So much

I found this awesome website. She reads books, reviews them, and RATES them. I LOVE this! I love when people share their knowledge! Thank you for saving me time and frustration by sharing what you know. Love, love, love. Speaking of which, I feel kind of guilty because although I know I'm not a parent, I took a parenting class and have had plenty of opportunities to try some of the principles out. They work. I think if I were to offer advice now, people might just say "Yeah, whatever. Works in theory..." Anyway, to any struggling parents (or parents who want to avoid that dilemma) I leave you my recommendation to read this book:

I know it says of "teens," but can you at least trust me when I say the principles are the same with younger children? If you take this read and draw out the principles they are getting across, then you will be set!

Tomorrow is my last day of student teaching. Hallelujah! I love days where I get to be here all day and be productive! Especially with being pregnant, it was so hard coming home from a hard day at school and be motivated to clean, cook, even plan lessons. I just wanted to veg. Lock myself up in my room with a root beer float and veg!!! I'm so looking forward to getting to be a stay at home wife and mother. I know I have SOOO many people say I'll regret it in 10 years and I'll want to go back, but I think I have cherished it while it lasted, but I am ready to cherish motherhood. I am ready to soak in getting to be a wife like I have always wanted to be (I was about to say a "REAL" wife, but I have been a real wife the whole time, just going to school). Basically, getting to put my priorities where I want them. :)

I went to the doctor's today. My baby is doing great! I get to see her next time (the day after my birthday! Best present ever!) I got to hear her today for the first time. Well, her heartbeat. <3 Her wonderful heartbeat. It's a miracle. Life, that is. I hope I can remember how big of a miracle she really is when she's spitting up on me, throwing temper tantrums, slacking on homework, and trying to push curfew. :)

Life is good. I feel like I have broken through this huge barrier (which I hope doesn't build itself back up; I will be doing everything in my power to make sure it stays down). I feel like I've had this barrier of always wanting to do things but not knowing how (or where to start) and having a hard time enjoying where I am today. Well, my fellow friends, after weeks of trying to push past it, probably really months or even years, I feel like it's down. I love today, even though I am not perfect, I'm not where I want to be (like in TX with family), and I could improve this and that and blah, blah, blah. I just made a list of things I want to do/learn, and I do them when I can. I find that the days I really try to be productive in the morning, it's hard to do anything but until I'm really just too tired. Like right now, writing this blog post. Probably not the most productive, but I've gotten a lot done today. :)

IT FEELS GOOD. I don't even say "Welcome, new me" because, I'm still me just with a new tool and new understanding under my belt. So, hello, world! I'm ready!

My thoughts

Steven think this is too harsh to post on facebook.... So, I wanted to post on here to have record of how I truly feel about what's going on.

I think it's stupid that politicians do things that ultimately reduce freedom in order to win these stupid popularity contests we call elections/primaries. I want results. I want long-term results. I don't want my children to live in a country with little freedom because there were too many people who fell for these stupid "free" speeches. "Free" health care, "free" birth control, etc. Hello, people!!! The money has to freakin' come from somewhere, so if it's important to you, go get a job and save up. Welcome to the real world.

Glasses

Today was a good day, but I started getting a really bad headache. I took off my glasses to watch a show to fall asleep to (my mind doesn't rest otherwise). When I woke up and stuck my glasses back on I realized how dirty they were! Nothing horrible, but bad enough to be distracting. Anywho, I cleaned them and all is well.

Source

Then the neatest/coolest thought came to me. What if you say we all need glasses to go through life because we can't see  correctly without them? We would get lost. But as with real glasses, these glasses get dirty (maybe with self-doubt, self-pity, lack of motivation, fill in with any flaw). How often in life do we have "dirty glasses" that probably cause our "headaches" and not even realize it? All we have to do is take some time out of our day to see where we are at and clean up if we need to. Then, life will be dandy!

You know it's cool. :)

Pregnancy & Other Random Updates

Thanks to my friend, Kara, I will have some sort of recollection of the weeks that go by. :)


How far along? 22 weeks
Total weight gain: Not sure exactly, but at least 2-3
Maternity clothes? mixed Just started wearing maternity bottoms, still get to wear normal shirts
Sleep: I wake up about 1-2 times a night usually. Hasn't been too bad.
Miss Anything? Eating and not getting nauseous. :)
Movement: Quite a bit! I actually see my stomach move! It's crazy. She kicked my computer that was on my belly the other day; it actually moved the computer!
Food cravings: I haven't really had food cravings in general. A couple weeks back, vinegar sounded wonderful. I ate some pickles. Meat would be another thing that just ALWAYS sounds good to me, particularly beef.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Can't pinpoint it. If I wait too long and then go into the kitchen to grab something to eat, I usually can't.
Gender: Girl 
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: nothing really. The belly is getting there, and I finally feel pregnant instead of just sick. I have been feeling better, so no looking forward there! 

We went out to eat last month to Chic-fil-A to celebrate having a job that covered our expenses! We were just so excited about it!

 His favorite part (I think) were the ketchup packets. Can't blame them-built to dip fries or squeeze onto a burger (well..... chicken patty burger...)

 Two of my favorite things!!!

 I L-O-V-E their milkshakes. 

And unfortunately for me, so did Steven! Good thing I paid attention in Kindergarten; I can share!

Steven has had chic-fil-a before but he fell in love with it all over again. Just like I do, every single time. Delish.

We have also celebrated Pi die by eating cobbler, had a "kid" date, and some other random stuff:

 Can't you tell I just got home from student teaching working hard on those lesson plans! Feeling sick as ever! haha (you can tell because I'm still wearing my top from s.t. and wearing pj pants. One guess what I do when I walk through the door)

 Steven's been wonderful to cook for us. (P.S. We don't always eat on the couches :D)

 Setting up our movie for our date night under the "tent"

 After chaperoning MORP (dance) "Escape to the Tropics"

Our yummy cobbler! Ta da!

The End.

But gotta love it, right?!

I'm sorry if I am obsessed with this whole baby and pregnancy thing, but I carry her with me everywhere I go! She's basically all I think about (besides finishing student teaching). There's some research that indicates that she can hear me now. I have tried talking to her while I'm home alone, but I haven't gotten used to the idea. My compromise: I added Pandora stations such as "Baby Einstein," "B-I-N-G-O," and "Itsy, Bitsy Spider." I figure this way she can hear me while I sing along and I get to refresh myself on (along with learn) children's songs! Best part, I don't feel so awkward.

What I think I look like:

Find pic here

What I probably look like:

Find pic here

What I think my baby is doing:

Find pic here

What she's probably doing:

Find pic here

I am so excited for this baby. Steven and I have gone through more than I wish for anyone when trying to get pregnant. A trip to the library to get children's books will probably be on the date list this month! :D

I am excited to check out some Dr. Seuss books but want to find some good new ones. These are some of my favorites:

Find pic here

Find pic here

As I try to pick out my other favorites, all too many come to mind. I LOVE children's books. I could read them all day... and I plan on doing pretty close some days. Soon, I'll have a reason for checking them out! :) 

Did I mention I only have 2 more Fridays student teaching? AHHHHHHHH! Almost here!

Sleeping Beauty

I've been thinking of Sleeping Beauty for quite sometime now! "Why?" you may wonder. Well, she has a dilemma that she has no control over--whether her dress is pink or blue. Now, some may consider people in my state in the same predicament besides one minor detail--she could care less because she has her prince charming; I revolve around this uncontrollable factor.



If you haven't started getting suspicious, let's just say that I also relate to her because she's referred to as "Sleeping Beauty. But, let's face it: when you're pregnant, I don't know how beautiful you feel, but you sure like sleeping!


Here are some posts that I've written previously but haven't posted because we hadn't announced it, yet. :)
These are probably more like journal entries but feel free to read. :)
Oh, Happy Day! written: 11/22

Today, Tuesday November 22, we found out we are pregnant! I woke up around 6 and couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to go take a test and was so PLEASANTLY surprised! What a blessing! We couldn't be more excited for this baby!
Steven was telling me this morning how excited he was that he doesn't have to question if it's his. Isn't that a great blessing?? Yes, yes it is! And then he proceeded to tell me how the test detects hCG--which is produced by the FETUS. "Thanks baby, for sharing!" I said. haha Did I mention we are so excited?! We are planning on announcing it on Christmas. Kind of cheesy--especially in Steven's family (it's been done twice).


8 weeks: written 12/9
"I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow. Craziness. It makes me soooo happy. Yesterday, I found out we are set for Arizona! Hallelujah!!! Heavenly Father has such a hand in our lives. How can I even begin to express how grateful I am?! This pregnancy thing is a lot different than I expected. I already go to the bathroom like 10 times a day... probably more like 7 but still. I guess my blood volume is increasing causing more fluids to pass through my kidneys causing me to go to the bathroom a lot more, as well as my uterus growing. My baby is going to be the size of a kidney bean soon. Cute little, little baby. I am tired all the time! It's crazy. Some days, I can sleep for 10 hours and take 2 naps and I might feel rested."

Long time, no see

Well, short and sweet and to the point.
We moved to AZ a week ago--homeless until Friday (Thank you, again. You know who you are.) :)
I started student teaching Thursday--exhausting.
Steven is looking to be employed some place(s).

Christmas break was great. Now, I'm debating on whether or not to go to sleep at 8. I'm one tired girl!


Oh did I mention we celebrated graduating?