Week 1

I've lost 3.3 lbs this week alone!  I'm so excited! It's always been sooo hard for me to lose any weight no matter what I try! But I determined to count calories and work out ALL WEEK and then evaluate the results, annnnnd I'd say it's working!!  Woohoo!

Here's what I'm doing....

1. Daily calorie goal is 1200-1400 daily, although trying to stay closer to 1200. I invited friends over for a food swap, and it helped me so much throughout my week.  We each bulk-prepared a healthy food for everyone to take home and have throughout the week. So each morning I started the day with one of Tanya's baked oatmeal muffins and one of Nikki's fruit cups. In the afternoon as a snack I'd have one of Stacy's energy bites (although those are dangerously good!) and as dessert I'd have one of the tiny cups of Nikki's fat-free fruit dip (I just liked it all by itself by the spoonful!) It helped so much to have something ready-to-grab!

2. Daily workout.  I hate working out but when I add my calories and it's already 800 or so by the afternoon, I know I need to burn some so I can eat a full dinner with the family. I've decided I can more easily eat low calorie breakfasts and lunches and snacks, but come dinner time I want to eat something a little more normal. I've upped my workouts from running 2 or 3 miles (usually around 300 calorie burn) to 4 miles (almost 500 calorie burn).  That makes a HUGE difference to my Net Calories (total calories for the day)! I'm also finding that working out in the afternoon is a good time of day. I really hate the getting-ready-twic-a-day thing, but if I want to workout, that's just the best time. By the end of day I'm simply out of motivation.

3. I'm trying to keep drinking water. It helps your tummy feel full and keeps you adequately hydrated. I know I still don't drink enough though. I also occasionally drink green tea with a meal. Usually breakfast in replace of my usual coffee.  Green tea is 0 calories (I sweeten it with a tiny bit of Truvia, also 0 calories) and increases metabolism.

5.5 more pounds to my initial goal and 9.5 pounds to my final goal. So that's me. What's your plan??

This week

This week I've reaaally been trying to watch my food/calorie intake.

I've worked out 4 or 5 days IN A ROW. That's HUGE for me! I HATE working out!

On Tuesday I had girlfriends over for a food swap. We each bulk prepared some small healthy snack or breakfast thing for everyone to take home and have throughout the week. Could be as simple as cups of fresh fruit, which I've thoroughly been enjoying each morning for breakfast, along with a baked oatmeal muffin and then fabulous little energy bites in the afternoon. Yumm. It was a fun way to support each other in our efforts to live healthier.

Speaking of that, I tried this green smoothie I found on Pinterest. It was surprisingly good! Even though it has spinach in it, it just tastes like pineapple-banana. In fact, that'll probably be my lunch again tomorrow. ALTHOUGH the kids are all home and they love it too and they'll steal it all from me! So perhaaaps I'll share. Ya know, since it IS healthy n all.

AND speaking of other green things, I've been busy dying rice green. If you attend our local MOPS group, you'll soon find out why on Tuesday! =) hehe

This week I've ALSO managed to get my butt out of bed early in the morning to do a few minutes of Bible reading before that first set of feet come down the stairs. I'm reading through Acts, because it's just one of those books I've never really read. So far I've learned several neat tidbits that can be applied to today life.

Tomorrow Eli is off school and I'm excited to just hang at home.

T - 1 week until I leave for CHICAGO for girl's weekend! Woohooooo!!!

Life is good.

Truth.

Truth: I love spending time with my kids.
I want to bond with my children
and for them to bond with each other.
Truth: I love learning with them.
I want them to like learning.
Truth: I am still the main influence over my kids.
I am still their #1 teacher.
Truth: I want them to know THE Truth.
And how it connects with daily life
and the world around us.

Even if they're in public school.

Truth: I am still the parent.
Truth: I have not released myself from my duties.
Truth: Faith and family values are still priority.
Always.

Even if they're in public school.

Birds.

Hundreds and hundreds of them. 

Specks of white.

 Together. 

In the field.

Eating seeds.

Or something.

 And then flying off.

Together.

 To the next place.

{Newborn Photography} Baby Zeke

Rebekah is a friend of mine from MOPS. Then the Missouri flooding caused separation for months and months, Missouri started their own new MOPS group, and we just don't cross paths much anymore. So when she asked me to do newborn photos, I was pretty excited for multiple reasons and I anxiously started watching the calendar as the due date got closer and closer!  So it happens, Ezekiel was born on Hannah's birthday, and now there's another Valentine baby out there!  =)

Zeke is a very good baby, sleeps well and is content. But come the day of pictures, even with extra warmth and heaters, he must not have liked being undressed because he would NOT sleep!!  There were a lot of things I just couldn't do with him because of that, but there was a lot I DID capture instead. I forgot how much I love newborn quirkiness! =) Awkward movements and strange faces, I love it all! And finally at the end he slept for a little bit and I could catch some sweet sleep pictures. =) What a beautiful family!!

These are my favorites from the day...

their wedding rings have blue in them so I tried to feature that. click on the pic to view larger. the rings itself were Rebekah's request (love that!) but since Zeke was awake and wiggly, we combined it with the heart hand pic we didn't get to earlier. Holding his feet still for the rings AND getting the heart in, bonus! =) Sometimes you just gotta improvise!

Still here

Hi friends. I am still here.  Been busy and when I'm not, I'm lazy as all get out and enjoying the break.

Today is one of those days. Showered and got back into comfy clothes. Eli's off school today, so we're staying in. Trying to save gas, no place to go, so I let the kids wear shorts. Why not? 

I started a new project. Found an old desk FREE on the sidewalk, so I rearranged the back of our car and threw it in. Brought it home and am now currently working on turning it into a nightstand for our bedroom. It's fun to have my own project. To get out the tools and work 'em myself and prove to myself I do know a thing or two!  Can't wait to see how it turns out and hoping to win the approval of Kevin who was skeptical of my project idea!

I did a newborn photoshoot last weekend and am done finishing up the last of the pictures. Will post some of them here soon for you to see!  =)  It's been since Fall since I've done any photoshoots. I was so nervous. I'm still trying to do decide what exactly I want to do with photography, or IF I want to do anything at all! 

In a couple weeks I'll be headed to Chicago for a girls weekend with my college friends! I'll trek across Iowa, pick up three friends there, and we'll continue on to the city! SO EXCITED!!!  Then the week after that is my birthday and I get to celebrate with my friends here, as well as my own family.  So many great things coming up!

I have an idea for Kevin's family, and the more I think about it, the more excited I get.  It's pretty expensive, but it could be wonderful. It's a secret though, so I'll leave it at that.  =)

Life has been pretty great lately. For the most part. I'm finally feeling more settled here, forming a regular circle of friends, finding more ways to help at church and serve family and local friends in their individual needs. Continuing to grow new friendships, particularly with other COUPLES, and trying to utilize the most of the times when the kids are gone somewhere (ie AWANA, or school). Week by week the calendar has been filling up, and that's fun to me. The house may be a wreck at times, but at least I'm happy, we're happy. 

Alright, better sign off now but wanted to say hello!!  Have a great weekend!