What a Year

So facebook does this new thing called a year in review where it gives you your top highlights for 2013. Needless to say this has been a HUGE life changing year for Lance & myself.

I got a little emotional reliving my year... Let me share.

January 5 

Me: (staring at our bamboo plant we've had for 3 years) "just throw it in the garbage outside"
Lance: "no we can't. It's our love fern"

Lance & I moved out of our duplex in Holladay and into his mother's basement as our "dream house" was being built.

 

March 17

G Squared-Western Caribbean Cruise (124 photos)

Great Stirrup Cay, Ocho Rios, Cozumel March 2013

 In March we went on our 2nd cruise with the Green's and loved every minute of the Caribbean.

 

April 24

Officially done with nursing school and officially accepted an RN position with Intermountain.

 In April I was offered a position as a registered nurse on the unit I have loved working on for the past 2 years.  It was such an amazing opportunity to continue my journey with the friends and collegues I had already made. 

April 29 Christine's Graduation. — at Salt Lake City Public Library. 

I graduated from college for the 2nd time, but this time with a degree in the field I am ever so passionate about.

 

April 30 

Lance Gummersall Is Expecting a Baby Boy Announced April 2013 with Christine Gummersall Christine and I are expecting a little baby boy this October. We are so excited and blessed for this opportunity, as well as nervous to see how he is going to change our lives.

 April was such a big month for us... finding out we were expecting a baby boy the same day as I graduated from college. (we waited a day to announce it because the celebrations from graduation were a bit time consuming)

 

May 12

Happy Mother's Day to all those mothers out there but most importantly to all those struggling and wanting to become mothers. I remember a year ago to this day being so distraught and discouraged with infertility but since then I have been so incredibly blessed with the ability to get pregnant. To those still struggling I love you and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!

 How vividly I remember the days spent crying and earnestly praying to my Heavenly Father to please bless Lance & I with the opportunity to become parents.  How Mother's Day in 2012 was spent crying at my desk while working at Primary Childrens.  My period had just starting clearly notifying me that I was not expecting and browsing facebook as I saw many of my friends post about their little children.  Needless to say I was at an all-time low, but just one year later I was pregnant.  My prayers had be answered.

 

July 22

Three years ago I married my absolute best friend in the entire world. I love having him as my companion and I'm excited to begin our new adventure into parenthood in just a few short months. He is an amazing husband, best friend, father to our puppies, and will be an incredible father to our son. 7.22.10 was the start and I'm grateful to know there is no end. For eternity with Lance Gummersall

 I absolutely love my husband to pieces.  I know everyone thinks their marriage/relationship is awesome and amazing, but I truly feel so so blessed to have found my best friend.  He knows exactly what to say to change my bad mood into one of optimism.  He knows when to be playful and when to be serious.  He's one heck of a hopeless romantic and has never forgotten our "monthly" anniversaries, always "surprising" me with flowers and my favorite things.  He is truly a catch and I get to call him mine for eternity.  I am one lucky girl. 

 

August 11

6 years ago today I made the best decision of my life. The decision to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love knowing that I am sealed to my husband, Lance, and family for eternity. The gospel has brought so many blessings to my life and I am grateful for the knowledge I have of God's plan for me. www.mormon.org

 The gospel has truly changed my life.   Back in high school you are constantly thinking of "where will I be in 5 years. Where will I be in 10 years?" Well needless to say 6 years ago I did not think for one second I would be where I am today.  I did not think I would have gotten baptized, found a love for Christ, gone to BYU, married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple at 20, and have a baby boy at the ripe age of 23 (now 24).  I envisioned my life so differently but in hindsight my life is absolutely perfect and it is all a result of a very simple, but life changing choice.  The choice to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  If there is one thing I know it is that God lives and through Jesus Christ's atonement we can become perfect just as he is.  I know happiness comes from serving others, and relying on faith in Christ in all times and in all things and all places.

 

October 21

Shoulda listened my to gut a gotten a pedicure on Saturday.... Someone wanna come paint my toes? Haha — at Alta View Womens Center.

 The night before Bennett was born I was literally on my hands and knees scrubbing the grout in our kitchen.  I figured I had measured the same over the last 3 weeks that there was NO hope for him to come early.  Bennett, however had plans of his own.  I went to bed at 11 pm and was awoken at 2:30 to contractions.  Finally at 11:50 am Bennett emerged and forever our lives were changed.  It is nearly impossible to put into words what a blessing it is to be his mother.  To have the opportunity to watch him grow is one I wouldn't give up for anything.  He truly is my little angel and I am so thankful each and everyday to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the opportunity to be his mother and to experience to joys, trials, and blessings that motherhood brings. 

November 25

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes. I am grateful for all the wonderful friends and family I have in my life. I am especially grateful for a beautiful, healthy baby boy and a maternity leave that gives me all the holidays off to spend with those I love.

 This past January I spent 4 months with my friend and co-worker AnnJanette as she mentored me in my final clinicals of nursing school.  She had just returned to work from maternity leave and kept bragging about how awesome it was to have had her son in October and had leave all throughout the holiday season.  Although I personally did not plan for Bennett to come when he did, Heavenly Father's plan worked out in my favor.  How awesome it is to have this season to spend with family and friends and to not worry about work. Thank you thank you thank you. 

So there ya have it.  My 2013.