Surprise! JJ is on his way!

I have always wanted to be a mom. While many women desire to be successful working moms I can honestly say 'stay at home mom' has been my numero uno most wanted job since I was a little girl. Maybe it stemmed from my older sister Annie always stealing the mom role when we played house. Or maybe, and most likely, it was because I always loved having my mom around and wanted to be just like her when I grew up. 

One of the best pieces of advice I got when I was engaged to Jeffrey was: Don't wait until you're ready to have kids. You will never feel ready. TRUTH! I kept thinking 'when we are ready have kids' translated to 'in 100 years' haha. Well it came a lot sooner than I expected. Summer of 2014 Jeffrey and I had some neat experiences that helped us realize it was time to start our family. Although I did not feel ready physically, emotionally or mentally I moved forward in faith knowing that this is what we needed to do. 

There is nothing quite like seeing the double lines on a pregnancy test! WHAT?!?! I have a child growing inside of me!!!!!! What a rush of emotions. I immediately felt responsible for the little life within. I wanted to be 100% excited. Yet I was worried: what if the test was wrong, what if it was too early, what if it was a chemical pregnancy, what if I miscarry in a couple of days, what if I am not ready to be a mom? I already felt so much love and concern for my child and wanted the best for them. I mourn with all mothers who suffer miscarriages because as soon as you take that positive pregnancy test you feel a deep connection and great concern for the welfare of your child. I truly believe those little lives starts from the very beginning. I also believe that anyone who has ever lost a child will have a chance to raise them in life after death. These little people have a great impact on our lives from the very start of theirs.

  Jeff recorded this video right after we took the test and you can see the mixture of excitement and worry in my eyes. Please excuse the baby talk, I think I was retreating into a small and innocent place trying to cope with how much my life was changing right before my eyes..... and inside my belly.

I went in for an early ultrasound as I had some curious symptoms. I felt such a wave of relief to see my baby's heart beat. I was pregnant and all was well.

Next step was sharing the news with our families. I LOVE SURPRISES.

I used to call and tell my mom I was just leaving Cedar City whilst on her front porch... hehe.... I did that more than once and it got her several times (or maybe she was just humoring me). 

Jeffrey went along with my insane plans to catch everyone off guard on Christmas with their gifts! We did so with lengthy tales such as "we are giving you all pieces to the same game so you have to open them at the same time"  and " we are recording this to send to Jake on his mission..." haha watch and enjoy the various surprises! Our little dude was spreading so much joy before he was even born!

Powell Family Surprises

If you want a little laugh notice how many times Jeff tries to get my dad to show him the shirt. Haha.

My missionary brother! We didn't tell him until May 2015  a mere 2 months before JJ was due! I
tried to let everyone have their moment with him... but I was just too excited! This was by far the hardest secret I've ever kept. But so worth the surprise!

Hertig Family Surprises

Christmas morning opening presents... you can tell it doesn't really sink in for a second, haha

 My sister in law Heidi was still in highschool when this was filmed.... so that is why Arin has to clarify not SISTER HEIDI haha. 

Our Love Story

So now that you've heard the real story behind "when we first met" you'll understand why we usually say we met while serving on Southern Utah University's Student Association (SUUSA = student government). Let me give you the deets about how this all went down.

I was Elected as Vice President of Activities March of 2012. You can read about my decision to run here: Shortly after Jeff was appointed as the controller.

warning: this may get a little cheesy....  

Here is our love story timeline:

May 2012 ULA Logan UT

I had been told that Jeff was the type of guy to have girls throw themselves at him, so I needed to keep it cool. I didn't reveal my crush and I wasn't overly flirtatious... but I did keep myself available and friendly just in case.

August 2012 SUUSA Retreat SUU Mountain Center

Jeff approached me during an evening of our mountain center retreat and asked me if I had seen the amazing stars that night. I did a mental girlish squeal and thought.... WHaaat?  but I kept my cool: "No, wanna show me?" Cue eyelash flutter ( LOL JK).  My heart was racing as we went outside. I probably said a little prayer that I wouldn't be awkward. haha. We just talked, and it was wonderful. He was really good at getting me to open up and share, it was SO EASY for me to talk to him! My prayers were answered and I didn't act like an awkward fan girl. After a good chat we made some jokes and did yoga on picnic tables. As I went to bed that night I had an insane amount of butterflies thinking Jeff initiated that one on one time... HOW LUCKY AM I?!

As you can see- still keeping my cool (and Jeff is surrounded by girls)

September 2012

Lets just say the conversation under the stars in August opened the door to many more one on one conversations in the SUUSA offices and beyond. Jeff and I were spending every spare moment joking and flirting and I was having SO MUCH FUN with my new best friend. We went on a couple casual dates early September and I felt the possibility of being serious was just around the corner for us. September 19, 2012 we found ourselves once again under the stars. The following may sound made up but it was REAL LIFE: A shooting star passed over our heads and I made a wish. It went something like this: " I wish that Jeff would ask me to be his girlfriend.... and maybe just maybe someday his wife?!?"  That very night Jeffrey asked me to be his girlfriend. It was magical. It was not an awkward DTR. It just happened so naturally.

One random night we were both in the offices we went to wash our  hands and ended up like this. 

We became true T-birds Homecoming 2012

Jeff was also on Institute Council at this time. Life was crazy busy but we always found time to spend together. 

October 2012

I left with SUU dance department to China for 2 weeks. We skyped/ emailed daily and I missed him like crazy. When I got home from China he had roses and chocolate for me. CHOCOLATE. This guy really knew the way to my heart.

Dance friends from China!

Student Center Night Manager and SUUSA VP of Activities the night of The Scream.  We weren't in costume but we did manage to snag a picture.

November 2012 - February 2013

Life was insanely busy for both of us. Between work, student government, dance rehearsals, early morning institute council.... oh and school.... we somehow managed to fall in love.

*Cue Audience: "Aweeee..."*

I warned you. THE Cheddarist of Cheesy.

Bringing Jeff cupcakes while he was at work. Making every moment count.

Ice Skating for FHE at Bishop Staheli's rink

Jeff Supporting me at Faculty Dance concert Feb 2013

March 2013

To add to our insanely busy courtship Jeffrey decided to run for Student Body President. He included me in that decision and I knew things were getting serious. We went ring shopping and we even talked about getting married before my brother left on his mission in early June. This was quite a stressful time for both of us to say the least. I felt weird planning a wedding before we were engaged.... and Jeff was having to spend insane amounts of his time on his *last minute* campaign. There were moments that I felt 2nd place to the campaign and became the complaining girlfriend. Luckily my sister was able to kindly help me recognize I was being selfish. I was able to suck it up and support Jeff because I knew he would be the best for the position. After an even more stressful campaign than mine, Jeff won!!

Engagement March 2013 

We had picked out a ring. All Jeff had left was to pick it up and ask my dad. The downside was he had to make a trip to St. George to do so. I took a weekend trip with Jessica Lim to see Imagine Dragons in Salt Lake knowing I had to get back in time to make the trip to St. George with Jeff. Turned out my little friend had plans I was unaware of and we got back later than we'd planned. Jeff  told me he was so sorry but it was too late and he had too much school work to catch up on. I was an emotional wreck thinking "This puts everything off one more week. UGH. We have to get engaged so I can start planning this May wedding!!" I look back at this and realize I was being a little dramatic.... First world problems.

The next weekend we planned to go to St. George Saturday. Friday night Jeff took me on a date. He was taking me to all these special places: where we first met, the SUU mountain center where our relationship blossomed, up to the "C" where we had our first date Etc. I thought: "this is cute... its almost like a proposal date! Too bad he doesn't have the ring and he hasn't asked my dad."

He pulled off the side of the road on our way back down Cedar Canyon it was a scenic area with a pretty river. He said, " Let's make a new memory." We got out, hiked a little and talked for a while it felt relaxed and spontaneous to me. He told me that he wrote me a song.... To the tune of "Good Morning Beautiful"   he sang this song with custom lyrics to me.

 (When I find the lyrics I will share them... I really hope Jeff has them saved somewhere.)

This was the point I knew the date hadn't been as spur of the moment as I'd thought. This song was too put together. I started laughing and squealing as he got down on one knee and reached underneath a rock where he had designed for someone to hide the ring. He sang something about eternity and then sang "Heidi will you marry me?" I was screaming/ laughing/ crying SOOOO HAPPY! Of course I said yes but not until after I said "how did you get that? When did you talk to my dad!"

Turns out he was pretty sneaky. 

Out of the bushes popped my sister, my dear friends Jessica and Eva and across the mountain Jeff's good friend Jordan. They had been filming and taking pictures of the WHOLE evening. Jeff had orchestrated every moment of the date soooo well that it had felt spontaneous to me. I was so happy! We were getting married!!! (In two months.... EEK!!!)

May 31st 2013 Our Wedding Day 

One of the best days of my life. I woke up at 5:30 AM like a little kid on Christmas morning with super warm feet (opposite of cold feet if you didn't catch that). Jeff and I were married in the Bountiful Utah Temple. I remember feeling worried and stressed as I arrived a bit late and Jeffrey was still no where to be seen (being on time is important to me.) But as he walked in those doors all the stress and worry went away. I was looking at my soon to be HUSBAND, it felt unreal.

Our sealing was the best part of the day hands down. It was wonderful to be in a room filled with all our family, close friends and of course each other. I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude as I looked around at all the faces that had such a great impact on my life. I am so grateful for temples and for the sealing power our Father in Heaven has provided for us here on earth. I knew as I held Jeffrey and we looked in those mirrors facing each other that we had been sealed for eternity.

The whole day is a blur and went by soooo fast. I am grateful we have pictures that captured many of the happy moments.

May 31, 2013 Our little family was established. This isn't the end, its just the beginning. But I'm confident I can say it will be happily ever after.