My brother's in town! We've had so much fun. We've been to the downtown, Boulder and today we went to Colorado Springs to tour the Olympic Training Center (one of three in the whole country). Did you know the government doesn't provide any money to the Olympians? It's all through sponsors and donations. We totally thought we'd see more Olympians so that was a bummer. But we loved the tour anyways and we all got completely psyched for the next summer Olympics in London and the next winter Olympics (which I prefer over the summer probably because Canada dominates) in Sochi, Russia.
I want to be better at taking photographs. Not only do I want to be taking more photographs, I want to be taking better, artistic photographs. I want to treat my camera less like a point and shoot and more like the camera that it is. I want to one day have a large collection of beautiful photographs that invoke strong memories and tender feelings.
Today in our last block of church meetings, we discussed church buildings and our ownership of them. The question, "what makes your church building feel like it belongs to you and you to it?" brought a slough of thoughts to my mind. I thought of my childhood church building, the Parkland chapel. I think that no matter who I know, anytime I attend church at that building it will always feel familiar, like home. Why? Because it's the building I was baptized in. It's where I loved to hear my Father's testimony. It's where I learned the process of repentance and repented truly for the first time in my life. It's where I met Conor. Ultimately, it's where the foundation of my testimony, of who I am, was established. And because of those things, I feel a sense of ownership and belonging of and to that chapel.
Our current chapel, the Hudson building, is rather unique. There is a huge mural in the chapel. It was dedicated by a prophet, George Albert Smith. The Hudson Building carries a lot of history and many quirks. Why do I feel ownership and belonging there? Because it's where Conor and I began our family. It's where we've met so many of our best friends. It's been a part of a time in my life where I have grown and changed so much.
I loved this lesson that my ward family had today. I've always known that I love these two buildings, but I had never thought on why.
I've made it to 15 weeks! Hip hip hooray! I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time today (so did Holly, she has no idea...) - my last 2 appointments have been ultrasounds, so no listening in. Could be a boy's heartbeat, could be a girl's. It's kind of a medium pace, 140s to 150s. We'll find out (hopefully) on September 21.
I've got my baby bump! I've found this pregnancy to be on the extreme side when it comes to pain but I'm really hoping I can hold out a little bit longer on the maternity jeans. At least until 17 weeks (that's when I slapped 'em on when I was pregnant with Holly). But we'll see. That elasticized waist is calling my name...
Holly loves necklaces and bracelets. I'm a little bit baffled about how on earth she discovered and came to love them so much since I don't really wear jewelry. Holly's also decided that shoes are her thing which is such a relief. She's recently started toddling around but up until a week or so ago, she's despised shoes. She screamed and fussed anytime I put some on her. But now, she plays in her shoe basket and wants me to put them on her. I need to take out all the shoes that are too small (most she never wore because she never would) because she's pretty insistent and totally content to wear shoes that are too small.
