Tune in Tokyo!

So, Marissa has asked that I, Jesse, write a little something about my recent trip to Japan. I was able to spend a few days in the Land of the Rising Sun as part of a school assignment. We visited a few companies, saw a few cultural sites, and ate some great food. Rather than tell a bunch of boring stories, I'd like to just show a few pictures. Here you go:

This is a very large Buddha. Makes Big Buddha from Fox 13 look like a shrimp.

Yes. I rode the bullet train. Yes. It was fast.

This is the group visiting a Japanese manufacturing company.

These deer roam the streets of Nara, an ancient capital of Japan. I've lived in a third-world country and these deer smell and look worse than any stray dog I ever encountered. 

This is the Golden Palace or Pavilion, I can't remember which one. It's plated in gold. Pretty cool.

I guarantee you've never heard anyone sing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as well as Patrick and I. Real Japanese Karaoke.

Shrine of 1,000 gates. There were more like 100,000. They wind their way up a mountain. When we reached the top, we got lost and started our own little adventure in the Japanese mountains. Eventually found our way back to the hotel.

This is Tokyo. It's endless city no matter where you look. 30 million people in the Tokyo area.

This is the Rock Garden. Zen Buddhism was born here. We had a very peaceful experience here. I enjoyed it.

This is dinner with the group. Okanamiyaki is something like a large pancake. The chef cooked them on the large grill right in front of us. They were nummy. I got pretty good with the chop sticks.

So, there you have it. I had a great time. The food was awesome, and the people were too. Hopefully Marissa and I will be able to go back someday.  

Fancy Food

Fancy looking food makes me happy!...especially when its my husband taking me out!

Jesse surprised me and decided we still needed to go out now that he is home and try one of the fancier restaurants in Logan-Elements-for a little 2 year anniversary celebration dinner. We highly enjoyed it!...and I couldn't resist taking a picture of some of our fancy looking food we ate!.. :)

next post will hopefully be Jesse posting a little about his trip to Japan!

Preparing me for motherhood.

I watched my nephew Max this last week while his parent's were enjoying there time at an all inclusive resort in Mexico. I already told them one of the reasons why I was so nice to do this is because I will know I will want the favor in return someday (especially after hearing about there relaxing trip). There are a lot of places I want to go and know none of them are going to happen before our little boy is here. And I didn’t really have much to do this week since Jesse was gone as well so I wasn't too big of a sacrifice I guess...

My week was basically waking up at about 6:30 every morning. Him telling me “sun up…sun up!” or “Nana upstairs!” (Which means grandma is getting ready for work) and me groaning and acting like I was still asleep. Then making breakfast –sometimes twice- because Max is a big eater in the mornings but you can't blame him when he just woke up from sleeping 12 hours! (I definitely enjoyed that part) He is a very smart boy and knows basically every ones names-He used to always call me Jesse but I have tried to teach him either “Mar” or “Rissa”. He made sure I took care of the dog that he always had food and water. He loved my mom’s dog-I can’t say the dog loved him back just as much because he would just attacked him. Max made sure I exercised everyday because he always wanted to go outside on a stroller ride in the morning which was good for me. He loved being outside-he could be from sun up to sun down everyday! That just meant I couldn’t get much done I felt like. He loved playing with his cousin “Ili” (Eli), so we spent a lot of time with him all week.

Here are a few cute pictures from throughout the week!

I put him to bed at 7:30 at night-which was nice-but I was pretty exhuasted myself by that time. But I guess it's just preparing me-in about 2 months I can't quite imagine how I am going to feel with my life changing quite a bit with a new baby and of course lack of sleep. I am praying for a good sleeper! please. I guess I can thank Max for keeping me entertained this week while Jesse was away so I was never alone. Now I really just want Jesse back home..Hopefully he'll write a little something about his adventures in Japan!

Everythings gettin bigger around here.

This is what happens when you send a prego hungry lady to the grocery store to get buns for pulled pork sandwiches. You get one Grande sandwich out of it! It seems to be the theme with our food lately...last post about my big ice cream cone...wow) Maybe its because my belly is gettin bigger?...but for the most part I really can't complain and I don't seem to notice, some days I must say I do feel quite big.

Jesse is away in Japan right now for school. He is having a great time. I sure do miss him though. This is the biggest/longest time away from each other. Absence sure does make the heart grow fonder. ha ;) It was our 2^nd anniversary yesterday…and sadly we could not spend it together. But being his thoughtful self made sure I received these beauties. I might have shed a tear...I sure do love him!

His Grandparents were also very thoughtful and made sure I still had a good day. I went out for lunch with them and Jesse's Mom and later went over and played cards. It was so nice of them and I wasn't left alone! (Even though I was watching Max, my nephew, all day)

Ice cream.

I can't express how much we LOVE ice cream. Basically any flavor any kind. (we like to switch it up) I could honestly eat ice cream every day...multiple times a day. And that is why I can't just go buy a carton and have it at our house because we would eat it all the time. -Not a good thing- But we do tend to go get ice cream often because it is so good!

This weekend was the first time in a LONG time we actually stayed in Logan for the whole weekend And I must say it kinda felt good not to have to drive anywhere and just relax together here. And we went and enjoyed one of these things. Talk about a soft serve dip cone.

We did share this thing...even though I sadly can admit I can eat quite a bit of ice cream..

Favorite Things

Favorite things..as of late.

Well I must say I am enjoying my time relaxing. And I don't know why I have been a little more tired lately. I hope I am not this tired the rest of the pregnancy but if so I guess can handle it. But one of my favorite things to do lately is just sit on the couch and watch my belly. I know that sounds kinda weird. But it is so entertaining to see my little guy move all around inside me. So amazing. And I just love the fact that I can feel him move around daily...I feel like I don't have to sit and worry so much now. But I do tend to sit there for a good amount of time and realize I haven't accomplished anything, but I guess thats just something I can enjoy right now and I am going to cherish those moments (and not forget them..thats why I have to write it down).

Which brings me to another point that I don't want to forget and I might as well write it down now. I have to remember the blessings that Heavenly Father gives Jesse and I! I must admit I was kinda frustrated at the fact that I was searching and applying all over the place for a job when we moved up here and I had no success. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get a nursing job. It stressed me out because our plan was for Jesse to focus on school and not work but I would work full time and we would get by on my income up here just fine. Why wasn't I being blessed when I was praying to find a job? Not much income coming in and a baby on the way..not the ideal situation. But I have come to find out I was missing the blessings Heavenly Father was giving us. We were blessed with family/people helping us out and having a good amount of money saved up in our savings! Also the fact that I am not working full time is a blessing so I can get the rest I need while pregnant and I can stay healthy and not be exhausted and stressed. I also am able to work a little at my job in Ogden and possibly have the option to work there occasionally after I have the baby to keep up with my nursing which then I don't have to worry about finding a place that would hire someone that only wanted to work on occasion if that is what I decide. We have also been able to spend time with each other and our family that you can never replace. I don't want to forget about these blessings I almost overlooked.

Another favorite thing that Jesse and I discovered a while ago, but enjoyed it again today was a lemonade popsicle. ( I know its winter-and it is snowing as I write this, but they are still good) Not just any lemonade popsicle...but we get the fresh lemonade drinks from Chick fil la and make our own popsicles. (I should try to find a copy-cat recipe of their lemonade) Delicious! You should try it sometime..

Relaxin at the Cabin Kind of Weekend.

This past weekend Jesse and I wanted to take advantage of him not having any school on Monday. We tried to plan on going up to our cabin at Bear Lake but it didn't quite work out. But thanks to the Lloyds they invited us up to their cabin by Pineview. We had quite the relaxin weekend there. But it was the usual way too much sitting around and too much eating type of weekend. But enjoyable!

Jesse it quite proud of the boys accomplishment of defeated Super Mario World in one day! Bowser and all! Jesse is not one that likes to play video games very often but they were determined to defeat the game! This is what I saw all day long...But what is the Lloyds cabin without a little Super Mario World?

Love and 25 wks.

What a great day! Valentine's day...it's just wonderful! I love it! :)

We had been married 1 year 11 months 1 week and 1 day. Thought that was interesting.

This is a line that pretty much sums up my day...

Are you trying to make me diabetic or just fat? :)

Jesse wakes up early basically every morning and does homework...(while I usually sleep in) But I decided to make us some delicious strawberry crepes to start the day! Then off to school he was.

Then I enjoyed some of these throughout the day..

and these...

and these...yeah I know

We had an evening institute class we go to every Tuesday about the Book of Mormon that we love. Then we got a quick bite at one of my favorite places and I got one of my favorite sandwiches! mmm

and then...you can't forget a little ice cream...can you say sugar overload for one day?! Food=Love!

and we had a few minutes to spare and Jesse found this shirt that he loved for our little boy..too bad the smallest size was 9-12 months-so we will have to wait a year to him to wear it! But we still had to get it! goofy I know. He will be wearing it to the BBQ's! :)

Then we went and saw the movie "The Vow"...what a surprise I know..I have been wanting to see it though.

But I loved it!..and also hated it in some ways. Their relationship before the accident reminded me of Jesse and I's..I know cheesy, but honestly from the part of him scraping snow off the car to eating chocolates together and even farting in the car..thats kinda just how we are! :) and I love it! And Jesse is always on me for making sure I put my seat belt on (only when I am in the backseat do I not want to put it on for some reason) but now hopefully I will be better at always having it on-cause I can't imagine going through something like that.

Anyways Jesse also got me a stand mixer which I am excited to use-makes me feel more like a house wife! :)

It was just a great day! So happy to be married to such an amazing man that loves me so much! :)

Anyways another thing I Love is updates on our little guy!

I am 25 weeks along now. 15 more and he is here..wow! :)

Went to my Doc appt today and everything looks/sounds wonderful!

I honestly can't complain because for the most part I do not feel pregnant-and I feel blessed for that!

I do occasionally wake up with a leg cramp that last only a couple seconds-which I hear is apart of being pregnant for some people..but I am too tired to really have it bother me much. Which I do need a good amount of sleep I can't lie about that-but I also feel blessed that I can sleep just fine still. and I get plenty of time to relax!

so I guess another belly picture...some days I feel quite big and others not so much. I guess its depending on what I am wearing and how bloated I am...some days I still wear clothing that hides it well..but I am hoping I got past the point of just looking fat instead of pregnant?..

Family Birthday Weekend.

We went down and celebrated my Dad's birthday this last weekend. (wow, I drive from Logan to Kaysville ALOT between work and just things going on) We don't get to see him that often because he is a busy man working all the time. But it was good to get together with everyone. My Grandparents were good sports about coming up and even bringing a roast in the car and putting a meal together! :)

It was also Eli's-my nephews birthday so my sister made the cupcakes and I decorated them as pirates! I really want to get myself a dessert decorator kit now. This was just the beginning of me eating too much sugar lately with birthdays and valentines and having a sweet tooth lately..Doctors appt tomorrow- hopefully since we have been exercising pretty well lately I haven't gained too much ha!

These are my cute nephews Eli and Garrett. We tried to take pictures of them together this weekend but it kinda failed. But I sure do Love spending time with them!

And here is a photo of Garrett-I helped my sister takes some newborn pictures! She is great. Getting her ready to take some for me and our baby..soon! ;)

Baby Garrett's Video

So, I love making videos or even putting pictures to music! I want to put a little video together when we have our baby-for memories. Having a video for a wedding was one of the most important things to have for me..and I think having a little video of our baby boy will be neat to have as well. I asked my sister Brooke if she would be my little guinea pig for it so I would have an idea of what to do.. So here is a little video I put together-I sure enjoy it! :) (now lets see if a video will actually happen when we have our baby?)

or here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDVYqw-U_s

Garrett

This last weekend we went down to Kaysville because I worked for two days down there. (yah! for working so we can make some money) It ended up being great because we were able to be there when my sister had her baby. We hung out with my mom and watched Eli all day Friday and then went and visited my sister Brooke and husband Eria in the hospital to see their new handsome baby boy! 

Garrett Tokanang
-7 lbs 4 oz 19 in-

Yes, this makes me even more excited to have OUR little baby boy here! But we can wait! :) Jesse was able to finally feel our little boy kick. I would like to say he is sorta just like his Daddy in that way. Sly about it. He probably thinks its funny that I will feel him kick and but then when I put my hand or Jesse's hand on my stomach to feel him again NOTHING...Why do I say he is like his father in that way? Well I might be stretching it but Jesse is quite the funny boy if you really know him..but he is sly about it. He'll do something funny but if you missed it he wont repeat it. But I sure hope our little boy is like his Daddy in many ways! :) ...and hopefully only takes after me with my good qualities! ha!

Another Half Way Point.

I can't forget to mention that Jesse is now just around half way through the MBA program! He will officially be done with school the June 1st. (Which maybe it will be a good thing if the baby comes a little bit late. Like June 2nd would actually be a good time. But I really wanted a May baby. Either way it will work out, we are not worried) He has been working really hard and keeping really busy. This semester there is not a lot of class time but between all the meetings and group projects and reading/homework he is quite the busy man. He also just took on around 10 hours a week of work being an assistance for a professor. (good experience for him, he says) I admire him for his hard work. 

Me, on the other hand, I am trying to keep myself busy. I work down south occasionally at my job I have had for the last year but sorta quit when we moved up here but staying PRN (as needed)...but I am hoping to work more there starting February. I had two interviews this week for a job...and I must say I felt kinda guilty going to both of them just knowing that I would only be planning on working there for around 4 1/2 months. No one wants to hire someone that will only be working that long... :( So we are hoping I can just continue to work a good amount at my Ogden job. I have been working on my homemaking skills lately though. ha. At least I felt like I have done better about making dinner each night (healthy ones too) and just cleaning and doing the wifey's jobs. Cooking dinner and cleaning the dishes by hand every day is kinda already getting old and tedious for me though-I am a little worried. :S but trying to make a good habits! 


Also Jesse is moving on up in this technology world finally. He made the switch to a smart phone! Which was a much needed upgrade for him as you see. He is loving it. And since found out about the "words with friends" game...and then I started as well playing it on my i pod-I haven't made the switch yet to a fancy phone and as long as I don't play around with Jesse's enough to know what I am missing out on a think I am completely satisfied with my phone that you can make calls, text, and even take basic pictures. :)

Half Way!

Half Way = 20 weeks pregnant.

I thought I should give a little pregnancy update as well.

I am feeling great! Basically I've felt good since a little after 2nd trimester started and can't complain too much! Which this is when everyone says you feel the best so not a surprise. Somedays I even can say I don't feel pregnant at all! (but then again that sometimes makes me worry too much--it bothers me that we worry so much that everything is o.k-an ultrasound each day would help that :) )

My appetite is back..yeah I knew that wouldn't last too long. But Jesse and I are trying to eat healthy since over the break we didn't do so well with that. Also we are back to exercising a little better as well...not the same as I was before I was pregnant. I don't know how people run throughout there whole pregnancy...lately sometimes after like a quarter mile its uncomfortable for my belly. 

And speaking of my belly...well somedays I still feel just fat, other days I think OK maybe I do look pregnant..(but you never know if its just bloating ha!) I still try to kinda hide it. I basically have to wear a belly band with my pants and I have bought one pair of pregnancy pants...which I might still just wear when I am not pregnant because they are great! So I don't really know what I think of belly pictures but a lot of people told me I will want them...

I had to put away these cute clothes that we have for our baby boy the other day! It makes me excited! I am trying to be good and not go buy a bunch of stuff. I have only bought him one sweater...so far. It was on sale. ha But I am going to try wait and not go buy everything..but I sure do want to!