2015

Without a doubt, 2015 was the most challenging year of my life. I was stretched and refined in so many ways, and looking back I think I was in "survival" mode for most of the year. Taylor and I found out we were expecting on February 3rd, and shortly after the nausea and first trimester sickness began. I was in my last semester of school taking 18 credits and working over 20 hours a week, and it was all I could do to stay afloat. After the first trimester ended the nausea ended, but I was still pretty exhausted and slept as much as I could. :) My second trimester went by pretty quickly between graduation and working full-time, and then, before I had a chance to experience my third trimester, Cooper came at 26 weeks.

If I could take away the pain and challenges Cooper faced (and the lingering effects) during his time in the NICU I definitely would. However, I'm so grateful for the hard lessons his time there taught Taylor and me. I have never prayed so much or felt closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have never felt so much love and support from so many people like I did while Cooper was in the NICU. Taylor and I witnessed miracles daily surrounding our tiny baby. Each day brought hard challenges to overcome, and I cried every single night when I had to leave the hospital without my baby. But I am sooo grateful that on October 10th, after 14 long weeks, Cooper was healthy enough to come home.

One of my favorite hymns is Because I Have Been Given Much. This year I want to serve others the way so many served my family during our greatest time of need. 2016 promises to be an exciting year with Taylor graduating from BYU this summer and beginning law school in the fall! The future is bright, and we are grateful for the many adventures and memories ahead.