Elise's Blessing.

Elise got blessed this past Sunday. It was a very spiritual moment. I loved it! Babies are just so innocent and so close to the Lord, it's amazing (yet a little creepy) to see them look at random spots in the house and know they are looking at someone close to them either dead or not yet born.

Elise is growing so fast, and developing far beyond her age.

• She was smiling at a month old
• She laughed at a month old
• She has been trying her hardest since she was 2 months old to roll over on her back
• She said "mama" since 2 months (only when she is really hungry)
  
• She started playing...really playing with her toys at 1 month old
• She can talk your ear off, and with those facial expressions, it really seems like she's telling you all about her day
• She already plays with her hands and feet

Having a baby in the house makes everyone's day brighter. There's just something about having a sweet spirit so fresh from heaven in your home. I love every moment of it :o)

Some new pictures.

Unfortunately Gabriel was at school that day, but this awesome girl in my ward is a photographer. She offered to show me some tricks with lighting, and she wanted to take pics of Elise. I walked away with some great pictures and a new appreciation for photography! I can't wait to start working with her!

A new, healthier way of living!

We have always wanted to buy one of these awesome blenders, but never had the resources to do so. We are big into eating organic, all natural foods, trying to eliminate as much processed foods out of our diets as possible.
Lately, Mat has been having horrible, painful heartburn that won't go away with tums. He has an appointment with a doctor soon. He thinks a lot of what he has been eating has been contributing to his heartburn. So, we went online and ordered this beauty!

If you don't know a lot about the vitamix, let me give you a brief summary:
It makes soups (yes, it spins THAT fast so the food gets hot enough)
It makes ice cream (yup....ice cream)
It makes dough (then put it in a pan and make bread)
It makes cake batter
It grinds grains into powder
It makes any type of food you want!
You can eat 3 times a day using this vitamix!
It makes applesauce (you just cut the apples and put it straight into the mixer...seeds, stem and all)

That's just a few things it does! I can't wait to use this thing! I can't wait to get back on track with health!

Happy Halloween!

♥

I love my kids! I feel so blessed to have them in my life!

This makes me laugh and smile when ever I see this picture! I love her smiles!

She's here!!

After waiting 40 weeks and 1 day, Elise Tiffany came into this world at 3:47am weighing a healthy 9lbs. 5oz. 21 in long. Whew!

It seems like I was in labor forever, but really, I was in hard labor for only 5 hours!
I had been having BH contractions for weeks, totally inconsistent. A week before she was born, those BH contractions started to get more frequent throughout the day. Matt's family and me were joking that I'd go into labor on Labor Day (seems fitting), but alas, no labor, BUT I was in a lot of pain, more so then lately. I had a feeling I was going to have her with in days.
Tuesday morning I woke up having the strong urge to pee, and it felt like I wet myself, it wasn't until I went to the bathroom that I saw I was starting to lose my mucus plug! I was beyond thrilled! I woke Matt up and told him we were having this baby with in 24 hours.
I got mostly everything ready for the arrival (as much as I could, I was having contractions all throughout the day, I'm grateful Matt did a lot of the work like laundry and taking care of the kids).
It wasn't until 6:20pm that those contractions kicked it up a notch. I started timing them, and sure enough, I was having consistent contractions every 10 min, contractions that got stronger by the hour.
I told Matt it was time to go. We got everything ready and had Matt's sister Melissa come over to watch the kids since everyone in the house was gone!
You know, I had this vision in my head that I'd be screaming bloody murder the whole way to the hospital, and dreaded going since it was 45 min away! On a scale from 1-10 my pain was at a 4-5. I got to the hospital, got checked in and honestly thought I'd be 2-3 cm dilated......wrong! I was 5 cm dilated!! I was shocked to say the least! That's when I knew it wasn't going to be a bad experience after all....I could do this!
I got hooked up to the IV and they brought me to the birthing room (very nice might I add). I had a darn intern as my doctor. I wouldn't mind an intern, if only they knew what they were talking about and doing! He would say something and the nurses would have to correct him. He just wasn't warm and welcoming. When your in labor and want to kill the world, you want someone to understand, especially your doctor. I told him I wanted to wait the pain out and see how long I could last with out an epidural...he gave me a smug look like "I don't know if that's a good option...". Yeah, well, at 7 cm I couldn't take the pain any longer and asked for an epidural (which of course he had a great comment for that one).
From then on, things progressed pretty fast! I was at a 7 for a while but still had this urge to push (you know, that uncontrollable feeling). My cervix wasn't quiet yet open on my right side, so I laid on my right side for a while. I was told by everyone to not push (really...I HATE that), but of course, when you have no control, you do what your body says. I started pushing....at 7 cm.
Because of the pushing I went from a 7 to a 9 pretty fast. It was at that point where I was crying because of the pain and told Matt that this baby was coming now, I could feel her head coming out. The doctor and nurses came to check on me and sure enough, she was crowning. It took only 2 pushes to push her out.


I was completely in shock when she came out. She looked big, but I didn't know she would be 9 lbs! It was then that I had to give myself a pat on the back for pushing out a 9 lb baby with only 2 pushes, and I only tore a tiny bit! It would have been a bigger pat on the back if I would have done it with out any meds ;o) I honestly don't know how women do it without meds....totally respect for you moms out there who did it all natural!

I feel so blessed to have her in my life! My family feels complete.

I also can't forget to mention how wonderful Matt was during this whole process. He helped me any way he could, even having his fingers almost break because of all the pain I was going through. I love that man more and more, every day.

And so it begins...

I've been having BH Contractions consistently for a few weeks now. Yesterday everything hit a high point in it all. The contractions were a bit stronger and more consistent and it felt like she was in my hips.

I woke up this morning feeling like I had peed my pants and when I went to the bathroom, I noticed I was starting to lose my mucus plus!! Since this discovery my contractions have been pretty strong, not that strong yet, but none the less, uncomfortable!!

If things go as last time with Tristan, I will have this baby within 24 hours. I'll probably start hard labor later today....maybe early evening? I'm nervous as anything, but so excited to actually hold this girl instead of having her inside me :o)

Wish me luck!

Absolutely tragic!

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/29/2058190/shooting-reported-at-visalia-mormon.html

My heart goes out to the members of this Ward and my heart aches for the wife and children who lost their husband/father in the most disgusting way. He left behind 6 boys, the youngest being only a few months old!

There must be comfort in knowing they are an Eternal family and that they will be together again!

Baby shower!

Some pictures taken from my baby shower. Enjoy!

I had my baby shower the 21st and had a great time. I only needed new born outfits and 0-3 months. I have some clothes saved up from Brooke.
I'm grateful for my in laws for throwing this. It was much needed.

(the beautiful blanket my mother in law made)
(my sister in law got this, probably my favorite onsie thus far)
(one of the games we played...for this diaper I melted the chocolate, gives it a more realistic look ;o)
(The cake my mother in law made. Rachel put the accent over the E. Matt and I have been debating weather or not to put this accent over the E. I say no, he says yes. We will see what my indecisiveness says after she is born)

This is it...

I have had those wonderful Braxton Hicks contractions, and 3 people in this house have told me I am starting to drop!

So now starts to countdown til baby day!!

I'm planning on going to the Temple this Saturday, hopefully I'll go to the Temple first...THEN go into labor!

I'll keep this posted...

And so the journey begins...

We had been preparing weeks for this very day! I was so excited that my "baby", my first born was starting Kindergarten, I didn't even think about being sad.
Today when he walked on that bus, the emotions hit me like a bag of bricks. I didn't full out cry, but sure felt like it! I had to hold back those tears.

He will do well in Kindergarten. He has his best friend (his cousin) there every step of the way. I think if it was just him going on that bus, he would have taken it differently, but since he had Dan there with him, it made it easier.

SO...what does a mother do when her first child is at school? Why, of course, go to his school to "check up on him" ;o)

37 weeks

I had a doctors appointment last Friday, the heart beat was 150 and I'm measuring at exactly 36 weeks/cm.
No progress. Just braxton hicks contractions and the feeling like this girl is going to poke her way out!

Baby shower this Saturday.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

4 years ago today we brought this beautiful girl into the world!

She is crazy, wild, loud and obnoxious, but my life wouldn't be the same without her in it!
She may be crazy and wild and all those things, but she is the sweetest most loving girl, who loves to give hugs and kisses!
She's a daddy's girl through and through. I don't think she would know what to do with herself if daddy wasn't here.
I tell Matt all the time that Brooke is Melissa's child (Matt's sister) just the Lord gave her to me instead. She has her personality and looks! It's crazy!

I love this mamasita! She's my big helper and I know she will love Elise and be a big helper! She already calls Elise "my baby". "I can't wait until my baby is out of your belly." :o)

I know for a fact she will stand up for herself. She doesn't take any bullying.

Brooke Eden, you are loved more than words can express! My life, your daddy's life wouldn't be the same, and it sure as heck wouldn't be as exciting without you in it! We love you baby girl!

The countdown begins...

So the countdown beings! I'm 36 weeks pregnant. 4 more weeks to go (or less)!
It seems so surreal! Time has gone by so fast, yet it seems like I shouldn't be done.
I have mixed emotions, as most mothers-to-be do!

I can't wait until my baby shower! Those always make the pregnancy seem so real and the upcoming birth real as well.
I can't wait until I go into labor (ok, that's stretching it a little) I'm actually petrified!! I'm more excited about the after affect of the labor!
I can't wait to see what Elise will look like, or who she will look like!
I look forward to that special bonding time I have with my babies after delivery. I stay in the hospital all by myself, just me and baby time, I love that!
I can't wait to bring her home and see how my kids take to her. All 3 of them will be wonderful big siblings! That I'm sure of!
I can't wait to see the daddy-daughter bonding time! Another one of my all time favorites! There's nothing like seeing your husband love and bond with the baby you both made! Matt is honestly the best at it, seeing how he bonds with each of the kids makes me fall more and more in love with him!


I will try to keep this updated for the 2 or 3 of you who actually read this!! haha

These are a few of my favorite things...

I got this post idea from a friend and had to post it as well, since I love "The Sound of Music".

Favorite Hair Care:
This stuff smells great, it's natural and it makes my hair SO soft and smooth!

Favorite Make-up:
There really are no words to describe it but, Amazing!

Favorite Indulgence:
These little balls of chocolaty goodness are just heavenly! The center just melts in your mouth!

Favorite Smells:
Ok, so I'm a freak when it comes to smells. My favorites are Amber Romance, Clinique Happy, Sweet Pea, and yes...Tide Laundry Detergent. I like stuff that touches me to smell good!

Favorite past time:
I've only loved reading as of 6 years ago, when I married Matt. Matt's mom is a BIG time reader and has introduced me to many great books.
I LOVE to paint, it's my escape, though I haven't done it in years!


These are just some of my Favorite Things. What's yours?

Happy Birthday to Me!

(When I was 17 or 18)

1. I was born in Wareham, Ma. I'm an East Coast girl through and through!
2. I LOVE chocolate!
   
3. My favorite color is PINK
4. My favorite food is Chinese Food (from Wareham). Nothing else really compares.
5. When I was a junior in High School I went to Art All State (where only one student from each school in Mass. gets to participate in fun Art stuff in Boston).
6. I love painting! It's my escape, though I haven't picked up a brush since Gabriel was born.
7. I majored in Art in College for 2 years. I learned so much, but have forgotten a lot of it :o(
8. I also love Massage Therapy. I went through a lot of courses in 06, but never finished because we moved to Colorado.
9. I'm a stomach sleeper! Being pregnant and not being able to sleep on my stomach isn't a great mix.
10. I have 2 older brothers (15 and 17 years older). When I married Matt I got a shock, he has 6 siblings and many, many, many Aunts and Uncles...and cousins!
11. Being basically the only child just makes me want to have all my kids close together so they can become the best of friends.
12. I am big into politics. Some people hate it, but I think it's wonderful to know what's going on with our country! Although politics can get nasty, it's fun!
13. I'm a shy person. I sometimes dislike this about myself!
14. I'm all about smells! I need everything that touches me to smell pretty!
    
15. My favorite smells are Amber Romance, Clinique Happy, and Ralph Lauren Romance.
16. My favorite flower is a Gerber Daisy.
17. I have lived in 6 states and have moved a total of 12 times during my life time!
18. I have lived in more states being married then I did when I was living with my parents!
19. I used to HATE my name when I was younger. I wanted to change it to Sarah (how plain), but when the guys would always compliment me on my name, I grew to love it.
    
20. I'm left handed, but do just about everything else (other than eating and writing) with my right hand....weird!
21. I love naps! Heck, I love sleep....period!
22. I can't wait until Matt is a Chaplain....for many, many reasons!
23. I am 1/4 Lithuanian. My Grandma on my dad's side is 100%. I just wish she would have taught me Russian, so I could have been bi-lingual!
24. One of my pet peeves: Rudeness! I can't stand it when you are nothing but nice then receive nothing but ice cold words back!
25. I normally hate winters, but I love snuggling up in a blanket sipping on hot chocolate watching a good movie or T.V show when there is a blizzard or snow storm outside!
26. I'm extremely observant!
    
27. I'm very forgiving! Sometimes too forgiving!
    

Happy Birthday Tristan!

I'm not the best as expressing myself....at all! That's a talent I lack, but I will try my hardest for this post!

I can't believe 2 years ago, Tristan came into this world. He is such an amazing, loving, special child!
I knew from the second I knew I was pregnant we had a connection...and a very very strong connection at that. I thought he was a girl for the longest time because we had such a strong bond!
I have a pretty easy first trimester, it's my second and third that get to me! I always have something going wrong (i.e. hip problems, enormous pressure in my abdomen, can't stand up longer than 5 min, etc.). When I can't take the pain, I usually ask for a blessing from Matt. He gave me a few blessings during my pregnancy with Tristan and it always consisted of how he (Tristan) knew what I was going through just to bring him into this world and that he loved me for it, more than I knew!
I always felt that love from him.

He is a strong willed boy! He came into this world on his own, per say (I didn't have to do any pushing, he was ready, and he was coming out himself). He has been like that since! He does things himself, very independent. He doesn't let anyone push him around (Brooke has learned the hard way). When Matt gave Tristan his baby blessing, it consisted of being a Military guy! We have seen that in his every day acts. He wakes up at the slightest sound. He doesn't even flinch at pain (he once cut himself on a soda can and just looked at the blood pouring from his finger and just looked at me for some help, no crying or anything) and he's very perceptive! He is always aware of his surroundings. All things you need while in the Military!

He is such a loving boy! I don't think I have seen a child so loving. He hugs and kisses us every chance he gets. He could cuddle with us forever if we let him. He's always so willing to help at the drop of a hat! He picks up things off the floor I missed while vacuuming or he will pick up all the clothes off the floor after I get the kids ready and he puts it right in the washing machine!

I'm so happy to have him in my life, in our family! I know I was given a special child of God. It will be fun to see how our connection grows as he gets older. He is a mommy's boy and I secretly hope he will always be one :o)

Happy Birthday Tristan Matthew! I love you more than you know♥

A thought...

"Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass

through us in ways that sanctify us." Neal A. Maxwell

A feeling of accomplishment!

For his 5th Birthday, Gabriel received a Cars puzzle book from one of our friends. He ate it up! He wanted to do those puzzles all hours of the day.

Soon he tackled 25 pieces, then we bought him a 48 piece puzzle. He figured them out within hours!
We were at Target and saw a 100 piece puzzle and thought "Maybe...just maybe." He picked out the puzzle he wanted. We got home and Matt helped him the first time. Gabriel actually figured it out really fast! He was pacing along with Matt.

Today he completed that 100 piece puzzle ALL by himself! It took him 2 hours to accomplish (it would have taken less time, if Brooke didn't keep pestering him).
He was so proud of himself and his accomplishment!
I must say, I'm extremely proud of him, too! It makes me cringe just looking at that puzzle (I'm not a puzzle person).

Soon, maybe sooner than we think, he will work up to 1,000 piece puzzles! For that, Matt will have fun helping out!

Happy Father's Day!

Hummus...

...is pretty darn yummy!! I've found my new favorite snack!

Fluff

Love finding childhood stuff! I grew up on this stuff! You may say "but isn't that marshmallow cream?" NO!! It tastes so much better! Maybe because it's nostalgic, but it definitely tastes much different then your ordinary marshmallow cream.

What I love is making a fluffer nutter! Peanut Butter + Fluff = yummy!

If you haven't tried it, I suggest you go out to your store now and get some fluff and make yourself a yummy, sugary fluffer nutter! Your kids will LOVE it :o)

27 weeks

(It's amazing what a little swing of the hip can do. I look much bigger here then 27 weeks)

(Brooke took this picture)

(Gabriel took this picture)

(Gabriel took this picture)


The kids and I wanted to take pictures (more so me then them). Gabriel and Brooke helped take some pictures though, and it all turned out wonderfully! It's always fun to see how pictures turn out when kids take them. With the help of some editing, it looks professional ;o)

Father, Daughter bond!

It's moments like these that I just love!

The Best 6 Years!

(Messy cake kiss!)

I can't believe it's been 6 years already! It seems like we have been married for a year and some days it seems like we have been married forever!

Matt is my everything! He's an amazing father, husband and best of all, Eternal Companion!

I trust him completely! Matt has shown me at how trustworthy he is, from the very very start!

It seems like we have known each other far beyond this life, when we were talking on the phone it was like we are remembering what we knew before we came here on earth.

I love everything about him. His smell, the sound of his voice, and all his idiosyncrasies.

I'm so glad I said "yes!" to his proposal! We complete each other.

I love you Matthew!

Thankful.

I have always been thankful for my family, but more so lately!

Matt works at a Mental Health Facility working with abused children from the ages of 3-18. He told me of this one kid (who he never dealt with) who was abused pretty badly, he was tied to the toilet from the age of around 12 months until he was taken in by the state. His parents (or caregiver) would throw his food in the toilet and his only source of water was the toilet water. Needless to say, he never had interaction so when he was 6 he still wasn't talking and was always on all fours begging and barking like a dog.

It's stories like these that make me go to my kids and hug and kiss them over and over again, thankful they are my children! I am thankful that Heavenly Father gave them to me.

I think of situations like the one I gave above of abuse and think about what Heavenly Father thinks of it all! I get all balled up inside and want to literally kill these sickos who abuse children like that. But I know God is perfect! He has everything planned out.

Have you kissed your kids lately just because your thankful for them? It does wonders to their soul! :o)

Life's a Journey.

You never know where life is going to take you.

Matt has been in the Guard for about 10 years. He went Active Duty for a little over a year in 2007 where he was the Chaplain's Assistant. He loved every second of it. The Chaplain who he worked for loved his job and served his soldiers with loyalty. He looked forward to being deployed just for the sheer fact of helping his soldiers out and being part of the action.
As the Chaplain's Assistant, Matt had several opportunities to sit in on counseling sessions, mostly with women, but a lot with married couples and other soldiers. He loved how the Chaplain helped these wounded souls, who saw death overseas, and a lot whose marriages were falling apart due to the fact of being deployed.

Matt is a calm guy, yet he's a very, very good leader! He's walked into many Commander's Office and talked to them bluntly with no fear. He received a medal (I wish I knew the name) for doing such a good job helping the Chaplain. Matt excels at everything he does. He loves helping people out with their problems and always has a solution! I wish I had that ability.
He wants to be a Chaplain for the sheer fact that he will help our soldiers who need someone to talk to when they can't talk to their superior.

A few months ago, he was helping a friend try to find out what to do in life. He gave him the advise of joining the Army and going the Chaplain route due to the fact that this said friend loves Counseling. Needless to say, that never worked out for that said friend for many different reasons, but it gave Matt a fire for Chaplaincy that he hasn't felt since 2007. He prayed and prayed about it and felt a big urge to pursue it! I felt the same. We have been in the process of pursuing the Chaplaincy route.

We have already met with the Bishop and we next have to meet with the Stake Pres. and then a General Authority (or Area Authority). Matt will start school this fall for Marriage and Family Counseling. He will then work his way up to be a Captain in the Army through the Guard.


A lot of people have said to me "I could never be an Army wife, kudos to you!" or "Why would you go back to Army life?"
I honestly LOVE Army life! I LOVE the stability of getting a paycheck every 1st and 15th of the month. No more financial struggle!! Free Health care, dental. Oh, and the fact that if Matt does this for 20-30 years, we will get an amazing retirement, which means we can go on a mission on a whim!
Yeah, Deployment stinks! I won't see my husband for a year, I know this! To me, it's a sacrifice. I'm giving my husband to serve this wonderful country! And to be honest, one year is nothing compared to Eternity, which I get to spend with him.

I can't wait for this experience. I can't wait to go different places, and hopefully overseas :o) I can't wait for the formal balls (I'm such a girly girl, this is right up my alley). I can't wait to serve our country, and our soldiers.

What's in a name?

So, what's in a name? A lot! It sticks with you for the rest of your life!
I'm at a standstill with our sweet girl's middle name!

Her name will be Elise _fill in the blank_ Armstrong.

Our family of SIX!!

We went in today to get an ultrasound to see how the baby is doing and things look wonderful!
We are having a little GIRL!!!!
Gabriel and Brooke are so excited to be getting a sister! I asked them right before we left what they wanted this baby to be. Of course Brooke wanted a sister, and Gabriel said he also wanted a baby sister!

We were in the room looking at the baby and Brooke kept saying "The baby is glowing!!" she thought it was awesome that we had a little glow in the dark baby! She also wanted that baby to come out right then an there!

I would show you the picture of the goods, and it's such a cute picture, but I'll save her from being humiliated. But I will tell you that the picture is a perfect outline of her bum (she was facing away from the camera).

We are so excited to have another sweet little girl in our family! I honestly couldn't have planned it better myself!

General Conference

There are 2 times a year that I always look forward to. General Conference. I always learn so much, from things I already knew but needed to be reminded of, and things I needed to hear.
I feel so thankful to be a member of my church. I'm thankful for the knowledge I have about the gospel.

Also, since Conference was on Easter Weekend, I would like to add at how grateful I am for the Atonement and Resurrection of Christ. Without it, we would not rise again.

17 weeks

Today I went to the Dr.'s and brought the whole family along. It was fun because Gabriel understood a little bit that what he heard was the baby's heartbeat.

The baby's ♥beat is at 162. I am measuring exactly where I'm supposed to be. It's fun seeing my belly grow and to feel how hard it's getting. I also love feeling this baby move! I can't wait until he/she moves all the time!!

Stay tuned for the 7th!!
I go for an ultrasound to determine what baby Armstrong will be!