Luke’s first camping trip & an angel baby

This past weekend Jared took Luke on his first Father & Son’s campout.

In our church every so often our ward will host a camping trip where all the boys can get out and have a fun time.

Luke thought this was awesome (so did Jared).

Luke has such a great dad to take him to do things like this.

They are two peas in a pod when it comes to nature.

It will be so fun to see this new baby boy and Luke be able to go together.

I was excited for a little quiet time, but also excited to hear how it went.

Once they got their camp set up, they hung out by the campfire and roasted marshmallows.

By 9pm Luke said he was ready for bed.

I think he was more excited to get in the tent than he was actually tired.

Jared said once they settled in the tent Luke said, “This is awesome, dad.”

Luke slept through the night without any problems and was ready to start the day at 6am.

He made sure to greet everyone with a good morning as they headed for breakfast with members of our ward.

After breakfast they had different activities set up to do.

Luke loved the zip-line, the rockets, and a big giant ball.

After they packed up camp Jared took him to Tibble Fork for some fishing.

It didn’t last long because it was cold and windy.

Luke conked out in the car on the way home, but once he saw me he was so excited to tell me all about it.

I told him I was so happy he had so much fun.

He said, “I didn’t have fun, I missed you.”

That was exactly what I wanted to hear :)

Jared said Luke kept telling him that he was worried about me.

It warmed my heart that he thought of me while he was away.

Definitely a mama’s boy.

While they were gone, I got caught up on projects including scrapbooking Luke’s first year:

I am determined to get this done before this baby gets here.

Speaking of baby, here is one of the projects I finished this weekend:

A new car seat cover.

I used this tutorial provided by one of my good friends, Shirley.

Luke picked out the train material, but I was okay with it since it was subtle colors.

We also set up the crib last night and it has been weird seeing it as I walk by the extra bedroom.

It is becoming more real.

One thing that comes along with me being pregnant is snoring.

Every time I get pregnant I snore.

Jared taped my snoring the other night and I was dying laughing.

Hey, that’s what happens when you are big and pregnant.

Although, I almost taped Jared the other night because it was just as bad but I couldn’t find my phone in the dark.

We are getting excited for the parade of homes this weekend.

It is one of our favorite things to attend, although it will probably just make us want to get a home even worse than we do now.

Being in limbo is so not fun.

Jared has also been getting ready for his 50 mile scout trip to Zions next week.

I am trying to find things to keep us busy while he will be gone.

Right now all I want to do is stay inside my air conditioned home.

I heard some heartbreaking news this past week and I have been heart-sick about it ever since.

One of my friends from high school and his wife delivered a beautiful, healthy baby on May 26th.

On May 28th, he unexpectedly passed away.

It was their first child.

They live in Vegas right now and the flood of memories and heartache came rushing back.

I have been in contact with him through email, but it’s still so hard to find words for someone who is experiencing such grief even though I have been there myself.

It has made me reflect on that time just after Ruby’s birth and then her passing and the overwhelming love and support we received.

I hope they are feeling that too.

I hope they are seeing the tender mercies the Lord provides in times like these.

This may sound bad, but I love receiving gifts (I love giving them too), but one of the ways I feel love is when I receive gifts.

Just the thought of someone picking something out just for me makes me feel good.

When Ruby passed away the amount of gifts received were overwhelming.

From the prayers, thoughts, service, phone calls, texts, messages, emails, flowers, poems, cards, memory boxes, pictures, books, keepsake items and so on, I have cherished all of them.

I love that I can wear a piece of jewelry every day that reminds me of her.

I can look around my home and see little items that were given to me in memory of her.

I hope one day that I can find something specific to do in her honor of Ruby, but for now I give gifts.

I give gifts in hopes that having something tangible will help them remember their angels.

My thoughts and prayers are still with them and hope they can see the blessings that abound in times like these.