Wonderful Moments

Being an LDS church go-er, I have a different up bringing than many in this world. An upbringing that means the world to me and am very proud of. I was brought into this world and to no one's surprise, cried. I was given a name and a blessing which was Danica Leone Reidhead. Do I remember this day? Absolutely not. But my mom recorded what my dad said on that day and I still have it in my scrapbook, which I read not too long ago and cried. My mom still has my little white dress and my baby blanket at her house. I will pull the blanket out from time to time and hug and squeeze it.*

Then 8 years later I met with the Vernon Branch President who asked me if I wanted to be baptized and if I had a testimony of Jesus Christ. I remember crying in his office (shocker...me crying) and telling him I did. The arrangements were made and after my 8th birthday party in Show Low at the Dairy Queen, I went home and got dressed in another white dress that we borrowed from a friend down the street. I remember there were a lot of people there supporting me and I was a little nervous. I came out of the water knowing I did the right thing and then immediately started shivering. I got dressed, came out with a nice french braid and was blessed with the Holy Ghost. I remembering just crying the entire time and then shaking everybody's hand and giving my dad a really big hug.

Nine years later, I was a junior in high school. I knew everything about the world. I owned it and everyone bowed to me and if they didn't then that was their problem. General Conference weekend in April 2004 I received my Patriarchal Blessing. I wasn't wearing white but I was once again clean and pure and ready to hear what the Lord wanted to have me hear. The Patriarch was Lavell Owens who was my intermediate school principal who I reported to when I lit a match in the library. Who knew burning books was a crime. (No books were actually burned...I blew the match out too quick. Oh but the thrill.) Anyways, my parents were there with me and after the blessing my mom was crying and my dad told me that there were some special things said. Now when I read that blessing, I can still hear Mr. Owen's voice and feel that same sweet spirit.

Another three years later, I decided I didn't own the world, nor did I have anything to my name other than the rent bill and a bank account. I learned some hard lessons and became a better person through my trials. Moving away was tough but I knew I could go home whenever I needed to and that I had family I could rely on. After a year of college and going into my second year, I figured, its time to grow up. Its time to move on with life and figure out just what I want to do. I prayed and prayed and tried my hardest to do what I was supposed to when I was set up with Mr. Cody Claridge. Who knew. I didn't until about 3 days after meeting this new guy that I would marry him. Seven months and three days later we met at the Mesa Temple. We both looked our best in our white clothes and knelt across the alter and said yes through some tears and I became Mrs. Danica Leone Claridge. I was scared to death but Cody looked calm and collected. Since that day, my life has changed in more ways than one. I love it.

A year and a half later, we've created bonds and companionship but the biggest news is our little baby. I was nervous about the appointment with the whole awkwardness but once I met the doctor it was fine. She is really cool. They did the ultrasound of the baby that is about 3 cm big and we oo-ed and aw-ed but then she pushed on my belly and the baby moved. He/She started kicking his legs and arms. Cody and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Surprisingly I didn't cry at the appointment but I am now. I know that this pregnancy is a great thing! A very rewarding experience (once the puke is cleaned up) and that it has already blessed our lives so much. The pregnancy became more real today seeing the little ankle biter and I'm smiling ear to ear.
I guess my whole point of this post is, each step in our lives prepares us for the next...at least a little. I don't know how prepared I could actually be for a baby but I know just from reviewing my past that the Lord has blessed us and will continue to do so as long as we try our hardest. I'm thankful to have been born to goodly parents and into an LDS heritage. I'm thankful that they tried their darndest to teach me what was right and I hope to teach my little one the same things.

*=I had this blanket my Aunt Liz made till I was in 5th grade and then I was dared to not sleep with it. I took it everywhere and if it ever got left, I thought I would die. If I stayed the night at a friend house I would fold it up really small into a small pillow case, then at night I would find the edge and rub it. One time my family bought me a book called, "bye bye blankie" when I was like 7 and I cried and cried. I DID NOT want to get rid of it. If it got holes in it or the binding came unstitched I would sew it up myself. It is completely see through now and it has been "laid to rest" in my hope chest. I hope my baby is a blanket baby.