Just Want to Share Some of My Progress!

Sorry to blog only about 'ME', but I feel I've earned a little time to talk about the small little progress that I've made by kicking diet and exercise into high gear!  It's comparison time!

 Here is a picture of me in late August, at the beginning of starting my new workout routine and diet plan.

And here is a very recent photo!  Amazingly, I've only lost 3lbs., but I've dropped one jean size!  I can definitely see the difference in my face.  I hope to start losing more weight soon!  Keep your fingers crossed!! When struggling with PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome) and Hypoglycemia, weight loss doesn't come as easy as it does to the average Joe.  As many with PCOS know!  I like to say that I haven't lost much in the weight department because I'm building so much muscle, hehehe!  Hopefully that is true!

I recently met a new friend and she works out a lot!  I regret that I can't make it over to work out with her, mainly because of Daddy being on Second Shift.  Hopefully though, with Daddy being back on First things will change.  Anyway, now that I went off of my point.  Honestly, this friend had reinspired me to get back onto the wagon of diet and exercise.  As most who know me, I've struggled for 2 years to lose any weight.  It has led to being on again and off again.  To eventually just plain giving up!  Well finally I've come to a point where I'm tired of being tired and not having the energy to keep up with my kids.  I'm tired of looking in the mirror and putting myself down because of not liking what I see.  I'm done with that.  The time has come to stop placing blame on PCOS/circumstances and really knowing that the reason I didn't like what I saw was no one's fault, but my own.  I now realize that I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be.  I've pushed through my boundaries and haven't let pain stop me.  I can only hope that this new strength I've found, perseveres!

On the other hand, when it comes to the scale.  Well lets just say, I would LOVE to drop kick it out of the nearest window!!  Because of this, I've decided not to let the scale dictate how I feel.  Honestly, I feel wonderful!!  I still need coffee, but I do have more energy than I've had in years!  I've decided that instead of setting a goal on the scale, that I would rather set a goal of a jean size.  And what size, you may ask, do I want to be?  My reply, I would love to be a size 8!  I'm only one size away :)  So here is to reaching my goal!

10 Year Reunion

This last weekend(if you can believe it)was my 10 year High School Reunion!  Now officially I didn't graduate from the particular HS that this was for because I ended up switching HS my Junior year, but I went to school with the people from NHS for several years, from 3rd grade to Sophomore year.  For me, it felt like I was a part of the class.  Especially since my friend JC(pictured with me above)and I still hang out and talk like old times!  I also have several other friends from NHS that I'm also still in contact with.

Honestly, back in the days when I was at CMS and NHS, I was teased, picked on and had several untrue rumors spread about me.  Mainly because of a certain girl in a grade below me, was jealous and she made sure to make my life difficult.  Thankfully she is also someone that I'll never see again or ever care to see again.  To put it plainly, I did not enjoy my childhood/teenage years.  Without getting into specifics, I was thankful for the friends I did have and still do have!  You know "true" friends when they stick with you over 15 plus years!  They know me better than just about anyone, except my Husband perhaps ;)

Given my past experiences, you probably guessed how nervous I was to go back.  Or even ask why I would want to!  I think part of me just wanted to see how everyone had turned out.  I know I've changed a lot, of course given what has happened in the last 10 years(seriously could last me a lifetime), how could I not change?!  After all, if I've changed, surely they have to.  Right?  Well honestly I don't know.  For the few I spoke to, I enjoyed.  Honestly when my friend JC and I arrived at the Reunion dinner, sans kids(best part!), all my nervousness had passed.  I realized that they are all just people!  We were all awkward and some were nervous.  Amazing!  For me it has finally put the hurts and pains of the past behind me and now I feel like I can finally figure out who I am.  I've also decided that all that pain I put up with growing up really has made me stronger!  It also has given me the ability to read people!

It's funny to get all of this from a Reunion.  Basically put, I'm glad I faced my past head on and truly enjoyed the experience.  This experience also brought back a lot of good memories that I had forgotten.  It brings back the old saying that you always hear, it's easier to remember the negative than it is to remember the positive.  So true!  I can't wait until the next Reunion, if they'll have me!  Also a huge thank you to my bestie JC for going with me!  I enjoyed spending all day Saturday with you sans kids, it was like old times.  Some things never change and I'm thankful for that!

More Catching Up

Here is our catching up, part II!  I know you're excited ;)

 Having a relaxing moment before the craziness of the day started.  Look how cute they are all snuggled up with each other!  How sweet!!

This last Saturday was Free Museum Day and we chose Museum of World Treasures, which I will add was a rip off!  Lesson learned not to attend this museum on Free Museum Day, reason is they are not free.  Yes, that's right, they are not free.  It was free for Daddy and I, but we had to pay $14 for the kids admission.  They charge the same price for ALL kids regardless of age.  Seriously ridiculous!!  Especially considering the kids didn't care to see most of the Museum.  They did enjoy the Dinosaurs and the kid's play area as you will see in photos to follow.

 This is probably the best part of the Museum, a piece of the Berlin Wall.  Seriously awesome!  I suppose in some ways, it did make paying $14 worth it(maybe).  I just kept staring at this in awe of it's mere presence.  How often do you get to be this close to something so significant and huge in World History?!  Sorry, I'm kind of a nerd in that way.  I do love World History :)

In the following photos below, you will see where we spent the rest of our time in the Museum.  Obviously this was Bubbie and Boo's favorite part.

Overall, despite feeling a sense of being ripped off and being asked to leave the third floor(where the play area was)because they were at capacity and were closing down the third floor, I'd say the kids had fun and that is really what's important.

Sunday we attended the McConnell AFB Open House, aka Air Show.  It would seem that Saturday brought Fall with it and by Sunday, well I think you can tell by the photos how chilly it was!  Let me just say, BRRR!! I wished I had one of those nice fleece lined hoodies that day!  Thankfully though by that afternoon it had warmed up enough to be comfortable.  We arrived at the Air Show around 10am and stayed until almost 5pm.  That's right, we spent the whole day!  Sadly with that, I had sunblock in my purse, but not once did it occur to me to put any on and I had my hair pulled back.  I'm sure you can see where this is going.  I received one of the worse sunburns I've had since I was a kid!  Did you know that your ears could swell up from a sunburn?  I didn't, but I know now!  My ears literally swelled to twice their size, thankfully a friend told me about Apple Cider Vinegar and it took care of the swelling.  Thankfully the kids only had a very minor sunburn on their cheeks because they were lucky enough to have the canopy on their stroller that blocked the sun for most of their day.

 Daddy was impressed by this plane, so much so it was the first picture of the day!

 The kids donning their ear plugs, everything was too loud for them.  A lot of it scared them, especially Boo so we made sure not to hang around the flight line too much.

 You can barely see, but they had a jet powered port-o-potty!  Hilarious!!  It could get up to 72mph!

 An attempted shot of the B1 I think.  All the planes moved too fast to really get any good shots.

 Boo kept getting scared every time the B1 flew over, so I told her if she stayed under the canopy she would be safe.  As you can see she took me literally.  Every time she heard a plane go over she would pull the canopy down over her!  Honestly though by the end she started pointing at the planes and would get excited.  Until the Thunderbirds, that is another story that I will get to soon!

Bubbie had managed to snag a Thunderbirds mag. that he carried throughout the show.  He just kept looking through it and wouldn't let anyone else hold it.  It was so cute to see how he enjoyed carrying that around!  Like he was so proud of himself.

Bubbie really enjoyed touring some of the planes with Daddy!  Boo not so much, but she still had a smile on her face.

 Daddy replacing Bubbie's ear plug in preparation for some noisy planes.

We had stayed to watch the Thunderbirds, but after 5 seconds the kids were done.  They were both scared when the Thunderbirds started to perform, they didn't like the sound and vibration of them flying over.  Bubbie will tell you, "The Thunderbirds are awesome, but they are too loud!"  Since seeing the Thunderbirds, every time Bubbie sees a contrail in the sky he tells us that the Thunderbirds did that.  They are all he has talked about for the last three days!  Surprising considering how much he didn't enjoy the show, but at least it would seem he did find some enjoyment from the Air Show.

Below was our Monday after such a busy weekend.  The kids crashed even after a long nights sleep.  Monday was a down day for us, much needed if I do say so myself.  I did need to go out and stock up on groceries, but it came to putting it off until today.  Sometimes you just have to, that and when you just aren't feeling well.  Thankfully we are all feeling better today and ready for the week.

Hope this all didn't overwhelm anyone and hopefully I will keep up on the blog more often!  If not, just keep on me and please don't give up on me, LOL!  Until the next post, adios!

A Lot of Catching Up To Do

Honestly I have so many pictures from the activities from the last three weeks to upload!  I've been meaning to share and talk about them earlier, but as you know my excuse, there just isn't enough "ME" time these days!  On that subject, I do have some GOOD NEWS to share!!  Daddy will be starting back on First Shift on October 11!!  We are so EXCITED!!

Ok, onto the pictures!  I think I will start by uploading the photos and trying to talk a little about each on what we did.  Please bear with me and we shall get through this swimmingly and you will get to enjoy some adorable photos :)

The two photos above go back to our Fort Building Video, which I did share at an earlier time.  These photos were so cute though, that I had to share!

The following photos are from a trip to the Zoo.  We went to the Zoo to celebrate Granddad's Birthday on the weekend of the 12th.  We had fun and weather wasn't too bad either!

On this trip, Bubbie and Boo were able to feed the giraffes for the FIRST time!  I didn't get any photos of it myself, but Granddad did and I will upload those as soon I get them downloaded.  Bubbie still talks about it three weeks later, that is how much he enjoyed it!  He says, " That was cool!"

Aunt MM was being silly after Bubbie didn't want to sit on the Tiger statue.  Bubbie thought she was hilarious!  It was too cute!!

On this particular trip, Bubbie kept asking to see the Tigers.  We kept telling him that we would get to the Tigers soon and once we did, he was excited!  Above is a photo I liked because almost all of the cousins are in it with Bubbie and Boo.

 Aunt MM posing and Granddad.

Above is a photo of Bubbie, who is suppose to be working on his workbook for Home School, and Boo.  While Bubbie and I do our Home School, I give Boo a coloring book to work on.  Though this time particular he was working on coloring shapes with the designated color, but he wasn't liking having to share the crayons.

This is just the beginning of the photos I have to share, more to come......

Slacking Off

I know I've been slacking on the blog.  You know the usual excuse is, not enough TIME!  Honestly it does feel like I am burning the candle at both ends these days.  Between Speech Therapy four times a week, driving Daddy to work 4-6 times a week and working out 5 days/week.  I'm exhausted!!  As I may have mentioned, Daddy has been working the second shift(SS).  His 60 days are up, but they are still forcing him to stay on SS.  Which is completely wrong being the Man that took his spot on First has less seniority than Daddy and also in need of training.  Though as Aaron's boss has mentioned, they are trying to get rid of the "walking wounded", so I am growing suspicious of them attempting to make him quit his job.  Which all really doesn't matter at this point, because once they cut their pay and benefits, they are moving all the work to Mexico and Daddy will be out of a job by the end of next year.  More on that later....

Anywho, a typical evening for me goes like this.  Drop Daddy off at work, clean and pick up the house, make dinner, get kids ready for bed, which includes brushing teeth, taking vitamin, putting on PJs and reading a book.  Then it's off to bed and I put in two hours of workout time.  My workout consists of a 30-40 min. video and 60 min. of the stationery bike.  Sometimes I will push myself to do an extra 10 min. on top of my hour.  Once all that is completed, it is generally around 10pm.  Sometimes later if I had been interrupted during my workout, i.e. dogs need out, cat wants in, kid wakes up.  Generally after my workout I have to wash off the sweat and then I like to catch up on my TV shows on DVR.  On a general night I'm getting to bed somewhere between 12am-1am.  What can I say, I enjoy a moment of  quiet "ME" time, but it comes at the cost of losing sleep.  All of this gives me great respect for a "single Mom".  I don't know how they do it!  Though admittedly I feel like a single Mom these days because in reality, we only get a couple of hours to spend with Daddy on any given work day.  If he works overtime(OT), then it's even less.  I think the only reason I haven't lost my sanity is because of my working out, LOL!  Good friends help too!

Now on to the kids.  They are growing and talking, talking back even!  My favorite!!(Can you detect the sarcasm in that one?)  The kids constantly ask, "Where's Daddy?", to which I reply that he is at work.  This almost always get the response of "Oh" in a sad tone.  They miss Daddy.  Though on a positive note, Daddy has been able to attend Speech Therapy and that does make Bubbie happy.  Which brings me onto Bubbies speech.  His speech has grown by leaps and bounds.  Bubbie has even begun to speak in full sentence form now.  Oh! And did I mention he knows all his colors?!  We have started doing some Homeschooling and are we are beginning to learn ABC's and identifying shapes.  Bubbie knows his shapes too!  His counting has also come a long ways.  Before long he will be ready for Kindergarten!

Boo is also speaking in full sentence form, to which I find myself saying "Is this really possible?"  Boo likes to repeat everything she hears and I mean everything!  Just last week we were in the car and drove by a Fire Station, Boo says, "There's a Fire Truck Daddy, did you see it?"  We were blown away with that and began laughing hysterically!  Reason is, we drive by this Fire Station at least twice a week and every time I say, "Look, Fire Truck, did you see it?"  The one time I didn't, Boo does!  Then today Bubbie was on the potty and Boo thought that he did a "Great job!"  She repeated it several times!  Also yesterday, we had just came home and Boo had one of her baby dolls, which she plays with constantly, in her room.  I came into the hallway just as she was coming out of her room and she turned to me as she was closing the door and said, "Shhh, the baby is sleeping."  It was all I could do not to crack up laughing!!  It was so cute too!!  I didn't know imaginative play would start so soon.  I was thinking that this generally started around 3.5yrs and Boo is not even three yet!  She amazes me everyday!  Honestly, both of my kids do!  You just never know from one day to the next what they will come out with.  It does keep life exciting though!

Fort Building

Party Time

This last Saturday, we celebrated my Nephew's Fourth Birthday at Old Cowtown!  G had his own Cowboy to take him and his friends around for the day and sing Happy Birthday.  I had no idea that they did birthdays, but it made for a fun Birthday Party!!  Of course I would take any opportunity to go to Cowtown, I don't know why, but its one of my favorite places to visit.

We had spent a good majority of the day touring Cowtown with our tour guide Cowboy.  The kids got to look at and touch some exhibits.  There are also cats around Cowtown, so the kids, that weren't allergic, were able to pet one famous cat named Bandit.  Then we finished off with Sarsaparilla and cake.  OH, how I LOVE thee Sarsaparilla!!  I don't think I could ever get enough!  It's right up there with fresh licorice, for me anyway.  Yum, yum!!

Now for a few photos of G's birthday party....

Roping one very skinny Bull :)

Time for school!

Grandma E getting a little cuddle time

Time for a Wagon Ride

Little Men walking with the Little Ladies

Boo was starting to get hungry, can you tell? Poor tired out little girl.

G had his own seat on stage for everyone to sing Happy Birthday!  He is a little Cowboy!

Cowtown always makes for a fun day, but this day was especially so!  Celebrating G's birthday and having the whole place to the Birthday Party AND our very own tour guide for the day, what more could you ask for?  Hope you had a great Birthday G!