Where to begin...

Wow, has was it really March since I last blogged? Yikes, that is a little scary! How do you even start a new blog post after 10 months? 10 months! I could have had a baby in that time! And speaking of baby... (how do you like that for a great segue)...

Let me just say that a lot has been happening over the last 6 months in our little household. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT!  First off, as you might have guessed, we are having another baby.  As I type this I am 31 weeks along. And we are having a BOY! Yes, that is correct a BOY!  I am so excited to meet this new little super hero I can hardly contain myself. I am not due until the end of March so I will have to wait a little longer but this little miracle that is keeping me up at night will be soooooo worth it! And the girls can hardly wait either. They will be such little mommies and are already practicing. Except when we talk about diaper changes, then they run the other way. I can't say that I blame them, I would run the other way too if I could.

So if that wasn't enough news to share, we have moved. Yep! The good ol' hubby received a new call to a new church in a new state so off we go again. We are still living in the east, just a little further south. Ok, a lot further south. As in North Carolina south. Although I can't complain too much because all of my Pennsylvania friends are enduring a bad snow storm at the moment and it is only chilly here. Ha! Take that PA!

We have been living down here for an awesome week and a half already and it has been great. The girls are adjusting to new schools and a new home and new routines. Actually who am I kidding, we are all adjusting to a new home, schools and routines. Plus this whole baby possibly coming in a few weeks has kept me busy. Our baby crib was broken in the move so we are on the hunt for another one. We made a trip to Ikea on a mission for a dresser for the nursery which I quickly regretted as soon as I stepped into the store. What a zoo! Note to self, the next time I go, make sure it is not Martin Luther King day when everyone and their mother is off of work. I have had Dr. Appointments, transferred medical records, had my Pinterest account frozen (due to suspicious activity, whatever that means and I can't get it unfrozen, which is not something a pregnant mom wants to hear after moving to a brand new place). And my husband was in a car accident and totaled his car. Don't panic, he is ok. Just a little sore and banged up. But the car was not so lucky. So sometime soon after the insurance companies do their thing, we need to purchase a new car. Sigh...

But aside from all the craziness, the people have been wonderful! We have had meals delivered to our door from the ladies of our new church and I can't even begin to express my gratitude to them for doing so. We had someone drop off a spare vehicle for us to use until we find a new vehicle to purchase. Life Saver! The girls were quickly invited to join the youth group activities at our new church which has helped them to adjust. Southern hospitality really does live up its name. And my husband has been an amazing support for all of his girls during this transition. I can't thank him enough. He is my rock and I can't wait to see what this new adventure with three kids in a brand new place will take us.

Broken Bones

Ok, time for a confession... I have never been nor ever will be a dare devil of any kind. I did gymnastics for one year when I was a kid and although I loved it, I was too scared that I would fall and hurt myself so I didn't stick with it. I don't do black diamonds or moguls. I am more of a "moderately difficult" kind of gal. I have a tendency to be the worst back seat driver. Every time I see the car in front slam on their breaks I am the one who immediately puts my hand on the dash board as if that will stop the car from crashing! I secretly despise roller coasters and will scream like a little girl until the ride is over. Yes that is me.

And another tiny little confession, I have never broken a bone in my body. That is until last night. You heard that right. Misses Evel Knieval broke a bone. And as much as I wish I could say that I was cool and broke a bone while flying over the Grand Canyon on my awesome motorcycle, in reality it was a lot less glamorous. What can I say, I am just not that exciting!

So my story goes a little something like this. I came home from work last night after driving through lots of rain and sleet and the roads were getting really bad (que the dramatic effect). I walk in the door to find my husband on the phone enthralled in some deep theological conversation with who knows, my girls are downstairs playing and the dog is wining at the door to go out. So I do what every loving mother would do and grab Lucy's leash to take her outside. Do I need to remind you that it has been raining/sleeting/snowing outside (this is me building suspense) and the back deck is covered in ice? I proceed to take her out and start to walk down the steps of the deck and as soon as Lucy reaches the ground she takes off! My feet fly out from underneath me and I gracefully float through the air and land on my backside. Although it was not so graceful as my foot landed wrong and I feel a piercing pain like I have never felt before. I may have also said a few words that I have never spoken before either. My shoe went flying off and of course the dog grabbed it up and started chewing on it. So here I am sitting on the steps with one shoe on and the other barefoot in excruciating pain. My husband is back inside on the phone and paying no attention to me. So I try my best to get his attention and decide to take off my other shoe and throw it at the back door.  As I see my shoe flying through the air a thought occurs to me that maybe I threw it too hard and what if the glass breaks? Well at least then I will have gotten his attention! BAM! And no the glass doesn't break. Whew! And no, it doesn't get my husbands attention either! So there I am, sitting out in the cold rain and snow, barefoot in the dark, in pain, with the dog chewing on my favorite shoes. Awesome. It was by God's grace alone that I was able to get up, hobble on my foot back to the door and yell for my husband to help. He did eventually come to my rescue and the rest is history. Except for the part about me going to the doctor today only to discover that I broke my toe.

(Note to self, schedule a pedicure asap)

So as I sit and type this my toe is bandaged and I have been instructed to keep it that way for the next 4-6 weeks. I guess there will be no marathon running for me in my near future or jumping 20 cars in a single bound. And the morale of this story? The next time it is raining, make your husband take the dog outside. It also happens to be our new family rule.

2013 New Year's Resolutions

So each year I have posted my new years resolutions in hopes that putting it out there for the entire world to see will help me get motivated to stay on track. If your curious you can check them out here and here. Some have been successful and some have not. I have aimed for losing weight, getting more organized, cook more, exercise more, drink more water, blog more, become a better mother, be a better wife, a better employee, a better boss, work harder, play harder, you name it I have thought about changing some aspect of it in my life.  

But this year has been different. It is January 24th and I have yet to post what my resolutions will be. We are at a time when most people have broken or forgotten their resolutions and I am still trying to figure mine out. It is not for a lack of trying, but this year I just couldn't put into words what I wanted to do. That was until I came across this video. I found it posted on one of my favorite blogs and it really hit home for me. Thanks Bethany! It was too good not to share.

So this is it, only one resolution. So simple and yet so profound. Be present.

Lucy

Well I am proud to say that our little family of 4 just became a family of 5. Now don't jump to conclusions, I did not have a baby in during my blog haitus. Instead we decided to get a puppy! Am I crazy? Possibly. But my girls love her, and that is all the justification I need.

She is a Golden Retriever puppy and although she is small now that won't last long. We got her a week ago and although the first week has been rough we are making progress. And by progress I mean she doesn't wail in her crate keeping us up All. Night. Long. Now it is only when we first put her in and in the morning when she hears us get up. So without further ado... meet Miss Lucy!

Yes, we will have lots of fun potty training, leash training, you know the whole kit and kaboodle. And for those of you know me, probably think we are crazy. Why? Because I have allergies. As in nose running, sneezing, eye watering allergies. Not fun! But I have to say that I am taking my vitamins, a Claratin every once in a while, and so far, I have been fine.  That's a mini miracle if you ask me.  That is proof that she was meant to be ours! 

Ready, Set, Go.....

So lately I have been on a health kick. Why you ask? Well, at work I am heading the planning committee for our holiday party, and this year my staff wants something nice. And I have a killer dress to wear. Only it doesn't fit. So Operation Get Healthy has begun or OGH as I call it.  Cheesy I know. Now my goals are not only to lose weight but to also get fit. So I plan on running a 5k sometime in October or maybe November... depending on how confident I am.  I haven't registered for anything just yet but the idea is in the back of my head.

Anywho so moving on.... So how am I going to do this? Well with the help of my iphone of course! First I am using MyFoodDiary.com to track everything I eat. It is awesome!  It is a handy little website that lets me track my meals, my weight, and it provides all the nutritional info that I need to stay on track. And if I eat something unhealthy it lets me know so I can adjust accordingly. I love it. And it is only $9 a month. Pretty cheap if you ask me. They also have a cute little app that I have on my phone so I am never without it.

But that's not all. Our family also joined a gym, and I have been running on the treadmill. Thus, why I want to run a 5k. And to help me do it, I have been using another app wonder called Run 5k. The idea is that in 8 weeks you will be ready to run 3.1 miles without stopping.  Perfect for a beginner like me, I am on week 5 at the moment and loving it. It is a series of walk/run intervals, and it tells you exactly when to do what. No more me having to watch the time on the treadmill trying to figure out when I can walk again. (just being honest folks!)  And it runs in the background while I jam out to my workout playlist.  

But that's not all. I am no statistics guru and I don't know the facts but I am pretty sure that when most people join a gym they lose interest after awhile and stop going. And then it becomes a waste of money. Heck it has even happened to me. At times, going to the gym can seem like such a chore. It is just easier to stay at home and veg out on the couch. Not.Anymore.More. Yes folks, I give you GymPact! 

It has to be one of the coolest apps out there.  The concept behind GymPact is that you get paid to work out and when you don't, you have to fork over the moolah! Pure genius I tell you!  So I set a pact to workout 3 days a week and I put $10 on the line. Now it is not just $10 that I pay if I don't meet my pact it is $10 per workout!  So if I don't go to the gym at all during the week it costs me $30 bucks! Which is a huge motivator for me to go! And if I make my pact well then I get paid! The idea is that they disperse the funds from those members that didn't meet their pact and pay it to those who did. Seriously, why didn't I think of that?

And the results so far? I am proud to say that I have lost 7 lbs. Ok, so I am obviously not going to break any records here as I have only just started. But it is more then just the weight, it is how I feel. And I feel awesome! I am proud of myself for attempting something that I haven't done in years. I am excited to be focusing on myself for a few shorts minutes at the gym each week. My stress level is less and overall I am healthier for it.  I know it because I can feel it. And that is all that matters.

Now if only I could find my phone....

I was not compensated in anyway, shape or form for discussing these apps. They are just tools that I genuinely love to use and thought I would spread the love.

For My Girls

I came across this online and thought it was absolutely beautiful.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I love my babies more then they will ever know.  This is for them.

thoughts

Today has been one of those days. It is gloomy outside, the weather doesn't know if it wants to rain or not. My girls are sick and the hubby has a stiff neck (must be stress right before Easter) He can't turn his head and I am bored. I have been locked up in the house all weekend. Not that that's a bad thing. Only I'm not motivated to do anything productive.

You see instead, I want to go shopping. Not for clothes but for furniture. The hubby and I have decided that it is time for a new bedroom set. Two of the drawers on our cheap Ikea dresser are no longer functional and we are ready for an upgrade. So occassionally when we both have time, we peruse the furniture stores, looking for the right pieces to no avail. Only he can't go with me because as I mentioned he has a stiff neck. And the girls are sick. And who wants to go furniture shopping by themselves? Not me.

I also thought about remodeling the girls bathroom. Put in two pedestal sinks, retile the floor with something pretty, new toilet, shower, built-ins, the whole shebang.

And I want to tear out our perfectly good hardwood floors and replace it with wider plank floors, in a dark stain. Get rid of our carpet, install board and batten in our dining room, new kitchen appliances, etc.

This is what happens when I get board. I start dreaming about all the things I want to do to a perfectly good house. It drives my husband crazy. Not that he doesn't want to do it, just that it costs a lot of money. And when your main goal is to pay down your debt... well you see my dilemma.

So I dream and wish and try to think of ways that we could do this at least one of these things on my list. And I come up with nothing. So I settle for a trip to Lowe's for some new planters for the front of the house. At least it gets me out of the house. Did I mention that my girls are sick and I have been covered in puke the last few days? Yeah, Lowe's was a welcome reprieve.

So here's hoping that this next week is busy (as I know it will be, it is holy week after all) and it will take my mind off of all the things I want to do and can't. Better yet, let's pray that my hubby and girls feel better soon. I hate being bored.