First Friday's

The newest addition to our blog:

First-Friday's

We are going to start doing a give-a-way on the first Friday of each month. Sometimes we will be giving away some of my home-made goodies, other times it will relate to the special holiday found in that month, and sometimes it will just be some of Brandon and I's favorite things.

The rules are easy. Friday's post will consist of the item we are going to be giving away. All you have to do is leave a comment on the post by the end of the day Friday (Facebook comments do not count--very important). Brandon and I will randomly pick a commenter and that will be the First-Friday winner. Saturday we will announce the big winner and within 48 hours the winner will have to contact us via email to claim their prize!!

Look forward to Friday today.

Bad Hair Day

This morning I was sitting on our bathroom counter getting ready for church, on-the-verge-of- crying for the 4th time. Today was not the day for a bad hair day. Clothes were not fitting, hair was not working, emotions were high, and tears were flowing.

I am so thankful things have turned around, because after the morning I experienced, I thought there could be nothing good from today.

Find the good in the bad today.

The Open Road

Thursday I spent the day in a bumpy coffee smelling truck. Brandon and I declared it: Take-your-wife-&-unborn-child-to-work-day! It was awesome. I enjoyed so much sitting next to the most handsome man in the world all day.

We got to eat all of our meals together too (this never happens). It started with a bowl of cereal at 4:30AM. We enjoyed our second breakfast and lunch on the open road, and settled down on the couch at 6:45PM for some yummy leftovers. I even got an ICEE too! This was the world's-best-surprise!

What a long, wonderful, stressful, amazing day. I can't wait to hit the open road again next week (if the Mr. allows).

Spend the day with someone you love today.

Disappointment

I am always afraid of disappointing people. Disappointing Brandon, my parents, and most importantly myself. But, I can't let this stop me anymore. I feel like the past 18 years I have been in school have been but a huge challenge

Even way back in the 5th grade when Mrs. Bixler gave me a D in math (I clearly remember that meeting with her and my parents-- tears-to-the-extreme) and in the 7th grade when I earned my spot in the "special" reading class. Even in college when I got my one-and-only D on my transcript for American Government: Thanks Dr. Jerk-sey.

I will be honest, all of my schooling experiences haven't been horrible. I clearly remember learning the state song in 2nd grade. I passed science (barely) in the 8th grade after I made up a song to the periodic table (that I can still sing to this day). I got a 4.0 my Senior year in high school (thank to yearbook, speech & drama, and every other blow class I took that year). Despite crying over every project, the past almost 2 years at UCO I have gotten better grades than I did in Kindergarten...

I-am-so-thankful for a husband that supports me. A husband that wants me to follow my dreams and pursue my passions he can't stand by and watch me struggle each day. I am so thankful for a husband that told me last night if I wanted to stay home and make things I could. A husband that works hard everyday so I can stay home and play with my little girl in 2 months. I am so thankful for Brandon Armstrong.

So, here goes nothing. A new journey begins. I am going to stay home and make things.

Follow your dreams. Make something today.

if you missed my husbands post yesterday click here to catch up! :)

What she sees-His World

From the time that Alivia is born to the day she steps out of our house on her own, I feel as though I owe her every ounce of effort that I can display of what and how a man should treat her. Megan and I (well mostly Megan at this point, but I get a few glimpses in here and there) are reading a book right now called "Bringing up Girls" by Dr. James Dobson. It is sad how many young girls are being brought up in supposed good parent situations but yet are not being led the way they should and in most cases desire. So below is a list of things that I am committing to doing in order that Alivia gain good standards of Men...(boys).

1. Constantly tell Megan I love you
2. Open the door for Megan and Alivia
3. Openly pray with my family
4. Ask Megan on dates
5. Ask Alivia on dates (not by text either)
6. Take my family to church
7. Talk about marriage verses co-habitating
8. Teach her good music (I wonder if she will like folk-rock)
9. Bring Megan flowers (for no reason)
10. Teach Alivia to say NO!!
11. Talk to her about a broken heart
12. Talk to her about breaking hearts
13. Boys come to the front door, not honk from the car
14. Convince Alivia's boyfriends I am a "Chuck Norris" Blackbelt in everything
15. Teach her about alcohol, good vs. bad
16. Let her know that Megan and I will always be together and there for her
17. God has a special plan for her!
18. She is beautiful, no matter what others say
19. She has the worlds best mom, and hottest!!
20. She can do anything she desires with faith!!

be proactive today

29 Weeks.

Well, here we are again one-week-later. 29 weeks. You can read what is happening with my little squash here. The past few days she has been going crazy in my belly. Non-stop. All day, and I love it.

It is so interesting to me how fast my body is changing. I never thought that pregnancy would be like this. Everyday I am noticing something different. I am becoming a mother. Brandon is becoming a father. Weird.

Every night I fall in love with my husband a little more when he sings, reads, talks, and kisses my belly. I am so thankful for such a hunk-of-a-man!

Grow today.

Painting Day

Sunday was the-day. Painting day. We did it. We took the leap of faith and painted the walls in Alivia's room, and I love it.

There is no more dreadful-yellow in sight. The walls are covered in what I like to call:
Elephant-Ear-Pink. A customized color to match the fabric for her bedding. I can't wait for her to get here... I can't wait to rock her to sleep in her beautiful rocking chair, and change her on the dresser that hasn't been transformed into a changing table yet. We are under 80 days now.. so much to do, so little time.

I just hope she likes pink :).

We couldn't have done it without the help of two of our friends. Pat and Kali. You can read all about what is happening in their lives here. They are two awesome people that we have gotten to know through our church in Perry. We are so thankful for their friendship.

Take a leap of faith today.

Bumps

This morning at 5:00AM my husband started his first day on the job solo. I was half asleep but I remember him kissing me goodbye (like he always does). Quickly, I feel back asleep. Not to long after that I hear the door open and Brandon's foot steps. He entered our room, and said "Babe, my truck won't start"....

I am sure I mumbled something to the effect of What-can-I-do? Or How can I help? But I don't really remember. He grabbed the jumper cables and headed out to see if that would fix it. Well, it didn't. At 5:51AM I received a text message saying "The jump didn't work :(".

Long story short Brandon's goal of being in Ponca City this morning by 6:00AM did not happen. He actually didn't get there until 7:45AMish. He did get the truck jumped, but to say the least it was a rocky start to his first day by himself. It could be a long day.

Life is bumpy sometimes. Enjoy the ride today.

2 Favorite Things

Yesterday I wasn't feeling the best. I had a horrible headache most of the day, and I was just feeling tired and I was maybe a tad-bit-grumpy too. Honestly after working at HeBrews for Brian & Tina, Brandon and I did absolutely-nothing. We laid in bed and watched 5 episodes of Friends-- Thank you Aaron & Summer for the awesome Christmas present :).

Around 5:00 I finally forced myself to get out of bed. We filled the holes in walls and taped off all of the trim in Alivia's room--Today-is-painting-day! Brandon cooked me an omelet. I made lunch for today, and then I settled down to do what lately has been my two favorite things to do.

Prenatal Yoga & Ice Cream.

Brandon got me a prenatal yoga DVD for Christmas, and I have fallen-in-love-with-it. I try my hardest to spend at least 30 minutes daily with this video. Before this, I had-never-done yoga before. Hopefully I will continue on for the rest of my life. I feel great after doing it (even though the moves are getting harder to do as my belly grows, and I am out of breath just from standing up). AND, of course my other favorite thing to do.. eating ice cream. Does eating a bowl of ice cream counter balance the yoga session? I-think-not!

Enjoy your favorite things today.

Stillness

Last night before we went to bed, Brandon read Alivia a chapter out of a cute little book we have. Usually this has our daughter dancing. Not last night. I went to bed thinking it was weird that she didn't kick us goodnight like she always does.

So, to say the least I was worried this morning when I still wasn't feeling her move. A couple hours past, nothing. Brandon was asking me every 10 minutes if I had felt her yet. Nothing.

I was totally blessed when our little girl started dancing in my stomach this morning. Seeing my belly move gave me one of the best feelings in this world. Since then she has been moving-non-stop. Dancing all throughout my supposed-to-be-naptime. I guess she knew it was Saturday and wanted to sleep in. That silly girl.

Be patient today.

Mustard Seed

On the brink of the new year I remember laying in bed with my husband discussing the possibilities of setting some goals for this year. Well, the first thing out of my mouth was paying off our car. Let me just say.. I don't know where in the world that came from, and the idea of doing such a huge task was really unrealistic anyway.

Well, over the past few weeks the desire to become debt-free has been heavy on my heart. (Funny how that happens after taking out a HUGE sum of money for our house). Despite us about to be having a money-eating-machine baby and just buying a house, I do believe that this year will be the year we see God move in our finances.

Wednesday was my day off from school & volunteering at Hebrews, and I spent most of the day budgeting and making a bill log sheet for this year. (I also finally dusted, and cleaned the kitchen too).

I-do-believe-it-is-possible for Brandon and I to pay off close to $10,000 in debt this year.

There I said it: Our goal for 2011.

Have faith the size-of-a-mustard-seed today.
With it, God can move mountains.

Fridge Art-His World

So for the last couple of months, there has been a colorful, laminated, visual aid on our refrigerator. No, it is not a colorful picture someone drew us, or a tasty recipe pulled from a magazine. It is a day by day visual description of newborn baby poop. Yes baby poop, I am pretty sure that it is also a visual guide for ROYGBIV. All the colors of the rainbow are represented.

My beautiful wife thought it would be a great way for me to get used to changing Alivia, I am so excited and ready to meet her but scared with the thought of changing dirty diapers. Which is stupid because my hands have been in some pretty nasty substances. But the thought of child feces is a stomach twister for me. I don't doubt that I will have it down in a few months but I also know there will be those that bring me to my knees. I applaud Megan for coaching me up and encouraging me with such beautiful refrigerator art, I am just not sure if I am ready to get off the bench yet.

Get your hands dirty today!!

-Brandon

Magical 28

Stretch marks, swollen feet, hiccups, back pain, and a full bladder are just a few things that have started consuming my life. My least favorite of these being stretch marks (of-course). All of these things are expected to be happening when going into the third trimester of being pregnant.

Today marks magical-week-28. I can't believe that in 12 weeks the little thing growing inside me will be here. You can read about what is going on with our little cub by clicking here.

For the list of blessings my body is experiencing, I am more than glad to take on any mark, pain, or bladder issue. It really isn't bad at all, and I wouldn't trade one day with swollen feet and the feeling of Alivia moving inside for me anything in this world.

Look on the bright-side today.

Elephants & Sock Monkeys

Alivia has no-earthly-idea what she is getting herself into. I am sure she has figured out in the past 28 weeks that her mother is crazy, but I am not quite sure she understands exactly how crazy I actually am. I know one day she will figure it out, but until then I will take advantage of how naive my little girl will be.

I am not sure if this nursery thing is so hard for me because I am going to school to become a designer... one would think that would make it easier, but it hasn't. Not even a little bit. I hope that within approximately the next 85 days I can figure out what I want. Because ready or not in April we will be bringing a little princess home to her room.

I know two things for sure. There will be Elephants and Sock Monkeys involved.

Be -crazy- today.

Dust

When we moved into our new home-- over a month ago Brandon and I talked about the increase of our responsibilities around our new bigger-than-ever-before house. I think it is so interesting that I can walk by the same book shelve 13 times a day, see the dust growing on top of it, and forget about it 3 seconds later when I set down at my computer, start fixing dinner, or lay down in bed.

Honestly, how hard would it be to pick up the can of pledge (right then) and get rid of the dust? The thought of having to do it 3.4 days later is the haunting thought that keeps me from being Mrs. Clean. Today might be the day... Mrs. Clean might just make her appearance at our house. I wouldn't count on it though...

Clean something today (or tomorrow).

L.O.V.E

The last two days have been the world's-best-days. Despite the rude guy at Lowe's that wouldn't listen to what I had to say about the paint color I wanted for -my- baby's room... Brandon and I have managed to have a great weekend.

There are moments I see Brandon. I see him walking into the coffee shop or I roll over in bed and see him sleeping. I see him hanging blinds, mirrors, and numbers. I see him cooking dinner, shaving his face, and painting. I see him doing the dishes, stretching after a run, and typing away on his computer.... and every time I see my handsome husband, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such an amazing man in my life. (Even if he doesn't want shutters on our dream home).

L.O.V.E through disagreements today.

Happy Saturday!

Today is the day.
The day we are buying the paint for Alivia's room. This by far is the hardest decision we have had to make since we have moved into our home. I never-ever-ever thought it would be this hard to pick a paint color! Get excited! (I am sad to say that the paint will not be going for a few days. We have to finish that bathroom before we start any-other-projects).
Lowe's Here We Come!

Make the hard decisions today.

Fathers & Daughters

Santa brought Brandon and I an-amazing-gift this year. A book. It is called: "Bringing up Girls" by Dr. James Dobson. So far this book has been amazing. It is full of advice and encouragement for raising little girls in this world.

The past 2 chapters I have read have been all about Fathers & Daughters. The chapters have been talking about how important a dad's role is in their little girl's life is (and how the relationship is still important when little girls "aren't-so-little-anymore").

After reading stories upon stories from women and the struggle they had/have with their fathers all I can say is my Dad is #1. He is brilliant man, who has done an amazing job leading Jeremy and I. I am so thankful God has blessed me with an amazing earthly father (and the world's best mother, but that is a different blog in itself).

I am-totally-excited for Alivia to meet her Dad. She is going to be one blessed (spoiled) little girl.

Encourage someone today.

.

Pregnancy for Men-His World

Things I have learned through the process of Megan being pregnant and I thought I would share this list with you.

Witty

1. Always say yes to the Powdered Donuts(same rule applies to Mexican, french fries, and ice cream)

2. Just understand that it will take her a little while longer than usual to get ready

3. Choose your words wisely

4. Start to memorize all 1,683 shades of Pink(if having a daughter)

5. Plan travel according to bathroom breaks

6. Always say NO to watching live births online!!!! (still recovering)

Memorable

7. I love hearing Alivia's heartbeat everytime we go to the doctor, it is comforting.

8. Each night we read to her before we go to bed, she really likes it.

9. Watching her dance in Megan's stomach is priceless.

10. Enjoy the process, because it is happening so fast!

I hope this is helpful, can't believe I will be a dad in three short months.

Enjoy the witty & memorable moments today!

-Brandon

You're Beautiful

I often find myself talking to baby Liv. I tell her everything. Yesterday, I was on my way to school one hand on the steering-wheel the other on my belly and I was just talking to her. Then an amazing song by Mercy Me came on, and I sang it to her. I hope she knows this is my prayer for her little beautiful self.

"Beautiful"-- Mercy Me

Before you ever took a breath

Long before the world began

Of all the wonders He possessed

There was one more precious

Of all the earth and skys above

You're the one He madly loves

Enough to death

You're beautiful

I hope and pray our baby girl is raised knowing she was made in God's image. He loves her for every "imperfection" she will convince herself she has. He died just for her. She is beautiful.

Pray - Sing- Talk today.

3 Reasons

Getting out of bed this morning was not-a-fun-task for three reasons.

one. school starts today.
two. it is 12 degrees outside.
three. my husband is going out of town for the evening.

I will say I am glad my alarm clock wasn't the sound of an annoying blast from my phone, but rather a gentle good-morning-kiss from my Mr. Armstrong (with this new job he is usually hard at work by the time my alarm goes of at 6:30, but not today). After eating breakfast together, sending him on his way, sitting in front of my space heater, and doing 30 minutes of yoga I think I might be ready for this day.

Forget the 3 reasons, remember what-makes-everything-worth-it today.

Cheers

Cheers to another big week in the Armstrong household. This week it is my world changing though. Brandon is in week #2 of his new job. He is still in the process of learning everything there is to know about Henderson Coffee Company. His first three days that he had last week went well. They were long days, but good ones.

For me this week means back-to-school. My semester starts tomorrow. I am only enrolled in 6 credit hours because of the arrival of Ms. Alivia at the end of the semester. Hopefully meetings with my professors will go good, and they will support me in the decisions I have to make with trying to wrap the semester up early.

There is a huge battle going on inside me. I am excited about school. I am excited about the new challenges that I get to face, and the opportunity I get to figure out those challenges and improve as a designer. I am however, not-so-excited about late nights, long projects, and the 45 min commute twice a week (all during my third trimester of pregnancy). This could be interesting.

Anticipate tomorrow today.

Sunday Snow

Yesterday I told Brandon that I wished it would snow. Today as we walked out of church little snow flurries were falling from the sky. Thank-you-Jesus.

Today we have no big plans. Actually, we are doing exactly what we did yesterday. Nothing, besides Brandon studying for his CDL test, and me taken in the views. (Hopefully that bathroom can find a way to finish itself).

Embrace the snow today.

Sweet Saturdays

Today is Brandon and I's day. We don't have a lot planned (besides our amazing dinner that Bran is going to fix us-- Chicken Parmesan, Pasta, and for dessert : home-made-ice-cream). We already accomplished the 1st thing on our 2 point check list for the day.

Saturday Check List

{Put together crib} CHECK
{Finish painting the bathroom} ________

The couch is so much more appealing right now then grabbing that paint brush and finishing off yet another room of the house. I am so in love with the 5 of us laying on the couch. Manny and Sam are cuddled up on on the back of the couch looking out the window. Brandon is studying his CDL handbook. Alivia is dancing non-stop in my belly. I am laid back taking in the amazing view of my growing family. What a wonderful day.

Slow Down and Relax today.

Things Not To Say

I spend my Thursdays and Fridays volunteering at HeBrews. This is an amazing local coffee shop in Perry. As much as I love spending time with Brian and Tina, cutting veggies, building sandwiches, and eating delicious baked goods something is always said to me about my growing belly.

Most of the time I love the attention. I love answering the question: Is it a boy or girl? I love going into details about her name, when she will enter this world, and how excited Brandon and I are about Alivia's arrival, but there are a few things I don't enjoy as much.

The-Big-Belly-Comments

These are just two things you don't say to pregnant woman. Men, listen up. (with my experience the men are the ones always mentioning these wonderful things to me).

1. You are getting bigger. (Obviously I know this is true. I was reminded of it this morning when I tried to bend over and tie my shoes and I felt like I had exercised for a good solid hour. My stomach (and not to mention other areas) is getting bigger, I know this. But I am reminded it of it every second I look down to see my toes and can't, you don't need to tell me).

2. You are going to need a bigger shirt. (Don't compliment a prego woman on the shirt she is wearing and then proceed to tell her she is going to have to invest in bigger clothing before this whole experience is over with. This is also a understood thing. Everyday it seems like more things aren't fitting just right. We know this too).

As much as these comments sting just a little bit, I am so happy that my belly is growing and Alivia is getting bigger. Each passing week is one step closer to holding my baby girl.

Don't be too serious today.

Shaken not Stirred--His World

Welcome to Thursdays edition of "Our world. One day at a time". I, Brandon, will be contributing on these days. I hope you enjoy, if not you can log a complaint to meg.armstrong@live.com.

So I thought to start off I would share with you a fun piece of entertainment that my family used to do when I was growing up. I actually introduced Megan to this just about a week ago. For those of you who don't know I married into a Ice Cream lovin family. So we often partake in said dairy goodness. Which often includes the best kind of ice cream, homemade. However if you don't want to make a whole gallon, here is an idea that is fun and less of a hassle.

Take one cup of milk, 2 Tbs of sugar, and a cap of vanilla extract. Pour that into a sandwich size ziploc. Then place that bag into a gallon size freezer ziploc bag along with a good portion of ice and rock salt. Once you seal up the freezer bag, set a stove or microwave timer for 5 minutes and just start shaking. This is a good way to earn your dessert after dinner. After five minutes the small sandwich bag should be frozen and ready to top with whatever toppings you would like. Let us know what creations you come up with. Also the vanilla extract can be substituted for chocolate syrup to make chocolate flavored ice cream.

Get Shakin today.

Belly Blues

Pregnancy has definitely been an experience. I am in love with my new belly. I love watching it grow and move. I am however, not-so-in-love-with the other growing body parts. Legs, thighs, face, arms... everything seems to be expanding these days.

It is different than what I always imagined it being. Not better, Not worse, just different. Harder. Watching the number raise on the scale as each month passes is probably the hardest part of this whole experience. I am starting to feel like a walking-talking-baby-carrying walrus.

Its hard to believe that Alivia is just shy of 2 pounds yet I have packed on the pounds like I am going in to hibernation. With the weight battle going on in my mind one would think I would feel guilty about the powdered donuts, Mexican food, and cookies I inhaled yesterday, but I don't. Maybe this pregnancy has its upsides too :)

Indulge today.

Flying Time

Today is Alivia's 26 week check up.

Brandon and I were driving home after celebrating Christmas/New Years with my family when we started talking about how fast this whole experience is going. I kept talking about everything we had to do in the next 4 months. Let me be honest. We-haven't-done-anything. I started having a freak-out-moment. We need to register. Paint. Find bedding. Put together a broken crib (hopefully it will be fixed soon). Figure everything out.... and my husband kindly reminded me that we only have 3 months left, not 4. 3 Months. 98 days until our daughters due date.

Holy Moly.

Let Time Fly Today.

Change

Well.. here goes nothing.

This week is the week. The week of change. After having my husband home with me for almost two weeks now, we packed his bag and sent him on this way this morning. Back-to-work.

This isn't going to be a normal week for us though. Today is his last day working at OSU. I am thrilled to say I have one more day off with him tomorrow, but then Wednesday he begins something totally new to us. We don't know the hours, we don't know the pay, we don't know exactly everything he will be doing, but we do know God has given us a vision.

Embrace Change Today.

Raw Nose New Year

1-1-11

2011 is here, and so is the cold I have been struggling with for the past few days.

Last night six people sat around my mom's kitchen table. We rang in the new year with my first ever game of Phase Ten. For the first time I got to kiss the love of my life at midnight celebrating everything that we did last year, and looking forward to all of new adventures we are going to take in the upcoming months.

Look Forward Today.