Matt and Amy: October 2015

What else would make you feel better about turning 31 than not being able to walk. I have been running fairly often since the fall of last year, trying my best to be consistent and really trying to beat the 30's weight gain promise. I didn't get to the point where I actually enjoyed running, but I did get to the point where I enjoyed the time alone running and being able to think. I think the best thing I discovered a few years ago was running to music just made me tense. Listening to conference talks, made running relaxing, it helped me remember things, and it was my time to sort through my thoughts. I really liked going running because I had a good amount of time to really ponder. I also started to add more miles because that meant more time to listen to these conference talks. It was a good find and it really helped me stay motivated. I was up to 6 miles every other day and I felt great about it. I had not lost a pound of weight in that year of running which is majorly discouraging but I was now at a point where looked forward to my morning run and what words of inspiration I would hear. After about a month of running 6 - 6.5 miles 3 times a week I decided that I was going to try 8. Why not, if I can do 6 why can't I do 8. That is what I was telling myself to get over that 3 mile slump I was in. So, a few weeks ago I decided to run 8. It felt great. I was so proud of myself. I was giddy, and excited to show Matt how far I had gone. However, about an hour after I got home I couldn't move. My hip was in so much pain I could hardly walk. I was now hobbling after my boys wanting more than anything to lay down and wish the pain away. After a few days it was gone, and two weeks later I tried a short run. I made it about 1 mile in before I felt like my hip was on fire. This time it took 2 weeks for the pain to subside. Now 2 months later I have just started up again. I can feel the pain lingering as I run like it is reminding me that I am some broken little lady. So far the 30's have not been promising for this apparently aged body.

For my actual birthday, we had packers at the house loading up boxes and putting them on a truck bound for Bentonville. A week before Matt surprised me with tickets to Wicked. I may have casually mentioned that I wanted / needed to go to this when I first saw the advertisement for it back in April. Well he listened, as he always does, and I absolutely loved it!! It was so amazing and the music was beautiful. I just could go on for hours about it. Afterwards we had to stop at a favorite place - Le Grande Orange for a spectacular pizza and Kale salad. When we picked up the boys from my sisters house their was this little beauty of a cake waiting for me. The girls were all giggles because it had the word Sexy on it. I was more excited to dig into a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake. I know people expect me to have this crazy fancy birthday cake, but I think the one of the best kinds of cakes is the Dairy Queen Ice Cream cake. I love them. Apparently Matt remembered that I liked them (really I am not surprised because he always amazes me. And yes, for a week I slowly devoured that beast of a cake - every last bit of that cookie crumble and fudge goodness.

As sad as it is to be getting old, Matt makes it pretty fun to celebrate.

September has been the month that flew by. And it was one of those months that I was hoping would move slowly. It is still hot here in Arizona so, I feel a little crazy saying that I wanted this month to go slower, but we have so much going on with moving, school meetings for Preston, and the end of the school term. It has been a busy month but September is is one of my favorite months just because September means celebrating Matt's birthday!!

Matt turned 35 this year. While we are both grateful that he still has a good full head of hair, seeing that both his brothers have shaved what hair they have left, we are both starting to see the grays come in. Lucky for him he is still handsome as ever, and his grays blend well with his blond hair. But I like watching the grays come in. It makes me think of all we have done together and how much more time we have to enjoy with each other. I guess you could say I like growing old with Matt. He really is my most favorite person! So, Happy Birthday old man! To celebrate we went out to eat most of the week taking advantage of Birthday deals that some of Matt's favorite restaurants have. We took the boys to Bennihana's for some dinnertime entertainment. They always love watching the guy cook and throw his spatulas. We went to Grimmaldi's which is Matt's favorite New York style pizza, and for his birthday cake I made a Better than Better Than Sex Cake. His request, in an attempt to try something besides the usual German Chocolate cake.

Matt accepted a job back with Walmart so we had a house hunting trip that failed miserably. After narrowing it down to an area that would give the best school programs to Preston we couldn't find a house that we really loved. Finally we went with the build option and so far it looks like that may be the way we go. Temporary housing will be an adjustment but I think we are ready for the challenge.

This month we finally had Preston's IEP meeting. (more on the whole journey of this later) I was looking forward to this meeting, which I think most people do not. I on the otherhand was almost giddy with excitement for 1 reason - I was so ready to find out if we could have some answers to Preston's academic delay. I had to fight for this meeting in ways that took me a little out of my comfort zone and once the ball got rolling his school responded in a completely positive way which I am so grateful for and all my doubts and worry about switching his school last year melted away and I saw for the first time I think EVER that the Lord will sometimes have us make decisions on our own making us trust in ourselves. I had to take that leap of faith even though I was terrified to do it. Before I did, I was getting so discouraged because I was not getting an answer to my prayers and I started to feel doubt. With a lot of study and reading of talks from conference and scriptures I began to have the courage to take that step into the dark. I remember these two scriptures daily to help me get through all of our Preston worries Alma 32:21 And now as I said concerning faith --faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.36:3...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. I was able to push my doubt aside and I am grateful I did. We still have a long journey ahead of us but we have the tools and an idea of what could help. The search still continues for more help in order get Preston the best education and support that he can get in order to be the best Preston he can be. I have come to love the School Preston is in and since we are moving in October I wanted September to move slowly so he could soak in as much of the Spalding program that he could. After Preston's IEP they moved Preston into the Special Education teacher for most of the day to assist Preston and give him one on one direction. It has been wonderful for him and I don't want to have to let go of it. Now we take another step into the dark by moving to Arkansas and switching his school and program. I was a crying mess over this decision. There were days that I cried harder than I have ever cried before because I was afraid I was going to completely ruin any chances for Preston. Thanks to Matt's ability to always look at things in a positive light and those verses of scripture I repeat continuously in my head, I know we will make it work.

Another reason why I was hoping for September to go slow was to allow me to somehow miraculously find more time for the boys to spend time with their cousins, Ms. Jenn and Mr rich and g-ma and papa. They love all of those guys so much it's hard to take them away from it all. One great thing about moving to Arizona was the new relationship I gained with my oldest sister. She was moved out and married when I was 13 and before that she was never around because of her swim team commitments. I really am grateful that I had the opportunity be around her more and my kids adore her and her family. She definitely made us feel loved here.

And for some of the the most exciting news for the month. Preston lost his first tooth! Well, actually, it is his second if you count the molar that the dentist pulled out last year. This tooth has been loose since February and now it was finally time for it to be pulled out. After several attempts I finally was able to get it out without it being to traumatizing. Hooray for the toothfairy's first official visit.

Preston these days is very obsessed with BYU. So obsessed I found him like this one day. "Hey mom, do you know who I am?" "I am Cosmo" He says that's how cosmo stands.

Porter is loving all the attention he has been getting with his big brother at school for most of the day. He gets lots of mommy and daddy time. Which means a lot of playing very silly games for all of us.