22 weeks and counting

can't believe this baby is already five months along! Just a quick little update on the bun in the oven...

We went to get our 20 week appointment and got to find out whether this is a brother or a sister baby. Ashlyn got to come with us, which was an awesome experience. She was fascinated and the ultrasound tech was so good with Ash. She even let her take her own picture of the baby to keep. More on that later...

Our baby is looking healthy and happy. And when the time was right, we found out that we are having a baby girl! We are all so thrilled to be having more pink in our home! :)

We do have some names picked out, but those will be kept close to my heart for now. If you ask Ash, the baby's name would be Sally Hannah Montana Joy Boone. Not sure it made the cut yet, but at least it is creative!

If you want my honesty, I was a little overwhelmed with the thought of a girl when we first found out. I went straight to my mom's house and listed my numerous fears about having a girl, not to mention that she might turn out like her own mother. Yikes. Fortunately, my own mother has forgotten the teenage years and she reminded me what a blessing it is to have daughters. After browsing the baby girl section at Target and laying awake for a few nights, I am feeling really excited about this baby girl. :)

As for the rest of the family, Caleb is thrilled. He couldn't be more excited about more girls in our home, and that is the honest truth. He loves Ash more than anything and he is excited to have another girl around to love. I know he will be great dad to our daughter.

And Ashlyn...well, let me just tell you, she couldn't be more happy to be a big sister. I framed the picture from the ultrasound for her and she takes the picture everywhere. It is adorable. She will come to me and say, "Can I take my baby sister? I don't want her to get lonely." And then she took the picture to church and when she sat down by me at the end of our meetings, she said "Yeah Mom, I showed pretty much everybody at church." Needless to say, she is feeling pretty proud of her baby sister. And we are all excited to welcome her into our family!

I'm going there someday

We are quickly approaching our one year wedding anniversary, which means some big things coming for us this year.  New baby, of course, which is growing well, and now we are preparing to be sealed in the temple, which is also very exciting!

As we have started talking about setting dates and how we can be more prepared for this event, we have felt very strongly about making our home a sanctuary for the Spirit to dwell.  We know that we will be tested and tried as the time gets closer and we would like to be prepared for those times that are coming.

So I am asking for your advice...

What do you do to make your home more of a sanctuary for the Spirit?

What did you do or do you do now to prepare for temple attendance?

The man in my life

I have been thinking about the man I married today.

It has taken me a few months, but I now know

that I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to him.

I was terrified to be married. Commitment phobia.

I liked the idea of it, but actually doing it was another story.

After almost 9 months of marriage, I know he is the best part of me.

I could not have done better for myself.

Now, with a baby on the way, new job,

some craziness with Ashlyn, school,

and some other unnamed drama,

I love seeing Caleb in his element.

I knew he was a good dad,

but I had no idea how amazing until we started living every day life together.

And that quality carries over into our relationship.

He is the best husband.

The same month we started dating, I was diagnosed with Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism).

He has supported me through every doctor's appointment.

Every frustration and every disappointment.

He even loves me when I can't wear contacts for weeks

and I have to wear my silly old lady glasses.

Even when I gain weight because my medication slows down my metabolism.

Even when the doctors told us

that this disease will make it really hard for us to have a baby.

Caleb never stops believing in me.

And he is so good at taking care of me.

He is the best thing in my life and I love falling in love with him every day.

This past week I had to go visit quite a few doctor in Phoenix. We needed a good game plan for our little one to come into this world as healthy as possible without feeling the effects of my thyroid. We decided to make a trip out of it and spent the night at a hotel in Scottsdale.

While I made a game plan for our new little one,

Caleb played with Ashlyn at the swimming pool. He is seriously the best dad. Just invite these two over someday and you'll see. They are best buds and I know this new baby will feel the exact same way about its dad because Caleb is just like that.

Consistent.

Heavenly Father knew I would need that. And how grateful I am for it.

Are you ready for this?

Ha ha because we are!

Just wanted to fill you in on our favorite Christmas present this year!

Meet Baby Boone!

Oh yeah, you better believe it!

Our little one is coming to our house in July 2012 and we couldn't be more excited!

I'm feeling great, Caleb is grateful it's not twins and

Ashlyn is planning on being the best big sister this family has ever seen.

We have been so blessed this year and we look forward to another great year.
Love you all and Merry Christmas!

Our New Blog

Welcome to the new Boone family blog!

I decided it was time to start our family blog and

hopefully we can keep in touch with all the people we love.

Thanks for stopping by! :)