The Nectar of the Gods

I was sitting next to a woman drinking a Coke and I found myself wanting to steal it.

I wanted it -BAD.

I have been "off" soda (Dr. Pepper really) for about 2 months. I will still have one occassionally when I eat out but I don't buy it to have at home anymore.

I miss it. I have always affectionately referred to it as the "nectar of the Gods".

I have not had the dramatic weight loss that some people do when they give up soda

I have not had increased energy

I have not had any positive side effects-

I miss it and I find myself wanting one often.

Buuuuut...

I'm gonna hold strong in hopes that my body will finally decide to let go of those stubborn Dr. Pepper pounds.

This weight loss journey is not for the faint of heart, it's hard and it sucks and yeah I may be whining a little bit.

But as long as I suck it up and hit the gym, a little whine won't hurt me.

Burns baby

It was our annual Scotish Society Burn's Night celebration.

Can I get a WOOHOO!!!

It means one night hotel stay with no kids (thank you Nana!).

I look forward & dread it every year.

We have a great time but finding and being happy with a dress with all this baby weight- no thank you!

THis is what I ended up wearing, I cahanged my mind anbout an hour before we left the house.

All the Ladies

 

The Hubs and I

My sister-in-law Lisa, Niece Tori, Niece Taylor, me

 

Us (notice the guy in the background...I swear he photobombed half my picture)

The Sassy shoes I wore (Target).

 

All in all - great night!

Book review

Man it's been a looong time since I read a book that I wanted to review.

A couple of months in book club (yes, we actually read...most of the time) the book was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.

They told me it was Christian fiction (enter eye roll here) and I was not excited.  

But it had been a couple of months since I had actually finished one of the books so to the library I went to get it.

It was about a girls' journey and struggle to find God and accept him into her life;

without giving away too many details, it was good and I recommend it.

 

Fast forward another month and I needed a new read.

I decided to give Ms. Francine another GO since I had enjoyed the last one so much.

This time I picked Her Mother's Hope.

 

This book followed a young girl through her journey to find independence from an emotionally abusive and overbearing father. The book follows her through adulthood and then through her daughter's life. The character were so real and  flawed, but in a way that made you root for them.

I couldn't put it down. When I finished the book I was left wanting more and it wasn't until I was completely done and saw the back cover that I realized there was a sequel (enter inner squeal of delight)!!!

 

Her Daughter's Dream is the sequel.

I started this book on Wed night and I finished it Thursday night. It is over 500 pages. and it was so good.

Between the two books you get to follow 4 generations of women in a family and witness the dynamics and choices that shape their lives.

I laughed. I cried. I loved it!

 

Highly recommend...

 

 

 

Have a great weekend!

Our day in pictures

This child is having some "middle child" I need attention moments

 

 

After MUCH struggle and protest, we made it to story time.

and he liked it.

 

So did little Miss M

 

Lots to explore

 

 

And...

This is how I found her after naptime

 

 

WE better get ready- someone's gonna be on the move!

Thanks MLK for a great day

K was out of school for MLK day. Oh what to do to entertain the natives?!

 

We took a family outing to the gym first thing with only minimal protest (from me- up before 7 on a school holiday? no thank you).

 

Step class thouroughly kicked my butt and the scale was NOT my friend.

 

After the gym we went to HOME Depot to get a new fixture for my closet- I have not had a working light in there for months, it was a problem.

 

After that the kiddos and I met some friends at the park for a picnic and play.

 

This pic makes me laugh-

He was begging me to "wear her" so I finally said fine.

He thought it was fun and she loved it- WIN WIN!

I think he should start training to haul her around all the time.

baby ain't light!

 

Great weather, great day!

Sew productive

Saturday I got bit by the sewing bug.

I recently have spent WAAY to much time on etsy eyeballing all of those cute boutique quality clothes for sweet Monroe. I LOVE little girl glam, but don't love those price tags, GAH!

Talk about sticker shock, I always think "I could make that", but never do.

 

here

or

 

these pants- so adorable

But let's be real , I'm on a budget.

 

So after 2, count them TWO failed attempts at making the boys pj shorts on SAturday,

I somehow thought I possessed the skills to make an ENTIRE outfit for Miss M.

 

Now don't ask me for tips or patterns or advice because I totally winged it and toally got lucky.

By goal was to have it look like I paid too Much money for the outfit...

Brown Minky pants with ruffle detail on the ankles and booty (my personal favorite detail)

 

Rosette hair clip, didn't get a pic of the lace headband.

 

This is a pic of her in the entire outfit. I need to get a better pic of the owl tunic top.

It is Super cute and yep, I made it.

 

This was Saturday night after I completed it all.

She wore it to church on Sunday with a long sleeve pink onesie under it.

 

I had several people tell me what a cute outfit it was, and no one could tell that I made it!

 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

 

 

Park and iSpy

Yesterday was such a nice day.

It was in the mid 50's and the sun was actually out.

He had an impromptu visit to the park.

 

She was mesmerized by the mulch.

 

Those cheeks are just TOO much!

 

It has definitely been a challenge this week to keep L entertained.

We will get into a routine if it kills me.

 

I captured this sweet moment of all my loves during an evening game of iSpy.

Yes we were all in the bed while playing, is that not how you play games at your house.

 

 

During one round, it was my turn and the color was Grey. Keddie guessed "Dad's beard", I was laughing so hard I could hardly tell him no.

 

Man I love that kid- he is so funny.

Can I just freeze them at this age, they are growing up SO fast.

Today IS it

Today is it- my new beginning.

I am making changes.

I attended my first class at the gym since BEFORE I got pregnant with Miss M.

I took a bodyStep class and it didn't kill me.

 

I dropped off L & M in the childcare and forgot about them.

It was really good for me.

L said he didn;t like it but he was happy when I picked him up so we WILL be back.

 

I am trying to find a routine that works well for me and L.

Miss M doesn't complain yet...

 

 

I had some pics to post too but blogger won't let me- gonna have to figure that out.

 

Happy Wednesday!

I'm bored ...he said for the 50th time!

It was barely 10 am on our first day at home together.

I'm Bored he said.
And he was already driving me CRAZY.

He had watched TV
He had 3 pages in a workbook that I found stuffed in a cabinet leftover from K.
He had played legos.
He colored tons of pages.

I was gonna have to find things for this kid to do if I was ever to have hope of getting any work done.
I found what I think will be very useful sites.

The Homeschool Diner


DLTK's Site

kidzone


The last one is where I made the tracer page with his name on it so he can practice writing his name.

 

 

These two monkeys are definitely gonna make it a daily challenge to juggle their needs with getting my work done. It's a new adventure for me but I welcome it.

This chair is on it's third kid and the straps are broken. She figured out how to wiggle free of the straps while I was trying to put my make up on.

 

My new normal- never a dull moment.

Happy New Year!!

 

Yes I know it's the 14th. But today marks the beginning of my new year.

We traveled SO much over the Christmas break that we only spent 3 nights in our own beds.

So I gave myself an extra week to recover.

I figured I deserve it.

 

My world is completely different than when I was last consistently blogging.

I am no longer working at a "job".

I am staying home with my sweet baby girl and as of today L is staying home with us too.

Not gonna lie, I'm a little terrified.

I am a full fledged stay at home working mom.

Yep, I'm working too.

 

Oh, have I forgot to mention that I am now a small business owner.

A great friend of mine and I started an online jewelry company, A Tad Monroe.

It's been a blessing and a challenge  (more on that later).

 

So today is my beginning.

I have BIG goals and ambitions for this year.

Some personal and some that I will share.

 

2013 will be a great year! 

New Year

It's a new year so I won't spend too much time dwelling on the fact that it's been 3 months since my last post.

No excuses.

I know all three of you have really missed my updates;).

 

I have plans for this year.

Not BIG plans some might say, but perfect for me.

 

The holidays were a whirlwind of traveling and not sleeping so I have decided that my goals for the new year can start Monday.

That's right, I am giving myself a few more days to recover (it's ok, I deserve it).

 

But come Monday watch out...