i'm a big boy now!

By the title of this post it sounds likd Daylen is potty trained, I wish that were the case, but no. Actually we made the switch to the "Big Boy Bed". This last Tuesday night was Daylen's first night sleeping in his new bed. It's just a set of twin mattress and box springs we've had, but we talked up his "Big Boy Bed" all day so he would be excited to sleep on it. He was a little nervous at first, but we just kept our same night time routine and he went down really easy and stayed there. (Of course we always close his door and he doesn't know how to open doors yet, but he did stay in bed.) The only difference was that he woke up way too early, 6:00 AM! Too early for me anymore. He's been sleeping well in it ever since. I just hope this keeps up and the routine of it will stick even when he learns he can actually get out of bed and open the door himself. If I don't open his door fast enough for him he knocks and calls for me. I would post a picture of the bed, but it's not really that exciting, he doesn't have any cool little boy blankets, just ones we already had, I figure he really doesn't care or know the difference. Plus I couldn't get Daylen to pose on his bed.

So now we have the crib set up in Kate's new room, I need to get cracking on finishing her baby quilt, anyone have a quilting circle? I just bought a curtain rod today so I can hang her curtains I finally finished, as in cut some length off and hemmed up. Next I need to decide what to paint, I'm hoping to bring a dresser back from home when we go next week for my sister, Rachel's wedding. Things are coming together, only 7 weeks left!

together again...catching up

Brad was in China with the camera when I passed my 7 month mark, so I couldn't take a picture. Here I am a little over a week later, still growing! I've developed a pregnancy pain in my right hip area this time which isn't so fun. The nurse gave me some stretches to do which seem to be helping so far. It just hurts to walk.



Daylen was playing outside yesterday with a couple of his balls and when I went to check on him I found him like this trying to reach one of this balls.

I just thought he looked so cute and peaceful here.

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So Brad was in China all last week, with our camera, so not only was I lonely without him, but I couldn't blog without new pictures! Nor did I really want to say Brad was gone on my blog while he was gone. He left Friday the 11th and got back Friday the 18th, which was a day earlier than planned. He went with his boss to scope out the world trade show, find suppliers, get cheaper pricing for different items, stuff like that. They had a productive trip, but were ready to come home, thankfully a day early even! I got to talk to him a couple of times a day usually via web cam. Funny how when I was waking up he was getting ready for bed, then in my late afternoon he was just getting up. I talked my sister, Rachel, into spending a couple of nights with me, and then my other sister, Jamie, came last Wednesday with her 3 kids to keep Daylen and I company, thanks again Jame! So we were able to bare the solitude a little better. Here are a couple of pictures from Brad's adventure. This first one is of Brad at the airport.

Brad with his boss, Bryan, at some park.
This is the view outside their hotel room, Brad said the air was always smoggy, they only saw the sun a couple of times. With 20 million people in the city was do you expect?

These are the lines at a McDonalds near their Hotel. Holy cow!
This is just one of the locations where this massive Trade Show was taking place. Brad did a LOT of walking. He and Bryan treated themselves to foot massages at the end of the day.
It was definitely an adventure, Brad tried foods he would be happy never having to try again, one of them being jellyfish. He had a good time overall, but is glad to be home and I think his body is finally adjusted from the jet lag. Daylen and I are especially glad to have him home again with us, we love you Brad!

a few recent pictures

Here is Daylen with Grandma and Grandpa Gasaway before they left to go back home to Alaska. He was being a stinker and wouldn't smile for the camera.

He was sad to see his cousins, Garret, Brett, Dustin, and Derek leave after spending a week with them. (Dustin was already buckled in the car ready to go.)

Friday Brad had a mission reunion and his Mission President was able to be there. He is from Brazil and is now serving in the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy I believe. He doesn't speak much English and I don't speak any Portugese so I just smiled while Brad talked to him. :)

In Memory of...

We received a shock last Thursday, March 27, that I hope none of you ever has to experience. My very sweet amazing sister-in-law, Venecsa Cook Gasaway, was killed in a tragic car accident leaving behind her husband and 4 boys. Another sister-in-law, Mandy, has written a beautiful tribute to Venecsa on her blog so I am posting a link to her site for you to read. Venesca truly was one of the most amazing women I know so to get to know her a little better please read this tribute by clicking on Mandy's name.

It is at times like this when I am so grateful to have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a knowledge of His Plan of Salvation. Although we will miss Venecsa dearly we know that through the sealing power of Temple ordinances we will see her again, and she will be with her family again. As Venesca's sister, Amelia, said at the funeral service we are not saying goodbye, just see ya later.