Another Friday at the office for Devin

Grand Canyon First Timers

With family in town, I took a few days off work to show them around Arizona. With Zander and my mum, we took a road trip to Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon.

For our first day, we traveled up to Sedona. Moira and Aunty were amazed at the Red Rocks. We stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, and Oak Creek Canyon before stopping in Flagstaff for the night. On day two, we traveled up to the Grand Canyon. It was Mum, Aunty, and Zander's first time to this natural wonder. I actually took Moira to both of these places back in 2004 when she visited me while I was at NAU. On our last day, we toured around Flagstaff and NAU. The foreigners loved to shop so we had to stop at the mall.

The trip was so memorable. I'm so glad that I was able to spend a few days with them even though this was when my morning sickness started.

Time Out For Women

I had the opportunity to attend the 2 day conference for Time Out for Women with my mother in law, Dee Dee, and sister in law, Megan. What a fantastic few days, but quite exhausting being newly pregnant. I learned a lot about myself and how to be a better person, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and daughter of God. Can't wait for next year.

I've died and gone to New Zealand food heaven.

My Aunty Raywin and cousin Moira are visiting from New Zealand. They brought over a bunch of goodies for me. Good thing I'm pregnant.

Halloween 2013

We went trick or treating with cousins Jayden, Tage, and Chanson in the Agritopia neighborhood. The whole neighborhood was so cute and festive. It seemed like all the houses were decorated and people were outside on their porches enjoying the night. My favorite house had a candy apple making station. The kids had a blast and got way too much candy.

Vertuccio Farms

I took the day off work to spend time with Zander today at Vertuccio Farms. We enjoyed the petting zoo, giant slides, bounce houses, and train ride.

Baby Merrill #2

After my miscarriage in November 2012, we had to wait a few months before trying again for a baby. We started again in February 2013. The timing was perfect as we had a week long getaway in the Cayman Islands without Zander. Sadly, I didn't get pregnant and I was devastated.

Weeks turned into months and the frustration was still there. It seemed like I was constantly looking at a calendar and playing the waiting game. There is a small window each month which is ideal for baby making. So it would be "go time" during those days. Then I'd have to wait until I could take a pregnancy test. I always took these a few days before my missed period since I'm so impatient. After a negative test, I'd have to wait for my period to start and end. Then I'd have to wait again for fertile time. The cycle repeated each month. It seemed like we were on a constant count down clock.

After months of negative tests, I tried to take everyone's advice and to not think too hard about it. October was one of those months. While we were getting ready for the Ward Trunk or Treat, I just happened to look at the calendar and remember that my period was to come in a few days.  I took a pregnancy test with the mindset that it would be negative. I was so shocked when it showed up positive. Devin was in the bathroom with me so he heard the news right away. We were finally pregnant! Baby #2 is due July 2014. Can't wait.