Living Life

It's been awhile since my last update.  Things have been going very well.  Josh is loving his new job at Dex. School starts back up these week, and we are heading right back into the hustle and bustle of things.

 

 Natalie is LOVING preschool, her teachers, and her new friends. 

Natalie and Chelsea will be starting ballet and tap in a couple weeks, and are very excited to go to a dance class.  

Allison is 8 months old, and all over the place.  She has the cutest army crawl, and giggle.  She is always bringing a smile to our faces.  I sure love my little family. 

On my mind

There has been so much going on.  And instead of keeping up with being a mom, wife, and student, I am taking a break and taking on the role of a blogger.


Crazy as it is, summer is almost over.  Natalie starts with the Millard School District the beginning of August. I can't believe my baby girl is growing up.  She is so smart, and I know she will do so well.  Chelsea is now fully potty trained.  After worrying time after time whether or not she was going to get it i decided to take a break.  Well she decided one day she was going to start going on the toilet, and has continued ever since.  I now have 2 big girls that just wont stop growing up.  Allison now has 2 teeth, and rolls and scoots all over the floor.  I can't believe my little Christmas miracle is 7 months old.  I love my girls so much, and I am so lucky to be a mommy to 3 beautiful and healthy baby girls.

Challenge Day: 3

Day 3: Your first love


I don't remember exactly who it was, but I do remember as far back as 1st grade. That year I was on a co-ed tee-ball team.  There was a little redheaded boy that had the same birthday as me.  I guess that was the selling point for me. I cried the day I had to tell him I was moving from Reno, Nevada to Plano, Texas. He must not of meant too much if I don't remember his name. :) 


I haven't thought of that story in awhile. Guess this little challenge really makes you think. Oh to be young again.  

Challenge Day: 2

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name


This is one of my favorite quotes.  In life there are so many ups and downs, but it all comes down to how hard you work to improve.  I try to focus on how I can make my life better instead of waiting for it to change. In each of my blogs as I reflect on past memories I hope to see that in time I have been trying harder and being a little better each day. 

Challenge Day: 1

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts


Seeing that I am going to be putting up 15 interesting facts I don't real feel the need to introduce myself.  If you're reading this, chances are you pretty much know who I am.  So onto the 15 facts.


Fact #1:  I have to sleep with my bedroom door closed.  I know having 3 kids might change some things, wanting to hear them if they cry, having it be easier for them to find me if they wake up in the middle of the night; but no.  It doesn't matter if I am falling asleep alone, for a nap, or for the night.  I have to have my bedroom door closed.  


Fact #2:  The hardest part about being pregnant for me is not being able to sleep on my stomach.  For as long as I can remember I have always fallen asleep on my stomach.  And if I don't I have a hard time staying asleep.  I lay on my stomach until its absolutely not possible anymore during a pregnancy.  Oh, and after I have my babies, the first night in the hospital I go right back to sleeping on my stomach. 


Fact #3:  I love kids!  I have always wanted a big family, and I am making a pretty good start.  I love the way kids minds think. How simple and joyful their lives are. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing a child playing and learning. 


Fact #4: I enjoy running.  I haven't always.  Actually there was a time in my life I quite hated it.  But after having kids, and gaining a little weight.  I find that it is the fastest way to drop those pounds, and it makes me so much happier. I love the energy it gives me, and how helpful it is when I need to clear my mind. 


Fact #5: I can't put my face into the water coming down from the shower head.  I hate water on my face. The only time I can have it on my face is when I am washing it. Lets just say I was traumatized when I was younger, and now I avoid water whenever I can.


Fact #6:  Strawberry ice cream with real strawberries in it, is my favorite.  


Fact #7: I want to get my Masters in counseling. Balancing school and a family can be difficult, but 
i love helping others. I eventually want to be either a marriage and family counselor, or a child and youth counselor.


Fact #8: I was married when I turned 18. And I would never change that.  I found the man of my dreams, and have spent the best 5 years of my life with him. 


Fact #9: I love to bake and cook. I may not be the best chef. When I am down rather than eating, I start working to make something in the kitchen. (That will most likely be sent with Josh to work. :)  ) 


Fact #10: My house is the cleanest when I am the most upset. When I get mad or frustrated I start to clean. Not the pick up toys do laundry kinda clean, but the wash the toilets clean the floorboards kinda clean. 


Fact #11: I have a fetish with rearranging furniture. Even growing up I didn't like my room to be the same for very long. No room is safe, and there' no guarantee that it will be the same from one visit to the next.


Fact #12: I sleep with my feet hanging off the bottom of the bed. I know I realize I put a lot up about my sleeping habits.  Maybe that's just because I am sleep deprived and its on my mind a lot. :) But really, I do sleep with my feet hanging off the edge of the bed. Its a crazy little comfort thing. 


Fact #13: I love music.  I love to play it, sing it, dance to it, listen to it.  Unless the kids are sleeping (and sometimes even then) there is music on in my house.  I love how there is something that matches my mood, and its something that can calm my mind, and help me unwind and relax. 


Fact #14: I love to travel.  Having 3 kids makes traveling a little more adventurous, but there's nothing like hoping into the car and driving for hours. I also love plane rides.  I hope one day to travel to Europe with Josh. 


Fact #15: I stand with my legs crossed.  Josh calls it the "Emily pose". I know its probably 
not the best for my posture, but it is pretty comfortable. 

A 30 day blog Challange

I've seen these floating around and thought I'd give it a try.  Gives me somewhere to start, and maybe get me in the habit of writing a little bit more. 

30 Day Blog Challenge

Day 0: The 30 Day Challenge Explanation and Description
Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts
Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3: Your first love
Day 4: Your family
Day 5: A song to match your mood
Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7: Favorite movies
Day 8: A place you've traveled to
Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend
Day 10: Something you're afraid of
Day 11: Favorite tv shows
Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without
Day 13: Goals
Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?
Day 15: Bible verse
Day 16: Dream house
Day 17: Something you're looking forward to
Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat
Day 19: Something you miss
Day 20: Nicknames
Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?
Day 22: What's in your purse?
Day 23: Favorite Movie
Day 24: Something you've learned
Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26: Your Dream Wedding
Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in
Day 28: Something that stresses you out
Day 29: 3 Wishes
Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

Balance

I have always wanted to be a mom. I have always wanted to graduate with a Bachelors, in what I was never quite certain. But never did I think I would be doing both at the same time. Juggling these two crazy but wonderful things I have seen how far a person can be stretched.

I thought it was hard being a student growing up. I felt there was a lot of pressure to get things right and to always be the best. That is something that I haven't out grown. I guess in time maybe it wont matter, but then and now it does. Since starting my Bachelors this past fall I have received all A's. Then during the winter semester, when Allison was born and 4 of us got the flu, I got an A-. I never thought I would feel so disappointed over that. But, I was. Spring semester has proven to be back up to par in my eyes, but I think that over achiever part of me is waring pretty thin. I find it harder and harder to satisfy the demands of an A student, full time mom, and a wife. I find it hard to be 100% in every area everyday.

The girls are all growing up so quickly. Natalie is starting full time preschool next year, Chelsea is almost 3, and Allison changes everyday. I look back and wonder if I made the right choice to go back to school right away. Don't get me wrong it feels great to be back in the books, and analyzing actions and motivations, learning and studying. But with everything there comes a price. Something has to be sacrificed. No matter how much I want it I can't add hours to a day, or days to a week. I have to split my time between my school, my girls. and my husband. I know that in the end everything will work out, but I hope I can work it out the right way.

I guess I am learning more and more about how hard a balancing act is. What is the right amount of time to devote to this, or what is the right amount of effort that needs to be put into that. This has been one of those weeks that is stretching me more than I thought I could. Final papers for my psychology class, rambunctious toddlers, and a teething baby, all while my wonderful husband works hours of OT to support the family so I can stay home. Days like today I wonder how I get through. I know I could not do it without the wonderful support of Josh, loving and very forgiving daughters, family members who help give me that extra push, but most importantly a loving Heavenly Father. His love for me as his daughter, and the strength he gives me to carry on each day to learn and grow. I am so grateful for the trials in my life that help be become the most I can be. One day, when I've made it through the refiners fire, I hope to be an example to my girls of what they can become, and their worth in my eyes, and especially the eyes of their loving Heavenly Father.