First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.

WE'RE PREGNANT!!! We surprised our family with an early Christmas present this year by wearing these shirts.

We were originally going to surprise our parents on Christmas with a "grandma/grandpa" kind of gift but we couldn't wait that long. We were WAY too excited to wait. So I'm about 7 weeks along and am due August 17th! I knew I was pregnant for a while but was patiently waiting for "proof". We had been praying about it for a while and knew that being parents is what we need to do and what the Lord wanted us to do. I waited a few hours for the perfect moment to tell Adam. I waited to tell him in the temple that afternoon. It was the perfect place to tell him and I am so glad I waited for that perfect moment. The spirit was so strong and we couldn't stop smiling! We still can't stop smiling. Sometimes when we are laying next to each other in bed we start giggling because we remember I'm pregnant. For those that don't believe: Here is the proof that I waited forever for. *I say this because I took 3 tests that were negative...even though I still knew I was pregnant (call me crazy...but I had "the" feeling). I than took 2 a while later (different brands of coarse) and they were positive!!!

If you read the post prior to this one you can imagine how much stress we have been under...but knowing we are pregnant has really helped us understand why we go through the things we go through. Anyways...I could go on for days about how I feel about being pregnant but I just thought I would let a small portion of the blogging world know that I'm pregnant!! :)

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear

You like my titles lately? =) It should read more like this: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is having faith and saying prayer!!!

I have lots to do:

• Send out Christmas cards
• Clean
• Finish a couple Christmas presents
• Pack
• Work out
• Go to the doctors (no, it's not what you think)
• Take someone for a test drive in our car (pray that we sell it!!! It may determine when we go back home).
• Bake cookies (and other things) for a friend that just lost her baby and for home teaching families.
• Take some things to DI and pick up pictures at Wal-mart

I just need to breathe. Last night I couldn't sleep and got up at 2am. Adam gets up at 3:30 to go to work so I was able to drop him off than go back to bed. Or so I thought...I still couldn't go back to bed for another 2 hours.

Last night there was a huge power outage in Rexburg. Adam and I were getting some free sushi and while we were eating it in our car it felt like a huge sheet fell on top of us. I've never been outside when power has gone out so it was really fun for us. (not so fun for some people...there were some accidents on the icy black roads). We came home and lit all the candles I have. I'm addicted to good smelling candles. I LOVE them and Adam was very happy we had them. We talked for a while than Adam went to bed because he had to get up so early. I just stayed up and played solitaire by myself with all these candles around me. I felt like I was doing some Seance. But it was fun.

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Okay, so I wrote that early this morning and have now crossed off a few things. Including selling our car!!!! We are so grateful!! We can now go home for Christmas without worry. YES!! The people we sold it to are really nice members of the Church and we got along really well. They were really impressed with Adam's organization (he keeps track of everything he buys for the car and repairs in excel). They said the reason why they wanted to buy from us was because they admired Adam's integrity. I love that about my husband. He has always been a honest man and I also admire that about him. Funny story: The buyers of our car just called to tell me something and I was in the middle of saying a gratitude prayer when I answered. When I answered I said "Heavenly Father?" instead of "Hello?" hahaha I'm laughing so hard right now. I can't believe I said that! For those that are really confused: When Mormons pray we start by addressing Heavenly Father.

This has been such a blessing for us. Adam and I have been struggling financially for quite a while and have stayed up late talking/crying/praying about it. We have now realized that this is something we must go through to grow. In order to recognize blessings and really appreciate what we have...we needed to go through this. Just this morning we were sent a Christmas card with some money in it and are forever grateful for this family. I don't know if they knew our financial circumstances but the Lord works in mysterious ways...and we can now go home for Christmas. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs and dancing for hours I am so happy!!! Right now Adam was offered a couple side jobs in Idaho Falls to get some extra money so again...we are being blessed tremendously. Over this last semester especially I have been able to come to an even greater understanding that the Lord can and will keep his promises and will always provide.

There has been so many times in our marriage when we just think we will never be able to make our financial goals...when suddenly I get a job, or Adam get's offered a side job, or we sell our car, or we get some Christmas money. When you have faith...anything is possible. I also have a testimony of prayer. I was informed not too long ago that a lot of my family was praying for us to make ends meet and sell our car. I was just a little teary eyed when I heard this.

I love the Lord and believe in Him. I also love my family and am forever grateful for everything they do for Adam and I. Let us not forget the real meaning of this Christmas season. We have all been given such a special gift.

President Monson said: "Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.' As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others."

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

I forgot to post some family pictures that my family took over Thanksgiving. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Love, The Pedersen Family

Alright people...I need more comments on my blog. A girl gots to feel loved every once in a while :) The only comments I get are from weird strangers trying to sell me stuff...so come on!! If they can comment, you can too ;) Now, nobody is going to comment and probably just blocked my site. Great job Shanna :)

Okay, back to our happily ever after. This last week has been busy busy busy and I should probably be writing one of my finals right now...but who does that anyway? Just kidding, I have been writing them but this is my little break. Like I've said before I have been volunteering with an after school music program. Well, last Thursday we had our concert and everything went great! Santa even came!! What more could you ask for? How about obedient children? The kids were acting up like crazy back stage (running in and out of the curtains so the audience would laugh, screaming, chasing) you know the usual kid stuff. Well I was getting really frustrated but tried to keep my cool. They finally got in line and walked up the risers. Once they realized all eyes were on them and they couldn't just hide behind the curtains they behaved miraculously! I was so proud. All the practices payed off and we got lots of positive feedback from the audience. Here are a few shots from our fun filled night...sorry they are a bit blurry. Adam was trying to get some pictures without using flash.

This last weekend was really fun! We went to the Talbot Christmas party in Utah (Adam's moms' side of the family). We had a gift exchange, ate some good food, talked and played games. It was so good to see everyone. Adam's sister Anna came with us. His other sister Maren and her husband came too.

*Grandma Talbot read us a cute book, it brought back memories of when my grandma would read to us little ones on Christmas eve*

*All the girls got together and did what we do best (craft!). We made Christmas cards for the missionaries*

My parents are vacationing in Florida right now with another couple from Church. I got a message on Friday saying my dad was in the hospital and to pray for him. He was told he had 3 kidney stones! Yikes! I can't imagine the pain he was going through. I was checking up on him before class and he was throwing up. Poor dad! Luckily...the power of prayer is real and helped nurse my dad back to health. He feels a lot better now and even went scuba diving. I don't feel so bad for him anymore. haha!

Thanksgiving Break *part two*

I'm really slacking on the blogging...sorry! On Thanksgiving day Adam and I had dinner at the Neilsens house (yum!) then went to the church where my family had their Thanksgiving dinner. It was weird having two thanksgiving dinners/get-togethers because this was our first Thanksgiving married at home. We stayed at the church for a while and played lots of fun games, took pictures, ate some good food (aka: ham...its a favorite). Here are some pictures of all the girl cousins. Aren't we cute?! :D I love all of them and loved seeing them again!

*Yes, we HAD to blow kisses at the camera*

After staying a while we went back to the Neilsen's house and had some pie and played some games...guess how many pies Momma Neilsen made? Well, take a look and prepare to be amazed...

12!!! Yes, you counted that right :D 2 I think were made by the Coffmans: our adopted family that we love.

The Coffman family brought TONS of ads so we could find the best deals on Back Friday. I have to say, I've never shopped on black friday so I was a little excited to see what all the hustle and bustle was about. Never again. We got up at 2:30 I think, and all headed to Old Navy and Walmart. I was so shocked at how long the line were. I worked at Old Navy for a year and had to work on black Friday once and remember the long line inside the store but holy moly I never thought so many people were crazy enough to stand outside at 2AM just to save a couple bucks. Seriously, I think the most people saved was just a couple dollars. I got nice work out pants for 10 bucks but honestly I could have gotten that price any time of the year. Oh well, it was definitely worth the experience...plus I got to go with people I love. But I will never do it again. I don't know how people do this year after year.

Wal-mart is where I saved the most. I bought a few good movies for 2 bucks. Who can beat that?

*Lots of Leftovers*

My cousin Tyler flew in for the weekend and I was so happy to see him. I lived with him in my first year of college in Arizona and it had been several years since I've seen him. We have lots of fun memories together. We would often stay up late talking, he would set me up on lots of blind (unsuccessful) dates, every Sunday night we went to OJ night (orange Julius) at a friends' house, every week we would go play foursquare. Don't laugh...you would have loved it. Tons of people would show up, there were fog machines, and we even had t-shirts made. Yes, I still have mine :) So does Tyler. We would go to lots of baseball games, he and his brother introduced me to Lacrosse...so fun to watch! He introduced me to alternative music and got me hooked. We have lots of memories screaming at the top of our lungs to weezer haha! Anyways, I could go on and on about the memories we have and the memories I have from Arizona. Including his down syndrome cousin Sunni who I fell in love with...and still remembers me!

This weekend was a really special one for my brother Christopher. He was given the Melchizedek Priesthood which now allows him to perform blessings among many other wonderful things. Holding this priesthood enables him to receive the temple endowment and to be sealed to his eternal family. The night he was blessed with the Melchizedek Priesthood...my cousins' daughter JuliAnne was blessed and Christopher was able to be a part of that blessing. What a wonderful experience for him. Chanelle and I couldn't help but realize Christopher is growing up way too fast and isn't that little buck toothed kid anymore :D I was crying like a baby.

Thanksgiving Break *part one*

Okay...so I have TONS to blog about but I first have to say how grateful I am that we were able to go home for Thanksgiving. We both had such a fun time and were so happy to be home spending time with family. The drive went great! We were certainly being watched over because we were told it was going to be pretty bad. We left at 4am on Saturday and got in at 5ish...just in time for our stake conference at 6. I was so happy to see my family I could have cried! My sister Chanelle had to work WAY too much while I was there so I wasn't very happy about that. She works at costco...I hate costco now :) When we go home for Christmas I'm hoping she won't have to work that much.

We did a lot while we were home!...

~All the girls got together to make holiday treats~

*Pretty Chanelle making Pies*

*Making Pecan logs= Diabetes logs*

*Chocolate Turtles*

*Wrapping homemade caramels*

~We played lots of games (mostly Rock Band). Adam and I love that game so much!~

~Lots of the family got together to play football~

*BreAnne being sexy*
*Cool lookin' shot of Adam and Daniel*
~Enjoying the beautiful fall leaves: It was fun to see some fall. In Idaho; fall has come and gone right before my eyes. Theres already snow here!~

On Thanksgiving my family (moms side) got together at the church and had some delicious food and fun games! Look how beautiful we decorated...thanks to my mom and her sisters. They are all so talented!

Oh! And can I just say how much I love the child that I'm holding in this picture. Little Brooklyn is so darling and I couldn't get enough of her! Also, note that I'm sitting with the kids. Can we just say how much I love kids and that I can't wait to have my own? There were so many adorable kids at home for Thanksgiving...and I wasn't the only one that couldn't get enough. Who can pass up a cuddly naked baby? I thought so.

*Look at this girls' beautiful face!*

It's hard having both our families just a block away from each other, but I wouldn't trade that for the world. We stayed a few nights at my in-laws and the rest at my house. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my 2 siblings that will be leaving on their missions soon. These 2 siblings will be amazing missionaries!!

p.s. You like the new look of the blog? I love the snow effect! I saw it on a friends' blog and couldn't resist.

FINALLY!

So I finally got a job at a daycare! I'm working pretty part time, but being an herbalife distributor is also a part time job. My old job also wants me back (movie gallery). Not sure what to do. Adam got laid off at one of his jobs (sand blaster) so this is perfect timing for me to get some jobs. We are certainly being watched over. The daycare job is going good. Half of the children speak Spanish so I haven't a clue what they are saying. They love me though so that makes it all worth it! This day care is at a womans' house and it is pretty disorganized. I want to help out as much as I can, but it isn't my place. I want to take over sometimes (is that bad?). I think it's the 'teacher' in me that wants everything organized and wants every child to learn a new thing every day. She acts like she appreciates me 'taking over' sometimes but I'm thinking it would be annoying, so I need to work on that.

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Last night I went to a step class...holy moly it was hard!! It was my first time going to a class and I hated & loved it. The step class instructor is amazingly fit and knows what she is doing (well, let's hope so). We were doing some crazy moves at one point and I couldn't memorize it fast enough so I was getting SO frustrated. Finally I got it and it felt great! We did this step class for an hour straight and only stopped a couple times to get weights and jump ropes. I think I will be going to this class every week from now on. By the way...last week I lost another 2 pounds!! Wahoo!! I'm so excited. Let's hope this continues, especially when I go home for Thanksgiving (good thing I don't like pie!).

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My sister-in-law Anna came over a couple days ago to help me put up our Christmas decorations (don't hate me). I was just too excited to wait and really really wanted Christmas to last longer this year. Last year it felt like I only got to enjoy our cute decorations for a short week. Thanks for helping out Anna! I'll show pictures of all the cuteness when it's normal to have Christmas decorations out ;)

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I can't wait to go home! I've been listening to Pandora all day. My favorite station right now is Michael Buble' Christmas. Every time I listen to Christmas I think of home (especially because right now I'm listening to a Jim Brickman song) He has such beautiful music! Adam and I are taking off tomorrow morning at about 4am can you believe it?! We are taking a few girls home with us and I just can't wait to see these beautiful faces!! *and many more*

P.S. My cousin Brittiny got married today and I'm so bummed I couldn't be there. If I could have I would have been there in a heart beat. Adam had a stinkin' project due today so we couldn't leave any earlier. Congrats Brit!!! I love you to pieces!!!

*Sister Pedersen*

Yesterday my sister Chanelle got her mission call!!! I waited and waited and waited until I got the phone call that she was about to open the letter. Finally at about 11pm I got that phone call. I could barely hear because SO many people were over at our house awaiting the city in which she would be called to. I come from a very big/loud/fun family so you can imagine when we all get together how crazy it is. Finally she started reading the letter and...found out that she will be serving in Jacksonville, Florida!!! I'm so happy for her and can't wait to write her letters and hear about all the things she will experience. She will be departing January 27th. She has such a strong spirit about her and is an all around great person. She will be a fantastic missionary and I can't wait to see her and spend time together over these coming holidays. I'm going to miss her like craazy!! Last night was very bitter sweet for me. I was extremely happy for her, but sad that she will be leaving. I cried myself to sleep and couldn't help it. I was just so sad that she was going to be leaving me for a year and a half! Chanelle and I have grown closer over the years and I love her more than anything! I realize that she will be leaving home to serve the Lord and I am so proud of her for making that decision. The same month Chanelle will be reporting to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) my brother Christopher will be turning in HIS papers to serve a mission. I keep telling Adam this is another perfect reason why we need to start our family: So I can have something else distract me because having my two close siblings gone will be really hard for me ;)

Chanelley and I have so many great memories together and I was going through some pictures today and just found way too many cute ones to just post a couple...so here are a BUNCH of pictures of my sweet sister and I. I love you Chanelle and support you 110%!!

*We took these pictures when we were making a music video together*

*At one point she jumped on my back in the video and pulled out a huge chunk of my hair. We still laugh about that*

*What girl doesn't have one of these pictures?*

*Nauvoo, IL*

*Utah 2009*

*2003: Yes, I was a blonde in high school*

*Summer 2008*

*Our cousins wedding reception 2008*

P.S. I will be dedicating a blog just for Chanelle while she's on her mission. I will put up pictures, e-mails she sends back home, mission stories she has and lots of other fun things. I'm wanting to do this so when she comes home from her mission I can put together an easy scrapbook of her mission.

Shooting pumpkins with my punkin

Isn't that hat fun? I feel dorky with it on, but I like it at the same time. I also love my purple gloves. They both certainly kept me warm.

Our pumpkins were rotting so we decided to take them shooting. It was freeeezing outside but lots of fun! I love going shooting...definitely a new fav. Here are our victims of fun for the night:

*2 pumpkins, milk jugs filled with water, rotten potatoes, and used boxes*

We filled each pumpkin with the rotten potatoes and had some fun! :)

I know I say it almost every post but my husband is so handsome! His hat made me laugh too. He has a matching outfit for when he goes hunting.

P.S. What is with all the guys checking them selves out at the gym? Seriously, every day I go to the gym the guys are glued to the mirrors. Today I got a kick out this one guy lifting next to me. He rolled up his sleeves and flexed for the mirror. Seriously? I understand why there are mirrors at the gym...to help with posture and several other things yada yada yada. I still think some guys go too far :) and I get a kick out of it.

Herbalife

So I have been doing HERBALIFE for 3 weeks now and have already lost 10 pounds! I'm so thrilled and want to shout it from the rooftops. Even though you can't really tell that I am losing weight I feel great and that makes me so happy! This company has been around for over 30 years and is known world wide. I have confidence in their products and hope to spread the word. Last night Adam decided to go to the gym with me. He is an animal. Even though Adam is tall and thinner...he was probably the strongest one in the gym last night. He was doing 400 Ibs. on his legs and it didn't phase him. Other (more bulkier) guys were doing 200 max. On every other machine he would do the maximum the machine would let out. I always knew my man was strong...he can lift me for crying out loud! That's saying a lot :D

Adam and I have finally decided (after lots and lots of thinking and praying) that we are going to be distributors for the company: Herbalife. We are really excited and *a little nervous*. This will mostly be my job because Adam already has 2. Like I've said before...I'm going to school very part time so I have lots of free time. I have a second interview today for a daycare position. She said she's really interested and it's between me and another girl. We'll see! I'm really motivated to be a part of this company and hope to see a positive outcome...and income :)

Over these next few weeks I will be hosting a couple *shake parties* which is basically introducing & tasting some awesome products and helping people become more aware of their overall health and what they can do to improve it. It's going to be fun and hopefully really motivating. I will do one here in Rexburg and one in Medford, Oregon over Thanksgiving break.

I'm sure a lot of you think I'm crazy for doing this, but It feels right. I feel good about taking the products so I feel comfortable selling them. By doing this I will be even more motivated to have my own weight loss story. But, Ultimately, I really want to help others and be a good motivator for others.

In other news I am listening to Christmas music already. I know. Sew me. I can't help it. SheDaisy is a must around this time of year so I've been listening to them. It makes me so happy! Adam thinks its too early (I secretly do too, but I'm not going to admit it :D ). For now I'm going to turn up SheDaisy and enjoy the freezing cold weather outside from our warm and cozy apartment.

My husband is so cute!

We finally have a bed. Thank heavens!!! Thank you all for your advice. I was surprised at how many e-mails I got about where we should look for a bed. We found one off of craigslist that ended up being 60 bucks! That price included a box spring and bed frame too. Yeah baby!! We had been looking for a while and finally found an amazing deal. Its in really good condition and is MUCH better than an air mattress. You tell me...which one do you think would be more comfortable. Please excuse the messy room :)

My friend Michaela let me borrow her sewing machine to make some pillows. The one my mom gave me won't work for some reason so Adam helped me try and figure out what the problem was. He looked so funny trying to use the sewing machine I couldn't help but grab a picture :) Yes, we used our new bed as a sewing table.

p.s. I looooove all the light our apartment gets. Our bedroom has a couple windows and I love letting all that natural light in. Everything is so much purtier!

* You can tell he's laughing in this one*

So here are the before and afters of the pillows I made: I think they turned out pretty good. It would certainly have helped to have my own sewing supplies though. That is something on my Christmas list. Thanks for letting me borrow yours Michaela! These pillows are ones my mom gave me. They were getting lumpy so I decided to cover them with some cute fabric (fabric for $1 at DI).

*You think I like the color red?*

*I loved putting the buttons on the pillows, not sure if I'm in love with them yet*