Patience

Wow! It has seriously been a LOOOOOONG time since my last post. Life definitely is busy! Short update- I will graduate in May and then Aaron will start school again in the fall. Hopefully he will be done in about 3 1/2 years.

Lately life has been rough. I wish I could say I'm superwoman and going to school full time with 3 kids is a breeze but I can't. My little baby seems to think he's wasting away and tends to wake up frequently at night.....and by frequently, I mean pretty much anytime he realizes I'm in a deep sleep. Okay, a little dramatic. He tends to wake up about every hour and a half to 2 hours if I'm lucky. If I'm not he shoots for every 45 minutes. Lucky me. Right about now you are feeling pretty jealous, aren't you?! Ha. I would be, too. Anyway, lack of sleep makes my classes pretty difficult......oh, what classes did you wait and take your last semester you asked? Well, I'll indulge you. 5 classes and a lab that consist of a Data Optimization class (involving econometrics), Strategic Business Management, Agriculture Market Structures, Ag Finance, and a Soils class. Mmmmmm, you just got even more jealous of my life! But, on a serious note, this has been one of the hardest times of the last maybe 10 years of my life.

Because of the lack of sleep and the heavy class load I've been feeling like a bad friend, wife, daughter, and mother. I feel like I'm not a fun person to be around and I'm not a very patient person. This has been heavy on my mind and General Conference really hit this home. Tonight, for my personal scripture study I studied patience and I've determined to have a patience project. I'm going to pay more attention to those around me who are better at patience than I am and find ways to emulate them. I'm also going to study more from the life of Christ to try to put into place those things that will help me become more patient and loving to EVERYONE around me, not just my kids. I want to see what kind of impact this has on my life and how much brighter it will make my life feel to me.

I will end with this little nugget I found "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath." James 1:19

Anger!

So, lately little miss has developed quite the attitude. I constantly feel like the hubs and I are getting so frustrated with her and someone ends up in time out (not just munchkin!!). I was getting fed up with trying to find ways to calm her down or go just an hour with out her screaming, throwing something, or head butting whatever she got angry with (don't YOU do that, too?!). The other night I was praying about it and remembered a book my mom bought me when she came to visit this past summer. It's "The Soft Spoken Parent". For a visual: BOOM!










 

I had started it when I received it, but only read the first few chapters. So, I began reading it again. It was profound! Yet, I felt dumb. It taught me things I should already know. Things like- use humor instead of anger, try to understand how they feel, etc. After reading about 7 more chapters I decided to test it out. Yesterday was AMAZING!!!! My kiddo was so much happier, more patient, and more tender (go figure). I can't begin to count the number of hugs and kisses I got. All because I was more patient (and trust me that took WORK!). So, just to throw this out there......if any of you are interested- this is SUCH A GREAT BOOK! I will be finishing it soon and I'm excited to see the results as it impacts not only my relationship with my daughter but every other relationship. Anyway, every day a work in progress, but hey- at least I get to be a mom to such a cute, goofy little girl!!!

Happy Life

I've been thinking a lot lately about social media. I have had several people mention how "perfect" my life looks from my facebook status updates. I was kind of shocked......okay, I don't complain about the bad things and I don't vent when I'm angry. That doesn't make my life perfect. So, here's an update on my life.
1. We are moving to Kansas. Yes, I'm excited. But, I'm also stressed. I'm worried about making sure we have enough money to get there. I'm worried about adjusting to a new place with a toddler. I'm worried about jobs. I'm worried about getting everything packed. I'm worried about making sure our apartment is up to the clean standards of the Housing Dept. I'm worried about still making sure Olivia enjoys life before the move.
2. We have gone through 2 failed pregnancies since having Olivia. Is it hard? Yes! It's hard to see all the pregnancy updates and birth announcements on fb. BUT- I'm SO very excited for all those people, too! No matter what happens with our pregnancies, I'm happy that other people don't have to go through it, too.

Those are the two major things that have impacted our lives lately. We've been super busy traveling to Kansas for potential job testing and packing. Not to mention, Aaron is still working and going to school. So, I'm busy trying to pack and clean to prepare for the move.

All that being said, I'm still very happy. I know that no matter what comes, it'll be okay. Yes, I have days where I just sit down and cry. But, those days are temporary. Most of the time, Olivia and I have dance parties, I enjoy cooking, I look forward to playing outside and watching my cute daughter discover different things out there. I love watching Aaron and Olivia play so hard they are both laughing hysterically. I love getting to sit down and play the piano. My life is pretty darn good....but definitely NOT PERFECT. But, I love it!

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln

Give Me Strength

Well, it seems to be that time of year for me......the time to evaluate the past year and recognize all the blessings I received.  This past year was an amazing and hard year. I spent the first half being pregnant and the second half trying to adjust to having a new little person in my home....one who stole my heart. This morning I had the t.v. on as I was straightening up my apartment and I heard a song.....one I've heard before. But this time it screamed at me. So, I do what I always do when a song catches my attention, I find it on YouTube and listen to it over, and over, and over, and....well, you get the point. What was the song, I'm sure you are wondering. "Give Me Strength" by Snow Patrol. This song brought so many people to my mind. First of all, my family. My parents, my wonderful brothers, their amazing wives, and their incredible kiddos. I can't believe how much they have loved me. Their love makes me feel like I have a lot to learn about love! The next group- how could I not begin without mentioning the person who has been by my side for the last almost 10 years....the person who knows what I've been through and my feelings without my saying them- my best friend Alisha. She is so incredible and such an example to me of strength, forgiveness, love, hope, compassion, and endurance. God sure knew what He was doing when 10 years ago, we sat next to each other in a choir class..... and He knew I would need her as I went through some of the toughest experiences. Also, can't go without mentioning all my friends at church in Athens, GA- Charlotte, Brice, Emilee, Matt R., Matt C. Daniel, Stephanie, Dawan, Natalie, Josh, Nathan, Russell, Rebekah, Shannon, Ashlyn, Deanna, and so many more.....if I didn't mention someone- please don't get offended....everyone at the branch was incredible and helped me on my path of shaping who I am and who I want to become. Third group- my extended family! My cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents.....Truly I can't begin to say how much all of you mean to me!!!!
        I am now enjoying being a Mom. I'm learning so many things- how to love when a little person is angry, hungry, confused, scared, and hurt. I'm learning how to put someone first- no matter how hungry I am, no matter how badly I need sleep, no matter how much I just want to sit down and watch t.v., I'm learning that none of that matters as much as the smile or laugh I get when I spend time making my little daughter feel like she is wonderfully important to me. I'm learning how much strength I have, that I didn't know I had. I'm beginning to get a tiny TINY glimpse of the love My Heavenly Father has for us all.  I'm also beginning to learn how much my parents truly loved me. How much they put aside so they could make me feel important and loved. This next year will truly be the year of learning.....and I couldn't be more excited. I'm excited to try to become even more selfless, I'm excited to learn more about love, compassion, endurance, patience, forgiveness, and more.
      This year feels like it's going to be a BIG year..... haha, might have something to do with the fact that I'm no longer going to be in my 20's....sounds like a good year to run a marathon, and learn more about my Savior. I think it's time to push my body farther than it's ever been,....and also my spirit. Here's to endurance! I will end now.....but know....

The second love of my life!

"I choked back tears today, I can't begin to say how much you've shaped this girl these last ten years or more....." I love you all!!!

Update on our life

First of all- I'M NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE, WOOHOO!!!! If you couldn't tell, I'm not excited at all!  Haha, no, in all honesty, that was the worst 9 months of my life!!  I've never been so sick or miserable. I'm just so very grateful that I have such a wonderful husband who took care of me and the house.  But- out of that unhappiness came the most amazing gift- Olivia:

I never imagined I would be SO much in love with such a little person!!!  She is such a good baby, she sleeps the majority of the night.....only waking up to eat about 3-4 times.  Today, her pediatrician told me that she is "more mature than the average two week old", which freaked me out a little.  Yes, I know she is super alert, she can focus on my face, lift her head, roll onto her side, and stays awake for 5 hours a day, but I don't want her to grow up any faster!!!!!  She's already growing too fast!!! 

Okay, one more picture- with the one person who seems to be able to soothe her, no matter how upset she is (unless she's hungry...then's he's just up a creek!!).

That's all for now......someone is hungry!!

Little bundle of Joy

I am such a slacker when it comes to updating this thing....... but here's a brief recap:

         I am working at a Hospital about 35 min away doing Patient Financial Stuff....aka- helping patients prepare financially for whatever procedure they will be getting done. 

         I am currently 22 weeks preggo with a little girl. I started the pregnancy off VERY sick.... losing all my food at least 7 times a day.  In the last few weeks I've actually brought that number down to ONE!! WOOHOO!!!!  I'm still exhausted all the time, but I feel very grateful to be able to keep my food on the inside. :)  I've been able to feel our little girl moving ALOT.... In all honesty, I haven't been excited or happy about the pregnancy- no idea why, until the last few weeks.  Feeling her moving inside just makes my day!  I love to feel her little kicks and all her little movements.  I'm falling in love with this little one more and more each day.  I now understand why soon-to-be moms can't wait to meet their baby.  I actually am so excited to see this little girl's face and see what kind of personality she has. 

      Aaron is still looking for a job..... kind of stressful, but at the same time, I have no doubt that Heavenly Father will help us.  We are continuously blessed....... I can't get frustrated or discouraged because I know that He will never let us fall.  I love the peace the gospel brings!!! 

Happily ever..........

Well, three months later......... we've gone and tied the knot.  Not too tightly, of course. ;)

We have also moved to Rexburg, ID for Aaron to attend BYU-I.  Hopefully one of these days we'll get a job.....since it seems slightly hard to live on love alone.

More to come later........
P.S. These wonderful pictures were taken by my best friend Alisha McKellar. If you want to see more of her incredible work check this out:  www.AlishaMcKellar.com