Motivation

There's nothing quite so motivating as seeing a recent picture of yourself. Up until the moment you see yourself, you perceive yourself a certain way. And then, BAM, the picture sets the record straight (darn it.) But it's okay - as I just said above, there's nothing quite as motivating. Because a picture doesn't lie. It lets you see exactly what needs to be done. As a mother of two, and a caretaker of 3 (total) during the week, I find myself falling into the excuse "there is NO time", all the time. Uggh. The motivation to wake up at 5:30, before starting the day with the kids, is just non-existent. And I think that's okay. I need a little bit of sleep if I want to make it through the day with my little hooligans. So, what then? I need something quick, but yet effective. Something I can do here and there throughout my crazy days. And, as a nursing mother, I'm not quite ready to dive head first into a crazy, kick-my-butt, for-an-hour-a-day, workout. That can come later. So, I decided to turn to my friend "Pinterest." It has everything. EVERY-THING. I'm sure you all know that. And if you don't, please remedy that immediately. Anyway, of course there are plenty of pins that have different exercises you can do without machines or videos or a gym. So I found one that I think will work for me.

It's simple, self-explanatory, and effective. So this is my goal. To do this three times a day. I know it may sound trite to some, but a girl needs to start somewhere, right? So this is where I'm starting. I'm hoping that with doing this three times a day, it will burn around 300 hundred calories total, and get my heart rate up. And since it's fairly quick, I should have no problem squeezing this in during my day. (Here's hoping!) My second goal is to drink 10 (8oz) glasses of water a day. I'm thinking that can only help matters too, right? And my last goal is to be more aware of food choices. Choose fruits over sugar. Choose better grains and less salt. And of course, opt for less fat. So, why am I blogging about this? Why am I wasting your time with this seemingly unimportant stuff (to you)? BECAUSE. Because I'm a stay-at-home mom, and my kids aren't going to hold me accountable during the day. They aren't going to follow up with me to make sure I've done what I said I was going to do. If anything, they are going to try their hardest to distract me from getting done what I need and want to get done! So I'm putting it here. Where people can see it. And that is my accountability. I don't want to come day after day and admit that I've failed. I want to come day after day and say that I did it. And if I'm lucky, not only will I start feeling better, but when I see another picture, I might be pleasantly surprised with the truth I see there. So here's to my new journey...

Sister Shower L.O.V.E.

Warning:  Right up front I'm going to let you know, this post is filled with pictures.  So if you don't want to deal with that, you'd better stop before we get started.  Those that are interested, please keep reading .My husband's sister, Bethy, is getting married next month.  We are all really excited and counting down the days until the wedding day. Melissa (my other sister-in-law) and I, got to throw Bethy her shower.  And it was SO MUCH FUN.  My husbands family is very large, and we planned the shower for about 30 ladies.  It was amazing to to have so many people come to honor Bethy on her special day!  The food was wonderful, the fellowship was great, and the bride-to-be was radiant!

Welcome Wreath

Poms!

L.O.V.E Bunting

Beautiful Bride-to-Be

Table Decs

Roses from the garden

Melissa and  Me

Mini Pie Bites

Raspberry Heart Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Taco Dip Cups

Strawberry Bruschetta

Tomato Bruschetta

Tortellini Skewers with Pesto Sauce

Raspberry Mousse Trifle

Princess Punch

She Said, He Said Game

Favors

Bethany - we are so blessed to call you Sister, and we love you!  Congratulations to you-we are very excited to celebrate this time in your life!

Fun in the Sun Hot Muggy Sticky Heat

We have a few traditions in our family. Whenever all of us get together, we always stay together under one roof.  We will all squeeze together no matter what.  And we usually do this during holidays.  Mom and Dad host us all at Christmas.  Eric and Chantel host Memorial Day in Kenosha.  And Nick and I usually host everyone for the 4th of July. So per the usual, we made the trek down to Kenosha this past weekend.  Now that there are five grandchildren (all boys), age 6 and under, our get-togethers are anything but subdued and quiet.  And we would't have it any other way!  The weather was a bit unpredictable this weekend and we ended up with some cooler weather, and then some hot hot hot, humid weather.  So what did we do?  We spent that hot hot hot humid day outside, in the water.  And everybody seemed to forget the hot hot day, and have a blast together in the water.

Easter

So I know that I'm late in getting this up, but better late than never I say.

Every other year, we celebrate Easter up here in the Twin Cities with Nick's family. This year was our year to be here. So, just like every year, we went to Nick's grandmother's house for lunch and spent some time catching up with his side of the family. And THEN, we did something different.

Our very good friends, The Gilberts and The Espersens had no Easter plans and I thought "that's perfect - let's have them over!" So we did. And it was so much fun! We shared a big meal together and then the kids had some fun. We had Easter baskets for them, and the 4 big kids had such a blast! They did an Easter egg hunt outside and despite it being a bit chilly, they had so much fun! Filling our home with close friends and family was so special, and it was even more special knowing that we all share the same faith. We came together that day to rejoice that our Savior, Jesus, died for our sins and rose from the grave! Thank you, dear friends, for sharing such a special day with us - we are blessed beyond measure.

Can it really be...

A year and two days ago, (it was a Saturday) we were visiting my parents in Wisconsin. I got a phone call from my dear friend Jessica Hilden. She said "I have a question for you, so give me a call back when you can." Her voice sounded a bit different, and I wondered if everything was okay. I called her back and and we chit-chatted for a bit. Then she said, "So...I have a question for you. We were just wondering when you guys were planning to have another baby because our squirt is going to need someone to play with?!" My jaw dropped and the tears poured down my face - they had had quite the journey (you can read about their story here) and I was beyond excited to hear their amazing news! ... Man, I still get choked up about it - God's provision is so unbelievably miraculous and overwhelming. Fast forward two days (a year ago from today) and on a spur-of-the-moment decision, I decided to take a pregnancy test, expecting the negative sign. But instead, it turned that oh-so-pretty pink plus sign, and put this Momma into tears. Baby number two was on his or her way. Two days later Jess was over for lunch and I said "So, remember when you asked when your baby would have someone to play with?" and she said "Is it NOW?" God's timing is incredible. Incredible!

I was blessed to grow side by side with Jessica and pray for her and with her. Such a blessing to share such a special time. And now, our two boys are here and already four months old. Born exactly 1 week apart, almost to the minute.

Dear Jessica - you were a beautiful Momma long before you held Max in your arms. It is the most fun watching you with your little man. Dear Max, you are an answer to prayer and such a sweet little buddy - I am so loving watching you grow and change. It's so fun to watch you and Judah grow together!

And to my sweet baby Judah - you are my little love. A year ago today I found out you were on your way to us and since that day, I have not stopped praying for you. I prayed everyday that the Lord would expand my heart to love another baby fully and without abandon. What I experienced with you was instant, over-the-moon, warm-my-heart through and through love. To my little Judah Bear - I love you deeply and fiercely, forever and ever.