Another update

Hello all!

Summer flew past us and now we're only 8 weeks shy of meeting our baby girl. It's needless to say that she's all that is on our minds and we couldn't be more excited about the big day. (in fact it can't come fast enough for me!)

The days before her arrival are winding down but Jon and I are doing anything but. We have been busy preparing the house and nursery as well as making plans for when we'll turn from two to three. The nursery is absolutely beautiful, I couldn't be happier with it. Jon has done such a wonderful job with all the building, painting, and putting together. I've found myself somewhat overwhelmed because I really don't know what to expect-what do I buy? How much do I buy? What will she need? What will I need? All these questions run through my mind each day and I've yet to really find answers to them. So any that can offer advice, I'd greatly appreciate it! I'm looking forward to my baby showers, I'm lucky enough to be able to enjoy three of them! My first shower is this Friday with the Bingham side of the family, the other two will be with the Okey side and the Arnell/Lambros side; I'm very excited for all of them. It's such a fun and exciting time.

Olivia is already a busy body, she's kicking, moving, and poking me constantly. I love her movements, it makes me feel so close to her. I never dreamed that being pregnant would be such a roller coaster-I've had plenty of downs (currently the worst heartburn in the world!) but feeling my sweet baby girl move around is one of the highlights and something I know I'll miss after she arrives.

Jon is still working hard for our family and I appreciate him everyday; he's always so very supportive. I recently changed jobs and while it was a bit of a rocky change I couldn't be happier. I was able to cut down on my hours but the transition gave us a much needed increase in revenue. I feel like it was such a risky time to change jobs (weeks away from having a baby) but it was the right move for us. I'll be able to stay at home with Olivia and work remotely from there.

We had a wonderful summer, we were even able to take a couple of vacations. The heat has been unbearable for  me, it's slowed me down immensely. I'm really looking forward to the cool breeze of Fall weather.

I hope everyone is enjoying life as much as we are, we can't wait to share the big news! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Lots of love,
Hollie and Jon

Some exciting news to share...

I realize it's been months since I've made any effort whatsoever to post and that I've more than likely lost my two readers-but here goes nothing. For a good while I just lost any motivation I had for things that used to make me happy and I've decided that it's never too late to pick back up on the things you need in life that showcase your individuality.
Jon and I have had a busy couple of months. We continually take pride in our home and we're always doing little things here and there to update it and make it ours. If we had all the money in the world the house would be completely flipped because we both enjoy making something out of nothing. Jon is and has always been such a handy man and between you and me sometimes I think it irritates him how much I ask him to do. "Build me this, paint that, refinish this" never gets old to me but I'm sure he's tired of hearing it. It's his fault for being so good at everything, right? Our latest and greatest development in the house is the nursery. Yes, you read that right a nursery for a beautiful baby...a baby girl.
It's been a year since we made the decision to expand our family. When I think back to a year ago at this time I remember how naiive I was and how I just figured it would happen so quickly. It didn't happen as fast as I would have dreamed or in the way that I would have originally hoped-but it happened at the right time for us and it all makes sense now. We suffered a loss in October and that was a major setback for us but with help from the Lord and leaning on the strength of our relationship we pushed on and in the end reached our ultimate goal. We fell pregnant in February and are expecting a little girl to arrive in November. It's been an up and down roller coaster with countless conversations between Jon and I where I'm begging him to reassure me that everything is going to be okay.
We have both received enormous blessings from this experience, I am and will be forever amazed by the people who have been there to support us and pray for us and our happy ending. I have found kinship in the most unlikely of places and I know it's God's way of placing certain people in my life to get me through. We have confirmed over and over again the importance of family by the way they have been there for us and given us their prayers and blessings. I am so grateful for my family and those that have shown how much they care.
We have reached the halfway mark, I am currently twenty weeks along with a huge bump and even though I'm always praying for the weeks to pass I'm starting to get a little nervous for the future. (An excited kind of nervous) We've only got a few months left to go and lots to do.

I'll try and keep everyone updated as things progress and go along. In the meantime I hope everyone has a happy and hearty summer. Bring on the nice weather!

All our love,
Jon and Hollie

Just Because

I don't have anything to report on just yet, but I just wanted to say hello and share a small quote:

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
                                                                                -Eleanor Roosevelt

I really needed that today. Maybe you did too.

Love always,

Hollie

Better late than never

This post is about three weeks too late, but at least I'm getting to it, right?

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season and that 2010 ended with a bang. Jon and I certainly had an interesting year and I can't tell you how excited I am for a brand new one. I hope that this year makes our dreams and wishes come true. I am working on looking at life openly, taking it for what it is. I want to practice positive thinking and letting go of things I can't control.

I can't put into words how grateful I am for my family, I would be nowhere without them. A special thank you to my sweet family and especially to my wonderful husband.

Anyway-just small notes on Christmas. It was different not having snow this year, it was really warm on Christmas day. It's been such a cold cold winter and I'm just ready for summer, bring it on. We went to the usual family gatherings and had wonderful times at each of them. Jon's birthday came and went quickly and now he's used to the idea that he's on the downside to thirty. It was nice having some time off work, we got a lot of relaxing in.

New Year's Eve was spent at my brother Nate's house-it's a tradition we have. Normally we make a steak and shrimp dinner, snack on finger foods and play games while we wait for the new year. This year we decided to make sweet pork burritoes; so we ate and played games. Surprisingly all the kids stayed awake this year! We like to take an annual "first picture of the year" snapshot...it's silly but here it is.

Happy 2011. It's going to be a great year.

Love always,

Jon and Hollie 

Experiencing Magic Together

I always feel like we have to have something huge to report each time I make a post, but I decided that I needed to update anyway. When I try and pinpoint something specific that has happened in the past month all that finds me is happiness. Shouldn't that be enough? Well, it is definitely something to write about. Jon and I have had a wonderful year and with it coming to a close I can't help but focus on how lucky we are to be together. 2011 will put us at eight years together, my lucky number. :) Not all eight have been easy, but what love is meaningful when it comes effortlessly? Jon is my rock, he's my number one, and as we put it daily to one another "my favorite". We have been very blessed to find eachother and to have such wonderful families behind us in each step we take.
We both want a child and while trying the past six months has posed some difficulty along with anxiety and fear we are doing our very best to stay positive and I really can't imagine going through this with anyone else but Jon. I feel for him having to deal with my constant stress and while I try to keep most of it inside when I just can't hold it in anymore he's always right there for me. If we never were to succeed I'd be content with having only him by my side for the rest of our lives. Nobody is perfect, but he's all the man I need. (Thank you for everything baby.)
The holidays are just around the corner and I couldn't be more thrilled. At the end of the month Jon will be turning 26 and I can't wait to tease him for being on the "downside to thirty". ;) I can't believe how fast the both of us are growing up and how responsiblities have presented themselves and we have conquered them without worry together. I don't think anybody ever feels like they're all old and grown up, one day you just realize it. I know J and I still have room to grow and things to learn but I do feel like we've matured in the best way that we know how; I have learned so much from him and our marriage.
I recently came across this message from my most favorite childhood author Roald Dahl (for the 'BFG' & 'The Twits') that I thought applied to this post, please enjoy:

-And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.-

More than eight years ago when I sat across from my very good friend, Jon Bingham, I was blind to the magic that I have found in him today. Everyday I pray for our miracle but never do I ever forget the magic I already have right in front of me.




Happy Holidays!
With love,


Jon & Hollie

The first trip together!

Over the weekend we went up to Bear Lake with some new friends! Thanks for a great time you guys, we had a lot of fun. We basically stayed in our pajamas all day while eating, watching movies, noshing, playing games, snacking, taking naps, and stuffing our faces. Can't wait for the next one!

Jake, Tara, Jon, Me, Cason, Karly, Jeromy, Stephanie, Wyatt, & Steve



White Chicken Chili

I got this recipe from a friend and it's just too good not to share! It's called white chicken chili soup. (it really does have more of a soup consistency)

You will need:
1 medium onion
2 cans chicken broth
2 small cans green chillis (mild & diced)
3 cans Great Northern Beans (drain, rinse)
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. black pepper
4 breasts of chicken
1 cup sour cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream (liquid)
Lime flavored Tostito chips or any tortilla chips
Shredded Fiesta blend cheese

Instructions:
Boil chicken on medium heat for 20 min. Remove from heat and cube chicken or shred it.
While chicken is cooking saute the onion in a little butter for 10 min. In pan combine broth, chillis, beans, all spices, and onion then cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. Then add cooked chicken, sour cream, and whipping cream. Sprinkle cheese to your liking and serve with lime flavored Tostito chips (I ended up crinkling mine). Serves 8.

Ok, so the credit for this recipe goes to Karly Okey-her version was amazing. When I made it I altered a few things, instead of 3 cans of great northern beans, I added 1 can of black beans (I like a splash of color) and used 2 cans of great northern. Also, I sauteed the chicken rather than boiled it, boiled chicken sucks. Karly explained to me that she baked hers, so to each her own. If I were you I'd stick as closely to the recipe as you can because Karly's was much better than mine.

Enjoy!

p.s. Also make sure you drain AND rinse the beans-it makes a difference.