New Year

I will break these down and I'm sure become laser focused as the year progresses, but as of today, 1/1/17?  Here are my 10 areas of focus:

1.  Use the good camera
2.  Exercise 4x a week
3.  Meditate daily
4.  Read 2 books a month
5.  Hit my business goals
6.  Travel
7.  Heal my reflux
8.  Spend more time with my sister
9.  Write my book
10.  Work on new house stuff


My word for 2017: Gratitude

It came to me, as I had been putting it out there into the universe that I needed a new word.  I kept hearing it, seeing it, reading about it, listening to podcasts...finally it struck me that God must want me to focus more on Gratitude.

The more you focus on what is good and positive in your life, the more of that you will attract.  It's so hard to do this when you're having a rough moment.  Often when something goes "wrong" in our lives, we focus so much on that, more 'bad stuff' starts to happen.

Try to turn it around as soon as it happens.  I'm not saying you have to find the positive in a tragic situation; there are certain things that deserve our deepest emotions.  I'm just talking about the little bumps that we tend to overdramatize...

The spilled cup of milk.

Running late.

You husband being sick on NYE, so your fancy plans go out the window.

So many things are out of our control and if we just realize that maybe things happen just the way they should, we could all be a little happier.

So today, I am embarking on a new path of my journey and embracing all of life's ups and downs.  Progress, not perfection.  Smile, breathe and indulge in some self-care.

PS.  f you're looking for a way to display your word, check out our engravables!! Today only I'm running a special with my Mystery Hostess Trunk Show.

{Check out the FB Event here!}


Happy New Year Style Babes!!

Shop this link to enter.

http://www.stelladot.com/ts/ko8o6

BLOGTOBER CHALLENGE

Hello sweet friends!  I hope you are coming here with a happy heart.  I have been missing writing, so I have made myself up a nifty little calendar of blogging prompts to take us throughout the month.  Care to join? Please do! Even if it's just a post or two.

I used to not care for the Fall or October, but then I met Joe.  This is his birthday month and well, he's made me absolutely smitten with all things spooky and Fall, and of course with him. *awwww* We also got engaged this month, 7 years ago.  It's hard to believe so much time has passed and yet, I am so looking forward to the many years to come.

I can't take full credit for these ideas, as good old Google helped me when I searched "blogging challenges for October."  I mixed a few together and came up with this. 

Without further ado, here are my prompts!

1. October Goals

2.  Best Childhood Memories

3.  Top 5 Favorite Movies

4.  Recipe Share

5.  A Day in the Life

6.  Thankful Thursday

7. {Every Friday} Fashion Friday #ootd

8.  Playlist Faves

9.  Joe's Birthday

10.  Weekend Highlights

11.  10 Things Most People Don't Know about Me

13.  Wordless Wednesday (photos only)

14.  Fashion Friday #ootd

15.  Books: Read/Reading

16.  What's in my Bag? 

17.  7 Lessons Learned in the past year

18.  Who/What Inspires me

19.  Top Tips for a new blogger

20.  Favorite Beauty Products

21.  Fashion Friday #ootd

22.  Favorite Place or Space

23.  Pet Peeves

24.  Weekend Highlights

25.  Transformation Tuesday

26.  Letter to my younger self

27.  Where do I hope to be in 10 years?

28.  Fashion Friday #ootd

29.  Tutorial

30.  Health Tips

31.  Halloween Costume Reveal!

Today's prompt:

Goals:

• Complete Blogtober challenge
• Workout (read: move) 6x a week.
• Book 4 Trunk Shows
• Read and complete 2 books
• Watch one scary movie (I hate scary movies)
• Visit 3 different pumpkin farms with the kids
• Organize my accessories neatly
• Try one new recipe a week (if not more!)
• Visit with my youngest sister at least once a week
• Work on being more patient daily
• Prep freezer meals for when we are in Vegas
• Start Christmas/birthday shopping for the kids

That's all for now! Let me know if you'll be blogging along with me! I'd love to learn a little more about you.  Have a beautiful day

Bob & Nancy

My husband and I have a dream.  It may sound silly to some people, but to us?  It will be our most accomplished goal in life.  It's nothing we can buy.  It's nothing we can force to happen.  But with more than anything in our being, we hope to have a close family relationship, much like our neighbors have with their children.

It's funny on one hand, I wouldn't even know Bob or Nancy if we didn't live where we do right now. We are so excited to build our dream house and be living in the country.  I don't want to see into my neighbors houses or know when they're home or see who is over.  Likewise, I don't want them all up in our business!  But since we are so close, these lovely little homes here on my street, I take note of such things.

I see the teachers across the street leave their children with their parents daily, since they live a few houses down.  I see how late on a Monday night, most families are all tucked into their homes, all together, while I drag the garbage out because my husband works late night.   I am so grateful for his job, because it provides us this opportunity for me to stay home and raise the babies.

But Bob & Nancy?  They're like our parents ages.  They have one boy and one girl, who are married and now have children of their own.  They always come over and they all live in this same area.  I'm sure there lives are not perfect, as no one's is, but the point I'm trying to make is that, we want that part of what Bob & Nancy have.

We want our kids to be close enough so they can come by for dinner; I want to be there for my daughter when she has kids and is needing a mommy moment (or two).  I want to have a solid relationship with my son's wife because I know how amazing that feels, when you have that.

I don't feel sorry for us right now, even though we feel a little isolated and like we do a lot on our own, due to our circumstances.  I know we are so blessed in so many ways. I just pray that one day when we are the grandparents, we can be close to our grandbabies, like Bob & Nancy.  I know I have mentioned it before, but our biggest dream is a full table at the holidays with all of our family and friends.  I don't want to limit it to just holidays though, I would love Sunday dinners on our homestead with all of our loved ones.


I've been working a lot on vision boards and writing down goals and dreams, so that they happen. {It's amazing how it really works!}  I know I cannot control things, but I know Joe and I will do everything in our power, everything that we possibly can, to make this happen.

I don't want to be jealous or envious that Nancy and her daughter are so close and hangout all of the time.  Instead I want to focus on and nurture my own relationship with my daughter, and continue to strengthen our bond.  I know that being grateful for what I do have will do me more good than anything, especially in the long run.

Are there people in your life that you hope to be like in some regards?  

Fall Bucket List/October Goals

I am ready to say goodbye to September and bring on all things pumpkin and spooky related!! My husband's birthday is Friday October 9th, and although he's working a darn sale all day, I am excited about birthdays in general.  I know Brooke will get a kick out of it too, since she loves balloons and well, what's a birthday without balloons?  I dunno why, but that is my motto.

My "Fall" Bucket list:

• Family photos with leaves changing.  This is NON negotiable Jennifer Lynn! Seriously, my adorable family needs some family photos. I think we are gonna bust out the tripod and have to do this. I have a few areas in mind that I want to shoot too.  I am going to try my best to get some of the kids too…because time is a flying people!
• Cozy movie night with candles and a fire.  We just need a good movie…suggestions?!
• A haunted hay ride
• Farmer's market Thursdays
• My goal is 5 pumpkin patches this month with the kiddos!
• Puppy Pancake breakfast 10/9…Brooke is going to lose her mind!
• Find halloween costumes for all of us.  We are actually going to an adult Halloween Party and I hate to say it, but I don't love dressing up?! I know. I know. I do love dressing up, but I hate spending money on costumes. Creative ideas, and go?!
• Bake apple pies
• Get to the museum of play
• Read books about Fall and spend as much time as we can outside!

~Moi~

• My personal goals are to continue to work on myself.  I am getting out of the house by myself at least once a week.  It's amazing what a trip to the library in my ride listening to adult music will do for ya!  I always say I will be right back and I take longer because it's so quiet and nice in a library…I need to go there more often.
• Get dressed in real clothes. I have lived in yoga pants and shorts all summer. I don't like it. I want to feel pretty and girlie and cute.  So what if the kids get my clothes messy? No more excuses!
•  I also will continue to grow my Advo biz and help other others with health and finances.  I just love being able to do that!  
• I am also putting myself on another spending freeze.  We are about to go spend a lot of money on some land that we will be able to build a dream house on.   It's beyond exciting and so I am going to be pinching pennies for awhile.  Little things like Brooke's winter coat still fitting from last year are very exciting!!  
• I also am trying to sell some of our baby stuff as we won't need it any longer.  I just want to have a big old yard sale next summer.  All kids clothes $2 a piece!  Cha-ching. 
• Physically I will continue to workout and I will make it to Yoga once a week. I just have to make it happen.  I know it will be so good for me, I just need to do it.  
• Lastly, I will finish a book. I start books but don't always finish them.  Sometimes that is okay, but I just got Girl on the Train and so I am hoping I finish that one.  

What are your Fall must dos??

Bradley says one pumpkin is not enough!!

New Year Thoughts

With Christmas behind us and the New Year here, I can't help but get excited, overwhelmed, and a bit anxious about what is to come!! Usually I'm all like, here are my goals and thoughts and I feel like I can get my head on straight.  But to be honest with you, I am literally taking things moment by moment.  We are about a week until baby boy's due date, and I'm not being negative, but I really don't think he will be here early or even on his due date [feel free to prove me wrong little man!] but with Brooke, I remember feeling so hopeless and helpless and her due date of January 4th, came and went…and we didn't meet her precious little face until January 11th!!

So, I'm setting small little goals each day, like FINISH taking down Christmas TODAY, and catch up on about 5 loads of laundry I'm behind too. Ha.  They're all clean, but need to be folded and put away.  I am just doing what I can do, but I also know my MAIN goal is to be rested for labor.  I was sooooo not rested for Brooke and I think that was part of what made it so difficult.  I didn't treat it like a big workout, and when I was through I felt like I ran a marathon, even though I have never run one before, because of how exhausted I was.

I feel like everything coincides though; I don't want to be stressed out during labor, but to be honest a messy house stresses me out.  So I can't just lay on my couch watching TV while my home looks like a bomb went off.  I am so grateful Joe is helping with grocery shopping, so I can focus on the basics of maintaining the home!

Speaking of, I know that last year I wanted a "mess free, stress free, clutter free 2014" well I can assure you, that the de-cluttering is still going to be a main focus for me this year.  We really changed things up this year as far as Christmas gifts and it was WONDERFUL!  We exchanged 'secret santas' with my family, so we each had one person to buy for, and of course people could still buy for the kids.   Usually we end up bringing so much extra STUFF into our home and it is just too much.  With children, I don't mind toys, but at least this way I can focus on changing them out and containing their stuff, not so much extra junk Joe and I don't even need.

This post is all over the place, but I feel like writing, so I guess that is just the way it is today, sorry if I'm making your head spin!!


****

Ok, so I came up with a sort of plan! (I still need action plans, but at least I've got something in writing!)

Personal:

Health- I've already started on this. I have picked up some bad habits, so I am really working on being better.  I know once little boy gets here it will be important to really fuel with healthy foods, not sugar and processed junk because I NEED the energy to keep up with two kids!   I also can't wait to get back into working out on a regular basis. I will start with at home workouts etc, but my goal is to join a gym by April.  I will need the mini break with kids in the care center, it will be perfect!

Writing/blogging--- I just want to keep doing what I am doing. I write when I am inspired and I love looking back on my life.  I need to print this last year of blogging and keep it.

Reading-- I want to read one book a month.  I think that's attainable, but also will be challenging with two kids.

ME TIME.  To me this isn't the gym or anything above. It's getting out and doing something with a friend or by myself without feeling guilty.  I used to get my nails done bi weekly and that little hour window every two weeks did wonders for my soul (and cuticles haha!)

Marriage:  Monthly date nights. I want to say more, but at this rate, getting out once a month will be a goal!! Maybe I will change this to twice a month, or once a week eventually, but I know with a newborn we aren't going to want to leave much at first.

Continue being the best wife I can be.  I know there will be tough days where my patience will be thin, but I have to keep my emotions in check and not take it out on him.

Find a trustworthy sitter: My goal for this year is to eventually find someone (or several) to call upon for help.  Family is great, but sometimes ya just want to run out here or there and it'd be nice to have some sitters lined up to choose from.  With my husband's work schedule, he can be very busy and the time he has off, we like to do things together, so maybe having someone to help me from time to time when I need it would be really beneficial. I am not sure about leaving a brand new baby, so this may not happen for a bit.  Or, I may find someone to help and I don't even leave the house.  I could use some time to work on my Advo biz or whatever.  Date nights are important too, so a sitter will be useful.

Children:  Simply, I want to give them my best too.  I am going to strive to be patient and not pick one kid over the other consistently.  Someone said to me that your toddler will get all of your time and your baby will be second…I don't buy that. I think that there will be shifts and times when one's needs need to be met more than the other.  There will be tears I  am sure, but I plan on baby wearing a lot, so hopefully this will help!

I also want to do solo dates with Brooke. I never want to lose a special bond that we have, and I know her Daddy loves it too.  It will be important for us to share and divide our time amongst all of us.  I am sure it will not be balanced and perfect 100% of the time, but to have that in the back of our minds, will be key.

Continue toddler school--1.) Monthly theme  2.) Sensory Bin 3.) Letter of month 4.) Books to go along 5.) Craft

January- Winter [snow]
February- Love [Valentine's Day]
March-  Transportation
April- Spring [Easter]
May- Farm
June- Gardening/bugs
July- Summer/Independence Day
August- Beach
September- Fall
October- Halloween
November- Thanksgiving
December- Christmas

Family:  We officially have our first family of 4 vacation booked!! We are going to Lake George again and it will be so much fun!  I cannot wait to plan a little bit more for that that.  I am also going to make it a goal to get out of the house and do something twice a month, even with the wee babe! I really don't want Brooke to miss out on things like the museum of play, or other fun activities that will stimulate her.  Once the weather warms up in Spring/Summer, it will be much easier, but when baby boy is tiny and the winter is harsh, I'm sure we won't do a whole lot.

Friends: I really want to be a better friend. My goal is to host a dinner once a month, much like this idea I've read about here-- Friday Night Meatballs; friends with kids can bring kids so they can all play, and just invite people over for dinner and see what happens!  If no one comes, no problem, but the idea is to connect, face to face and not have just "text or FB" relationships.  Actual live interactions are important, especially for our kiddies!

Home:  We don't have any major construction or renovations we need to do.  The only thing I can think of is changing the office (which is the current dumping ground for stuff) and turn it into a play room.  We don't want all the toys taking over our entire living room.   I have already started organizing with the 'homeschooling' stuff I do with Brooke, but it will be nice to get a huge desk, old computer, and a bunch of books out of there.  I do want to hold a garage sale this summer and get rid of my JUNK!!

Finances:  Save. Save. Save.  We want to buy or build a new house in the near future and now have two kids.  I love shopping, but I also hate clutter, so again, this will be a goal for 2015.  I also will continue to plug away with my AdvoCare business and my goal for that is to get to Success School this year.  I love that it is truly a what you put in, you get out type of business and helping others is a lot of fun!

So that is what is flying around my super prego brain these days.  I am super excited for the new year and keep looking back how much happened in our lives in 2014, I can't imagine what amazing things 2015 will bring.  What are your goals this year?   Anything in particular you'll be striving for?

November Goals

It is a fresh start to a beautiful month!  I am super excited for all of the holiday festivities to get underway!!  While I try to *patiently wait* until baby boy makes his arrival, I decided to take a look at a few areas in my life where I needed to re-visit and work on.

I made some awhile back, but truth be told, we have eaten a lot of them! My goal is to whip up a few more this month.  If I can stash away more than 5, that'd be awesome, but I just love having them in the freezer so I can have an easy and healthy dinner ready for my family.  We really don't go out to eat much and Joe comes home for lunch quite often, so we eat A LOT all the time.

After my last mommy meet up (which was interesting!) I really was inspired to start doing more "schooling" with Brooke. Her attention span is so small, but she really is a sponge and any sort of time I spend creating activities for us to do, she does seem to enjoy, briefly, but still I believe she is learning.

{she is currently 22 months}

My ultimate goal is to host a meet up where I invite other mamas to bring their kiddos (and we can eventually rotate) 2 days a week.  That's how one mama does it.  2 days a week, about 2 hours.  It's very kid-run.  They sing, play, snack, read, do a craft.  It's all about socialization and exposure at this young of an age.  I believe there is power in being around other mommies and kiddos though; I don't want to send Brooke off to a school quite yet, but I want keep exposing her to new experiences.

I'll be perfectly honest, I have no dang clue what I am doing. But, like anything, I get an idea and I run with it…I put my all into it, I become somewhat obsessed and a little cray, but I believe it's because I am so passionate.  I just remember how much I loved loved loved the holidays growing up and obviously I love learning/teaching, which is why I became a teacher.   So I just spent some time on google and starting using our printer, bought some supplies at the dollar tree, and voila.  I now have a dedicated November basket I am filling with teachable ideas.

What's in said basket?  Well, I found some really cute printable packs and glued them to card stock and used contact paper/packing tape to kind of "laminate" the ones  I wanted to make sure we didn't completely ruin or rip. My hope is that I save all of this for next year, and we can build on it.  I can also use it again with Brad!

Just GOOGLE toddler fall activities pack!! Tons of stuff out there mammas!

Here we were talking about BIG and small turkeys.  She is so active, I can place them around and she can hop on them.  We count them.  She makes turkey sounds. Stuff like that.  At this age, everything is play.  I just think she is a bit sick of her toys, and with Christmas and her birthday still to come, I can use these as fillers for our days!

The concepts are small, but still a little tricky for her! Here is a simple "sorting" game.  We talk about the leaves and the apples (both words she knows) and then I build on the colors and we try to group them accordingly.

Since my education background is 7th grade English and up, it's definitely taken some adjusting on my part.  A lot of this seems to be more for me; what can I do to occupy her time and not use the TV as a crutch so much.  I have to "show" her or do things for her…like reading a book. Sometimes she listens, other times she's running around and I am probably just reading to my dog. No really, she's still gaining something from it, I am sure!

I am working on a "lesson plan" each week. Basic ideas I want to cover, but again, it's like very very basic. I don't expect my child to learn to read or be some genius; I just love being creative and seeing her little brain working!

I am hoping to share more as I get more familiar with this homeschooling process; it's very much like a Montesorri pre-school…but I am struggling with adequate space and organization to keep all of this! None of it can be within her reach 24/7 otherwise she'll be into all the time and I will have even bigger messes!

I also created our November sensory bin.  Not gonna lie, I was pretty bummed about the lack of Thanksgiving decor at the Dollar Tree!  Hardly any turkeys! I stocked up on Christmas goodies, but that's not the point.



Another goal for myself is to check my spending.  I think it's very easy to fall into the, "oh that's cute, I need it!" And I end up getting books, scarves, aka junk…stuff I don't need!! So I am really making conscious purchases.  Obviously, if I find Christmas gifts, educational materials for Brooke, food, clothing ---like she still needs a winter coat---stuff for the nursery, but I'm talking about the random stops for a snack out to eat, or things that I can live without.  Like super cute winter leggings, that won't fit me til next year anyway.

I also want to organize my front coat/shoe closet because that is a disaster and frustrates me every time I open it.  

I may also start packing my hospital bag, but we have a good 10 weeks before we need that!

What do you plan on working on this November?  Do you dive into projects like me?  Have you tried homeschooling with toddlers?

The First

SI hope you all had a fantastic New Year's Eve! The last two years we stayed in and so I was MORE than ready to get dressed up, eat a fancy meal {that I didn't have to cook or do the dishes for!} and spent some quality time with the love of my life. 

It was beyond perfection.  Our meal was exquisite and the rest of the evening just unravelled itself beautifully.  We dined at Tapas and had a 5 course dinner---it was all so good! I worried I would get really full, but the portions were small and manageable and packed so much flavor! 

The restaurant was decorated with a billion silver and white balloons that floated to the ceiling with sparkly ribbons hanging down.  It was so cozy inside with candlelit tables, white twinkle lights and the seating itself, with big long booths for one person to sit at the table, to tucked away adorable nooks for couples to sit.

We immensely enjoyed trying each other's dishes and got lost in our conversations.  It is so easy to forget, how simply important a date night is.  I can honestly say that my husband and I fell in love all over again.  That is powerful, and that is the truth!!

After dinner we scooted downtown, and even though it was only 9:45 on a Tuesday evening, we were ready to hit the club.  We went to One and sat in front of the fireplace waiting for the upstairs to open.  Before long, we were up stairs on the dance floor, my step-brother Tyler stopped by to say hello, and then my girlfriend and her boyfriend came watch the ball drop to midnight!

We left shortly after that and on the way out, this guy asked me why I was so happy.  He kept saying what a big smile I had on my face, and it was awesome to see such a happy person; truth is?  I was beyond happy.  I took a lot of nights out for granted before our wee little bundle came along, and now I cherish each second my hubby and I get!  It was everything I could have wished for in a New Year's Eve and for that, I am so fortunate.

And today?  I still have that same smile---I feel like I am in a spot where I have all that I have ever wanted.  Our little girl is turning one next week.  Our health is good all around. Our home is wonderful.  The dogs are well.  Life is grand!! It's not perfect; I have some of "Christmas" yet to pack away, clothes to fold, dishes to do, yadyada....but overall?  I am so excited to see what 2014 brings.

I have resolutions, or goals, whatever you wish to call them.  I know that I need to write them down and hold myself accountable for them to happen!

My Motto this year? A mouthful!  "Mess Free, Stress Free---Clutter Free 2014!"

Seriously. I am going to have less junk around these parts, so far I've thrown away a whole garbage bag of stuff in our cupboards and fridge that were expired, not good for us, or just never being used.

#wayoverdue

That feels so awesome to have more room and less stuff!

Of course if any of these happen more than what I'm hoping for,  that'd be awesome, but I'm being real.

Once a month:
Try a new recipe
Read a book
Get to Zumba class
Date night out
Organize a closet, room, space, whatever!
Donate a box of stuff
Massage, & Chiropractor to help with my Tinnitus & arthritis.  It really helps!
Acupuncture with Joe!!

Weekly Goals:
Workout 3-4 times
Get Brooke & I out of the house to socialize {Baby Signing class is ending soon!}


Daily Goals:
Aside from what I already do on a daily basis, these are things I really want to throw in!

Clutter Free--set a timer 15 minutes in the morning and de-clutter, and again 15 minutes at night.

Write [blog] I love writing and writers need to write.  I spend so much time thinking about what I could write, you know some elaborate post and all...but really?  Sometimes, I just need to write.

Meditate -- Giada's new cookbook is AWESOME and she revealed some things she does to stay "healthy".  One is a meditation app.  I downloaded it [free!] and used it Christmas Eve Day. I even steeped two black tea bags and then stuck them outside to get really cold, THEN I meditated. I felt so refreshed!

I also have "work" goals, but I don't really know if anyone here wants to read about that!  I will write them down and share them with my leaders though!


What are your goals?  Even if it's to drink 10 cups of water a day, I'd love to hear them!!

June Goals

google images

With June upon us, and almost 5 whole months of being a mommy (whoa!) I am ready to really start setting goals for myself.  I know I've said it before, but the more I write it all down, the more focused I become and the better off I'll be!!

Looking back at these last few months, I am proud of how far I've come.  While Brooke has nestled into our family quite nicely, things still needed adjustments and figuring out how to manage everything is always a work in progress. While I know that I cannot do it "all" I do have some things floating around in my head that have been driving me a bit bonkers.  I could probably come up with a list of at least 20 goals, but to keep things attainable and somewhat realistic, I've narrowed it down to six:

1.  Menu Planning

2.  Move everyday {workout}

3.  Work on baby book(s)

4.  Get back on track with couponing

5.  Finish at least ONE book.

6.  Blog all about these goals!

Menu Planning: If you've followed me for awhile, you may remember when I was really good at planning out our menus...[you can find old plans here] well, part of that reason was I had little to fill my time with back then haha! Once I got pregnant, my desire to cook and even eat, went out the window!  My husband said something a few weeks ago to me, along the lines of, "It's been awhile since you've tried cooking something new."  I kind of stopped in my tracks; part of me got angry, he should be happy I cooked anything at all, this baby has been crying non stop, I barely slept, your clothes are clean, the dogs are fine, the house is semi-clean, what the heck?! But I chose not to respond...I let it sink in and thought about it for a bit.  He's right.  And no, he's not being a demanding husband who prefers the finest cuisines {ok, so at least not the demanding part!} but he knows how much I loved being in our kitchen, cooking up a fantastic, or even not so fantastic meal.  Plus now we have new granite counter tops I should be cooking up a storm! One reason I love being married to Joe is that he'll try anything; he's always up for tasting something new I've read about or watched on TV.  If he doesn't like it the first time, he'll usually even ask for it again so he can really tell if he dislikes it.  So far, the only food I made he really didn't care for were Rachel Ray's Moroccan beef patties and couscous.  I thought they were fine (and easy!) but over the years, I see that Joe really doesn't prefer Indian food.  That's fine.  He is also more of an actual pasta guy {Italian, duh!} so the couscous did nothing for him.  So, anyway, my hope this month is to try at least one new meal a week; something I've never made before!  I'll achieve that by planning out my meals!

Move Everyday {workout}: This is carrying on from last month (the goal in my head?) I think that it's working alright and I'd like to keep it going!  I am writing down my workouts/how I feel and even what I eat.  I'm still not being too strict with myself, but at the same time I enjoy working out.  I don't always want to in the beginning, but afterwards I always feel so much better. I really want to do some more Zumba classes too. I love it!

Baby Books: I have not finished my pregnancy journal (yikes!) and I haven't filled out one page in Brooke's baby book...bad mama! She's already going to be 5 months old and I have no official documentation! Oy.  I want to print the 3 parts of her birth story to put in there and really go back through her monthly updates.  I think it's important to hand write them, the old school teacher in me, and really stay organized.  I am so so so thankful for my mother-in-law who has printed off so many of our precious photos.  I need more albums to give all the photos a proper home!  I easily get overwhelmed, but if anything ever happened to this blog and I lost all of that, I'd be so very sad. Like devastated.  I need to get on this stat!

Couponing: While I was prego, I started my coupon binder. [previous posts here]  I also found a little excitement in seeing how much I could save at our weekly shopping trips/Target runs, etc.  I have played the 'busy with baby' excuse for a bit and while I try to remember to snag a coupon here or there, I'm not saving like I should be.  If you're not using coupons, you're literally throwing away money!  The more we save, the more we'll have in the long run.  It just takes a little time, patience, and organization.  No reason why I can't plan my lists/coupons out in advance.  Now that I've designated Tuesdays as my 'grocery store day' I feel better already!  I love stocking up at BJ's too, and you can combine coupons to save.

Finish a Book:  I am awful at finishing novels lately!! I just have the attention span of a gnat.  I blame instagram! No, I kid. Sort of.  I love reading and I think that the more you read, the better you write.  So, with that being said, I need to put down the cell phone, laptop, iPad--errrr, well, I use that NOOK app on it, but I have got to be more disciplined! I have started two books, and so let's see if I can review at least ONE of them by early July.  Seems do-able?!

Blog all about it: As I mentioned before, I miss blogging and I really want to get back into it.  I think if I keep up with my goals {or at least try} I can hopefully inspire some of you to keep up with your goals.

What are your goals?

Ready for the New Year

I definitely believe New Year's is a bit over-hyped.

If you go out to eat, it's usually a fixed menu.

If you go out to the bars, you'll be waiting in line forever for a drink.

Everyone is sparkly, shiny and fabulous.

You either get so intoxicated you can barely function/remember the clock striking twelve,

OR

You are sober and annoyed by the rest of the drunks actin' a fool.

That being said,

I look forward to being able to go out again one NYE!!

We stayed in last year,

cooked a fabulous meal,

played it low key...

and now looking back, I wish we had rocked out!

No, not really, as we had gone out years prior and were ready to stay in...

It was fun.

This year, as I patiently await our little baby,

there will be no bubbly,

no fancy meal,

no curling of the hair,

no getting all dolled up.

That's ok.

The only plans we have are to have no plans!
{Unless someone decides to come a few days early and give us some!!}

I'm slow cooking ribs, cleaning the house, paying bills, and taking down Christmas.

I supposed baby girl will eventually be here and it'd be nice to have that

all taken care prior to her arrival.

 Looking back, I'd have to say these moments stick with me most...

It was April.

In the midst of planning/hosting my sister's bachelorette/bridal shower

and her upcoming wedding...

I was working out hardcore and eating really healthy!

I was already down 10 pounds and feeling fabulous.

I fit back into my Seven Jeans.

And then the very next photo on my iPhone is this:

I had to take two because my husband didn't quite believe the first one.

:)

I still don't know what possessed me to buy those pregnancy tests.

Intuition?

I guess I just felt compelled to check,

{thank goodness}
Since I had all the intention in the world of going crazy

at my sister's bachelorette party that weekend!

We then went on a cruise for my sister's wedding...

Not something I'd recommend during your first trimester

-nausea-

I never got sick, but man it was a long week.

I cannot believe how long ago it seems,

and yet how fast it flew by.

Before I knew it, 

it was Fall and our maternity photoshoot happened.

 I'm now as big as a house,

seriously.

I am fairly certain my arm muscles are becoming toned

from heaving myself off of the couch/bed.

With 2013 at our fingertips,

what an absolutely amazing adventure it will bring!

As I sit here staring at this contraption called a breast pump,

I am hoping that I can figure it all out,

like many a mother before me,

and that having a baby really will be the best thing to ever happen to Joe and I.

I know there will be trying moments, but I cannot imagine the feeling we'll get

once we hold our little girl in our arms and look down upon something

so sweet and special that we created.

I'm sure my 2013 goals will include dropping these 60+ pounds I've put on,

but more than anything,

my biggest goal is to stay in the moment.

Enjoy each day with our baby girl,

my loving husband,

our crazy fur-babies,

our home,

and do my very best at it all.

I will not try to be 'perfect' but I will promise to do it all

with a happy heart.

With all the negativity in the news and horrific events that have occured,

it really is important to live simply and focus on the good.

It isn't always easy, I know.

I can easily get agitated and frustrated over the dumbest things,

but I will continue to work on focusing on all the blessings in my life.

Sure I hate the muddy paw prints and the constant shedding of dog hair,

but the dogs are healthy and happy.

Most importantly, my focus is on the birth of our baby.

I pray for a safe arrival of our little girl and that she's 100% healthy.

That's all that matters to me right now.

No matter how you'll be ringing in the New Year,

be sure to make 2013 one of your best years yet!

google images

Fitness Friday-Weight LOsS

TGIF!

Sorry for the late post--
Today I helped my lil sis find the perfect dress

for her bachelorette party!
We got it at Arden B & I love love love it!
It will be wonderful to wear on the cruise too.

I wanted to do a brief update on my fitness goals.

I hate to use the term, "weight loss" but I am focusing on being healthy.

The scale has finally tipped, and I have lost 6 lbs. 

While I am not where I want to be quite yet, I am celebrating

the fact that I feel so much better, my body is firming up, my clothes fit nicer & 

my bikinis don't seem so scary!!

I attribute these 6 pounds to a few things...

• eating smaller cleaner meals throughout the day
• no mindless snacking
• NEVER eating fast food. Ever
• Rarely drink pop/diet sodas...can't remember the last time
• listening to my body
• drinking water before I eat, to see if I'm just dehydrated
• eating healthier foods like egg whites & green beans 
• I only drink water, coffee, tea (during day)
• I'm still eating carbs, but I eat way more salads/veggies first & fill up on them
• working out 4-5 times a week & logging workouts HERE
• I drink smoothies every other day w/ spinach
• everything in moderation
• being kind to myself
• allowing treats like dark chocolate
• I surround myself with positive people live a healthy lifestyle

AKA My favorite fitness/healthy bloggers:

Alison

Danielle

Amber

Meg

Shasta

Sage

Tabitha

Kasey

These are just a few!
I'm not sure they're even aware at how inspiring they are,

but they make me want to be a healthier woman.

Whether it's through texting, tweeting, blogging, instagram, HeyTell, these women

put themselves (their health) first and the importance of why we need to be healthy!

They never speak negatively about how they look, they simply do 

the best they can and share their secrets to feeling & looking good.

Attitude is everything!

I also appreciate my real life friends Alison who pushes me to workout 

(even when I want to spend the night in drinking wine!)

and Ann (who rocked her two piece recently!)

who checks in on me regularly.

Protein

I believe these homemade protein bars

have helped immensely!

I wasn't going to bother putting them on the blog, 

but a lot of people asked me 

about the "recipe" so I figured I'd just share!

I think they taste better than Luna or Cliff..

and I made them!

 What's in them: (organic)

-steel cut oats (gluten free)

-almond butter

-honey

-chocolate chips

-dried cranberries

-coconut 

-vanilla whey protein

-chia seeds

I just melted the almond butter & added honey, stirred in the rest

Wax paper in a square pan, squished it all down & stuck in the fridge

1/2 hour later cut into squares & individually wrap in wax paper

Veggie Wrap:
-whole wheat tortilla

-1 Roma tomato

-handful of spinach

-1 slice of cheese

-honey mustard dressing

 I really like Bethenny Frankel's books on health too.

She talks about your calories are like your bank account.
So, if I eat a lot or feel like I ate too much, I'll make sure to work it off....

Thank you My Fitness Pal

If I don't really feel like working out, I'll be a little extra cautious about

what I'm putting into my mouth.

She also says that you can have it all, just not all at once.
So, if I really want a burger & fries, I'll get it bunless.

If I didn't have too many carbs already, I may splurge.

It's all give and take.

I feel so much better putting the right foods into my mouth.

I definitely enjoyed some Bacon Pasta last night, pinot noir, & a huge salad.

Today I've made sure to stick to a smoothie, Ahi tuna salad, & healthy snacks.

I'll probably have another salad for dinner.

I absolutely love fruits & veggies, so I'm just being more aware of eating them

and not chips, crackers, too much cheese, etc.

I like fitting into a small & feeling great in it too!!

 And of course,

 Holly needed a photo opp.

Have you entered my purse giveaway??

Any questions ladies?
Any other tips?!
I'm all ears!!
Have a great weekend.