Leighton Joyce

Lived

- The past few weeks have felt like complete torture. I had it in my mind that our beautiful little girl would be joining us early, like at 37 weeks and well, that was just did not happen. So I spent most if not all of my time cleaning, redecorating and avoiding my classes. This was great because my house now feels way more like our home and it's presentable for all the company that will come when we bring Leighton home. This was not so great at the same time because I really truly am failing both of my classes, and have spent way too much money on furniture, and other home necessities.

- We finished the nursery and it is beautiful! Kaden worked so hard on it and Teisha and Vance helped us get it painted. I can not wait for our little girl to be in there. It honestly makes me smile just to walk by and see the beautiful finished room.

- Almost every weekend we traveled to the valley even if just for the day. Kaden finished the Kirks truck finally and I got to be pampered by
my grandma with amazing massages and got to relieve my sciatic pain sleeping and napping in Lukes water bed. I am convinced if I ever have sciatic pain again I am buying a water bed of my own. It was heavenly.

- Speaking of sciatic pain. I was forced to quit working out just around 37 weeks as well because the slightest wrong move would send me into fits of pain running up my back and down my legs. After 2 1/2 weeks of no running I couldn't help it anymore at 40 weeks and 1 day and I headed to the gym, praying some exercise would send me into labor. I only confirmed my own fears, 1 my sciatica hates me and 2 I really will need to be induced if I wanted to have Leighton sometime soon, after running the best mile of my life. I am positive all eyes were on me, especially after my sister noticed me, yelled across the cardio area and was laughing at how awesome I looked.

37

38

39

40

40 and 3 days

Learned

- Dogs completely know what's going on even before you do. Tiffany tends to be a rathr dumb but unbelievably sweet little bulldog who up until now has been the only pride and joy in our lives and she knows it. Slowly she has started to do things for more attention and she has became very clingy to both kaden and me . Wednesday she woke up mad at me though and it continued all day long. Then as I packed my hospital bag she followed me around whining and when we went to leave for the hospital she ram out to the car and cried when I carried her from the front seat into the house. Our poor Tiffany knew we would not be coming home aline and some competition will be in her life.

- even though I have been going insane and poor Kaden has worked so much the past month I feel like I, if not the both of us have learned so much. Each day that Leighton didn't come and after 4 appointments of being told I made no progress and was still only dilated to 2 cm I grew more and more impatient but felt more like the Lord was trying to teach me something. I couldn't help but remind myself each night what a blessing it was just to be pregnant. It took us long enough to even have hope in being able to have our own sweet child that really what was 3 more weeks to my amazing pregnancy. Really I do feel like it was amazing. I really was able to take the time to ponder on what a miracle it was to just be pregnant and to savor each kick and move our precious daughter made.

- I also learned however what is truly important to me. And this I think Kaden definitely did as well. In-between my bipolar mood swings Kaden and I have grown closer to one another than ever. I have taken quite a bit of time off of work now and because of this feel like I have been able to do so much more for my wonderful husband. I have made dinners, and his lunches, kept our home clean and his laundry done. I know it doesn't sound like much but it has been all the difference for us to be able to simply serve each other. I was talking to my sister the other day and just realized kaden and I haven't had a fight since she moved in, probably quite a bit before. Of course we argue but nothing big, and nothing that has been worth remembering. I feel like everyday life gets better and better and I fall more in love with my sweet husband.

Loved

Leighton's Birth

- Wednesday morning I woke up praying and pleading with the lord that I might know what I was supposed to do for our little girl to make her way I to the world. Each day after the 40 week mark I felt like she grew, and caused some sort if new pain or discomfort. Previously i had planned to go to an appointment on Friday if she still had not arrived and scheduled to be induced for the following week. The thought of going past 41 weeks made me feel very uneasy though and after really pondering what I needed to do and trying every possible way of self inducing I had a strong feeling I needed to go see my doctor that day to discuss options. I had planned for a completely natural birth even before I got pregnant. I read the hypno- birthing books and did the excersiced and felt very confident I could accomplish this. My appointment with doctor polson couldn't have gone more smoothly and I realized quickly my prayer was being answered when I made the decision to be induced at midnight that night. Relief came over me and although I just chose the beginning of a birth route that I didn't want I felt very. Comfortable and in control of my decision.

At midnight Kaden and I went into the hospital made ourselves comfortable and after starting the inducing process tried to make ourselves comfortable. Kaden couldn't sleep until after he gave me the sweetest blessing and I was so grateful he did. I couldn't sleep at all. I felt anxious and was infatuated with just listening to Leightons heart beat on the monitor until 4 am when the nurse came in to tell me I still had made no progress. All I could think was how long of a process this would be and I knew for sure I would be one of those women who were in labor for days. So after another dose of being induced I tried to go to sleep and just face it. Not even 15 minutes later I was facing strong contractions already regular and only 5 mins apart. Not knowing any different I figured this just must be normal. Still only 2 cm I figured these contractions must not really be bad and that I would be dead by the time I actually made it to 4 cm with no meds. Also i was being monitored and for the next 1 1/2 I powered through the contractions on my own now being probably 3 mins apart ridiculously strong and lasting 30 seconds each. It was only when I realized I couldn't sit down anymore because of my sciatic pain that this must be serious and I so gracefully woke Kaden up. He wasn't too happy at first, I could tell just like me he was questioning how I could survive going natural if this was only the beginning to a very long day. After 2 1/2 hours of not being seen by a nurse still and deciding I was just ready to die with contractions 2 mins apart lasting up to 1 minute each I made the decision for pain meds and even an epidural. A part of me felt like a failure but I was throwing up every contraction from the pain that my sciatica was shooting down my legs and knew I didn't have any other choice unless I was going to deliver standing up. At 7 a nurse finally came in and seemed to be in shock with how controlled my breathing was and how I was able to get through each waive of pain. She gave me a heating pad and showed me how to sway my hips and have Kaden help me. She also explained at this point she wouldn't give me any meds until they check what progress I made. At 8 I was finally checked, which was perfect because I wasn't sure if I had the strength to stand anymore and like I said I couldn't sit.

To everyones surprise I was dilated to a 5 and my water was ready to break. I was able to go straight to having my epidural and was given it by 830. At this point I knew I was being blessed and that I couldn't have been directed to make a better decision for both me and the baby. My contractions had been so strong her poor little heart rate would shoot during each one. It was also at this point that my progress was said to be in heard of especially for a first time mom, on no meds through those contractions and having been induced.

The last few hours of my labor couldn't have been more perfect. The natural experience that I truly wanted was a natural environment. I wanted this time to be happy, and loving and it was just that. The nurse that took care of me was an angel and she was someone very close to penn and Nancy and she even helped deliver Kadens brother Luke. My mom showed up at the hospital at 830 just in time to help me through my epidural which honestly was great, i am not kidding when I say getting my i.v. Hurt more than my epidural did. Sarah showed up around 10 and decided to stay. It was fun to sit in my room surrounded by my mom Kaden, Sarah and the greatest delivery crew. We were all talking, and joking around and I literally played draw something until I was asked to push.

After pushing through 3 contractions with Kaden by my side baby Leighton was welcomed into the world at 10:59 a.m by a room of crying parents, grandma, and aunt. The moment she entered my arms was so overly happy, both and I have tried to describe the feeling of love and joy that she automatically brought into our little family and we really can't finds words that are strong enough to describe it.

Since the easiest labor I could ever imagine being able to haveLeighton has barely left my side. She is a natural at feeding, and is as much as in awe with Kaden as he is her. The two of them can lay there and just stare with complete amazement at one another. Kaden has loved holding her, learning how to swaddle and even had helped change a diaper already. He has been great at listening to every tip or piece of info given and sincerely is trying to learn all he can before we go home.

I could not be blessed with a greater man to love and be married to than Kaden and now I already feel like our beautiful little girl could not have been blessed with a more amazing or loving father.

3 Years and 37 Weeks

Lived-

As usual so much has been going on the past month that i haven't found the time to post anything. So heres to another super long post about our past month.

- School started again and even though i am only taking two classes i honestly think i am probably failing both of them. I have had absolutely no desire to even do well in them which is horrible because if i have to retake these classes i will push back my graduation another semester. Instead of focusing on my classes i find it much easier to worry about my house being clean and dinner being done at night and of course i am still working, and working out and being between 30-37 weeks pregnant somehow makes everything seem that much harder to do. So pretty much i just don't have time to think about my two classes when i am thinking about everything else.

- Kaden and I both caught the horrible virus that was going around Cedar and each had it for at least 3 weeks, z packs for Kaden and essential oils for me, we both managed to get over it but hence my obsession with keeping our house clean now. Kaden also had a little accident at work. He smashed his leg between two cabinets that both weighed like a thousand pounds (literally) and i swear he had to of broken it. When he finally couldn't walk on it anymore he went into the doctor just to be told it was bruised and to go home and take some advil. Uhh Seriously!? Two weeks later when he went back in for a checkup the doctor said wow well you should have came back because we needed to open that up and drain it out. Kaden was just supposed to know this of course. Neither of us was very happy with this doctor so pretty much never trust work med. If you think something is worse than they are telling you, it probably is.

 Kadens Leg after a couple weeks of healing.

Learned-

- If you are going to go all out for a baby nursery, you should probably start on it the second you find out the gender. I am now 37 weeks and the room consists of a plastic covered floor, two primered walls, two plain bead boarded walls a crib covered in plastic right in the middle and all the other baby essentials piled into our bedroom. I think it has been this way for 3 weeks now and thanks to Kaden's crazy work schedule, it looks like its going to stay this way until long after baby arrives.

The beautiful crib

36 1/2 weeks

- Through out my pregnancy i have been really pro healthy for me and for baby. Now that i am 37 weeks though i am thinking, can i really take another 3 weeks of not being able to roll over? How selfish am i? i swore i would not worry about when the baby came and just know that her time is the healthy time. I so thinking healthy time is right now! Sadly i have only ever been able to tell that i am even having braxton hicks contractions by starring at my belly and noticing the tightening. So no contractions, and i didn't have the doctor check my cervix at the 37 week app because  i was afraid i would start crying if i wasn't dilated or anything yet. I learned though i am totally the person who says i will never do that, and i did. Let down to myself, ha i am just hoping i don't do it too many times with raising this little girl. Also, nesting is totally not a sign that labor is coming on. I have been nesting for weeks, not that i wanted her to come weeks ago, but i have been. I am not kidding i probably have the cleanest base boards you can get with out replacing them, and my floors have been mopped twice a week. I am not quite sure how much more nesting i can do if that is supposed to be one of my signs.

Loved-

- Kaden and I have now been married for 3 YEARS! It is kind of crazy to me to think that 4 years ago i went on my first date with the person i am going to spend eternity with. 3 years of marriage may not be very long, but the two of us have sure experience a lot together in the past 3 years. We have been through numerous jobs, been jobless, moved several times, survived with one car a few times, and lived in not so great conditions. Now we seriously feel like we couldn't be more blessed. Through out all of what we think have been trials, we have grown so much. We have grown closer to each other, become more understanding, and more loving. I couldn't imagine a greater marriage at the moment. Which is really saying something since i am pregnant and emotional and Kaden has never handled me emotional very well. We seriously are so excited for another year to spend together and for the chapter in our lives that this year will start. We have a beautiful home, a new reliable vehicle, mostly dependable jobs, are still continuing our educations and will become parents for the first time very soon. I told Kaden on our anniversary how grateful i am for him, and truly am. He is my best friend and has grown into the most amazing man. He is such an example to me of someone filled with love, and service.

Our first anniversary not in San Francisco, so i made San Francisco at home. Dinner and Dessert from two San Fran restaurants 

- I had absolutely the most amazing baby shower a few weeks ago. So many people helped with it, and came. I was so happy to see how many people were there and how many people will be there in my daughters life. I am constantly surrounded by the most amazing women who have all taught me and helped me at some point through out my life. I have the most amazing friends and i couldn't imagine my life without them or them not being around for such an exciting time. I am also blessed with the greatest family there is. My sisters, sister in law, and mom did so much to get this shower together and i am so thankful for all that they did. Our baby girl has so many pretty things i love it! So much pink, and so many clothes. Last weekend my mom and i went searching for the few things that i have left to get before she comes into our lives and there really was not much we needed which was so nice.

I promise to post more shower picture!

Moving On To A New Year

The past few months have really been a blur to me. I honestly barely feel like i am gaining control of my life again, but it is almost like i can't remember how i lost control of it in the first place. Between traveling to Logandale every weekend, helping the Kirk family, going to school, working, putting Vance and Teisha's wedding together, and the Holidays, my own life somehow disappeared, my house was completely neglected and i have only taken one more belly shot in the past 10 weeks. There has been so much that has gone on and that Kaden and I have been involved in that i could write about and probably should, but right now i don't really know where to start. So, here are a few of the things that i can remember at the moment.

Lived-

- Every weekend except for a couple, Kaden and I have still traveled to the valley. In November we continued to go to see Malcolm and the boys. I am not sure how to explain to the world all of the things that we did when we were with them or when our weekends were specifically meant for them. November was a hard month for all of us who are close to the Kirk family, everyday was new a story and new update and it honestly broke our hearts to not be in their home more than we already were. Malcolm passed away November 15, in his bed, surrounded by his closest friends and family. Kaden and i were not there, but we traveled down to the valley the next morning, stayed the rest of the week until the funeral and i stayed until after Thanksgiving. Its an odd feeling to have your heart break for some one passing but to feel so much joy for them at the same time. One of the last things that Malcolm said to both Kaden and I was how excited he was for us to be having a little girl. He had a hard time speaking in the end, but to hear him express the joy he had for us was really amazing, and it really showed the love he had for his own children. That moment i really will never forget. The fast Sunday before Malcolm passed Pierce bore his testimony in sacrament. If there ever was a meeting where everyone's eyes were filled with tears of both sorrow and the spirit this was it. His testimony was short and sweet and to the point, but he spoke the most truthful words anyone could say that day. I wanted to share that, just to point out the strength that he has as an eleven year old boy who lost both of his parents in one year. Malcolm's funeral was beautiful, it was smaller than Julie's but not as many people knew about it either. The stories that were told about him were great, and the men who spoke were as well. My dad had the opportunity to be a speaker, and he felt so privileged to be able to stand at the pulpit and talk about his best friend. My dad really impressed the stake president when he told a story of Pierce saying "faggot" but it was funny and he helped to liven the mood. The weeks since Malcolm's passing we have been cleaning, and clearing out the house, having garage sales, and boxing things up. Now that all of that is finished up it feels really final and like it is time to start moving on with life.


- Vance and Teisha's wedding was on December 16. They honestly couldn't have been married on a more beautiful day. The weather was so nice in Saint George and the sky was blue and bright. Their sealing was beautiful as well. It is always so neat to hear what is said in the temple two people are married. Nancy did an amazing job of planning the day and setting up the reception too. She put so much time and effort into making it just perfect for them.

- Christmas was quite the ordeal this year. Kaden and I always tend to be running back and forth between families but for some reason this year seemed to be a little crazier than usual, that could just be because we were over whelmed by our amazing gifts and that i was 28 weeks pregnant and i don't seem to have a ton of energy lately. The day before Christmas eve Sarah and I got to go see Camille and Alex in Vegas for a few hours. I felt so bad that we didn't get to spend more time with them but it was so nice to catch up. After we left them i told Sarah that it is always so hard to say bye to Cami because we don't tend to talk much until we actually see each other but it is so nice that every time we get together we just pick right back up where we left off. Christmas eve was a lot of fun, Nancy, Teisha, and I spent the day sewing. Well Nancy sewed and Teisha and i cut. I made two pillows from a tutorial i found on pinterest, one for my mom and one for Kaden both with something printed on them and Nancy helped us both make adorable stockings. We also got to have dinner with Kaden's family and spend time with them and then go over to the Hymas home for a huge dinner, it was nice to spend the Holidays with them and the Kirks since we have grown so close to them this past year. Christmas day consisted of presents at Penn and Nancy's then Presents at my parents, then Kyle and Jessica's, then back to Penn and Nancy's for Luke to call, then back to my parents, then to Grandma and Grandpa Leavitt's then back to my parents, and then home. The only thing we regret not doing on Christmas was that we didn't get to go to church. This year really was hard to feel the spirit of Christ in Christmas without it. Especially since we both got so spoiled. Kaden told me a couple of days before Christmas that all of my presents came from Walmart, i was pretty nervous about what in the world he could have got me from Walmart that i would have wanted. Turns out, there are all kinds of things at Walmart that i wanted ha. I got a cricuit, fishing pole, juicy perfume, a shoe rack, scrap booking stuff to make a San Francisco scrap book (which is funny because i made Kaden one for Christmas) and all kinds of other stuff. Then from Penn and Nancy and my parents, i also got clothes, a juicy jump suit, a little camera, a curling iron, a year supply of shampoo and conditioner (i seriously did ask for that) and some essential oils. Kaden got a ton of clothes, shoes, and hats from me because he seriously has ruined a lot of his this past year and hadn't bought anymore, as well as tools. From our parents he got a really nice grill, a snap on impact something, and a wrench set. He was in love and very happy with his gifts as well. I wish i would have taken a picture of car on the ride home. It was completely packed and filled up like a puzzle.

-I have not mentioned our new dog yet, i was actually debating on whether i should or not because i am afraid she is still a trial pet. Everyday we fall more and more in love with her, but at the same time there have been a few days i have gotten so angry with her i almost dropped her off at the pound myself. I know we are crazy for getting a new dog, but she was Malcolm's and she needed a loving home and i have always loved her, i am convinced she has always loved me too because she never leaves my side. Her name is Zoey and she is Korgie, Healer mix. We seriously have a thing for getting the oddest mixed dogs ever. She looks like she is an over grown weaner dog with long hair and rabbit ears and when we are home she honestly is perfect. She doesn't bark, she doesn't fight with Tiffany, she doesn't get on the bed and she goes to the back door when she has to go out. Until this week she was great when we weren't home too, but that all changed when i left the house on Monday and she jumped up on my counter knocked everything over and shattered my Christmas plates. I being pregnant and all locked her outside sat on my kitchen floor and cried for about an hour before i even cleaned anything up. Then Tuesday i decided  she was going to be locked and zip tied into her kennel when i left. I came home, she had broken out, and pooped all over my living room. Wednesday i locked her out back. This seemed to be perfect, she didn't jump over the fence even though she can and nothing was ruined in my house. So, Thursday i did the same thing. Well i came home to my house flooded and the verdict is till out on whether or not she can turn on hoses, because our hose pipe broke in our wall, and flooded our kitchen. Kaden seems to think it was just an unfortunate week. So, we will see how next week goes.

Learned & Loved-

Again, i am not sure where to start with all of the things we have both loved and learned this past little while, or even this past year. With everything that has happened and with the so many changes we have gone through we continually feel blessed for all that we have. I think the main thing we will take away from this past year would be that we have learned to love more. Through both Julie and Malcolms deaths we grew closer to each other and our families, we realized that we take for granted every moment we share with one another, and through all the service and time we have given this year we have never felt more love and appreciation ourselves for all that we have in our lives. We make it a goal every day to grow closer to each other and now that we only have a 11 short weeks until our little girl arrives we will have the same goal with her. We have learned that things are only things that important parts of our lives come from memories and our knowledge. Of course, we both still like things, but it has made the past few weeks easier for us to simplify and declutter our home and put into perspective what is really important. We have loved every memory that we made together and with our family and friends this past year. We have loved growing stronger in the church, strengthening our testimonies, and watching our families grow as well. So many wonderful things have came from such a hard year, but now that it is over we both feel that next year will bring us even more joy, allow us to grow and lean even more, and most of all, love and appreciate everything that we are blessed with doing and experiencing even more as well.

So Much for Posting More Often

Lived

- I honestly can not believe that it is November already. I swear it had to of been last week that i said i was going to start posting more often and that i had realized i had time for myself on Tuesdays. I guess my school work, real work, and house work have gotten the better of me. Today i have a moment to breathe though and i am serious about it being a moment.

- Every weekend since Memorial weekend Kaden and I have gone down to the valley. Most of our time has been being spent over that Kirk home. This has been quite the experience and blessing for both of us. It is really so amazing to see a family go through so much and still be strong. Our faith has grown as we have spent time sitting next to Malcolm and helping the boys with whatever we can. We pray everyday that they may know how much they are loved and watched over and that someday we will all be able to see the meaning of things like this happening to one family. Malcolm has been strong and has honestly lived much longer than expected. I really think that he is holding on as long as possible for his boy.

- I am barely surviving school right now. I have absolutely no will to go to class or to do my homework. I don't know why but this semester has been so hard on me. I am sure its a  mixture of all the things i feel are more important right now. Only a few more weeks left to go and then i will be finished for a month and next semester i only have two classes to take which will be amazing!

-Vance and Teisha are getting married soon and i have been able to help a little with planning and doing their pictures. It has been so much fun getting to know Teisha more, i only wish that i had more time to help with everything.

Learned

- We finally found out what we are having and are so excited to welcome another Leavitt Girl into the family. I honestly thought the entire time that i would be having a girl, so did my mom and my dad and now that we know Kaden has confessed to it too. I know the entire Leavitt family was hoping for a boy but i really could not be more excited. I started planning the nursery forever ago and already started buying girl clothes. She is healthy and Beautiful, and even though everyone thinks that i am tiny, the doctor said she is the perfect size.

Loved

- I have absolutely loved feeling our little girl kick, i don't even care if she does it all night long. It is truly the most amazing experience i have ever had being able to feel her move around. I have been reading to her every time i read and i have been playing uplifting music, not sure if everyone else out there buys into the learning during utero but  i do think that it has been a great experience whether it works or not.

- I have also loved having my energy back. I have been able to go on some amazing runs and i really get excited about working out, for some reason it feels way better than even before i was pregnant. I really want to sign up for the next 5k that will be in saint george and i would totally do the half marathon if i wasn't going to be so far along by then.

Tuesdays are for Me

Today on my way to class (20 mins late) i realized besides class and a chiropractor appointment i had absolutely nothing else to do, besides homework, but i decided i am not going to do any homework on Tuesdays. Every day of the week is filled with work, class, homework, practicums, and everything else i do. So i decided Tuesdays i am going to do whatever i want to do, i am going to finally clean my kitchen, make dinner, get my pictures hung in the stairway, and maybe even clean out my closet (anyone in need of clothes?). Whatever i decide to do im going to do because i want to.

So... so far today, i have cleaned the kitchen, started dinner, and sat on the computer looking a billion different outfits i want to buy (reason for cleaning out my closet) and searching pinterest. Thank you Jessica for suggesting pinterest i now have a new obsession.

Lived

- This past weekend Kaden and I went to the Rawson's cabin with them, my family, and the bradshaws for my moms birthday. I made Zepa Tuscano (spelling?) soup for dinner and my mom had a nice day of watching movies, and opening gifts. Then on Sunday Kaden and I slept through church so when we finally got out of bed we decided to do a deep clean on the house, probably not the most appropriate day to do that but our home is so lovely now, its amazing.

Learned


- I have learned all kinds of things about our baby. Im reading You Having A Baby and its so interesting. After reading it i'm glad that i have started eating so much better and that i get most of the vitamins i need daily except that i am having a hard time with calcium, any ideas for yummy calcium rich foods? I have such a hard time eating dairy, i have never liked anything dairy much unless its ice cream ha. I also realized this past week that i have to wait 6 more weeks to find out what the baby is because of when my doctors appointments fall. That makes me a little sad. I can't wait to know.

Loved


- I have loved how great i am feeling now that the morning sickness is gone. I can pull myself out of bed in the morning, I can get ready for the day, and i still have energy left over for all of the other things i have to do.

- I also have loved how much time Kaden and i get to spend with just each other. It is so sweet how much he wants to help me lately and how supportive he is in everything i am doing. I just love my husband :)

School Has Started and My Life Has Ended

Lived

School has officially started. The tests and homework are in full swing, as well as my practicums and the two knew jobs i picked up from the school. Today for the first time ever Kaden said and i quote "I don't know how you do it." Refering to my 3 jobs, 14 credits, two teaching practicums, and the time i still manage to make for the gym and dr/chiropractor appointments about everyday. I can not even describe how much it meant to finally hear him say that.  Kaden is working 40 hr weeks and taking 8 credits and it is going to be one heck of a semester for him, but i know he will be able to get through it.

I also had an amazing Disneyland trip but i'm seriously going to have to do an entire post just about it. My mom and sisters and i went to Disneyland for four days and it was probably one of our best vacations ever!

Learned

Well in the past month we have learned that we are expecting baby #1 in March! We are so excited and feel very very blessed for the way every thing has worked out for us. I am now just about 14 weeks and due in March. According to our doctor March 18, according to me probably a week sooner. We will see. Baby is healthy and growing great! I have been able to have 3 ultra sounds already and each time is so amazing, i love hearing the baby's heart beat (which is fast between 155-165 each time) and seeing the baby move. The past two times its been kicking and punching all around. It is so neat to see such a little life inside of me. Especially since the baby looks totally like a 3 inch little child but i barely feel like i am even showing at all. If it weren't for the morning sickness i had for a while i would be questioning this pregnancy all together. So most of what Kaden and I have been learning has been centered around the baby. We have gotten really into what is good for me to eat and not eat and how to stay healthy and in shape and how to keep the baby healthy. I have been able to keep running 3-4  miles a day and we have tried to switch as much as our food to organic and vitamin boosting as possible. I am thinking seriously being pregnant has made me be healthier all around and its been great!

Loved

We have loved having our house to ourselves, for the first time since we bought it a year ago. Penn and Vance moved out to a new home just a street over from us. It is great to have them so close, but especially with all my thoughts on baby its nice to have a quiet home. We have also had a few really nice weekends. Kaden took me to Vegas for my birthday to do a little shopping and go out to dinner with my parents to one of our favorite restaurants at the Plazzo. Then we went to the Beatty family reunion and even got to have Grace stay with us one night. Last weekend we went home for Bronco needs and I got to spend time with my mom and sisters which i always love to do.

July=Craziness

Lived

- 4th of July weekend Kaden and I went to the Rawson's cabin with them, my family, and Malcolm and Pierce. We seriously had a lot of fun spending time with everyone. We had fun watching movies, going on Rzr rides and watching people try to fish in a little pond we found. We ate way too much good food and we even took Tiffany with us. There are a bagillion pictures to post that will show more of our actual trip but i do not have the energy to go get my camera at the moment so ill post them in a few days.

- Independence Day we watched the Cedar City parade with Penn and Nancy, and Kyle and Jessica, Vance and the girls. Then we played at the park with the girls and then i'm pretty sure Kaden and I slept for the rest of the day. We woke up to watch the fireworks but decided we really missed the Logandale show. Maybe next year we will join everyone in the heat.

- Day after the 4th of July (yes July 5th) I decided to go to the gym before work like i normally do and got up like any normal day, got dressed, drug myself out the door, got in my car, forgot to put on my seat belt ( i was way too occupied with the radio to worry about safety), got all the way to 200 N. and College way, when i am stopped at a light and realize crap there is a cop and i don't have my seat belt on, I honestly debated until the light turned green whether id put it on or not, i decided not, i drive into the intersection, see the cop make a face of death, turn my head to the left to see why, and instantly think, that car is going to run a red light strait into me, crap. I would not say that it is was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me, but definitely one of the craziest experiences of my life. In moments like that people say they tend to think of dying or of their family, or something random they hadn't done at home, I litteraly for my you know .2 whatever seconds before i was rammed in the driver door by a chevy something or other car going 55 thought i am getting hit, no bracing, no anything. I think i just passed out. I hit  my head and cant remember on what, i tore my shoulder and cant figure out how, the door smashed my feet together next to the gas peddle and bruised my ankle and i don't ever remember feeling like i was being squished in. Of course as soon as it was all over and there was a cop in my car in awe that i was alive i was ready to jump out the passenger side and get out of the car. He wouldn't let me so i had a good time listening to the jaws of life tear my doors off and an ambulance taking over the intersection. Note for all you who still wear sophes, don't. If you are in an accident apparently they are the most embarrassing thing to be wearing Kaden said he wasn't even worried about me he just had to keep from laughing at my stupid cotton shorts wedgie from being strapped to the backboard. A few x-rays and 30 mins later i was released from the hospital and two days later i went to the doctors to confirm my shoulder was torn and just about every other thing holding my upper back together. Now im a bottle of flexeril down and feeling much better. I am sure i'll tend to have pain from this for the rest of ever but I can walk, i can think, and i can breathe i am doing great!

-Weekend of the 23rd we made a trip to Vegas with a couple of my cousins. It was quite eventful. For just a quick two day trip it was great, we stayed in a nice sweet at Planet Hollywood, went to the pool, and ate a lot of very good food. Pretty much Kaden, Sarah, and I focused  our part of the trip around what we were putting into our stomachs. We tend to do that when go on vacation good food seems to be very important to us. We also splurged and went shopping, Kaden got a nice Diesel shirt and i got a new pair of Toms and Kaden talked me into get Toms wedges they honestly are the most comfortable wedges i have ever owned. It was nice to spend time with my cousins and finally see Michael who has been in Guam for way to long.

-Last weekend of July equaled our last trip of July. We made the annual Fish Lake trip with the Leavitt family and Nancy's side of the family. It was very pretty and a lot of fun. It was great having Kyle and Jessica and the girls there this year. The girls always keep everyone entertained. We did a lot of fishing, and playing in the rain. We always love going to fish lake and seeing everyone and Kaden and I just have a thing for fishing.

Learned

- I am never taking summer classes again, at least not online ones. With all i have been doing this summer and everything that has happened i have been dreading my classes and i spent way too much time worrying about homework than i should have.

- Kaden and i need to do a trip just by ourselves, all the trips with family have been great but i think taking a trip by ourselves would be way more relaxing.

-I am never wearing sophes again

-I will pay anything for a safe car  ( see loved)

Loved

- Kaden getting another job, he works almost a full 40 hours a week now.

- Spending so much time with Kaden and family.

- Getting to go to massage therapy every week.

- Driving my new car :) Since my car was totaled we went out and bought a brand new Chevy Equinox! It is beautiful and it is perfect for us. Its all wheel drive and still gets 30 mpg and it is a total family car which is perfect since we are trying to start a family. When we got the car we loved everything about it, its 5 star crash ratings, that it comes with onstar, and that i have a video that shows me what i'm backing into. Kaden likes to complain about it but i know he secretly loves it or he wouldn't have told me to buy it.

- That Camille and Alex are now engaged! Woo Hoo for my beautiful best friend and the amazing guy who gets to marry her. I am so excited for the wedding planning and for the life they will get to spend together.