Our First Home

On September 12, 2009, we made a move into our first real home. We had been planning the move for a while, and were waiting to sell our business before we finally moved. However, we decided that we needed Jonah to be as comfortable as possible in the last weeks of her pregnancy. So, we moved, and have been loving it since. We found this little home for rent in Gerona, Jonah's hometown. The owner is the same owner of the missionaries' apartment here in Gerona, and she remembered me from when I was here. It was easy to talk her into reserving it for us until we were able to make the move. On our first night the house was fairly bare, until little by little we were able to get enough furnishings to make it look like someone is living here.

This first shot is from the gate looking at the front of the house.

The next shot is along the right side (if you're facing the house from the street), it's what they call a 'dirty kitchen'. Basically it is a sink and counter outside the house.

This is our living room. We don't have a TV, but we use my laptop to keep us entertained.

This little gem we found for great price. It makes a wonderful relaxing chair.

Here is a view into one of the bedrooms. As you can see, it isn't very big, but is nice and cozy.

This is a view from the living room looking into the kitchen, not the dirty one.

Oh wait, it kind of is dirty in this picture...

This is our cute little bathroom, complete with toilet and shower.

Here is our bedroom. This bed is another one of those things that have helped us immensely.

This is our shelf space that, as you see, we have made good use of.

And thus ends the tour of our first home. We absolutely love it here, and are excited for the addition to our little family to make this even more of a home.

The Results Have Been Narrowed Down

We have finally narrowed the decision on baby's name to just 2 names, Michael Jethro and Michael Jasper. We both like both names, and would like to use both names. We just want to know what people think makes a better name, or what they prefer. Again, we invite you to leave a comment letting us know which one you voted for. We are down to just 50 days!

32 Weeks!!!

Here is the most recent Preggy Pic!


Jonah's belly is definitely getting big!

We can't believe how close we are to being able to hold our little baby. Only 2 months to go!

One Year Ago Today

They say that a lot can change in one year. I've heard people say it since I was young. I thought that I knew just how much could change in one year's time, but I guess I never fully realized what can happen in a year.

One year ago today was an extremely important day in my life, even though I didn't realize it at the time. August 19, 2008 I received a message letting me know that someone under the alias 'Beautiful Liar' had added me to their friends list on Friendster(a social networking website that is extremely popular in the Philippines). I looked through their profile and realized that I had met this person while I was serving my mission in the Philippines Angeles Mission. It was in my second area, Gerona, where I only served 3 months, that I had met them. They were in the branch, part of an active family. My companion and I saw the family often, because we were teaching someone that was currently living in the same compound that they lived in. I didn't give too much thought to the fact that this 'Beautiful Liar' would be a close friend. We talked often during those 3 months on my mission, but nothing really significant. We maintained the bond as member and missionary.

After I left Gerona there was no contact between myself and 'Beautiful Liar's' family. Just before I left the Philippines to return home from my mission, I sent letters out to all the Branch Presidents and Bishops from my areas to share with the members. I left my email address and home address for anyone that would like to maintain contact. I later received an email from 'Beautiful Liar's' sister, Joyce, and we maintained a little contact for the next year. When I came to the Philippines on vacation in 2007 I went to church in Gerona, and the only member of 'Beautiful Liar's' family that I saw again was Joyce, because she was getting ready to serve her mission in the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission. After that I had very little contact with Joyce.

Then August 19, 2008 is when I was added by 'Beautiful Liar'. I sent a little message saying that I was moving to the Philippines in September, and that it would be good to meet up with some of the people I knew. 'Beautiful Liar' then replied to my message on August 20. I replied again, then she replied again, and she asked if I had a Yahoo Messenger account. So, I gave her my username, and she added me. I then spent several nights over the next few weeks chatting with her. It was good to talk with someone that I had known from my mission, especially because I was getting prepared to return to the Philippines for a longer period of time. I was planning on setting up a small business, and wanted to see who could help me feel more at home in the Philippines again, so that I wasn't alone. Just before I left Utah, my contact that was supposed to pick me up from the airport was out of reach, he was in Dubai. So I tried to find someone to pick me up from the airport, and asked 'Beautiful Liar' for help. She decided to pick me up from the airport, and help me out with things.

Upon arrival, I had 'Beautiful Liar' help me with a taxi, and went to a hotel to stay for a few nights until I could find a place to stay. 'Beautiful Liar' went with me to the hotel, and did what she could to let me know I could depend on her. The next day we met up and spent a few hours together, we went to the mall, ate out, and just talked. I was looking for an apartment, or house to rent, and she told me that her aunt in Quezon City had a room that they rent out. It was currently occupied, but would be vacated soon. She said that for the meantime I could stay there to avoid the high price of staying in a hotel. So, the next day, which was Sunday, I packed up my things again and she took me to her aunt's house. The whole family received me very openly, and took me in as one of their own. 'Beautiful Liar' was supposed to go to work the next day, but decided to stay at her aunt's home(she used to live in the house, but then started boarding on her own, as her work was too far away) for the next few days. I was unsure of what her reason for staying those extra days was, but whatever the reason I really appreciated her company. We spent several nights awake swapping stories and philosophies on life.

Over the next several weeks, she spent many days with us at her aunt's house, whenever she wasn't working. When she was at work, she would maintain contact with me, exchanging text messages, and calling when there was a dull moment. I always looked forward to the weekends, when she would come back and spend a few days with us. As it turned out, the room was never vacated, so I was accepted as a bed spacer(basically just paying for the bed I was sleeping in). In mid-October there were some problems at the company 'Beautiful Liar' was working at, and she decided to leave the company. She moved in again with us in Quezon City, and we spent the next month with each other every day. At this point I had realized that I had very strong feelings for this 'Beautiful Liar', and was doing what I could to further the relationship and become more than just friends. She knew that this was what I was trying to do, and let me know that she still had many goals and plans for her life. She was far from thinking about entering a new relationship, and needed to concentrate on helping her family. Her main priorities were to her family, her herself, and her health. So, she told me that if I could wait, then we'd see what would happen with the relationship. I decided that she would be worth the wait, so I waited.

In November she decided to move back to Gerona, so that she could be with her family again. From the time she left, I did what I could to be in Gerona as often as possible. I was up there every weekend, and even longer that just Saturday/Sunday. I tried to find every possible excuse to spend as much time with her as I could. When I was in Manila, I would maintain daily contact with her. During this time we were discussing the option of setting up a business, so I would use that as an excuse on occasions when there wasn't anything special happening in Gerona.

Then, for Christmas, the family I was staying with went with me to Gerona to spend the holidays. On the day after Christmas, I went with 'Beautiful Liar', her sister, and their mother to visit their mother's family in a different province. We left early in the morning, and spent the whole day up there. We then decided that we would spend the night. Later in the evening I was outside with 'Beautiful Liar' looking at the stars and talking, like we had done many times before. Then, she said she had a gift for me. She played around with me for a little, joking a bit, then told me to close my eyes. She then leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. This was a very happy moment for me, I was speechless. In the previous months physical contact with 'Beautiful Liar' had been extremely limited. It taught me to truly appreciate the meaning of a simple hug, and especially the meaning of a kiss. I couldn't move or even speak for the next few moments. When I finally regained the ability to speak I asked her the question that I had on my mind, "What does this mean?". I felt that this could be the start of a relationship with 'Beautiful Liar', but I wasn't sure if it was only a kiss intended as a simple gift and nothing more. She told me that it was just a kiss. So I tried to hold back my excitement. I didn't want to be disappointed in the following days when there was no physical content again. She then said that she had another gift for me, a hug. After that moment we went inside and both went to sleep.

The following day we went back to Gerona, leaving 'Beautiful Liar's' sister and mother and going before. On the long bus ride back, she led me to hold her hand, put my arm around her, and hug her. For the entire bus ride my heart was fluttering. I couldn't believe that I was given the opportunity to do such things. I was extremely happy, and again my thoughts were about the beginning of a relationship with 'Beautiful Liar'. Upon returning to Gerona she told me, "I know that you feel what I feel, but it isn't the right time yet". So, the next step was to just wait for the right time.

The next day was the day that I would go back to Manila with the family I was staying with. We rented a vehicle to take us back, so that 'Beautiful Liar' could bring home the rest of her things. On the ride back we sat next to each other again. I put my hand in a place where it would be easy for her to hold it. After a little while she was holding my hand, and we did so the rest of the way back to Manila. After we unloaded, and they had gathered their things they left. I immediately texted 'Beautiful Liar' and let her know how grateful I was for everything. I had to let her know how I felt, so I told her that I loved her, and said that I wasn't expecting any such response from her. She then replied, saying, "I know how you feel, and I want you to know that I feel the same way...I love you". Those words sank in deep. I cherished that moment, as it was the happiest moment of my life to that point. I couldn't believe that all my effort would pay off so soon. That night was December 29th, 2008.

The next Monday I started work in Manila, and every day for the entire day I would maintain contact with 'Beautiful Liar'. When the weekends came I would travel back to Gerona to spend the weekends with her, and also to prepare the business that we were going to set up, an internet cafe. My weekends were bliss, and my weekdays were torture knowing that I would have to wait until Friday night to see her again.

On January 20th our business opened, giving me ample excuse to travel to Gerona on the weekends. For the next five weeks I would stay in Manila on the weekdays, and travel to the Tarlac Province on the weekends to be with 'Beautiful Liar'. Then, at the end of February I was told that the school I was working for was losing students and had to remove teachers. So, they told me I was no longer an employee. This was bad news, because my business was still in the negative, and I had no other work. It was also good news because it gave me a chance to stay in Tarlac with 'Beautiful Liar all day. Things between us progressed, and on March 20th, 2009, I proposed to my 'Beautiful Liar'. She said yes, and we started to prepare for the wedding.

Preparations for the wedding were quick and hectic, but it all was worthwhile. On May 14, 2009, we were joined in marriage. As I saw her walk the aisle all dressed in white I felt that never before in my life had I done something so right. Some may say that we got married too quick, or that there wasn't a long enough courtship, but when everything in your heart tells you this is it, a few months can seem like decades. I knew that we were meant to be, and those moments while she was walking the aisle as my brother Jon played our wedding song were the happiest moments of my life to that point. It is impossible to find words for those feelings I felt, but I know that the love I feel for my gorgeous wife is a love that will last through eternity, and through any trial that comes our way.

Now we have been married for just a little over 3 months, and are still as happy as ever. I better understand now the meaning of the phrase "A lot can happen in a year", because it was 1 year ago today that I first had contact from 'Beautiful Liar', my lovely wife Jonah. I'm so grateful for everything that has happened in the last year, and I would never trade it for anything in the world.

28 Weeks!!!

Here's another baby bump picture! This is Jonah at 28 weeks pregnant, and we're beginning to wonder how much bigger baby will actually get in the next 10-12 weeks.


Baby is getting super active, and hardly takes a break. Frequently we will both rest our hands on her belly and be amazed at how many kicks and bumps we feel. Its so exciting to be expecting a little bundle of joy in our lives. We can't wait to meet our baby boy.

New Poll!

So, we've been scratching our heads for the last few weeks of a name that we can give our baby boy. We're thankful for all the suggestions that people gave, and they helped a lot in the name picking process. So, after all our thinking and searching for names we came across a few that have made it far enough in the selection process to put it to a vote. We've listed 5 different name combinations(only 4 different names), and we are curious to know what people like hearing better. As with our last poll we would invite you to leave a comment here stating which name you voted for, so we can put a name with the votes. For those of you who have already voted, please feel free to leave a comment here. We're totally excited for our baby, and we're now under 100 days left. We're going to try to get another belly picture or a few up soon. Thanks for everything!

...and the Winner is...

On monday morning Jonah and I went to her Dr. to have her regular pre-natal check-up. We asked the doc if we could have a request slip for an ultrasound. I was a little surprised by the doctor's response, because she said that we probably won't be able to find out the sex this early, but we could always try. It made me laugh, because in the States, people find out at 20 weeks, but here they usually wait until the 7th month. So, she gave us the request, and we went to the ultrasound center to see baby.

It was a little blurry, and kind of confusing at first, but we were able to figure out what exactly we were looking at. Apparently, baby was turned away from the camera, and the specialist had a hard time locating what we were looking for. So, she had Jonah turn on her side to see if maybe we could find a good angle. I decided that I would take video of the ultrasound, because I knew that they wouldn't be able to give us a copy of it. Here is the little clip that we took, where you can see the gender(if you know what you're looking at), and a nice shot of baby's face.

...It's a boy!!!!

We were both a little shocked when we heard the result, and both very excited for baby. Now our next big challenge will be thinking of a name. We would like to hear what suggestions you might have. We both decided that we would like baby's initials to be both of our first initials, J and M, but it doesn't really matter what order.

Also, the due date was pushed up almost a whole week. I guess baby is getting big faster than usual, haha. The new due date is October 24, just like his Monkey Mike(who, in his prediction, said that in 19 years our baby would be the next Elder Scott, and a very powerful missionary).

For those of us who guessed girl, we'll just have to wait until next time.