pinterest meals

My love hate relationship with pinterest is turning into more of a love relationship as I learn HOW to actually use it. That may sound silly, I mean, everyone really knows how to use pinterest. You scroll, you find things you like and you pin them onto boards. But I feel like there is just SO much on pinterest that creativity is almost stifled, not enhanced. It seems all ideas are there for me and I don't have to think or try to hard to come up with my own ideas. It also sets me up to fail in so many ways. My stuff never looks like how they post on pinterest! 

Some of the many examples found online: 

There is also information overload. I mean, there are so many recipes that look soooo delicious. I just want to do them all! But then I can't so I end up not doing any of them and sticking with what I know.

But lately I've decided to do things a little differently. I'll still pin, get ideas and admire the work of others, but more than that I will try out more things (with low expectations at each first attempt haha)! I'll make boards of things that I've actually done and note how they work out. Right now mostly that will be with cooking different recipes, and once I am done with school it will probably be more with crafts and sewing. I still struggle with the creativity aspect of it all, and trying to do new things that I feel are unique to me seems near impossible, but maybe its a good challenge to my creativity (I've been seriously lacking creative juices just in general lately!). I'm excited to be more optimistic with this resource that I have and love and try new things!

teaching a marriage enhancement workshop!!

Last year I (along with several peers) was trained in the PREP program as a certified teacher for this course. PREP is based on 30 years of research on healthy relationships and aims to help couples maintain high levels of functioning and prevent marital problems from developing. This year we have set up time and materials for a 6-week program in the community! If you or any one you know are looking for a course to boost and solidify your relationship, you can sign up using this link: http://yep.it/PREP. We have a limited number of couples that we can accept (25) but we would love to have a full workshop to share knowledge and learn from you as well!

New York Doll

This past week I watched the documentary New York Doll for the first time. If you've never seen it and you're looking for a little mix up in your movie choice, I would suggest this documentary. It is about Arthur Kane, member of the New York Dolls band and about his transformation in life. He was into drugs and partying and he basically throws his success, family, and life down the drain because of these things. But it then describes how he ended up becoming a strong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and where he went from there.

For me it really drove home the idea that we can never judge what people need in their life, who will or will not accept religion in their life and really how we have no room to judge anyone and their lives. We all have our own journey of discovery, and no two journeys look the same! 

A quote on Facebook has been going around that says something along the lines that we don't walk into a gym and decide not to join because there are people who are fat or don't have perfect bodies so we shouldn't walk into church and think that we don't want to join or a be a part of it because there are imperfect members or "hypocrites". Church is for imperfect people who need God, not for perfect people. If people were able to be perfect, they wouldn't really need God. It just reminded me to never judge those around me, always invite friends and others with me to church and activities, and ease up on myself that I am also not a perfect being and I need to be at church and always seeking God's help. 

24 weeks

Well I am 24 weeks now and this tummy is definitely getting bigger. Little girl is getting stronger too. Monday night I could feel her moving around and kicking me harder than I had before. Josh put his hand on my belly and for the first time he felt our little girl kick! It was one of the most amazing experiences and we just loved that he could feel her too. It was such a special moment and I really think there is nothing much better than that! Through out the week I have felt her move more and several times I just watch my belly for her little kicks (usually during class haha she has good timing because I get bored ;)). I can now SEE her kicks sometimes and it is indescribable. This must be the part of pregnancy that people say they like. I'm not sure what other parts they would be referring to ;)

I still don't really have REAL cravings or anything like that. I have to eat every 2-3 hours or else I start feeling really sick, and I can't eat as much in one sitting (good thing!). I still get restless legs at night, which makes it hard to get sleep, but I had a couple nights that weren't too bad. I have been able to get to the gym, a few times each week and I love being able to feel well enough to go! Exercise does wonders. I'm scared to death of falling on snow or ice when walking around campus and had the embarrassing moment of falling UP some cement stairs the other day. Yes, up the stairs. That is when I usually fall. I had my hand in my pockets, no one was with me and I just tripped and fell right over! I probably looked like a beached whale in my big jacket with my hands stuck, just laying on the stairs.It was embarrassing, and I'm not even sure who saw. No one said a word. Baby girl and I were fine though. I just had a scrapped up knee and hurt pride. ;)

Overall I am doing great and am SO glad that this part of pregnancy has been better than the first 4 months! Josh is doing well too and trying to focus hard on that last semester of school! He is really the best and I am so grateful that he works so hard for us. Life is good :)

the force

While I am on a commercial viewing kick, I thought I'd throw in another favorite of mine. I can just imagine the look on the little kid's face at the very end! I thought that it was pretty clever. :) I guess I should just run out and buy a new VW! 

live young

Normally I really dislike commercials, but I think there are also some pretty funny ones out there. This one always gets me laughing. I don't feel any more persuaded to buy their water, but the company earns a little more respect in my book ;) Can't wait to see some funny Super Bowl commercials in a couple weeks!

ice castles

There are only three ice castles in the US: Midway, Utah, Breckenridge, CO and Lincoln NH and we had the fun opportunity this weekend to go to Midway to be a part of the hype! We had quite the adventure there with Josh not wearing warm shoes or gloves, seeing people we knew, and discovering that we have no idea how to use our DSLR for night shots (someone please help!!). But we had a lot of fun! It is amazing the things that people can build and the crazy things that water can do.

We went on to Park City after we were done and the next day had a fun time at the outlets, driving around observing the craziness of the Sundance Film Festival and going out to eat and watching a movie with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson. It was a great weekend and tomorrow we don't have school either, so let the fun continue! ;)

and we have a job!

he probably won't like that  I posted this random candid, but look how hot he is! ;)

*found these pictures that were taken April 2013. Thought I had lost them! Just some visual proof of how much I love my husband. Can't you just see it?! :)

When I say "we", I mean Josh. :) The past semester was one filled with job fairs and interviews, and trying to figure out what job Josh wanted to have, and trying to find a good fit for him. It seemed like every week he was flying out of town to go through final interviews with companies that were interested in him (Nebraska, Colorado, Oregon, Maryland...). It was really such an amazing blessing that all of these companies, both small and large were interested in interviewing with Josh. He rocked all of his interviews and learned a lot about what he wants in a company and what he thinks he will enjoy in a job.

It came down to two job offers that he was deciding between and it was a tough thing to have to make that big decision. He walked out of the bathroom one day (where everyone's greatest thoughts are formed) and informed me that he had a new realization. That everything he had worked for (schooling wise) had led up to this decision that he was going to make. I asked him if that made him nervous or excited, or what else, and of course he just said, oh it was just a thought. Haha he is funny. If it were me I might be freaking out a little :)

But Josh accepted a job for Zephyr hats, in a sales/marketing position and we will be moving to Fort Collins, Colorado right after this winter semester! I always kinda wanted to end up in Colorado, close to family, but I never actually thought that it would happen right away. We are so excited for this opportunity and to experience new adventures in Fort Collins!!

she will be named...

Eventually. Eventually she will be named. And eventually you will know. But for now she is just baby girl, princess, little Betty (to Alyssa), Penelope (to Chelsea), Collandrea (to Colleen), and a mystery to everyone else. Everyone has opinions about naming children. I have my own views as well. And if you ask me what her name is, I will either make up some excuse about not knowing her name yet, or I will just tell you the truth, which is we aren't (unless I randomly decide otherwise) revealing our name until she is born. I mean, what if I change my mind! What if  I don't want everyone under the sun's opinion about my choice? What if it is special to me, something that feels sacred between me, my hubby and my amazing little girl in a time of special bonding before she is even born: our very first secret between the three of us? So it will just give you a little something more to look forward to, besides her sweet lil face of course ;)

My friend Brittany sent me this link on Facebook the other day, about naming children, and since we all know that most people feel strongly some way or another about the topic, I thought you all might enjoy as well. I found it pretty darn funny and love how many stats and figures were run just on the names people have chosen in the past and what is popular now.

Check it out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/how-to-name-a-baby_b_4551427.html

the media

This semester I am taking a Media, Family and Human development. Since there is also some craze or hype about some type of media (the news, effects of Facebook, videogames, texting, etc) I am excited to learn more through this class and be a better critical thinker about media. For part of our assignments we are supposed to write in a blog twice a week about something media related. So if you start seeing a bunch of video clips or my opinion about certain things in the media, that is why. :) I just thought you deserve a heads up.

Josh seems to come across the best videos, whether it be through YouTube or KSL, they are always entertaining. I tend to get my video clips from classes that I have (probably because my internet time is more spent on Pinterest or Instagram). I watched this video clip in my Adult Development and Aging class this semester (sorry classmates that have already seen this first one) and I thought it was so interesting! Check out the 14 year old girl who has a disease called Progeria that makes your body age about 8 times faster than everyone else's.

And then just after watching this video, Josh saw this in the news:

I think I am guilty of taking the time I have on earth for granite. I seem to always be looking forward to the next phase in life. I am a planner and I know that I always want to be prepared for the future and know what is coming next. Over the past couple years especially I have tried to slow down and enjoy the small moments that make up my life (one of the reasons that I have this blog). After watching this video I even more feel that I should treasure the time that I have on earth and the health and abilities that my bodies has too. These few young kids who suffer from Progeria are so strong and so positive about their life and they are simply inspiring.

Someone pointed out in Sunday school this week that the 13th Article of Faith says that we should SEEK after good and praiseworthy things in life.  It was such a simple thought but one that really hit me in the moment. And in connection with my many thoughts on media lately, I thought it was particularly relevant. I should actively look for good, uplifting things in the media. Good video clips, articles, role models, music, etc. to help uplift, motivate, and inspire me. I love it and I think I will do just that.

22 weeks

Another two weeks have gone by and things are going well! We had our detailed ultrasound and they said that everything so far looks fantastic. She is growing at the right rate, her organs are all there, nothing looks suspicious at first glace, and I got to see her moving around and even her practicing swallowing! The tech said that from here on out she is just is going to get bigger and start putting the weight on, so I am expecting to start growing pretty quickly from here on out too. This week was a tough one heartburn wise and energy wise. This little girl is really taking it out of me, but I was still able to make it through my first week of the last semester of school ;). I've been pep talking her already, letting her know that she needs to make herself nice and comfy in there, get cute and chunky and try her absolute best not to come early if she can help it. I have this subtle fear that I will be walking across stage for graduation and my water will break.

One of the most exciting things about this past week was that I felt baby girl move for the very first time!! I started to worry just a little that I hadn't felt any signs of her moving yet, until on the car ride from Colorado to Utah I felt that flutter in my stomach that so many people described and I knew it was her. And from then I have felt her a bit more. My next looking forward to moment is definitely for Josh to be able to feel her kick by touching my tummy, but that will probably be a little while before that happens.

christmas break

Those two and a half weeks spent in Colorado for break were the best. We always look forward to going home for Christmas and this year was no exception. It was the Peterson year for Christmas day at their house and every family remember was able to make it! It will probably be the last time in a while that all of us are all in the same spot at the same time with Chari going on a mission, us having our little baby, and others with life plans that have potential to take them far away as well. We ate lots of good food, went to Bishop's Castle, went to the temple, did some shopping, made a baby blanket/car seat canopy, some went skiing, went bowling, did some caroling, played games, saw some more family which involved an intense nerf gun fight with Josh and the kids, took family pictures and just spent time together as a family.

With the Tomlinson family there was a lot of fun to be had as well. The first part of our visit was filled with wedding planning and a wedding. My sis, Chelsea and her fiance Brycen got married in the Denver temple! It was a beautiful wedding and she was a stunning bride! We had the "rehearsal" dinner the night before at Maggianos (if you don't know this Italian restaurant, you are missing out on life). The day of the wedding went so smoothly and everything turned out amazing. It was fun to see so many people that I knew at the reception and be able to catch up with friends. Over break we got to spend a lot of time with our lil bear, Brynlee and we loved it. She is so spunky and entertaining, I think all of my pictures that I took are of her. With my family we played a lot of Wii and Wii fit and other games, also ate yummy food, saw the new Hunger Games movie and Captain Phillips (both were excellent!), made Brynlee laugh whenever we could, visited Ft. Collins, went bowling, had ping pong tournaments, I had breakfast with three of my childhood friends, saw my best friend Kelly and I soaked up all my time with my family that I could and loved every minute of it. 

I really slacked in the taking pictures department which is kind of a bummer, but here are some that we have (all taken from my lovely phone, therefore they are the best of quality, because I can't find some of our other pictures).

Our view for part of our drive home. Could barely see the cars in front of us. I was NOT a fan.