Head start on New Years resolution!

Awhile back my sister-in-law Anna and I decided we were going to prepare to run our 1st 5k. We signed up for the Turkey Dash in smithfield. My mom watched the kids while Anna and I did the 5k because the boys went hunting. The 1st mile was hard for me and I had to slow to a fast walk a few times. Once we hit half way we were able to finish without slowing down! We finished the race in 40 min. We decided to make a goal to do a 5k a month. I was a little nervous about this since I could barely walk the next day I was so sore!



We Found a Santa run last week at Hill Air Force Base and decided to do it for our December race. This time it was on a thursday during the day so we had to bring our kids with us. We figured it was okay if we didnt beat our time since we had strollers and kids. It was pretty cool to run at the Air force base because the Jets would take off and land right next to where we were running. We also all wore santa hats which I thought was fun! This time we only had to stop once when my nephew threw out his blanket and we actually beat our time with strollers! We were so excited! This time I wasnt even sore the next day. It is so fun to accomblish this goal and to run with my sister in law! Cant wait for the next one.

Thanksgiving Weekend

What better way to spend the holidays than with family! We started our Thanksgiving holiday with a bang!
On Saturday the 19th my sister in-law Anna and I ran the turkey dash 5k in smithfield. It was my first 5k and I hadn't been training as much as I should have. Anna was nice and walked with me a few times but we never completely stopped, when we got half way we ran the rest of the time with no walking! We did it in 40 min which I was excited about! We are planning our next one already :) While we were running the boys went hunting, as soon as they got back my parents drove Josh and I down to the Airport to head to California for Thanksgiving.
After we had checked our bags in and made it to security I noticed Graham was wet and it had soaked through is diaper into his pants. I looked in my diaper bag and noticed I had forgotten to restock my diapers. We purchased diapers in the airport which was way to expensive. We took Grahm into the family bathroom and he had a horrible blow-out. So we just put him in the sink in the bathroom and gave him a bath.
We stayed with Josh's parents in California, It was good to see them and for Grahm to spend some time with his Grandpa and Grandma Armstrong. Josh's parents have a basset Hound named Gus who Grahm became good friends with.




Since Veterans day was only a week before we got into Knotts Berry Farm for free. It was so fun to spend the day there! Josh's Parents came along to help with Grahm so we could go on rides together. We found this cute charlie Brown doll that we thought looked alot like Grahm



Grahm got to ride the carousel for the first time. He sat on a horse that moved and LOVED it! (brave lil guy) When we got off the ride he couldn't stop staring at the carousel.



We spent a day at the mall and time preparing Thanksgiving dinner with Josh's Family. We had a great Thanksgiving day and a good time black Friday shopping! It was such a fun visit but excited to come back and get ready for the Christmas season!

Grahm 6 month ( Im a month late)

Grahm at 6-7 months!
-Loves to Cuddle!
-Found his voice
-Lots and Lots of Drool
-Great at push-up (our little muscle man)
-Scoots backwards
-Sits up by himself
-Sleeps about 10-12 hrs
-Makes funny faces
-Loves his cousins
-LOVES food (if you cant already tell)
-Loves attention


We love this little guy and love to watch him grow and learn! He is such a blessing in our lives!

Nothing better!

There is nothing better than..

Family, I have the most amazing Husband and son! Josh got a new job in the military that he will start school in April of next year. He will go to school in Mississippi for Air Traffic Control! So Excited for him and for a new adventure with our family!



Parents and Sibings, They have helped out so much with the baby while josh is gone! I am so lucky to have them and love them!



Friends: I am thankful for the friends I have.. my friend ali babysat grahm while josh and I got a date! It was so nice for us to get out! My friend Lacie, she threw me amazing baby shower and is always there to talk to. Also my friend Whitney, I have called her so many times with questions about grahm and just to talk, She has been my best friend for a while and I got to see her this past weekend and it was so much fun to see her and her cute son andrew!


Me and Whit


Andrew and Grahm

Grahm 1 month

I cant believe how fast time goes, Grahm is now a month old!
Things I love at this age..

-Whenever he wakes up he starts searching for food and smacking his lips
-He smiles at random things
-Loves being held and cuddled
-Loves Music and Lights
-Likes being outside
- Starting to like his baths

We love being parents! Love you grahm

Thoughts...

Having a new baby is sure a new adjustment! I love baby grahm more that words can even describe, But along with that love are many trials!
- I now know how hard it is to go ANYWHERE, I have to time when to feed him so that he wont be hungry while we are gone.. make sure we have diapers, wipes, burp clothes , etc. packed in the diaper bag.
- Sleeping is gone, Between Josh and I we are up almost every few hours to feed or change diapers or entertain.
- I miss Josh, Even though he is here all the time I miss watching movies or cooking dinner, Now one of us is always watching the baby while the other is sleeping, cooking, or cleaning.
- Breast feeding, It has been such a trial for me, From him to latching on to loosing my milk. I know have to start using formula which is harder for grahm and makes me feel like a failure. It has been the most discouraging thing for me.
- Baby Blues.. Having your life change so much in one day is not easy especially when your hormones are crazy. Each day just thinking of breast feeding, or the messy house brings me to tears, The smallest things make me cry.. I cant wait til i Feel normal again.

The other day, while feeling all these emotions I called my mom.. She shared with me a message she had in church on mothers day, About how as mothers god wont give us anything we cant handle, and when it gets to much he will send down angels to help. I believe this, after a very hard week and a half yesterday was the best day I have had since having grahm.. My love for him is so strong and I would gladly take all the trials for him!
Also after praying for help I went to the mailbox and pulled out the general conference ensign, I remember a talk I had heard from Elder Lynn G Robbins. He said

"A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?

I loved this, I know that I need grahm as much as he needs me! He has such a sweet spirit and whenever i look at him I see a beautiful child of god! I am so thankful for the gospel, and for the lord knowing what I need!

Thankful!

I had to do a post of things I am so thankful for from this past week:

My family: Both of our families came down on Monday and were there for the Labor, Josh's mom and sister made a bunch of cute blankets for us. My sister Sarah and Brother in-law were there to support us and it was so nice to have them there. A Big thank you to my mother who stayed the whole day and helped out so much with the labor!

My Ward: We got a call after Grahm was born from the Relief Society letting us know they would be bringing meals to us, Also when Grahm went to the NICU our bishop and home teacher came to help give Grahm a blessing!

My Brother: When i found out that grahm was going to the NICU I didnt take it very well, I called my parents and they told me they would drive down. When we left the NICU and went out to the waiting room, my brother who works in ogden was sitting there waiting. It was especially nice to see him cause he had a son in the NICU and just seeing him sitting there brought me to tears, It is so nice to know I have a great family who will take the time to just to stop by.

My husband: I couldn't imagine anyone better to help me raise Grahm. He has been so paitent with my and my emotions and with Grahm. He was the strong one in the hospital and has been such a help at home! I am truly grateful for josh and all his amazing qualities!

Grahm: He is such a trooper, He has been such a good baby and I am so thankful for a safe delivery and for such a cute little boy! I cant wait for all the amazing memories we will create!

My heavenly father: When grahm got sent to the NICU there were a lot of prayers sent out for him, I love the feeling you get when you pray and feel comfort. I am so thankful that he has chosen me to raise this amazing boy and am so thankful for the gospel and knowing that we will be a family forever!

Thank you for all your support and prayers! I am thankful to have such amazing friends and family members!