My Handy Man!

So I am soo stooooooooked! We finally completed the french doors project! We now have properly placed doors to our "backyard" (soon to change sometime in the future)! It was so stupid because before, in order to do some awesome BBQin', we had to walk to the other side of the house - through a bedroom - to get to the sliding glass doors that went to the backyard. Lame, no? Well, we fixed that problem and it only took a total of 3 days! How I love my Handy Hubby! Can I say that I am just blessed to have someone who knows a lot about this stuff and if not, knows someone who does? I LOVE YOU ALEX! Best Mother's day present EVER!

What is this feeling that's come over me?

I've never really thought much about it before, but after some recent reflection on these last few years of my life, I have come to the conclusion that I'm a crybaby...for good reason :)

Ever since the first time I've ever bore my testimony, I have recognized what it's like to feel the Spirit. The physical and emotional changes that happen - a calmness even though my heart is racing and a genuine peaceful feeling all over. As I was pregnant almost two years ago, the feelings increased and uncontrollable sobbing has been added to the list of changes. Even after the pregnancy, I have no control over my emotions :P

A couple weekends ago, I was on the program in church to sing in sacrament. I tried soo hard to be as prepared as I could be so that I wouldn't be nervous {voice shaking, squeaking}...I practiced throughout the week in the chapel to get the feeling of what it would be like {minus all the people}. My pianist was amazing, she helped me through it :) She helped my confidence grow...

{which brings me to this quick side story: For as long as I could remember, I loved to sing. I sang in choirs since I was in the first grade, up until high school (because my high school didn't have a choir/singing program). After not singing regularly for about 2-3 whole years, and right before I was getting married, I decided I would sing in the singles ward I was in. Without much preparation (I was thinking, I don't need to prepare, I've done this! I've sung a gazillion solos, I will be fine!), I got up to the pulpit and began to sing. Was it good? I don't know, most likely not. Did I feel the Spirit in the room? Nope; I was waaay too nervous. How did I know I was nervous? My voice shook the entire time. Basically, I was mortified. I wanted to hide in the corner and just cry. In a matter of 2 minutes, I lost complete confidence in myself...}

And as Sunday crept closer, I knelt down in prayer every day. At first I was asking Heavenly Father to help me sing at my best (just as I had in the past), but then as the week went on, I realized it wasn't about how great of a singer I am...it's all about the Spirit - how I can instill that peacefulness I feel into others. I knew then that I had been praying for all the wrong reasons. The night before, I prayed my heart out, I don't care how I sing, just let them feel the Spirit. Let them know how much I believe in this song.

Sunday came and talks were given. My turn. Deep breath. I sang the first lines....

...all of a sudden, something took over. That familiar feeling was stronger than ever. I not only opened my voice, but I opened my heart. I broke down in the middle of the song to the point where I had to just speak the words. I finished the song and I was prompted to bear my testimony.

{SORRY SO LONG! When I started this post, I didn't think it would be this long...but then I look up and apparently I think I'm some kind of storyteller! Bear with me!}

I left the chapel with tears streaming down my face and I went straight into the restroom. I thought that I would have the feeling of embarrassment again, but it wasn't that kind of feeling...I didn't feel like I wish I could take it all back and start over. It was at that moment that I realized that it was the strongest I have ever felt of the Spirit and I couldn't be more happy of what I did. I knew that my prayers were answered. :)

And now, after a night of visiting teaching, my companion is going through some crazy stuff. She's going through IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and she was telling us how things are going (she started her first ever IVF treatment at the beginning of this month). She explained to us that right before she was to start all her meds (and there are A LOT - no joke!), she had a little panic attack...doubt was trying to butt in and her husband gave her a blessing. FYI: Blessings are miracles! As she was telling us what her husband was telling her in her blessing, I couldn't help but tear up. Our friend we were teaching totally pointed out the Spirit - not only in the room but how it is constantly with my companion. We wrapped up and said our goodbyes and outside as we were leaving, my companion told me how she started blogging her IVF experience. {did i mention that I found my blog password YESTERDAY?! Coincidence? Oh, I think not!} She texted me her blog address {myinvitroblog.blogspot.com} and I went home and seriously read the entire thing. She is an inspiration and even though we are new friends and don't know much about one another, I am truly blessed to know her and have her in my life.

Even though my singing in church may look like nothing when compared to what my visiting teaching companion has gone through these last five and half years, I know that she and I are blessed to have the Spirit. I am soo grateful and humbled for the familiarity of the Spirit. Tonight, it was confirmed to me that the Spirit can do miracles, big or small, no matter the circumstances.

Thanks for reading all the blah, blah, blah. Just so you know, if you've gone this far, not all my posts will be on such a serious note. I know it's a lot but I hope that I could share this wonderful feeling with others. There are important people in my life that struggle with happiness and are searching all over for the answer and I can only hope that one day, they will be able to see what I've seen, feel what I've felt, and know what I've learned. Miracles happen everyday! I have You-Know-Who (not the same reference as in Harry Potter, :P ha) and the Spirit to thank for that! Oh yea, and I don't care if I bawl my eyes out, either! Booyah!


LOVE LOVE LOVE

Holy Guacamole!

Sooooo, I was going through my computer this evening and came across a little file that had my password for this blog! Whaddaya know?!?! BOOM! We're back! And we have a beautiful baby girl, Lexie :) Our pride and joy. It's kinda crazy that so much can change in a matter of only three years (ONLY.. psh haha).

Basically this is a post announcing that we live. We are alive and well.

our trip to cali

I can't believe it's been FOREVER since our last update!

Well, last week we went to California for a LA Dodger game.  That was sooo much fun!  

On the way there Friday night, while speeding on the California freeways, we listened to techno music and when the sun went down, we turned on/off all our lights and it was like a portable dance party.  It was hilarious!!!  Alex and Ryan were in the front and Kelsey and me were in the back.  She brought her computer (a Mac user; makes me smile) and I showed her some fun things to do...Photo Booth:

Needless to say, she enjoyed all the fun new things on her laptop. We got to Redondo Beach around 10pm at night and you could instantly smell the ocean right when we got out of the car. The temperature was a little cold, well, compared to Vegas...it was amazing! We stayed at the Redondo Beach Inn..or something like that. It was..nice. Hahaha. It was fine, really. Had everything we needed (except for, Kelsey noticed, a hairdryer).

The next morning right when we woke up, we went straight to the beach. It was seriously a block over so all we had to do was walk. Kyle ran straight into the ocean just screaming his head off. It had to have been the funniest thing we all have ever witnessed. When I finally got in the water, I got slammed by a wave and it hurt. Kelsey watched my back for the rest of what waves were coming my way. Kelsey and I threw a football around in the water and the boys played catch with the baseball. We were there for at least 6 hours...and my dumb self did not wear one ounce of sunscreen. Later on, I found how red I was and it was very, VERY painful. No joke. Lesson learned, oh, lesson learned.

Later on that night, we went to Dodger stadium (Max. capacity is 56,000) and from our view, it looked pretty packed!Our seats were sweet...even if the infield was a bit far away, we sat in the all-you-can-eat pavilion...that means unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and drinks! Soooo worth it!

The trip overall was amazing. California temperature was awesome. I only wish it could be the same here in Vegas! Hopefully we can go again soon...this time, it will be San Diego!

Much love, Alex & Barbara

P.S. Sorry if the photos are cut off.. I tried to make them fit as much as possible!

surprise!

Last night was Annie's surprise party!  I had sooo much fun!  It was nice to see all the family and friends.  Stephanie and Kayden had gotten there pretty early and were waiting in their car for us (we were on our way).  We got there and that's when we also ran into Kristen and Jason.  It was amazing to have us all there together to hang out and have fun.  Holly was home and her little Noelle was sitting in her little swing and I just had to hold the little darling!  She looked just like her daddy.  She's only about 4 months old and she is absolutely the cutest thing!  She was soo good when I was holding her and Stephanie pointed it out that my baby is going to look like Noelle.  Dark hair, light skin, and hopefully mine will have blue or green eyes... And here's the funny thing:  There was Ann, Stephanie, and Bethany (Ann's sister) who were all pregnant.  And then you had Holly and Eryn (her little Preston was such a big boy! And he's super handsome) who both just had babies so there was like, a "baby atmosphere" (so-to-speak) in the air.  All we did was talk about babies and giving birth and being pregnant, etc.  Kristen and I were seriously taking notes.  Then Kristen looked at me and asked me if we should really have babies...hahahaha! So true.

There's just so much to having a baby!  It's more than just your tummy growing out, inside-out belly buttons, and huge boobs...no kidding!  I noticed that Kristen and I had huge eyes as the girls were sharing their pregnancy stories and the issues that they all had to deal with.  Ooh, and then the topic of "sympathy weight"...and Brian totally has it =D  Annie said he'd get mad if we talked about it but it's just so darn cute!  When Ann eats, Brian eats.  It's good to see a little meat on his bones anyways!  

Sigh, then the night ended too soon.  Alex and I had to go because he had plans with Kyle and Ryan to go out into the desert and shoot their potato guns.  We all met at our house and we went way north on the 95, before the reservation, and we shot at signs and Kyle on a road that led to Mt. Charleston.  It was pretty cold and there was a slight wind that didn't make it any better, but it was still pretty fun.  Each boy had their gun, in some way, personalized.  Kyle's was sweet.  He had a short-barreled gun with a blinking indicator light (which Alex and Ryan used to their advantage as they were trying to shoot potatoes at him while he was running in the dark desert).  Alex had the long barrel, and Ryan's had his name on his (it was a one of those novelty license plates that had his name on it).  Two 10-pound bags of potatoes gone in about an hour.  Hilarious.  And then we did some off-roading and tail-whippin' around the dirt trails we had found in the same area.  

And all before the Sabbath.  Haha, we got home at 11:50pm.

Nothing but love,

Elax & Bearbara Kramah

P.S.  This post says I made it on Saturday...technically I started it yesterday, but I finished it today (Sunday) so the date is a day off. (Just an FYI)

we have a visitor!

Work is work.  I got to see Alex at his 1:30 appointment time and I ended up working on him today.  Of course, he was complaining with every move I made in his mouth (I did slip once, so he got me there =\)  But other than that, he's just a big baby. =]

After work, I went over to Stephanie's to help her install her infant car seat.  Let me tell you, I am definitely not strong enough for something like that.  Neither of us were able to get the seatbelt clicked...so we left it for her hubby (which I'm sure is plenty stronger [that make sense?] than we both were together).  It's so crazy how much goes into being pregnant and giving birth and nursing...there's just so much to it that I just don't understand!  I mean, I've never been around babies enough to know how to change a diaper or to be able to hold one correctly (I think that's the only thing I've done...)!  I'd be a nervous wreck if I were about to have a baby and I think it is hilarious that Stephanie is awaiting the day she pops!  She cannot wait to have her baby boy out of her and in her arms =]  I do have to admit that her tummy is the coolest thing I ever seen.  The little movements he makes and when I get to feel him jump and stuff...no words to explain how in awe I was!  And Stephanie could answer every question I had about being pregnant...and what everything was on her tummy and what its purpose was.  She's going to be an amazing mommy =]

Right now, I'm hanging out with my favorite boys - Alex & Kyle =]  Well, I'm just sitting with them while I'm on the computer updating my blog and they're watching the Laker/Jazz game (by the way its 82-82, Utah in the lead, with only 50 secs left).  It's actually a pretty intense game and I'm enjoying it.  I love these kinds of games!

Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to sitting in Cashman Field watching the Las Vegas 51's!  Woohoo!  Once again, with the boys - Alex, Kyle & Ryan.

Heartcha,

Barbara

day of rest

You wouldn't believe it.  I woke up this morning, went downstairs, and made breakfast.  Eggs, bacon, biscuits - the whole nine yards.  I even cooked Alex's favorite kind of eggs, over-easy.  Did I microwave my bacon? NO!  I actually cooked them on the skillet.  Now, you may be wondering why I'm making such a big deal out of this... if any of you know me, I am not a cook.  But this morning, I just had the feeling I wanted to make breakfast.  And I did!

Unfortunately, breakfast did run a little late and I was still in my pajamas and my hair was all frizzy and curly.  When breakfast was over, Alex and I had about 5 minutes before we were supposed to leave for sacrament.  Oops.  We went upstairs and got ready anyways, knowing we would probably miss the sacrament.  But I really wanted to go today even though I knew we were going to be late.

When we got there, we parked in the very, very back of the parking lot and as we walked into the chapel, we noticed that it was packed.  Overflow was even packed, so we just listened outside in the foyer from the overhead speakers.  We got to listen to the talks at least =]  

Gospel doctrine was a great class today.  The lady that taught it was a teacher so her organization was superb and I was able to follow.  We talked about how the scriptures are the most valuable things we have to stay close to our Heavenly Father and all the revelation given to Joseph Smith is a priceless treasure that we are to cherish.  

I don't know about what happened in Elder's Quorum, but in Relief Society, I sat next to Megan Smith - she's my new friend =]  She's 20 years old and is practically a newlywed (she's been married a little over a year) and her husband, Zack, happens to be Alex's home teaching companion!

That's the exciting part of the day - church!

Love,

Alex & Barbara