more suggestions?

I posted on Facebook yesterday for book suggestions from people and I got a few responses and resources that were great. Are there any more thoughts out there about good books (fiction, labor, motivational, historic fiction or any other must reads)?? I love how I can post questions and ask for opinions and be able to get help and answers from a variety of people! Social networks can be so awesome sometimes.

cause i'm happy

Hubby introduced me to another song last week, and one morning (as well as several other points in time) as we got ready for the day we danced around the apartment with our crazy awesome dance moves and sang with our crazy awesome voices. What a great way to wake up. These simple moments of happiness, these are the ones to remember.

28 weeks

Third trimester now and everything seems to get going great. I'm realizing that I am a mom already in more ways than I realized. I feel such an obligation and responsibility for our little girl and she isn't even born yet! There isn't even much I can do for her besides trying to eat healthy, exercise, sleep and not stress too much. If anything were to actually go wrong, there is nothing that I can do about it. It makes me feel helpless as a mom knowing that. I wonder if that is what most of raising a child is like. I actually have little control over what happens, but I am here to provide her the basics, teach her about God and she will learn and grow and do her own part in this life. Sounds like one of those things that is easier said than done.

Well anyway. My tummy is growing, I still feel tired a lot of the time, and the days these past couple weeks have dragged on for me! Not sure why but I am ready to be done with this being on campus all day long stuff, especially when I don't need to be. That's just what happens when you don't live right next to campus and you only have one car! I get heartburn still but not all the time. My belly button isn't popping out yet, and I am curious if it is going to. Belly buttons are just such curious things. I had a dream about baby girl the other night, and I still remember exactly what she looks like from the dream. She had a lot of dark brown hair and big blue eyes and I was shocked! I still daydream about what our babe will look like and most of the time I picture blonde hair and light colored eyes which is what both Josh and I looked like as babies, but maybe we will be thrown for a loop with a little brown haired gal ;). It is fun to imagine the many possibilities! I have a hard time concentrating on much of anything these days, which I promptly blame on pregnancy brain (I swear it exists people!!). I find myself staring off when I should be working and having a hard time listening and making eye contact when people are talking to me. It is pretty strange. Hopefully just a phase!

petunia picklebottom

Anyone else think these bags are the cutest?? http://www.petunia.com/diaper-bags/boxy-backpacks

I think they are awesome and expensive at the same time. I've been thinking about how much use I would get out of the bag if I did get one. Any thoughts moms with these diaper bags?? How long do you actually end up using them? Does it get too big to carry around pretty fast or is it pretty useful to have? Are there other bags out there that you love?

money money money

Why does everything have to cost so much money?? I decided growing up is not for us haha Well that is what I wanted to think when I start planning for after graduation, new apartment, car, insurance, baby and all that jazz. But I'm trying to think of it a bit differently. I've been looking up ways to save money and budget with a new baby coming and moving to a new city, and it actually has me excited to find new ways to save some money.When we move (I don't have space to stock up on any items now) I want to start getting into couponing like http://thekrazycouponlady.com. Well not JUST like her but she has a lot of helpful tips and ways to save more on groceries that I want to try out. I also came across a website on budgeting on pinterest that gave helpful tips for frugal moms. It is http://sunshineandsippycups.com/about/. I just started reading it and I love the tips that they have!

It is so easy to get overwhelmed with money and the expenses of life, but it is SO satisfying to realize just how much I already have and how comfortable of a life I enjoy. I absolutely love my life and I know that Josh and I and baby girl will have everything that we need, and much more! We are truly blessed.

“If you wish to get rich, save what you get. A fool can earn money; but it takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage.” Brigham Young

"If there is any one thing that will bring peace and contentment into the human heart, and into the family, it is to live within our means. And if there is any one thing that is grinding and discouraging and disheartening, it is to have debts and obligations that one cannot meet" Heber J. Grant 

Valentine's Day Weekend

Our weekend has been relaxing and pretty wonderful. Valentine's day wasn't a huge deal for us. We didn't go out to eat (which is something I normally love to do) because I also don't like the huge crowds and long waits. I mean, everyone is out to eat that night so that didn't feel right. Instead we made dinner together and then worked on a fun project that involved a trip to Hobby Lobby. I am glad I have a creative husband who loves to use his imagination and create things with me! It was a spontaneous project and we had a lot of fun and ended up daydreaming about our baby girl for most of the night. We even got some midnight french fries (he knows the way to my heart!).

Well, anyway, that was our super exciting Valentine's day in the books for 2014! Oh and I am 27 weeks preggers and looking ppppreeetttyyy round over here. I tend to forget just how big I look until I see a picture. I am quite impressed with what my body is doing!

Valentine's video

Josh showed me this video today and it made me smile. :) I think I would have been one of the girls that jumped really high or let out a little scream... I get easily scared. And Josh definitely takes advantage of that.

Oh and Alyssa, at 43 seconds, we found your profile twin haha! Just her profile though.

ashleigh cox

Last week, a BYU student named Ashleigh Cox died after getting buried in an avalanche when she was snowshoeing in the canyon. Although I did not know her well, she was in my Media and Family class. It is amazing that I am surrounded by so many people and yet know so very few of them. Life is so precious and I pray for Ashleigh's friends and family at this time. I wish I had more to say but sometimes the words just aren't there. Just feelings and thoughts about how each day is a gift and the people that surround us are each special.

Here is one news report that shares some thoughts on the type of person that Ashleigh was.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/college-student-father-killed-avalanches-utah-article-1.1609568

26 weeks

Another two weeks has gone by and I feel like I was just posting an update yesterday. This semester has been flying by for both Josh and I and we are pretty happy about it. :) I feel like not much has changed for me since I last updated. The main thing that has been happening is that I am growing, growing, growing! It's a little scary and exciting at the same time to see my tummy grow. I feel like by the end of this pregnancy I am going to be huge if I keep this rate up! But I keep exercising and eating as healthy as I can (minus the bowl of mac and cheese I am currently eating...) so whatever is going to happen to my body is just going to happen. It is exciting to know that she is growing stronger each day. I think baby girl likes music. When we were at a gymnastics meet last week, there was loud music playing and she was just moving around so much! And then in church when singing songs she starts to move around more too. Coincidence? Possibly. But I like feeling her movements, letting me know she is still there.

I've been feeling pretty good lately! I look back on my first four months of being pregnant and I wonder how I even survived. And I also thank God every day that it has gotten so much better! I don't know how women go through that much pain all nine months (i.e. my own mom). But I have felt extra grateful to feel more like myself and to be able to enjoy life and pregnancy more. I look forward to my next doctor appointment this week so I can see that little girl of ours. I also am looking forward to a good night's rest. I'm hoping one of those will come soon.

I find myself daydreaming more and more about what life will be like when she arrives. When will it be? Will she be early or late? Will she have blonde hair and blue eyes like I imagine her? Will I want to share her or will I want to keep her all to myself? I cannot wait to stare into those beautiful eyes, whatever color they will be. I'm sure I will just stare for hours.

amazing grace

This video speaks for itself. Simply gorgeous. Happy Sunday everyone!

Life with Big Al

Have you ever heard of this book? I just finished reading it for my adult development and aging class and it was pretty humbling and informative. It is a wife's diary of her experiences with her husband who around the age of 50 started experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, and who died just 3 years later. They called Alzheimer's "Big Al". He was a perfectly healthy man, who ran 10-15 miles every day of his life. It was hard for everyone to grasp that such a healthy guy would get Alzheimer's. The book is an incredible witness of love and devotion that Judy, the wife, had as she took care of her quickly deteriorating (yet young) husband. It is amazing the strength that some people in this life have, even when they aren't sure themselves that they have it. If you get a chance to read it, its a pretty quick read but really leaves you thinking about your life and if you're living it the way you really want to be.

dropping off Chari at the MTC

Chari (Josh's sister) has been called to serve in Cuernavaca, Mexico for an 18-month mission, Spanish speaking. (If you feel like following her blog that I will be updating while she is gone visit http://ldshermanapeterson.blogspot.com).

Wednesday Josh, Chari and I went to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Blad. They drove 2 hours just to have lunch with Chari before she left. After that it was time to take a few last pictures and send her off to the MTC. She was calm, cool and collected the entire time and you could tell she was just ready to jump on in and get to work. 

We all love her very much and are excited and blessed for her desire to serve God. 

DIY graphic tee TUTORIAL

Here is a tutorial on how I make my graphic tee's. I still feel like it is not perfect, but here is what I do:

1. First outline what you want to put on your shirt onto wax paper. I used my computer screen to outline letters from Word that I liked. 

2. Then cut out the parts that you want to show up on the shirt.

3. Lay your outline onto your shirt where you want the logo to show up. I tried my shirt on first to see where I wanted it to lay. This is one part I do not have down, but I tape down the wax paper so that it doesn't move. Maybe next time I will try ironing the paper on?

4. Grab your fabric paint that you would like to use. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. 

5. Then put paint in your outline like so:

6. Grab a brush (a foam brush is probably faster... but this is all I had) and start painting your fabric paint onto your shirt, not putting too much on to avoid it bleeding out.

7. Then do this for all of your design.

8. After you have finished painting let the paint dry for a few minutes and then remove the wax paper carefully from the shirt. Let it fully dry (usually 24 hours). I like to blow dry it a little at first to lock in the paint. 

The paint will not wash off in the wash but you have to wait 48 after you apply it to wash it. And there you have it! Your very own graphic tee.