Tot School 2013-2014

From October 2013 to May 2014, Lauren and I have been holding a little thing called Tot School at my house two days a week for a few of our kids' friends. Daniel invited John and Caleb, and Nate invited Issac for tot school. Each tot school day, the kids spend time playing, and then we read a book, go over their colors, shapes, sing songs about the weather, and alphabet, evaluate the weather, and then we split up to do a sensory activity or something else. It was a BLAST and we loved it. The kids learned a lot!!!

We took a 'field trip' to the Transportation Musem the week we talked about trains. Lauren and Chris made these awesome little trains for the kids to "drive" 

We also did sorting activities by letter! 

Towards the end of year, Lauren came over and we spent the ENTIRE day cleaning out the room and closet to get it ready for this coming Fall! 

These sweet friends had a good time. We are looking forward to next year! 

Homestead Creamery

Homestead Creamery. Those two words together put a smile on my face and bring me happiness. We decided after we returned from vacation that we wanted to do this. 

I started reading up on milk, and wanted to make a change. So, I started ordering non-homogonized milk or creamline milk instead of homogenized milk. Homogonized milk is what you buy in the stores. There are several benefits to drinking non-homogonized milk, and even more benefits to drinking RAW milk, but RAW milk cannot be sold in a store, I don't think. But basically, our non-homogonized milk separates in the fridge, the cream rising to the top, so you have to shake it before drinking it. It's one less process your milk goes through than what you buy. Plus, it tastes soooooo good! 

Also, we bought veggies every week that Justin, our milkman delivers along with the rest of our goodies. Along with the veggies, I also order brown cage free eggs, butter, Boars Head cheese and meats, sour cream, cottage cheese, lemonade on occasion. We really love it! Plus, when I get home, it's all in my fridge!

Our LAST Florida vacation to see Grandma & Grandpa

The  past several years (6?) We have traveled to Florida 1-2 times per year to see Dennis' parents. This year, they decided to move home to Virginia permanently which meant that we would have to fly down to drive a Penske truck back. Daniel and I made the flight a few days earlier than Dennis. Daniel did wonderful on our flight! 

He was sure to read up on how to save me in case I needed saving! 

We traveled over this body of water for what seemed like forever.. and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I prayed quite a bit through that. 

He really did a great job entertaining himself. 

He warmed right up to the water! It was perfect. 

Evening shopping at the square. 

On the golf cart!

A typical face he makes lately. 

Lots of selfie family pictures on this trip! 

We searched for a car while we were there. We found one. Bought it. I was IN LOVE. and Dennis retuned it the next day. Boo!!! 

Florida storms. 

Packing them up to prepare for our trip down!

Daddy dancing with Daniel. 

It was so nice when Dennis was finally able to join us! 

Daniel! 

Our trip wouldn't be complete without Dennis' favorite black and white cookies!

Boat ride!!

We were glad to have a long vacation. 

Potty Training

On Ju;y 16th, 2014 Daniel began the process of potty training. I was dreading every bit of it, not excited at all. I can't say Daniel was ecstatic either, apprehensive a better word, but we are going good! He does #1 with no problem at all. However. #2? Not very good luck. He has YET to put poo-poo in the potty, but we are working on it each day. Enjoy some photos of our time together in the bathroom. 

Lots of stories, singing, and waiting. 

By far, the only was the only way I can survive this. From the beginning of my life, public restrooms skeeve me out beyond words, and I don't use one unless absolutely necessary, and I certainly won't bring him in one. I know, I am odd, but public restrooms are gross. And yes, a portable potty in the back of my car doesn't seem necessarily sanitary either, but all of the elements in the back of this car are well within my control. I know who's bum has been there, and I can clean it every day. 

So, here is to waiting for him to do #2!

Weight Loss...

The last time that I wrote on the blog I was doing the Advocare 24-day challenge. I liked the challenge, but sadly, it's been FOREVER since I have done it. It is now the very end of July, and I can excitedly report that I am still making progress! 

I have learned a LOT through this. Mostly, that for me, this will always be something I have to monitor, and work for. Also, I have learned that though the ultimate goal in the beginning was just to get to a goal weight so that once and for all, I can call myself "skinny." Well, that is still the goal, but I didn't count on FEELING GOOD, and having ENERGY, and that I would be a better mom, a better wife because I can MOVE! That doesn't just mean out on walks, but I am able to keep up my home, and maintain it. It really is surprising! And I am not even HALF WAY THERE YET! I can't imagine how wonderful that will feel when I do get to my goal! 

Also, I never considered the journey with clothing from a bustin' size 14 to anything lower. I guess I thought my body would magically transform from a 14 to the goal size of 6. Well, I am NOT even close, but I am closer. My mom took me to the mall the other day and we started to shop. When I found certain things I liked, I grabbed my old sizes by default. I considered for a moment that they would just fit more comfortably. Well, I get in there... and these 14's SWALLOWED my body! I was stunned! I even called my mom in my fitting room just to be sure that I wasn't imagining it! Sure enough, I had to SEND BACK my 14's for 12's and XL shirts for MEDIUMS! Can you believe that? I can't REMEMBER when I could wear a medium shirt! WOW. 

So... these are the numbers... and with numbers I have a LOVE/HATE relationship. Numbers motivate me, even on the treadmill. I love to see numbers. But, my experience with the scale isn't a friendly one. My numbers tend to just stick and fluctuate refusing to dip below a certain number . . and it's just infuriating. However, I am working out by building muscle and I know that can cause you to lose inches. Speaking of inches... 

Day 1 of the 24 day challenge to last week, I have lost a total of 17 inches from head to toe! Woo-hoo! The scale is keeping me between 15-17 pounds of weight loss. and I have gone down 1 pants size, and two shirts sizes! 

I am keeping at it! Thanks for reading. 

Advocare 24-Day Challenge Update #2

Alright... before I get started, these posts are mostly for:
a. me to read back whenever I consider doing this challenge again.
b. to monitor my own progress as I engage in the battle with food and cravings.
c. for those of you interested in me during this particular journey
d. for those considering trying the product.

I have made it (almost) to Day 10. Which ends the first phase. Sigh. What a 10 days!!!

First of all, I ended up with stomach bug if you have kept up with me the past week or so. Which... is not fun. My eating became really thrown off. 98% clean turned into 80% clean. (maybe even 75%?) which made a huge difference in how I felt. But other than that, here are the Pros, the Cons, and the in betweens.

Keeping in mind my scale is 4-5 pounds heavier, I am actually a little lighter than these number... but for constancy sake:

Day 1: 182.8
Day 10: 177.2

Weight loss: 5.6 pounds
Total weight loss (since Jan 20): 11.8 pounds
I am literally dying to get to 175 by the end of the week.

14 more days to go!!! (of the challenge) the journey for me will never end.

I feel better. Some days I wonder if it's worth it. And then I give in and eat something I once enjoyed. And then I immediately am reminded that it's NOT worth it. So, small cheat meals, or moderate cheat days are helpful for my amnesic mind when I start to believe that I am spinning my meals or what I eat doesn't matter. IT MATTERS!!!! When I over eat I feel it most in my belly. And in my chin area. I mean, I LITERALLY FEEL IT. It's awful and I do not like it. It's amazing I actually like a chin more than a burger.

Pros:
Advocare is help. It is a healthy help. The cleanse has improved the health of my insides. It has given me a "clean" slate so that I can continue with healthful eating. I said I would never do this again, but, I probably will at least do the cleanse phase once every year or once every 6 months. I feel better on the inside. Everyone else talks about higher energy levels and better concentration. I cannot say that is true for me because I am not a great Spark drinker. I only get the morning one in, not the second one. So, I could have improved on this.
Catalyst is supposed to be awesome. Because I am taking this with the cleanse pills I am not sure what I am feeling specifically due to the spark.

Cons:
THE PILLS! I hate it. BUT........ I have learned that if I hold my breath when I take it I can get them down with ease. It's not because they smell, I don't know why. Another major con for me is the scheduling. In the morning you have to take this and drink that, wait 30 minutes take this and drink that, and then 30 minutes later eat breakfast, and then have a snack, and then take this and that, wait thirty minutes and eat lunch. I am literally TIRED of having to think about what I am putting in my mouth every moment. AND... I hate that I feel like I can't just LISTEN to my body. I am not feeling hungry as often as it says to eat. And I have honestly cut that corner.  Probably to my detriment.

Thanks for reading.

Am I sticking to my resolutions?

In January, I made a list of a few things I wanted to be sure I improved on in the new year. I have a few resolution hater friends out there. You know who you are. And for the record, I wanted to report on how I am doing.

To refresh memories, these were my resolutions:

1. To be more mindful about sending "Thank You" notes to my friends and family who have blessed us.
2. To blog more often. Last year, I only blogged 15 times in the year total. I can't even believe how sad I am about this! :(
3. To make healthier food choices (the typical resolution)
4. To print more pictures of us
5. To have family pictures taken
6. To stay more organized.

So..........

how am I doing?

1. Thank You's: I am sending Thank you notes out about every 3-4 weeks. In my planner I write down in the margin each person who needs a thank you note, and at the end of the month, I write them out, and send them! I am learning through this that we are truly blessed and loved on by so many.

2. Blogging: Already in mid-March I have made 20 posts, up 5 from my total from last year. I am doing much better! An improvement for sure!

3. Healthier food choices: Yes, that is definitely improving as you know. I am making swaps every day. The other day for lunch my aunt and I went to Applebee's and instead of my typical "Broccoli and Chicken Fettucine Bowl" or the awesome double cheeseburger and fries I chose to get a grilled chicken breast over peppers and onions with red rice and shrimp. I agonized a little bit over the rice and then I reminded myself that this is most definitely an improvement for my health over my past choices. I have cut my soda intake by 98%!!!! I have increased my water consumption by 50% (I still need to drink more!) I am sleeping better, and feeling better too.

4. Pictures: I have printed more pictures, but I need to display them somewhere!

5. Family Pictures: I am on the calendar with a wonderful photographer in June! I can't wait.

6. Organization: This is the most beneficial progression of them all, I can attribute the improvements to:

1. an Emily Ley life binder. It has multiple sections:
- Financial Planning: Where I list what is coming up that needs financial attention, what money is coming in, and where the money will go.
-Meal Planning: Meal planning sheets, grocery lists, healthy food ideas, etc.
-Calendar (Weekly & Monthly views) I write down everything! It helps me remember when I am not near my planner, and it helps me remember when I can't remember.. :)

2. Coupon Binder
I can thank my dear friend Kristin for this gem. She created a small binder categorized by: Coupons, Reward Cards, Punch Cards, and Misc.
I put all of my store related cards here. It keeps my wallet thin and neat, and easy to see when I am looking.

3. Cute zipper pouches: My purse can be an endless sea of junk. So, I have put 4 zipper pouches inside my purse. 1 small one holds my hair ties, bobby pins, chapstick, etc. 1 medium size holds my feminine products, pens, binder clips, etc. 1 medium sized holds a small camera, and sunglasses, and 1 large holds my wallet and binder.
Although my purse still gets cluttered, the clutter is usually kept out of these pouches which means everything else I can grab and usually toss.

4. My bathroom drawer and cabinet has been organized so that my everyday uses are separated from my occasional needs such as earrings, clippers, etc. I am happier. This makes a big difference.

5. My car. This is a harder one for me, but I am trying. I am doing ok. :) I try to just bring what I can inside.

What still needs help:
-my laundry room
-my pantry (kitchen)
-Daniel's dresser drawers
-My dresser drawers
-Homeschool Room closet

Maybe I will be able to tackle these during a Spring Cleaning.