Cleaning up a work....

I have one of those big desk top calendars on my desk at school and I was marking something on it yesterday. One of my students said, "Mrs. Ilaoa, why are you writing on your desk?" I replied that I was marking something on my calendar. Then the student said, "I never knew you had a calendar on your desk...."

Lesson 1: Students do pay attention.

Lesson 2: Organization does pay off.

Happy Anniversary Aaron!

I ended up going through pictures and got a little carried away. Its amazing how much younger we look when we first got married. Here's our pictures looking back over the last 7 years! (Not all years...but enough to show you some love )

Dating in Virginia September 2001

Meeting the Family December 2001 in Hawaii

Married Laie Temple January 25, 2002

Valentine's Day 2003

The Day Aaron got back from Bahrain July 2003

Aaron's Dad's Retirement July 2003
Trip to California August 2003

Aaron's Work Dinner 2006

Aaron home from Iraq 2007

Ball in North Carolina 2007

Sugar Bowl in New Orleans 2008

Leaving Israel for the First time August 2008

Aaron's biggest fans January 2009

A little Nesting...

Everyone keeps saying..."Do what you can now before the baby comes..." As you are noticing the things in the room, I want to say how greatful we are. My sister gave us the Pack -N- Play. My mom gave us the dresser. One of Aaron's friends from work gave us everything else (they didn't even know me!) We are very greatful!! (Its not all going to stay in the room...but not sure where to put it before he comes....)

I know I have plenty of time (11 weeks) but I got all excited and had to buy these wallies/appliques. I was excited when I found out they won't ruin all the paint I did two years ago. I can take them off and move them whenever I want. I'm going with a little ocean/beach theme...

I'm still waiting for my buckets of sand stickers to go next to the palm trees. There's also some little fish and seahorses to blend in. I had a hard time finding too many stickers with turtles...but I loved the dolphins and killer whales.
Then I found this so cute turtle, if its not gonna be Israel's its my favorite!

Thanks to a day off of work!

I was very skeptical that we would actually have snow...but I have enjoyed the day off. Its crazy...we were in cold weather in Idaho and Missouri...but this is the first snow for me this winter and Jacksonville has not had it in years! Aaron says everything is possible with a black president :)

Like Father like son.....

I just got these in the mail from Shauna....I think they are too cute. Those of you who know my husband, know that he has a small collection of shoes. I was pretty sure he has a pair of blue converse to match the ones for our boy and sure enough...the picture is too cute.

And of course the Raiders are Aaron's favorite pro team. Good job Shauna!

And he's off....

The waiting around part....

Goday, Aaron, and Rodriquez

My shirt says Future Sooner (Aaron's OU team mascot)....they have a BCS game on Thurs so I wore it for a little luck for him...I mean them.

How is he going to get dressed without me?

Let me get it...

(It looks like we are rubbing eachother's tummies :)

Next time I see him....we'll be holding little Israel :)


Well we don't know how long Aaron will be gone, but we know we have a three month count down for Israel...so that is keeping us positive. I'll keep you all updated.

Seven Pounds

What a movie! Aaron and I went to see it and I was actually sobbing at the end. I know I cry easily...but I can count the times I have sobbed in a theater. Make sure if you do go with someone, that you are ok with them seeing you cry or you seeing them cry. It makes you greatful for your life and those you love.

2008 Highlights

Looking back this year I enjoyed my mixture of callings:
Seminary teacher, Ward Girls Camp Director, Relief Society Counselor
and now Young Women's President.

Going in some kind of Chronological order:

Canasta Days with the Hollobaughs
My brother Nathan coming home and having the whole family together
Finding out we were pregnant!
Knowing we are having a boy
Aaron's Data Chief Course...mostly the coming home part
Cross Country drive to see grandparents, and relatives
My sister Mary got married
Week of Christmas with family - including family Temple Trip
Having some one on one time with Aaron before he leaves....

Here are some Resolutions:
I asked Aaron what goals he had for us this year and his answers are always so simple:
"Have Israel" Well as cute as I think that is....since that is technically my goal to give birth to this Samoan (and his moral support will help) I decided to add a few more of my own.

Set a side a time for reading scriptures
One organization project monthly ex: Recipes, clothes, closets, cabinets
Exercise 3-5 times a week
Learn and try a new recipe weekly

I realize I need to set short term goals:

Prepare for Israel - this includes the gym plus buying diapers etc. I think the organization projects come in here too....
I'm open to ideas for projects you did or wish you did before the baby comes.

We won't get into finances on this.

Lastly, I want to visit and evaluate my goals monthly.

Anybody got any ideas I can steal from you? :)

Happy New Year!!