Families Are Forever

           This weekend we went to the Higgins family reunion it was in Christopher Creek at the Christopher Creek lodge. I had to work Saturday so we didn't get there till around 12:30. It was so fun to see everyone when we got there. There was TONS of aunts and uncles I had yet to meet of Aaron's. It was great to see Kyra, Jason and Buck too. We were lucky enough to share a cabin with them so it was cheaper and we got to be with them a ton while we were there.

Yesterday we went to the lake and then hung around together and just talked and played a few games and ate food.  Sleeping was definitely fun. Our cabin was pretty dang tiny so we ended up only having 1 queen bed a twin bed in the loft upstairs and then to make a place for Aaron and I to sleep, we slept on a mattress on the floor. It was FREEZING. Aaron was by the window and this rock wall, and he froze all night. We woke up and I noticed he had a towel around his neck. I asked him were it came from and he was like I got so cold in the night that I had to find something to keep me warm. I felt so bad, but appreciated him sleeping next to the window so that I didn't freeze as much as he did. I told him we needed to just go everywhere prepared from now on, jackets, big blankets, everything so that we wouldn't freeze and be prepared for anything. 

Today we took tons of family pictures. I got my first family picture with Aaron (not just him and I but the whole family). That is probably a weird thing to get excited about, but i just loved the idea that I was married to him, and got to be in HIS family photo. We of course got one of our own, and it was a little exciting to think that soon we'd be adding a beautiful baby girl into the picture as well.  

After pictures, we did family testimony meeting. I think this is really what I wanted my blog to be about....

One of Aaron's uncles got up to bare his testimony, he gave a beautiful testimony and shed a tear or two. As he sat down, I noticed one of the kids lean over and put her hand on him to give him comfort, and love. Testimony meeting is always such a hard place to not get all emotional, and as your holding back the tears, and trying to not let them, its even harder when you see such a sweet act of love from one of the little kids. 

A little later Aaron's littlest brother came around to everyone in the immediate family and just gave them all the biggest hugs. It was another tender moment, I noticed, that made it hard to hold the tears back. 

I absolutely love little children, and I love the sweet spirit they bring into our lives. I love how in tune children are with the spirit. They are perfect, and the examples they set up for us as adults sometimes, are almost unbelievable. You'd think it would be us who are the ones setting the examples (and we are) but they are too. They are so full of compassion and love. 

 Many other people would say things about the kids, and about their families, and how they were so happy they got to be a forever family. I started to think of the forever family Aaron and created just 5 months ago. We know have a baby girl on the way, and are expanding our little Forever Family. We then sang the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever."  During the song I thought back to when I was a young girl and I used to think about the forever family I'd create. I never imagined it would be how it is (things are not always going to be peaches and cream, and tough times definitely come.) But I am so grateful for the man I married, and the family I'm creating. Families can be together forever, and  I wouldn't want to be in any other family but the family I am in. Both my family, and Aaron's family, and the beautiful family we've started to create. 

Aaron and Jarom

 Jarom, Buck, Me

Jason, Kyra, Me, Aaron, Buck

We had way to much fun with this sign!

 We go so stinking close to this, we assume Elk. We were probably 6 ft from it. 

 Our nephew Kyson sleeping, He was the cutest!

Parker, Jarom, and Aaron

Baby Higgins is a...

GIRL! 

We are so excited! We both went into the apt. thinking we'd come out knowing its a boy. I was 95% positive it was a boy. Everyone told me the way I was carrying, and how I never had any morning sickness it just had to be a boy. The ultrasound tech said girl, and I couldn't believe it! This is our beautiful little baby. The tech said she's a healthy baby. I think knowing what we are having just made it so much more real. I don't think Oct. can come fast enough now. I just want to hold my baby in my arms. After she told us it was a girl Aaron said "Oh no! I'm going be so protective of her!" It was cute. He's going be such a good daddy, and he will love this little girl so much. One of the first things my mom said was "Aaron is going to be such a good dad, and he is going to just love her." She's right he will. He's so good with babies, and kids and has so much patience.  

 She was a little wiggle worm during the ultrasound. She kept putting her hands on her face, and putting her hands all over the place. Anytime the ultrasound tech would move over her, she'd try and wiggle away haha. I can tell we are going to have an active one on our hands! 

Aaron thinks she has my nose. It will be so fun to see what features she has of the two of us. She's our beautiful baby, and we couldn't be more excited! :) 

We have a named picked out, but we aren't telling yet! Its going to be hard to keep it a secret, but we will tell when time is closer. 

We seriously couldn't be more thrilled. I can't wait to hold this beautiful baby in my arms, and watch her grow, and teach her the gospel. 

First Road Trip!

We've been married 4 months and finally went on our very first road trip. 10-12 Hours of just driving in the car and enjoying each others company. We went to Utah to see Aarons brother and sister and her family. Buck (Zac), Kyra, and Jason. We also got to see Kyra and Jasons new baby; our first nephew Kyson. We drove all night on Thursday, and then stopped in, I think Orem to sleep for 4 hours and get up and drive to Herriman where Kyra and Jason live. 

(I didn't take this picture, I just found it. It was two dark to take a picture!)

As soon as we got there, after meeting Kyson of course, was breakout the gamecube and get into a friendly competition of Mario Kart double dash. All of Aarons siblings are so good at that game, and I was definitely a little behind. (I've been practicing since we came home so I can keep up) It was freezing in Utah. I was not prepared at all. We went to Texas Roadhouse later that night, and the wait was so long, I thought I'd freeze to death. It was fun to get out of the heat for a little bit though, and enjoy cooler weather. 

Saturday Aaron and I went and did a live Endowment Session at the Salt Lake temple. We got to be the witness couple so it was amazing. The spirit was so strong, and I feel like I paid more attention during the live session, then the videos. The salt lake temple is huge though, and we got lost fast. 

That night we went to The Chocolate in West Jordan. It was flippen fantastic! Aaron and I got a Cazookie! It was so tasty. They need to bring one of those to AZ. Because we'd be there at least once a week. The Chocolate is basically a little dessert cafe. They have a ton of different choices, and its like you're in a little home, eating your food. It was a cool place. Kyra, Jason, Buck, and Bucks friend Scott went with us too of course, which made it even better.

Sunday morning, Aaron and I got up early, so we could get home early. An hour outside of Beaver, it was a blizzard. It was snowing in May! So many people were sliding off the road. We saw a few different semis flipped over, which was scary. We could barely see the road ahead of us, and we even slid 20 or 30 feet once. The other side of the road was jam packed. They weren't going anywhere, and because it was so sudden they didn't have any snow plows ready either. We ended up going through Vegas, and St. George to get home. We weren't sure if the roads would be clear on the 20 to the 89. We ended up taking a lot longer to get home. It was such a great weekend!

 He's cute when he concentrates on his driving! ;) 

 flipped semi

It was a quick trip, so we didn't get to stay long. But we loved every minute of our visit! 

15 Weeks and Counting

We are pregnant! If you keep up with my Facebook though you already know that. We are 15 weeks tomorrow. 

We found out at about 4 weeks, and had our first appointment at 8 weeks. It was so exciting to see the very rapid heart beat, and the little baby inside my tummy. 

1st ultrasound. 

We decided we wanted to wait to tell our parents or anyone about the baby till we had our ultrasound and knew that everything was going smoothly. After that appt. we went to Wal Mart to find a cool way of having telling our parents. We decided on a puzzle. 

I quickly wrote on the puzzle at Wal Mart and we ordered it. The puzzle read "Hi grandparents, I'm coming soon to hospital near you. Premiering Oct. 20th, 2014." I was in a hurry and trying to fit it all in without going over the baby so its kinda crammed on the puzzle. My parents ended up coming to Mesa a week later so we had them over for FHE and told them that for the activity we were going to have a puzzle putting together contest between my siblings and my parents. My siblings though did not have a puzzle that actually fit together, and it drove them crazy as you can see in the video. 

We decided to tell Aaron's family the next night, so as they were not left out of the loop for too long. We told Aaron's family that my family challenged them to puzzle making contest. Aaron's parents were trying so hard to beat my family they didn't even notice that it was for a baby.

We decided to tell the rest of the world on April Fools because many would not believe us, but it was going to be so fun to see how people would react. We went and bought a pregnancy test but it was so tiny Aaron just drew one on a paper to show we were pregnant. Some people believed us, others didn't believe us.

Pregnancy so far for me hasn't been bad. I haven't had any morning sickness. I did have some worries of course though, because this is our first and I don't know what to expect. I've been trying to not worry too much though. Since I hit the 2nd trimester, I have had so bad headaches, aches, and pains.
Sleeping has become a lot harder lately.
 

We find out what we are having  May 20th. I am pretty set on it being a boy. Not because that is what I want first but something just tells me its a boy. I've also heard a lot of people say that when your pregnant with a boy you don't have as much morning sickness. Who knows though, we may have a little girl. I guess we will see May 20th.

 

I am so excited to bring a little one into this world, and become a mother. Its the one thing I've probably wanted my whole life. Now in just a few short (long really) months we are going bring a baby into this world and I get to experience that. I'm definitely terrified that I'll fail in some way, or I will not be the most patient mother, but I hope I can be.

Aaron is excited as well, but I don't think its hit him as much as its hit me. Although I'm still waiting for it to REALLY hit me. He's been so wonderful through the whole thing. I hate needles and at the first Dr. appt. when I had to give blood I was freaked out, he calmed be down. He's missed work to be with me when I haven't been feeling well. He's been patient when I've been emotional. And doesn't mind that I'm starting to look like a watermelon. I couldn't have chosen a better man to have a family with.

I don't have any good pregnancy bump pictures, but you can kinda see it in the picture below! :) 

Introducing...the Higgins Family!

I decided to start a blog! 

So I thought what better way to start a blog than introducing us, and how met. So, here it goes....

Aaron was born in Payson, Utah and grew up until he was about 8 in Gilbert, and then moved to Virginia, then Lousianna, and graduated from high school in Oklahoma in high school Aaron did Cross Country and loved to Run. After that he and his family moved back to Arizona to Peoria. Growing up Aaron's mom put Aaron into Piano lessons, and made him practice every day. Which Aaron is so glad she did now because now he is an excellent Piano player. Aaron also grew up loving basketball and football. He played basketball with his buddies all the time. Aaron resided in Peoria until he left on his mission to the New Jersey Morris town Spanish Speaking Mission.  He left in 2007 and returned in 2009. Soon after returning home from his mission he moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University to study Exercise Science. Aaron loves exercising and working out. So studying Exercise Science was the perfect thing for him. He graduated from BYU in December of 2012, and moved home to Arizona. 

I was born in Chandler, AZ and when I was about 2 years old we moved to Snowflake so my dad could student teach. I grew up in Snowflake from the time I was 2, and stayed there until I was 18 and a half. We moved 3 different times in Snowflake, but never moved out of it. When Aaron left on his mission, I was going into my Freshman year of high school.  Growing up I played Softball, Basketball, Track, and Dancing. My freshman and sophomore year of high school I played basketball. My senior year I decided to do Cheerleading. I graduated from high school in 2011. After graduating high school I came down to Mesa to live with my Grandparents and go to school. I started going to Mesa Community College for Elementary Education. I'm pretty sure I'm on the 10 year plan, because I have yet to graduate with even my associates. I'm almost there though. 

In April 2013 I had first heard of Tinder. I had no idea what it was. My friend Alicia had told me she got it, but I had no idea what the heck it was. As time went on, I heard of other people getting it and finally found out what it was. I had no desire to get it, but my friend Alicia just made it sound so fun haha. So I got it. For those of you who have no idea what Tinder is...its an app for the iphone that connects to your Facebook. It locates you and other people in your area. It shows the pictures of the person and there likes and dislikes. As well as age and first name. If you like their picture and they like yours then you can message back and forth but if they don't like your picture then you can't message.

Now after I've given this long explanation of Tinder your all probably wondering what the heck this has to do with anything well, let me tell you...Thats how Aaron and I met. Yup you read that right, we met on Tinder. I saw his picture on Tinder and he had a way cute picture. I looked at all of our similar interests and there was tons especially revolving the church. I don't remember if he liked my picture first or if I liked his first but what matters most is that we messaged each other haha. We started messaging on Tinder, and found out we were in the same Singles Stake. So Aaron asked me to text him and so I did. This was in July and I was in Hawaii at the time and so we decided that when I would get back we would get our friends together and get some mingling between our wards. Well when I got back I completely forgot about that guy named Aaron and getting our friends together to get some mingling going. Well a month later Aaron texted me and we made plans to get together with our friends. Well our friends ended up bailing on us so Aaron mentioned that we just go on a date together. He called himself the Higgy Bear. Oh boy haha :) I agreed and we went on our first day on August 10, 2014. 

Kind of just explains everything! :) 

        (This was our first picture together, but not our first date. Aaron bought the wrong size shirts!)

We said I love you on the 25th of September (even though we had been feeling it for a lot longer). Aaron proposed on the 2nd of October. It was complete surprise. He hadn't met my family yet, so we were going wait until after he met my family to get engaged. I had no idea it was coming. I had a softball game that night and he was going come but then said his little sister had a ballet recital so I should go out to his moms after. He said his mom wanted to know my reasons for wanting to marry him because it was all so quick. So after my softball game I headed out to Buckeye were his family lived. I called my mom on the way freaking out fearing that my reasons to marry Aaron wouldn't be good enough or they wouldn't come out eloquently. Little did I know my mom knew Aaron was going to propose, Aaron had gotten my dads number out of my phone the night before and called and asked for permission to marry me. When I got there, I told my reasons  of wanting to marry Aaron and then Aaron changed the subject to a game we had played the first time I was at his moms house which brought us to another game we had to go outside for. So he blind folded his mom first told her he was going spin her around and then shine a light in her eyes. It was called star gazing or something like that and it was supposed to be a really cool sensation. So I went after his mom. When they span me around the closed the garage and then the music started. I took my blind fold off and Aaron was down on one knee. On the garage door, it said will you marry me in a big sign. He asked me to marry him and of course I said yes. We danced to the music for a while after and then we went inside and called my mom. 

We set the date for January 3rd, but his brother wouldn't be able to make it so we set the date for January 4th. Which turned into 1*4*14. Kinda cool. It was an amazing 3 months getting to know each other more, and grow closer together. January 4th seemed forever away. It finally came though. Aaron and I were sealed at 12:00 in the Mesa, AZ Temple for Time and All Eternity. I was so nervous I can not remember a word the sealer said. But I remember how amazing it felt to kneel across from Aaron and know that I was going to be married to him for, forever.