NAME OUR BABY!!!!!

Because Randy and I have had such difficulty naming the one currently known as "little man" we made a bracket full of some of our top favorite names that we can't decide on. Please feel free to fill out the bracket and let us know what name you end up with in the "finale."

THANKS!
Ashley and Randy

Harken Camping 2011

I first must say that after Harken camping this weekend, I am forever grateful for running water and a restroom close to my bedroom. The restrooms next to our trailer this year were broken, and so I got to hike up the hill around 2 am and 4 am each morning to use a restroom....It's good to be home near a CLOSE toilet.

Other than missing restrooms Harken camping went off without a hitch. We got to camp around 3:30pm, set up the trailer and then went to our fancy Mexican restaurant. We then went to the annual movie which happened to be Cars 2. My nephew Rylan could not have been more over-joyed as "mckween" is his favorite shirt, juice box, toy, etc. Then once the movie finished we went to our first Wal-mart trip and bought a tent (due to some miscommunication and bad assumptions Katlin and Mike found themselves shelter- less.)
The next day we went to a temple session minus Rachel (aka the sitter) and Rylan. It was really neat because we did sealings this year. We had a bunch of family names so it was even more special than normal. My dad was able to sit proxy for my grandfather to be sealed to his mother and father, and then my great grandfather was also sealed to his parents....the spirit was there and I think they were too!
After the temple session we went bowling...While we were eating lunch there, someone read you could buy old bowling pins. Randy came up with the idea of purchasing one and making it the official Manti trophy. Everyone loved the idea...and well long story short the dirty nasty pin now proudly resides in our office. Randy won this year with a whopping score of 161! I wasn't able to bowl due to my rather large belly, but I like to think the little guy must have been good luck. After bowling we made another Wal-mart trip to buy some card games. After playing a new version of UNO, the boys went and saved our Pageant seats. We then went to the traditional turkey dinner. Still pretty nasty as always, but hey, it's tradition. Finally we saw the pageant. It was wonderful like it has been the last 17+ years we've seen it. Harken camping comes only once a year, but it sure was fun and exciting. I'm actually shocked at how smooth it went this year. Really no mishaps. I suppose it means next year will be extra fun, especially since we'll be joined by an 8 month old...who I'm sure will be super naughty if he's anything like his mommy....I'm totally looking forward to it.

The Little Man's Debut

IT'S A BOY

We are having a baby boy October 10th!!!!

Randy's first attempt at Christmas lights....not too shabby!

Opening up...it's never been my thing.

Anyone who knows me, probably knows I'm a closed book. I don't like to share my feelings, and I REALLY hate to show emotion. I don't usually tell people things because I'm a private person. I usually suffer my own trials on my own. However lately I have been in the deepest darkest place. I recently read a blog where a woman was able to freely express her emotions in a terrible situation and she called it therapeutic. So here's my story....if you care to read. If anything I could sure use some prayers...maybe even a hug.

In July Randy and I had the most amazing experience. We had a beautiful positive sign on a pregnancy test. We had been trying for a while and this came unexpected, as so many negative signs had me doubting we would ever conceive. The positive sign occurred the same day we found our home we would be moving into. We loved the neighborhood across the street from a pool and playground. We loved the loft that could now be filled with children's toys. And oh how we loved the "pink" room that would become our very first nursery to house our very first child. Life couldn't have been better. We had jobs, were graduated, were moving into a GORGEOUS home, and now were expecting our first....life was perfect. It was a very easy pregnancy. I only was sick in the mornings while brushing my teeth, and then I was fine the rest of the day. Food didn't taste as good, but I didn't care. In September we went for our very first appointment and ultrasound. I had been so excited to this point, but as we were sitting in the waiting room I had this horrible feeling. Randy was reading baby magazines and talking about all the things we needed to buy and things we needed to look forward to. I just sat there quietly. My check-up was great and I seemed healthy. Then when we had an ultrasound we knew something was wrong. The baby measured 4 weeks too small. Our precious little baby had no heart beat....we had lost our baby. I have never known the pain and agony I feel now. I ended up having to have a d and c. It was the worst couple of days of my life. Reading the paperwork and viewing the word "abortion" just made me sick. Taking medication that I knew wasn't safe during pregnancy made me cry harder. I don't think I have gone a night since without crying myself to sleep. We continue to try with no success. Every day is a battle. I work in a health care facility where pregnant woman constantly come up asking me questions. Or complain about morning sickness. All I think is what I would give to have morning sickness....so I would know that my baby is there.

So that's it. Randy and I aren't horrible people that are selfish and don't want children. There is NOTHING we want more in this life than to be parents....We lost our precious baby, and I still don't know how to get over it.

Happy Christmas

This last year has been a very busy year for us. Starting with tax season for me again and now it is just around the corner. I am still working at the same accounting firm here in Laramie and Ashley is still in school. Now for some of the fun stuff we did this year. In June we went camping with Ashley’s family in Manti, Utah. Every year Ashley’s family goes and we love to go too as we were married in the Manti Temple. We always go to the Mormon Miracle Pageant, which portrays the history of the church.

In July I turned 30 years old… can you believe it? Ashley surprised me by getting me a few days off work and we went to my grandparents cabin for a family gathering. She organized the whole thing and I had no clue what was going on. It was great. It is one of our favorite places to go and we had such a great time. She also asked many of my friends and family to write me something for my 30th birthday. I would like to thank all of you who did so.

This is Ashley’s final year in pharmacy school. YES!!! This time next year she will be Dr. Luck. I am so proud of her and all the hard work and sacrifice she has gone through to accomplish this goal. During this last year of school she is not actually doing any bookwork, but is at different locations doing her rotations. Each month she goes to a different pharmacy and works. None of these rotations are in Laramie so we only see each other on the weekends and breaks that she has. She will have four more after the New Year and then graduation.

Ashley and I continue to stay busy with our church callings. Ashley is now in Young Womens helping the girls with their personal progress. I was called just after the New Year to be the Young Men’s president. They are both challenging callings, but we have a lot of fun in them. During the year that I have been involved in Young Mens, we have activated one young man, had a convert baptism, an eagle scout, and one of the boys who graduated last May is now preparing for his mission. As you can see this calling keeps me very busy, but I really do enjoy it.

Next year with Ashley graduating we could be moving, but we will keep you all informed. Who knows where life will lead us but we are excited to start this new journey in our lives together and as always with the Lord.

We love you and know we wish the best for you in the coming year. May Heavenly Father continue to bless you. We know the church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and the atonement is a wonderful gift from him. Please remember the true meaning for this holiday season our Savior Jesus Christ whom we are so grateful for. Through him we can be saved and live with our families forever.

Love, Randy & Ashley