Bountiful Internship

I am a little behind schedule (with all the much more important and exciting things to talk about), but I completed my 8 week internship a bit ago! I am SO HAPPY about it. We are already saving quite a bit of money in our reduced vehicle fuel consumption. 

This is my final link in the chain that I used to count down my commutes, and the pin that I wore along with my nametag every day I was at the nursing home. I'm happy to have that phase behind me. I learned quite a bit, and gained some good experience. I hope that I can continue to have great learning experiences as I continue with my education.

April Showers?

This is what we woke up to this morning. Yes, it's April 16th...And we got 4 inches of snow last night. We had a little snow before we turned in, but it sure kept coming. I'm ready for spring. We are packing up our apartment, and I have yet to pack the box of winter clothes without opening it up again for more winter weather. And packing our coats was definitely on our "to do" list for today. Hopefully we can pack them away VERY soon.

Drumroll!!

We're going to have a BOY!!!!

The sonograph was very exciting, and we had lots of questions. The technician who worked with us answered all our questions, and was explaining why she was taking certain measurements for us. It was a great time. We couldn't be more thrilled, and thanks to everyone for your interest!

The due date will remain August 27th, and as of earlier this week, our little fellow was 13 ounces.

It's a Baby!!!

For those of you without sonograph reading skills, you'll just have to wait for emily to publish the good news.

The Fulfillment of the Mullins legend?

It has been very exciting speculating to see if we will have a baby girl or a baby girl. And for those of you who don't already know about my family, my parents have been blessed with 9 grandsons. Everybody (especially my mother) is anxious for a granddaughter, and there's always another shot at it, right? Well, curiosity is mounting as we will learn the gender of our little one just ONE BUSINESS DAY away. That's right, we have an appointment set for Monday.

My sister (also expecting) posted about the Mullins Legend, and I could never rival her way of writing the story, so please, check it out on her blog:

http://moeandco.blogspot.com/2009/04/dream.html

And we'll let you know!!!

Have a Happy Easter.

Is that what I think it was?!?

Are you sure that 20 weeks is the halfway point in pregnancy? I mean, do I really look halfway there? I'm only 19 weeks, but I have lots of popping out to do, don't I? And eating meals still does have a big impact on how much I'm sticking out. And in public, when I don't wear a tight shirt, people still don't "notice" that I'm pregnant.
We were talking to some friends, and I decided that I must be feeling the baby move, although I have not known it yet. So, over this past weekend, with lots of time sitting and watching Conference, I payed attention to my tummy. And I HAVE been feeling movement. Until now, I think I've been blaming little pokes and shifts on my digestion. Anyone else ever get that feeling? What can I say? The doctor, and other reading materials that I have been finding facts in, have been describing the baby moving as "flutters" and "flitters." Sorry, that sounds really dainty and delicate, and I have definitely NOT been feeling dainty or delicate. Those words always make me think of the twitter-patted segment of Bambi or something. Or like my heart will skip a beat or alter speeds or something. Odd. So....I guess I should ask people "Describe a 'flutter' to me" or "If I were to experience a 'flitter,' would I expect my heart to speed up?" (I'll put my ethnographic interview skills to work here....Yeah grad school.)

And what's even better than me feeling the baby move is that Benjamin has felt the movements, too! Either we're both making it up, or one of us is just so convincing that the other can't deny the sensations. It's fun to lay on my back, and try to relax, clear my mind, and feel a poke in my lower tummy. Almost like a gentle flick from the inside. How else have the ladies out there noticed early baby movements? I'm curious what sorts of words are better to describe this process.

ps: if you haven't voted yet, there are only a few days left to do so! Let us know what you vote!!

Mission Reunions

One of many exciting things about General Conference is the mission reunions that surround the weekend. Yesterday, we got to attend three mission reunions: Nauvoo, San Diego, and Denver.

First, we met with all the former senior missionaries of the Illinois Nauvoo Mission. After much mingling and hugging, we relocated with the Sisters to a nearby restaraunt and began the REAL reunion. It was so much fun to catch up with everyone that was able to come. 

Rich, Steve (the NRI Guy), baby Stin, and Buck

Miller, Buck, Roundy

Sanders (and husband), Mullins (and husband)

Sister White, Stinson, and Rich

Second, we got to attend Benjamin's California San Diego Mission reunion. We mingled a little, and got to hug President and Sister Packer. 

Lastly, we got together with one of the sisters that I lived with and learned from in the Colorado Denver North Mission. Alanna Allen organized an informal reunion for the missionaries she has kept in contact with, and we stopped by to catch up for a few minutes. 

Alanna

After much smiling, and telling people that we're finishing school, and starting grad school in the fall, and that we will have a mini Heaton with us for grad school, we were beat. It was a great evening, and we're so grateful to have so many blessings and fond memories with our fellow former missionaries. At least for me, I think serving a mission has greatly shaped who I am, and who I will be in the years to come. Thanks everyone. We love being with you!