Only for a Season...

2011-08-11T11:14:00.001-07:00

I have decided that my life is just not exciting enough I guess... that I need more going on... or maybe I am just a glutton for punishment.
Either way, I am studying up to take my LSAT in the fall... and applying for Law School. :gasp: Those who have known me for a while know that this isn't super strange as it's what I have wanted to do for years. I was captain of the debate team. Was going to be "prelaw" but then determined that "prelaw" wasn't really a major at all, and decided my life would be better as a Business Major. That was something I could really put on the back burner while I had babies and raised them up and did all that mom stuff.
But now my goal is to be more than just "mom". I want to provide a better life for my kids in a way that only a mom can want. I want to go above and beyond. I know that the next few years is going to be stressful (understatement) and require dedication (even bigger understatement) but I think we can do it.
We. Me and the boys. I talked to Ryan about my plans and he had the simpleist of words that just made things make sense: "Mom, school is a good idea. And if you make good choices, then me and Corbin will be so proud of you!" So much wisdom for such a little boy.
The next few months will be a whirlwind... we need to move... although I am not quite sure when. Probably by mid October. I have a few ideas where that will be, and I am working hard to make sure that the transitions will be seamless for the boys. Hard parts include figuring out my budget now that I am making less that I ever have in my professional lifetime, as well as school ideas for the boys. Ryan will likely start kindergarden next fall... and Corbin will still be in daycare for a few more years, so I need them to be close enough to our housing, but also close enough to my parents incase school doesn't allow for quick pickups as easily.
My biggest goals... that my boys aren't put at a disadvantage through this. That they continue to see the beauty that surrounds us in all forms. That they understand that regardless of the hands we are delt, the choices we make, we don't need to roll over a die. That we are able to thrive in all conditions and that by doing so, we will make this world a better place.
So... as this season of my life begins... I continue to learn about letting go, moving on, and finding my place in this world.

Finding Peace

2011-04-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

As my life has started to move forward with everything, I find myself looking to find peace in what is going on. I am exploring new ideas, trying new things, and putting the things that I feel matter most to me up front and center where they belong.

I have decided to devote May to God by doing a Daniel Fast. For those that are unfamiliar, you can find out more at www.daniel-fast.com. I am hoping that this time of inner reflection will allow me even more of a chance to find those things that are important and to find out what God has in store for me and my family.

The major components of this fast are:

Only fruits and vegetables
Only water to drink
No Sweeteners
No Bread
No Processed Foods
No Chemicals

It's like a vegan diet, but with even more restrictions.

However, this time isn't about the restrictions, its about the benefits. About hearing God's voice for me and to focus on Him. And in this time, my spirit can tell my body that it is in charge and that I can be at peace, both inside and out.

New Challenges...

2011-04-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and now I am in the mood for some changes.... and like always, I am challenging myself to be a better person. Here are a few things I am up to:

- Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 days! She just released this new dvd workout system that has an accompanying meal plan. I am determined to get back into shape... be prepared for some new before and afters!

- No more processed foods. I am ridding my house of heavily processed foods and moving toward more fresh foods. Obviously, I won't exclude everything processed, but we are going to be making better choices whenever possible. I will be posting an article on my YAWYK site about my pantry cleaning project. :o)

- A new 2011 in 2011 Challenge! I was close, but not able to conquer my 2010 in 2010... but that isn't going to stop me from being a rockstar and getting rid of 2011 things THIS YEAR!! Again, watch for progress on my YAWYK site... it's gonna be a fun one!

- Spending freezes. I have a tendency to spend too much sometimes (don't we all) so I am going to be doing sporadic spending freezes that cause me to be more resourceful and to use what I have or go without. I am currently on a spending freeze through the 15th of April. :o) The goal is that the extra cash I get can go into hiding so that I can save up for things I really want instead of on impulse buys that cause me to nickle and dime myself.

Whew... that's a lot.. even for me... but I know that keeping myself busy is going to be the key to getting through this part of my life. I've also been reading like crazy... so watch for a few book reviews! :o)

Ending.

2011-02-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

I can't even think of a way to start the next chapter of my life. I look at the last few entries here and its like I am stepping into a different world... one that was so far away... so long ago... and yet here I am...

So, this short post is one that allows me two things... to end the previous world that I lived in, and to start the next.

My husband and I are getting a divorce. It's not fun and it's not glamorous. It's a far cry from what I imagined my life would be like today and if you had told me I would be here just 6 short months ago... I would have laughed at you and told you to put down the crackpipe.

Not me... not now... not ever.

But sometimes things get rocky.... and when you start walking on thin ice, opportunities present themselves that end up taking all that you considered to be your world and throwing them in a blender with hurt and tears and pain. And then you wonder how you ever made things work at the beginning. Because I am the same person and so is he. But today... we don't work anymore.

Like every story out there... there is a lot more to it... and maybe one day I will share enough for me to start to get over it. But those pains are far to new for me to even stomach. The thoughts I have are still too fresh... and the boys, oh the boys... I will do much more to protect them from this awful world than I did to protect my heart.

I promise not to turn into a bittered woman. I promise not to fight hurt with hurt. To bring darkness into my spirit and radiate negativity. That isn't me.

And so today is a new day. And I will be a new me. The same me... but different. This might be my bottom.... but it's not my end.

Needs

2010-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have mention before my love of the book His Needs, Her Needs. If you still haven't had a chance to pull it out, do it! You and your marriage will benefit from it greatly! My hubs and I studied the book through our premarital counseling... love it!

Even my hubs read it... which says a lot!

One of the "needs" that the book highlights is a mans need for an attractive spouse. It's not so much the "Trophy Wife" idea than that a man needs a wife who cares about her appearance. Who doesn't let herself go and works hard to be someone that he can be attracted to.

Now I know I can be opening a can of worms here, but I think it's very important for a man to feel like their spouse does more than just brush their teeth in the morning. But I also think it's important for a woman to feel attractive.

I don't know about you... but when I feel pretty... I feel flirty. I feel fun. I feel lovable.

But when I schlep myself together... I feel grumpy. I feel bleh. I feel untouchable.

And everyone knows that untouchable is not a good feeling.

Anyway, I was blogsurfing the other day and stumbled upon a blog that discussed the importance of dating your husband. About keeping things alive by keeping things new. And it struck a special cord with me. One of the topics they discuss is getting girlified so that you feel more of that gushy stuff up above!

I decided to try one out and donned a pair of falsies this morning.... for my eyes... not my chest!

I am loving my new Bambi eyes... I've always been jealous of my kiddos and their super long lashes... and now I feel more pulled together... more womanly... more beautiful.

And my hubs? He LOVED them!

Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest differences... and I will continue to be a woman who cares about herself so that my marriage can be enriched.

If I could...

2010-09-12T17:21:00.000-07:00

I have been having one of those months... a month that makes me love everything about my life right now...

I am loving my husband working for himself. He seems to be so much more satisfied with his outlook on life. He is a happier person, which means I am a happier person. He loves getting up with me, taking the boys to school and doing what he wants when he wants. It's the first time in 5 years I have seen him like this. He is now the man I married... and I love this!

My kids are doing great... and growing up like weeds. I wish I could press pause on this right now...

And the Arizona weather is at that absolutely beautiful point that I wish nobody knew about... it would keep out the snowbirds.

But the problem with loving my life right now is I start wondering what I would do "if I could". If I could drop everything... if I could move away... if I could go back in time/jump forward in time/pause time. If I could eat anything/make anything/do anything.

If I could change things outside of my control.

Sometimes I wonder about life's double edged swords. About the walls we build around ourselves and the people we surround ourselves by. The actions that we take that define who we are. And the action that the people we surround ourselves by also take... which I think further define who we are.

While I don't live with regrets... I am wondering how I will change my tomorrow so that I can not wonder about how things could be different. I want deeper friendships, richer experiences, and more memorable tomorrows. I want to do things just because. I want to miss opening weekends at the theatres and make new traditions. I want to laugh more and give love more freely.

I want to live like a child.

If I could, I'd do it all today.

Sustainable

2010-08-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

I had a girl come out on Saturday to visit with me about my garden. It needs some serious love... and since I just feel like I need some major hand holding, I figured she was totally worth the time and money. Plus, she knew my husband's late grandparents. That's always a plus.

She came out and we talked about my lofty goals. Goals that included a backyard orchard, an abundance of crops, aromatic herbs... and chickens.

My HOA says no chickens. But my neighbors... they say that so long as they are in my yard and I don't have a rooster, they don't care. I love my neighbors.

My husband is fully on board. So we are underway with our plans to revamp our side yard. Here is the satellite "before"...

I can't wait for this fall. I know that the trees won't be overloaded with fruit.. but the garden should be plentiful... so if you are in the area, feel free to stop by! :o)

I am ready to become a little more sustainable... be ready for updates as they happen!

Eating... or not.

2010-08-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

So I did it. I did what I said months ago I wouldn't do.

I watched Food, Inc.

I learned things I wish I wouldn't have... but even more that I am so glad that I did.

And I made a few choices.

The first is that my family won't buy any more factory-processed beef from a grocery. I finished watching the film, got online, and found a local rancher that has only grass-fed beef that are raised locally and butchered humanely. And I bought 1/4 of beef that will be delivered this weekend to my house. Vacuum packed. Ready to freeze.

I also am strongly debating my use of coupons. I love saving the money. I love helping others to save money. But after watching the documentary, I am feeling like I am promoting companies that don't really have me or my family in mind. They have their pockets (and rightly so) in the front and center. I just am having a hard time figuring out why I would want those products anymore, no matter how cheap I can get them for.

This week, I am also having a garden guru stop by and help me make some changes for my fall/winter planting. I really want to make the most of my garden this season, harvesting carrots, potatoes, spinach... and feeling good about what I choose.

And although I know that I won't be perfect, I do like to think that this experience is making me more aware of what I am doing for myself, my family and my future. I might still drink Coke... but I am going to buy free-range chicken eggs (and am still entertaining the thought of my own chickens). I am going to think locally, sustainably, healthy.

And I will giggle when Katie takes away my voter registration card.. because there is no way my Republican is showing... ;o)

Wanna make God Laugh??

2010-08-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

I always joke that the fastest way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans. And I don't meant that God doesn't want us to do what we want to do, quite the contrary! But I do think that sometimes we want to control every facet of life. We want to do what we want to do. End of Story.

I am no exception... I wanted to go back to work. I organized my daycare. I got the boys registered. I got the rules down, I got them excited. I squared away a job. A paycheck. I got my husband on board. I was ready for Monday.

And then God laughed.

His laughter sounded an awful lot like my son's wailing at 2am on Saturday. And it lasted all weekend. I thought Corbin had an ear infection... or maybe herpangina again. But the Urgent Care and After Hours doctors said it was nothing.... "just teething".

I hate "just teething".

But fast forward to today. Wednesday. And I am not at work. I am at home... caring for a baby with Hand Foot and Mouth disease... and an ear infection. And he can't go back to daycare until Monday... at the earliest.

I am not mad or anything... but I feel like I am being tested. Like I need to make sure this is what I am ready for. Like this is where I belong. In a month, when I am no longer a contractor, I won't have the luxury (?) or being able to call out and just say "Sorry... gotta stay home with the kids today. Call me if you need me." Is that what I want? And if it is... why am I still questioning it?

Life Happens

2010-07-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

I was asked if I was abandoning my family blog... and the short answer is no. I am not purposely abandoning this blog. I have just been super busy.

First, I have decided to go back to work full time. For the past 3 months or so, I have been working part time as a consultant, doing what I do best. And I guess they like me because I have been asked to work full time. And as an employee. I am not sure yet if it's really what I want to do. I am torn... but I am thinking that if I just do 1 year.. it will make a world of a difference in my families lifestyles and our debt crunching.

I like that.

This also means that my children will need full time care. And their current sitter (that I love) can't do full time. So they need to go to a daycare and private preschool. They did a trial day and seemed to really like it. They will be going there 5 days a week... up to 10 hours a day...

I am not sure I like that.

And then there is my hubs... who is trying hard to make his dreams come true. I am so happy with what his plans are and where he is headed. But it's stressful, too. We lose some of the comforts we have loved and we gain new freedoms.

And I both love that and don't love that.

But, even in the shadows of doubt and the beauty of the unknown... my little family has been blooming into something amazing. The tensions are dropping, the smiles are all but permanent, and the love is so strong it's sickening.

And I am seriously loving this.

Sometimes people say "Life Happens" and they mean it in a way that means that they are going through a crappy period of time... or that things are out of their hands... or that there is no explanation other than it's just the cards they were dealt with.

But for me... I think that sometimes "Life Happens" because we need to grow. I think it means that things are changing, growing, adapting... and sometimes... it's for the better.

Thrifty Decor

2010-07-05T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have never been one to have a Martha Stewart home. I love pretty things, decorations and all that... but I suffer from a disease I call "I-can-do-that-itis". I refuse to buy things I can do myself. And combine that with the lack of real wall space in my house... it's easy to see why I don't have anything really on my walls.

No curtains. No pictures. Nothing.

But I am trying to make that change. And we all know I am just a little bit cheap :cough cough: I am trying to do this all while spending as little as possible.

This weekend, I tried my hand at these Book Wreaths over at Living with Lindsay!

I am pretty happy with the end result! And best yet, it only cost me $2! I got my book and wreath form at the Dollar Tree... I had the glue gun and gray paint already.

I am not sure where I will keep it, but for now, it feels at home above this shelf.

An Internal Reveal

2010-07-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

So last night was a spontaneous date night for me and the hubs... I had been over to my moms house earlier and she said, "Hey, I'll watch the boys if you and Dustin want to do something." Done and done!

The original plan was to catch a movie, but we decided instead to grab dinner on a patio somewhere and just chitchat... something that we rarely do anymore. And I was determined not to let this wonderful opportunity get spoiled by something like talking about the kids or what bills needed to be paid.

We headed to the local brewery... ordered some tapas... and started in!

Earlier in the day, some of my internet friends and I played a little game in which we disclosed 5 things that everyone didn't already know about us. I mentioned it to Dustin... and he probably thought that when I said "Today on the 'Tini..." my statement was going to be a mix of rants, laughs, or boring (to him) subject matter.

But instead, I said "Why don't we try this... what don't I already know about you?"

And with those words came a mix of laughs and smiles and thoughts that neither of us had thunk before. I found out some interesting things about him that I didn't know, but more importantly, I found out stuff about me that I didn't know.

For example, I know that I need a lot going on. I know that I dabble in too many projects. I know that I am weird like that. I didn't know that the reason I do it is likely because I just really want to be good at something. Not good as in you get an A+ on your paper and mom puts it on the fridge.. I had too many of those... they lost their appeal a long time ago. More like really good as in it's "MY thing"... the thing I do. The thing I am known for. And since nothing I do is over the top awesome (yet)... I don't have a thing... and instead I'll try another thing. Until I find something that clicks for me.

I am learning more about myself and who I need to be.... nay, who I want to be! I still have a lot of time before I am all grown up... and I know that I don't have to be super great at anything.... but I plan on taking the next few years to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life. I don't mind being a jack of all trades, but I'd much rather be totally awesome at one.

Round 2

2010-06-28T16:41:00.001-07:00

You will never guess that I am blogging away from a stationary bike at my gym right now. But I am. Ahhhh gotta love technology!

It's been quite a while since I've been to the gym. And sadly a few of those pounds have started to creep right back on. So I am being proactive and keeping my tail in the gym.

I also have signed up for a.competition in November called Fight for Air Climb. All proceeds go to find a cure for lung cancer. Come that cool November morning I will have to climb 53 stories. Nearly 1300 steps. Yikes!

You can find out more by going to www.climbphoenix.com. Also, you can join my jean ny searching for ClimbGenius. Or feel free to sponsor me instead!

Tell me what you are doing to stay ahead of those pounds!

Oh! I almost forgot! Be sure to check out http://youarewhatyoukeep.blogspot.com on Thursday for some awesome news!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.7

Tour de Thrift!

2010-06-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

Whew... I've had one of those weeks... but I have to come back and tell you about the amazing event that I was able to go to on Saturday.... the first ever... hopefully annual... Arizona Tour de Thrift!

We met at Mimi's for breakfast, and there were so many beautiful women there ready to share their great ideas! I had the pleasure of sitting near Hanna of Rubies and Pearls, Sharla of My Little Gems , and Steph from Somewhat Simple and Crazy Domestic... check 'em out!

Ashley from Cute as a Fox and Jax from Aly & Ash did such a great job putting this event together! Check out these swag bags (and I am borrowing the picture... thanks!)

I can't wait to show you the projects that these items will all be a part of.... and although the rest of the group went out to Goodwill for 50% off day, I had to bow out (with my sister who came with me) to attend a family wedding... but let me assure you... it won't keep me from going later to spend the $5 giftcard that we got!

I was also lucky enough to win not one, but 2 prizes! (I paid for 2 tickets, but my guest backed out at the last minute... but she was still in the drawing) I won two beautiful ribbon flowers from Simply Memzelle. They are gorgeous... I just don't have my card for my camera right now to share! I also one a gift card to The Vintage Pearl! I was sooo excited about this since it was the one thing I was praying to win! I need to pick out something beautiful!

Thanks so much, Ladies for such an awesome event! I can't wait to get creative!

Day 14: Non-fiction

2010-06-24T23:38:00.000-07:00

Ok... confession... I don't really read many books, and I read even less non-fiction books. And although the Bible would be my real answer to my favorite non-fiction book... I'll do another.

How about I pick CityChic.

This book was a huge blessing when I first moved out on my own. It had so many tips and tricks of stretching my dollars and living a life I wanted... which was great because I moved out making $7/hr, but working only 12 hours a week max. I was in school full time with full time bills, and I was much to proud for hand outs. I learned tricks including what haircut to get (when you can only afford 4 cuts a year), what spices every girl needs in her kitchen, and what make up products to skimp on and what to splurge on. I also learned what staples to have in my closet to really stretch my wardrobe.

I love this book so much, I bought it for my sister when she moved to LA on her own.

I recommend it to every girl, single or not, city chic or not, that wants to make that buck go a little further!

Day 13: Fiction...

2010-06-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

I won't lie... I skipped day 12 because the "whatever tickles your fancy" prompts weird me out... I have no idea what they mean and I am really not sure what tickles my fancy... so I am gonna just let it go by the wayside.

A fictional book that I loved as a child and love sharing with my kiddo is:

And in all reality... I think that my love for this book is one of the windows into who I am. I am someone who likes something.. and takes that like to extremes, letting it build off of each other until the end is so far removed from the beginning, it's hard to recognize it. Sometimes those changes are a good thing... and sometimes not so much.. but you know. That's how it goes.

Day 11: Me Now

2010-06-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's rare that I am ever on the OTHER side of the camera... not because I think of myself as a photographer... but because my kids are a bit too wobbly to be trusted with a camera.

But we are doing passports and I needed to save the $15 a person they were going to charge us to take the photos... so I did them myself. And had the hubs take my photo. So this is me... now...

Part of me wants to say "excuse the ragamuffin hair" or "I was having a rough day"... and what you can't see in this picture is my cookie covered 2-year-old wanting to take another picture since the first resulted in said cookie. And my nearly walking 11 month old crying for his "baba" within arms reach... because I am holding him away so his head won't interrupt the picture...

... but this is my life. And I said it before, so I'll say it again... it's only for a season!

200th Post! And a new blog...

2010-06-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wow... 200 posts?!?! That flew by...

I wanted to let you all know that I am starting a challenge to simplify... I'd love for you to come follow my progress and maybe take part on your own! Come check it out!

http://youarewhatyoukeep.blogspot.com

Don't forget to grab a button and follow me! I plan on adding tips and hints along the way... and I can't wait to see what life holds for me at a much simpler level!

Day 10: RetroMe

2010-06-11T07:41:00.002-07:00

Once upon a time I was little too...

Do you see my kids in me?

We grew up in a UPC church... lots of rules.. clean shaven men, women all wore pantyhose... big hair bows. Wait! That last one was optional... I think... but the shoulder pads and ruffles weren't. Um, hello!! It was the 80s!!

One of my favorite memories as a kid was decorating for birthdays. We would blow up those little balloons and then rub them on our heads to stick them to the wall with static. So simple. I wish life was just that easy now.

Speaking of which... I have begun a bit of an internal simplification. I think that my life gets too complicated because I make it that way. My goal is to simplify and to be happy with less... only my best! What do you do to keep life simple?

Day 9: I did it!

2010-06-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

I take most of the pictures of my boys... this one makes me laugh everytime I look at it. It's so characteristically accurate of what goes on. Ryan pesters... Corbin cries... and I am laughing again...

Welp... you gotta laugh!

And completely unrelated... I have been loving life lately, even though we have been totally battling bad things like the flu and sickies here. I can't even explain my newfound happiness... except to say that it's much welcomed. I am making little changes around here and finding new inspiration to move forward. I have been tossing around a few ideas... and as they mature... I'll share them here!

Have a great Thursday!

Day 8- Angry/Sad

2010-06-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hmm... I think it's kind of silly that they want us to post a picture that makes me angry or sad... but it is what it is, right?

Deep down... and a little on the surface... I am still really bitter about the circumstances surrounding Ryan's birth. This picture shows the closest I was able to be with him after he was born... a birth I missed due to general anesthetics. And our first meeting was almost a full 12 hours after he was born. It's not as though he was a premie, or had a rare condition that kept us separated. He was a healthy, full term baby with suspected breathing issues (none ended up being real).

This photo shows the beginning of our struggle to connect, the start of the cycle that lead to my PPD, and the ENTIRE reason I was SO adamant about a VBAC with Corbin. I just wanted to be a part of something.

Day 7: Happy

2010-06-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

These photos makes me happy.

Day 6- Tickles my Fancy...

2010-06-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Not really sure what that means... but how about this... :o)

I am over the moon excited that for the first time in 8 months both of my boys are napping.

At the same time.

And we aren't in the car!

Moms out there... rejoice with me in silence!

Day 5- Quote me!

2010-06-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

My favorite quote...

I have 2...

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about Learning to Dance in the Rain."

And... from Dr. Seuss...

"Be who you are, and say what you will... because those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind."

Day 4- Books

2010-05-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Ok... I am trying to get these done... but I promise, this will be the longest 30 days of my life! :oP

My favorite book. Hmm... good question. Besides the Bible, I don't really have a book that I keep on my nightstand, pick up all the time, or just can't put down.

So how about I tell you about a few of my favorites that I use often enough? Mkay...

As a Mom... this is my favorite book:

Seriously... this book was very helpful as a new mom and was less preachy than a certain other book that talked about what I would need to do while I was expecting... ;o)

As someone learning to manage money just a bit better... this is my favorite book:

This was a great guidance for both me and my husband on making our life different and living like nobody else so that later we can live like nobody else. We are still students, but this is a great one!

And as a wife... this is my favorite book:

What a great insight into building a an affair proof marriage... I highly recommend this one to EVERY couple!

What are your favorite books?

Day 3- TV

2010-05-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

My favorite television program. Ok... I do have a lot I LOVE... but I do have 1 favorite...

Top Program... Hands Down. House. I am telling you, I can't get enough of that show... I dream about Gregory House. I petitioned to name our unborn son after him. I was veto'd. Twice. I love Hugh Laurie in ways I can't explain...

I am sure that part of it is his sarcastic wit, or maybe it's more his rugged handsomeness. But either way, I am crossing my fingers that Dustin grows up to be like him.

Yummm...

Ok... that's all. :o)

A Space of My Own

2010-05-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been missing forever... but I promise, I will be back! I have to catch up on a lot of things though.

I am taking part in a little blogger get together that I am super excited about! I am joining Aly&Ash and Cute as a Fox in the Arizona Bloggers Tour de Thrift. I can't wait to get some great ideas from these ladies on ways to repurpose and reuse thrift items turned gorgeous! Check it out... I'd love to see you there!

I also don't remember if I ever posted this here... but once upon a time I had a beautiful craft room... all my own. It was one of the 3 rooms of our house, with my husband taking the other spare as his office. Then, we found out we were expecting, and my room turned into a nursery and the second room into a combo office/guest room, with craft stuff kind of littered in there, too. Now, with two little ones, they each have their own room, and the office, guestroom and crafts have all been left to fend for themselves.

One day I got tired of that... and I carved out a little area in my closet for crafting..

But that wasn't really working out either... so I decided to take over my husbands closet (I moved him into mine... it was bigger anyway) and made it my "craft room". It's MUCH better... has an actual door that closes. These only thing that would make it 100% would be if I had an outlet IN the closet and not right outside... but beggars can't be choosers. :o)

I am so excited this project is finally close to finished! I still want to put up some decorative stuff... and maybe even some extra shelving... but for now, I am happy to have a space of my own. :o)

Day 2- Movies!

2010-05-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

Day 2, My Favorite Movie

Have I mentioned before that I am awful at picking favorites? :oP

There are a few movies that I love that I call my "Breakfast Clubs"... you know... whenever they are on, you HAVE to watch them. These include Pretty Woman, Conspiracy Theory, any Indiana Jones flick (except that really new one... don't get me started on that), and, of course, The Breakfast Club. ;o)

But my #1 all time favorite would have to be ::oh geez.. I'm gonna pick the wrong one:: Mary Poppins. Classic... and Dick Van Dyke always makes me smile! :o)

A 30 Day Challenge

2010-05-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

I told my friend Kellie that I would do this with her... and of course I am way late... but better late than never, huh? You can find the details here.

So... let's start!

Day 1: My Favorite Song

Ok... what is my favorite song... hmm...

I have never really been one for music. I love music, but I don't know what I love. I like soft, coffeehouse type music. I like the Beatles. I like listening to the oldies... a little bit of Beach Boys always makes me smile. I like, no love Country. I have been to 3 concerts in my life... Newsboys, Creed and Dixie Chicks.

I sing Disney tunes instead of lullabies to put my kids to sleep (favoring "Baby of Mine" from Dumbo). I walked down the aisle to "So This is Love" from Cinderella. We just picked a song for a first dance without it having any real meaning.

I guess I don't have one favorite song... but today... just today... I can't get this one out of my head. A friend posted this video and I love it! :o)

An Insight Into Me...

2010-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, my aunt did a personality profile on me. I had forgotten about it, and then found it while cleaning out a box of random things. So glad I saved it! Here is a peek into me. :o)

Tabitha...

You have the ability to really focus your energy on the task at hand. You have serious, disciplined thinking. You are sincere and say exactly what you mean. You're reserved, formal, and quiet in groups; factual and cautious in talk. You are tight in your delegation with details, moreso with new and unproven people. You have a strong follow up to ensure quality. Sensitive to critisizm.

You are analytical and technical. You have creative critical thinking skills and action. You have a technical, inquiring, problem-solving mind. You're task oriented and give very little delgation of real authority.

It takes time for you to connect to people because you're reserved, quiet, and serious. You feel more comfortable and are more patient with the familiar. You're introspective, takes time to think about work, and organize your thinking before expressing yourself.

You are conscientious, thorough, precise, concerned with the accuracy of details and are by "the book". You're a worrier, do not easily delegate details and have a strong follow up. You are strict about punctuality and correctness

You're proactive, take initiative, are self-motivated, and have a competitive drive to get things done. you respond positively under pressure, work at a fast pace and are ambitious. You are impatient and dissatisfied with routines.

You're cooperative, supportive, willing and helpful; want to do the "right" things for the team. You have a need for direction and "the book". Particularly accurate and careful with details, worried about critisizm of work. You're conservative and cautious.

You're a logical and objective thinker.

I'll admit... it made me giggle how much she stressed that I am "by the book:.. but it also is sooo me.

And now you know. :o)

Bake For Hope

2010-04-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

Wow... I promise it's not that I am bored here or have nothing to blog about... quite the contrary. I have launched my own business, which is keeping me pretty busy at a whopping 30 hours a week (for now) and I am also very busy with some volunteer projects. In addition to that, I am still pretending to be a good wife and mom... so needless to say, I am really lacking in free time to update my blog.

I promise to add more later, but I really want to spend these few free moments to let you know about Bake for Hope, which is a nationwide volunteer-led bake sale that happens the week before Mother's Day... May 2-8 this year. Bake Sales across the nation will raise funds that will be given to local Susan G. Komen For The Cure Affiliate Offices.

And this year, I am an organizer!

I can't wait to post pictures of everything... but there will be a Pink FireTruck and crew dressed head to toe in PINK! Check them out at www.pinkribbontour.com

We will also have Anglers Against Breast Cancer there! They are raffling off a Pink Bass Boat! Check them out here!

Lastly, we will have Betsy from Avon's Army of Women there! She is bringing her pink scooter she won for signing up the most women for Army of Women! Don't just check her out... sign up to be a part (cancer free or not!) of this awesome organization!

No matter where you are, don't forget to stop by any of our Bake Sales across the nation during the week... www.bakeforhope.org.

And if you are in the East Valley, come visit me at Maui Wowi @ San Tan Village on May 8th between 10-2 to see all the commotion! :o) I promise it will be worth it!

I am....

2010-04-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Loser!

Wow! It was a long long 12 weeks... but I am finally done with both of my Biggest Loser competitions. Although I lost the first one (hello... who loses 22% in 12 weeks!??!), I did win (barely) the 2nd one! And Oh. My. Gosh. Does it feel great! I worked my tush off... literally... and I am so happy to be rocking a size 6!

Yep... I am SMALLER than my goal!

Here are my final pics...

And since I am technically smaller than my goal... I am just going to work on toning up... no more huge weightloss goals for me! Sooooooo Freeeeeeing! :o)

Ok... your turn! Take your before/after pictures and use them as a motivation tool! I can tell you... the next picture I post of me will be me in a smoking little black cocktail dress! I can't wait to show that off!

End of my Biggest Loser Challenge

2010-04-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Twelve weeks ago I joined a Biggest Loser Competition... and it's all over. Although I still have feelings that it was rigged and that the winner should have withdrawn for reasons I won't explain here... I am still dang proud of myself.

I lost 8.14%.

Yep... that's a lot.

I am now smaller than I have been in 10 years. I wear the same size jeans as my sister (which has NEVER been the case) and I am feeling awesome!

In celebration of my completion... I am going to be buying some new jeans... stay tuned... because I am So Excited to now be a solid size 6!!!! That is 1/2 my starting size! Wooot!

First Harvest

2010-04-05T19:00:00.001-07:00

Ok... so I misplaced my little camera with all the Easter pics... so just trust me that they exist and will get posted eventually!

Last night, the hubs and I decided to do a mini harvest of the 1 ripe tomato in the garden and eat it before it was too late. And Oh. My. Gosh was it delicious! I can't even describe it...

It was the kind of amazing that lingers on your lips for hours... I went to bed saying, "Man, that was a good tomato."

I don't think store-bought will ever cut it again.

I just can't wait for for the rest of those tomatoes to be ready! And honestly... I thought it was kind of appropriate that I am coming into my own with the garden, and the blog being called "Only For A Season"... :o) This is my season... and it's awesome.

This Week's Rain Dancer...

2010-04-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

I love reading about my friends and their perspectives on life... and today, Alli at Lily&Jack made me smile with her thoughts on Easter. She is soooo right... life isn't always rainbows and butterflies... but this is what makes life life!

Alli! You were caught Dancing In The Rain!!! So... here you go!

And don't forget to post and tell your readers 5 things they don't already know about you and nominate 3 other blogs that you think demonstrate Dancing in the Rain!

Love you!

Birds Birds Go Away!

2010-04-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

The birds have been making quick work of my garden... but it was nothing that 8 cds and a dozen yards of nylon string couldn't fix!

Hopefully those shiny spinning discs will keep birds out!

And just a few more of the garden... we have a busy Easter weekend!

We are headed out the door for our Easter Eggstravaganza, but I'll be back with more pics of the kids! I can't believe it's already time for Corbin's first Easter!

No Room

2010-03-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was told the other day that we had no more room in the linen closet for anything else... by my husband... who was helping with laundry.

And since he was doing it, and not me.. I didn't say a thing. Not one little word about how that armoire should fit more than 2 loads of towels.

So I wasn't shocked when I found this yesterday when I grabbed towels for the boys bath...

I spent their bath-time (don't' freak... the armoire is 4 ft from the bathtub) changing that mess into this:

And while I really wanted to get mad inside... and think "Why on earth do I let him help me if I just have to redo it?"... I thought, sometimes this is exactly what my life needs. Sometimes I need a moment to stop, take a deep breath, and tackle something totally easy and minuscule so that I feel more accomplished. It also gave me a little jumpstart and I then scrubbed the toilet and cleaned the mirrors in the bathroom before my little boys complained about their pruned fingers.

No room is a great reason to reevaluate your situation and to decide what is working, what's not working and what needs to change. Maybe it's not as easy as just folding towels... but the end result will be just as worthy of a sigh!

Dancing in the Rain

2010-03-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

One thing I have been trying to focus on this year is trying to find the silver lining in a situation... I talked before about radiating Joy in my life, no matter what season of my life I am in. And I think for the most part, I am getting there... and doing a good job...

But I have been wanting a way to tag other people when I see that they are doing EXACTLY what I am talking about... taking life's lemons and making a darn good Lemon Pie!

So... here is my new "Dancing in the Rain" tag! I am going to try to tag 1 blog each week as a blog that I feel demonstrates looking for the plus side... smiling when it's easier to cry... making the most of it all!

If you are tagged... tell your readers! Share with them 5 things about you that they don't already know... and then nominate 3 other blogs for the tag! That's it... easy peasy!

And I actually already picked the first blog... my friend Katie over at MuffinCake is always making me smile no matter what... and she never really has true "Woe Is Me" moments (at least outloud, right?) and I love her for that! Her post today encouraged me to get the tag up... so Katie!! You've been caught Dancing in the Rain!

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to Dance in the Rain!"

How 'bout the Weather?

2010-03-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry... another 2 weeks flew by and I missed them!

We spent a lot of time doing house stuff, playing in the garden, and enjoying this beautiful weather. THIS is the time of year that we locals wish NOBODY came to visit... because then everyone would move here... but that probably wouldn't be too bad.

It rained a few times more than we are used to, and flooded my gardens. The general consensus is that my tomatoes have drowned... but we are going to let them be for a while and see if they will bounce back. I am going to be planting more seeds this week... I think some things didn't pop up because some birdies got a little hungry.

And it seriously makes me giggle when I go outside and see any color other than green in the garden... seriously...

Chai and Oliver like to tag along while I play in the garden... and since they are keeping their distance and not eating everything in there (although I still keep a fence there) I don't mind the company! Here's a little doggie love for you... only because I am sure that there is at least one person out there who thinks that this blog needs a little more fur!

Now stop reading blogs and go outside! It's gorgeous out there!

Eat This, Not That

2010-03-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

We decided to get started with potty training last week. And as any parent who has been there before knows, sometimes you promise things you can't deliver on just to get them to do what needs to be done.

Nobody told me that they will remember every.little.promise.

And after 2 days of asking, we made cupcakes yesterday. With sprinkles. Even though the kid is still wearing diapers.Trying to pick my battles here...

So, I was making up the cupcakes and luck would have it that I only had enough paper liners to make 12 regular sized cupcakes... but I had tons of mini liners for mini cakes... so I ended up with 12 regular cupcakes and 24 mini cupcakes. Which actually made me happy because I did the math...

Regular Sized cupcake with "normal" amount of frosting: 225 calories, 6.75g fat... 5 Weight Watchers points.
Mini Cupcake with 1 teaspoon frosting (plenty for a tiny cake!): 79 calories, 1.7g fat.... 2 Weight Watchers points!

So... have 2 mini cupcakes... I won't tell! It totally satisfies your sweet tooth and you won't be too bummed out after all!

Next time, I'm gonna swap out some of the ingredients and see if I can come up with a yummy cupcake with even less calories. I don't drink diet sodas, so the typical 1 can soda, 1 box mix thing is no good... but we'll figure out something! :o)

My Secrets

2010-03-15T13:09:00.001-07:00

I was talking to someone this weekend who said to me "I don't know how you manage to go to the gym with 2 kiddos and watch what you eat while still keeping your milk supply in check for your nursing infant..." and although I didn't have an answer at the time, I did think that it shouldn't be too hard for anyone else to do it, too!

So here are my secrets!

1. I schedule my work outs. Seriously, if you look at our family calendar, you will see that I have my classes at the gym put on the calendar. I also plan my day around them, just like I would a meal or my kids naptimes. Make it on purpose!

2. I have a back up plan. I schedule 2 different classes on my calendar... so if we are running late or a class is full, I have a 2nd class that starts in 45 minutes or so in my back pocket. I have no excuse to miss that one!

3. I write down every bite I take... and if I am really craving something bad, I drink 2 big glasses of water first. If I still want it, I will have a little bit, but 90% of the time, I am over it by then.

4. I mix it up. I do zumba, cycling, running, and resistance classes at the gym. I do the 30 Day Shred and Yourself!Fitness at home. I also started playing on a softball team and try to go bowling for double dates. Staying active makes a big difference and mixing it up keeps me from getting board.

5. I check the nutrition of all the food I eat and get point values from This Site. I downloaded her files to an old Dell handheld that I have and keep that in my purse so I can have it at my fingertips all the time. So if I am running around and happen to need to hit a drivethru for dinner, I know what is a safer choice!

6. I don't buy sodas for the house anymore. I do still drink one when I go out sometimes... but I order water at sitdown restaurants and drink water or tea at home. If its not there, I am not tempted.

7. I split the bad things. If I want an ice cream sundae, I split it with my husband. If I want french fries, I have a few from my son's happy meal. I still get the taste, the satisfaction, but less of the guilt. This is HUGE when it comes to desserts! If you really need it, order it with 4 spoons and share with the table!

8. I get others on my side... and have them hold me accountable! I never would have dreamed that someone telling me "I saw your pictures! You are my inspiration to get fit!" would make me feel like I need to keep it up. I hate disappointing people... and having that accountability really helps me out. Also, making my efforts public makes it easier to say "No Thanks" when everyone around me is eating garbage that I don't need.

9. I reward myself. I set small goals and then I get rewards. In the past, I'd set high and lofty goals... and then I lost interest and never got there. But now, I set small 5 pound goals and I reward myself with non-food treats, like pedicures, jewelry (a small necklace or bracelet I have been eyeing), or a day of no chores. I make sure the hubs knows so he can make the most of them and watch the boys for me. My next reward is new shoes... unless I decide I need something for a hobby! :o)

10. I hang in there... and when I think that I want to give up, I remember why I have been hanging on so long in the first place.

Whew... those are my secrets... I hope they help you out!

OH! And look what I found this morning...

A little Sunflower just starting to peak out over the soil.

And here are the tomatoes I showed you before! They are getting nice and big!

Zumba!

2010-03-10T17:59:00.002-07:00

If you could have seen me at the gym yesterday, you would have wondered what in the world I was even doing in that room. I was all knees and elbows... none of that graceful stuff... and the fact that my clothes are too big (I haven't yet bought new workout gear to match my smaller tush), I just looked awful.

But I loved Zumba!

It was so much fun to be in a group of women that we driven for the same cause... getting fit, having fun, and enjoying the moment... even if it hurt sometimes.

And that's how I think life is sometimes. You find the right group of people, a common goal, and then you hang on for dear life!

And Oh My! Did I LOVE that music! I swear, I need the instructors iPod!

We came home... and I enjoyed being a stay at home mom... and by "enjoyed" I mean I tried to keep my sanity with a teething baby and a rambunctious toddler... and I folded laundry while we watched Olivia on Noggin. And it was nice. :o)

I am still weaning myself from my internet addiction... and I am getting a lot done! I have finished a few aprons that will be displayed at a local boutique which will hopefully drum up some sales for Mother's Day. I plan on just whipping these out as a hobby, and since a good portion of each is hand sewn, I can do it while hanging out with the boys.

I also started this daily devotional this week. Actually me and my sisters are all reading and sharing with each other our thoughts. Although they are daily thoughts, I think we will share once a week... and it's a good excuse to check in with each other.

It seems like little by little, things are seeming to become easier... less complicated... I don't know if it's because I am not filling my mind up with extra junk that really doesn't need to be there or if it's because I am stopping the endless click-click-clicking to another page that I was doing in the past... I am making the moments matter... because isn't that really what it's all about?

See you tomorrow at Zumba!

What to Say... What to Do...

2010-03-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'll admit that I am being a baby right now. Someone said something to me that made me go back into my shelter... I am a Cancer (not a bad thing... my astrological sign) and I've always said that this is exactly who I am... hard on the outside... soft on the inside. I wear my heart on my sleeve but keep my emotions to a minimum. I hate showing vulnerability, and even more, I hate people knowing that I might be vulnerable.

I am supposed to be hardcore. Caring, yet honest. Not easily swayed by other peoples thoughts. Determined.

But sometimes... sometimes I am a baby.

I wish I could have always been the open book... the girl who was too emotional even... so I could spill my heart out and say what I think without anyone being shocked... wondering why on Earth I would ever feel that way. I am supposed to be the tough guy.

But I know I can't stay here... sometimes when I get here, I wonder what to do. I can't stay here forever, you know. Staying leads to stuck. And I hate stuck. And right now, this would be a superglue stuck... the kind that you hate and find yourself cursing under your breath the moment you discover it... not a honey-gooey-cinnabon laden stuck, which would cause you tp just smile a bit and lick your fingers.

I always say that I am trying to be better... trying to figure things out... trying to make a difference. So in order to keep from getting stuck in this place of bitter solitude, I am going to unwind and get a bit done. And so I am tackling some at home projects and running some errands that I keep putting off... because I find myself knee-deep in internet nonsense.

Those that know me know what nonsense I speak of. And know that sometimes we need to separate our lives from it to rediscover who we are... and with a new passion.

Tonight, I am going to indulge in a milky bubble bath while catching up on a few podcasts and listen to the storm roll through. That always makes me a little more myself.

Hello, March!

2010-03-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

And once again, I post and run. I can't help it. It's March in Arizona... and that means that it's beautiful and wonderful and perfect, even when it's raining. And I need to do things.

But, despite those last few sentances... I haven't been doing anything.

I have been stuck inside with some sickly kids... once again... I swear my kids have zero immunity to anything. But they have great attitudes to make up for the sniffles.

However, I have gone outside for a few short minutes a day to get my GARDEN up and running!

It doesn't look like much yet... but here is the layout!

The plan is that come May, I'll have a bountiful harvest... I hope...

But the first thing I need to do is fall into a routine again. With bootcamp over, yet both of my Biggest Loser Challenges underway, I need to step it up and get moving. So here is my anticipated schedule... which is as loose as it gets... I have 2 toddlers, btw!

6:30AM (OMG... there is an AM?!?)- Get up with Dustin... make some tea... check email and get started on my day... including shower and dress on days I don't go to the gym!
8:00AM- Wake up the kidlets. These guys sleep until 9:30-10 if I let them!
9:30AM- Gym. Daily. Gotta do it. I am picking out classes to encourage myself! I also get ready at the gym... so if I haven't showered, I'll do it here.
12:00Noon- Lunch... followed by naptimes (for the kiddos. I plan on getting started on dinner prep and clean up during this naptime)
3:00PM- Last minute errands... grocery store, Costco, whatever. :o)
6:30PM- Start dinner. Hubs is home at 7PM. Feed the kiddos if they won't make it to dinner.
7:15PM- Eat dinner.
8:00PM- Wind down for bedtime (baths, pjs, etc)
8:30PM- Kids in bed... tv/movie/catch up time for me and Hubs

10:00PM- Bedtime for me.

Let's see how that goes!

Being Brave...

2010-02-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

So my last week of bootcamp is here... and since today I am feeling brave and I don't know that I will later, I am posting my Before/After pictures here!

Since the start of this... I have lost 21 lbs, and I went from a size 12 to a size 8... and I still have quite a ways to go! I am in a Biggest Loser Competition where the top loser will take home a cash prize of $475 and another where the winner gets $175. Needless to say, the next 8 weeks will likely be even more change!

Ok... Here they are!

Whew! Next stop... Goal Weight and Size!!!

New and Old

2010-02-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

Good Monday Morning! It was a long night around here... complete with little boys teething, vomit in every bed (except the crib) and not enough sheets to go around. ::sigh:: but now it's morning! And I am hoping the wonderful rain outside can wash away any lingering ick factors hanging out here!

So, how do you like the new blog? I finally got everything done with DesignerBlogs, the ones that sponsored the blog makeover giveaway over at Kevin&Amanda! I am liking it... although I know I will be tweaking a few things here and there... in my world, things are never "finished"! You really should check them out... Amy and Lauren are awesome and so easy to work with!

Anyway, today, one thing that I am loving is my friends... I know I already said that... but I really do love them. I think that girls have to have a bunch of friends... and a while back, I found this list. I am pretty sure I have a friend that fits each description, but do you??

A 7 Friends Every Woman Needs, by Glamour Magazine

1. The Kooky Friend... because normal friends just don't make life as fun!

2. The New Friend...you meet, you talk, you want to divuldge your deepest darkest secrets... and you haven't even exchanged phone numbers yet!

3. The Friend You'll Keep for Life... lifelong friendships that are like our grandparents marriages... they tied the knot after knowing each other for 6 months, but 50 years later are still madly in love. This lady is the one that knows where you have come from, where you are going, and what is all in between!

4. The Couple Friends... I am not talking about the "double date" per se... but the couple that would include you with or without your spouse. I am all for couple-to-couple friends... it's great to have friends where your hubbies match up and you guys and double it... but having a married male to sound in on relationship issues (with his wife there, too!) is a great thing!

5. The 9-to-5 Friend... she makes the weekly drag that much more bearable... and SAHMs need this one too! Someone who can grab lunch during the week, can gossip around the proverbial water cooler, and is up for happy hour with the week is over (or the day was just to stressful).

6. The Friends Who Show Up... these are the ones that you just don't know how much they care until they do when nobody else does. They show up in the middle of the night at the ER with clothes for you so you don't have to leave your sick baby. They bring sinus meds by when you are both sick and having to watch 2 kiddos at home without help. And they run across town for you when you just can't complete one more deadline! These friends are the ones you keep close... and never feel ashamed to ask for help from!

7.The Friend Who has Been There... she is likely older than you... and sometimes by quite a bit... but with her age comes wisdom... and sometimes Wisdom is the only solution to life's problems. She can see things from a different perspective, and because she (may) remembers how she was at your time, she can bring it to you with a dose of caution and sensitivity.

Whew! With all that... I am thinking we all need to send out a little bit of love to the ladies in our lives! So... let's do it! Can you call, email, text, or otherwise contact the women in your life that make you who you are... and help make things special? I am sure you will brighten their day... and if it's raining there, too, they might need it!

This time of year...

2010-02-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Research shows that by today, 80% of New Years resolutions have been broken.

But I refuse to be one of those people. I didn't really make any resolutions... but I am trying to change myself into the person I want to be... so today, instead of saying "Ok... I suck at this... I give up", I am using it as a day to really ramp up my efforts! Today I am thinking with a fresh mind and saying that I will be a better mom, wife, housekeeper, and friend. Today, I am going to kick myself in the butt one more time and say "Keep Going! You aren't there yet!"

Because sometimes we need that little push... right when things get tough... so that we can keep going.

There aren't any medals for Cleanest House on the Block... no trophies for Mother of the Year. And I am fairly certain that I am not going to get a consolation prize for being the second best at Doing Nothing All Day.

Oh, come on... I don't need to be the best at everything!

So today, I think that you should give yourself a once over and see which of your resolutions could use a little bit of a push to do better... don't give up yet!

Baking Bread

2010-02-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

I don't remember where I found this recipe... so if it's yours or you know where it came from, let me know! It's been on a post-it inside a cookbook for a while! :oP

Anyway, this is my go-to bread recipe. I make a batch of dough, keep it in the fridge and then pull out and bake what I need. I replenish my dough as needed. It's a french bread, although over time, it's started taking on a sourdough flavor as I don't wash out the container I keep my dough in... kind of a starter if you will.

Bread Dough
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 cups warm water
6 1/2 cups flour (all purpose... I haven't adjusted it for wheat yet)

Preheat the oven to 450*F. Make sure your pizza stone is on the middle rack, and place a broiler pan underneath it.
Mix the yeast, salt and water in a big bowl with a lid (not airtight). Then add the flour, mixing it until the flour is all mixed in. It will be a pretty wet/sticky dough... and that's ok. Let it set for an hour at room temperature, or you can just put it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Then you can add a good amount of flour over the top, reach in and grab about a softball sized ball (you can adjust if you want) and sprinkle a bit of flour over the top. Work the top of the dough under... sort of turning it in your hand. This stretches the glutens and helps shape the dough.

Place the dough ball on a floured or cornmeal covered pizza peel. Let the dough set for 40 minutes. Sprinkle a little flour on the top of the ball and make a few 1/4" slices in the top of the dough (the flour keeps it from sticking to the knife) using a serrated knife. This will allow the dough to rise and expand. It may not do a lot of rising before baking but don't be discouraged! It WILL do it in the oven!

Slide the dough onto the pizza stone, and pour 1 cup of hot water into the broiler pan below, and shut the door. The steam from the water bath will help create a yummy crispy crust! Bake for 30 minutes.

Our New Addition...

2010-02-16T15:47:00.001-07:00

No. This isn't a pregnancy announcement.

For Christmas, the hubs got me a piano. And by "got" I mean that we went down and rented one. We got it for $50 a month and our first years worth of payments goes directly to the purchase price, as well as the money we paid for delivery. We figured in a year, we might be able to afford the price tag... but we could just do payments for as long as we wanted to.

Until this weekend happened. We were on our way to Hollywood to visit my sister... and my cell rang. I answered and heard a shaky voice ask if we would be willing to buy the piano outright... for $1400 less than the sticker... $800 under the actual cost of the piano. But nothing we already paid would go towards the purchase.

At first I was a little skeptical... you know... if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I asked questions regarding warranties... tuning that hadn't be done yet... kicked myself for paying a payment 2 days prior, etc.

But then it struck me... the deal had nothing to do with the piano.

Turns out the small shop owner needed to come up with money for payroll. It was the 11th... payroll was the 15th... a holiday... so he needed the cash by Saturday. And while a lot of people might say "not my problem"... I have an extra big soft spot in my heart for small business owners. Especially those that put everything on the line to keep things going in the hard times. I couldn't be the reason that payroll wasn't met. That the store had to close. That things just wouldn't work out.

And I just got my tax refund.

Sooo... check out our latest addition to the family. :o)

Love Love Love List!

2010-02-16T13:22:00.001-07:00

I promise I didn't forget about my blog... I really do promise! I have been super busy with sick kiddos (cold sores on the backs of throats, anyone??), bootcamp, and taking the kids on a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland for their Mimi's birthday! It was so much fun... but if you tell my Mother-in-Law that we went, I will swear on all that is holy that you are a liar.

... because I still tell her that Sedona is too long of a drive with the boys.

Anyway... since I am so far behind on the things that I love... here is a quick rundown of things to catch me up... I'll do 16 since it's the 16th!

1. I love baking bread every morning! I really do! Ok, so it's soooo counterproductive to my weight loss journey, but for me, fresh baked bread is the equivalent of cupcakes. So I will take my points and eat a slice of hot buttered bread and enjoy it. Life is too short to eat rabbit food and be unhappy (no offense to those that eat rabbit food and ARE happy!).

2. I love getting magazines in the mail and flipping through the first time so that all the perfume samples rush out to greet me! It's something that we will never experience with online publications... and it's so simple, but it makes me smile.

3. I know I have talked about them before, but I LOVE Manic Mommies! I download podcasts to listen to while I am on the treadmill or for in the car. They are so real and refreshing... makes me feel happy!

4. I love to dream big... :o)

5. I love that my husband is super supportive and lets me entertain those huge dreams that I have. I know that no matter how silly my ideas are, he won't point them out... and he will ride them out with me. A partner like that is a rare breed!

6. I love honey. I buy it by the gallon... and we use it a lot! Especially since I am moving away from HFCS, we are using more natural sugars. I know I know... sugar is sugar is sugar, but honey is a better choice for us than corn syrup. And it's a common saying in our house... "You are sweeter than bee barf." Oh... my life as a mom of boys will be awesome!

7. I love being the mom of boys! I can't wait for a few more years to pass and we get some real trouble going on.

8. I love having a family with a giving heart. I love camping in my sisters living room and going through bags of clothes to find some tops that I can't live without and finally snagging that pair of heels that I've had my eye on for years! I love not having to keep track of "borrows" because it all comes out in the wash. :o)

9. I love that my sister trusts me... that I didn't ruin her by being a Big Sister... and let me wear her $400 cashmere when I went to dinner with the hubs for Valentine's. (If I had known it was a $400 cashmere... it would have stayed in the closet!)

10. I love reading my friends blogs. I am not sure if you know this... but the "My Friends" section really are my friends! All live and in person! Some of them I talk to daily... some I haven't talked to in person in years... but I have a special place for all of them! And my daily me time is spent catching up on your lives... It's my way of being a better friend.

11. I love jeans. Dark wash, bootcut, low rise. I will never wear skinny leg, cigarette leg, painted on... whatever they are calling them now. Hippy girls don't need to accentuate those ankles. Ever.

12. I love to cook. I own over 30 cookbooks. And I love my Cooking Light subscription, too! I am a closet foodie who would love to have grown up to be a food critic.

13. I love doing laundry. It's the one chore that can actually be finished. Everything else just keeps going. And I love the smell of freshly washed sheets...

14. I love throwing my kids into piles of freshly washed clothes. They need to learn to love them, too! Warm out of the dryer... mmmmmmm.

15. I love snuggling up on the couch with my hubs after the boys are asleep and watching White Collar, Burn Notice and Psych. He lets me put my cold feet on him. I don't love socks.

16. I love blogging. It's just for me... I can get my thoughts out... and I want to be better at it... but I do love it!

Whew! What do you love??

Skinny Jeans

2010-02-04T18:15:00.001-07:00

I'm a day behind on my Love Month entries... but that's ok, right?? I love not being perfect... but I'll save that post for a different day.

Today, I am loving how great I feel! I have been going to bootcamp every Tuesday and Thursday at my gym... and I am HALFWAY DONE!!! Woot!! And even thought I have had some awful weeks and some soreness that I wish never ever happened... today, my friends... I am wearing my skinny jeans... the ones that have this in them...

Not only is this the smallest I have been in YEARS... like since sophomore year of college... I am also rawking SUPERlow rise jeans. No long-bottomed mom over here! It makes me wonder if I should grow my hair out to mid back and be that mom that everyone hates at soccer practice.

Don't worry... I won't do it. At least not on purpose.

But I am just loving that I am finally on top of things! I made it a habit and kicked coke (although I will admit that I still have one every now and then but that *need* is long gone). I spend hours at the gym... and I will go for silly reasons like how I know if I get a workout in that I will be able to shower in peace, blow dry my hair, put on my make-up and someone else will watch my kids. That alone was enough reason for me to extend my gym membership from a month-to-month to an 18-month contract!

What do you do to love yourself?

Mom of Boys!

2010-02-03T13:07:00.001-07:00

I love being the mom of boys. I really do! I was never a real girly girl... and I grew up with sisters (until I was 7, then my brother came along). I thought girls were a lot of drama and thought boys had it so easy!

And when I was pregnant, we chose not to find the sex out of the baby... and deep down, I know it was because I didn't want a chance to be disappointed... not that I would have NOT liked having a little girl... but I definitely wouldn't have known what to do with one!

But, now, being the mom of boys has a different challenge in that I love to craft and make pretties... that boys just don't need or want. And it's so hard to find fun things to make for them!

I have to thank my friend Alli for turning me onto the Celebrate The Boy Month over at Made by Rae and Dana-Made-It! Check out the buttons on the left to see more! I can't get enough!

Woohoo and Letting Go!

2010-02-01T14:50:00.001-07:00

Welp, I won! I was the lucky runner up winner of Kevin&Amanda's blog makeover giveaway... which really means that I was winner #2!! Stay tuned for a brand new look! I am excited!

Also, since this is the month of LOVE... I am going to be posting every day in February with something that I love... and today, I love my ability to let go and let God.

I am not sure if you have heard this expression before... It's only be part of my life forever... haha! I grew up like a lot of kids... full of complaints about how the world wasn't fair and about how everyone was out to get me. And I lost friends. And I felt as though I needed to control everything. And I just couldn't.

One day, my mom told me "Just Let Go and Let God."

And boy... that has changed me.

I can't say that I let everything go. But a lot of times, I realize that no matter how many times I beat myself up about something or try to control it or do everything I can to change it... it's out of my hands. And it's then that I realize that if I just Let God, my life becomes easier. I can lose the stresses that bog me down and I can deal with things that otherwise become debilitating.

Whether you are a believer in God, Karma, or just life itself, the concept of just letting go of the things that weigh you down the most is absolutly freeing. And it's terrifying. What happens if the world falls apart the second you let go? What if all of your hard work gets lost and you have to start over.

But what if it doesn't? What if it fades away and you realize that this whole time... it didn't even matter. Not even to you.

How awesome would that be??

So, your daily challenge: Let Go. It'll be ok... life will go on... and I want you to LOVE the way that it looks on the other side!

Win a Blog Makeover!

2010-01-29T08:01:00.001-07:00

I know that I love to change up my blog all the time... but today, Kevin&Amanda are giving away 2 blog makeovers! Check them out!

Pennies in the Dryer

2010-01-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Ryan has gotten to the point that he has discovered pockets. And money. And he will go into my pockets to get money to put into his pockets.

And I am not used to this... and I forget to check his pockets before they get into the wash. And now I have pennies in my dryer. Well, pennies and matchbox cars. One day I will learn.

As I was cleaning out my findings of 11cents out of the dryer today, I remembered a rule that we had growing up... whoever finds money in the dryer is the owner of it, regardless of whose pockets lost it. It made it much easier than trying to figure it out. And so I realized I needed a little bank to set in the laundry room. And I wanted something prettier than a mason jar with a slot cut in the lid.

I don't know about you... but I got one of these in my stocking... a Tootsie Roll bank. I loved these growing up... and I figured it would be perfect!

I cut some paper to the right length and width, then used my trusty Mod Podge.

First, I covered the bank in Mod Podge, which acts like glue and stuck the paper right on.

Then I coated the entire thing in another coat of Mod Podge to seal it on... mostly since it will be in a more humid room and I don't want it just peeling off.

It looked pretty cute, but I decided to stick a little tag on with a ribbon remnant to cheer it up... and to the Laundry Room shelf it went!

I think I'll use that money at the end of the year (or whenever it's full) to buy me something pretty... just for doing the laundry. ;o)

Success Rituals

2010-01-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

I do a lot of reading online while I nurse Corbin. It's not that I wouldn't rather be doing something productive, but for those 10-15 minute stints, I am captive to my chair. And every now and then, in the middle of all those random blogs, photos, and Facebook updates, I find something that makes me sit back and say "hmmm".

And today that little gem was something called Success Rituals. Now, I don't know the specifics on what the person who created this little idea meant... but I know what I am going to take it as: little rituals that I will do every day to lead me to be a successful person.

My definition of success is going to be very simple for right now... because I live a complicated enough life! But these are the daily rituals that I am adding to my life, and the lives of my little boys... and I encourage you to think of a few little Success Rituals that will make you happier, healthier, and more "you"!

1. I will drink 20oz of water when I wake up... on an empty stomach. I have been reading how poorly we hydrate and how inefficient our bodies are when they don't have enough water to do what they need to do.

2. I will start the day off with a good breakfast, or at least one that isn't laden with sugar. This will make it easier to keep up a healthy trend rather than begin with a "Welp, I screwed the diet at breakfast, why not make a day of it" attitude.

4. I will work out several times a week, at the gym. I am bound and determined to be healthier.. check out this picture of me only 10 years ago... I *will* be this girl again soon!

5. I will do educational activities with my boys daily! This will include field trips, art projects, and NO TV! Yep... we will turn the tv off from 12 to 6 every day. I am not above letting him watch tv... but we need to do things other than be couch potatoes!

6. I will get offline. Haha... you can stop laughing... I will unplug also... and dedicate only an hour a day to my online antics. As well as nursing time... somethings won't change. ;o)

Confessions

2010-01-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

A lot of my friends are familiar with Confession Wednesday... a weekly ritual that involves spilling details that would never leave your lips as they wouldl do nothing more than incriminate you... and, well... I have a few confessions.

1. My house is regularly a wreck. Not like "OMG... I forgot to wipe up a small little spill over here!" kind of wreck... a "Honey, have you seen the floor lately" kind of wreck. Don't believe me? Here are two rooms of my house... and they look like this every.single.day.

2. I just barely took down my Christmas Tree. As it right before I started typing this post. It needed to come down so that I could feel like I accomplished something.

3. I co-sleep... and by co-sleep, I do mean in the same bed. With the same blankets. And my pillows. And I actually love it. There is something great about being able to get up with a crying baby, feed them, and put them back to sleep, all without stepping out of my bed.

....

Ok, so my confessions aren't really that good... and I am sure I could have whipped up something better... but I did want to say that confession #1 is my next focus... I am going to be doing some major purging... I really want to gut these rooms out, paint, organize, and then live in them. I am tired of feeling like my life has absolutely no order. I'll be posting some updates on these rooms as they become what I want them to be.. a fully functional laundry room, and Ryan's big boy room!

What do you have to confess today?

Better Choices

2010-01-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

One thing that I have been doing since the new year is looking for ways to just treat myself better. I have stopped buying bread with high fructose corn syrup in it, for one. I know that there are thousands of things out there that have HFCS in it, and although I am still trying to avoid it in other foods, I made a commitment that it won't be in my bread for sure. I have even started making my own bread... if you haven't done this... you MUST!

But an even bigger milestone for me... I am on day 17 without Coke. A few months ago, I would have between 2 and 3 cokes a day... maybe more if we went to eat somewhere with free refills. Now, I have swapped them all out for another ~~vice~~ great choice: AZ Iced Tea! My specific tea of choice... Arizona Black & White Tea with Honey and Ginseng. This stuff is amazing... and I haven't missed my Coke yet... plus, the can is beautiful!

Back in the Saddle

2010-01-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I got the kids up and dressed, then bribed the husband out the door. We headed to the gym for a class that I have been loving since my sister made me go right around Christmas... Cycle.

The hubs regularly goes out mountain biking and says that he wants to do some road biking. He has the fancy shoes... the kinds that clip right onto the pedals and the fancy bike shorts with the huge...um... pad(?) in it... I swear, this thing is so thick that it would be classified as "Maxi Overnight with Wings". But I digress.

Anyway, Tracy took us on a great one hour ride, up climbs, on speed runs, and through intervals. It was a very good workout, aimed to burn 400-600 calories. And I worked my tail off... keeping my tush off that hard excuse of a seat. And Hubby proved while his Maxi'd butt was required... as he kept his bum planted on that seat and just figured that he'd pedal as fast as he could.

Although he argues that he went faster and further than anyone else in the classroom, I am going to say that I totally kicked his butt. I wouldn't say I was better than someone at basketball because I can dribble like no other... it's all about playing the game by the rules that are set... and I did... and then I schooled him.

And it made me happy.

Once I have stuck with this for 6 months (because I will) I will be asking for these for my birthday... pretty, huh? I am not the most fashion forward girl, but I will say that sometimes shoes just make things all worth while!

Always Smile

2010-01-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Name one thing I need to do more of everyday... GO! Ok. I guess there are a few things that I could afford to do more... like vacuum, or play on the ground, or send my Mother in Law photos of the boys. And there are even more things that I am happy I already do, like have Ryan use hand sanitizer when we are out and tolerate my Mother in Law to an extent that would win me at least Honerable Mention.

But I am talking about Smiling. We have all heard that it takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown... but here are a few other smile facts that you probably didn't know!

1. When someone smiles in is universally known as an expression of happiness which is recognized by almost all cultures.
2. When a person studies laughter they are known as a ‘gelotologist’.
3. There are over 18 different types of smiles that are used in a variety of social situations. For instance, people can use a smile to say a hello, and they can also use a different type of smile to show their understanding of a particular situation.
4. A frown uses more muscles to contract and expand then a smile does.
5. A smile is one of the most used human facial expressions. Smiles can use between 5 to all 53 muscles.
6. Smiling releases endorphins and makes us feel better, even when you fake a smile you can feel better.
7. A person that smiles more is deemed to be more pleasant, sincere, attractive and more sociable then a on-smiling person.
8. We are born with the ability to smile, it is not something that we copy. For instance, even blind babies are able to smile.
9. Humans are able to differentiate between a real smile and a fake smile by seeing the difference in a persons eyes when they smile.
10. Newborns tend to have more preference for a person with a smile then a person that is not smiling.

And here are a few reasons I will keep smiling every day... if for no other reason... than for #6.

Besides... I like to smile because people think I am up to something. :o)

Half Way Point

2010-01-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

So... we made it the next payday... but that isn't a relief... more of a notch on the belt of time, letting us know that we are closer to the end of this.

We are actually doing ok, which is only a minor surprise. We have been able to eat really well. Alright, I admit, Hamburger Helper is far from five star cuisine... but we also haven't resorted to beans and rice. Or just mac & cheese. I have even made cookies (from a mix that we already had) so this strain hasn't really felt as bad as it is on paper.

We have started cutting back on a few things, like pushing our exterminating (a relative luxury) to every 2 months (they don't bill unless they come out). We also have set aside a large amount of items to consign. These are mostly baby items that will be sold at the Savvy Sale in February. The hubs also contributed his $350 winnings from his Fantasy Football tournament to the family budget. So far, nothing has popped up as a surprise bill, but that is what we are most afraid of right now. What we don't know.

Next week has a doctors appointment and a dentist visit, both of which could potentially lead to bigger dollar expenditures. But I am hoping that both can either be delayed or put onto our Care Credit account. But the appointments themselves must stay next week... the health issues have gone too long without treatment and now are interfering with my day to day... and I am just praying it's not near as complicated as I think it might be.

I am also starting a bootcamp next week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's the same one I did a year and a half ago... but this time, I am making modifications and WILL complete it. I also plan on doing cycling on my off days, so Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. My goals are to be about 16 lbs lighter by my anniversary, April 15th. I have updated my ticker over to the left... help keep me motivated!

Also... I am at 15 days without a Coke... it's a different type of sobering... but I am proud of myself. And once I am through this, I will not look back!

For Hire

2010-01-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

I have never been one that handles stress well. I am an emotional eater. I like to retreat into my own private places and hope things blow over. I have even been known to just sleep when things are too hard for me.

But I can't do too much of that now. Slinking back into my solitude to find some kind of happy right now doesn't get things taken care of. It doesn't take care of babies, it doesn't wash the dishes, it doesn't pay the bills.

So... my new thought is to just face this stress head on. I can't do anything about my situation sitting at home... being a stay at home mom. So... my resume went out this weekend. I actually am a very talented person... besides the crafty side, I am a proud degree holding momma! And I have worked as a business manager and accounting manager in the not so distant past. I am hoping that these skills will help land me a job at one of the 14 companies that now hold that little piece of paper with my info on it... and then I can start bringing home the bacon... or at least some hashbrowns, right?

I have been needing to put a lot of me on the back burner. My weight loss journey isn't headed anywhere while I am stressed. And a few of my health issues are needing to be ignored temporarily until we have more cash in hand. But I am ready to find me and to make myself happy. And I think working might just be an answer to more than one problem.

Yesterdays meals:
-Breakfast: Pancakes
-Lunch: Sandwiches (parents house)
-Dinner: Domino's (parents house)

Today:
-Breakfast: Pancakes (frozen yesterday)
-Lunch: Refried beans with brown wild rice, tomatoes, and tortillas
-Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs

I made some from scratch french bread.... and it is DELISH! Try it out!

A Bird in the Hand

2010-01-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Good morning... it's time to jump on in, because an empty tummy doesn't wait!

Ryan woke up and the first thing out of his mouth... "Mom... baba (food)?" So, it's time to start getting creative. Sure, I can start using things that are easy now, but then by the end of the month... I will be out of enough staples to even pretend to be creative. So instead of doing breakfast cereal and big ol' glasses of milk... we are going to do pancakes.

I stopped buying Bisquick a while back... not really sure why... just did. But I buy flour, sugar, and baking soda like there is no tomorrow... so today we whipped up pancakes old school. I pulled out my mom's Pillsbury Kitchen's cookbook, circa 1979 for a good tried and true recipe. Here's what we went with.

Basic Pancakes
2 Eggs
2 Cups Buttermilk*
1/4 cup oil
1 3/4 cup Pillsbury's Best all purpose flour
2 tbls sugar
2 tsp baking powder*
1 tsp soda*
1 tsp salt

Heat griddle to medium-high heat. IOn large bowl, beat eggs; stir in buttermilk and oil. Add remaining ingredients; beat just until large lumps dissapear. For thicker pancakes, thicken with additional flour; for thinner pancakes , add more milk. Lightly grease heated griddle. Pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time, onto hot griddle. Bake until bubbles form and edges start to dry; turn and bake other side. Yields sixteen 4-inch pancakes.

*I swapped my regular milk since we didn't have buttermilk (and I was too lazy to make my own) and reduced it to 1 3/4 cups milk, increased the baking powder to 4 tsp and omited the baking soda, per the recipe suggestions.

Topped them with syrup I had stocked up on. Coffee for the hubs (made at home, Bucks in his stocking), and water for me. The kiddo had chocolate milk. :o)

Verdict? Just as good as old aunt Betty. :o) I was able to freeze a batch as well for Ryan's breakfast during the week!

We are headed to my parents house to watch the game (and eat lunch) and we'll figure out dinner later. But so far, we are doing good... and I know that this is only a season in our lives. We aren't here forever... just passing through.

Getting Real...

2010-01-09T23:03:00.002-07:00

I am soooo sorry I have been MIA lately. I'd love to tell you all about the lovely Christmas... about the Murder Mystery that we did for New Years Eve... and about what life is like lately, including the scare that landed us in the Children's Hospital for 3 days thanks to a certain 5 month old... but I am too drained for that.

I know that I try to avoid personal topics on here, excepting the occasional rant. Why? Well, mostly b/c a lot of you know me. And you know my family. And the last thing I want to do is say something here that can be brought up again in casual conversation... because.... well... I hate talking about personal things. I like this blog to be a bit of a sounding board... a Dear Diary if you will. I like being able to get things off my chest and feel like I have told someone but at the same time I kept the personal, well, personal.

But today I'm gonna get real with you... no feedback necessary.

I was doing our monthly bills... forecasting our financial month. And we were hit hard. We haven't ever missed a payment on anything. In a world where neighbors are letting their house foreclose so that they have a little more spending money, we buckle down and pay everything in full every month. We don't need a gold star... but it's the right thing to do. And this month... we have waaay too much month at the end of the money. And not enough to cover things that we need covered.

I still don't know how this happened. Well, wait. I do. Remember the first paragraph of this post... the holidays? The hospital? The end of the year happened. And it added up... fast. And hit us where it hurts.

So, I am going to take this month to dedicate my blog to how we made it work... when the checkbook says we will be overdrawn at the end of the month... Where we cut back, what we did differently, what we ate... and what we are going to do to make sure this doesn't happen again.

This morning, I took $40 that I keep in the kitchen in our SOL Jar... for days like today. I bought the following at the grocery (we were pretty much out of food anyway):
-2 gallons milk (2% and Whole)
-8 lbs of ground beef
-1 pack tortillas
-2 loafs bread
-6 lbs bananas
-2 blocks cream cheese
-3 cans diced tomatoes
-1 pack freezer bags
-2 jars spices
-vanilla

I split the meat into 3/4 lb packs rather than the 1 lbs I normally do, and made 1 lbs worth of meatballs. I put them all into the freezer. I also sliced 3 lbs of the bananas and froze them for smoothies/protein shakes.

I have a credit for Costco and will head there tomorrow for the last of our staple items... but odds are that I won't be able to grocery shop until 2/1 or we get our tax return... whichever comes first. So... essentially, we are now feeding 4 (ok... so Corbin is still nursing) on under $50 for the rest of the month.

... it's time to get real.

Behind is an understatement...

2009-12-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am feeling overwhelmed... behind... I need to find a way to get ahead... but I just think that sometimes, these little strains are put on us to see how far we can stretch. I know what I can do under ordinary circumstances... but what can YOU do when all your plans hit the fan, when the last of your Christmas tinsel is coming undone... when you have nowhere else to turn? That is what will define you!

So, I know I owe you all 7 responses for the past 7 days... and I promise to get there after the kids are in bed! But here are the next batch for the "December Difference Challenge 2009"! Remember, we are now thinking about your family!

December 8: Tell us about your family! Introduce us to the family pets, the favorite pastimes, the spot we'd find you all on a Thursday night... I wanna meet you!

December 9: What would you like your family to look like in 10 years? Would it be bigger? Would you have more pets? Would you be fit? Would you be on a roadtrip?

December 10: If you and yours want to reconnect, what do you do? Is it game night? A favorite meal? Do you head to the rock gym?

December 11: What are some family values that you are passing onto your children, or would like to?

December 12: Speaking of values, in light of the Spirit of the Holidays, what does your family do TOGETHER to spread Christmas Cheer?

December 13: Tell us about some fun family traditions today! Do you do a goofy sock exchange on Christmas eve? What about letting the kiddos wake up at 3am and rush the tree??

December 14: Let's write a letter today. Choose to write it to either your future self, your children, your grandchildren, or your spouse... but it's going to be read on... say... December 25, 2020! What do you hope you have passed on, set as a precident, or hope has changed... This is about setting a legacy for your family. :o)

Whew! Ok... next week, we will be thinking of our neighbors and people locally! I can't wait! OH... and if you are following along, can you post your blog in the comments? I would love to read your responses!

Ok.... Changed my mind...

2009-12-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

I said I was going to do Gwen Bell's Best of 2009... and I likely will... but I decided to start my own challenge.

After reviewing a lot of my posts since I started this blog, it's clear that I am looking for ways to be a better person. To be a better mom. To be a better me. I want to find ways to make my life feel validated. I want a clear a definite purpose. And the only person who can change enough to make those things happen is me. Which is a bummer... I was hoping this would be easy... ;o)

So... I would like to invite you to be a part of the First Annual "December Difference Challenge". This challenge is designed to help you make a difference in your life... whether it be by taking time for yourself or maybe doing something for someone else. December is the one month that people openly look to helping other people... and while I think that it should be a year-long venture... I am going to help you get into the swing of things now... and hopefully some of it will stick for good.

Ok. Let's get started! Here are the first week's worth of prompts... I'll add each week's as we go so you can keep up. If something doesn't make sense for you, please just take a few liberties with it... I won't mind!

Thinking about you!
December 1: What makes you happy... no matter what?
December 2: What is one thing you wish you could do? (Can be a superhuman thing or maybe just a talent you never really aquired.)
December 3: You have a free day... all to yourself... no obligations... how do you spend it?
December 4: What is on your Christmas list? Be specific!
December 5: Share with us one blog that you found this year that you love... and why do you love it?
December 6: What did you always want to do when you grew up? Are you doing it?
December 7: Commitment free... what would you change about youself for next year?

Next week, we will think about your family!

December is here!

2009-11-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that December starts tomorrow.... and every year, I think to myself, "Whew! I am glad this year is over!" I am not sure why I can't say "Man, I wish this year wasn't over yet"... but I'm gonna pretend to be an optimist for just a minute and say it's because I am soooo looking forward to the next year. :oP

Anyway.... I am going to be doing another challenge for December. I am following GwenBell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. Now, the rules clearly state that I don't have to follow the prompts every day... so be sure that there will be a few special things mixed in. But my goal is to continue to write something daily... if for no other reason, for a personal retreat!

Ok... so... join in! :oP Have fun... and my next post will be up in a few! Oh! If you aren't following me already, please do so! It makes me feel good... and take a glance through November. I snuck in a few posts that were behind schedule, so you might find something you missed!

The Parent's Pledge

2009-11-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I am a subscriber to Parent's Magazine... and I LOVED the little bonus that came this month about making a pledge to keep my kids healthy. I am taking it... will you?!?

I am making the Parent's Pledge. To keep my kids healthy, I'm going to make these ten important promises a priority!

1. I won't let anyone smoke around my children- and I'll support my loved ones who want to quit by sending them to http://www.parentsquitforgood.com/.

2. We'll stock up on sunscreen and wear it all year long.

3. I won't drive anywhere (even around the corner) unless my kids are buckled into their car or booster seats (and I'll check to make sure I have it properly installed).

4. I'll calmly keep serving my kids different kinds of vegetables and won't give up even if they refuse the first ten times.

5. When evenings are hectic, we'll still make bedtime a priority. Sleep-deprived kids are more likely to get sick, space out in school, and melt down. Who needs that?

6. Helmets must be on those little heads anytime my kids are going to be on a bicycle, scooter, skateboardd, skates, sled, or skis.

7. Hand-washing will be a house rule- before eating, after usign the bathroom, or sneezing without a tissue- and I'll be sure the kids can reach the sink and soap.

8. We will practice a family fire drill, test our smoke alarms monthly, and make sure we know how to use a fire extinguisher.

9. We'll get outside to play every day, even if it means stomping in puddles.

10. No matter how much they beg, I won't allow my children to have a TV in their bedroom.

You can visit www.parents.com/pledge to send this pledge to a friend!

Don't Give Up!

2009-11-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

I had to go to the piano shop today to buy my music books for my lessons. In my bag, I found a flyer that had some beautiful words of wisdom that were written by Elma Allen Milano when she was 84 years old. I figured that her thoughts at that stage in her life were more than just some fleeting impressions.... and I also think that you might find them as inspiring as I did... especially for this time in my life!

Tips for Not Giving Up
1. Smile Continuously; look in the mirror to see the improvement.
2. Look for good and pay sincere compliments.
3. Get outside; take a walk; smell the breeze; enjoy nature.
4. Avoid stimulants wich leave us with letdowns.
5. Simplify and purify our lives
6. Count our blessings.
7. Avoid negative talk and complaining people.
8. Be sure to get enough sleep; arise and retire early.
9. Drink 8-10 glasses of pure water daily. Count them!
10. Consume plenty of fresh produce and whole graines.
11. Maintain healthy regularity and order in all phases of our lives.
12. Keep actively engaged in worthwhile pursuits.
13. Use music to create a happy atmosphere.
14. Life the lives of others; spread joy around.
15. Patiently wait: 'til the sun shines/'til we feel better/'til things improve.

Some of these are harder or less practical for me... but some of these would be cake... and today I will start adding one thing back into my life... I refuse to give up!

Blessed

2009-11-26T15:11:00.001-07:00

I cannot even imagine a luckier person than myself. I have been blessed to live in this great country. I have a home, which is something that a lot of people will never get to say. I am priviledged to own a car, which 80% of the world doesn't. I am healthy. I have two healthy and happy little boys. I have a good man for a husband.

I am Blessed.

I am not rich. I am not living in a mansion with servents. I do my own laundry. I do my own shopping. I have to cook dinner.... but at the same time, I have a working washer and dryer. I have money to shop for the things we need and even want, and we have full bellies when we go to sleep.

I am Blessed.

I go to sleep in a warm bed, knowing full well that the toys that were purchased with my children's happiness in mind are scattered in the living room. I wake up, ready to face the day of playing with those little boys while my husband goes to the job that provides an income for our family. We are both very thankful to be in the positions that we are in. To have work and freedom at the same time.

I am Blessed.

After all of my Thanksgiving feasting, I won't have leftovers. But I have the luxury of knowing that tomorrow's meals are still there. My house will be empty, but will soon be abuzz with the colors of the holidays... the warmth... the cheer... the peace...

I am Blessed.

I am a Christian who knows the real reason for the season... and I will do all that I can to keep the Christ in Christmas. Because He is the only reason...

... I am Blessed!

Taking time for myself...

2009-11-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about what would make me happier... what would make me feel more fulfilled as a person. It's hard to really answer this question... sometimes I think it would be time alone. Other times I think it would be time doing what I want to do. I even wonder if I would feel more complete if I had nobody to answer to... ever...

But there is one thing that seemed to be evident, no matter how I sliced it... I needed more time to focus on me. I didn't need to be alone, or even doing anything in particular... but forgetting myself was the first step to continuing to be miserable.

... so I am taking piano lessons!

My first lesson was tonight and was ok... but I wouldn't have traded that $10 and 30 minutes for anything else in the world. It was great to do something that satisfied me in a way that learning always does... it stretches my mind just a little bit, and creates something beautiful.... something I always knew was there, but it's been so long since I've seen it that it actually surprised me.

Take a few minutes for yourself today... I hope you find a newfound love, talent, or maybe an old friend that you've been missing. :o)

Radiate Joy

2009-11-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was a part of LifeLinkChurch's annual Ladies Spa. The theme was "Weather or Not, He Reigns!" It was amazing how the team was able to transform that elementary school into a spectacular "Seasonal Extravaganza", with everything from a winter wonderland to a beach! And I loved all of the umbrellas that hung from the ceiling. It reminded me of the glass jellyfish that are on the ceiling at the Chihuly exhibit at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas! Beautiful!

One of the speakers was our very own Cheree' Wright. She spoke about how we reflect out what we are on the inside. We need to let our light shine into the world, and let that light be reflecting joy, peace and happiness... but in order for that to happen, we need to feel that way on the inside.

I have been dealing with lots of feelings lately... I will be the first to admit that those are not all joyful puppy dogs and rainbows. I think that we all have seasons that we feel more pressures, just like we have seasons of our life that are more easy going and blissful. What I have been doing is telling myself, "just one more day"... as though that was all I needed to get through... but what Cheree' shared next was what resonated with me, loud and clear...

..."Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain."

I will be learning to dance... learning to be joyful in whatever season I am in... I will radiate joy!

Plan Ahead!

2009-11-22T21:14:00.002-07:00

Today I found TaxCaster. It was really cool because I was able to plug in a few peices of information and determine a ballpark number for our tax refund next year... so we can start planning on our next steps for our financial goals!

Check it out... the results may surprise you! Also, this is a great place to play around with things! I found out that if Dustin filed married filing separately, we'd owe $5500! But married filing jointly yeilds a return of $1800! That's a huge swing... but it's good to know! Things may be a little different for you, so make sure you are making the right choices!

I know I am a little behind in my 30 in 30... but expect a few posts really soon to catch me up! :o)

Book Review: Stay Home Stay Happy

2009-11-18T22:15:00.003-07:00

Since I have been trying to be a happier stay at home mom, I was eager to read Rachel Campos-Duffy's book, "Stay Home, Stay Happy". She is a successful mom of 5... who seems to have it all together... and since I, well, don't... I asked Dustin to pick it up on his way home for me.

I have never been one to read books. I devour them. It's a bad thing, really... but at least then I know where a lot of things are in the book for later reference. So when I am trying to figure out a way to reconnect with myself, or how to fit more into my day, or just need a few minutes of serenity, I know exactly where to turn.

But what did I think of the book? Rachel made some great points about family traditions and how she has helped instill some great family values based on her own childhood as well as her religious background. She also had some good ideas on helping a household run efficiently.

But the best part for me was 2 pages long... and it was playlists for her iPod while she worked out at the gym. Seriously.

All in all... it's a good read... but I think I need to find another book to help me find a new kind of fulfillment in being a stay at home mom... I love it, but... well... you know. :o)

Importance

2009-11-17T23:05:00.002-07:00

I know a few people are really tired of me whining about my family. I should be lucky to have such an awesome, huge, loving family.... right? We are almost all living in AZ... we try to do family things together... but it's still family... a family that drives me batty.

Especially now. I am having to make some major sacrifices to keep the peace in regards to our Thanksgiving plans. And I am being told that they don't want it... that I am making an inconveinence for people. That they all deserve a break from what is important to me. And just so we are clear, I am talking about dishes... and using them... not imported caviar, or pressed linens.

But it makes me wonder... what really is important? Is it more important to me to stand up for what I am believing is the right thing? Or more important for me to surround myself with family? What if that family is full of so much negativity, so much anger, so much greed that I leave feeling bad every time? How much can I subject myself to before I realize that it's just not worth it?

This happens to me every major holiday. Mother's Day I spend crying over how everyone ignores me when I suggest cooking a meal at home ("I'll do the cooking," I say... or my hubs offers to grill). They all want to go to Z'Teja's... which is both out of our price range and hard to get reservations for 36 at. We end up with Costco lasagna... and greedy family members asking for every family to PAY for their food... which they had no say in. And was cold and almost gone when they arrived... because for some reason, when they say that we are eating at 12, it's decided to start at 11 because someone is hungry.

I can't make this stuff up.

I really think that it's not healthy for me to keep trying to make things work and feel so bound to this negative cycle. I think that it's time for me to branch off and start making things about simple traditions. About food and fun and family... not a cafeteria line and a funds jar. About enjoying a homemade pie... not wondering who is going to wash the dishes.

Sometimes, the important things are are ones that you tuck in at night, you call for help, and you don't have to explain anything to. They are the ones that matter.

Mmmmmmm... Goes Healthy!

2009-11-16T11:30:00.001-07:00

I got this in my email today from Fitness Magazine! I can't believe this is allowed to be considered a "Healthy Breakfast"... but I will take it!!

Let's Do Brunch: Stuffed French Toast Recipe: "Stuffed French Toast"
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup fat-free cream cheese
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup strawberry jam
8 1-inch slices French bread
2 egg whites
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions
Combine the cream cheese and 2 tablespoons jam. Make a slit in each slice of French bread to form a pocket; fill each with about 1 tablespoon of the cream-cheese mixture.
In a small bowl, combine egg whites, egg, milk, vanilla, and apple pie spice. Lightly coat a nonstick griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.
Dip the bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Place slices on the hot griddle. Cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the 1/2 cup of jam until melted, stirring frequently. Pour over French toast.
Nutrition facts per serving (2 slices): 300 calories, 14g protein, 30g carbohydrate, 2g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber"

Time Flies...

2009-11-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it was 2 short years ago when Ryan entered our lives in a whirlwind of a childbirth... I've posted his birthstory here, so I won't do that again... but take a look at how he has grown!!

Love you Kiddo!

A Whole Different 2WW

2009-11-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Anyone who is familiar with a 2WW (or Two Week Wait) may have gotten a few little butterflies seeing that in print... but let me tell you... although I am thinking of my midsection... and that feeling of overwhelming happiness... I am also thinking of this:

Did you know that the average person gains 7.5 lbs during the Holiday Season!??! I am still working hard to LOSE that... but I am wondering what little changes you are going to make to your Thanksgiving menu so that you can still enjoy, but not worry about your waistline... tell me your secrets and I'll share a few of mine later this week!

Fatty Cake

2009-11-11T21:53:00.004-07:00

I don't know how I feel about this. I know that I should just accept it at face value, but I have a tendancy to read into things. I know I am not alone... you do it, too, don't you? Really?

I met my mother in law today for lunch at Jason's Deli. My husband also met us there, and once our food came out, he mentioned about how his wrap had only 300-ish calories... and I say something about how that's probably what I should have ordered, and he offers me a bite... blah blah blah... and then my MIL says "Yeah, I noticed you have lost a lot of weight."

To me.

Ok... so on one hand, it's a compliment... I am looking smoking hot, no? But at the same time... it makes me feel like those nice words were laced with barbed wire... was I a fatty cake?? Was I a chunker the last time she saw me?? I mean, I have lost 11+ lbs in the last 15 weeks... but I am still wearing my same old jeans... I wore a maternity top today (because I like it... not b/c I need it). My shoes were even a little snug... but to my MIL... it was the *best* I had looked in a while.

Why couldn't I just accept it? I have been having what I call FCS... or FattyCakeSyndrome for a while now. It's where I just see myself as chunky... no matter what the scale reads. So I eat a cookie to make myself feel better. Or maybe I make some chocolate milk. Or whip up an excuse for a Sonic shake. And then when my husband makes an advance, I kill any chance of anything by asking the question that is really dreaded around here... "Am I a FattyCake?? Do you just like FattyCakes?!?!"

But I promised myself this week is going to be a FC-free zone. I am going to love myself a little bit more when I start thinking my FCThoughts... and my shakes will turn into bubble baths. My cookies into At-Home Pedicures... and in no time, this FattyCake will be a CutiePie.

Body After Baby- Week 7

2009-11-10T17:50:00.003-07:00

Oh Geez... I only have2 weeks left in the Body After Baby Challenge... and while I have been doing great... the fact that I have been sick for a whopping 5 weeks (Yes, cold then sinus infection, then new cold, then cough) means that I have been super sucking when it comes to going to the gym and getting my workout on. booooo

But this is a new week... and I am gonna kick it up into high gear! We have big plans to make it to the gym in the morning tomorrow and Thursday. I am pushing the double stroller around the zoo on Friday (it's Ryan's Birthday... so the zoo is in order!), and then I'll have to figure something out for the weekend since Dustin has a softball tournament. But I need to get crackin' on this otherwise the only one that will be missing out is me.

This weeks challenges: Water and workouts (of 30+ minutes). I can soooo do this! I also need to total up my points for the previous weeks (good thing I wrote them down on my planner). If I have high enough points, I will be submitting my before/after pictures on MamaNotes... but either way, you guys will see my before and after for the 20 in 20 challenge at Christmas time!

Ok... there is no day like today... so lace up those sneakers and head outside... I hear it's gorgeous!

Weeding through it all

2009-11-09T17:43:00.000-07:00

Wow. I never knew how many toys this child had until I decided to bring home more toys. And Dustin and I are in agreement that with Christmas a few short weeks away, we will be in trouble every year. But it gives me a chance to go through all of the toy bins and pack up what Ryan has outgrown, Corbin isn't old enough for yet, and any duplicates that can be replaced (old radio controlled car for a newfangled one).

Although I'd love to just hold a garage sale or list these toys on Craigslist... I am far too lazy and cheap. I'm more likely to just hold onto them forever. But then I remembered that I have been wanting to sell some outgrown clothing (that likely won't line up right with the seasons for Corbin) and toys at the Savvy Sale that is coming up in February. So... that's what I am doing. Packing things away to make a few bucks! Woot!

If you are a mom with some things to pack up and out in the Phoenix area, check out http://www.thesavvysale.com/. If you are a mom-to-be... check it out, too! There are great deals... might as well be for you!

Party Time!

2009-11-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Ryan's birthday is actually on Friday... but we had a party today since my sisters were both (supposed to be) in town. We went to a local park and grilled up some hotdogs! It was so much fun, and we are blessed to have some amazing people in our lives!

Saturday Church

2009-11-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, our church started having a Saturday night service. It was due in part to the fact that we are not in our own building. We are currently in a local elementary school. And we are outgrowing it like crazy. It's hard to believe how fast we are growing, but we are... and since the building can't grow with us, and we aren't going to shut people out... we now have church on Saturday night...

and we LOVE it! I love being able to do our normal Saturday stuff... head to church at 5pm. We are out by 6:30, and can still go do things! We can catch a movie, go out to dinner, or even hang out with friends, and we don't have to sacrifice a naptime!! That in and of itself was the biggest motivator for us to go to Saturday night church. Ryan can take his normal naps. Sunday church happened right in the middle of naptime, causing him to go down 2 hours later... and have a total meltdown every.single.Sunday because of it.

But you know... if you ask Dustin, he'd tell you that he loves Saturday church because we don't miss the game on Sunday... maybe that's why Saturday church started... football season. huh...

... anyway, check us out! http://www.lifelinkchurch.com/

Slow Down....

2009-11-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

Or you will be going to traffic school like me...

boooooooo

Good news... it's online. Bad news... it's online... I hope I can focus and make it through.

Sisters

2009-11-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

Have I told you before about my family? I have a beautiful and wonderful family... I am the oldest of four kids. I have 2 sisters and a brother. We are pretty different, but anyone who has met us can tell we are close.

One of my sisters lives in LA. She works with an event planner to the stars. She is super cool... throwing big parties for the hoity toities of Hollywood... and loves every minute of it! And I love hearing about her globetrotting. I am not allowed to tell her what she's up to right now... but I have requested some souvineers from the Dominican. ;o) Oh... that's her in the background behind J.Lo.

My other sister is an Army wife, living in GA right now. Her hubs is going to Ranger School and is scheduled to graduate on the 13th of November. Then, they are planning on moving to Colorado Springs, which is much much closer to us... and it doesn't hurt that her InLaws hook her up with low cost plane tickets so she can come visit. Don't tell her I put unflattering pics of her here... she might not like it...

My life feels so boring compared to theirs sometimes... but I still love mine... and one day, they will, too.

Guilty Pleasures

2009-11-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

My 20 in 20 is still going on... and I have a few more weeks to work hard. In fact, I still need to update on my mini challenge (the 8 week Body After Baby), but Halloween was a little bit of a slip since I brought in some candy... and ultimately my weakness... Twix. Yep... scoot over Klondike... what would I do for a Twix?!

I have had to try to avoid them, but one of my guilty pleasures is called Nutella. Have you tried it before?? Oh.my.gosh... if you haven't tried it, you have to! But I won't tell you to go out and buy the jar... what if you don't like it... then I would feel guilty. But worse... what if you love it?? Then I'd really feel guilty. But anyway... if you want to try it, grab one of these next time you are in the check out line...

Nutella is essentially the creaminess that is in the middle.... mmmmmm

And it isn't that bad for you... it's pretty much hazelnut butter with a bit of chocolate... and is delish on any baked item... or on it's own...

You are welcome. :o)

I am loving...

2009-11-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

I told you all a few weeks ago about the Febreeze filters that were making my life so much easier... well today, I just wanted to let you know about another little thing that I am just loving right now.

First, some background. Dustin and I have had a leather couch for quite a while... but a couple months ago, my parents gifted us a really nice sectional... but it was fabric. I was soooo nervous about it. About not being able to wipe it down after Ryan spills a snack or touches with sticky fingers. About cat hair, and dog filth... ew ew ew.

Well, the vacuum is still my friend, but I found another product that just helps me feel just a little bit more freshness when I plop myself down for some R&R.

Enter Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator! This product works by eliminating odors in fabrics, and leaving a nice fresh scent. I love it because now my couch and all 10 pillows on it can get a little pick me up without me having to pull out the vacuum or throwing everything in the wash.

... and at $4, you can love it, too.

Woot!

2009-11-02T00:27:00.000-07:00

Guess what... I lost another 2 lbs!!! It's not a ton... and I am sure part of it is because of me being so sick... but I am gonna take it and run!!

I am working hard to get to be a sexy soccer mom... and it's definetly work. I can't wait to kick this cough/cold so I can head back to the gym! I need to get to my goals!!

Also... I am going to be asking Santa for a Wii Active Sport for Christmas... anyone use one and like it? I love that Alison Sweeney of the Biggest Loser used it after having her baby to get back in shape... and then maybe I can drop my gym membership... tempting...

Halloween

2009-11-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

So, I was reading Muffin Cake and Katie mentioned that November is National Post in a Blog month (or something like that)... so I am going to attempt to post a new blog entry every day for November. I can't promise it will all be entertaining... but I'll still try.

So... here are some pics from Halloween... my little munchkin was a magician... and his chocolate snack left him with a delightful little mustache! And yeah... that's my clean cut hubby sporting his rockabilly style! :oP And I wish we had a great costume for Corbin.. but he outgrew the little outfit we had for him (6-9months size... didn't fit his 4 month body). Bummer. :o(

Gifts!

2009-10-25T22:06:00.005-07:00

I had the pleasure of going to a baby shower this week... and this little girl is going to be a Diaper Diva!

Trying to make the most of a buck... I whipped up a flannel receiving blanket and 2 burp cloths. I absolutely loved working on this! The colors were gorgeous and really made me think how lucky I was to have little boys... if I had girls, I'd be spending waaaaay too much at the fabric store... story of my life!

I am finding out that working on crocheted items and using my embroidery machine is actually my way of escaping. It's my little release... and I think that's what causing me to work harder and improve on my previous skills... who would have thought that 4 years ago, I was sitting on my friend Liz's couch as she tought me how to crochet! And, just experimenting is teaching me new things about my machines that I thought I never would be able to do. :o)

I am loving making my little difference... I have 4 little newborn hats that are underway... soon to be delivered to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center as donations! It's the little things...

Body After Baby, Week 4

2009-10-20T16:36:00.004-07:00

Whew... can you believe that we are already at week 4?! I know that it seems to be flying by for me... and I am trying my hardest to keep up! Thankfully, I am seeing a difference on the scales... boy does that feel great!!

So far, here are my point totals:
Week 1 Water: 50 points
Week 2 Walking: 20 points
Week 3 Food: 21 points

This week, the challenge is sit ups. Crap. I hate those things... but I need to do 50 a day. I have been working out with Jillian and let me tell you that those sit ups don't get to be any more fun. But, as Jillian says, Abs like that don't come for free! So... I will be on the ground this week!!

Don't forget to check out Mamanotes to see how everyone else is progressing this week!

I also did something big... at least for me... this week! I bought me a pair of tennis shoes!!! Ok, I am about to embarrass myself... but I honestly have been working out wearing an old (read, bought before I was even pregnant with Ryan) pair of RocketDogs. I loved them... to death... and they really are dead. But today, I went to the store and bought me a pair of Adidas running shoes. They aren't top of the line, but they are a billion times better than what I had, and now I have no excuse to not up the treadmill to a jogging speed at the least!

One last thing... I will admit that I am terrified of the Holiday Season coming up. Cookies and weightloss don't mix... any suggestions for keeping the cheer in my holidays without gaining a belly of jelly?

MyLittleDifference

2009-10-18T11:45:00.003-07:00

Shameless plug... but yeah.. here is my etsy shop. You knew it was coming... and it's still a work in progress... but I wanted to tell you that I am doing tons of custom work! Let me know if there is anything that you would like for this holiday season!

Also, for every item sold, I am donating a newborn hat to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. It's my way of giving each of those little babies a cozy little hug. :o)

Anyway, check it out. Heart me. Make a request. Thanks!

Why, Oh Why?

2009-10-12T17:03:00.003-07:00

I have a gym membership. I know... I am someone who definetly shouldn't. But I do. I am lousy about going... in fact, it's been on hold for the past year. Oh geez... did I just admit that? I have been paying $10 a month for the gym to hold a space for me... boy did they see me coming.

Well, the hold is off. I found out when I had the $67 charge hit my bank account. And then I said, welp, if I am paying, I better go. And what better time than right now, in the middle of my Body after Baby and 20 in 20 challenges? So, I donned a sports bra and packed the kids up and headed to the brand spankin' new Mountainside Fitness. There was a treadmill calling my name.

Back when I was a billion years pregnant, Dustin bought me an iPod that he loaded up with soothing music that I could listen to while I was in labor. I never really needed it after all, and I never learned how to use it. And since I don't even own 2 cds to rub together, I didn't really get it. But then I learned about podcasts. I am in love... with podcast talkshows! It reminds me of my commute I used to have... and my morning radio shows. And I am really INLOVE with Manic Mommies... you can find them on iTunes or on their website at http://www.manicmommies.com/. They make me laugh and are so fun to listen to. Plus, with each podcast about 1 hour long, I can hop on the treadmill and walk until it's over! Painless workout! Check 'em out!

But... I have just one little question... why, oh why, must every.single.cardio.machine face north... out the windows... and stare right at McDonalds?? Seriously? This is going to make me seriously consider a cycling class... ::sigh::

OH! Getting things added to the etsy shop... it's a slow process but a process none the less! http://mylittledifference.etsy.com/

Work Smarter...

2009-10-08T14:15:00.004-07:00

So, I was supposed to come in here and tell you all how great I am doing on the Body After Baby Challenge... but I slacked yesterday. Well... "slacked" is relative. I didn't make it into the blog world, but I worked my tail off!

Dustin and I decided that one area of our lives that we refused to argue about anymore is the housework. I try my hardest to keep up with a very lively toddler and have decided that it really is ok for the house to not be perfect because that means that we live here and that my kids are having fun being little! However, my husband doesn't agree with this thought process... so he's willing to give up other little luxuries so that I can have a cleaner come in a couple times a month to do the deep cleaning that I NEVER get to! And so... I must clean for the cleaning lady. One of lifes ultimate mysteries is why we do this... but I am doing it... so there. :oP

One thing that I have found that I think is utterly amazing are Febreze vacuum filters! I tried finding them online to show you, but you are just going to have to venture into Walmart and see them for yourself. I have a bagless vacuum, so I replace the filters to keep the dust nice and trapped! But these Febreze filters also make my rooms smell WONDERFUL! The Hubs always tells me that he likes the smell of vacuuming (which is just dust in the air, IMO), but he is a new fan of the Febreze filters too... clean floors and a nice fresh smell... plus no plug-in freshers that are fire hazards or too exciting for little hands!

Um, but I have been making progress. As you can see by my little ticker on the right, I have lost 7 lbs. I still have 13 more to go in the next 11 weeks. I know I can do this... I did great on my water last week. 3+ water bottles a day (over 64oz a day) so that means that I got my 8 points each day for the challenge. 56 points. I also signed up for the ning.com message board with the challenge... so that's another 5 points.

This week, we have to walk... 15 minutes of walking is 1 point, and we can max out at 4 points a day. I am getting the boys up and at 'em each morning to walk around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes... and we are doing it again after dinner and before bed for the boys. :o) So far, I have 6 points for the week... doing good... and I'll update later. I am also going to keep up on the water although I don't think the points count anymore. :o)

I hope your day is going as great as mine... back to the laundry!

Reasons I Can

2009-10-03T23:18:00.004-07:00

All too often, we come up with reasons why we can't... We are too busy, we are tired, we don't feel good... whatever. And the truth is, we come up with these reasons no matter what it is. Need to come up with dinner ideas? We are too uninspired. Hubby wants a little personal time? We have the proverbial headache. Craving the Snickers ice cream bars in the freezer? Too lazy to actually get up to get it... right? Ok... maybe I lost you on that one... :oP

But I think it's time that we all made a little change... let's start coming up with Reasons We Can!

I am particularly feeling this one with my weightloss challenge I am doing. I can drink more water because I care about my body. I can get out in the morning, pushing my two beautiful kiddos in the stroller, because the weather in AZ is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS right now! I can get up and get dressed... shoes, make up, everything... because I want to look sexy! I can come up with 1 great meal a week because slowly and surely I'm gonna be a Domestic Goddess!

It's my hope that this little change to a bit of optimism will start having a great effect on the rest of things around here. Who knows... maybe it's contagious. :o)

List making

2009-10-01T16:46:00.004-07:00

::sniff:: That's what you'd be hearing around here as I am nursing a cold... and trying to keep the kidlets from getting sick. And since I can't do much while I am feeling like my head is inside a gold fish bowl, I am working out a bunch of plans for the month of October... Oh my... can you believe it's already October?!!?

So, I have my Body After Baby Challenge that I am working on... so I gotta clean out the closet and organize my awesome fall/winter clothes! I cannot wait to wear my knee boots and comfy sweaters. I am sure a lot of my fellow Arizonans agree with me that it's so awesome to be able to have sweater weather, but not have You-Better-Wear-4-Layers-With-That-Sweater weather. ;o)

I also need to get my Etsy Store up and running... well, it's up. But definetly not stocked for the holidays yet. My goal is to have at least a dozen things listed by this weekend... I'll post a link to the store as soon as it's stocked!

I also have to share some pictures of the handmade holidays that are in full swing here... you are gonna love this stuff! :o)

What is on your lists for fall?

Body After Baby

2009-09-29T19:06:00.003-07:00

So my friend Courtney over at Moss Gathering was talking about the Body After Baby Challenge over at MamaNotes... and since I love checking out things that my friends tell me about... and I am also on a mission to be the cutest soccer mom I can... I decided to take part!

MamaNotes has little challenges and giveaways each week, and being a part of the big group helps keep me accountable. And while I love the 20 in 20 girls that I check in with everyday, I honestly believe that there is no such thing as being held accountable too much.

My goals for this week are to drink at least 60 oz of water a day. I know that 8 glasses is 64oz, but that's not a nice round number. And since I have water bottles that are somewhere between 20 and 25oz, I'm gonna say 60oz so I can think 3 of those bottles. If I drink all my water, that will be 8 points a day... and you better believe I am gonna try to beat that 8 glasses... and ::gasp:: I even didn't buy more coke! I can do this!

Head over to Mama Notes to see other moms progress as well!

Shredding... and Saving!

2009-09-09T13:09:00.002-07:00

Ok... so a while back I said I was gonna start getting my behind into shape... I am ashamed to admit it... but yesterday was my first workout with Jillian. But hey! Yesterday was my FIRST Workout with Jillian!! That means I am making progress... and I'll take it! It wasn't so bad yesterday, but boy am I feeling it today. And as soon as I am done posting this, I am off to do day 2! And the hubs is gonna give it the old College Try too! Oh, and a baby claim to fame... my sister's friend is neighbors with Jillian Michaels... that makes us practically sisters, right?? no?? aw man... :oP

And just a little post on my savings this morning. I went shopping at 2 stores, which I normally don't do... but I only needed 1 thing at a store that was on my way to the other store... so eh. Anyway, store #1 was for 6 boxes of Barilla pasta (baby sized piccolini and whole wheat spaghetti). Grand total was $.05. Yep... I paid less than a penny a box! Saved $11.94.

Store #2 was a bit more substantial. I got 25 cans of Bumblebee chunk light tuna, 8 cans of tomato sauce, 1 jar Ragu, 2 gallons of milk, 1 loaf of whole wheat bread, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 pack of corn tortillas, 3 packs of 4-count Charmin Ultra, 3 rolls of Bounty paper towels, 2 Dial foaming soap dispensers, 1 Dial foaming soap refill, and 1 bag of shredded cheese. Whew.... but all of that came to $30.43 after taxes. What a deal! I saved $66.20. Not my best day... but it wasn't bad. :o)

Coupon$ense- Give it a try!

2009-09-04T10:17:00.002-07:00

Some people have asked me how I save so much on my grocery bill (on average 75%) and want to do the same! It's actually very simple... I use a program called Coupon$ense! There are a lot of other programs out there that are similar... but after carefully comparing, I chose C$ and love it so much that I am now a registered instructor for it.

You can check out the details at www.couponsense.com. Here is the nitty gritty...

A one month trial to Coupon Sense is just $1.00 per week plus tax ($4.31 for the first month). If you want to continue, the rate is $3.50 per week plus tax, $15.09. And if you don't, just cancel 3 business days before the renewal date... no questions asked! There is no cancellation fee and no obligation whatsoever.

You also get discounts on the Sunday paper if you'd like (AZ Republic). Our rates are $2.25 per week (Wed, Sat, Sun Delivery) with additional Sunday papers just .75 each. I receive 3 Sunday papers (and 1 Wed, 1 Sat) for $22 a month. Not bad, and I ALWAYS save waaaaay more than this! I can help you set up your newspaper subscription if you'd like!

To get started, here's what you do:
-Go to www.CouponSense.com
-Click on Try Coupon Sense and enter:
-Your Zip Code
-Valid e-mail address
-Referral: Tabitha Lehman
-Select Tabitha Lehman from the drop down Instructor menu.

After you have filled out all your information and received your “Welcome” email, I will send you some helpful information to succeed in saving money.

Also, make sure you whitelist my email address so you don’t miss the Sunday and Wednesday newsletter I send out. I will also send other emails with tips, freebies and upcoming sales previews. If you ever have a question, need help or just want to brag about your latest bargain please know that I’m simply an email or call away.

Weightloss Support

2009-09-01T10:49:00.002-07:00

...comes in all shapes and forms.

I had a craving for some chocolate chip cookies. I figured if I made them from scratch, there might be enough of a delay that I wouldn't devour 19 of them in 10 seconds.

Welp, I ended up washing all of the batter down the sink and settling for some lowfat chocolate pudding with some coolwhip on top.

My Weightloss Supporter?? The mealworms in my flour. Ew....