First of all, I have to say that....I am soooo proud of myself! This morning started off with Ella waking up at 4:30 with a fever and puking up mucus all in the floor (sorry for the visual). My day to Atlanta was cancelled so Doug took Natalie to school by himself. (LOVE HIM!) After going back to sleep for a couple more hours we woke up feeling pretty refreshed. Her fever was gone but the snotty nose wasn't.
I told myself that no matter what I would do my best with sticking to my diet. Even though I was going to be home almost all day by myself and didn't have anyone encouraging me not to eat, I was feeling pretty good about it and knew I could do this..........and I did!! I even fed Ella some yummy food and didn't even eat off her plate! Usually I sneak one bite, and then another, and then another. Not today though!
2-2-12
Breakfast:
Strawberries N'Cream slim fast shake
Lunch:
Starkist Lunch to Go (chunk light tuna)
Dinner:
Steamed spinach
2 scrambled eggs
ketchup (everything taste better with ketchup)
Snacks:
coffee with cream and sugar
container of Dole peaches
1 Gala apple
Drinks:
8 cups of water
1 can of Redbull (my heart is still with Monster's but unfortunately they don't make a small can and I know that I would drink the whole thing which is 200 ugly calories.)
As of right now I still have 206 calories left which doesn't bother me at all because I just baked some Banana Walnut muffins made with whole grain that is 160 calories a piece and I am looking forward to consuming one.
FYI: I am not a huge water fan, I would honestly prefer a coke but I have found some packets of drink mix that I love! It's Crystal Light energy grape flavored and wild strawberry flavor. Although it carries 10 calories per pack, it also gives me that needed caffeine and is a whole lot better than cokes.
I have actually found myself standing a little bit taller today. When I jumped on the scale this morning I found that I have lost 5 lbs since Monday! I know that most of that is water weight but it has given me the esteem boost to go another day.
Keep on keeping on!!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
50 Ways to Be a Great Daddy: A Must Read
This is a post that I actually came across from a young woman's blog who was deaf and had an implant when she was older. Very inspiring blog.......Anyway, after reading this I sent Doug the link and told him he had to read this blog. It explains 50 ways to be a great daddy (this can also appy to mother's). How many have you and yours done?
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
*Borrowed from another blogger*
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
*Borrowed from another blogger*
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
2nd day
The 2nd day has proven to be a little more difficult, but I have stayed strong and pushed through the temptations. Today Doug and I decided to go to Goldberg's Deli because the breakfast is to die for! We decided this last night so I had already started planning out what I was going to do. Here's my breakdown:
2/1/12
Breakfast:
Strawberries N'Cream Slim Fast Shake (before I left the house for Atlanta)
1 scrambled egg
2 turkey links
4 tomato slices
1 cup coffee
Lunch:
Fresco chicken soft taco from Taco Bell
Kellogg's fiber bar
Dinner:
1 Taco (ground turkey, low carb tortilla wrap, Rotel tomatos)
Snacks:
1 med banana
1 TBSP of peanut butter
Drinks:
Monster (my weakness)
8 glasses of water
Even though I plan on exercising, I haven't had the opportunity yet. I am actually looking forward to it though because the more exercise means the more calories I can eat. Am I thinking correctly? lol.
*One thing I did try to do today was eat slower. I was determined to make those tacos last till the very end. Usually the food is consumed within 5 minutes and then I'm left to sit there and twiddle my thumbs while there's still food left. Until tomorrow!
Keep on keeping on!!
2/1/12
Breakfast:
Strawberries N'Cream Slim Fast Shake (before I left the house for Atlanta)
1 scrambled egg
2 turkey links
4 tomato slices
1 cup coffee
Lunch:
Fresco chicken soft taco from Taco Bell
Kellogg's fiber bar
Dinner:
1 Taco (ground turkey, low carb tortilla wrap, Rotel tomatos)
Snacks:
1 med banana
1 TBSP of peanut butter
Drinks:
Monster (my weakness)
8 glasses of water
Even though I plan on exercising, I haven't had the opportunity yet. I am actually looking forward to it though because the more exercise means the more calories I can eat. Am I thinking correctly? lol.
*One thing I did try to do today was eat slower. I was determined to make those tacos last till the very end. Usually the food is consumed within 5 minutes and then I'm left to sit there and twiddle my thumbs while there's still food left. Until tomorrow!
Keep on keeping on!!
My first day
My first day of my journey actually started yesterday. I’m honestly not sure what came over me but I’m not going to complain. After reading a magazine, I think it was Parenting, I heard about a cool app called MyFitnessPal. The thing that intrigued me about this app was the fact that when you logged your daily food into your “Diary” you could scan the item. As long as it had a barcode, it would read it and list the nutritional information. No more taking the time to type in all those numbers.
After downloading the app, I thought I would try it out. I held up my slim fast can and boom, it popped up with the description and nutritional information and asked if I wanted to add it. Why yes, thank you J You are able to add your breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, and exercise information. The cool thing is that you can browse through the exercises and it actually lists things like cleaning, jumping rope, automotive repair, and even certain WII games and all you do is enter in the number of minutes and it tells you how many calories you burned. Cool huh!
1/30/12
Breakfast:
Strawberries N'Cream slim fast shake
Lunch:
Doritos spicy chips
Hot dog with ketchup and mustard
Dinner:
Strawberries N'Cream slim fast shake
Snacks:
GV Blueberry cereal bar
1 apple with 1TBSP of peanut butter
1 container of Diced Peaches in 100% fruit juice
1 pickle
Drinks:
Water
1 cup coffee
After all that, I still had 88 calories to go! After I finished logging for the day, it actually told me what I would weigh if I kept that up for 5 weeks. I thought that was pretty cool.
FYI: The consuming of the slim fast shakes is probably temporary. That is not the diet for me but sometimes if you're on the go or in my case, don't want to blow it for dinner, I will partake. Unfortunately, I tend to do really well during the day but as soon as dinner is fixed, everything goes out the window. I tend to binge.
So that was my first day!
Keep on keeping on!!
Have you ever eaten just one chip?
Have you ever eaten just one chip? How about just one nugget? Or one fry? Well if you have….BRAVO. If you haven’t, which I fully believe is most of the population, then we are all in the same boat. The 'I’m overweight and can’t help it' boat. If you are reading this and arguing with me then I’m afraid you’re not going to like the rest of my post. I truly believe that at some point you will finally say enough is enough and gain enough willpower to overcome fatty foods, but I also believe that until you’re ready mentally, you’re not going to get through one day. We also have those times where we start a diet and last anywhere from 1 day to 1 month or longer and then slowly we resort to our old ways. During the diet we feel soooo good and sooo accomplished that we can’t understand why we never did it before. How this is a change that’s going to stick with us and become our new and improved lifestyle. Nothing can make us go back to our old selves.
Until……….
We decide to go ahead and get that huge piece of banana walnut loaf from Starbuck’s to reward our good decision-making. After that we decide to have an extra helping at dinner, or just 1 candy bar. You keep checking the scales after that just to make sure that you’re not destroying your hard work and at first you see no change. Hmmmm, you think, if those things didn’t hurt me then I might as well enjoy them more often. I think subconsciously you start eating more just to see at what point the scale starts to climb. Finally you’re so far gone from your original goals that you slowly descend back into your protective shell that you’ve known for so long, in my case my entire life.
Well ladies and gents, I am slowly going to start my uphill climb to a better life. I’m so afraid of failure that even writing this is making me nervous. I guess the part that’s scary is knowing that I have tried and failed so many times that it’s quite possible I’m going to fail again. I don’t want to fail. It’s not easy to be a bubbly wife, mother, and friend, with a ton of personality, and feel like I do on the inside. I wish I could sit here and tell you that I have great self-esteem and I feel comfortable in my own skin but the truth of the matter is that when I look in the mirror or see myself in a picture, I don’t recognize the person staring back at me. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful husband and a great family who love me for me.
I am not promising that I’ll post everyday with my progress but I will promise that I will make a concentrated effort to keep everyone informed of my “new” lifestyle. This will be a slow journey but I’m hoping that it will be the journey of a lifetime.
P.S. If you’d like to send me encouraging words or something positive, I will look forward to it. If you are going to be a Debbie Downer then please remember the old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Thanks!!!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The workout of my life
I just completed the most amazing workout. I did leg squats, arm bends?, cardio, and pretty much anything and everything. I think I ended up working every muscle in my body. By the time I was done, I admit...........I was sweating. The great thing is I didn't have to pay for this workout....sorta. No, I have not purchased a high tech weight bench. Where did I do this amazing workout you ask??
Walmart :)
Wow, I thought. I could do this everyday! This works every muscle in my body!
But......sadly, I do not have enough money and we don't eat that much in groceries for me to do this the recommended 3 days a week.
What fun things do you do when you exercise??
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Giving up.......and why we shouldn't
Do you ever have those moments where you feel like giving up? It's like the more you do, the more you fall behind. And when you have time to do something, your mind is so congested that you don't know what to do first. Sadly, this has been my feelings for a week. I push and push myself until what's left is a very tired mother who puts a smile on her face, but who feels like laying in the bed for an entire week.
Today is supposed to be the day where I catch up on things I needed to do, edit pictures, blog, laundry, dishes, so on and so on. Doug so graciously offered to take Natalie to school and Ella to Melissa's so I could play catchup.
After waking up at 6 (1 hour after I normally do, yay!) I helped Doug get the girls stuff up and get them dressed and in the car. Guess what I did next.......went back to bed!! I turned the TV on and snuggled under my blanket. I had a temporary moment of deja vu. Before Doug, when it was just Cayli and I, I would go back to bed after getting her up and ready for school, that is as long as I didn't have to work that morning. It was a good feeling but at the same time I knew there was so much I could be doing. Everyone is always telling me to rest, rest, rest but when I try to rest, I sit there and feel bad for not doing something more productive. It's a hideous, endless, cycle.
After a 2 hour nap this morning I laid in bed thinking about all the stuff to do but not knowing which one to do first. I did know something I was going to do first thing.....coffee. I had 1 instant coffee bag left and I wanted to savor every last drop because I knew I would want more throughout the day. I retrieved my laptop, turned the TV to CSI and sat on the couch covered up by a blanket. To read this you would think it sounded like the perfect morning but unfortunately I sat there thinking the same thing but not feeling it.
I opened up my blogger prepared to post my weekly goals (that I'm 2 days behind on) and also post on some events that happened throughout the week but the only thing I could think of was how I had failed on getting it done on Monday. For about 15 minutes I contemplated doing the post or not. Nobody would read it I kept telling myself and then I started thinking about my goals and priorities in life.
How do I put this.......I am a very busy mom. Here's a quick look into my week:
Monday: Get up at 5. Get the girls up and dressed and while Cayli goes to Nana's (because I leave out too early to take her to school) I put Naty and Ella into the car and take Ella to Melissa's. After sitting through Atlanta traffic for anywhere from 30 min to 2 hours, I usually arrive to school late and rush Naty into the office while she's still trying to wake up. After getting back in my car I take a huge breath and most of the time find a parking space at the back of the school and read my book until I fall asleep. Other times I run errands (as much as I can being an hour and a half away from home.) I then wake up to my alarm and drive around to the pickup location to await the release of my child. After picking up Naty, we drive to McDonald's where I get us some lunch and then jump on the interstate for the ride home. We arrive back to Calhoun at 3:30 and I run by Melissa's to pick up Ella. Usually on Monday's I get the night off but 2 Mondays of the month our Georgia Pines therapist comes for the Ella and the first Monday of the month I have a Girl Scout leader's meeting. After a late dinner, bath's, and getting bags ready for the next day it's finally bedtime around 11.
Tuesday: Same as Monday's. Usually on Tuesday's Cayli has basketball practice that evening. Home by 8, dinner, bath's, and packing for the next day.
Wednesday: Same get up routine. As soon as we get back to Calhoun I have to drop Naty off at Infinity for therapy at 3:30, race to Melissa's to pick up Ella, and be back at Infinity by 4 for Ella's therapy. After leaving there at 4:30 we arrive home by 4:45, long enough for me to put in a load of laundry and pick up a little and then it's back on the road to Adairsville for church at 7. By the time we get home from church it's around 8:30 and then we rush to eat dinner, take bath's, and pack for the next day.
Thursday: Same get up routine. After picking up Ella, I get home to do more laundry, pick up the house and then leave to go to Girl Scouts at 6, not to mention the basketball practices Cayli's been having around 7:30. After doing that it's back home to dinner, bath's, and packing.
Friday: Same get up routine. Thank goodness it's a half day at the school so we get out at 12:20, home by 1:30, pick up Ella, and back to the school to pick Cayli up. We finally get home around 2:30 and lately we've been having a bball game on Friday evenings.
Saturday: Usually Saturday's are easy breezy but sometimes I schedule photo shoots for the weekends and there is a baby shower, birthday party, or some other get together to attend.
Sunday: Get up at 8, get kids and myself ready for church, arrive late, get out at 12:30 and then go eat with my sister at El Pueblito's in Aville. After that it's usually either a photo shoot or clean house. Then we get ready that evening to start the next week.
The reason I decided to write this post was not for any sympathy or for comfort. A lot of times, I even have to remind myself that I'm not supermom. I beat myself up because I can't even accomplish a few weekly goals or even any posts on my blog, I don't have time to play bball with my child, and I don't have time to sit down with my husband and just talk about our days.
Sometimes I just feel like giving up but after looking around at my many blessings from my Lord and Savior, I take a deep breath and and smile because I know everything's going to be ok.
Today is supposed to be the day where I catch up on things I needed to do, edit pictures, blog, laundry, dishes, so on and so on. Doug so graciously offered to take Natalie to school and Ella to Melissa's so I could play catchup.
After waking up at 6 (1 hour after I normally do, yay!) I helped Doug get the girls stuff up and get them dressed and in the car. Guess what I did next.......went back to bed!! I turned the TV on and snuggled under my blanket. I had a temporary moment of deja vu. Before Doug, when it was just Cayli and I, I would go back to bed after getting her up and ready for school, that is as long as I didn't have to work that morning. It was a good feeling but at the same time I knew there was so much I could be doing. Everyone is always telling me to rest, rest, rest but when I try to rest, I sit there and feel bad for not doing something more productive. It's a hideous, endless, cycle.
After a 2 hour nap this morning I laid in bed thinking about all the stuff to do but not knowing which one to do first. I did know something I was going to do first thing.....coffee. I had 1 instant coffee bag left and I wanted to savor every last drop because I knew I would want more throughout the day. I retrieved my laptop, turned the TV to CSI and sat on the couch covered up by a blanket. To read this you would think it sounded like the perfect morning but unfortunately I sat there thinking the same thing but not feeling it.
I opened up my blogger prepared to post my weekly goals (that I'm 2 days behind on) and also post on some events that happened throughout the week but the only thing I could think of was how I had failed on getting it done on Monday. For about 15 minutes I contemplated doing the post or not. Nobody would read it I kept telling myself and then I started thinking about my goals and priorities in life.
How do I put this.......I am a very busy mom. Here's a quick look into my week:
Monday: Get up at 5. Get the girls up and dressed and while Cayli goes to Nana's (because I leave out too early to take her to school) I put Naty and Ella into the car and take Ella to Melissa's. After sitting through Atlanta traffic for anywhere from 30 min to 2 hours, I usually arrive to school late and rush Naty into the office while she's still trying to wake up. After getting back in my car I take a huge breath and most of the time find a parking space at the back of the school and read my book until I fall asleep. Other times I run errands (as much as I can being an hour and a half away from home.) I then wake up to my alarm and drive around to the pickup location to await the release of my child. After picking up Naty, we drive to McDonald's where I get us some lunch and then jump on the interstate for the ride home. We arrive back to Calhoun at 3:30 and I run by Melissa's to pick up Ella. Usually on Monday's I get the night off but 2 Mondays of the month our Georgia Pines therapist comes for the Ella and the first Monday of the month I have a Girl Scout leader's meeting. After a late dinner, bath's, and getting bags ready for the next day it's finally bedtime around 11.
Tuesday: Same as Monday's. Usually on Tuesday's Cayli has basketball practice that evening. Home by 8, dinner, bath's, and packing for the next day.
Wednesday: Same get up routine. As soon as we get back to Calhoun I have to drop Naty off at Infinity for therapy at 3:30, race to Melissa's to pick up Ella, and be back at Infinity by 4 for Ella's therapy. After leaving there at 4:30 we arrive home by 4:45, long enough for me to put in a load of laundry and pick up a little and then it's back on the road to Adairsville for church at 7. By the time we get home from church it's around 8:30 and then we rush to eat dinner, take bath's, and pack for the next day.
Thursday: Same get up routine. After picking up Ella, I get home to do more laundry, pick up the house and then leave to go to Girl Scouts at 6, not to mention the basketball practices Cayli's been having around 7:30. After doing that it's back home to dinner, bath's, and packing.
Friday: Same get up routine. Thank goodness it's a half day at the school so we get out at 12:20, home by 1:30, pick up Ella, and back to the school to pick Cayli up. We finally get home around 2:30 and lately we've been having a bball game on Friday evenings.
Saturday: Usually Saturday's are easy breezy but sometimes I schedule photo shoots for the weekends and there is a baby shower, birthday party, or some other get together to attend.
Sunday: Get up at 8, get kids and myself ready for church, arrive late, get out at 12:30 and then go eat with my sister at El Pueblito's in Aville. After that it's usually either a photo shoot or clean house. Then we get ready that evening to start the next week.
The reason I decided to write this post was not for any sympathy or for comfort. A lot of times, I even have to remind myself that I'm not supermom. I beat myself up because I can't even accomplish a few weekly goals or even any posts on my blog, I don't have time to play bball with my child, and I don't have time to sit down with my husband and just talk about our days.
Sometimes I just feel like giving up but after looking around at my many blessings from my Lord and Savior, I take a deep breath and and smile because I know everything's going to be ok.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Goals for the week
I have decided that it might be good to start setting goals for myself. I figured that if I shared them with everyone it might hold me more accountable and make me have to do them. :) I am going to start off with simple ones that I know I can complete (I hope) and then progress to more challenging ones.
Here goes:
-Walk 3 days for at least 30 min. a day
-Clean out my car (my husband will love this. This also counts if he does it for me) :)
-Rearrange the pictures in my hallway.
-Drink 1-32 oz jug of water a day.
-Finish 'Step on a Crack' by James Patterson
-Complete a 15 min dovation daily
-Sit down with my kids and complete a therapy exercise at least 3 days.
I know these can be accomplished. Like I said, I am starting off small and I'm going to work myself up to bigger and better things.
Next Monday, I will let you know how I did with these goals (I promise to be honest) and I will also set new ones.
Happy Goaling!!!
Here goes:
-Walk 3 days for at least 30 min. a day
-Clean out my car (my husband will love this. This also counts if he does it for me) :)
-Rearrange the pictures in my hallway.
-Drink 1-32 oz jug of water a day.
-Finish 'Step on a Crack' by James Patterson
-Complete a 15 min dovation daily
-Sit down with my kids and complete a therapy exercise at least 3 days.
I know these can be accomplished. Like I said, I am starting off small and I'm going to work myself up to bigger and better things.
Next Monday, I will let you know how I did with these goals (I promise to be honest) and I will also set new ones.
Happy Goaling!!!
Pancakes......Yummy!!
This week (last Friday) in therapy, Ella learned about 'Hot, Stove, Pancake, Eat, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, etc....' After putting Ella's 'ears' on when we got into the apartment, I noticed that she was not responding to 2 of the Ling sounds, s and sh. I honestly don't know if I have blogged about the Ling sounds before but if I have just ignore the next couple of sentences. There are 6 Ling sounds, named after the founder Daniel Ling, "ah, ee, oo, s, sh, m." These 6 sounds ensure proper implant performance. Every time you attach the implant,you are to test them using the Ling sounds to make sure everything is working properly.
After figuring out that she was having a little bit of difficulty with "s and sh," I pointed this to Mrs. Linda and she made a quick call to the fabulous audiologist, Jolie Fainberg. Unfortunately she wasn't able to see us till noon so we went ahead and did what we could.
We talked Ella through the making of the pancakes and sat her down to eat. She 'opened' the butter and we used it to put the eyes, nose, and mouth on. We then used syrup and covered the pancake. Yummy! By this time mine and Ella's mouth was watering.
After figuring out that she was having a little bit of difficulty with "s and sh," I pointed this to Mrs. Linda and she made a quick call to the fabulous audiologist, Jolie Fainberg. Unfortunately she wasn't able to see us till noon so we went ahead and did what we could.
All was good until we started trying to give Ella bites. The only thing she had to do was say "eat" or "ee," and then we could give her a bite. Well apparently she wasn't in the cooperative mood today Let's just put it this way, she only got 2 bites.
It's frustrating to see your child struggle. Even though I hated to see Ella cry (she wanted some more pancake), I knew that making her use her language is the best way to teach her. Mrs. Linda and I joke all the time about how much Ella is like Naty. Their strong personalities which will serve them well in the future but for now...............we just grit our teeth and bare it. :)
P.S. After seeing Mrs. Jolie, she turned her map (programming) up which seemed to help with the "s and sh."
I can, I can, I can
This is the mantra that I repeat throughout my busy days. If I didn't, I would go insane.......seriously.
Friday was one of those days where I was having to repeat this constantly. Ella had therapy and unfortunately my mom wasn't able to come like she normally does. My oldest sister had surgery and she had to stay home and take care of her. Doug was at home but only because his sciatic nerve was causing him excruciating pain and he had to call out of work. There was only one thing to do. Put my big girl panties on and go by myself.
The reason this is so terrifying is because I have 2 toddlers in a cramped car who are both fighting for my attention and neither one of them care about how loud they get. They will scream till the cows come home while I'm sitting in front with my eyes bugged out trying my best not to pull over and walk into traffic.
The trip down there proved to be uneventful. I can't say the same for Ella's therapy. That is for a later post. After therapy I had a couple hours to spare to I figured I would drive down to the local Krispy Kreme and get me a hot drink and a donut. I also had another plan up my sleeve. I was secretly hoping the drive would put Ella to sleep.
Wrong.....
After pulling up to Krispy Kreme only to find out there 'hot drink machine' was broken, I pulled off with donut holes and a raspberry filled donut. By the time we arrived back at the school I was near exhaustion and the donuts weren't helping. I am so used to taking naps while Naty's in school that my body doesn't react well when it doesn't get that extra sleep. Finally 30 minutes before I had to pick up Naty, Ella dozed off in my arms. At least I got 30 minutes...... I guess.
The ride home was just what I figured it would be. Lots of prayers and me repeating "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,"
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Ignored........
(Not a picture of Natalie)
On our way home today, she decided she wanted my lip gloss. I tried to act like I didn't have any but after carefully studying my lips she knew I wasn't telling the truth. After much screaming and kicking I finally gave it up. "You shouldn't have done that," you say? You try sitting in the car with Naty for an hour screaming, and then you come talk to me. In order to keep my sanity, she wins.
We were about to reach therapy back home and I asked for my lip gloss back. This was after she used half of it, not just on her lips either. Alllllll around her lips as well. "Pleeeeeaaaaase," I pleaded. "Mommy needs to use it for just a minute." After a couple of tries to get her attention, I started to wonder if she even had her ears on. Sometimes Naty just likes to take them off and throw them any which way. (See my other posts.) I called her name, I screamed, I called her name again, nothing. Finally, I decided to try one last thing. I suddenly turned the music up really loud while glancing in my rearview mirror and low and behold, she glared at me and said with a straight face, "No......down."
I couln't help but grin because my child has mastered the ability to ignore her parents.
Peace on the Mountain
I have a very special photoshoot coming up in a few days. Naty's teacher from last year, Mrs. Melissa, is expecting her first child, a baby girl. While trying to figure out a location, she mentioned Kennesaw Mountain. While I have heard of it, I have not had the opportunity to visit. I am definitely a sucker for photoshoots in the most serene of places. There's nothing like capturing a subject in the midst of God's creation.
Unfortunately, today was one of the foggiest days I have seen in a long time. Since Doug was able to come with me to Atlanta, I figured we would take a leisurely drive to the mountain. As we started up the base, we passed lots of different people who apparently were still gung-ho about their New Year's resolutions. Young, old, alone, in groups, mothers, fathers, you name it and we saw it. I couldn't help but to feel admiration for these people though. Over 2 miles at a steep angle that made my car whine..... As we kept climbing all you could see was the trees and the fog.
When we reached the top, you could hike up another half mile to the steepest point. As Doug and I started the hike, I couldn't help but look around in awe. This was God's country that he created with his own hands. As you hike up the first part, you pass cannons that the confederate soldiers dragged up the mountain to protect Atlanta from General Sherman. When you look around, especially on mornings like this with the fog covering the mountain, you can almost imagine yourself during that time.
Always take in the beauty around you. No matter how foggy, rainy, or cloudy it is "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. "
Monday, January 9, 2012
DIY: Homemade Laundry Detergent
So as a busy mom, my blog is dedicated to my life. Instead of focusing on certain things or subjects, I will take each and everyone of you into my life. Whether it be stories about my kids, DIY projects, books I have read, or just a thought on my mind, I will post it. Hope you enjoy!!
This is something I saw on Pinterest (Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to Pinterest). I have thought many times about making my own laundry detergent but at those times I just wasn't ready to take my thriftiness to that level. I have failed at couponing (maybe one day) and I figured maybe this was something I could do to help save some money around the house!
Homemade Laundry Detergent:
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar of soap
a pot that holds at least 2 gallons (better if more)
a grater
a big spoon
a funnel
2- 1 gallon jugs
Toss your grated soap into the pot and add 1 gallon of cold water. Cook until the soap dissolves stirring occassionally. On high, this process usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
Add in your borax......
......and your washing soda.
This is something I saw on Pinterest (Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to Pinterest). I have thought many times about making my own laundry detergent but at those times I just wasn't ready to take my thriftiness to that level. I have failed at couponing (maybe one day) and I figured maybe this was something I could do to help save some money around the house!
Homemade Laundry Detergent:
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar of soap
a pot that holds at least 2 gallons (better if more)
a grater
a big spoon
a funnel
2- 1 gallon jugs
Grate the whole bar of soap.
*When choosing the bar of soap, you want to choose one that is more basic, not the ones that have all these nifty ingredients. Do not choose ones that contain aloe. The one I chose was just a normal Dial Antibacterial Deodorant Soap scented Spring Water. It smelled good :)
Add in your borax......
......and your washing soda.
Let it come to a boil and after you take it off the heat add in 1 gallon of cold water and stir. Be careful and watch it very closely because when it gets hot enough to boil, the washing soda likes to expand. I made this mistake on the first go around and turned in time to see it overflowing on the stove. This is why it's good to have a pot that is a little bigger than 2 gallons. Mine is exactly 2 gallons and needless to say it is at the very top.
Use your funnel to transfer the detergent to the jugs.
And voila!! You have 2 GALLONS of homemade laundry detergent. Use 1/2 cup to every load.
Breakdown:
Borax: Approx $3-4
Washing Soda: Approx $3-4
Bar of soap: Less than a $1 a bar.
I have now made a total of 4 gallons so far and have not even used half of the box of Borax or Washing Soda.
*Keep in mind, this detergent does not generate the suds you normally have with expensive laundry detergents. It's ok..............you don't HAVE to have suds in order to have clean clothes.
*Also keep in mind that when the detergent cools it will then coagulate.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it has helped in some way!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Mama it's COLD!
Once a week, Ella sees Mrs. Linda Lasker at the Atlanta Speech School for therapy. She is a magnificent Early Intervention Specialist who we have seen since day 1. We first met her when we toured the school at the beginning of Natalie's journey and fell in love with her and the school
This week Ella's lesson involved the words 'cold, ice, ice cream, refrigerator, etc' soooooo we got to make ice cream!! It is very important when talking to a child with cochlear implants to talk, talk, talk. Talk through your every action. How do you expect them to learn if they don't hear you and be able to make that connection. In this lesson, we walked from the table to the refrigerator and had Ella 'open' the freezer so she could feel how 'cold' it was. We then walked Ella through the rest of the kitchen picking up all the materials we would need for the activity. Unfortunately the 2 weeks vacation made Ella a little restless for her 1st lesson back but we managed to get a little from her.
This week Ella's lesson involved the words 'cold, ice, ice cream, refrigerator, etc' soooooo we got to make ice cream!! It is very important when talking to a child with cochlear implants to talk, talk, talk. Talk through your every action. How do you expect them to learn if they don't hear you and be able to make that connection. In this lesson, we walked from the table to the refrigerator and had Ella 'open' the freezer so she could feel how 'cold' it was. We then walked Ella through the rest of the kitchen picking up all the materials we would need for the activity. Unfortunately the 2 weeks vacation made Ella a little restless for her 1st lesson back but we managed to get a little from her.
Ella got to put the 'cold' ice in the bag, 'pour' the creamer in the baggie, 'pour' the sugar and ice cream salt in, and 'shake,shake,shake' it all around!!
After the ice cream was ready (and mommy's hands were freezing) we 'scooped' it in the bowl and chowed down!
Yummy!!!! Mama it's 'cold'!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)