tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87845804210237212982024-03-13T05:14:56.494-07:00Sarge & SunshineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-2598634450531202422014-03-22T11:24:00.002-07:002014-03-22T11:29:30.782-07:00Quick UpdateLife in Louisiana is great in some ways but in others, I wish we'd never left Washington. I can't help but feel really jealous of other families I know who got exciting assignments over seas and in sunny Hawaii while we're stuck here fighting off the masses of mosquitoes and daily visitors like this guy...<br />
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Yes that is a an ugly, veiny I'm so grossed out bat! I'm not sure what happened to it but I was so freaked out, praying one of my pets or kid didn't get a hold of it, exposing themselves to rabies... I was literally looking for signs of aggression and foaming at the mouth for hours after, lol! Which did remind me to update every ones shots ;)<br />
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There really isn't much to do at this installation, but up until last week, I was pretty happy spending my days at the house, settling in and unpacking. Gosh, it feels like I'll never truly be done with that though! My days have become about LONG hours with my toddler where we mostly play in the dirt out back, torment the dogs, watch gobs of Disney movies, snack incessantly because we're both so bored and visit the park almost daily because that is literally the only place to take her for some fun! I'm working on getting her into a toddler program on post though, but with SO MANY HOOPS and paperwork it doesn't make this an easy and fast process :/ I'm just not one of those moms who think creatively 24/7 always having a fun and exciting new game under my hat. I've accepted that and I'm okay with it! I do have my moments but there are definite lulls in the day. So it's nice that I have the option to just pay someone to help me with the load of keeping my child active and happy ;) <br />
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R picked up his first JRTC rotation a few weeks ago which hasn't been easy on myself or Alyssa. I can't remember the last time I spent so many nights alone...I don't think EVER! This week the dam kinda broke in that regard. I couldn't fight off this overwhelming sense of isolation and loneliness that came over me...I'm just so ready to be back living around family and close friends but that's just not a reality until 2021...MEW!!!! I know I have to get myself out and doing things, making friends, for these next 3 years NOT to feel endless and tragic. Life takes on a much brighter glow when your active and engaged with other adults, lol! I really hate that there is not a gym with a daycare here. I miss my old gym so much! I did join an All Hours Fitness a month ago but haven't done much with it on account I need to wake up at the butt crack of dawn to get my workout in before R needs to leave. On my own, I'm just not that hardcore. But my attitude and outlook improves ten fold when I'm working out regularly so I need to learn to be a morning person...<br />
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Going to try and make this blog a more regular thing as well! It's so hard getting back into the swing of writing when you've been out of it, but I enjoy it so much. Also looks like I'll have more time to write with so little to do around here ;) Minus school starting back up in a few days...I'm a nerd that this excites me, lol!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-48923885060633762442014-03-15T19:22:00.003-07:002014-03-15T19:31:10.806-07:00Oh don't mind me...<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm just <span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">dusting a few cobb webs</span> from this poor forgotten blog of mine. But proof I still exist is this pic from Valentines day, showing off my new Origami Owl locket. Hubby did so good ;) </div>
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You see, <span style="color: #ffd966; font-size: large;">I went back to school</span> in October and as if that wasn't enough... We <span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: large;">PCS'ed</span> </span>in mid November where we made 2 stops along the way, one in Arizona and one in Tennessee, prolonging my arrival to Louisiana for 2 months. <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Got pregnant </span>(unplanned) also in October, but lost the baby on Christmas day (wasn't sure I was going to put that in here but I guess I just did) Then when we arrived here in the swamp lands of Louisiana, I had no Internet for some days, Then after that I was <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">unpacking</span> (still unpacking) selling off our unused items because we had downsized for living space (goodbye baby crap taking up an entire spare bedroom) <span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: large;">redecorating</span> </span>(PAH! decorating for the first time ever) and well....<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Now here I am again</span>! I was rather busy. I thought about my blog often and even checked in on some of my favorite reads but the main reason I took a blogger hiatus was because of all the baby posts!!! Y'all were killing me with all that! My mind was saying I wasn't ready for another baby (little did I know I was pregnant with a baby) but my heart said "yes" each time I saw a new cute mama belly post or baby update. Sheesh! I couldn't keep a clear head like that. I hope you understand ;) </div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">Glad to be back</span>!!!</div>
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I hope everyone is doing fabulous in this new year, reaching for goals and dreams, sipping on chocolate air and seeing nothing but the brightest rainbows in your future!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-57702745680388291162013-10-21T22:05:00.001-07:002013-10-21T22:06:59.674-07:00Brain Dead With No Brilliant Title. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was the day and boy. I'm definitely feeling that eight year hiatus. Brain. Dead. Ha! </div>
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Is it bad that I'm already wishing these next eight weeks to be over? Most assuredly, this research paper that I had NO CLUE existed. I used to be a cocky little shit when it came to reading comprehension. But, apparently, I've completely rotted my brain inside these mindless romance novels I read and totally skimmed over that juicy tidbit in the syllabus, when "carefully" selecting a sham'tastic class.</div>
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Bollocks. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-32895779629600545922013-10-17T14:07:00.001-07:002013-10-17T16:08:26.698-07:00Officially Fall! <div style="text-align: center;">
Last Sunday we took Sugarcube to her first pumpkin patch, which makes Fall official. I think I was more the kid than my daughter! I simply enjoy watching her explore, discover and learn. Which was the whole of this experience. </div>
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We started out in the petting farm, only after spotting the pony rides where she kept wanting to go under the corral and pet them. Yeah. The petting farm it is! This widdle bunny was her first stop. I wish I could have recorded her squeals and "WOOOOOOOWS!" :)</div>
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She wasn't so sure about this chicken, haha!</div>
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The goat was of interest, until she spotted that little boys piglet. </div>
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I wish I could edit myself out of this photo. This is probably my favorite picture of her, that day. Such a sweet calf. And her crouching ever so gently to pet it :)</div>
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The straw bale maze was another hit. It was so difficult getting pictures because she was GONE! Surprisingly, she only got stuck once, having to turn back around and navigate some more. </div>
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Largest sandbox EVER! I was even impressed. If I were a kid, this is probably where I would have camped the entire time. That. and at the concessions, heehee :)</div>
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I wanted to do this with Sugarcube so badly! But it appeared big foot mama's and papa's needed to stay on the sidelines. This was the straw bale jump. She was a bit too small to climb the bales and leap, but she didn't mind stomping around in the plushy straw either. </div>
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Having a blast</div>
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I've always loved sliding with my kid. She's really at an age where she doesn't NEED me to take her down the slopes. But I still do anyhow ;) It's gonna be tough the day she actually says, she no longer needs me. TEAR! </div>
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Fun. fun! </div>
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Getting fancy. Going down backwards! </div>
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Coming in for a landing! </div>
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This was where we mostly ended our fun day. In the pumpkin patch! Shortly after these photos, we found THEE pumpkin. Daddy finally got his roasted ear of corn and Sugarcube managed to squeak in a small petting session with the cutest litter of kittens. </div>
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Carving our jack-o-lanterns this weekend! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-71144369435828225832013-10-14T14:07:00.002-07:002013-10-14T14:21:47.314-07:00The Mother of Brain Dumps <div style="text-align: center;">
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Sometimes my brain drives me nuts with all of it's random thoughts and ideas.<br />
oh why, do we women not have a nothing box? It doesn't hardly seem fair that guys get one but we don't? We're the one's who stress and angst the most in relationships. Who are constantly "on" solving the worlds problems in addition to our own...<br />
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So... Dear God, why weren't we given one of those? WE NEEEEED a nothing box!<br />
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Guilt. Such a nasty little parasite. It seems I'm feeling extremely guilty these days and I'm not exactly sure why. Okay. I know why but it seems really misguided and maybe a bit about keeping myself down. EWWWWW! Just typing that brings me into focus here. Go away negative, no good for anyone, spirits! I know we're in the month of ghosts and ghouls but I'd rather just focus on the candy and bag the trash. K? </div>
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Why is baby fever even a thing? Is it to guarantee we'll populate the earth? As if we would never come to have more children, after the curtain of reality's been lifted. Okay. Okay. If your basing this idea off one woman (me) and her first experience with pregnancy, then there's probably a lot of truth in this, ha! Which is why, I'm really starting to freak myself out. I know in the deepest part of my soul, that I am not ready for another child yet. In fact I keep a stash of cheapie pregnancy tests to relive my paranoid mind every month. So explain to me WHY my brain and body are trying to convince me otherwise! I'm seriously at war with myself y'all. I have involuntarily zoned in on everything baby related and it's just the most bizarre feeling. Constantly, mentally, being poked and prodded...I get when YOU want something, you become very conscious of that desire. But. I. Don't. Want. This. Right. Now. It's definitely a hormonal, pre-built in "go" button. It's gotta be!<br />
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And what is it about Christmas music, that make us feel so warm and cozy? This past week has been a bit stressful, emotionally, and so I've been playing those illustrious melodies all week. Which is great! When it fixes problem A. The only downside is. it creates problem B--- Feeling all warm and cozy makes me want to have all things warm and cozy. i.e cookies. cakes. hot chocolate. argh. And my pj's, where I stake a claim on my couch, vowing to never leave my warm flannel cloaks. Savvy?<br />
#150 on my to do list: delete holiday channel on Pandora ASAP.<br />
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Mommy fail. It appears I really missed a memo this past weekend, when seeing that everyone and their mother was at a pumpkin patch with their little tots. Facebook was FULL of pictures from corn mazes, hay rides and cherry cheeked cherubs holding their Halloween pumpkins... Then it hit me, that I am just so busy at being busy that I'm missing the mark a lot. I just don't think about these things! Yes. my kid might only be 20 months old and people might argue that she won't remember all the things I didn't do at this age. But I disagree! Kids are curious little buggers and they go looking for pictorial evidence. I know I did! So even though we didn't do a pumpkin patch last year, by gosh, you will have pictures from one this year kiddo! Psh. No guilt here.<br />
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P.S I started this post last week actually, where yesterday we did make it to the pumpkin patch. So. much. fun! I'll be posting pics of that shortly :)<br />
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And finally. because I've read though this post all week, tweaking and editing, I'm lead to address my obsession of PERFECTION....Lately I've been thinking a great deal on happiness and how much of it I actually do have in my life. Yet I don't think a lot of you would know it, by the way I expect perfection. It's kind of a buzz kill. Always running around, frazzled and frantic inside, trying to complete the million and one things I've told myself I MUST GET DONE. But if I don't (which happens ALL THE TIME) then I fail. I'm a bad mom. bad wife. bad everything.<br />
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But this particular morning, I woke up. The sun was shining when I left for the gym. My hubby was on his way out for a company ride (good for him, he deserves guy time!) and the day didn't feel so weighted. Rather carefree and happy! As I drove to the gym, with my daughter nibbling her snacks like a little mouse, I thought on this happy feeling and wished everyday could start and end like this.<br />
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and than a breakthrough happened. I realized, that truthfully, it can. I just have to stop expecting perfection in EVERYTHING that I do and stop viewing chaos as a threat; rather a sign that my life is full and thriving! <br />
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So today I'm embracing myself outside of perfection. And telling myself. yes. my house will always be chaotic and never be spotless. I'll never be caught up on priorities, at any given time, because everything is a priority and most of it's revolving i.e laundry. dishes. cleaning. cooking dinner. walking the dogs. making my husband happy. making my daughter happy. you get the idea. So just understand this. accept it and move forward!<br />
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Seriously. you will operate at the minimum most days, when you actually DID gave that day your all. But don't treat that as a failure. AGAIN. your life is full and thriving!<br />
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Delight in the things you did accomplish. No matter if it was simply time spent with your child. That IS enough.<br />
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You will never stop setting goals; you will never stop the pursuit of those goals. This is who you are. Always moving forward. Always bettering yourself. But a little tip here. Learn to recognize when your plate is full. and smile about this instead of frowning. This doesn't mean your failing, it means you're living life to it's fullest!<br />
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Lastly. your worth is not in your ability to preform perfectly. Again. I say. Your WORTH is not inherited through perfect performance. the people who matter will love you no matter what. Whether your actually juggle those balls, or you decide to sit on them, it will never change your value.<br />
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So go forth and BE who you are. and never apologize because your not perfect at it.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Ha! Take That MONDAY... </span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-29850905235436684022013-09-18T10:46:00.004-07:002013-09-18T10:46:52.922-07:00Guest Blogging!<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning y'all! </div>
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I just got back from my daily dose of the gym. But more than that, I did something today that I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE! I wrote my very first guest post. EVER. Did I say that already? Ha! Which was super scary (hello performance anxiety) but proved to be so fun too! </div>
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Find me over at the cutest nautical nest on the web, <a href="http://sweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-post-becca-sarge-sunshine.html" target="_blank">Honor, Courage, Commitment</a> and say hello! Also, for those of you who are following my weight training journey, I've posted a few "recent" photos of that over there. Enjoy!</div>
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Thanks for reading y'all and have a blessed day! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-24376687796415726472013-09-10T13:48:00.000-07:002013-09-10T14:42:00.435-07:00Being A Parent Is Hard. This is the post where I talk about my daughter and how she's been replaced with this complete, out of control, mutant monster the past few days.<br />
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Seriously. I DO NOT recognize my kid these days!!! She's being so terrible and honestly, I can't for the life of me, understand HOW my kid even maintains this level of crying and screaming on the daily. You'd think her reserve of (my life is so terrible) tears would run out at some point or her vocal cords would decide to shrivel and go on strike. No? Not even just a little? Okay, whateve. <br />
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I guess I HAVE seen signs of the terrible two's knocking, but after last week where she caught a stomach bug then got over it, this. THING. was left in its wake. I am still reeling at how fast this happened. I get that she was sick and was allowed more Otter-pops than normal, definitely got more mommy cuddles, but sheesh kid. There are better ways to thank me.<br />
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So far, in 4 days, we've had...<i>Well there have been so many, I've completely lost track.</i> BUT A LOT of tantrums. I'm talking, this kid screams so hard she's not even screaming tantrums. Rolling on the floor tantrums. Stomping those two little feet (faster than 8 pistons hammering inside a V8 beauty) tantrums! The kind of tantrums that you look at and think, <i>wow, that kids needs her ASS beat! </i><br />
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To be honest, I can't tell half the time what these fits are about! They start over one thing, and I MIGHT be able to salvage that upset by talking to her and giving her my attention, but the moment she starts down that road, it's like her fuse gets shorter and shorter and it just rolls into the next thing and the next. I would seriously be a nut case, walking on egg shells full-time, if I was that mom who chose to handle this by not upsetting the tater-tot. WOW. Last night we had the mother of all mothers of fits. Over a freakin tuna sandwich! Well it started out over daddy sharing mini Nilla Wafers with her and him not allowing her to have more then one at a time. We salvaged that one. But then she wanted to eat my tuna sandwich (but only while she was holding it) which I wouldn't allow, because IT WAS MY SANDWICH and she was going to make a mess with it ( I had just fed the kid a hearty dinner mind you.) She decided then and there, that this was NOT going to happen in her house, so she begins to do this alligator death roll while crying and screaming in frustration. Daddy can't handle the rolling on the floor like a spoiled child, so he keeps standing her back up. WRONG. I try to distract her with a few favorite toys and the promise of going outside (which I start dragging her towards the back door because she refuses to walk) and HOLY MOTHER OF MARY you would have thought I was asking her to walk the plank! (INTO THE SHARK INFESTED WATERS YOU!)<br />
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I will admit, that at one point, I misted her in the face with a water bottle. You know, the whole shock effect, because (hey) it works with cats! However, no positive response from this lioness... We try a few other things, like introducing "time out" (yeah big mistake on our part, 30 minutes before bed, when she was already fighting the cranky-sleepys) and talking to her calmly but NOTHING is working. SO I do the only other thing I know how, which was walk away... Hardest thing EVER! You're so conflicted. Half of you believes this should be dealt with, with a good'ol fashioned spanking. But the other half, just hates seeing your child this upset. We're talking hysterics at this point and half way to self-hyperventilation. Daddy and I sit in the hall for what seemed like an eternity (maybe 7 minutes) while she thrashed couches, her bean bag and the floor with those angry feet, eventually wearing herself out. She calms down and comes to find us, but THE LITTLE RAT, once she sees us??? Turns right back around to resume her fit. Another 2 minutes of this and she's finally spent, sucking her thumb, cuddling her blankie and looking so insecure and confused. KNIFE to my heart. I make her walk nicely to me though, than pick her up and explain to her that she will not treat mommy and daddy like that because that kind of behavior is ugly. I also tell her to say she's sorry ( which I get, is totally lost on a 19 month old, but it just seems like it needs to be taught now, rather than later.)<br />
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Needless to say, I wasn't ready for this swift donkey-kick in the mommy-face and so I certainly wasn't ready to know how, and in what way, I would deal with this. I obviously panicked and allowed that to drag out longer then it should have. So many mistakes I'm seeing, as I type this out. Obviously, very confused and incapable of dissecting that whole scene, The next day I call in the Calvary, a.k.a my big sissy!!<br />
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I really look up to her as a parent. She not only has sound parenting advise but she also has two awesome, well behaved kids to demonstrate the relevance of that advise. Dude, right now I'd love nothing more than to take her two kids to my one child. I mean, look at those little peaches! But just until this storm blows over... You getting all this sister dear ;) I WILL be visiting in December or January. Just sayin!</div>
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But because I can't trade my kid in for an older model, I'm sure I'll get the hang of this soon. I have to... I owe it to her to be the adult, set boundaries and never back down, even when I'm tired.<br />
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I love you to DEATH Sugarcube. To death! And I would do anything for you. To include, being that firm hand you need throughout life because we both want to see you grow into a decent, beautiful and loving human being. Yes, I'll feel like crying right along with you, and I'll always question if I'm doing the right thing, but keeping the end goal in sight, I know we'll get through this and achieve the outcome.<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But Damn. Being a parent is hard y'all.</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-85058951972215624772013-09-05T12:09:00.003-07:002013-09-05T12:12:32.750-07:00Fitness Update (Wk 10) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fitness update. </div>
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The past few weeks have been hit or miss for the gym. I've only been able to go 4 days a week vs. my usual 6. Poor Sugarcube's teething saga continues and she also caught a nasty stomach bug from the gyms child watch center. Don't you just hate when your kids are sick... So sad, but you do get some pretty awesome cuddles :) Baby girl seems to be on the mend though, so I have high hopes of kicking it back up two notches, come Monday.<br />
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I am still working on <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-introduction.html" target="_blank">Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer</a>; finished phase 2 some weeks back but have decided to redo the phase for more bulk time. What can I say. I LOVE TO LIFT! Currently, I've already completed week 2 of this second go around, so I guess you could say I'm 10 weeks into this weight training journey! I have noticed the scale creeping up the past few weeks, but if I'm honest, I haven't been hitting cardio as hard as the program wants and lets not forget that lean muscle weighs more than fat. Regardless though, 3-4 thirty minute sessions of cardio a week, isn't a lot to ask; I've just been lazy.<br />
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Here's a thought for you though (wish I had photos to hammer this home)<br />
The scale is currently sitting at 130.5 lbs vs. the 128.5 is was just 4 weeks ago. HOWEVER, 3 weeks ago I had on a pair of shorts that showed pretty significant over spill. Today though, wearing the same shorts, you guessed it. NO OVER SPILL....So do the math. What does 2 lbs heavier yet leaner, say? Weight training works. And the scale is NO measure of success ;)<br />
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I plan on taking another set of progress photos once I finish out my second round of phase 2. So be looking for those in 2'ish weeks. I think y'all are gonna be surprised what 4 weeks of lifting can achieve. I know I am! I'm also wrapping up a weight loss challenge on Sept 25th, which will be about right for these progress photos. I didn't join the challenge to lose scale weight. I had no intention of winning (that goes against my fitness goals right now) but I did feel it could help me get a handle on my after dinner cheating. Which it has. But oddly enough, the last I checked, I might be one of the candidates for the $200+ prize. so we shall see :)<br />
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I hope everyone is having a great week and chin up!!! <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! </i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-56650206750318195142013-09-04T11:47:00.001-07:002013-09-05T09:19:37.380-07:00Giddy As A First Grader<br />
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Dude. Facebook was FULL of cute and polished pics of kiddos returning to school today. So I had to jump in on the fun with a "Going Back To School" update of my own. A few posts ago, I wrote that I'd be returning to school for my B.A in psychology, but that I was still waiting on transcripts for them to cut my acceptance letter. WELL... That acceptance letter finally came last week, along with my financial aid award letter, which was also VERY good news for our bank account!!! I am BEYOND excited y'all. Don't you just love when doors open wide, where before they remained shut or seriously jammed? FINALLY, after seven years, I'm returning to school!!! I cannot wait for my first class and homework assignment. EKK! I know. I'm a nerd. But I'm also super comfortable in my nerdy skin ;) </div>
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To add to my excitement, I've already gotten a $750 scholarship through the school, and have 2 more very promising ones to be announced next year...Who doesn't love free money! Hello iPad 2???? </div>
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And lastly, instead of starting back March 2014, looks like I'll be squeaking in this October! I had plans of returning in March because of the PCS to Louisiana. I <i>thought</i> school would still be in session during the move and being without Internet, hopping from Washington, to Arizona, to Tennessee to finally Louisiana once my hubby arrived, didn't sound fun while trying to finish out with a good grade. PHEW! Just typing our December itinerary out, has me breathing like a woman in labor! December 14th I finish my first session, 2 days before the madness begins. Talk about "the hair on my chinny chin chin," Ha! </div>
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So that's where things sit for now. My academic advisor informed me yesterday that I have 21.5 credits that transferred into my degree, from my previous college. That means, if I follow their course schedule, I could realistically be graduated with my B.A in a little over 3 years! I understand there are prerequisites and all, which lengthens this time, but for the sake of keeping excitement a float? We'll "ignorantly"skip over the small print ;) </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><i>So my question to you. Online learning vs. Campus life. Which do you prefer? </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-20247467669874042072013-08-30T23:15:00.003-07:002013-08-31T12:19:20.353-07:00Back To The Lands Of Heat And Humidity. <div style="text-align: center;">
So, we're moving again...<br />
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And not even to somewhere remotely awesome. Sigh. I've been dragging my feet on posting about this. You know. Because I might have been thinking, I'll wake up one morning and, it'll all be a dream? Yeah right... I hate it, because this goes against my usually positive self, but I fight a dreaded state of being at least once a week from this and I probably ask the hubby once a week if there isn't ANNNNNNY way we can get out of these orders. Sigh. But alas, we have orders in hand and so. We're moving. I know nothing about Louisiana, other than Duck Dynasty hails from it's swampy, hot, humid depths. WHICH, does give the state a bit of appeal :) </div>
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I can't even think about how much I LOVE our current duty station, town, house and surroundings without being heart broken. We hadn't been in our new home more then 2 days when R got the news. I mean, seventy percent of our boxes remained packed still and we barely had the cable turned on! Any plans I had to Pinterest DIY projects for our new home? Gone. Talk about total buzz kill for nesting and unpacking. Sheesh. </div>
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But, contrary to what I've said above, I've actually made 90 percent peace with the move...Even though I've come across like I'm upset and whining, my hearts just not in the whole "woe is me mode" anymore. That is until I talk with others who are going to places like Hawaii and Germany, ha! But honestly, we've had a few months to be sad, upset, dreadful and sad again so I'm over it. Most days. I think back on our first year in Washington and remember how unhappy I was with a lot of things here too. Obviously that has changed, as I've adapted, gave it a chance and made the unfamiliar, familiar. The same will happen at Ft. Polk too. I know it. </div>
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This move does mean good things for R's career though. He'll most likely pick up his E-8 as well as be non-deployable for the time we're there. Hello relief! Especially with this whole Syria business unraveling. I'm also happy, because this means I'll be a lot closer to my family. Still a 12 hour drive, but so much more do-able then the many miles apart we are, currently. There isn't anything around us at Polk, really, but if we're willing to drive 1-4 hours we can be in places like New Orleans, Houston, Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans and I hear Lake Charles is pretty neat so I can get excited for some road tripping and sight seeing! </div>
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Those three years will be pretty quiet for us, it sounds like too. R will be home a lot (so we hear) and be working sham-tastic hours. So we're looking forward to just focusing on our little family, maybe consider adding to our family (no excitement from family just yet because we are still torn on this) as well as buckle down and knock out some serious undergrad credits. I've managed to find a few good groups on Facebook already which have been so helpful. I have to say, I've been blown away with the women on those pages! They seem so real, genuine, very low drama and very eager to meet new friends. I haven't really come cross that a lot in our other two duty stations. It could be the lack of going on's that makes everyone approachable and friendly, but either way, I don't care! R and I are horrible about making friends and staying connected, so Polk seems perfectly receptive for us to work on that. </div>
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January 2014, we'll be in our new state of residence and hopefully, pleasantly surprised and happy! Feel free to offer up any input if you've ever visited or lived in Louisiana or was ever stationed at Polk! Or well wishes and general "your going to love it" comments work too ;) <br />
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">P.S If you love my photoshop skills here, let me know and I'll give you the awesome free template I found of the map. I dissected it quite a bit, for this post, but it comes with so much; originally an "Oh The Places We've Lived" template. Being military, I KNOW I'll be using it again and again. Let me know! </span><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-13482346509539888362013-08-12T21:53:00.003-07:002013-08-12T21:55:13.099-07:00Eighteen Months <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sugarcube, </div>
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Today marks your eighteenth month of life and wowza, you're just so full of energy and sweet spunk these days! Each week you grow a little bit more in personality and skill, to where I often feel an extra breath is needed to keep up with how fast you're changing! </div>
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You love being in the outdoors, exploring things like bugs, sticks, grass, trees and birds to name a few. Your favorite time of the day is when Daddy comes home and we load you into the stroller or your red wagon, taking the puppy's for their daily walk. You also love that we eat our fill of wild blackberries on these walks! Like most babies, you enjoy playing chase, tormenting the animals who are very good natured about it, dancing to all types of music, watching your favorite baby shows and walking (or running) through the house trying every phrase, voice range or giggle you can muster. It's very entertaining! One of my favorite things you do, is searching the house for flies and squashing them. I love it! We go around the house, in a sing song voice, saying "heeeeeeeere fly'ie-fly'ie-fly. We want to KILLLLLL YOU!" Once we find one, you'll yell out KILL IT (gee it) and then we do. Maybe a bit morbid but eh ;) It keeps you entertained and it's actually productive! Unlike all the messes you like to make, just as mommy finishes cleaning them up... <br />
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You talk sooooo much now baby girl. I couldn't even begin to count how many words you know. Some of your favorites are: drink (ink), kitty cat (kee ca), dada, mama, lights (ights), owl, cheese (eese), outside (ah si), hot, hi, bye bye, apple and cookie (kee). You also know phrases and commands like where is, what's that, say____, time for, wipe your ____ and lets go. You love to make animal sounds too. Some of your best ones are a snake hissing, elephant trumpeting, coyote howling, a kitty cat meowing, horse neighing, dog barking and dove cooing. And that's only just a few! As you can tell, mama is very proud of how well you talk and how intelligent you are! </div>
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You have so many facial expressions too. You're a true ham! You've keyed into the fact that you can make mommy and daddy laugh, so you love to get our reactions on the daily. Sometimes that can be bad thing, ha! We certainly shouldn't find your little baby fluffs so adorable, but we do! And you noticed. So now you constantly go around trying to make yourself toot, and immediately look at us with the cutest, most innocent grin when you succeed. THAT is really hard not to laugh at!!! Oh my. What are we going to do with you baby girl...We just love you so much! </div>
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You've certainly made friends with daddy again, since his return, which makes me sooooo happy. It took some time but we've really noticed the past 2 weeks a shift in who you think is the coolest. And it definitely isn't momma! I don't mind one bit. I love watching daddy get "most" of your sweet hugs and slobbery kisses where he missed out on so many during the deployment. You love sitting on daddy's lap while watching him kill space ships on the computer, getting so excited when one crashes and burns, haha! You both also enjoy making shadows on the wall with a flash light, wrestling on the floor and of course, playing chase! Playtime with daddy is just the best...Currently, some of your favorite toys are dinosaurs, little cars and trucks, your stuffed dog that rattles, the dogs leads because they chase you around the house thinking we're going for a walk, your musical piano and your peek-a-boo barn book on mommy's iPhone. You climb everything to chairs, beds, the kitchen table, toilets, couches and the coffee table. This makes me so nervous! I know one day I won't be able to catch you when you fall, but keeping you off items is just impossible... </div>
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Sleepy sleepy time (bedtime) is probably the sweetest moment of our day; a time mommy really looks forward to and not just because it means I'll have time to sit down... I've worked hard to establish a routine you can count on, knowing what's coming, so going to bed is NOT a battle of fit ands tears. We go upstairs with your blankie (nigh nigh) in hand, a bottle of warm milk, turn on your soft lullabies, the overhead fan, sit in the softest glider ever and just cuddle! You usually drink your milk, then we spend a few minutes, you cradled in my arms, where we explore each others faces and mommy does silly things like making bug eyes ( you die laughing) and trying to catch the baby's tongue. I love it! It really ends my day right where I leave your room smiling and feeling all warm, fuzzy and connected to my baby. Never stop being so fun and sweet Sugarcube. It's one of the best things about you! I hope this routine of our's lasts for sometime... </div>
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Oh my, you are just so fun! Looking at this photo makes me smile so hard. You love to eat dirt baby girl, but apparently not today :) However, things you do love to eat are hummus, green peas, green peppers, chicken nuggets, mac'n'cheese, anything labeled a fruit including tomatoes, spaghetti, quinoa, cheese, anything bread like, eggs, pancakes, mini homemade pizzas, graham crackers, otter-pops and raisins. We try and explore new food combinations 1-2 times a week, which keeps mommy motivated to cook yummy dinners. This, daddy also loves and thinks is for him, but it's really for you baby girl ;) It's important to me that we keep you growing, eating healthy and expanding your love of good food choices... But shhhhhh...don't tell Daddy... it'll be our little secret! </div>
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Your last well check up, done at 16 months, you weighed 22 lbs (putting you in the 28th percentile) and stood 32 inches tall ( putting you in the 70th percentile.) You are right on track for development skills and even ahead on some things, like eating with a spoon, drinking from a cup and all the words and phrases you say. Over the last 2 months, you've really perfected spoon eating and drinking from a cup, although you still take a sippy mostly and do a lot of finger food still. You've had seven teeth explode through in less than a month, where you now have 12 teeth! I felt so sorry for you baby girl, although you handled it like a champ, giving mommy yet another reason to brag on her baby :) Right now we're working on identifying colors, shapes and body parts, counting to three and sorting. You love to learn and are so focused on the task at hand. Very much like both your parents! </div>
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Daddy and I've been doing a lot of "future" talk... Touching on things like, who you'll be when you grow up. What things will you remember and like about us as parents. And what things will you throw out when you have children of your own. Its conversations like these that really make me appreciate you're still just our small, little baby, writing about your eighteenth month instead of your eighteenth YEAR! I really want to freeze frame this time with you, especially now... This age is such a fun period, as you develop your love of laughter, having fun and exploring the world around you. Never forget that Daddy and I love you deeply Sugarcube; more than we knew a heart could love! Thank you for being ours and thank you for being you; a fun, loving, sweet, impish, determined, intelligent, cuddly, absolutely beautiful baby! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-1298834725811604672013-08-08T21:53:00.001-07:002013-08-08T22:10:40.833-07:00Lighter, Healthier, Happier (Part 2) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a quick moment, before we get into this read, to say thank you for the emails, comments and well wishes about my dad. He is in full recovery after having heart stents placed two days ago and currently under going 2 weeks of physical therapy. We are all SOOO relieved after a long week of slow and uncertain answers. GOD IS GOOD!</div>
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So last week, after writing a post about being <a href="http://southernrootsandcombatboots.blogspot.com/2013/07/lighter-healthier-happier.html" target="_blank">Lighter, Healthier and Happier,</a> I promised y'all a second post on what "saying no to the treadmill and yes to weights" has done for me! So, without further intro, here it is! Be warned. It's a long read ;) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">1 Year Pre-Baby 126 lbs 17 Months Post-Baby 128 lbs</span></td></tr>
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Currently, I am wrapping up week 7 of <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer.html" target="_blank">Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer.</a> Ever heard of it? Or of her, for that matter? I have to say. She is pretty awesome, along with her fabulous FREE program. I love that there are still good people out there, willing to share info without a buck attached to it. ESPECIALLY in the health and fitness industry. Everyone is always trying to sell you the latest and greatest. It's hard to know where to turn or invest your money! So when things like this come along, and there is no money involved, yet has countless, positive reviews from people who have followed the program... Well, that's just gold! But this wasn't meant to be a post about my Jamie Eason crush. So moving onto what I've done to loose the baby weight and tone up! I felt it was important to post a comparison of me at my thinnest, instead of me at my heaviest. I wanted y'all to see just how very little lean muscle mass I had before the kiddo. In the before photo, I was 126 lbs, using all cardio for my mode of fat loss and definitely not educated on the benefits of weight training and eating right. In the after photo, I am 130 lbs, 17 months post-baby, using weight training and light cardio for fat loss and VERY educated on how to fuel my body with the right nutrition. Thank you JAMIE and countless other articles found via Google!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">2 Months Pre-Baby 137 lbs 17 Months Post-Baby 130 lbs</span></td></tr>
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Jumping right in here, I can tell you, I definitely didn't start with weight training to loose the baby weight. (I really wish I had) but that typically requires the use of a gym and being a new, breastfeeding, mom who felt attached to the house, that seemed impossible at the time; there's such small windows of opportunity with a newborn. It literally was like, every 30 minutes SugarCube needed something. A nap. The boob. A diaper change. tummy time. cuddles and soothing because even she couldn't tell us what was wrong, ha! And that's just the baby. Forget about the household needs as well as your needs. So I did what I could! I dusted off my very under used (like only been on it 20 times in 3 years) treadmill for the first few months and actually lost 20 lbs. In that time, I made sure to eat very clean and lean while staying in the fat burning zone 45 minutes out of my day. But then I got bored of the hill, walk, run routine on the TM and decided I needed some more intensity. So I called in my boy Shaun T. We worked hard together 6 days a week for 2 weeks, ha! (I did a real dumb thing and gave myself some major shin splints, which hindered me from doing all the jumping and crazy none sense Insanity is known for ) So, then I decided I needed a new buddy. Someone who knew me better and would take it easier on my ankle. Someone who was KNOWN for at home resistance training vs jumping around like a monkey for 45 minutes a day. Ahhh yes. There you are Tony! P90X makin a come back. However, I didn't have a lot of the weights or the pull-up bar this program required, so I just selected 3 of Tony's dvd's, Kenpo, Plyometrics (definitely not as brutal as Shaun T's) and Ab Ripper, paired that with my trusty treadmill and in 1 month I lost another 7 lbs. Wow. But I still had 13 lbs to go before I would reach my goal weight... Sadly, those 13 lbs were put on hold for 3 months as I packed up our house, said so long to my hubby for 7 months, moved to Arizona, got through the crazy holidays and well into the new year.</div>
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This is where Jamie Eason comes in. Hubby had been deployed for 2 months at this point and hitting the weights hard in his absence. Hello even hotter hubby! He inspired me y'all. He was working so hard, eating as best as he could and well... When I'm around motivated people, I cannot help but be motivated myself. So instead of getting left behind, I decided to change with him. I knew this also meant that I needed to get uncomfortable...REALLY uncomfortable. You see. I have NEVER worked out in a gym before. So joining a gym for the first time, learning how to workout properly (alone) plus navigate the scary "MAN"side of the building while looking like a complete NUB! It was scary y'all! I was definitely feeling the pressure to run and try something, not so scary. But then my hubby told me about this awesome site called bodybuilding.com. And that was the game changer for me. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I perused countless profiles of girls/mama's who also got uncomfortable at some point. They looked so strong and healthy in their after photos; possibly the happiest they'd ever been... And then I found Jamie Eason. Her program seemed to be the perfect fit for a beginner, and I was right. She really eased you into a structured workout regimen as well as hand walked you through the proper nutrition to fuel your body along the way. I WAS HOOKED! From day one, I felt the burn in my muscles and pride in myself. I also learned to like, sorta, the adrenalin feeling of being uncertain and scared every time a new lift or machine was introduced. Jamie's program changes every 2 weeks, you see. I would finally get comfortable with the routine and with my machines, but then she would change it again, and again I looked like a complete nub. But change is good and very important! I've learned that your muscles adapt quickly to a routine, getting bored, and eventually you stop seeing those huge gains your sweating your bunz off for. Not so good. </span><br />
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After only 4 weeks of weight training, I started noticing a DEFINITE difference in the mirror and on the scale as well. I FINALLY had a lift in my derriere, where this gal has NEVER seen one before. I was that girl y'all. Complete pancake ass. But what could I really expect, when I LOOOOOOTHED squats and lunges and refused to see them for what they are... The GOD's of body sculpting, especially for a nice, firm rounded booty. I kick myself for such stupidity. All those years of hating my hinny and hiding it from even myself, when all it would have taken was bending at the knee! Moving on. I also saw other big changes in those short weeks, like leaner, sculpted arms and HEY muscles in my chest!?!? Even my back was expanding and my shoulders plumping, adding that extra "thin" look to my also shrinking waist. It was changes like this that kept me going. Which I can't stress ENOUGH how important it was for me to take progression photos along the way. I think I would have quite 10 times over, if it weren't for them. I'll admit, they are not always fun to take, especially in the beginning. But when you all of a sudden have that "after" photo or even an "in between" photo like the one's I'm posting today, you feel like you've accomplished so much more then you gave yourself credit for, just moments before. True story.<br />
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It has been a total of 4 months (with some breaks here and there) since I began weight training and I am astounded at the difference such little time can yield. I can tell you, and I hope you have figured this out for yourself or are willing to give it a try, but cardio alone will NEVER give you that shape your looking for ladies. Cardio is good at burning fat, but if there is no muscle underneath that padding, you will always have mediocre tone and mediocre satisfaction. I have done the eat less, do more cardio gig for ALL my life. I can tell you first hand, I never got the body shape I wanted. I literally thought, if I became skinny enough, then all these muscles, I haven't worked for, would just appear. I'd have abs and biceps and nicely toned legs. And a FIRM ass. PAH!! If only I could write a letter and send it back to young and uneducated Becca... It would say something like, "stop looking to rail thin models in magazines as fitness gurus for one. And when you get married, which you eventually will, listen to your husband when he suggests lifting a dumbbell instead of obsessing over that silly number on the scale." Had I of done that, who knows where I'd be!<br />
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I can't tell you where I plan to take this. But I can say, I am not limiting my body or mind! Right now, I'm just having fun. Enjoying my little bit of therapy each day as I sweat and exhaust every muscle and brain cell in my body. I definitely have an aggressive image in my head of what I'd like to see once in my lifetime though and it's definitely a strong, healthy, female hard body. But for now. I'm just enjoying the ride, happy to be where I'm at, yet moving forward!<br />
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I will do another update when I'm finished with Jamie's program. I'm hoping these next 6 weeks, I'll see an even bigger difference in shape and tone. Although this week, with the stresses of my dad being in the hospital, has been horrible for my eating. Gotta clean it up if I want the results to keep coming ;) Thanks for reading y'all! Stay tuned for Lighter, Healthier, Happier (Part 3) where I'll be talking about the nutrition plan I've followed along the way! I'll leave you with one of my FAVORITE (altered) fitness quotes. This one really hits home for me and puts that fire in my resolve. I'm not going out with regrets or missed wishes y'all. ESPECIALLY when I AM the wish granter. HELL NO! <br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><i>AGREED?! </i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-72869486582769847282013-08-01T14:19:00.000-07:002013-08-01T17:17:32.067-07:00Currently...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've always thought the currently posts are fun, so decided to try one of my own. I actually started this yesterday, the last one being from today...AMAZING how my mood can tank so drastically with just one day! Lol. </div>
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<b>Listening:</b> to the sound of silencio and it is GLORIOUS. SugarCube is taking her afternoon nap which means I get to spend time with you lovelies! </div>
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<b>Loving:</b> my new gym/running rubber! Although I'm not sure they love me back. I've had them for 3 days; little by little breaking them in on runs and at the gym. Sadly, my right hip has been in serious pain ever since. But I don't wanna return them. They're so pretty! </div>
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<b>Obsessed: </b>with my zucchini plant and watching how massive it's getting. LOOK AT IT! I planted it where we get the most sunlight and it has just gotten HUGE! I've already counted seven squash. THIS makes me happy! duh. money saved at the store equals happy dance . We eat A LOT of zuch around here :)</div>
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<b>Missing:</b> my baby's sweet nature. She's been teething 2 ginormous molars this week which has turned her into a very emotional 17 month old. Poor thing. She's had a fever, blood blisters, congestion, sleepless naps and nights...I guess I'd be a bit cranky too if I had to deal with all of that... Luckily, they have appeared so I'm hoping "happy" baby will return soon ;)<br />
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<b>Anticipating:</b> The return of my favorite shows! I mostly like to watch "sweet" shows that do not leave me grasping for my teddy and night light at bedtime. Once Upon a Time sold me with it creative twists on those fairy tales we all love, where as Hart of Dixie is just cute. And easy to watch! However, the show Nashville caught my attention in it's first season last year. I was HOOKED after the first 5 minutes! This is by far, my favorite out of the 3. It's full of drama, yes. But I love it because I love country music. And it does have a lot of great music in it. I also might be a mushy romantic at heart and addicted to Scarlett and Gunner's love story. Le sigh...<br />
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<b>Stalking:</b> A box of honey wheat Ritz crackers. It's definitely not on the menu this week, and once I get started I have a hard time stopping. So I will a wait the hubby's return and then eat a few...I'm completely confident in his ability to tackle and (or) wrestle them from my grip should my "I don't give a crap if I eat this entire box" hunger monster appear. I love fail safes, ha!<br />
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<b>Hating:</b> That I live so far away from family. Especially right now...<br />
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<b>Mourning: </b>The death of milk in my diet and all the yummy things it makes! New york cheese cake, cheese in general, CREAM CHEESE, cakes, cookies and ice cream...AHHH! Can you tell my brain is on sugar at the moment? I'm completely flabbergasted that after 28 years, I'm just now finding out I'm allergic! I mean really allergic. Thinking back, there were definite signs, but nothing like anaphylactic shock to get your attention, ha! I will be taking a moment of silence, to pay my respects this evening, as the reality of my situation just sank in... This sucks! <br />
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<b>Trying:</b> To salvage whats left of my day. You see. My morning didn't start out so great. Or rather, it started out okay but then got worse and I'm praying it stops between now and. oh. NOW. I always HATE when I wake up late. And today, that's how it started; 30 minutes late because I didn't hear my alarm, reminding me that there is this magic pill you take that discourages another bouncing bundle of joy. Oie! I wouldn't be so worried if this pill wasn't extremely low dose. Moving on. I get ready for the gym. feed myself. By this time SugarCube is awake and we go through those same motions for her. I down a pre-workout drink, grab the diaper bag in one hand and the baby in another and then realize I don't have my keys. Already 30 minutes behind schedule, I proceed to look around the house, in my usual spots, but there nowhere to be found. It's about this time that my pre-workout is kicking in and I realize my sweet child has gotten a hold of those damn keys and hid them. OH MY LORD. They could be anywhere!!! Pre-workout kicks it up a notch. Fidgety, must workout Becca is starting to appear. Forty minutes later, we find the keys in her junk drawer. A bit irritated. Okay a lot irritated but we get into the truck and off we go! Oh wait. The gas tank is sitting on "E." Another damn rolls through my brain but we fix that too, THEEEEEEN we go... Pull up to the gym and I instantly feel better because relief is just moments away. I drop the kiddo off in child watch, gave her butt a pat, said I love you and have fun! YES. The next 1.5 hours will be full of glorious sweat, screaming muscles, loud angry music and "ME" time. My day was looking up! However, fifteen minutes into my suffering, one of the daycare ladies taps me on the shoulder, because baby girl had a poop. Is it just my gym, or does your gym ALSO not handle dirty diapers? I think that is so strange but I handled it, not allowing the "you mid'as'well just go home" demon to win. I go back to my workout, pick up the barbell to finish those awful, AWFUL walking lungs and I kid you not. TEN steps into the set and this lady waves me down from the machine right next to the other machine I'm ALSO on. I unplug my, super awesome I don't hear a thing ear buds, and this is what I get. Lady: "Hey. Mind if I hop on that machine?" Me: Looks at the description on HER machine, a little confused, because I KNOW it's the EXACT same machine as I'm on. I quickly give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she doesn't know these machines are one and the same. So I respond with a smile "These are the same machines." Another smile follows from me, as if to say "<i>It's okay. There's so many machines in here. I have a hard time keeping them all straight too."</i> Lady gets up to change machines while giving me a, I don't give a crap about your superset routine and I'm not gonna back down, glare... Lady: "Yeah. I know. I just like that one better." WHAT!?!?! In case you guys are wondering, I was 2 SECONDS away from jumping back on that machine. And I really am considerate when it comes to super setting. I get that it annoys people. It's like hoarding cookies or toys or something. And I agree! To an extent... I think it's rude to super set when you have a hella busy gym or a particular piece of equipment that is mega popular, but that was NOT the case today...<br />
I responded energetically "Oh! Yeah no problem. We can just trade." But inside I really just wanted to give her a wedgie, spank her spoiled ass and tell her to go home. Yes. I just said that. And you're welcome... I need to eat more carbs...<br />
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But I'm gonna reach here because I'm trying to dig myself outta this negative "GRRRR" pit...She probably wasn't intentionally trying to sabotage my superset and she probably really DID like that machine better and didn't think I'd mind her preferance. She also didn't know my nails have been whittled down to nubs, waiting/hoping to hear good news about my dads current, scary heart attack that landed him in Vanderbilt hospital 2 nights ago. Or that my day had ALREADY been full of invisible "you shall not pass" sludge... Ehh... Tomorrow WILL be better :)<br />
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I leave you with this...<br />
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Current <b>FAVORITE</b> saying of the day: "Squat that ass to the grass!" HAHA! That just tickles my funny bone ;) <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-83330279156668519152013-07-29T14:27:00.002-07:002013-07-29T14:28:06.545-07:00Lighter, Healthier, Happier! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After 14 months of on and off work and 17 months postpartum, I DID IT! </div>
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I've lost all of the baby weight (and then some) and even took it a step further where I've worked to get in the BEST shape of my life! I'll be coming back during the next few weeks to write posts 2 and 3 on everything I've done to get here, things I've learned and things I'd do differently! It's all just one one big learning experience :) I just wanted to show y'all quickly what I've been up to in my blogging absence ;) See. I've been a productive mama!<br />
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I actually hit a point, 3 months ago, where I made it to 128 lbs. But having all four wisdom teeth extracted, the hubby's home coming and moving back to Washington, all in the space of 1.5 months, kinda put a halt on the gym. Sadly, I also allowed my eating to slide big time and it showed! Regardless though, I am back on track, hitting the gym 6 days a week and having the time of my life! Stick around if you'd like to see what, saying no to the treadmill and yes to weights, can do...<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-78300969725112677322013-07-25T13:46:00.000-07:002013-07-25T13:46:17.504-07:00I Could Out Shine Mr. Sun On A Day Like This! I have no direction for this post. Just warning you, ha! But this morning has been fabulous. The kiddo just went down for her 2 hour nap, which means I'm spending my coveted free time with y'all! Yes. Feel special. If you're a mom, you totally get what I'm talking about...In fact, you probably imagined me snarling my teeth and growling as I said "coveted free time." Am I right!?<br />
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I don't know. Today just had the feeling of sunshine and rainbows where I wanted to skip around and sing "It's A Wonderful Life." While I AM an upbeat, positive individual most days (or at least I like to think I am) there are just days that feel more awesome then normal; where it feels like NOTHING can touch you! Admittedly, after typing that, I had a moment of fear. I also might have ducked my head, looking to the skies for signs of death by lightening??? I AM sorry if you experienced whats known as fearful association, just now, yourself. And for putting that evil on you, if you weren't already thinking it ;)<br />
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So why is my day so awesome.. Well it started with a kick-ass workout, which is always a mood booster! But while doing my fourth round of dishes this afternoon, it just hit me. I am completely blessed in life. I am happier then I have ever been. I have a wonderful child to call my own who is also happy and healthy. I have a marriage to be proud of and a husband who is, and has been, a source of strength for me. He has definitely added quality of life to my years, as it <b><i>should</i></b> be with one another! This realization has struck me many times in recent months and I'm not sure that I have the words to express it's emotional impact on me. Very blessed comes to mind... That someone sure knew what they where doing with the collision of our hearts. So yes. Life is good. I am blessed. And I cherish the day these two came into my life... <br />
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I won't stop there though! But only because I'm dying to share this news and maybe a bit premature but, Eh :) Blessing number 100,000,356 would be the FACT that I am returning to school. Let me just repeat that. <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>I AM RETURNING TO SCHOOL!</i></span> Y'all don't even KNOW how excited this makes me. Or maybe you do? I've worked all week (during baby naps) at getting applications submitted, fees paid, transcripts requested and FAFSA started. I have yet to receive my official college acceptance letter, but do not fear. I am getting that mug! I should have a letter in the next month. Mostly waiting on the 2-3 weeks it takes for my diploma to be sent over...*taps fingers*<br />
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I have tried going back to school in the past, but I have always hit road blocks, whether it be money, getting pregnant, lack of the right school with the right program. You name it... But this time, things feel so different. Two weeks ago I had a complete stranger (where I wasn't even digging or researching yet) drop the PERFECT school, for me and this military life, into my lap. And get this, she is actually in the degree program I have chosen. Can we say, inside track? I seriously have used her as my personal admissions and financial aid counselor the last week, lol! Sure beat the 20 minute wait times I was experiencing, trying to reach the school... So what will I be studying??? Well join me as I let out a HUGE sigh of relief. Because after eight years of being educationally MIA, I finally am 100% when I say I have found my passion and know the direction I need to be heading... I will be pursuing my undergraduate in psychology! But more importantly, a Masters in social work or counseling. I am leaning more towards social work... One thing is for certain. I WILL be working with children. Period. That's another post all on it's own. So let the long road ahead of me begin! I'm ready. Focused. Dedicated. I've got this... <br />
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So you see? Life is good! I seriously wouldn't be surprised if there were sunbeam rays, shining through my smile... AHHHH! But now that I've taken the better part of this 2 hour hiatus from baby, I need to get my bunz moving on folding these last loads of laundry. Ahh yes. The not so awesome part of my life ;) Thanks for listening y'all. I'll leave you with SugarCube who decided I mastered the art of mini pizza's today. because. duh. she's eating it. SUCCESS! Yet another cloud for my dancing feet...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-18740772337869330212013-07-19T20:43:00.001-07:002013-07-29T14:28:39.616-07:00A Bit Rusty, But Here We Go!<div style="text-align: center;">
I hate when I've taken this much time from blogging. Truly. I do! So can we just pretend, for a moment, that this here blog's been hoppin and poppin with sassy, quipp'ilicious posts the past 3 months? That I've been sharing beautifully shot and edited photos on the daily and giving blow by blow DE.TA.ILS of fabulous Moi? And just as you'd expect, I've been faithful in weekly blog hops, linkups and heck! I've even done my part and written a few host posts so my fabulous ladyships could go on vacation without a halt in production. Yup. That's me alright, ha!<br />
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Sadly, that's not been the case. I've been a big-fat-blogging-failure. I partially blame that on the horrible, tragic <a href="http://southernrootsandcombatboots.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-doesnt-mac-me-happy.html">coffee spill of 2013</a>, and Facebook. But then I come back, to all that's happened in the past few months, and think. WOW. How could you just NOT write about that! Like the fact that your husband came home from being deployed and not only did you NOT say anything... You never got a homecoming pic!!! UGH. Yes. I still cringe about that. Yes. I wish I could go back in time, grab one of those equally excited MilSpouses and beg them to stick around for a shot of me and my soldier...<br />
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But, because I failed to get homecoming pictures, I won't go into great detail about his return. I even contemplated not writing about it because, lets face it, it's way more entertaining when you have photos to look at! So all I'll say is, it. was. amazing! Five days, baby free, with just R and I. Exactly what we needed, after months apart! We rented a hotel room for those days, and while we had obligations like signing for our rental, getting the keys, unloading our storage shed and other things, we really just spent that time talking, laughing, smiling (lots of smiling) and ahem...reconnecting. Can I get an amen!<br />
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Since his return, SugarCube and I have said "goodbye" to living with his folks in Arizona (goodbye sunshine) reclaimed our 2 dogs from my sister in Vegas and moved back to Washington state where we've been happily reintegrating for the past month!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Taken the day we left Phoenix. Our first shot together since his return! Oie...</span><br />
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This post is definitely lack luster. I know. And there's obviously so much more I could have said. Anyone that's been through a deployment and redeployment, knows that... I might revisit this topic some as I sort through photos from the past month. But for now, I just needed to get something written and if it sucks. Well it sucks and I'm sorry, ha! But now that I've broken the silence, I've paved the way to write about other things I'm passionate about. Like my current fitness status, yummy but healthy recipes I've been cooking, new PCS orders coming up all too quickly and SugarCube updates! For now though, you've gotta forgive my rusty fingers. I promise I'll get better, as the guilt and overwhelm wears off ;) </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-91243496177530816822013-07-15T08:10:00.003-07:002013-07-15T08:10:44.223-07:00Breaking The Silence! <div style="text-align: center;">
I miss my blog and have SO MUCH to share with you all! </div>
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Kinda like this...</div>
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Yup. The hubby is HA-HA-HOOOOME! </div>
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I will properly break the silence on this later though, because right now, it's 8:00 in the morning and my little SugarCube demands Mommy time :) Looking forward to disconnecting with Facebook more and reconnecting with my blog again!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-85513310557154364662013-04-05T19:56:00.002-07:002013-07-29T14:29:44.957-07:00Birthday Festivities! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, this is Alyssa's big birthday post that was supposed to be done, like..... back in February! But better late then never, as I like to say, ha! I also realize I've been gone from this here blog, for well over a month. I just haven't had the energy to write lately with so many things going on in my life. And not really things I can talk about, or want to talk about. I think you all know how that works though...Once you've been gone for so long, you feel like "where do I even begin, to catch everyone up!" So you push it off even more. Blech. It's a vicious cycle! But there's a good chance, I might have some exciting news here in a few weeks, so I plan on writing a big post then. Stay tuned! </div>
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Back to the birthday girl though... Originally I had planned to do a themed birthday, starring Mickey Mouse. But after dipping my toes into the world of Pinterest, I quickly realized, this celebration was becoming more about keeping up with the Jone's and not so much about the birthday girl! That just would not do...As much as I wanted matching decorations and fabulous party pictures to document this day, I just couldn't do it. I wanted to ENJOY my daughters birthday. And I knew she'd enjoy it A LOT more too, if I were focused on her, instead of being frazzled and busy, entertaining and playing hostess. So, SugarCube.... You were the star of the day; exactly how birthdays are meant to be! We had a wonderful time! Take a look :)</div>
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Truth be told, you really had two birthdays SugarCube. We celebrated your actual birthday on 02.12.2013 with a low key pancake and turkey bacon breakfast; your first taste of buttery, sugary, pancake goodness! It was a major hit and the added candle made me feel better about postponing your cake until the following Saturday. </div>
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You also woke to a birthday banner, balloons and brightly wrapped presents! You LOVED your banner and balloons. The presents were also a hit. Especially the piano Grammy and Grampy bought you. </div>
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This wagon was from your Aunt Suzi and it has proved to be so entertaining and fun for the both of us! You LOVE going for nightly spins around the block, almost as much as mommy enjoys taking you :) </div>
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That Saturday, we took you to the zoo and aquarium, for the first time, and wow! Did that ever turn out to be a fabulous time which we all enjoyed! It made me happy for your big day, that everything was so new and exciting for you. You couldn't get enough squeals out, no matter how hard you tried :) We made sure to take along Daddy too :) In short. The zoo was better then anything you'd tried in your short 12 months of life. Well... until later that night when you discovered cake, ha! </div>
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Here are some of my favorite pictures of you and I enjoying the gorgeous day! Gotta love open mouth, mushy kisses! I had so much fun celebrating with you SugarCube. You are such a cool kid to hang out with ♥</div>
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Here we are at the petting zoo, which you totally ROCKED! I mean you ROCKED IT! You loved all the little goats and deer and lamas and never acted scared or even stopped to cry when one bumped you down. I had a hard time keeping up with you!!</div>
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However, the aquarium was a whole other world of fascination for you. You pretty much talked and cooed at the fish the whole time while trying to pet them through the glass :) </div>
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Back at the house and after a LONG nap, we had friends and family over for dinner and cake. It was so much fun and you enjoyed being the center of attention, very much. That also was the night you ate chicken tenders and tater tots for the first time, and OH MAN! It was a major win :)</div>
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AND TA DA!<br />
Now comes the face cake! I spent a total of 6 hours, the night before, making this cake from scratch and hand decorating it. I was so nervous baby girl! I wanted it to be perfect for you and to also have Mickey on it, seeing as that's your guy. Gosh, I had bowls of colored icing EVERYWHERE! It got a little overwhelming but was so worth it! It turned out great and you thought it tasted even better! I have to say, I have complete respect for cake decorators though, because man does that take a steady hand and mega patience!<br />
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So that was your 1st Birthday celebration!<br />
I thought it turned out so well and I got exactly what I wanted. Quality time, spent with you!! I didn't pass the day worrying about hosting the perfect party, entertaining guests, playing referee to their kids, or refilling snacks. I just enjoyed my adorable baby, spending a lot of time reflecting on the months past and looking forward to the exciting months ahead :)<br />
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Happy 1 year SugarCube!<br />
~Mommy and Daddy love you to moon and back~<br />
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<!--3-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-23524040687692688662013-02-20T18:14:00.002-08:002013-02-20T18:14:53.261-08:00I'm Back! <div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><b>Good News!!!</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Sarge</span> & <span style="color: #f1c232;">Sunshine</span> </span>is back online, blogging from a new MacBook Pro! If you remember, I sent my, not even 2 month old, MacBook in for repair after spilling coffee all over the key board. That was 3 weeks ago... I still cringe, yet I say this with a very warm and WET cup'o hot chocolate next to me, ha! Just wanted to hop on and let everyone know, I'm a live and well and will return with SugarCube's birthday bash recap!!! It was a total blast and such a great first birthday. I can't wait to share it with everyone!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-54178516310603337072013-02-14T22:33:00.004-08:002013-02-14T22:57:17.290-08:0012 Months Old! <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">HAPPY</span> <span style="color: red;">1<span style="color: lime;">2</span> </span><span style="color: blue;">MONTHS</span><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: lime;">U</span>G<span style="color: magenta;">A</span><span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: lime;">C</span>U<span style="color: magenta;">B</span><span style="color: red;">E</span>!!</span></strong></span> </div>
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Although this is a few days late, and you weren't born on Valentines Day, you<strong> DID</strong> happen to come home on Valentines Day all those 12 months ago. So how cool is that! You will always be our sweet Valentine. But you <strong>LITERALLY</strong> where! </div>
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February 12th was your big day and while we did celebrate it, there's more birthday excitement this Saturday. So mommy's waiting to post about all the GLORIOUS birthday bash craziness then ;)</div>
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As for how I'm handling this huge mile stone? Well... You could say I'm at a complete loss for words. I can still see you, so vividly, as that tiny little newborn only hours old; all soft cries and slow motions. So who is this walking, talking, smiley baby face I look upon every morning? Have daddy and I really been at this parenting thing for 12 whole months? Well, I guess so, because here's the proof in pictures, tear! </div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><strong>AND THE BIG TWELVE!!!</strong></span></div>
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Alyssa, I know your my child, and with that comes a huge amount of pride and favoritism, but SugarCube, I think <strong>ANY</strong> little girl would want to have you as their very own baby doll! That's what you remind me of. The sweetest, most precious, petite and perfect baby doll! How did daddy and I get so lucky with such a beautiful angel...</div>
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I just love this picture of you ♥ Even though you now only hold one of my hands to walk, and not even a whole hand at that, this picture will always remind me that now matter how big you get, how much you protest and no matter how you act, you will always need your mommy... Now to keep telling myself this when your thirteen, full of yourself, and fighting against mommy and daddy so hard for freedom, independence and taking on the world. If your anything like me, that's exactly the age this will happen too ;) </div>
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You're doing so much more now, compared to your eleven month update. You've been perfecting your walking, which is still slow and calculated but you fall less and less this way. You definitely prefer walking over crawling and, in fact, I hardly ever see you crawl anymore. You're either walking on your own, walking holding my finger or bouncing on your knees across the floor, which you've used as a form of walking for sometime. You talk quite a bit more too, and although these new words aren't perfect, you've added bye-bye, dog, yum, hi and done to your already perfect words of mama and dada! You also communicate "no" by shaking your head back and forth, usually whenever you're done eating or you don't like what I'm feeding you. Additionally, you use the sound "pssh" for your cat Peanut because mommy's always saying "Pssh Peanut" to scare him away from whatever annoying bad thing he's doing at the moment. You also make this high pitched squealing sound anytime you hear Peanut meow, which is the cutest! Basically, you're full throttle with learning to talk and communicate. You try and repeat most words and sounds you hear, although you're obviously still working on the pronunciation. Don't worry though and don't rush it baby girl. You have time :)</div>
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You love to sing and point to things that catch your eye; play games like peek'a'boo, hide'n'go'seek and lately your playing the tease mommy by sharing your snacks, then pulling them away just before I can eat them, game. Haha! I laugh every time while tickling you, saying "you little stinker. You better give me that snack!" You grin and giggle, knowing full well what your doing. I love it and you obviously think it's great fun too :) You love pictures of R and I, and recognize mostly dada in the photos while saying his name. Your not sure what to think about the home videos we make for daddy though, because each time your watching one, you get this almost upset look. Like, who's that baby playing with mommy?! Or who's that baby holding my daddy bear! That one really upset you, to the point where I had to go get your bear from the crib. All was well after that :) You L.O.V.E your grampa and grammy but grampa holds an extra special place in your baby heart. That's very clear. You seek him out often, always laughing so excitedly once you find him and when mommy goes to take you form his hold, you'll turn away from me and push yourself into his shoulder. I tease you about it but I love that you love your grampa so much :) </div>
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You continue to love books and even imitate mommy reading them, talking in a sing song voice and turning the book every which way while flipping pages. I love watching you do this! It seems your favorite book is a series called Little Blue Truck which is really neat because Daddy's favorite book as a kid was Little Red Car! Like father like daughter :) You've completely made the switch to table food for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a bottle first thing in the morning and before bed. Your favorite finger foods, so far, are grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, tater tots, peas, mandarin oranges, peaches, lunch meat, deli cheese, bacon, eggs and pancakes. Pretty much anything I've tried you on, you've liked, so long as it has some flavor and is easy to smash between those little gums. You still only have 4 teeth, two at the top and two at the bottom, although it seems you're trying to cut another one, somewhere in there. Maybe that molar daddy and I saw pop through all those months ago, before it went back down? <br />
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I still don't have your growth updates for this month, so I'll have to come back and update on that later. You're sleeping pretty well still. Two naps a day with the first one being 2 hours and the second 1.5 hours. Although, ever since we moved to Arizona and you and I started sharing a room, you've been waking through the night for a bottle. I'm sure you do this because I'm in there, and I should probably break you of it, but I look at it as an extra opportunity to get calories and fats into you. Maybe you'll finally be above the teen's in your weight this month :) You wear size 5 diapers, 12 month pants, 18 month tops and size 3 shoes, however you could probably move up to size 4, no problem. <br />
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You're in love with the outside world; anything from your back yard to the grocery store to a restaurant. Your little eyes are always bouncing, taking it all in, wanting to touch anything and everything you can get your small, squishy hands on. I love watching you explore. However, your exploitative nature isn't without it's insecurities. This month you've developed a moderate case of separation anxiety which reared it's head right after you got your first case of the sickies, last month. I spent an entire week, nursing you back to health, holding you while you slept, rocking you because all you wanted was cuddles, answering your every cry with a tender touch and warm hug, never being out of your sight. So I guess you decided, that's how it needed to be from now on, lol. It's gotten worse too though, because you've also forgotten how to play by yourself and your always hanging off my pant leg, crying/whining until I pick you up. Much to my enjoyment, you've learned the art of biting too, but I've gotten some advise from my super-mom sister so I think I have a way of breaking you from this :)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-GC5zGcXgI/URwWF8_jO7I/AAAAAAAADvo/ZSanuVYQUdk/s1600/Pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-GC5zGcXgI/URwWF8_jO7I/AAAAAAAADvo/ZSanuVYQUdk/s640/Pic+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POjV_YVEvZI/URwYaGuhPKI/AAAAAAAADwQ/D8TzgMT4vSk/s1600/pic+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>But enough about challenging behaviour! You have way more sweet behaviours than you do challenging ones, so I don't even like to list those :) But for the sake of documenting your growth and baby stages, heehee :) So onto your sweety pie traits! You love to give slobbery open mouth kisses and you even give them when I say "kiss, kiss" and pucker my lips. I love it! Sometimes you'll start to lean in for a kiss, but then pull away at the last minute, all the while grinning because you know I'll make a big deal over that missed kiss :) You don't give consistent hugs yet but you do hug your favorite stuffed animals, Mickey and your daddy bear, pretty often. Learning to walk is a pretty tiring business too, so when you need a break, you'll lay belly down on the floor and give this very sweet smile, while kicking and thumping just one leg on the floor. SO PRECIOUS! You love to touch my eye lashes and teeth with your tiny fingers and to play the copy cat game. I'll clap my hands, or slap my belly, or blink my eyes and you do the same, most of the time. This makes playtime really fun and full of laughs :) You're just so fun, all the time! I can't wait for daddy to come home so he can enjoy you just as much as I am... <br />
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</a>You're such a blessing Alyssa Quinn. I say this almost every month but, Daddy and I both love you more then we knew a heart could love... Having you in our lives, has been nothing shy of extordinairy, exciting and fun! We couldn't have asked for a better baby or a bigger blessing meant for holding in our arms and hearts... As always, I look forward to the coming months with you, watching you grow and watching you build these new and complex skills!! I know you're no longer a baby-baby, becoming more this little girl in looks and personality every day, but I pray you keep this sweet and loving nature! It really works for you SugarCube :) Always remember daddy and I love you, love you, LOVE YOU! You're our world!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">Happy One Year Sweety!</span></strong> </div>
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Love,<br />
Mom & Dad </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-70242275714715449152013-02-08T10:16:00.002-08:002013-02-08T10:16:54.140-08:00Fitness Friday (Wks 4-5)<center>
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Holy crap, it's Friday again! I didn't get the chance to link up in last weeks Fitness Friday with<a href="http://sweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com/"> Kelly</a> and<a href="http://domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com/"> Lins</a> so I'll be combining 2 weeks worth of accountability here. This makes 5 weeks, where I have linked up and stayed with a certain amount of fitness and healthy eating. Yay me! I definitely had success with doing something active each day in week 4, save Sunday. However, I could have done WAY better in week 5. I mean, I literally fell off the fitness map this whole week. Sure, I kept moving with long brisk walks pushing my daughter. And I managed to stay on track (mostly) with healthy food choices and the scale never went up... But I didn't visit the gym once, didn't go rock climbing once (my climbing partner was out of town) and I certainly didn't supplement with an at home workout! I blame this bad week on myself, firstly, but also on my daughters freak outs at the gym daycare and good'ol mother nature arriving right on time, as usual. UGH...<br />
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A lot of you who know me, know that I'm really enjoying my time at the gym. However, my 11 month old daughter (turning 1 years old next week!) is fighting major separation anxiety, so my workouts are becoming shorter and shorter when I do go. This week I felt defeated before I even got there, which is the reason I didn't visit the gym once... Getting us both ready, only to leave 15 minutes later didn't seem like an efficient use of my time and felt like, whats the point? I'll only sweat for 15 minutes, worry about her the entire time while looking over my shoulder for her teacher, then feel frustration when the teacher does show up, over wanting my time, but also wanting to be a good mom and questioning myself, once again, whether or not I'm doing the right thing by taking her...Sigh. I'm Love Love L.O.V.E.I.N.G the gym, sweat, sore muscles and focus I get by going but this makes me really sad for her. And it's taking away my joy of being active and healthy when it requires forcing her through fear of me leaving. I NEED TO AND WILL MOVE ON THOUGH! This is good for us. Right?? I'm thinking this week is a NEW week and a good time to try it again. Just pray this gets better! <br />
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Anyway. I didn't cook anything spectacular in weeks 4 or 5, so no pictures of yummy recipes to share. Sorry guys! But here is my fitness wins, over week 4 with week 5 missing because, it was a complete miss, ha! <br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Saturday</em>~</span></span> 3.1 mile <a href="http://southernrootsandcombatboots.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-life-gives-you-rain-make-rainbow.html">Color Run</a>. TOTAL blast and a fabulous run<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">! </span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><em><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Sunday~</span></em></span>Rest is good too:) <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><em>Monday ~</em></span>30 minutes on the elliptical (easing SugarCube back into the gym daycare, which didn't go well) <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><em>Tuesday~</em></span>30 push ups, 60 sit ups, 90 squats, 120, lunges, 150 jumping jacks, 3 minutes of wall sits (at home. I couldn't handle SugarCube crying at the gym, 2 days in a row)<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><em>Wednesday~</em></span>30 minutes on the elliptical, 2.5 hours of rock climbing ( I always hesitate putting climbing down as a workout. Because it's more fun then anything! But it really is a smoker. An entire body workout where you wake up so sore the next day) <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><em>Thursday~</em></span>2.5 mile brisk walk pushing a stroller <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><em>Friday~</em></span> 3 mile run<br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"> TGIF!!!!</span></strong></div>
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I promise to spice things up next week and have a kick-ace 7 days of fitness to report!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-1631005884342600892013-01-28T19:04:00.000-08:002013-01-28T19:04:41.546-08:00This Doesn't (Mac) Me Happy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/73746512617720116/">Via</a></td></tr>
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I may not cry over spilled milk. But I'll <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><i>lose my freaking mind </i></span>over spilled coffee on <span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"><i>my very new MacBook Pro</i></span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;"><i>!</i></span></div>
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Yes ladies and (possibly) gentleman... I, miss butter fingers Becca, spilled my morning cup of joe all over my new computer, in a panic to feed my hysterical daughter her breakfast, and I just about died from shock, horror and well....SHOCK!!! Seriously... I've only had this laptop since Christmas! FRICK. FRACK. FRICKIN FRACK! True story. The thought (very rapidly) floated through my blogger brain to take a picture of the crime scene, BWAH HAHA! Like I said. Very rapidly though, because my sane side figured tipping it up to allow most of the coffee to run off was a better plan. <div>
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I'm just thankful my cautionary tendencies kicked in the day I bought it and I spent the extra green backs on a hella good warranty. Obviously I had the ability to see into the future to save myself from this <i>COMPLETE</i> disaster? <div>
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So, tomorrow I say goodbye for 10-14 business days. It'll <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><i>SUUUUUUCK</i></span> being without my livelihood (sad. I know) but trying to blog with no comma, semicolon or smiley face functionality is brutal and just so frustrating!! Not to mention, my DVD drive has also crapped out, which I NEED! This is how I make home CDs of Sugarcube, for R while he's deployed... I can't be without it! </div>
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I promise to try and blog from my mother in-laws desktop, while my Mac is in the shop. But I can't promise I'll succeed. Don't ask me why that is so hard, but it is! I guess I don't like being tied down to one location in the house. It seriously kills my writing creativity! I'm sure a lot of you understand (insert smiley face here, because I can't) P.S I'm also relying on spell check and cut and paste to insert these nice little commas too, haha! </div>
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Ta-Ta for now my friend...I will <span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-large;"><i>miss you</i></span> and will definitely do a ridiculous happy dance when you return. I'm so sorry I did this to you! *tear tear*</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-83130354439411937882013-01-27T11:39:00.000-08:002013-01-27T11:39:16.475-08:00Sporty Short!<div style="text-align: center;">
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In all of my excitement over the <a href="http://southernrootsandcombatboots.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-life-gives-you-rain-make-rainbow.html">Color Run</a> yesterday, I forgot to introduce my newest Happy Hair! </div>
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<a href="http://gifninja.com/animated-gifs/485378/happy-hair" title="Make animated gifs at gifninja!"><img alt="Happy Hair!" src="http://gifninja.com/animatedgifs/485378/happy-hair.gif" /></a></div>
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I loved my old <a href="http://southernrootsandcombatboots.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-hair.html">Happy Hair</a>, but I hated that it grew out so darn tootin fast! I had ONE WEEK with it, the way I liked, and then it went all whackadoo from there. So this time I went shorter, which gave me a more sporty, sassy look (LOVE) and where I hopefully wont have to cut it again for 4-6 weeks. This is day two hair and who'd have guessed! Now the trick is to make it look like this, fresh and clean, on day one! So far, I'm diggin it, the hubby however, is not... Maybe he will warm up because I'm thinking short hair days are here to stay, ha! </div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><i>Tell me. Have you ever rocked the short look? How'd you like it!? </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-80212337361823648192013-01-26T20:30:00.001-08:002013-01-26T20:39:18.875-08:00When Life Gives You Rain, Make a Rainbow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OMG I'm pumped!!! We ran the <span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">c</span><span style="color: lime;">o</span><span style="color: blue;">l</span><span style="color: cyan;">o</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">r</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: magenta;">u</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span></b> </span>today, and yes it was POURING rain, but we had the BEST time!!! Take a look!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the finish! I'm in the middle with my sister in-law on the left and our friend D on the right. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fierce women of color!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished and rockin the head band! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color. Color. C.O.L.O.R!!!! Thanks Target for the fabulous socks! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I nabbed these rockin sunglasses as they were being thrown into the crowd. YAY! That almost never happens! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally back at the house, FREEZING but SO STOKED we didn't bail on account of the rain! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before we got colored crazy! Flexing our color run tats, heehee! </td></tr>
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Holy moly, I cannot say enough about the Color Run. Yes. It is a bit pricey. $45 for early registration and $55 for late, but WOW! What a great 5k with such colorful energy from all the participants! We got there a bit late because of traffic, the rain and trying to decide if the race would even happen. But turns out, a lot of others were running late on at that account too, so it all worked out!<br />
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I ran the entire race, only jogging in place a few times until I got the chance to pass the walkers, and felt fabulous all the way to the finish line! Everything was perfect about today but that was a great bonus! I'm not sure of my time, but I wasn't worried about it. I went to have fun and I did! A lot of it! What a fabulous day to add to the memory bank... The rain was actually a great addition to the day too. In actuality, the color sticks surprisingly well being wet and ends up MORE brilliant than before. SCORE! I want to share every color run, in the future, with the rain! It added a bigger element of flare and definitely made the memory so unique!<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><i>Heres a short clip of the after party, ha! SO MUCH FUN!</i></span><br />
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We had plans of going to breakfast afterwards but that wasn't too well thought out. I'm almost certain, no one would have allowed us seating looking like we did, ha! We ended up going back to the house where my mama in-law had yummy biscuits, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs and coffee waiting. PERFECT! We were frozen so coffee couldn't have sounded better... I grabbed a shower, anxious to see how well the color washed off, and although you definitely have to scrub, it comes out. I wasn't so sure about sporting an orange face and blue arm pits for more than a day, lol!<br />
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In short---CRAZY AWESOME FUN! If you ever get the chance to run one of these, or something similar to to it. DO IT! You wont be disappointed!<br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white;">How was every ones Saturday? Full of color and cheer I hope!! </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030579413282699096noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784580421023721298.post-72711519429796571612013-01-25T08:53:00.000-08:002013-01-25T08:53:24.181-08:00Fitness Friday (WK 3) <br />
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Yay, it's Friday! And that means it's time for Fitness Friday which I really look forward to each week! Last week I was sick with the flu so everything bombed, from my workouts to eating, to sleeping and most importantly, staying hydrated. But I made up for it this week. This week rocked my socks! I literally wanted to stay in the gym, or be outside, running ALL day everyday this week. I had ants in my pants bad y'all! Fighting a bit of house arrest too after being locked inside for so long!<br />
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I ate really well this week, minus a small chocolate sundae on Tuesday, and stayed within 1500 calories or less. I cant say I did well with my water and sleep, however, which is probably why I'm feeling a bit drained at the end of the day. I've went up one pound this week, from the 5 lost while I was sick, but I know that's because I'm re-hydrating still. Regardless, I hit a major mile stone. I've reached 30 total pounds lost!!! That feels insanely good inside and looks even better on the outside. YAY ME!<br />
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Onto the weekly sweat jam...<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Sunday~</span> </i>2.70 mile morning run with some fabulous chickadees (this was my first workout after being so sick. It felt good and terrible all at the same time, lol) <span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Monday~</i></span> </span>30 minutes on the TM doing hills, running and walking intervals. Then 30 minutes working arms, inner and outer thighs. <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>Tuesday~</i></span> 1 hour brisk walk pushing a stroller. <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #bf9000;">Wednesday~</span> </i></span>15 minutes doing hills on the treadmill, 30 push ups, 60 crunches, 90 squats, 120 lunges, 150 jumping jacks, 3 minutes of wall sits. SMOKER! <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #bf9000;">Thursday~</span> </i></span>2 mile morning run (in the rain while pushing a stroller) 2.5 hours rock climbing that evening. I was smoked! <span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friday~</i></span> </span>Resting for my 5k color run on Sat! Pray we don't get rained out because that's what it's looking like. </div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And now for what I'm REALLY excited about... My yummiest meal of the week! </span></div>
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Sorry for the crappy picture. I was in a hurry to dive, face first, into this colorful aromatic bowl. Ha! I could have eaten my weight in this stuff y'all, it was that good! Seriously. If you have pangs of hunger for fresh, lite and perfectly flavored combinations. This is the dish for you! Also don't be fooled by the length of this recipe and instructions. It takes NO TIME to prepare, which is a double score in my busy day and I'm sure in yours too! </div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>Caribbean Taco Salad</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Taco Shell </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">4 (8 to10-inch) flour tortillas</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">3 tablespoons butter </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Salad</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">1 (20 oz.) package of Jennie-O lean ground turkey burger</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">1 (1.25 oz.) package taco seasoning mix</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">2 tablespoons water</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">2 mango's, chopped (about 2 cups)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">3/4 cup chopped avocado</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion (or any onion. I used white)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">1 tablespoon brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">1 fresh lime cut and ready to squeeze</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">2 cups firmly packed fresh spinach </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">1.) Heat oven to 425 degrees. Turn 4 medium size cereal bowls (or something similar) upside down onto baking sheet. Brush outside of bowls and one side of tortilla with butter (I used olive oil but only on the bowls) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">2.) Place tortillas, butter side up, over bowls. Press around sides to form a taco bowl shape. (it will not look perfect) Bake 4 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">3.) In medium skillet, brown turkey until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning mix and water. Cook over low heat 3 to 5 minutes, until thoroughly heated.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">4.) To make salsa, in medium bowl, stir together mango, onion, cilantro, brown sugar and lime juice ( squeeze until your happy with the taste.) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">5.) Place taco shells on serving plates. Divide spinach leaves evenly into shells. Top with cooked turkey, mango salsa and avocado...</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">And you're ready to eat! </span></i></div>
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Hoping to make next week another success! Although I'm fighting some major guilt as my daughter struggles through being left at the child watch center at the gym. She was loving it so much, then the last two times I've gone, she's had melt downs. This last one, I had to actually leave after 15 minutes of working out. Poor baby. Pray we get this sorted because I'm so enjoying my time there, sweating and working hard. </div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">G</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">I--</span><i>freaking</i><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">--</span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">F</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">!</span></b></div>
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