Isn't She Lovely?

Here SHE is! We couldn't wait any longer to find out the gender of our little one. Last week we went to Fetal Photo where my friend Kimi Fry did the ultrasound. Thanks to her we got in at the last minute. At my 14 week appointment my doctor thought the baby looked like a boy, so we were very surprised to hear we are going to have a daughter. I've been feeling a little overwhelmed because I had started planning a blue nursery and we had names narrowed down. Now I need to start thinking pink and thinking of more girl names. That aside, Bret is excited to have a "Baby Riss" and it is nice to finally know what is kicking around in me!

Did you suspect we are expecting?

Big news for the Newton family... we are anxiously awaiting a tiny addition to make us a family of three! I'm sure when people read this there will be a collective sigh of relief because Bret and Cherissa are FINALLY having kids. After being married six years, we just couldn't wait any longer. So, I am about 10-11 weeks along and due in January. This may seem a little early to make this announcement, but people in my ward found out because I was absent for most of our Pioneer Trek and green in the face when I was there. People at my work were also wondering if I had Swine Flu and why I wasn't getting any better. So at the risk of the news leaking unintentionally on Facebook, we decided to share our excitement early with everyone!

I'm excited to chat with all of you about it in person and can't wait to hear all the good advice for dealing with morning sickness, fatigue, and all the other wonderful symptoms of pregnancy!

What I Wished I Would Have Said?

Last Saturday was tough! After a chaotic effort to set up flags for each house in our ward for Flag Day, I had to finish turning in the last of my Young Women's permission forms for the Stake Pioneer Trek that is this week. I was stressed and tired, so when I took the forms to the person collecting them from our Stake, I wasn't fully prepared for what happened next. To keep it short, there had been a mix-up and he thought I hadn't turned in any forms, when I had turned in the majority of them two weeks before. Anyways, once this person realized I had all my trek forms in order, he said to me, "I just thought you were too young to have the depth to understand how important these permission forms are."

What did I say?
"Oh, well I am young....but I'm just glad it all worked out."

What I wished I would have said?
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
"I didn't realize age had anything to do with one's capabilities."
"Well I just thought you were too old and slow to pick up on the fact that I have this all taken care of."
"Age aside, the Bishop seems to think I have enough depth."
"I may be young, but I think I can handle collecting and delivering forms."
"Let me give you my card. Call me and I'll schedule you for a session to learn some interpersonal skills."
"Wow, that is the kind of statement you think in your mind, but don't actually say outloud because it is inappropriate."
"Don't worry, my young age will serve me well on the trail next week."

I'm trying to let it go...

Aloha

It has only been two weeks since Bret and I got home from Hawaii and I already feel like I need another vacation. Life feels very chaotic, especially because our time in Maui was so idyllic. Bret golfed, we did some hiking, but mostly we just sat at our resort enjoying the beautiful views. We decided to take a break from scuba diving and just snorkle. Let me say this, snorkling is so lame compared to diving. That is one thing we will do different next time, and yes I'm already thinking about the next time!