Getting Ready

So the past week since I've been home from work, Ben and I have really been able to get ready for this baby to come. We've been working on the room little by little and now it is pretty much all ready. The baby clothes and blankets have all been washed, organized, and put in drawers, the crib is all set up, and we moved the rocking chair into that room. I think it looks pretty good. Ben was really excited when we got the crib. When it arrived, we weren't sure yet where we would be because we weren't sure where Ben would get a job so I wasn't sure I wanted to set it up right away. We had a bassinet that we could have used for a little while, but Ben couldn't wait. So he put it together. I think it all looks really nice. We're pretty excited to bring home Baby Colson to this room. I think it has become my favorite room in the house.

Ben setting up the crib

The mostly finished room

I've also been spending a lot of time cleaning up the rest of my house. And can I say that I feel quite accomplished in that. I finally can really stay on top of my dishes and keep my family room clean. I even made a little chore chart so that I don't have to take all day doing a bunch of chores but can just do a little bit each day to keep up things. Today, Ben and I tried out the car seat in the car. We figured out how to get the base in and got it just the way we want it. Can you tell we're excited?
The best way I think we've gotten ready this week is that Ben received a job offer! We are so excited about it. He has been working so hard searching, applying, and interviewing at jobs and it finally paid off. And the best part is, we get to stay in Logan. No moving for us any time soon. We are so grateful that Heavenly Father heard and answered our prayers. And also grateful for all those who were praying for us as well. I am so proud of Ben for all he did to provide for us. I knew he could do it. We celebrated the offer by going to see Despicable Me 2. Ben loved the first one and has been so excited to see this one as well. I told him when he got a job we could see it. It was a super cute movie. I think I liked it better than the first. Ben and I have had some fun spending time together just the two of us before this little guy comes. Now I think we're just about ready. We just can't wait until he gets here.

One Door Closing, Another One Opening (or about to...)

Well it's official. I finally left my job on Tuesday to prepare to be a mother. Man that was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Saying good-bye to girls who I am supposed to have an influence on but who have changed my life was pretty tough. I cried. For those of you who don't know, I've been working at a treatment center in Cache Valley for a little under 2 years now. And boy was it an adventure. There were times where I was unsure of how I could do this for another day let alone indefinitely and there were times where I thought I'd never be able to leave I loved it so much. I've met some pretty amazing people in my time there. Both as co-workers and as girls coming to the center. I have been very blessed by my experiences there. Hopefully through it all I've learned some skills that will help me to be a better mother. But, I think really, the things I have learned there have helped me to be a better disciple of Christ. I learned how to be understanding. How to have compassion. How to love a person but not their actions. How to correct in a loving way that promotes real growth. How to avoid anger. How to accept others without compromising my own values. How to be an example. I think of the example Christ set when he treated the woman taken in adultery. (John 8:1-11) He did not judge her although she had committed sin. He was patient. He did not act in anger towards her or the Pharisees. He forgave the woman. He also told her to "go, and sin no more." He lovingly corrected her and gave her a chance to start over and change. Maybe, just maybe, I've learned to be a little more like that. The biggest way I think I have been changed and made better in this experience was I have learned to love all of God's children. I have been guilty of judging others in the past, am still guilty of it at times probably, but I have truly felt deep love for all those around me, knowing that they are loved by our Heavenly Father. It doesn't matter who they are, or what they have done in the past, mistakes that were made. He loves them unconditionally. And so can I. There are times where I walk through the aisles of a grocery store looking at the people around me and I am overcome by a feeling of deep love for complete strangers. I know that whatever my initial thoughts or judgements might be, what is truly important is that they are children of God. So, despite how hard and frustrating my job has been, I am grateful to have learned even that small thing. Because it is really no small thing. I am grateful I will be able to know these things to teach to my son. I can take these experiences and they will help me to raise him in righteousness. I am sad to have left my job. But I am so excited that I left to be a mother. To have the opportunity to bring one of God's spirits into this life and to raise and teach him. I know I will have great joy in that calling. I just hope I can do my best. I know that as I trust in the Lord and strive to be more like Him, I will be blessed. My family will be blessed. Baby Colson can come any day now and I can't wait to begin the journey of raising such a precious gift from God. I know the love I feel now and have learned to feel will only grow deeper and stronger. I know it will not always or ever be easy, but I will love it.