Lamb, Nutella, and other firsts Down Under

Family Search's question for August 26th was: What are the most memorable meals or exotic food you've tried on any of your travels?

When I was 14 years old, I went on a two week study abroad to New Zealand and Australia. I took the trip through Edventures Down Under. There were two options: travel with the group for fun, or do added school work and get credit. The added school work was different for each student because it depended on what our school accepted and allowed. At first I wanted to get school credit, but when I learned that Provo High would only give me .5 of an elective credit, I decided to just enjoy myself.

On that trip I tried lamb, Nutella, coffee, and meat pies for the first time. It was also my first time outside of the the American continent. (I had been to Canada before, but does Niagra falls actually count as travelling outside of the country?) It was also my first time travelling without any family members to take care of me - I still had an adult who was over me.

One other student from Utah went on the trip. His name was Ryan, and he was three years older than me. We were the only Mormons on the trip. No romance happened between us. Our teacher couldn't go at the last minute, so we were placed with the California students. My best friend from the trip was a girl named Zuri who was from New York, and she is the only one I'm still in contact with.

I had lamb stuffed ravioli for my dinner on the plane, it was delicious! (For airplane food.) We flew to New Zealand first. We landed at 5:00 in the morning. We spent the day touring. We visited the Blue Mountains, and went to a Maori village where we got to learn about their culture and watch some performances.

The next day we were taken to our "farm stays" where we would spend two nights with New Zealand farmers. Me and three other girls went to stay with a family who were dairy farmers. They had three kids and their son's friend was also living with them. Our guide had told us that it was customary to serve wine to guests at dinner. I remember freaking out on the inside. How do I tell them I can't drink wine without offending them?! Luckily I didn't have to worry, the parents drank wine at dinner, but all the kids drank soda. They served us lamb with vegetables. It was really good. I have to admit that I don't think I could have ever eaten lamb willingly. I mean, they are such cute and sweet animals. But I'm glad I tried it. I haven't had it since because it's expensive in the restaurants. The family really piled their plates with food, and they asked me and the other girls if we were anorexic. We assured them that the amount of food on our plates was normal.

That morning at breakfast I tried Nutella on my toast. I know that Nutella exists here, but I had never tried it until then. Now I'm a Nutella addict! I always put it on my crepes, and have found different bread and muffin recipes.

They took us around their farm. We had to wear these socks and boots that went up past our knees. They had us help move the cows from one field to another. They didn't mention that when you open the gate that the cows start running! I almost got run over, and one of my boots came off (they were the son's boots so they were huge), so I had to go look for it when the cows were done running. Oh my gosh, that was an experience. They also showed us their sheep and their horse.

That night after the parents went to bed, the kids brought out beer. It was my first time being around alcohol and watching people drink. I was really grateful when the other American girls refused the beers offered to them. All their kids drank, even the 12 year old! I was really uncomfortable and scared the whole night.

We were reunited with our group the next day and had a relaxing day in Auckland. During some down time, I got permission to get picked up by my friend Lindsey and spend a few hours with her and her family. Lindsey's family took me out to dinner and they had me pick. I said, "I think a taco sounds good." They started laughing and said, "Mexican food doesn't exist here. There are a few restaurants, but they are expensive." That was definitely new for me since Mexican restaurants are abundant here.

We went to Australia after that, where we spent the next week and a half first in Sydney then the

Gold Coast. We toured the Sydney Opera House, went to the top of the tallest building in Sydney, visited an Aboriginal cultural center, a wildlife preserve, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, swimming at the beach, and a day at an amusement park.

Three aboriginal men taught us about their culture and performed. There were no women to be seen, supposedly because aboriginal women don't cover their chests. At the wildlife preserve we saw crocodiles, koalas, dingos, and kangaroos. We could actually go into the kangaroo habitat and pet and feed them. We had lunch there and that's where I tried coffee and a meat pie. I though both were disgusting. Lol.

Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef was amazing! It wasn't my first time in the ocean, but it was my first time being on a boat and swimming in an area where I couldn't see any land, just water surrounded me. There was a ladder and platform that went about one or two feet into the water so that you didn't have to jump off the boat. On the platform I stuck my head in the water, and a school of blue fish swam right past my face! I jumped out and screamed, "I am not going in there!" My friend Zuri said, "Oh yes your are!" and she pushed me into the water! It was so beautiful. The guide said that there had been a recent storm, so the reef was kind of broken and brown. It would heal and get it's color back. I would love to visit again one day and see all the brilliant color that I had missed.

Swimming at the beach was fun and relaxing. The water was warm, which was great, because I have only been in the Ocean in California, and those beaches are cold. At the amusement park I conquered my fear of "scary" rides, and I took a picture with a Koala bear.

This was an experience that I am so grateful that I got to do. It took me four years to save for it, and even though I came home and basically had to start my savings over from scratch, I don't regret it. I saved money from both countries, and I have pictures and memories that will last a lifetime.

Four Months on the City Bus

Family Search's question for August 19th was: What are all the different modes of transport you've used?

I've been on practically everything: cars, trucks, boats, planes, buses, trains. So I'm going to use this post to talk about a brief amount of time when I had to take the public transit bus to school and to work.

Gerson and I shared a car for the first two years of our marriage. It was my VW Passat from high school. For the most part I drove the car to school and to work, and Gerson rode his bike to school and to work. (We had different schedules.) During Gerson's last semester at BYU, he had an internship that started around noon or 1:00. For the first half of that same semester I had class at 8:00, and the second half my classes didn't start until 1:00. So Gerson and I would drive together in the morning, he would take the car to his internship in the afternoon, I would take the bus to work in the evening, and Gerson would pick me up. Halfway through the semester, when my 8:00 classes ended, Gerson would take the car to school, and I would sleep in and take the bus to my afternoon classes.

Some universities have deals with public transit where students can get free passes, BYU is not one of those. Students can get a discounted pass, but the price is only worth it if you ride the bus everyday. At the beginning of the semester, I was only riding twice a day, so it wasn't worth it. But I was able to get a discount price if I bought 20 tokens at a time.

Riding the bus wasn't awful, but I really hope that I don't have ride it that consistently again. I was pretty scared the first couple of weeks, but then I got used to it and for the most part, was pretty comfortable. One bad part that stands out in my memory was a particular driver.

On the UTA website it was really hard for me to read the bus schedule and understand exactly where the stops were and what time the bus came by each stop. I eventually figured it out, kind of. But for the first week or so of riding the bus from my apartment to school, I walked to the second closest stop from my apartment. The closest stop I hadn't ever noticed, and had never seen a bus stop at. Well, one day while walking to the other stop I saw the bus just parked there. I looked at the sign, and noticed it was indeed a bus stop! I walked up to the sign and stood there for about a minute, but the door didn't open. So I knocked on the door, the driver opened the door, I asked if I could come in and she said yes. As soon as I sat down she started lecturing me about how this is her break and it's her only 15 minutes to be alone and eat and not have to deal with passengers. I was so stunned I didn't even mumble an embarrassed apology.

That encounter made me realize that I had seen other drivers take their breaks, but they always parked the bus in between two stops, not right in front of one, so as not to confuse the passengers. I guessed that that stop was probably an exit stop, but not an entrance stop. I also noticed the the same drivers drove the same route at the same time. So I memorized the time that she had picked up at that stop, and started going to school 30 minutes earlier so that I could avoid taking the bus when she was the driver.

No more incidents happened until one day I had to take the bus home, which was rare. She was the driver for my ride home. I was a little nervous to see her again, but since I was sure I knew where her break was I figured I would get off at that stop. So two or three stops before, I was the last passenger on the bus. At the stop before the one I thought was the right one, she angrily asks, "So, where are you planning on getting off?" I told her which stop and she says, "Well, I take my break right before that one." Oh my gosh, that woman had switched break locations on me! I told her that I could get off right there - right there wasn't even a stop - and I ran off the bus. So apparently passengers have to read her mind and magically know when to get on and off at the correct time?

Oh my gosh. That is one of the funniest experiences I have had with someone in that field of work. I felt angry and embarrassed at the time, but now it just makes me roll my eyes and giggle.

Las Vegas Ortega Style

Family Search's question for August 12th was: Do you have one special vacation spot that you return to again and again? What do you love about it?

Gerson and I love to spend a weekend in Las Vegas. Before we had kids we used to go once a year. Each time we go we usually stay in a Hotel we haven't before and see a show or two that we haven't before. We like to try different restaurants, and shop and tour the fun shops and museums.

I had been to Las Vegas a few times before Gerson and I got married, but our honeymoon was the first time that Gerson had spent a significant amount of time there. Las Vegas wasn't the final destination of our honeymoon, Disneyland was. We staid the night in Vegas on our way to Anaheim and again on the way home.

We first stayed in my favorite hotel, The Luxor. We walked the entire strip because I wanted to see the pirate show that used to be at Treasure Island. Before we left for Anaheim, we took a magic carpet ride on a green screen. We didn't purchase the video, but we did buy the photos. On the way back we stayed in Excalibur where I attended the Tournament of Kings dinner and show. I had already been to Medieval Times in Annaheim, so I thought the food and show would be the same. It wasn't. The Tournament of Kings serves larger portions of food, and the show is quite different, but still great.

In 2011 we did an impromptu stay at Circus Circus on our way home from visiting Gerson's family in Palmdale, Ca. We saw the free shows in the arcade, and also played games in the arcade. We also went to the Adventure Dome, rode the rides, played miniature golf, and laser tag. (I got second place overall in our group!)

In 2012 We went for a full weekend to celebrate Gerson's graduation from BYU. We stayed two nights in The Flamingo. While we were on that side of the strip we saw The Blue Man Group. That show was amazing! It's one we definitely want to see again, and I highly recommend it. We also visited the dolphin and big cat exhibit in The Bellagio. We moved over to The Luxor for two nights (because The Flamingo weekend prices are through the roof). On that side of the strip we saw Cris Angel. That show was really disappointing. We felt that it was a complete waste of money. We also went to the shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, walked through the Bodies and Titanic exhibit at The Luxor, and went to The Tournament of Kings show again in Excalibur. (I think the next time we go to Vegas it's time to see Tournament of Kings again because it's been five years.)

Benjamin was born in 2013 so that put a short pause on our Vegas trips. In 2016, shortly after Luna turned one, the timing was good, and we took a much needed couple's trip. We stayed at Treasure Island. We saw Britney Spears one night and Penn &Teller the next night. Britney Spears was more of a nostalgia thing for me. I don't need to see her again, but I'm so glad I got to! Penn & Teller were a breath of fresh air after the Cris Angel fiasco. They are amazing!

This year we went back sooner than expected because my best friend got married in the Chapel at the Luxor. We went down two days early to see a show and tour. We saw Terry Fator at The Mirage. He is a ventriloquist. I didn't know anything about him, Gerson chose the show. I was really impressed and enjoyed his show very much. We visited the Chocolate store, the M&M store, the Houdini shop, and Madam Tussaud's Wax museum.

My friend's wedding was beautiful. It was such an honor to be invited. It was really small. Only

family and a couple friends were invited. We spent the afternoon and evening with her and her family. We went to see the fountains at The Bellagio, and spent the evening with her at The Luxor. We learned how to play roulette and black jack via observation, and had fun with that.

I know Las Vegas may not seem like the best vacation destination, but we love going there. It will always be a place we continue to return to. It's possible for Mormons to have fun there, and we even remember our entire trip. ;)

Farewell to Coulee Dam (?)

Family Search's question for August 5 was: What were your most common childhood vacations like - road trips, visits to grandma's house, camping trips, weekends at the lake or the beach?

I'm going to use this question to talk about my family's most recent trip to Coulee Dam, Washington for my mom's family reunion; because it most likely was our last. My mom grew up there, and my grandparents still live there. I spent almost every summer there as a little girl. This trip was special because not only was it most likely my last time there (my grandparents are getting ready to sell their house), but also it was my first time taking Gerson and my kids there.

We stopped at my great-grandmother's house in Idaho like we always do. Gerson and Benjamin have been there before, but it was Luna's first time at her great-great-grandma's house. Since our family has grown over the years, we all couldn't fit in my grandparents' house. So half of us stayed at my grandparents' house, and half rented a vacation home at Banks Lake resort, which is nearby. My family slept at my grandparents' house, but all of us spent each day in the vacation house.

On the first day we kind of toured the Grand Coulee Dam. I use the words kind of because it's different from when I was a little girl. When I was little we used to be able to go inside and walk around with a guide. We also used to be able to drive across the top, stop, and get out and look over. Security has increased and what the general public can see has decreased over the years due to the influx of terrorism in the country and around the world.

The new tour puts us on a bus and drives us around the perimeter of the towns while we learn about the building of the dam and the affect on the environment and the local Native American tribes. We got to go in one part of the dam, go down the elevator to look at the giant pumps. Then they took us to a picture spot, and then the tour was over. We then ate dinner at our favorite restaurant The Siam Palace. My cousin Trisia was there. We haven't seen each other since my wedding! 7 years! It was so fun to spend time wit her again. After dinner we went to Crown Point to take a picture with the dam on top of the mountain, then we went to the visitor's center to watch a laser light show on the dam. It was a different show from when I was little, and I miss the old show.

The second day we rented a boat and spent the day at Banks Lake. The beach are was really small. Benjamin liked playing in the sand, and Luna liked floating in the water. On the boat ride Benjamin did great sitting on my dad's lap, but Luna wanted to run around and look over the side (don't worry, both were in life jackets); so by the end of the ride Luna was cranky from being restrained. During Luna's nap (my aunt who was tired stayed at the house with her), we went back on the boat to go tubing. It was Gerson's first time tubing, and he stayed on! They went slow for me since I was 19 weeks pregnant. My mom was going to take Benjamin with her for a slow ride, but he didn't want to. So then my mom tried skiing.

On the third and last day we went shopping for souvenirs for the first half, and swimming at Spring Canyon for the second half. Benjamin picked a toy ambulance and Luna picked a pink Hot Wheels car. I got a book about Chief Joseph and some earrings. We went to the tribal museum and looked through it and met a local artist.

Spring Canyon is a beach at Lake Roosevelt. Lake Roosevelt is actually apart of the Columbia River. It's the part behind the dam so it's deep and wide - which is why it's called a lake. The beach and the swimming are is much bigger than the one at Banks Lake, so we had a lot more fun. Benjamin and Luna were more comfortable going into deeper water and floated on their backs.

I'm not sure if I'll get to go back there, it could take my grandparents a while to get their house ready to sell, and even longer to sell it. It's not exactly a town people are dying to move to. But I'm glad I got to take my family this one time.

Dinner and Ice Cream Celebrations

Family Search's question for July 29th was: How does your family celebrate significant milestones?

My family loves to go out to dinner or ice cream to celebrate something great, or console something sad. We have gone out to celebrate graduations, making it onto a dance team or a play. If we were celebrating or consoling me and we went to get ice cream, I always chose Baskin Robins. If we went out to dinner, I picked what ever my favorite place was at the time.

We went out for my elementary school, middle school, and high school graduation. We went out to console me when I didn't make the Varsity ballroom team, then we went out to celebrate when I got moved up a few months later! We went out after dance performances, and after my brother's play and musical performances. When I got married, we continued these kind of celebrations. We went out after I went through the temple for the first time. We went out for Gerson's college graduation, and mine. My dad also took us all out when Gerson got transferred instead of laid off. Every time we learned the gender of our kids, we would go out.

When it comes to religious celebrations, we have bigger dinners at home with our extended family.

We have family parties after baby blessings, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, and mission farewells/homecomings. At the family party after my baptism, my parents gave me my cat Tiger. At the family party after Benjamin's blessing, we got our first 5 generation picture. Luna's baby blessing was coupled with Christmas celebrations because she was blessed two days after Christmas.

We have lots of celebrations in our future, and I can't imagine the way we celebrate changing. 😉

Sacrifices for My Family

Family Search's question for July 22 was: What decisions have you made that have had a long-lasting positive effect on your life?

The decisions I have made that have greatly and positively effected me started out as seemingly giant sacrifices: leaving ballroom, staying in school after having kids, becoming a Stay-At-Home-Mom.

Ballroom was the joy of my life for about 10 years. My freshman year at BYU I was on the 10:00 team in their ballroom program. (Team levels from top to bottom: Tour, Back-up Tour, 1:00, 9:00/10:00) My coach was extremely honest, and at one point said that those who marry someone who isn't a dancer have a lower chance of making Tour Team. (Of course there are people who make Tour Team while being married to a "non-dancer." I guess it just depends on how much the coaches love you.) I can't remember if I heard that before or after Gerson and I got engaged, but I was not going to sacrifice marrying Gerson for a possible dance future.

I didn't make the 1:00 team and I didn't make the next level of Latin technique class. Obviously part of it absolutely could have been my own talent compared to others; but looking back on how my high school coach had to convince them to give me a chance in the first place, I don't think I was someone they really wanted. I met with one of the directors and just got a lot of ho-humming, no real answers.

I got moved up to the 1:00 team two days after the next semester started. I enjoyed myself, but getting adjusted to married life and starting my major classes, I realized that ballroom could no longer take a prominent role in my life. I left the BYU ballroom program, and joined a less time consuming adult team at Center Stage. My old private coach, Chris Williams, was the director of that team. I danced on that team for nine months, and then school got more time consuming, Gerson was starting anew job, and we were getting ready to start our family; so I said goodbye to ballroom for good.

I really miss dancing, but I do go to BYU's National Dancesport each March to watch the team events. My mom comes with me, and so do my kids. We really enjoy it.

I still had a couple years of school left after Benjamin was born. I talked about it in my last post, so I won't spend too much time here. For the most part staying in school was easy, but there were a few moments where it was really hard and I was tempted to drop out. Either way you look at it, I sacrificed to be a mom to Benjamin and to continue my education. I put took longer to graduate so that Benjamin could spend as little time with a babysitter as possible, and I spent money on daycare and placed my son in someone else's hands. I don't regret finishing school, and I would do it the same way if given the chance to do it again.

Choosing to be a SAHM after graduating college was a no brainer at the time, but when Luna was about 9 months old I started to feel depressed and claustrophobic. I had frequent bouts of anger, lashing out, crying, and sadness. Part of my frustrations is that we still live in a two bedroom apartment, are bursting at the seams, and don't appear to be anywhere near getting a house.

After some lengthy and emotional conversations with Gerson, we determined that the source of my problems was depression due to being a SAHM. We discussed the possibilities of a part-time job, me going out, more frequent dates, etc. Since then, things have improved a little. Gerson and I increased our dates from once a month to once a week. I also have ladies night once a week with two of my neighbor girl friends. I still get stressed and sad about our living situation. If I worked we could get a house, and pay off student loans, and car loans much sooner. But every time I look for job openings, I get a bad feeling before I can apply. I know that being home with my kids is where I need to be. We have found ways to be happy and productive. The kids and I exercise in the morning, I am Benjamin's pre-school teacher, and we play outside after Luna's nap. Things aren't perfect, but they are much better than last year.

Giving up dance, having a child before graduating college, and choosing to stay home with my kids were all choices I never imagined making. But I know that this was the path I was meant to take. I know that I have made the right choices, even if they were hard and emotional at times. I'm grateful to have the faith that I do. And I know that I can use these experiences to help my kids with their own decisions.

No, I'm Not Stupid. I'm Blessed.

Family Search's question for July 15 was: What were the biggest momentous events in your life and how have they changed you as a person?

I have had many momentous events happen in my life, but the three biggest so far have been getting married, having kids, and graduating from college.

I was 19 years old and a freshman at BYU when Gerson and I got engaged. Upon finding out, one of my classmates who I wasn't close to and didn't know very well, looked me right in a eye and in a voice filled with spite asked, "Are you stupid?" I was too stunned to say anything, and an other classmate jumped in and said, "Don't listen to her! I think it's wonderful, congratulations!"

A couple years later, upon hearing that I planned to stay home with my kids and get a job when they were older, a different classmate asked, "Don't you think your education is a waste of money then?"

Even though I don't even remember the names of either classmate, their comments hurt. And even though I didn't get to respond to either girl, knowing those opinions exist has made me realize how blessed I am to learn the Lord's plan for me as His daughter, and follow that plan. I also have been able to learn about the positives and blessings to the decisions that I have made, and I can teach those positives and blessings to my children about marriage, having children, and getting an education.

Marriage

Gerson and I got married in the temple. That means that our marriage is not "until death do you part." We are sealed for eternity. Our family truly is forever. We have a video of our engagement photos, my bridal photos, our photo shoot outside of the temple, and our reception. It's little clips edited together and set to music. Benjamin loves watching it. He calls it "Mommy and Daddy's temple." And when those songs come on in the car Benjamin will say, "Hey! This song is from Mommy and Daddy's wedding!" Benjamin can recognize a temple wherever we are, and he call's the Salt Lake City Temple "Mommy and Daddy's temple."

In a recent Family Home Evening, our lesson was about the first paragraph in The Family A Proclamation to the World. The first paragraph is about how marriage between man and woman is ordained of God. I showed Benjamin and Luna pictures from my and Gerson's wedding to teach them about marriage. I told them that me, Gerson, Benjamin, and Luna are all a family. I told them that Gerson is now apart of Grandma and Papa's family because he married me, and I told them that I am apart of Abuelita and Abuelito's family because I married Gerson, and I told them that they are apart of all of our families. I also told them that when they grow up Heavenly Father wants them to marry someone in the temple. It was one of our more spiritual FHE's.

Having Kids

Before I got married I actually didn't want kids. Because of my LDS upbringing, I knew that I would one day have kids, but I wasn't looking forward to it. A few months into marriage, I received some personal revelation that made me realize that I did indeed want kids. Everyone has an opinion on when the best time to have kids is: when both spouses have finished school, when at least one spouse has a full time job, when you own a house, their version of "being financially ready", etc. But at the end of the day only three opinions matter: yours, your spouse's, and Heavenly Father's.

Gerson and I decided that at least one of us should be graduated from college and working a full time job before we started having kids. Since Gerson is 6 years older than me, he graduated from college way before I did, and we were very blessed for him to get a job offer right away. We had Benjamin a year later. Benjamin spent the first two years of his life being babysat so that I could finish school, but I do not regret that. I wanted and needed to finish school. I was inspired to do so, and I know that it was a part of Heavenly Father's plan for me. I graduated BYU pregnant with Luna.

I'm currently pregnant with my third, and we are doing all we can to teach Benjamin and Luna about babies and prepare them for their baby sister. We have showed them ultrasound pictures, took them to one appointment so that they could hear the heartbeat, and we encourage them to talk to and hug their sister in my belly. The both appear excited and love talking about the baby.

Getting an Education

Those of you who have known me since at least high school, probably aren't surprised that I pursued a college education and graduated. But after Benjamin was born, it was really hard, and there were times where I was tempted to quit. I took a six month break, and when I went back I only took 6-8 credits a semester. That prolonged my graduation, but it did make it easier to get good grades, and we didn't spend too much on babysitting since I scheduled my classes so that Benjamin was only with a babysitter in 2-3 hour intervals, 2-3 days a week.

Benjamin was two years old, and I was pregnant with Luna when I graduated from BYU. Benjamin was there at my graduation, and he is in the pictures. My graduation photo is framed and visible in our living room, and my kids love pointing out who is all in the photo. As they get older I can explain to them what the photo represents. I'm so glad that I have a degree that I will use one day - and I actually do already use it. I have used some of the stuff I learned while preparing Relief Society lessons. I also plan on purchasing my own pre-school supplies and being Benjamin's pre-school teacher this year! I think it's a huge blessing that both Gerson and I have an education and will be teaching the importance of an education to our children.

My Birth Story

Family Search's question for July 8th was: What do you know about the day you were born?

I am my parents' first born. I was born on October 25, 1990; in the morning, I think 7:47 am. My mom had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes early on in her pregnancy, and so she and I were closely monitored throughout her pregnancy. Diabetes creates complications and big babies, so that's why we had to be watched.

About a week or two before I was due, the doctor determined that the numbers looked good and I could be born. So my mom was scheduled to be induced. After 24 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing, I was stuck and my mom was exhausted. My dad said that the contractions were stronger than my mom's pushes. So she had an emergency c-section.

C-section babies come out looking differently, and my mom told me that my dad thought I was dead when they first pulled me out, but I started crying, and they quickly showed me to my mom and zoomed out of there. My dad went with me and the nurses while the doctor sewed my mom up. My mom told me that she was thinking, "Glenn, where are you going?! What about me?!" But my dad wanted to make sure they brought the right baby home, so he followed the nurses who had me until I was properly ID'd and placed in the correct bassinet. In my dad's words, "I knew I was going to bring the right wife home, but I had to make sure that I brought the right baby home!"

My mom and I were in the hospital for three days. I'm sure I was tested for Diabetes because of my mom, but to this day I'm still good. My dad told me that on my first day of life he was changing my diaper and I grabbed the side of the hospital bassinet with my hand and pulled myself all the way over! He said that I was a strong baby, and I knew that I would have personality and character from that moment.

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent me to this family.

It's a... (and other pregnancy updates)

I'm a day away from being 21 weeks. When I last wrote about my pregnancy I was 12 weeks and very sick. Now I am doing much better! I got better in between 14 and 16 weeks. It was really great to be better, not just because feeling better feels great, but I'm able to live a normal day again. When I was sick, my wonderful mother took over cooking and cleaning. We came over to her house and ate dinner with my parents Monday-Thursday, and once a week my mom would clean my apartment (vacuum, sweep, mop, clean the bathroom). She was my personal savior for a few weeks. As much as I love and appreciate my mom cooking and cleaning for me, being able to clean my home, and cook my own food again has been incredibly rewarding.

I am also able to exercise again. I can't do as much as before, since my growing belly gets in the way and my shortness of breath tires me quickly. But being active in any way is what counts.

I've gained more weight that I wanted to at this point. Part of it is being so sick I couldn't exercise. The other part is my diet. When I was sick all I could eat was rice and pasta - carbs and starch. I also have days where I know I snack too much. I just have to be better, like I did during my pregnancy with Luna. Anyway, two days ago I tried to put on my wedding ring, and it wouldn't fit! So I wore a fake one to church. But today my wedding ring did fit, so I guess my fingers are fluctuating.

Well, yesterday was the day! My 20 week ultrasound! I asked my family and friends to vote and the final tally was 14 votes for girl, 21 for boy, and 8 for twins. (If you didn't notice, Luna got two votes. It's because when I asked her "Do you want the baby to be a boy or a girl?" She said, "girl." Then I asked, "Do you want the baby to be a girl or a boy?" She said, "boy." So she was just saying the last word I said. When I did the same thing to Benjamin, he said boy both times.)

Before the ultrasound, I made cupcakes and had both pink and blue frosting ready. After the ultra sound, I put the color of frosting in the middle of each cupcake that represents the gender of our baby, then put pink frosting on half of the cupcakes and blue on the other half. We stopped by our neighbors on the way to my parents' (where Benjamin and Luna were), and they got to bite into a cupcake. My parents had prepared Benjamin and Luna because when we walked into their house Benjamin said, "Mommy! Did you bring cupcakes?!"

Benjamin, Luna, and my dad all picked a blue frosted cupcake, and my mom and my brother Michael picked pink. They all bit into their cupcakes and...

PINK CENTER! WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!

That was definitely a surprise, since Gerson and I both thought we were having a boy. Out in the parking lot of the OBGYN office I asked Gerson if he was sad, because I knew that he would love for Benjamin to have a brother since Gerson grew up as the only son. He said, "No. I am a little sad for Benjamin. But on the bright side for him, he gets his own room!" This is true. Whenever we upgrade from the two bedroom we are currently living in, Benjamin will get his own room and Luna and Baby Girl will be sharing as sisters!

After the cupcakes were bitten into, Benjamin wanted to change to pink, but I'm a mean mom and told him  that he had to finish his first cupcake. I told him that the baby in my tummy was a girl like Luna. He smiled, and seemed to understand. A couple hours later I asked him if he knew what the baby was, he said, "A girl, like Luna!"

Now I get to go through my storage and pull out all of Luna's baby clothes!