and much much more. To write it all would take days and days of posting, but you get the picture. I love you Dad! Thanks for being such a wonderful Father and example to all of us!

Next, is my husband, Ezra. Handsome, isn't he? He's mine and I'm keeping him!

Who amazingly enough has many of the same characteristics of my father. Which I am so grateful for. Ezra is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I strive to be more like him. He is positive and optimistic and full of energy. Always convincing me that I can laugh even if I'm in a bad mood. Not only is he super handsome-he is hard-working as well. I know that we have had plenty of bumps in the road of work, but he never ceases to work hard. He does the dishes (which I hate to do), and when he knows I am tired or not feeling well won't even let me try to help him. He is constantly trying to keep our home a comfortable place and treats me like a Queen.

He makes me want to be a better person which I think is very important in a relationship. He listens to me when I've had a bad day or a good day. He laughs at me and with me. He loves music and having a good time. He has a stomach of steel! He will eat anything I cook even if it is disgusting! He loves the Gospel and is a worthy Priesthood holder. I can't wait to see him in the role of a Father. I know he is going to be an excellent Dad. We still have lots to learn and I'm sure we will make plenty of mistakes, but I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be great! I love you so much Ezra! Thanks for lifting me up and being such a great example to me. Thanks for keeping me laughing-your laugh makes my day. Our baby is very blessed to have you for his Daddy!

I love you both so much!

Oh baby! Oh baby, baby!

IT'S NO DOUBT! We are having a beautiful BOY! I think he did such a good job at his second photo shoot. He seems proud of his "stuff" too! Not shy about it at all, I think we may need to keep our eye on him. Ha. Enjoy the pictures....for those of you that can look at them and decide what body part is what. Although she did label some! Ezra asked me, "Are you really going to put the pictures up? That's our baby boy's privates." I said, "I don't think he'll mind!" But so cute still, getting all embarrassed for him already! Please understand that I had to scan these into the computer-hence the crooked and speckled images you can see.I really like this one because you can see him with his legs curled up. It was really cool while she was doing the ultrasound he kicked his legs as if to say, "Leave me alone, please."

Cute little baby feet!

Profile picture! I think he is just so beautiful! Look at his cute little nose.

Oh well would you look at that?! This was the first shot the technician got! She said, "Let's see if we can see between the legs." followed by, "Yep we definitely know what this one is." Meanwhile at the same exact moment I'm saying, "Oh yeah! It's a boy!" She said, "That is definitely a boy!"
This one is the hardest to see because of the shadows. She said he is kind of turned away from us and then his spine reflects and makes shadows in the picture. This is his face. You can see the eye spots and nose. He also has his hand right by his mouth and the other one above his head!

We feel so blessed and grateful to be taking part of this amazing experience of pregnancy. We are excited about our many adventures waiting. We cannot wait to meet our beautiful baby boy...but I guess we will stay occupied until the time comes to welcome him into our family. We love our baby boy!