October Month

This past month has been truly wonderful.  Bridger has continued to grow and is learning so much every day.  He went through a very short stint of being interested in pull-ups.  He is talking more and more and I'm actually starting to decipher what he says.  I love this kid and think he's just about the cutest and coolest boy alive.

 The weather was so nice this month - we spent a lot of time outdoors.  We hiked to a couple of waterfalls, the Y, and tons of easy walks to parks.

Battle Creek Falls

Bridal Vale Falls

 The Y - homecoming weekend

 Enjoying the fall weather on one of our walks

 Tim has been leaving around 6 every morning, so when Bridger wakes up, he hops into our bed and falls asleep for another hour - its adorable until he starts kicking me.

 My parents came for a short visit and spoiled us.  We love them so much.

 Bridger found an old bear from my house in St. George and took it back with us to Provo.  He sleeps with it, plays with it, puts it to "night-night", and loves it to death.

 Carving Pumpkins

 Watching the World Series - last game

 My Birthday was today and Tim made it absolutely AMAZING!  Everyone was so sweet to call and text.  It was such a sweet day.  Tim blew up 29 balloons (I can't believe I'm that old!)  and wrote one thing he was thankful for (about me) in each one.  

This might be first time I told Bridger to smile and this is the pose I got...so great.

 Tim took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and just as I was about to blow out the candle on the cake, Bridger beat me to it and blew it out.  I was shocked he could move that fast.  Tim let me blow out candles when we got home, so no harm done.  I think this will be a great year for me - another baby (5 more weeks), a new home, new job, and the best people in the world to be there with me.  I am so grateful.

 

Thoughts on Budgeting

I am a list person, which lends itself well to making budgets.  I really REALLY enjoy creating budgets.  It reminds me of creating a weight loss plan.  I think of all the possibilities - the money I'm saving, the new outfits, the once a month fancy night out, the tight stomach, increased confidence, etc.  When it comes to actually following through on a weight loss plan, its the same as a budget, it doesn't happen.  I feel bad for a few days, then buy myself a very overpriced, fattening dessert and start again.

The past couple of months though, I have created a budget and stuck to it.  Yes, I am quite proud of myself, but I have to say that I have hated almost every second of it.  I can understand why our country is in serious debt, no one likes to feel deprived (kind of like a weight loss plan).  I am sure when Tim is actually making money, budgeting might be more rewarding, but right now, even on our tight budget, we won't have any money left in just a few months.  I keep having to remind myself that I am just trying to make our money last longer, and there can be confidence found in that - knowing that we have enough to get us through one more month.

Even though I really hate budgeting (the act of living a budget, not writing one out), there are some things I feel like a budget helps me to realize:

1 - It is a GOOD thing to NOT get everything you want, or think you need.  Too much self-indulgence makes people lazy, spoiled, and self-entitled.  I am working on being happy without buying everything I want, and guess what...I'm happier knowing that I can discipline myself.  I seriously feel like a better person for not eating out when I have everything for lunch at home.

2 - I don't have to have the latest and the greatest.  This is the hardest concept for me.  If I had a phone upgrade, I would have gotten the iphone 6 yesterday.  The new Honda 2015 CR-V came out recently and you better believe I've already built it to my liking (Touring CR-V) and sent it to my dad - since he gets excited with me.  The truth is - always feeling like I have to own the newest thing out makes me a discontented person.  My parents will say I was born discontented, but I don't have to stay that way.  Living on a budget makes it impossible to always have new and there is nothing wrong with that.  I'm still working on this.

3 - Live simply.  Since Tim is at school all day (and most nights), Bridger and I like to run errands.  We go to the mall, TJ Maxx, pick up a treat at the market, etc.  Now, instead of shopping, we go to the park, walk everywhere, visit free museums, and pick up movies at the library to watch at home.  I miss shopping, but we still have fun and I don't look at my bank account and wonder where all my money went.

So yes, living on a budget is not easy but it is or can be very rewarding.  I hope I can always live within my means (I mean, for at least another month) because that really does make me happy and that is what this life is all about, finding real happiness.  Amen.

Happy Anniversary

Tim and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on Wednesday.  We decided to take a quick trip up to Salt Lake City and go see the Capitol building.  I got this idea on Pinterest (the first one), and thought it might be fun to attach pictures of us (with lovey dovey quotes on the back) to balloons.  It was a total flop, since four of the balloons didn't have enough helium to hold the pictures, and two popped while tying them together.  Oh well.

 Nailed It.

 We stopped at City Creek first and ate at the Cheesecake Factory.  Since Bridger doesn't believe in sitting for more than three minutes, we took turns chasing him, while the other ate our meal.  So much for a relaxing romantic dinner.  

 The Capitol Building didn't disappoint.  It had been about 15 years since I was there - it was beautiful.  We walked around the grounds and let Bridger off his leash (if only we had one).  The inside was incredible too.  From a window at the top floor, you can see State Street going down for miles.  The weather could not have been more perfect - didn't need jackets and it wasn't too hot.  The only downside of the night was the nasty bite on Tim's shoulder - Bridger bit right through the skin.  I wish he could have just said, "Mom, I don't want a picture right now."  Luckily, Tim played it very cool and didn't throw him five feet.  I really love this man I married.  He is my best friend and is the best dad.  I'm looking forward to another four years.

Crib

For my first pregnancy, we spent all our money on a stroller and didn't have any left for a crib.  In my defense, our stroller is an awesome machine and we use it everyday, usually multiple times a day.  Luckily, my aunt gave us her used pack-and-play, so Bridger slept in that his first two years.  For this  pregnancy, Tim's parents bought us a crib.  We ordered it online and I was counting down the days until it finally arrived.  Tim and I had so much fun putting it together - I was super giddy the entire time.  We made it into a toddler bed, so Bridger has something to sleep in until we move to St George - then the baby can use it.  Win win situation (except the whole transition part...that's been tricky.)

I have 10 more weeks until #2 arrives and yes, I am excited to meet this new personality growing inside me, but I am probably more scared.  I know some mom's really get into the  new infant stage, but I did not.  In fact, I really hated it.  I hated recovering from childbirth, not being able to leave the house, being fat instead of pregnant, nursing, constant crying (from us both), and worst of all...little to no sleep.  This time, on top of all of that, I get a very headstrong toddler who is really into biting and hitting right now.  I just have to remember that most mothers go through this, new babies will grow, and there is always medication.

He hiked to the top of the Y all by himself.  He really is made of strong stuff.

 

He wanted to carry the garbage to the dumpster without any help.  It took about 15 minutes to get all 10 steps over there, but he did it.

 Will not sleep without his blankee.

Back to it

So we are back in Provo.  Tim had a couple of weeks off once we got up here and we had a nice break as a family.  We took Bridger to a bunch of museums (BYU's Dinosaur and Bean museum, the new Draper aquarium, etc) ate out a couple of times, shopped, and walked...a lot.  I think Tim was ready to get back into a schedule by the time school started -  however, now that school is in full swing, I'm sure he's wishing for another break.  We miss so many things about St. George, but NOT the heat.  It has been absolutely gorgeous here - Bridger and I are taking full advantage before it gets cold.  We've been in Provo for so many years that it seems bittersweet to think that it is our last year here.  We will always have very fond memories of Provo (probably not the winters) and after all the money we've given BYU, we bleed blue.  Here are some pictures taken over the past month:

 Bridger went crazy at the Aquarium.  He loved the penguins and the sting-rays.  The sharks didn't really do anything for him though.  After spending an hour chasing him around, we were exhausted.  We had a good time, but might wait another year before we go back.

 Tim's entire family came to Logan for his neice's (Nadia) baptism.  It was a great family reunion.  Bridger LOVED being with his cousins.  They would all go downstairs and play while I just sat and relaxed without worrying about what he was getting into.  Tim has the sweetest family of all time - I married very well, to say the least.

 I had my last ultrasound yesterday and got to check this little guy out before the big day.  We still don't have a name for him, but I'm hoping when I see his actual face, it will just come to me.....maybe.  He's measuring a week early so I'm just praying he comes after Tim's classes are over.

 These are from our walk the other night.  There is no doubt that what I will miss the most when we move, will be my daily walk from our house to Rock Canyon park.  Its up hill and always breathtaking at the top - then you get to saunter the rest of the way home, and think how lucky you are to have such a great walk to start your day.

This was taken tonight, Bridger kindly offered to help me sweep the kitchen floor.  In the process of cleaning, he got carried away and rammed the end of the broom into my face.  I'm pretty sure his sweeping days are now over.

Bridger is TWO!

Bridger turned two years old today.  We had the best day and could not have asked for a better boy than Bridger.  He is truly the light of our lives and the get in our goat.  I can't imagine a day without him.  I love this boy with all my heart and I am so grateful for my Bridger Owen.

 Bridger goes to the gym with my mom and today, he got a birthday bag.  He came home so excited.  He held onto that bag like there was gold inside, and for him, that is probably what he thought - fruit snacks and goldfish - his favorite treats.

We threw Bridger a construction themed party - in part because the only word he knows how to say well, is "TERRUCK."

 For dinner, we went to the Pizza Factory.  Bridger got his very own no.2 pizza.  He was the man of the hour. 

 I made him a construction zone box - the idea came from Pinterest - and he was in heaven.  He cried for 10 minutes straight when I took it away.  Why did I have to get him something so messy?

 Grandma Becks and Grandpa Tony got him the coolest CAT trucks and a darling book about construction trucks going to bed.  He will use those trucks everyday, whether it be in the dirt or in the bathtub.  They just spoiled him and he was thrilled.

My beautiful sweet parents.  I don't know what I would do without them.  I am getting emotional just thinking about leaving them tomorrow, so no more thoughts.  They are the best parents and they have made this summer beyond wonderful.  I love them dearly.