All sorts of new things

This new year has a lot of unknowns for the Bush family.  We're at the exciting point in our lives where we are making big decisions and by and large, most things are completely out of our control as we begin this year.

Jon will be graduating from BYU this April with his MBA and I'm so proud of him and the countless hours he's spent on school and homework.  This means we will hopefully have a new job soon and be moving to a new place and be meeting new people--all things I'm excited for.  It's also difficult not knowing what's in store because I really like to plan ahead, even when nothing ends up going as planned.  I guess it gives me a sense of control in situations I know I can't control.

There is one thing, however, that we're sure about this year.  We're definitely going to have less of this:

A LOT more of this:

And hopefully not as much of this:

And we'll be buying another one of these:

Have you figured it out yet?  You might think you have...but you're probably not expecting this:

OK.  Let me help you just a little...

That's right! We're expecting identical twins!!!!!

A couple of months ago, we found out we were expecting again and the doctors decided to see me early (6.5 weeks) to make sure everything was going well because I had a miscarriage back in August.  I was EXTREMELY nervous when we went in for the ultrasound.  The doctor kept moving the thing around and for a few seconds wasn't saying anything at all which made me panic.

Finally, he said, "Yep!  They're BOTH doing great!!!"  I couldn't have been more surprised if I'd woken up with my head sewn to the carpet!! My immediate reaction was relief and then I just couldn't hold it all back anymore and just started bawling.  Jon and my sister were there in the room and everyone was shocked and screaming and laughing and when Laura saw me crying she said, "Are you crying because you're sad or because you're happy??" and of course I was overjoyed! I just couldn't contain it.

Never in a million years would I have expected such a thing as twins!  We aren't genetically predisposed to having twins and it never crossed my mind as a possibility.  

The doctor said right there that they were identical because of how close they are to each other.  So I went home to research immediately and started learning about twins.  Identical twins happen completely by chance and are not hereditary.  They are "monozygotic" which means one fertilized egg splits and VOILA! Two babies.  The odds of having identical twins is 1 in 250. 

Here are a couple more ultrasounds for your viewing pleasure:

So as we embark on our new adventure to a family of 6 (yikes!!!) a lot is going to change.  We're happy and excited and grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed us with so many things we take for granted.

I'll be documenting a lot on this pregnancy because it's so different than anything I've ever experienced already.  I've never had morning sickness with my other two pregnancies and this one has been a doozy.  My belly is growing exponentially and I already look like I'm 20 weeks.  This has made it very hard to hide in public.  

So I'm relieved that I'm in my twelfth week and relieved and nervous to be sharing the news with you all.

Here are my belly shots to date:

9 Weeks

11 Weeks

Sarah's Resolutions

Every year I make resolutions and every year there's something that gets thrown under the rug not too long after January.  I considered not making resolutions this year and instead making goals periodically as I do throughout the year anyway but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a fresh start on some things.

52 Weeks of Scripture Study
I've read 1 Nephi 1 more times than I can count.  I know I need something different to keep me motivated and and, to put it frankly, to keep me from getting BORED.  I decided to study my scriptures this year in a weekly theme format.  I have written down 52 different topics that I have questions about, need a stronger testimony of, or just enjoy reading about.  I will study one of these topics each week, allowing me to dig deeper into each subject and something that will keep me from getting lost in the same stories I've been reading for years.

1000 Miles to Nowhere
I did a lot of running last year and I loved it.  I put more races under my belt last year than any other year.  But races are expensive $$$ and add up awfully quickly when you focus on longer distances like I do.  So this year (I stole this idea from my brother Jeff) I'm committing myself to running 1000 miles.  If I decide to throw a few races in there, I will only reach my goal faster.  I'll be adding a countdown to the blog so you can watch along with me as the miles diminish.  Now all I need is a new pair of shoes.

These are just a couple of the goals I'm working for this year among the other annual repeats.  I've decided to log my progress, thoughts, feelings, and happenings during my journey.  Feel free to follow along!  Here is my new running blog: 1000 Miles to Nowhere.

What goals have you made this year?