Isabella's Baby Blessing

Isabella Sacred Groves was blessed by her father Rory on April 25th 2010. It was a wonderful day. We were touched by all who went out of their way to be there for us. In addition to our parents, siblings (and their families), and grandparents, we had some aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who were there. Isabella was blessed in a specail blessing gown (cap and booties) that were hand made by Rory's Aunt Joan. After the blessing we all went backh to my parents home (Isabella was blessed in my parents ward where I grew up in.) for food, conversation, and family pictures for my side of the family (for who knows when we will all be in the same place again). It was a special day filled with great memories. Here are some pictures for those unable to atend.

It was the best of time, it was the worst of times...

It is hard for me to write when I am really stressed out, or not feeling well which pretty much sums up this last year. Which is why I haven't written in this blog until now.

When I think about this last year, I am reminded of Dickens’s opening to his famous book, A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Being sealed to Rory for time and all eternities, has to figure as one of the best of the best of times. Being sick at said wedding and subsequently though the honeymoon would have to rate mildly as one of the worst of times.

Discovering that I was going to be a mother, also figured as one of the best of best times. Getting so sick I was nearly hospitalized (nearly loosing my baby and dying myself) multiple times during said pregnancy, would have to rate as one of the worst of times.

However life this last year was not all extremes for our family. There were many things of note that happened which could easily fall in between the categories of the best and the worst.

I had the opportunity to teach a semester at The TJEd Academy and Prep School (specifically the Love of Learning Class. AKA 6-12 year olds) for a whole semester after I got back from my honeymoon.

My, mother, sister and I were able to officially launch The Princess Academies (an international organization for mother and daughters which promotes: helping women in their quest to rediscover and develop the lost arts of godly womanhood in their lives, strengthen their mother-daughter relationships, and build a community of women who can help enable each other in fulfilling their respective missions.) In June of 09 we launched our official Website: http://princessacademies.com/

Rory was kept busy with his job at the LDS Print Center, His calling as the 1st Councilor in the Elders Quorum Presidency in our ward, taking care of me (for I really was very sick most of the pregnancy) and working on his various commissioned art projects.

In November we found out (right before Thanksgiving) that we were having a little girl. I was totally excited. Rory had really wanted a little boy for his first child, however when Isabella turned toward us (during the ultrasound) and looked right at the screean and then yawned, she melted her daddy’s heart and wrapped him around her little finger. We had much to be thankful for that Thanksgiving.

Christmas is always my favorite time of year. Rory went all out to help make it extra special. He helped me decorate, and since I could finally cook without throwing up he helped me to make Christmas goodies. Including gingerbread houses. It was great sharing Christmas morning with just Rory, before heading to first his parent’s house then mine. The next day we left (with my sister and her husband and daughter) to drive to California to visit my older brother and his family. With the exception of coming down with a horrible flue on the way home the trip was wonderful.

In January Rory got a new job working for the church. Now he works at the church office building (though he actually works all over the place.) His job is to help take care of all the printers and copier for the church buildings. From inventorying them, to installing them, to replacing them when needed…

At one point we were planning on buying a house, but the one we wanted fell though two weeks before Isabella was born. So now we have moved to a different apartment complex (closer to where Rory works) where some family lives. Here we are able to go month to month and not have to sign a 14 or 18 month lease so we can still be looking for a house.

Due to my heart condition, and toxemia I had quite the labor and delivery. Isabella Sacred Groves was born early in the morning on March 24th (the day before Rory’s 29th Birthday and 10 days after our 1st anniversary). After 51 hours of labor the last 6 of which were agony. She was worth ever moment of it.

A few weeks later (while the whole Goff family was in town for my Brother-in-law’s college graduation, and my brother’s Eagle court of honor) we were able to bless little Isabella.

That is not everything, but covers the most important events of this last year. Now that life is settling down, and I am feeling better I hope to write more regularly in this blog as well as my personal one.

Until next time,
Jewels

Internet Access at Last

Rory and I finally have Internet service hooked up in our apartment. This means we can start updating our blog more regularly. We have lots to write about, from our wedding, to our honeymoon, to our everyday life together since then. We also hope to soon post pictures to accompany our posts to help keep our family and friends updated in the story of us.

More soon....

Unofficial Engagement Photos

Because Rory and I chose to have non traditional Wedding Announcements (with cartoon versions of ourselves verses engagement photos), I wasn't going to have any engagement pictures taken.

However, my dear friend and wedding photographer Kay Figueroa, insisted that I change my mind. She told me that I needed some good pictures of both Rory and me (taken in a non wedding setting which we could put on our wall or in a photo album).

I agreed, so last week we all got together and had a royal blast taking these pictures together. So I guess you can call these my un-official engagement photos. (I'll post a few for your enjoyment)

The Reception

Originally I was just going to hold my reception at our Church's Cultural Hall. After all we have been counseled by our church leaders not to let our reception overshadow the Wedding Sealing (which is understandable since the Sealing is what is most important). However, a few weeks ago my boss came to me and told me that she had worked it out with the owners of the Old Colonial House (where our Bookstore currently resides) to let me have my reception there while the bookstore was open.

I fell in love with the idea. After all people have receptions in art galleries, why couldn't I have mine in a bookstore? I quickly accepted, and called Rory to tell him the news. He was just as excited as I was, though more so for the fact that the Reception hall is in Lehi, which is more moderately in between both of our friends and families (since my family lives in Orem, and his live in Magna.)

However just this weekend I learned that our little Bookstore is moving across and down the street this week just before my wedding. At first I was worried. After all, would this move affect my reception? I was assured by my boss that I was not to worry. The wonderful owners of the Old Colonial House are still allowing me to hold my reception there ( it will just look like a reception hall and not a bookstore.).

I thank the Abbots (the owners of the Old Colonial House) and my Boss Daniela Larsen (the owner of Classic Books and Gifts) for making my reception possible in this old historic building which I have long fallen in love with in the many weeks that I have worked there.

Bridals!!

This last week I went and had my bridals taken. One of my closest friends Kay Figueroa was the photographer. She is a amazingly talented artist with a BFA in Photography.

I felt like a fairy tale princess as I walked the grounds of "the castle" (in Provo), dressed in my wedding gown, tiara, veil, and ruby slippers. All week I have been filled with anticipation for how the photos would turn out. So, of course, I was ecstatic when my friend texted me this afternoon that the pictures were ready!

I knew she was good, but...Wow! These pictures surpassed even my expectations. Here are a few, of my favorites:

Wedding Announcements!!!!

One of the first things I came to know about my future husband was how talented he is with his drawing. I especially love his cartoons. There is a quality about them that is hard to find these days. He says that his inspiration is Calvin and Hobbs, and Peanuts. I can understand why.

From the first time I saw his work, I dreamed of what a cartoon of me would look like. That's why when Rory proposed to draw a cartoon of us for our announcement instead of the traditional engagement picture, I was in complete agreement. I had wanted to do something more unique and that is exactly what I got.

If you would like to receive your own copy of our announcement, but haven't sent us your address, then this is your last chance. We are planning to send them out this coming week, so please get us your information ASAP.