Day 4 and Day 5

I think weekends are always difficult, or at least they are for me. I was craving my usual weekend foods, cheeseburgers, fries, pop, pizza-  but I was good! Stuck to my healthy eating! :) 

Saturday 1/11/14

Breakfast was: a Chocolate mocha meal replacement shake.

Missed my snacks both times this day from being a little to busy. 

Lunch: leftover veggie speghetti with the broccoli slaw. This reheated ok- it got mushy/ old real fast. 

Dinner I tried out a new recipe, since I was craving cheeseburgers I did a little Pinterest looking for a "healthy" cheeseburger. I found this recipe in my search spinach and feta turkey burgers-http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/158968/spinach-and-feta-turkey-burgers

They were delicious! I served up a side of homemade sweet potato fries.

 

They were a hit even with my toughest critics: I got two thumbs up! 

Sunday morning I had half a peanut butter and banana sandwich with a spark.

Snack was an apple.

We grabbed lunch on the way home from  church. My kids French fries smelled so good- but I had a grilled chicken salad a baked potato with coconut butter. There's really no smell or taste to the butter, but it was enough to trick me into believing I had a buttered baked potato. 

Dinner I made a quiche and a fruit salad. The girls didn't like this as much, but I loved it. 

Over all I would have to say I did pretty good over the weekend. I had fun trying and making new recipes. I love cooking, it's relaxing and fun to me. 

I am happy to start seeing the numbers on the scale go down.  One day at a time I WILL get to where I wanna be! 

Day 3

Again another day of the same morning: 

I am so glad that I won't have to drink the fiber drink for a few days! The break from it is always welcomed! 😜😋

For breakfast I had my scrambled eggs and veggies topped with salsa and avocado, and the rest of my spark. 

Today was kinda crazy. I started looking through old pictures and then my morning was shot! I didn't get to eat lunch until about 2- because I had to feed everyone else first! Ahh the life of a mama! (I love every single second!) 

This is one of the "old" pictures I found. This is my husband and I in our engagement picture in 2005. I couldn't tell you my weight back then, but this is my goal! I wanna get back to this size by the end of this year. Total weight loss would be around 50-60lbs! Then the ultimate goal is to keep it off! 

Lunch was an expirement that turned out really yummy and messy! I made taco lettuce wraps, which turned into a taco bowl because of the mess. 

I had left over taco turkey meat that I mixed with a little brown rice and some black beans, topped with Jalapeños, avocados, and salsa. 

Dinner was delicious! I made a lemon garlic pork roast with rosemary garlic potatoes and broccoli.

I think for dessert I will have another no bake cookie while I still have some left and maybe a small glass of almond milk to go with it! 

Ending my day cuddling on the couch with my family for movie night.  ❤️

There is no where else in the world I would rather be! I am so blessed and love them all so much! 

Day 2

Day 2 started out the same. Fiber drink (bleck- it's so hard to choke it down, but I do because I know the health benefits are worth it. )  3 catalyst and my orange spark. 

Breakfast was 2 hard boiled eggs and some grapefruit. 

Snack was an clementine orange and some pistachios. 

My sister came down to pick up her 24 day challenge kit and we ended up going to Chick fil a for lunch. The kids and I had been cooped up in the house since Sunday so getting out of the house was nice. 

For lunch I had an Asian salad with grilled chicken and a fruit cup, with water to drink. 

Ended up skipping my afternoon snack but added some lemons and ginger to my water. It was nice and refreshing as my oldest and I worked on her school work for the day.

During the summer I make veggie spaghetti sauce a lot. I had some left over so I just pulled it out of the freezer to make for dinner. I also tired something I had seen on Pinterest, instead of eating the whole grain pasta that I had made for my family- I used broccoli slaw. I sautéed it in EVOO with garlic and onion and it was pretty yummy! 

Still wanting something for dessert, and getting questions about the chocolate craving that chicks get- I wanted to try a recipe I had found. It was for No Bake Cookies using additional Advocare products.  I made them using a muscle gain shake mix, peanut butter, almond milk and oatmeal. While they don't look very appitizing, they were pretty tasty. 

Day 2 went pretty well, I am hoping to get back to the Y on Monday. Adding exercise will only help me get to where I wanna be in the long run. 

 

2014- Challenge Accepted

I have decided that this is the year that I will finally lose all my 'baby weight'. After having my son and losing weight during the pregnancy I figure I've got a head start so why not keep going. I'm excited to start my 24 Day Challenge, a product bundle from Advocare that can help you start losing weight or get you over a hump if you've stopped losing weight. I have seen these products work first hand in my mother and father inlaw. They have been taking Advocare products for 2 years, but their journey all started with the 24 day challenge. I would say they have had amazing results: but the picture speaks for itself!  

    I have decided I want to blog/journal my challenge this time around. I think it will help me keep track of my progress better and can be a resource for future challenges or people looking for information on Advocare or the challenge?! :) So without further ado- here it goes

Day 1: weigh in: 203lbs 

waist: 47inches chest: 41.5inches

Breakfast: Orange Spark, 3 Catalyst, Herbal Clease drink and

Scrambled eggs with ham,onions, peppers topped with salsa and avocado, and 2 links of turkey sausage. Water to drink. 

I missed my morning snack today- homeschooling and taking care of a newborn are a blessed challenge all on their own.

Lunch: 1/2 a cucumber topped with Jalapeno and cilantro hummus and sliced  turkey. Water to drink. 

Afternoon snack: While I had my oldest and youngest napping, my middle child and I enjoyed some apples and cashews; while watching looney tunes. She loves the bird and cat so much! :) 

Dinner: a bowl of turkey taco soup topped with green onion and avocado. 

It was delishious and warmed me up. Had some pink lemonade spark to drink. 

To make the soup, I just threw somethings together in the crock pot- pretty much whatever sounded good when in there. It was loaded with veggies which makes it challenge friendly. If your not on the cleanse phase then topping with a little cheese and sour cream would be yummy! Here are the pictures of what went into it, I also added ground turkey meat, cooked up with taco seasoning. 

I ended up with peanut butter and banana as a before bedtime snack. I was still a little hungry- and that hit the spot. 

Overall I think Day 1 went over really well! Looking forward to seeing the results at the end of my challenge. 

From my phone....

I can post from my iPhone!! What??? Lol- I think I will finally start blogging again??? I will probably start a new one in October called everyday for a year- I want to take pictures everyday for a year of our new addition (due in October) and just our life as we live it! 😍

Kinda like this: girls up and watching Sesame Street! 😏

As you can tell- its been a super super long time since my last post! I'm horrible at keeping up with things! Kaylie will be 3 in 2 weeks- I can't believe how fast the time is going! I wish it would freeze! She's so adorable, fun, lovable! Perfect all around! She's my favorite Kaylie Eryn! ❤ 

Ren is 5- and we just finished our first year of homeschooling! She did great even on the bad days! We'll be starting 1st grade in July to get a head start before the baby comes! Ren is growing up even faster and it makes me sad since she was my first baby! She's 5 going on 35 most days! I love her spirit and her love for her sister (when she's not trying to kill her as sisters do) and her love for the new baby! She is so excited she can't stand it! Lol-

Both girls are looking forward to being in their Aunt Katie's wedding in 16 DAYS! I on the other hand am an emotional mess- and randomly break down in tears! I am ecstatic for her- and can't believe she's getting married at the same time! ❤😭😋

Well that about catches you up on everyone- 

Until next time- be a blessing because you are blessed-  

Still no good at

blogging! Even though I think about doing it all the time! Sorry Bug~

Maybe I should just add it to my daily list of things I need to do~ I don't have to write a 1,000 words everytime I sit down!


Right now I am in the office typing and you are sitting behind me getting into all of the homeschooling craft supplies! You are so much fun!! And a job and a half to look after! You are 16 months now~ wow~ well on your way to turning two! STOP IT~~ I didn't say that you could do that~ ;)p Getting so big and learning so much! Still not a talker~ but you do understand alot! You really are super smart! You and sissy both!
Well baby cakes~ mama needs to go make dinner! Love you so much!! <3 mommy~

My dearest Kaylie Eryn

(I am so sorry that I haven't kept up on your blog or taken as many pictures of you as I did your sister.:( I hope this coming year I will get better at it! )
~ Its been a busy crazy year! Having two precious ones to take care of everyday is an amazing challenge! I love you two goofies so much! You both make every day worth waking up for!
I love you my beautiful little Kaylie! You are such an amazing little girl with all the attitude and joy you have and give! I can not believe that you are a year old today! It doesn't even seem possible! I feel like I just brought you home from the hospital and I am still trying to learn how to be a mommy to two! :) My bug~ from the moment I heard you cry~ I was so in love with you! This past year has been the most amazing year! I couldn't not have imagined it with out you! You have made our life complete! <3
I pray my precious one that you will always know how special you are to me. I love you my beautiful Kaylie Eryn~~ Happy First Birthday!! Love ~ Mommy

why is it

when I think I will do good at something I normally don't? I wanted to start a blog for Kaylie with her pics and info but I've been horrible at it! :( Life with two is so much more busy than I thought it would be! Then trying to work and keep the house together too~ its exhausting! But... life is good and I am loved!
Beautiful Kaylie bug is now 9 months~ crawling everywhere and getting into everything! Pulling herself and trying to walk! Its kinda crazy how fast shes growing up! She also finally has her first tooth! I thought that thing would never come in! Poor littles has been teething for 6 months! :) But she is doing well!
Serenity is growing like a weed and is 3 going on 30~ Sassy, crazy and emotional just like her mama! ;) Guess the mother's curse works! :) We've been working on her letters and numbers! Its a work in progress! I do plan on homeschooling her this fall! It will take alot of prayer~ but I think we'll make it! ;) <3
Life here is going well~ Ready for summer and getting out of the house! I so can't wait!

I have found a

Homeschooling blog that I am in love with! Its confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com. It is awesome! It makes me very excited to start homeschooling Serenity this September!
I can't believe that she will be 4 this year and ready to start schooling! It sometimes feels like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with her! She is such an amazing little girl even though we spend half the day driving each other nuts~ which should make for an intresting home school experience! ;) We feel though that this is where God is calling us so we will do everthing in our power to make it happen! I am really looking forward to it!

the New Year

is quickly approaching! I can't believe that this year has gone by so quick! Ren had her surgery in January and is doing okay. Still getting infections but not near as bad as there were a year ago! I thank God every day for that fact! New baby in May~ Kaylie is doing perfectly! Serenity simply adores her little sister and is constantly giving her kisses and hugs! :) At seven months she rolls over, talks up a storm and is trying so very hard to crawl and pull herself up! She is beautiful and such a happy joyful baby! Serenity also go glasses this December! She looks so beautiful in them! I really hope they help her! :)
Curtis and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary in August. Its been an amazing five years and I can't wait to see what God has planned for our life in the next five and many many more! ;) I am more than blessed to be able to call him MINE! He works so hard to provide for me and the girls, he is the greatest! I love him so much, and even more with every passing day! I am so glad I don't have to find out what my life would be life without him!
Then there is the holidays that have come and gone already! Christmas was fun! Ren tired to take all of Kaylie's toys along with the ones she got! It was funny! The kids were spoiled rotten by both sets of grandparents! I love that they spoil them rotten, I just have to try to find a spot of all the spoiling! ;) I love that the girls have grandparents that love them like the world and want to spend time with them. I loved/ love having my grandparents around and all the memories I have from growing up with them~ I love that my girls will have this too!

While I sit here thinking about how amazing this past year has been, I also can't help but think about what the coming year will be bringing! I worry about all the uncertainties and challenges that will come with it~ but I don't want to dwell on those! I know that every day is a new opportunity to live, laugh and love with all that I am. I know that my God hold the future in His hand~ I am in His hand, surrounded in His unfailing love!
I know that my husband will continue to love me and support me and our girls. I know we will do whatever we can together to make our girls happy and feel loved. I love knowing that the only thing that will take him from me is if God calls him home! He is my best friend and I feel safe with him!
I know that my family (families) will be there to encourage us, support us in anyway the can and I love having them be in our lives!
So God whatever 2011 will be bring into our live~ My prayer is that we will give thanks to you everyday for everything you do for us!
Thank you for this amazing life you have given me! I am more than blessed!

tonight I can't sleep....

I was so tired all day that I just kinda lazed around and didn't get much done. Then when I got ready to go to bed~ the energy showed up.
Just sitting on the couch looking at pictures from different photographers in the area~ crying at how beautiful they are. Silly I know~ but I don't have that and I want it so bad. Just a group of pictures that are so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes. I do have some good pictures though~ mostly of my amazing girls. Which I am fine with~ I guess it all boils down to not having the 'perfect' engagement/wedding pics that people have these days. As lame as it is~ that's what I want. Didn't get it because I wasn't going to pay $3000 for pictures when my whole wedding only cost $5000! But a lesson I have learned and will tell everyone including my two girls is you don't want to skimp out on the pictures! They are and will be worth every penny~ I learned that the hard way! Oh well!
Back to looking at pictures and hoping someday I will get to do the beautiful bride shoot! ( need to lose a lot of lbs and maybe I can get in it for our 10 year anniversary!? lol~~)

Up early after a feeding....

and I can't seem to go back to sleep! Sometimes thats the case like today, but others I have no trouble going back to sleep! I do love however when I can not go back to sleep the peace and quite of a sleeping house! :) My girls and hubby are fast asleep in their beds and I can sit out on the couch ( when we have a laptop) and just listen to the silence! If I didn't love sleep so much I could see myself doing this everyday! Maybe even going to the gym so bright and early too! HAHA!
Went to the obgyn the other day for my yearly appointment and well lets just say the weigh in part was a nightmare! I really need to lose my baby weight! Its easier said then done for me! I love food! and I like being lazy! I get so exhausted chasing around and taking care of two little ones and taking care of the house~ That when I get 5 min to breathe, I would much rather grab a Mt Dew and a reese and veg on the couch and watch tv. But that has to change! I don't like the way I look or feel! I am tired all the time and grumpy too! :( I wish I could magically snap my fingers and the weight would just jump off! I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way! But anyway~ I think I am going to try Weight Watchers again starting in January! Because lets face it, starting now through the holiday days is just plain silly! ;) I hope it works this time around! But we shall see!
My hubby's alarm is going off so I guess I better go jump in the shower before he gets up! He always hits the alarm a few times before getting out of bed so I have time! lol~
Hoping today will be a good day and that I will get lots done! :)

Today I actually have

a few minutes to breathe! I hate that I started this blog and was so sure I would keep up on it because well being a mom of two you have a ton of time for breaks! HAHA! I am just thankful for the days when their nap time are at the same time and I can actually write! I really do need to start taking time out of my day for me to just be me~ not wife or mommy or off to the rescue for something else but just me. Ok now that thats over~~~~~ on to whats been going on.
Little Kaylie is now (well almost) 6 months old! Sitting up, saying 'dada', eating foods and cereals. She is getting so big and so beautiful. :) She is so much fun and happy all the time! I love it!
My other daughter is acting more and more like a teenager every day! It makes me sad because in well in 10 more years she will actually be one! Yikes~ I think I maybe getting ahead of myself a bit! But it is going TO FAST! I wish I had a pause button because even though Ren can drive me up a wall- she is still my beautiful, independant, hyperactive, smart baby girl! I am going to miss this age so much and I wish I would tell myself to shut up when I hear 'I can't wait for you to......' come out of my mouth. But I don't I just go on with my day!
My hubby has been working non stop it seems like. He is amazing and I have no idea where I would be with out him! I am truly blessed to be his wife. I thank God everyday for blessing me with him! :) I am praying that once we get our tax return back, he can quick working so hard! But we gotta pay the bills and that cost money! ;/ We do miss him when he works late, but he soaks up all the time he can with me and the girls when he gets home! He is a great daddy and husband! We are truly lucky to have him!
Thats about it from over here~ Hoping I won't go another 2 months without writeing something but the holidays are coming up! ;)

Nights like this are

really annoying! I took a great nap this afternoon, and I was still tired and ready for bed. As soon as I get comfy and fall asleep, guess who wakes up and doesn't want a passy! Kaylie bug- I love you to pieces, but mama needs her sleep! I must have slept long enough that now I am no longer tired and I have to wait to get tired again! I am also a little hungry! I would go grab something to eat out of the kitchen, but the hubs is sleeping on the couch tonight due to bad allergies! I don't want to wake him, because I'm such a nice wife! ;)
So I am just sitting at the computer waiting for pics to upload to snapfish so I can order some pics of my beautiful baby girls. We need new pics around the house!
Trying to get the business bills/payroll in order and personal bills in order too! That's a chore! But like I always say someone has to do it! And thinking I wish I had a free maid to clean my house, wash the dishes, clean the bathroom and do the laundry! I am sure every mom has felt that way at some point! I could really use a vacation and a week off from everything! Maybe one day!?

just some pics along the way

I am apparently

a horrible blogger! Its been over a month since the last time I wrote anything on here! They say that you don't document the second one's life as well as you do the first. I am so starting to see that! Poor Kaylie monster~ I know you don't have as many pictures as sissy did at this point and my blog for you isn't as good up to this point as her's is! Mommy is sorry and I will try to do better! I promise! :)
So-- I am a working mom with two kids ( 3 if you count the hubby- and at times he is just a big kid!) I am so lucky to have him on my side though! I have no idea how the single moms do it! I pray that they each have an amazing support system whether it be friends or family! I know that if I didn't have my family to help out- my three year old would be taped to a wall! While I love her more than life itself, she can be a lot to handle! ;)
I am trying so hard to handle working, raising a family, taking care of a house, and still try and take care of me! So if you read this and have any suggestions- I am all ears! ;)

I honestly love being a mom. Though all its trials, late nights, early mornings, blood, sweat, and tears from both parties- its a beautiful amazing challenge that I wouldn't change for the world. ;)

~~ Kaylie's baby dedication is Sunday, with family over for lunch afterwards. So today is all about cleaning and getting things ready. Good times. SOO glad that I will have my amazing hubby here to help! And that the kids Nana is taking them for awhile! I hope I will actually clean instead of take a nap! lol~

~~ sigh~~ My life is blessed~

growing and growing

I do believe that Kaylie has hit a growth spurt today! Super fussy, eating about 5 oz every 2-2.5 hrs. Its been a day! And to top it all off Ren got another UTI today. Took her to the Dr. and they put her on meds. Hoping these meds work and soon she isn't super sick which is good, but she is fussy too!

Kaylie has her 2 month well baby tomorrow so that means she will be getting some shots! :( I hate it~ I will probably cry! I did when Ren got hers!

Well I have survived another day~ Only with Gods help! ;)

sometimes I feel

Like being an adult sucks! I do love being married and having my kids~ but having to pay bills and live paycheck to paycheck that part just sucks! We are doing what we can to try and save money, and get ahead but something always comes up! Or money doesn't come in for where I work and then I don't get paid and well there goes more money on the credit card just so we can buy gas and groceries. Life as an adult is really stressful!
I watch my girls and miss the days of being able to play all day and not have a care in the world! When I was safe, protected, cared and provided for and I too didn't have a care in the world. I am still safe, protected, cared and provided for by my husband and his willingness to work two jobs to make sure all those this happen and keep happening! I am blessed that he will do these things to keep our children sheltered, feed, and clothed. Really what more can I ask for?
I'm just tired for worrying, being stressed, and really just tired of being tired. But I guess thats all part of growing up! Thats Life! I just better get used to it!

Its one of those nights

Where my brain won't shut off. I keep thinking about anything and everything. Bills, the girls, my hubby, our house, the things wrong with our house, bills, my friends, my families, ect.......
I wish things would just get better, we'd have no more bills and life would just be grand! lol~ Am I dreaming or what?!
I know that God will supply our every need~ not wants but NEEDS~ I know that we will never go hungry, we will always have a roof over our head and food in our bellies, so what more could I really ask for! Everything past that is a want! I don't need the Internet or cable~ I don't need a new car or van~ I don't need a ton of new clothes and my girls don't need them either. But I want to be able to get on line and have something to entertain with~ I want to look nice and for my kids to look nice too! I want to have a van or larger car so that I can haul everyone around! But those are just added bills which then I turn around and stress out about!
But this is life~ Bills, and working to pay them off! I wish it weren't so, that my hubby wouldn't have to work so much and he could be here with us, with me~ watching our beautiful girls grow up! Life is also what you make of it with the little time you get~ When he is home he helps me out so much! He spends quality time with the girls! We are so lucky and blessed to have him in our lives! He works so hard to make sure our needs are met! I couldn't ask for more! <3
Hopefully venting has helped me be able to go back to sleep~ but now I have to wait for 'lil to go back to sleep! ;) I really do love my life! Even if I may be tired for the rest of it! :) lol~