My Best Friends

I am so blessed to have so many great people in my life. Landon is my very best friend. He can always make me laugh and I appreciate everything he does for me and Emma.

Kristin is also another best friend. She is so dear to me. I have known her my entire life. Our parents have been best friends since their college years. Kristin has always been there for me. Primary, Young Woman's, Piano, High School, Logan and so on.

There are 3 other couples where I live and they are so much fun. Boltons, Fosters, and Quists. We love getting together to stay up late and laugh. We had a Christmas Dinner and made tree's out of brownies.



Nursing school best friends! I could not have gotten through Nursing School with out these cute girls. We all helped each other along the way. We have had a lot of laughs and crying, but more laughs. I'm going to miss not seeing them everyday.

Of course! My sisters are also my best friends. They always have been and always will be. I will move away, graduate from school, meet new people, but when I am 60 years old my sisters will still be there for me.

There are many other people that I am friends with but need pictures. All of my sister-in-laws: Emily, Amanda and Laura....you are my best friends too. Growing up my mom and dad were my parents. Now that they have raised me and I am out of the house they are becoming my best friends. I just want to thank everyone for always being there for Landon and I. We couldn't ask to be surrounded by better people. Love you All!

Emma is One Month Old

Emma turned One month old on the 17th. She is such a little doll. I just love having a little baby in the house. She brings such a peaceful feeling into our home. (Yes, even all hours of the night). Emma really is a good baby. She doesn't cry a whole lot and she loves, loves, LOVES to be snuggled. Emma also enjoys taking showers with either mom or dad. She has only had a few baths because, for the most part, we wait until she has a blow out and then in the shower she goes. I think she likes having the water splash all over her, and then loves to be snuggled in a warm blanket from the dryer.

Poor little scratch. I have to keep her hands covered. That is her first little scratch.
Emma met her cousin Cody for the first time. Cody started to smile and then play with the back of her head. I don't think she liked having her hair grabbed :)....it's ok Cody. We still love you.
This picture is of Landon. You can see where Emma got her dark hair, skin, hair line and long tongue from. Landon has always kept his tongue out like that, he still does it when he is in deep concentration. Emma already keeps her tongue out like that. She is only 2.5 weeks in that picture she seems older.

Emma has been a little smiler. You can't tell me it is just gas, I don't buy that. She really is a happy baby and has smiled from the beginning. Everyday she smiles more and more.

Licorice Incentive

Landon has always taken his church callings serious, he goes above and beyond to do his work. He is the young men 1st councilor in our ward and the boys love him. On Sundays Landon brings the long licorice rope and chops pieces off if the boys: don't have their scriptures, white shirt, tie, shined shoes, were not in mutual the week before, or if they were late. It really is helping, the boys are on time if not early and look nicer at church. One boy got licorice chopped off for not having church shoes on. He told Landon he didn't have any. The next week Landon gave him his pair of church shoes and told him they meant a lot to him because he wore them on his mission. Landon told him to take good care of them and if he didn't Landon would take them back.
Another time, Landon gave a boy in the ward 2 of his ties. This boy is not a member and is starting to come with his mom. He needed a tie and so Landon gave him a few.
That's just a few nice thing of many that Landon as done to help someone in our ward. I can't get that mad at him when he is late coming home because it is usually him helping someone in need.

I love you Landon.

Emma!

My sister Ruby was so sweet to come visit me and Emma. She lives near Provo with 5 kids, one of which is still a new baby. I can barely handle this one baby. How does she do it??? Anyway, she brought her camera and shot a bunch of pictures just having fun and finding what ever we could around my house. I think they turned out pretty cute. Thanks Ruby.

Emma's Arrival and First Week Here

October 17th, 2011. 11:09 pm. 7 lb 3 0z, 20" Emma Deru Arrived. She came one week early. She knew it was time to come because this is the birthday of her Grandma Griffiths, Great Grandma Biddulph and Great Great Grandma Jolly.

Bonnie came to visit me in the hospital. I ended up letting her stay in the room for the delivery. I think she really enjoyed that. It was fun having her here. My niece Olivia picked out that bear.


This was my fan club. Both sets of parents, and Bonnie. And of course Landon.

It was so neat to be able to hold Emma for the first time. It is hard to see in this picture, but both grandmas are behind Landon watching us. They are wonderful moms and I hope to be a mom just like both of them. The delivery was better than I could imagine. I was in labor 7 hours, the epidural was great, I could still move my legs but was not in any pain. I only pushed for 20 minutes and then Emma came without any problems.

This was Emma's first day home. She has already changed and looks different since then.
She is constantly smiling. People say newborn babies don't really smile, that it is just gas. I think that is crazy talk. She really is smiling because she is happy, I just know it.

My sister-in-law Amanda brought her girls over to meet their cousin. They are so cute together. Emma has lots of cousins that already love her.

Emma loves to snuggle. She slept on her dad for 5 hours. Probably the longest she has ever slept at one time. Her poor little left arm is bruised, it is already starting to fade a way. She also
had jaundice and had to sleep in that bed for 2 nights at home. Those first couple nights where hard. She was waking up every hour to eat for 5 minutes at a time. On top of that, I had to try and keep the portable wand on her so she could get better. She already does look a lot better.


I love you Emma!

Before Emma Arrived.

Here I am at 37 weeks. Landon and I went to Park City for conference weekend with his family, it was a lot of fun and really relaxing.

Landon was sad to sell his scooter. It was nice to have for the summer but he knew it was time to get rid of it.
Landon's mom and and my mom put on a family baby shower for me. It was so nice of them. I have so many cute girl things for Emma. My brother-in-law Alec made that metal sign for "Emma" before he left on his mission.

This is me (of course :), at the hospital for my last clinical for school. A nurse I work with just had to take a picture of me :). Best of all, I don't ever have to wear those W.S.U. scrubs anymore. Now all I have left is school on Thursdays, graduation in Dec. and my big test sometime in January. Then I will be a Registered Nurse. I have been working as a Licensed Practical Nurse and I love it.

Some of Lifes Changes

Landon and I have had a great summer, we have done a lot, and a few things have changed. Landon and I used to be cub-scout leaders together and recently he was released and put in as the 1st Counselor of the Young Mens. Instead of just one night a week together it is 2 separate nights, with camp-outs on weekends, 50 mile hike and preparing lessons. No, I'm not complaining, it is just busier than before. I am proud of him, the boys in our ward really need someone like him and he is doing a great job. As for me, I have to entertain the 8 year old boys without him :).

Another change... We worked at the hospital together as C.N.A's, I moved up my position to an L.P.N (Licensed Practical Nurse), I love it and enjoy working as a nurse, I definietly learn a lot everyday. Landon just quit the hospital, so we will no longer be working together. I knew this day would come, that we wouldn't be working together anymore. I am kinda sad about it, we met through work and I have enjoyed every bit of it. As for his new job. He is an Athletic Trainer and on Saturdays he deals with the injuries at Little League games, during the week he goes to local High School sport games, rehab clinic at WSU, teaches a power metric workout class to athletes, will help out at triathlons, marathons and events that need athletic trainers and goes wherever he is needed.



That is me as baby! Cute huh... The chair I am sitting in is nearly 25 years old or so. I don't know why, but I love that chair, it is comfortable and I have used it my whole life, even took it with me when I got married. Unfortunately I have no room for it and it I have to get rid of it, although still in great condition. The picture underneath is a rocking chair my father-in-law made for my mother-in-law, she rocked all 5 of her children in it, it is also around 25 years old or so. I feel very lucky to have it in my home, it means a lot to have an antique that belongs to Landons family and knowing that when he was a baby he was rocked in that chair. I know I will get a lot of use out of it, and am grateful to have it.



before

This is just for fun... A nurse I work with gave me that changing table and I fixed it up. I think it looks really cute. I painted it, modge-podged fabric on the shelves and made the little changing pad cover. I can't wait to put things in the baskets.

after

My Turn To Announce...

Two sisters, a sister-in-law and a best friend with babies. Well it's my turn. Most people know that I am expecting, but to make it official I am due October 24th. Landon and I are having a baby GIRL! We are so excited, we have waited enough time for a baby to come and she will be here in 16wks; I am 24 wks along now. This pregnancy has been great, I have not been sick once (except when I ate candy for dinner:). I have many great examples of good parents all around me and I am so happy to be having a baby with my other sisters. This little girl will have so many fun cousins to play with.

23 Wks

New Family Members

My sister-in-law Amanda delivered a beautiful little girl in May.
Olivia Jane Deru
Arrived May 17, 2011
6 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches long



My sister Bonnie delivered the most perfect little boy in April.
Cody Clark Hoellein was born April 27, 2011 at 7:51 pm
7 lbs 10 oz
19 inches



It is always so fun to have new family members, especially precious little babies, my sister Ruby is due in a week and I will have another nephew. Both baby blessings were so special, it's great to have so many priesthood holders in our family.

Welcome Home Elderu Deru

Landon's brother Braydon returned home from his mission last month and is doing awesome. He was such a great missionary and it's great to have him home. Braydon has a wonderful personality and is so easy to get along with. Welcome Home!