Just a Video

I love Mormon Messages and I thought this particular video perfectly depicted what our fathers do for us-constantly. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful men in my life and especially my husband and  soon-to-be father of our baby!

Growing, Growing, Come On!

Even though I am just under 30 weeks along, I can't help but get more and more excited for this babe's arrival! I have this feeling she is going to be a strong, spunky little girl just from her hard kicks and tricks she likes to play. I don't like people touching my stomach (my friends all know I'm not the touchiest person) except family. Still, the only ones who have felt her karate moves are Brenner, his sister Kylie when she was in town (I'm assuming she knew she wouldn't be able to meet Kylie right away. Very thoughtful.), and maybe my sister? Sorry Alyssa, can't remember. But really, she will be kicking so hard you can see it through my shirt and then as soon as anyone besides those peeps go to feel her she totally stops. Sassy pants. Anyway, I figured I would post one of my very last pictures of the tummy before she is here. I can hardly wait to meet her!

A little taste of the third trimester. 30ish weeks, aka about 7 months. She sure is a'growin!

Realism

In my humble opinion, dreaming is wonderful but there is something far more powerful than a wishful thought. Realistic goals and aspirations are what I'm aiming for. It's important to be present in reality. Here are some realistic truths that I have been thinking about lately.

1. Realistically, I NEED THAT BROWNIE or CUPCAKE or CINNAMON ROLL or ICE CREAM to get me through a streak of strict healthy eating. Indulgence can be the gatekeeper to my sanity.

2. Realistically, my life is NOT perfect. If I thought it was then I would just be kidding myself.

3. Realistically, Brenner cannot be here for me 24/7 right now. (Boards studying...). However, we do make the very best of the 2 hours a day we see each other.

4. Realistically, Brenner and I do not agree on everything. What? Marriage isn't perfect? Nope, sorry folks it just isn't. But guess what is? The fact that we've never raised our voices at each other and the sweet cuddles that our disagreements always end in.

5. Realistically, I just don't get around to doing everything that I intend to do today (vacuuming, making a surprise treat for Brenner during these days he's a slave to his studies, my morning run, or whatever). 

6. Realistically, much of the bliss we enjoy in life is the product of our hard work.

So here's to a realistic life like mine! It's pretty fantastic and even though I haven't done anything to get my name in a history book, the truth is that I am important. Our lives do matter. It's crucial to be real with ourselves, our lives, and our goals. I find that when we are, we still manage to exceed our own expectations and our achievements are even sweeter than imaginable. It's far better to keep our head on our shoulders and be active in our reality than sit stagnant dreaming about all of the things that we realistically cannot accomplish simultaneously.

Products

There are some things about living in this day and age that I have really come to appreciate.

LIKE...

My lovely Blendtec that allows me to make healthy smoothies and other tasty delights! I don't care if people think I'm a hippie weirdo for eating organic. I just want to eat the purest form of food possible. Plus, it tastes better and I feel great eating it!

This fresh little bit of heaven in a bottle.

Dry shampoo. 'Nough said.

I've always loved the smell of baby soap but ever since I've been pregnant my skin can't handle anything but this stuff! So now I'm going to smell just like my babe and I'm alright with that.

This place is magic. Thank you Brenner for my Mother's Day gift card! He knows me too well.

And how can I not mention my new favorite store? Oh, and Zara kids. I fear I will never buy anything for me again.

The Little Lovelies of Life

(As you can tell from the title, I like alliteration.)

This past weekend has been one of my favorites and for many reasons. Brenner and I were able to get away for one last weekend before he hit boards studying hard. Where did we go? The land of our inheritance, of course! (Not really, we don't have anything to inherit). We went to Mesa and it was one of the best trips we've ever had together. We were able to go to the temple and do sealings and we ended up seeing three different couples we knew from Tucson! While there we both reflected on how much the Lord has blessed us this past year. We got married, are having a baby, both did well in school, live in a very cozy home and the list goes on. Then, of course we can't leave the temple without following up with a meal at El Charro! Our other adventures of the trip included a DBacks game with my awesome family, and a Gisela trip with Brenner's sister Kenzie. Brenner showed off his four wheeling skills by getting us to the crystal clear water and it felt perfect. Then we finished the break by crashing on his parents' couch and just watched a movie (yes that was actually a treat for us). We also finished reading Prince Caspian together and can't wait to start our next book.

So with all of that, I have really come to appreciate the little lovelies in life that our Heavenly Father blesses us with. The temple, El Charro, beautiful nature, a way to escape the heat, family, and wholesome entertainment. I have to say though, that what brought all of this about was Brenner bringing me some flowers yesterday for no reason. (I LOVE flowers but I have this weird thing where if I receive them on Valentines Day or my birthday, I just don't want anything to do with them) It was the perfect way to end my crazy day. It's also nice to know that there's still room for me in that head of his during these 12 hour study days.

One of those

So it occurred to me that the people who actually read my blog are my closest friends and I also realized that I don't get to see you guys- like ever- since I'm down here in good old Tucson. So since I don't want anyone to be stunned when they see me, because I have been asked multiple times to do this, or maybe as proof that I really am pregnant, I'm going to post one of those "I'm X-weeks along and this is what I look like" photos.

I'm truly loving every second of this pregnancy business! Can't ya tell?

25 weeks and feeling blessed.

Oh the Joy

I haven't really given much detail about my pregnancy because frankly, I'm sure NOBODY cares- except Brenner and maybe my family? I probably overestimate my family's interest too but they have to put on a happy face anyway.

Anyway, I won't go into detail here because I have my other forms of documenting this new and exciting stage of life. I will just say that I'm one of those women who LOVE being pregnant! I love feeling her kick and wiggle. I know I'm supposed to be the source of comfort for her (when she's here) but right now I can't help but feel so calm and peaceful when I feel her wiggle. 

I love her so much already I can barely take it! Don't worry, I don't have an unrealistic fantasy that she'll be perfectly obedient, never get sick or hurt, or be a handful. I know I'll have moments where I feel overwhelmed and inadequate but at the same time she is already keeping me going. Those kicks just keep me dedicated to school and keep me singing primary songs (In hopes that she will somehow recognize them and my voice when she is born... I know but I'm going to do it anyway).

And to finish off this post, I'm going to add these two videos that I watch almost everyday from our ultrasound (taken about 5 weeks ago when we found out we're havin a little lady). Please watch carefully in the last one because you can see her little hand waving! Let that be a friendly departure from the both of us.