Life 3 years later...

So much has changed since we said goodbye to the Minor League Baseball life.  -We moved to Utah
-I started working full time at the Hospital doing billing and registration (since then left to work for Zions Way Home Health and Hospice) -B began to work within the Home Health and Hospice Industry
-B has been attending school at Dixie State University (just graduated with his Associates May 2018) -H has been going to "preschool" at the hospital daycare -We welcomed our beautiful 2nd boy, GREYSON JACK -B is coaching high school baseball -H started T-ball and has been loving it
We have also had many camping adventures, visited family in various states, made some wonderful friends, and have grown even closer as a family. 

Pensacola Dreamin'...

Pensacola was a dream...  The beaches, the people, the games...  We did our best to soak it all in while we had the chance.  Living by the beach and getting the chance to go EVERY DAY was unreal!  Our story has taken us elsewhere, but we are excited for what ever is ahead. 

Adios 2013...

It is so crazy to look back at the beginning of 2013 and see where we were, and how it has all changed in such a short amount of time. 

January--> We started off another great year in North Carolina and Texas with the Howell side// Made it back to Arizona and enjoyed a lot of Saturday explorations in the warm sun (hiked Camelback, hiked "the hole")// Went shooting a lot, and enjoyed the company of family and friends

February--> Celebrated ONE YEAR with the love of my life// Went to Bakersfield to see the beloved Worthens and witness Bo be baptized// Went to LA// Hiked trails in Estrella Mnt// Made Valentines for our sweet sunbeams at church// Learned some intense yoga moves!

March--> Spring Training started so baseball took over our lives again ;) Mom and Dad came for a visit// Took advantage of the wonderful Arizona weather and our pool// Started Flight Attendant school for US Airways (that ended due to a "baby" hiccup)// Spent a beautiful Easter holiday in STG

April--> Announced the growth of our little family// Had a correction on the due date// Had a few dates to the Mesa Arizona Temple// Took a few of the baseball guys shooting

May--> Had our first trimester screening// Surprised Mom in Santa Monica for her fitness competition// Blaine gave some pitching lessons

June--> Had another ultrasound and learned Baby H was a BOY//Took a last minute trip to Bakersfield// Went to girls camp as camp director for our ward

July--> Celebrated the 4th on the Salt River// Reached 24 weeks// Blaine became obsessed with paracord// We spent our summer nights catfishing

August--> Blaine made a few of his first appearances back on the mound// 28 weeks along// Started working at Youngker again// I turned another year older

September-->Blaine had his second Tommy John surgery// Went to Bakersfield for the Todd's reception// My sisters threw Baby H a shower in STG// Had our prego pics taken

October--> Blaine turned the big 25// Blaine went to NC// My belly button "popped"// I quit working at Native// We carved Pumpkins// Went to the Laytons and had a bonfire and tinfoil dinners for Halloween// We also moved when I was 38.5 weeks pregnant... third floor apt to a second floor apt of a different building

November--> My mom came to town// Work (Youngker) threw Baby H a shower// My due date came and went// Blaine started work at Texas Roadhouse// Our babe FINALLY arrived// Laurin, Paige, and Lauren came to town// We all celebrated Thanksgiving in our little apt// Went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights

December--> Attended Glendale Glitters// Hunter was blessed and given a name by his daddy// We got our first REAL Christmas tree// Hunter turned a month old// We drove to Vegas/STG to spend Hunters first Christmas with family (More in another post)// I stayed in Vegas for a few extra days with Hunter to help my parents move into their new house// Hunter flew for the first time// Rang in the new year with my two favorite boys

2014 is going to be full of a lot of firsts... especially for Hunter. 

I cannot wait to watch him grow and experience the world. 

Lets go 2014... show me what you've got.

Days away...

Officially a week left till this little ones due date and we couldn't be more excited. Some days I can't believe that it's so close and other days I feel like I have been pregnant for FOR-EVVVVV-ER! We have done all we can do so far to prepare for his arrival... Clean clothes, organize, and oh yeah... MOVE. That's right... at 38.5 weeks we moved into another apartment. (Surprised it didn't kick start labor... guess he is just taking his sweet little time) Moving really takes a lot out of you... Especially when it is from a third floor apartment to a second floor in a completely different building. Packing up everything, cleaning the old apartment, and organizing the new has been such a chore. I hated the feeling of being useless and not really being able to move anything. Good thing I married such an amazing man that works his tail off and does what needs to get done. Also, we have some pretty great men/missionaries in our ward that were kind enough to volunteer their time and muscles. (One of the guys actually works for the local fire department and brought his crew with him in their rig... they were heaven sent)

Pregnancy has been a bit of a breeze for me. I haven't really been sick or too uncomfortable these past nine 9 months. I have loved all the sweet kicks from our little babe and knowing he is always with me... BUT I am SO EXCITED about having my body back and being able to sleep on my stomach again. This guy moves all of the time. Late in the evening is his favorite time to stretch and show us how tall he is. It has been fun trying to guess what is making my tummy poke out; his arms, legs, hands, bum... But it is going to be even better when we can kiss and love on all those parts in person.

No Braxton Hicks quite yet (or any other signs of labor) but I do find myself being just as tired as I was in the first trimester... and poor B has had to deal with my cranky prego hormones when I get exhausted from a long day. I wish I could sleep in and/or nap whenever I want but duty calls and I must work. Yes, I am still working. Planning on working at the school until this babe decides to make his debut. Along with my sleepiness, I have gone back to craving potato anything... fries, chips, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. This kids sure loves his carbs. but who doesn't?!?

We only have a few more things to do to completely be ready for this kid. Install his car seat, get more diapers, and basically just breath... Life is about to change for us dramatically but we couldn't be more thrilled about our new addition coming and making us a family of 3!!!

The Next Chapter...

We're on to the next adventure.
B and I have relocated to Goodyear Arizona... AGAIN. This time I think we're going to hang around for a little while. (good thing winter here is amazing) We have been pretty busy since we arrived. Within the first week we found a new apartment and I got a new job. Our apartment is located pretty close to the Reds facility, which is definitely a plus. While B goes to the field, I get to play teacher aka Mrs. Howell. (makes me feel old)  I am currently employed as a Paraprofessional at Youngker High School, home to the Rough Riders. Maybe I am just a bit nostalgic, but it really makes me miss the good old days of Dixie and Ponderosa. This job has been a great learning experience for me. Not only am I relearning what I have not used in the past 5 years, but I also have the opportunity to help out when needed. I have never been a career oriented person, but right now I feel like I am on the right track to soon figuring out something that I might actually enjoy.

Blazing Bakersfield...

 We currently reside in Bakersfield California. 

Home to the Bakersfield Blaze

(The Cincinnati Reds High-A affiliate team)

When preparing to move to Bakersfield, we heard two different responses...

 "Where in the heck is that?!?" 

Or, the more popular, "The armpit of California??"

So of course, we were expecting the worst.

As we have spent more time here, we have been pleasantly surprised. 

We have made some wonderful memories and met some truly fantastic people.

 Even though most of our time is spent practicing, playing, or watching baseball, 

we have found time to enjoy what Bakersfield has to offer. 

• Bakersfield Blaze Games (ha)
• Afternoon park dates
• Late night ice cream runs with the Worthens
• Los Angeles Temple and Santa Monica Pier
• Fishing at Lake Isabella and cliff jumping in the Kern river
• Shooting in the middle of no-where

Sunny Arizona...

We made it... Our long cross-country drive was a success. We have left the beautiful mountains of North Carolina for the warm sunny deserts of Arizona. It took us three days and we managed to make it without killing one another.

Our lives in Arizona are pretty simple, but great. Spring Training has officially begun, which means Blaine is off playing ball for most of the day. I try to stay busy by expanding on my baking and organization skills (thank you pinterest), while enjoying the wonderful sunshine outside.

One thing that is truly great about living here in Arizona, is that the temple is so close. This past week we had the opportunity to go to the Mesa Temple with the Layton's. It was so uplifting. The work that we have a chance to help with is fantastic. To be able to return to the temple and learn more about this gospel brings so much joy to my life. I am grateful for the blessings I am given each and every day. Blessings such as a wonderful family, great influences, and most of all...

an amazing husband that cares for me and takes me to the house of the Lord.