A year review and a kickstart to a greater one.

What a whirlwind year. This has by far been the hardest and best year of my life.
January-April: Our last winter semester ever, 2nd semester managing academy, Chase started teaching seminary, we told the world that our Amelia was coming, and of course morning sickness.

May-July: Our last semester of college! This block of time was a bit of a doozy for us. At 27 weeks pregnant we were afraid that I was leaking amniotic fluid, so we went to the hospital and discovered that I was 75% effaced, and beginning to dilate. I was monitored for 24 hours and given steroid shots in case preterm labor decided to happen. I was put on 2 months of bed rest. We were only barely coming up on midterms. I felt hopeless. After a couple of weeks of getting adjusted physically and mentally, I discussed my options with my teachers. I ended up being able to finish 3 of my classes through email, and my other 3 were made into medical incompletes of which I could pick up and finish during the upcoming Fall semester. I tried very hard to be positive, and it was great to have somewhat of a plan for my degree, but it was very hard to feel trapped and as though all control of my life had been taken away. I was difficult to see what the purpose of this trial was. Chase had to discover how to go to school, teach, cook, and take care of me. We had to learn to work together in a way we never had before. Eventually the 2 months past, and we were able to walk in graduation. Oh, happy day! Yes, I said WALK.

August-December: August brought some frustrating waiting, as the doctors told us that they were sure the baby would come as soon as I came off if bed rest. Each week brought more centimeters of dilation, but no labor. We decided to leave our managing job, and move down to Idaho falls because chase was teaching at Bonneville. So, at 39 weeks pregnant we packed up and moved everything down. We left a mattress in our apartment so that we could just have the baby at Madison, and then just go home to IF. Two days before my due date we went into the doctor, and were told that I was 7 centimeters dilated. The doctor didn't want to risk sending me home, because he was sure that the baby would come quickly when my true labor ever decided to come. So, off to the hospital we went. I was given an epidural, my water was broken, and the waiting began. After a couple of hours the doctors were shocked, my body just did not want to go into labor. They decided to give me just a little bit of pitocin, and that seemed to do the trick. Amelia arrived at 7:23 pm after about 45 minutes of pushing. At 8 lbs. 1 oz. she was perfection.

The last four months have been an amazing learning experience. Through sleep deprivation, learning to smile, first giggles, lots of blowouts, rolling over, eating rice cereal, and sleep training Chase and I have learned how to better rely on one another and our Heavenly Father. After a few weeks of getting used to having Amelia, I went to work on finishing my classes. I work on portraits, ceramics, and darkroom developing each day. Fortunately I had my super hero, Chase, to help me with Amelia so that I could get work done and still manage to get some sleep.
We ended the year being able to spend time with both of our families, go to Seattle at Christmas time, and getting Amelia on a sleep schedule in which she sleeps about 12 hours at night!

I was able to learn so much about myself, my husband, and the gospel this year. Through my personal trials I learned better patience with myself and in the Lord's plan and timing. I have greater learned what it means to be sealed as husband and wife, as well as family. I have been humbled and amazed that I could be entrusted to such a pure spirit and that one being could be so perfect and loved in my eyes. I have learned about myself as an artist, and what my goals are for the future. I have learned how to believe in myself.
I am more than excited for this new year. I am excited to continue to watch the growth of Amelia. I am excited to feel my love increase. I am excited to blog. I am excited to work on getting my body back to pre-bed rest and pre-pregnancy conditions. I am excited to accomplish my goals,  do art, and read books.
Here's to 2013.