Allie's Blessing Day

June 11th was a special day for our family. When we planned our trip Utah for Easton and Annie's wedding we decided to bless Allie so that we could have as much of our families there as possible. We were pretty lucky to have my grandpa, both of our dads, Chase's brothers, my cousins, and my uncle stand in the circle while Chase gave her a beautiful blessing. I'm so grateful for my little family and for the new experiences we get to have together, and for so many of our family members being so supportive.

It was extremely special for me to have both Peyton and now Allie blessed in the same dress that I was blessed in so many years ago. Two of my cousins also made a special cake for the occasion :) It tasted as good as it looked!

Things putting a smile on my face...

-- Facebook memories coming up of things Peyton was learning last year
-- Peyton asking me to sing her a song before every nap/bedtime (she must be tone deaf)
-- Sleeping in later thanks to daylight savings
-- Feeling baby girl kick and wiggle (especially in response to Peyton's voice)
-- A clean apartment
-- Checking things off my to do list
-- Sunny afternoons
-- General Conference happening so soon!
-- Pretty flowers on my kitchen table
-- Holiday candy/treats
-- Generous friends
-- Peyton's curls at the bottom of her hair that just get better as she gets sweaty
-- Making spring break plans
-- Post-nap snuggles from Peyton
-- Planning trips to see family
-- Still being able to work out at 34 weeks (even if it's modified and slow)
-- Random days Chase gets off of school and spends with us
-- Peyton saying new words or answering questions we didn't know she knew
-- Family dancing time
-- Peyton giving kisses to baby sister (my belly)
-- Long phone calls with Julia

"Because I am His Daughter"

This past Sunday we had testimony meeting during church. Anyone from the congregation is invited to get up and share their testimony or beliefs with everyone. An 8 or 9 year old girl that Chase and I used to teach in Primary (classes for the kids) got up to bear her testimony and I paid a little more attention, excited to hear what she had to say. It was short and sweet, and simple, but so powerful.

She said, "I know that God loves me because I am His daughter."

That's it.

That was what she felt like she needed to share. And I'm so glad she did, because I needed to hear it.

It hit me hard that God doesn't need lots of reasons to love us. He simply loves us because we are His children. I've been trying for a while to think of a way to articulate how much I've learned about His love by becoming a mother and I think this finally did it. I love Peyton, because she is my daughter. It's that simple. It's so amazing how much I love her and how much my love for her continues to grow. I want her to know that I love her already. I want that to be something she feels from the time we spend together. I want her to know that I will always love her.

And maybe, if I can help her know how much I love her she can start to understand how much God loves her. Because even though I feel like she has taken over my whole heart, I don't think we can begin to comprehend how much God loves each of us. He has an infinite capacity for love, and sees all of our divine potential. It's given me a lot to think about this week and I hope that it's already making me a better mom.

I'm so grateful for little girls that listen to the Spirit and say what they know. They sure have a lot to teach me. And I'm so grateful to have my own little girl that I'm sure will teach me all sorts of these kinds of lessons. She is already making me a better person.

Things I Want to Remember

So Baby Trejo is supposed to be here in less than 3 weeks! I'm so, so excited and also so nervous. There's just so many unknowns. But there's not too much I can do about it until then, so for now I'm trying to take in these last couple weeks and there have been some things that have come across my mind that I want to remember. In no particular order they are:

- How cool it feels to feel her move inside of me

- How fun it is to see Chase's reactions when he gets to feel her move

- The excitement we feel for her coming so soon

- That picking out names is way harder than I thought

- Nesting instinct is a real thing

- So is pregnancy brain, and pregnancy exhaustion

- How funny it is to not be able to see my toes while I walk

- That walking around on hot days is way harder than I thought it would be, and then so is sitting down (this was taken at an obstacle course 5k that Chase with his parents did that I played photographer for, I got this break while they waited in line for one of the giant water slides)

- How much more I already love Chase seeing him get ready to be a dad to our little girl

- That I can feel the prayers, support, and love from people that want things to go well for us (thank you!!) and how AMAZING that is

- That she already has more clothes than I think she could need and I still feel like I have to stop and look every time we pass the baby section of a store just in case

- The huge desire I have to hold her in my arms already

- That I'm also ok with her hanging out in my belly for a little longer

- She already feels like she has such a strong personality, that some days I feel like I know her and other days I don't know how to imagine what she'll be like

- That I can do hard things that I never thought I'd be able to (especially if I'm patient with myself and take my time):

- How much more I appreciate my parents and grandparents already (I'm sure this will exponentially increase in the near future)

- That I can feel how much my Heavenly Father loves our baby already

- How excited I am for General Conference this weekend to learn more about how I can be a good mom, wife, daughter, etc. 

- How generous and nice everyone we know has been about this change in our lives

Mostly I want to remember how much I'm loving this time in my life. Even with Chase's crazy school schedule, the big changes that are coming, not being able to sleep through the night, and the overwhelming number of unknowns that are constantly in front of us, there are so many good things going on right now and I couldn't just ignore them. 

This time last year...

.... we were cleaning up our apartment and starting a long drive in a large moving truck down to Texas. We were so excited for the adventure we were starting together. Being in a new place, Chase starting at a new school, moving into a new ward, me getting close to graduating, but most of all doing it together without family super close by.

One year later, I've loved what we have been able to do together. I've loved getting closer to Chase. We've made really great new friends. We've moved again already. We've taken fun trips. We've settled into new roles together. We've learned more about ourselves and more about each other.

And now, we are SO excited for the new adventure coming up by starting a family together! Sometimes I still can't believe it. Then I feel her move, or get to see Chase's face while he feels her move and it gets so much more real. Most of the time I'm feeling capable of figuring out things that I'm sure will come up. Every once in a while I get overwhelmed with the idea of being responsible for a tiny little person, but then I remember how many people have done it before us, and how many people we have cheering us on and it gets really exciting all over again.

Until then we're trying to make the most of the time we still have just as the two of us, when we get to set our own schedule and can pack pretty light if we decide to do a day trip somewhere :)

I'm sure in a year or so I'll look back at this time again and be overwhelmed by how many amazing things have happened that I couldn't have predicted, just like I am now. I can't wait!

Thanksgiving 2014

Chase got a full week off of school for Thanksgiving and we decided to go spend in with my family. We flew into Charlottesville and spent a day there before heading up to New York City for a few days. We had so much fun and were so glad we got to spend that time with them! We also got to see my cousin Lauren and her husband Brian which was super fun (we didn't take a picture though... oops).

We were OK about taking pictures, but missed a lot of chances partially because it was freezing outside and we didn't want our fingers to freeze haha. 

We went and saw the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 memorial museum, the tree in Rockefeller Plaza, and did some fun shopping around on Black Friday. We got to see the big piano at FAO Schwarz and tried to stay away from too many crowds. We also got to go see A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Wicked. Loved loved loved both of them.

Statue of Liberty

Thanksgiving dinner 

Rockefeller Plaza

I am so, so grateful for so many things // My family (immediate and extended) // The time I get to spend with them // A wonderful husband // The chance that both of us have to be in school right now // Getting to live in Texas // New friends and old friends // Close by and far away // Getting to travel // A healthy body // Warm house // Food to eat // Netflix to watch (haha) // And so, so much more // I'm especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ // And the chance to celebrate Him this Christmas season // Also for selfies like this left on my phone (love her tons) //

She's gonna kill me...

// Also pretty sunrises like this that make getting up for early flights a little bit easier //

All in all a pretty great week! Let the countdown to Christmas begin

...........

P.S. I cut my hair and got to donate it! It was a surprise for everyone but Julia, so I had to be pretty secretive about it. But it's been a really fun change so far! 

The Book of Mormon

Chase and I just finished reading the Book of Mormon together for the first time this last week. I am so grateful for his patience with all of my questions and his willingness to discuss the things we learn. I loved this experience with him and am so excited to start it again!

I thought I would take this chance to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know that my Savior lives. I know that He came to the Americas after He was resurrected and saw, taught, healed, and loved the people there. I know that He restored truths of the gospel to them so that they could progress on their eternal journey. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. I know that he was a prophet of God and that through his translating he was able to learn of the truths that have helped establish this true church today. I am so grateful for him and his sacrifice. I am overwhelmed by the sacrifices of the people and the prophets in the Book of Mormon, that they made so that we could know of the truths and miracles that they knew and experienced. I love feeling the Spirit while I read the stories of the Book of Mormon and learning something new every day and every time I read it. I know that the many languages the Book of Mormon has been translated into and the way that its truth is being spread is nothing short of a miracle, and also nothing less than what has been prophesied. I am grateful to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to know so many people that are willing to leave their lives behind to help others come to find the truth. I gain a greater peace and a greater sense of gratitude for the Book of Mormon every time I read it and can't wait to see what I will learn this next time. It really does contain the things we need to know to find happiness and direction for how to live our lives righteously. What more could we ask for?

If anyone wants to learn more you can go here, or if you would like a free copy of the Book of Mormon then go here. 

And if you have any questions please feel free to ask me! I'd be happy to answer them or find someone who can!

What BYU Lacrosse Means to Me

My junior year of high school was spent going on college visits what felt like every weekend. I had a list of schools that I was interested in and I was hoping and praying that they were interested in me too. At each school I weighed a list of pros and cons about the school and it's details, as well as the lacrosse team there, trying to somehow sort out a list of my preferences - much easier said than done. I spent the summer after junior year at camp after camp after camp. I had 18 days at home that summer, not exactly a dream vacation, but to me it was amazing getting to play that much and to grow so much. At the end of the summer I didn't have any offers and was heartbroken. I started thinking of new ways to become what I had dreamed of for so long - a college lacrosse player.

By the time senior year rolled around I put in my applications to a few schools, hoping that they wouldn't matter, that I would be recruited anyway and not need an application, but knowing it might be a long shot. I figured that worst case scenario I would get in and go try to be a walk-on at one of the schools I applied to. I applied to BYU even though that was the last thing I wanted at the time.

Clearly the Lord wanted me here. I'm still not entirely sure why but am so grateful for the experiences that I have had here at BYU. I didn't get in to any of the other schools that I had applied to. I got waitlisted, but at this point was sick of the rollercoaster of whether or not I was going to make it into a school or not and I wanted to be able to start making plans. So BYU it was.

My mom and I drove 32 hours straight across the country, slept for about 11, then got started moving me in and ready to start school. I went to the lacrosse meeting and got extremely nervous. All through tryouts I was nervous and wasn't sure I would make it. I was so, so, so happy to find out I made the team and started a journey that has helped me in so many ways.

Jump forward 4 and a half years and here's just part of what I got out of all of it:

This team, throughout multiple years and changes in rosters has provided me with some of my very best friends that I'm more than certain rescued me out of situations that would have been much more problematic without them. They have stood beside me through ups and downs both on and off the field. I learned how to be a better leader. I went on some of the longest and best road trips of my life. I experienced some of the biggest joys and surprises and disappointments and frustrations and happiness of my life. I learned more than I thought possible how to juggle different responsibilities. I learned how to get creative with where we could practice. I learned how to dress for both freezing and burning temperatures (sometimes in the same week). I learned how to communicate and sacrifice and dedicate myself to something bigger than just me. I learned how to bite my tongue and to channel my passion and energy into something constructive. I learned fun and weird things about teammates 8 hours into a 12 hour drive. I sang songs in funny accents and with mixed up words more times than I'd like to admit. I met wonderful families that opened their homes to us. I learned how tiring 6am workouts are. I cheered until I lost my voice multiple times. I learned that we have fans all over the country, and other fans willing to come all over the country to visit us. I got out of my comfort zone to fundraise so we would have the money to go to all of our tournaments. I overshared information about myself and laughed about it the whole time with some of my favorite girls. I learned how to effectively stalk other teams on multiple websites. I had multiple girl crushes. I celebrated little things and big things. I cried during practice. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants at practice. I practiced in rain boots while it was snowing, with a kickball and a football. I followed traditions and started new ones. I learned from older girls and hope that I was able to teach younger girls. I had more swollen ankles and bruises than I want to count. I put more miles on my car than I want to know. I got to represent the school that I attended, and my beliefs to people all over the country. I became a better person because of the people that surrounded me. My testimony grew because of the great examples of the same girls.

I got more out of being a part of this team than I can ever give back. I am so sad to be done with this part of my lacrosse experience, but am so much more grateful to everyone who made it so great, and so grateful to be lucky enough to have gotten to enjoy it so much.

1 year

It's crazy to think about what can happen in a year...

At this time last year I was working on my mission papers to serve a full-time mission for The Church. I was so excited for the chance to learn and grow and to serve people without having to think about anything else.

I thought that I would be leaving for a year and a half and would pick back up where I left off once I was back.

Little did I know that there were other plans in the works. Today is 11 months that Chase and I have been officially together. I quickly fell in love, waited for him to fall just as hard for me ;), got engaged, and am so happy to be married to my best friend (best 3+ months ever).

In that time I've also competed in the national championship tournament for my lacrosse team, been skydiving for the second time, grew even closer to my family, got a new family to be a part of, had my best semester and term ever in college, made a ton of really great new friends, spent time with old friends, had my testimony grow, hit my year mark at work, managed to not sprain an ankle (knock on wood), and have loved every minute of it.

I'm so grateful to not always know the bigger picture, to just be preparing for what I'm ready for and I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me and knows what's best for me to allow that to happen.

I can't wait to see the adventures that 2014 holds :)

July

So... It's been a while.

Life has been so, so great I haven't been able to think about blogging about it all. So sorry!

But something exciting happened and there is no way for me to put into words how incredibly happy I am about all of it. He couldn't have surprised me more or done it more perfectly. I love Chase more than anything and am so so excited to share my life with him.

Quickly after we got engaged I was lucky enough to coach the BYU lacrosse camp. I had such a blast getting to work with the girls that came out. Lacrosse is easily one of my favorite things to do, and I got to hang out with great teammates and a bunch of girls that love lacrosse too!

The 4th of July was during this week so we celebrated that night by watching my cousin play in a pick up game called Lax of July then got to watch Stadium of Fire fireworks from the lacrosse field. It was so much fun to play with cousins and to just hang out after playing lacrosse and being outside all week.

Pretty soon after that we left for my family's annual trip to Lake Powell. I've said this before but Powell for me is heaven on earth. I couldn't love it more. I had so much fun showing Chase something that I've loved for so long and trying new things with him like cliff jumping and double skiing. It couldn't have been a better week in my opinion.

Driving the kids on the tube and Beckham fell asleep on my arm haha

The one time I jumped off the cliff

That's Chase in the middle doing a backflip

Cutest cousin award goes to...

Skiing together

Rainbow bridge!

Love him to death

Sidenote: Julia managed to get more ugly pictures of me this week than I've ever had taken in my life. I think it's hysterical, but in all honestly didn't know I could make my face look like that.

Right after we got back my whole family went to Airborne (the trampoline place). It was a lot of fun, but most exciting was that I finally learned how to do a backflip. It took being talked into quite a bit and getting over my nervousness, but I was so glad I did it!

The very next day my whole family and I went wedding dress shopping. It was so great to have all of them there. I loved getting my brothers' and dad's opinion about the different dresses I tried on and to have my mom and Julia help me in and out of them. I actually decided on the very first dress I tried on in less than two hours. Way easier than I had anticipated and I LOVE it. Here's a picture from the dress shop (with me in my dress)

The next week it was Chase's birthday. I had struggled for a while trying to figure out what to get him when I finally decided to take him skydiving. He had never been, but had always wanted to go really bad and I loved seeing the look on his face when I finally told him the surprise I had been keeping. We had so much fun and it was great to celebrate with him doing something I knew he had wanted to do.

Add to the list of the reasons why Chase is the best ever: on his actual birthday he let me go to a concert with Julia instead of staying and celebrating with him. Julia is now one of his biggest fans ever, because it wasn't just any concert he let me go to. Julia and I had tickets to go see One Direction. Not normally the music I listen to, but Julia might actually be the biggest fan they have that I've ever met. I seriously had such a blast. Julia cried and that was so fun(ny). There was more teenage girls screaming in a room than I ever thought I would experience, but they're actually really entertaining and it was so awesome to see Julia so, so happy. (I have no idea where my pictures from this went. Maybe they're actually on Julia's phone and not mine, but they were good haha)

Before we knew it, it was time for us to leave for Mexico with Chase's family. Before we got all the way to Mexico we stopped in Arizona to meet and spend time with some of his extended family that wasn't going to Mexico with us. I also met most of his siblings for the first time (after a very long 11 hour drive - and I'm pretty sure I was half asleep, oops). I don't think that I have ever met that many people in such a short period of time, but everyone was so welcoming and nice and made me feel so comfortable.

Mexico was a dream vacation. We played volleyball, skim boarded, body surfed, played on the beach, buried Chase's siblings in the sand, rode four wheelers through sand dunes, and played all sorts of board games (I even got roped into singing a song for karaoke). I seriously couldn't have asked for a better vacation to get to know his family. I'm so excited to be a part of it in less than 2 months!!

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone, but oh my gosh it's flown. I feel so blessed and seriously feel like I've been living in a dream. In fact, here's something I wrote in my journal the other day that I think sums up how I'm feeling pretty well:

Essentially this has by far been the craziest and probably the best month of my life thus far. I've tried a lot of new things, met a lot of new people, gone to a couple new places, spent time with the people I love most, been to some of my favorite places, done some of my favorite things, and fallen further in love every day. What more could I ask for?