Family Vacation: Big Bear

 Family Vacation: Big Bear

After Christmas we headed to Big bear to spend time in the snow with my entire family and their little families. My oldest sister Courtney and her husband have 3 kids, a 10 year old, 3 year old, and a 2 year old. My middle sis kelsey and her husband have a 14 month old boy and then there's my parents and my brother and his sweet girlfriend who we met for the first time on this trip. Way to go Garrett, it could've been a lot for his gf to handle but she was a champ and fit right in! My sweet boy slept all 3 houris that it took us to drive to Big Bear, only waking up to nurse once and then went right back down. My husband and I lOVE road trips because it gives us a chance to just sit and talk without any distractions, we enjoy each other's company so much. He truly is my best friend. I lucked out big time. 

We spent the first day getting situated and then took all the kiddos on a walk to see the snow for the first time. I wore my little guy and bundled him up well so he wouldn't be cold. We sat out on touching and playing in the snow, but had a blast watching all the cousins. We headed back and ended the day playing games like 'Apples to Apples' and making dinner together. 

The following day half of us went snowboarding (I stayed home to nurse my little guy) and the rest of us headed out for another walk and then the zoo. The zoo was my favorite. We all had a great show of a huge wolf fight of around 20 wolves against 1 mighty wolf. It was insanity!! I don't think Cash knew exactly what was going on but he definitely has a huge interest in animals as of this past month. We saw a ton of animals, some of my other favorites were the black bears and grizzly bears, the fox's, bob cats, the cutest little owls, and these poor mountain lions that were HUGE (I'm talking SO BiG that there was a sign posted clarifying that they were not pregnant & in need of some donations for exercise equipment). So sad! But they were pretty cute and cuddly to look at. We headed home as the zoo was just about to close and relaxed and hung out with the whole crew. Some of us played games, others watched games (lol the men) and then there was the outdoor jacuzzi, SCORE! 

The next day we dedicated to going sledding (SO FUN, I was terrified at first but we all went down on inner tubes together holding hands and it was a great time), then walked around The a Village (a huge outdoor shopping center) and went out to dinner (which was nearly impossible with my sons 6pm bed time, and my nephews 6:30 bed time). We aimed for an early dinner but the restaurant was so packed that it took over an hour to get any food and by that time the kids were bored and overtired (shortage of naps didn't help the situation). So my sis and I left together with our two kids and had the rest of the gang stay and get our food to-go. We headed back to our cabin and put our little boys down. I'd say That was the most difficult part of the trip.. Cash was freezing at night and everyone else was hot in their rooms so we'd put him down in the pack n play and then he'd keep waking up from being cold.  I finally would end up bringing him into bed with my hubs and I. That seemed to work great for Cash but not so much for mommy.. My sleep was terrible but that's just what the life of a parent is all about.. Making sacrifices. He slept great for most of his naps though. So unfortunate but everyone except my dad, my hubby cash and I were all sick. So I knew we'd most likely catch what they had.. And Saturday the day before we left to go home, we all got sick. My poor baby was coughing up a storm. He slept the entire way home again, thank God, but When we got home to Orange County all of our sick symptoms intensified. Poor Cash has been sick since! And this mommy is having a hard time getting well with all of these crazy sleepless nights. On Friday of this week I discovered his first tooth was visible! So some of this sleepless night stuff, fever and fussiness is probably from him teething too! Today (Sunday) I can see it citing through. Ouch! I cant believe my little baby has a tooth! So needless to say this past week back home has been difficult and restless! 

Any of you mamas have any tips to help him and I both get well quickly? We leave for Aspen for one of my best friends weddings on Thursday! Hoping we are healthy by then since we are 8 days 'in' of being sick! 

We appreciate any suggestions. Love. love.

Xo

Road trip pit stop at starbucks

Stairing out the window at the cars going by

Are you kidding me with this face?!

Playing games

napping in our bed

walking around looking for snow!

My little snow bunny all bundled up

Cannan is LOVING the snow

And becoming more and more confident at walking

Caught this sweet moment of my niece holding my little boy so sweetly

Alpine Zoo 

Cuddling up close to this hansome fella

Little snow angel

All the cousins ready for sledding

this sweet angel fell asleep on me in his carrier while everyone else was sledding

These two just melt my heart

Im pretty sure we had the biggest group of people that all went down the sloap together

So handsome

Passed out on the way home after attempting to go to dinner with everyone. He knows right when 6pm hits that its bed time. 

My sweet nephew Parker is such a cuddler and i can only hope that Cash still cuddles me this close when hes 2

That smile just gets me every time.

Happy New Year: 2014

Happy New Year: 2014

Wow, 2013 you were so special, its a little tough to say goodbye if I'm being completely honest.  2012 and 2013 were the best two years of my life yet! 2012 my husband proposed to me, we got married, then found out we were pregnant. 2013 I had by sweet little boy Cash, and I just don't think there is anything in life that can top marrying your soul mate whom you have waited your entire life for, and meeting your first born child, whom you've dreamt of forever.  Both of these two boys are the most precious gift God has ever given to me and although its tough to let go of 2013, I know 2014 has so much in store for us, so many more wonderful memories to make, my little boy will be turning 1 this year, we'll be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary, we'll be taking Cash on his first two airplane flights to Hawaii and Aspen, Colorado, we'll be celebrating 5 years together as a couple, toasting to both being licensed, and watching our little guy learn to eat, crawl, talk, and walk! I don't think my heart can bare the thought of all the changes and goodness that will come this year. Just as 2013 topped 2012, i'll be giving 2014 a chance to surprise me (leaving this one in Gods hands).

I'm not big on making New Years Resolutions, but I do enjoy reflecting back on the past year and setting some new heights or goals to achieve, things to work on in the new year to come. So for 2014 i'd like to improve the following areas: spiritually, relationally, physically, career, and home.  Spiritually id like to work on increasing time spent with my Lord & Savior.  Id like to wake up everyday and read my bible and journal my prayers like i use to pre baby.  For me its all about making time, having a set schedule really helps me stay on task.  So I'm committed to spending quality time in the Word and in solitude while my son takes his first nap.  I can sip on coffee and soak in the gospel.  Secondly, I'd like to spend more quality time with my husband doing things that fill up our soul, so reading our bible study (we've been reading Rick Warren's "What On Earth Am I Here For"), also doing more adventurous activities, getting outside more to the beach or a park or somewhere we have never been before. I want to be playful and cherish our one on one time, and family time. We canceled cable for this very reason. Im excited to dig deeper into his soul and learn more about my husbands dreams, desires, and vulnerabilities.  I'd like to become a better mother, by reading a couple new parenting books this year, by being even more attentive, hands on, and letting go of the first time mommy guilt that follows behind me like a dark cloud and just enjoy being his mother, flaws and all. I'd like to be lighter, more care free, more trusting of my Lord, less fearful and have Faith that assures me I do not need to worry or take control.  I'd like to spend more time with my siblings, and with my girlfriends. I'd like to focus on making a schedule to study for my licensing exam so I can be licensed finally (i finished my 3,000 hours a year and a half ago and have yet to take the exam). I am going to do my best to juice once a day for a snack to make sure I'm getting the nutrients my body needs.  I'd like to make sure I also get healthy leafy greens into both my lunch and dinner along with my snack/juice plan.  I use to juice for breakfast every morning before I got pregnant (pregnancy turned me off of juicing because it made me nauseas).  And lastly, I'd like to make sure my home is clutter free and clean. We still have a couple things left unpacked from when we moved in September with a 6 week old baby.. fast forward 3 1/2 months and it should all be put away by now, but thats life as a new mom, and a working mom at that.  I'd like to spend Saturday mornings tiding up the house with my husband before we get on with our fun activities for the day. This way, at least once a week we are taking time out to keep our home in order, I just feel so much better when I'm living in a clean home.

How about your goals for 2014? I'd love to hear them!

Card ℅ The Meek Boutique  (she made our Christmas card & send us this one.. aren't they great?!)

xo

Christmas 2013 Recap:

Christmas 2013 Recap:

Sorry I have been gone a while, I was so busy with the holiday and then we went out of town the day after. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

Christmas was perfection, we were able to spend time with both sides of our family and extended family. We celebrated Cash's first Christmas starting Christmas Eve by going to a wonderful church service with our families, Cash was an angel and didn't make a peep the entire service, he sat on my lap and watched and listened. We then went to my parents house and celebrated with dinner, opening gifts, and spending time together. Christmas morning I spent with my two boys, cuddling in bed, taking photos to store in our memories, and getting ready to go over to my in laws to spend the morning with them. We went over there around 8:30am after Cash's first nap and had such a wonderful time. We opened gifts while sitting by the fire, drinking coffee, and then headed out for the Armstrong anual Christmas scavenger hunt before brunch. The scavenger hunt is my FAVORITE tradition the Armstrongs do and I cannot wait to carry this on when our children grow older.  My in laws give the "first clue" in our stalkings and from there we hop in the car and drive to where the clue hints us towards.  The next place we end up is usually one of the family friends homes, we get to say merry christmas and say hello and usually it involves us having to sing or dance with a ridiculous hat on or do something hilarious to get the next clue. The next clue tells us where to go next, until four to five clues later we are told to head back home and there they usually have a big family gift waiting.  Its such a fun adventure and great for all of the kids (well, we are all adults now) to spend time together and get a good laugh.  This year we are going to Hawaii, what a wonderful and gracious gift from our parents! We are so thankful for their giving hearts and that they appreciate spending time with us.  Later in the day we went over to my sisters house where all of our family was. We were exhausted from a fun filled day and decided to head home by 4:00pm so we could rest up and pack for our family trip to Big Bear the following morning. We had such a nice Christmas, I think my favorite part was experiencing having  a child and how wonderful it is to give them gifts and create traditions. This year really made me think about how God gave us His only Son so we could have a relationship with Him.. i cant even imagine the pain that He must have gone through to sacrifice His sweet innocent child.. my heart was able ot understand that a little more this year with having my own son. And I am so grateful for that. Im pretty sure Cash's favorite part was opening the presents and playing in the tissue paper ( ;

Happy Birthday Jesus! 

My sweet niece Payten patiently waiting to open her gift.

Cash's favorite part of Christmas... the tissue paper

Thankful for these two beautiful souls

Helping my sweet little boy open his first EVER Christmas gift.

Christmas morning lovin.. i couldnt pick which one i liked best.. theyre all delicious..

 Look at this little model posing .. he's so hilarious.

These two together makes my heart so happy

Oh Cashy, you are just the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Uncle lovin! 

Loving that bubble wrap!

Helping Uncle Hunter open his gifts

The aftermath.. i bet my little boy would love to dive head first into this pile of fun

Beginning the Anual Christmas Scavenger hunt

Aunt Amy flew out from Colorado to spend Christmas with us this year. She is a firecracker and I love love love her! SHe is so fun spirited and absolutely hilarious!

Just one example of the cute little clues to the scavenger hunt

Those little feet, those beautiful blues, that sweet sweet face.. i just cannot get enough!

Christmas morning little photo shoot happening on mamas bed

My sweet parents with little boo at the end of the day on Christmas. 

xo

Christmas Eve: Fixing My Eyes On Christ

Christmas Eve: Fixing My Eyes On Christ

Oh Christmas Eve, you couldn't have come at a better time..or worse time. There are some difficult things going on in my family right now, things that don't have to do with me but effect me and my little family, things that I have to be careful sharing in order to protect people I care about and their feelings. I try my best to be transparent and want so much for you all to know I'm not perfect, my family and extended family and their families are not either, nor are my friends and their families, and so on and so forth, and that's life. It's so easy to look at someone's life via social media and take one look at pictures and judge them or judge yourself. This isn't fair to them or to you. So I'm here today to share a little of my heart, my pain, and ask for prayer. I'm here today to share that I have struggles and heartbreak sometimes. I'm here to share how much you all mean to me and that your prayers are what I need right now because I believe God hears every single one.  And most importantly I'm here to share about my security, my hope, and my faith in Jesus Christ. And that is why today is so special, because although my heart is battling some wounds, it is also preparing itself for what Christmas means to me...so Christmas you have shown up in one of the hardest weeks of this year...and that saddens me for a split moment, I can dwell on how Christmas feels ruined,.. Or I can rise above and focus on what it's really about, Christ, and be thankful God is reminding  me that I'm in his grasp and He sent His son to free me of this burden.

Jesus, I praise you for all you have given me, all the love you pour into my heart and my life, all the hope you grace me with, the strength of your hands holding me up, the path you have led me to, the light you shine on my family, and the prayers you listen to over and over always hearing my cry. I pray today that my focus would be on you. Thank you for this community i get to be a part of, thank you for my family and my extended family, my friends and all of my loved ones. I thank you Lord, I thank you!

Pray for me in this season. If you need prayer I would love to know so I can keep you in mine.

xo