Boulder City...

  Saturday we decided to head out to Boulder City for the afternoon.  It was nice to walk around and see a bit more of Boulder City than just simply driving through it.
  We decided that we would go look through a few antique shops and we had heard of a bookstore that we wanted to try to go to.  After a few antique shops we had a win it was a moose that was a salt and pepper shaker.  I thought it was super festive and so that was our buy of the day.
  After a few shops Paul was ready to go to the bookstore so we tried to go to where we thought it was and we couldn't find it.  I popped into a store and asked where it was and the lady told us it had just closed down.   Paul was a bit bummed and to pour salt in the wound it was turned into yet another antique shop.
  We decided to take a break and go to Grandma Daisy's for a treat.  We got an oreo candy apple and a birthday batter shake.  The shake obviously looked good to Jude cause as soon as we sat down he dipped his hand right into the whipped cream.  It was super cute.  The snacks were a great end to our time out there so we decided to head home.
  When we got back to town I took Paul to Barnes and Noble before going home cause I felt bad about him not getting to go to a bookstore in boulder.  He was, as always when in a bookstore, in heaven.
  It was a slow paced fun day that made me want to live in a small town. Especially as we drove through some of the perfect little neighborhoods that had the cutest homes.  Maybe someday we will live in a small town but I am just happy for now we love the community we live in and think it has that small town feel to it.

It's Great to Be Eight!

  On September 28th Vanessa's oldest son Noah was baptized.  I can't believe he is already eight!
  I remember the day he was born like yesterday.  I was flying from California to Spain for my mission.  I called Vanessa while in an airport cause I knew she would be having her first baby any day.  She told me that it would actually be later that day that she would be having her Noah.  I was so sad I couldn't be there even though I was so very happy with what I was doing and where I was going.  It blows my mind that has been eight years since that call.
  Then October 17th, Seth's actual birthday, my nephew Seth was also baptized.  I am so proud of him and the great  little man he is becoming.  He is so sweet and kind.
  Seth often wears bow ties to special occasions such as his baptism so Paul and Jude thought it only appropriate that they did too.  It was a great service and amazing to have so much family there to celebrate.
  The church has brought me all the best things in my life and I am thankful that many years ago I too made the decision to become a member.  I look forward to seeing all the great things that come to and from these two young men in the future.  I know I will be in awe.

Home Means Nevada....

  Being a CCSD employee has some great perks so does working from home.  Today is Nevada Day and it was a great one.

  Paul and I decided since we both had today off we would go for a hike.  Paul worked his magic, like he always does when we want to go for a hike, and found an awesome one out at Lake Mead.  The hike is called The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail.  Before Hoover Dam was completed, in 1935, the Railroad ran supplies and equipment down to the Dam while it was being built but once completed they took out the railroad and turned it into a nice little trial.  It was perfect for the whole family and the baby stroller even rode nice on it.


  On the trail there are 5 tunnels and if you keep going a bit more you walked past what they called a railroad boneyard with a bunch of equipment but surprisingly no trains.  I thought there would be at least one and am not going to lie I was more than a little disappointed that there wasn't.   There was also a section we walked passed that had some of the power generators that operate the Dam.  It was funny cause you could here the buzz of electricity as you walked by.  If you follow the trial all the way you end up at the overlook of the Dam.  At the overlook they have a little area with tables were you can sit and relax.  We packed a lunch that we enjoyed as we sat in the shade for a bit before heading back.

  It was a great family adventure and a good first hike for Jude.  It was a nice day and we loved being able to spend it together.  I am proud to say....  HOME MEANS NEVADA!

So this is love...

  I am a mom!  And I never thought I could be so in love.
 At my last doctors appointment they told me that the baby wasn't progressing the way he should before labor and that I should be induced.  I really wanted to wait but they suggested this was the best for the baby.  On September 10th we entered the hospital at 7:30 P.M.  By the  time they got me all hooked up they told me that I was already having contractions every 3 minutes.  I couldn't even feel them and thought the whole thing was crazy.  After a couple hours they induced me as planned.   Not long after being induced I could really feel the contractions as they got closer.  They gave me some pain relief but two hours in when  it was time to get the same drug again I told them it wasn't strong enough.  They didn't believe me and thought I was over exaggerating.  The nurse who did my IV was amazing and decided to just randomly check on me at that time.  She checked me and told me I was totally dilated and needed my epidural if I was going to have one.  They quickly did the epidural and let me tell you I love modern medicine.

  After some time the baby still wasn't dropping into place so they decided to break my water.  That still didn't get him to drop so they started to monitor his heart rate more closely.   After contractions his heart rate would drop which is normal but it was slow to get back up to where it should have been.  They told me they were going to call my doctor and that they thought I may need to get a c section.  When Dr. Sauter got to the hospital he told me that he suggested a cesarean.  I told him I didn't want one and he said we could wait an hour and see if the baby would finally drop.  He did not so the doctor asked again what I wanted to do.  He said we could wait another hour cause the baby was doing alright.  But we knew it was time and knew what we needed to do.  
  The night before Paul had given me a priesthood blessing.  During it I felt peace in my heart even though I knew I would have to have a c section which I really didn't want.  Paul too felt the same but we were in denial so we didn't discuss it until we were told we needed to make a decision.
  We told the doctor we were ready for the c section and before we knew it I was being prepped for surgery.  We went in and minutes later Jude Wallace Tatum was born on September 11th, 2013 at 8:47 am 6 pounds 7 ounces and 19.5 inches long.  He was perfect and in that moment I was completely and incandescently happy.