Having to eat ones own words....

This is a poem my mom sent the day before Brady was born:

The Ninth Month
by Carol Lynn Pearson

Being a duplex
I have been happy, my dear
To loan you half the house
Rent-free and furnished
As best I could.

You have been a good
Tenant, all in all
Quiet, yet comfortably there
Tapping friendly on the wall.

But I hear
You have outgrown the place
And are packing up to move.
Well, I will miss
The sweet proximity.
But we will keep in touch.
There are bonds, my dear
That reach beyond a block
Or a mile or a hemisphere
Born of much love and labor.

I approve the move
And gladly turn from landlady
To neighbor.



He came early!! Brady Alma was born at 6:33 pm central time. He weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and is 21 inches long. The pediatrician says he's perfect, and I think so too. ( ; Here's the link to the photos we've taken so far: http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii115/sbehunin/?start=0 . An official baby blog will be posted soon.

Getting Ready for Baby

Disclaimer: I, Stephanie, am posting this as an update on our familial status. I do not feel this event is significant enough to alarm and notify with a phone call. Under no circumstances should anyone feel we are "leaving them out of the loop." Thank you for your understanding and continued support in our lives.

At our Doctor visit on Friday I was dialated to 1/2 cm and 50% effaced. I woke up this morning to strange things happening in regards to my body. I won't go into any detail, but the events were enough that after speaking to the doctor on call we went into the hospital. I was hooked up to a couple of monitors, one for the babys heartbeat and another for uterine activity. They did some examining and decided that my waters had not broken and it was safe to go home. Baby is getting himself ready to come though. It's very exciting. Just under 3 weeks to go!!! Make sure to check the Tummy Shots as baby is still growing.

A change in scenary

Things change during the course of a week. Last week, the frustration of the unknown, the lack of finding employment, and going through our first Tornado Warning. This week, a birthday and a job!, and it's only Tuesday! I'll be a teller at Regions Bank. It's really what I was hoping to start with. It will get me started with a company, allow me to really focus on schooling, and it will allow us to get in to a home as soon as possible. It's been frustrating to go 57 days without a job, but rewarding to learn from this trial of life. I've learned a couple of things over the last week that have changed me. First, how can we ever be able to learn in this life, if we are never willing to change the comforts of the known? We knew this was the correct decision for our future, so to have this opportunity to learn is rewarding. Second, the idea that some of us are given trials because Heavenly Father knows we will learn from the trials and not curse Him for them. The more trials we face and overcome here, the better off I'll be. That being said, I sure hope things run smoothly for a while.

Time Marches On

Well, it's now Mid-February and not much has changed. Carl is doing homework for school in addition to looking for jobs on a daily basis. He's had interviews with various places, but no offers yet. It seems to me a constant game of "We'll let you know by Monday." and then after an agonizing weekend, it becomes "We should have an answer by Friday." Endless torment, I tell you!!!! I mean, it's not like he's some bum with no skills.

I've started (and almost finished) refinishing a changing table we bought for the baby. It has become quite the project. I'm lucky to have a nice husband who will sit outside with me for hours and sand away and the next day paint for what seems like en eternity. It's been nice to have the sun shining the last few days so we can work and be outside and enjoy the fresh air. I planned on finishing up the painting today, but alas, it is cloudy and COLD!!! I'm not going to be able to do all I had planned, but I'll get a good chunk done. Working with my hands gives me such a sense of accomplishment. Even though the table was just fine the way it came, and this really has been quite a bit of work, I am excited to see the finished product and say, "I did that...we did that." So there may have been an easier way to accomplish the end result, or to others it may seem like a whole lot of work for nothing, but it makes ME happy. And right now, isn't it all about making ME happy??? ; )

And speaking of making me happy, this baby isn't doing a very good job lately. I guess it's not his fault completely, he's only doing what he's biologically bound to do. I've reached a point of great uncomfortability in every aspect of my body. I thought being pregnant was easy up until the last few days. Oh man this is not the best part of my life, I tell you what!! And, I'm afraid he doesn't plan on making his grand entrance any time soon. I suppose I'll try to enjoy it while it lasts. I would say the over all experience of pregnancy has been a positive one. It has been awesome to feel the little one moving around inside and knowing that Carl and I created something miraculous. Awww....sentimental feelings and such.

Carl and I both have church callings. We are officially bonafide members of our branch! Carl is the first and only counselor in the Young Mens Presidency and the Assistant to the Executive Clerk. I think they are keeping him in the Young Mens because he hasn't quite grown up yet. LOL I am Chair of the Activities Committe. Apparently someone thinks I am fun and can plan good activities. I have had this type of calling since Seminary when I was on the Birthday Committe. I'm excited and petrified at the same time. I'm just not sure I'm the best at being in charge of this sort of thing. I see myself in more of a supportive role. I'm going to give it my best.

I understand this has been a LONG blog and that these things are probably supposed to be shorter than longer. But it's my blog and I'll do what I want with it. : p Until next time, my friends.

President Hinckley

Thanks to Melanie for posting the video on her blog.

I too echo sentiments of saddness and loss. Like so many others, I am comforted by knowing that President Hinckley is in the presence of our Lord and his loved ones, especially his wife.
I recall when another denomination lost their leader. There's was such questioning and speculation of who would next lead that congregation. To me, I sensed a feeling of panic and being lost from the members. I am greatful that we need not even fear over who will lead us next. I am greatful that we can have comfort in knowing that our next President that steps into place is called of God to be a Prophet, Seer and Revelator not only for the LDS congregation, but for the world. May the Lord bless and keep President Hinckley. We look forward in faith to the years that are ahead and sustain he who is called of the Lord to lead us in these latter-days.

Boring, boring, boring

We've run out of things to do around here. Carl doesn't have a job yet. He's interviewed a few places and is waiting to hear back. We do A LOT of waiting around here. We've got a very good chunk of baby shopping done. Carl has started classes at ASU. Things are calming down. Oh, I finished the blanket I was working on for the baby. If anyone has any ideas of some fun, productive or time consuming things to do in Jonesboro, let us know.

New Year's Party

We went to Memphis for a Two-Stake Dance with three other couples. It was fun. The dance committee provided a buffet of Chinese food and fresh fruit with chocolate for dipping. The fresh fruit was my favorite. At three minutes to midnight the men-folk went out side for a walk. They returned just before midnight sporting some very nice formal wear. It was great!