We are over the age of 23 and have been married for more than 2 years, and are very happy. We have a great family size home for the two of us in a good area that we will be in for many years to come. I am a college graduate and we both have full-time jobs that are not going anywhere and are pretty flexible. We have traveled to various states and campgrounds over the past years, including a cruise and backpacking Europe. Pretty darn lucky, I would say to all that. We love to eat dessert after dinner and sweets throughout the day, and eat out on the weekends. We have put on a couple or so pounds, so what? We have been thoroughly enjoying life and everything that comes with it. So where am I going with all this? There is no mention of children yet, and a topic that has been a pressing issue on my mind. There is a lot of talk from society, especially here in Utah, for couples like us, and not like us, who have no children yet..."You are done with school!" "This is a big house for just two people!" "You have traveled Europe" "it's your turn now!" These are just some of the main comments directed towards us and many, many others out there. Also, it seems there is a lot of assuming, wondering and behind the back talk that because a woman's stomach may have a few more pounds and padding...maybe they are expecting! Adding a baby to your family is not just some sort of new thing. It is not like getting a new t.v. with a better picture and more buttons to learn, or a newer car that doesn't rattle anymore and goes faster, or even getting married where you have to learn to sleep next to that person and deal with their quirks. You are no longer responsible for just yourself, or a thing, but another person, who cannot care for themselves (your spouse can, for the most part!). You are adding a baby who is so innocent and completely changes everything about your life, how you think, eat, sleep, get ready in the morning, and go throughout the day. You are adding a special spirit to your family who depends on you for their life, as they would literally die without your care. Having a child is a life changing experience that you are "never ready" for, we know that. Someone may have been trying for a month or a year, and the comments may only remind them of the difficulty or emotions that are going on. You just never know. Maybe someone is a couple months along and just doesn't feel comfortable with sharing that information yet. You just never know. Deciding and having a child is a very personal decision and topic to each and every one of us, a decision that is between me, my husband, and God. Please respect that, and all those others who maybe newlyweds or married for 3, 7 or 10 years. There should be no pressure because "that is the next step." There is no cookie cutter pattern to when this next step should take place, it is a personal decision that is sometimes planned and sometimes a surprise, you are ready from the get go, or you need a couple or more years, any way it does not matter. Please think about this and pass the word along. (P.S. if you are one who has made a comment before I hope you don't take offense to any of this, just remember for next time!) In the end, it is ok to talk about children, but just in an unassuming or non-pressuring way. And yes, we are planning on having children (or we wouldn't have bought the new home we did!) WHEN...does anyone ever really know?! That question arouses many mixed feelings of excitement, anticipation, anxiousness and stress...many of you know that and I think would agree 100%. A woman is pregnant for 9 months, plenty of time to talk about it and celebrate
at that time.
P.P.S. Stop speculating about my stomach, I just LOVE chocolate, OK!
Yup..from our downtown CHICAGO hotel. Aren't those circular buildings cool. They are pie shaped condos. Here for the weekend, so we got all bundled up to see this city. First we bought our 3-day bus pass, then went on the architectular boat tour.
We saw "The Bean" Bought a city pass to visit the Field Museum & Planetarium , then made a stop at the Hershey's store.
MmmMmmm. This Deep dish stuffed Giordano's pizza was AMAZING! so good that we ate this for dinner both nights, so yum.
Million Dollar Quartet. WOW, it was SO fun. A night w/Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. We definately recommend seeing this Rockin' good show.
On top of John Hancock tower. We had a great time in Chicago, and would visit again...in warmer weather. It is a clean, friendly city. (We came for 1 day of business and made 2 more days of fun!)
I VOTED!!! Did You???
Our Beautiful wood flooring
My yellow, glazed w/brown, wall 
Nice'n clean downstairs carpets / Organizing our 2-step closet!
and After...my cute new bedding set...and not so cute nightstand, we are a little ghetto.
Lastly, 1/2 of our backyard...Before
and After (mulching and mowing)
Finally...we have a place to call HOME again!
