Check out this giveaway!!!

I know I've told you before, but if you don't read the Nanny's blog, you should!

She is doing an awesome giveaway right now--just click here!

I love reading her blog, she's so funny and I love hear her stories. Seriously, she's awesome. :)

Another giveaway!

I know, I know...I'm such a bad blogger. I have a post I have been working on but haven't finished it yet.

I stumbled upon Jess's blog and she is doing an awesome giveaway. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Vera Bradley--seriously, I get one for Christmas EVERY YEAR!!! I LOVE their stuff!!!

Check out Jess's give away right HERE!

I want the new Very Berry Paisley pattern--don't care about the item, just love the pattern!

GAP 1969--What to wear??

GAP, Blogher and Suz are asking "How do you wear your jeans?" Click over here and leave a comment to be entered to win a $100 GAP gift card!

Raw(e) Summertime

This is my first time to link up to something fun. This picture was taken on our trip to Colorado last summer. It was July and we were seeing snow in the mountains. Isn't that gorgeous?!?! I Love it!!! We were on a hike with friends at Lake Isabelle. We have this one blown up to an 8x10 and hanging in our hallway. We get compliments on it all the time. And it has NOT been touched up or edited in any way. I have no idea how to do that stuff!!!

Check out this giveaway!!!

I LOVE the Online Nanny Blog. She is HILARIOUS! And if you don't read her, you should.

Anyway, she is doing a giveaway. Click HERE to check it out!

P.S. I'm on VACATION!!! I will blog more when I return. AND I will have pics of my boys and Mickey Mouse! :)

My Mini Marathon Experience...

I copied this from the Indy Star today...

"The 35th Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon took place on Saturday, May 8, 2010. The Mini has sold-out for the past nine years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the fifth largest running event in America. The 2010 event sold out on December 14, 2009."

To say that the race was awesome is an understatement. Let me start from the beginning....

Friday, I was nervous as heck. My stomach was in knots ALL.DAY.LONG. I was excited/scared/nervous--all at the same time. Thursday night we went downtown to get my packet and that was something. I loved the Expo. Wish I could have stayed longer...next time we won't take the kids. :)

Friday night, sister and I went to Olive Garden to carb load. I had eaten Olive Garden before a long run a few weeks ago so I knew it would be okay on my stomach. Went home with the intention of going to bed by 10. I couldn't go to bed...knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. It was crazy. I was so nervous. I laid everything out...down to my underwear. Was planning on getting up at 5 Saturday morning to be out the door by 6. Slept until 530. Got up ready to go...although stomach still in knots. Fixed me a protein shake for breakfast and had an extra banana. Did I mention I wasn't even hungry b/c I wasn't--still full from the night before. Wish I would have drank more water b/c by the time the start of the race came I was dying of thirst. Not a good thing.

We got downtown, found our corral then went inside to keep warm. B/c the weather conditions SUCKED! It was horrendous running weather. Temperature wise it was PERFECT...but the wind...oh it was WINDY. We're talking 26 mph winds with gusts into the 30s. AWFUL!!!! DH kept saying how he was so happy he wasn't doing it. (And then we wake up today--Sunday, Mother's Day, and it's PERFECT running weather--sun, low temps, light breeze--figures!)

The race started around 745...we crossed the start line around 8. I don't have my official race time or anything yet (haven't looked) but I know it took us a while to cross the start line. We were in a swarm of people. I left sis behind, told her I was taking off (she didn't train AT ALL for this thing). I started with a light run...ended up running for over 8 minutes before walking again. Then the side splits started...again. Had them on my last run not sure what the cause was this time. So at the first water stop I took 3 cups of water and drank them. Then kept going, felt better. My motto was one mile at a time. The first 5 or 6 were a piece of cake. Then we got to the track (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and it went downhill from there. The wind was awful-I had to put my sweatshirt back on b/c I was so cold. Made it through that and thought the worst of the wind would be over but it wasn't.

At this point I was starting to get sore. I let my mind get to me. The thoughts started pouring in...you didn't train well for this, you can't finish this, etc... but pushed them to the back of my mind and said too late...I WILL finish now. When I would run, I wouldn't feel any pain but when I walked my hips would hurt. So I tried to keep it a jog but heck I might as well have been walking. Did I mention the emotions at this? OMG, I was so emotional. I fought back tears more than once.

I told DH I would text him when I was at mile 12. I made it there and told him I was "almost dead". He brought DS1 down so he could see me cross the finish line. That was SO important to me--for DS1 to be there and see mommy running. He texts me back and says they are right after the 13 mile marker on the right hand side. So I hit that point and take off my sunglasses so I can see them (there was no sun but the glasses helped against the wind) and I am looking and finally spot them. DH lifts DS1 up so I can see him and he yells "MOMMY!!!!!!!" I give him a high-5 and then cross the finish line. There are photographers all over the place and I really didn't want my picture to be of my bawling my eyes out but honestly? That's what I wanted to do. I got my medal, grabbed my food, got one more picture then went to meet my men. It was the BEST feeling to get that post race hug from my 6 year old. I collapsed on the ground and quickly changed my shoes. I was so glad to be done. IT was amazing, awesome, and phenomenal.

The emotions I felt yesterday really hit me hard. I still can't believe I did it. I walked the same race in 2007 and honestly I think I finished 2 minutes slower than then...and I 'ran' yesterday. But I've had another child since then, I'm about 10# heavier than I was then and my bladder isn't what it used to be--had to take a pit stop and I didn't have to do that 3 years ago. Today, I feel great. I came home yesterday and iced my ankles, hips, knees and my low back. Then I took a shower and then soaked in the tub...then curled up with my 2 year old and took a 2.5 hour nap. The hubby and I went out last night and I had a glass of wine with dinner and a salad with real dressing. :) I felt so good. I wanted to wear my medal around last night but DH wouldn't let me. I told him I was going to OWN that medal...I FINISHED that race. I set a goal and I completed it. I was going to OWN all I could! I've gotten that message from more than one person. I will OWN this accomplishment!

Thank you all so much for the love, support, prayers, etc... I felt them yesterday. I loved the race experience so I am setting a goal to do one organized running event every month for the rest of the year. The next one in a 5k on June 5--Out Run the Sun--it starts at 7 PM! That's my kind of race. :) I'm sorry this got so long but I wanted to get all my thoughts out there.

Now it's back to the grind and a new fitness routine. I'm going to do some strength training. I've been reading about Jen for a long time now and she's awesome and so inspiring. I LOVE her blog. She has inspired me to get more into strength training. I want my butt to look good...and my arms and legs and tummy. So we'll see where I end up. :) Have a good night everyone and a great OP day tomorrow!

UPDATED to add--I'm a RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Who would've thunk?

You may or may not remember that little race I signed up for....yeah it's in 23 days!!!!!!

Oh how I don't feel ready. I am not running 4-5 times a week like I probably should be....BUT, I am working out 4-6 days a week. I've recently discovered zumba and ZOMG!!! It is freaking AWESOME!!! I love it! The class I am doing right now is only for a 6 week stent, but I am hoping she will extend it (it's at my church and this is her first class to teach) but she's added a new class at a local gym but the time of day is really bad for me. So, for now, I am doing that for an hour every Thursday night. I work out on Friday mornings to Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred--it's also awesome! Saturday has been my running day, Sunday is Pilates. Monday is usually rest or walk or bike ride. Tuesday is either run/walk/or bike. Wednesday is rest or run. I'm really trying to get in 5 days a week of SOME form of organized exercise and then also be active the rest of the day (when I am not working). I've had some mental blocks to overcome too with my running.

I set out on Saturday (4/10/10) to do 7 miles. I got up early, carb loaded the night before, suited up, grabbed my CamelPak, and my cell phone and off I went. Honestly, I didn't think I would make it. I had a landmark to run to and then turn around and come home. I never in a million years thought I could do it. In the past few of my runs, I've had this mental wall hit me at about 45 minutes. "You can't do this, are you crazy? you are not a runner." Those types of things...this time I revved up my iPod so I would have awesome songs at the 45 minute mark--IT WORKED!!! But then I hit that wall at the 1 hour mark. Oh it was awful! I really wanted to finish in an hour and a half or less. I ended up walking more towards the end than I had been, but you know what? I DID IT!!! I made it back home in an hour and 32 minutes. If I had kept up my running, I would have made it home faster. I couldn't believe I did it! I was on cloud 9. When I was in the shower, I kept telling myself that I did it and it was AWESOME!! I felt so awesome. I thought my pace was horrendous but I got a new Nike+ and it's not as bad as I thought it was. I have been running for 5 minutes, walking for 1 or 2 minutes. During the running time, I will hit the button to tell me my pace and low and behold it's around 10 something. I couldn't believe it!!! So I don't suck after all. :)

So who would've thunk? ME?!?! ME?!?! I am becoming a runner. I will not say (yet) that I am a runner, but holy cow does it feel good!

I went out last night and did about 3 miles--why does the first mile have to suck so bad?? After that I was fine but man that first mile was TORTURE!!! I burned 455 calories and I wanted to come home and eat Thin Mints but I didn't. I had some strawberries and FF Cool Whip--it was awesome.

A few weeks ago I contemplated giving up on this half marathon race. I debated transferring out and giving someone else my bib number...but I didn't. And now? Now, I really think--NO--I KNOW I can do this! It may not be pretty, it may not be great, but I will do it. I will finish and I will be PROUD!!! I will be my own superhero.

Now, if only I could get my DIET to coincide with all the exercise I am doing. It's not awful, but it's too much of the good stuff. I'm really trying to reign that in this week. Although the scale has dropped 4# since Monday morning--but that was after a weekend of eating out a lot, not as much water, too much coke zero. So I am feeling balanced right now--right this second. I have control right now.

Okay, my thoughts are out of my head and on 'paper'. I feel better now. :) I hope whoever is out there reading has a GREAT day. Get up and get moving!

Why be normal?

When I was in high school, I had a shirt that said Why be Normal? So, here I am 31 years old and being different is a GOOD thing.

Here's my thoughts....

Do you ever feel like an outcast or an outsider...in your own family? Like they are in a clique and you are not part of it? What's wrong with being different? What's wrong with living life differently than they do?

What's wrong with wanting financial peace?

What's wrong with despising credit?

What's wrong with enjoying exercise and being active?

What's wrong with not wanting to eat fast food?

What's wrong with not drinking soda or sweet tea, kool-aid or lemonade?

So what that I am not super skinny--*I* am beautiful in my own way--and I KNOW this. I don't need breast implants to be happy. I don't have to be super skinny to be happy either. My mom tells me all the time that I'd be pretty if I lost weight--something would look better on me if I lost 20#. I don't need her or anyone else to feel like I am loved. People wonder why we don't travel to visit our family more than we do now and this is why.

WE ARE DIFFERENT.

And you know what? We are okay with that! We don't feel welcome with our own family b/c we are so different from them--our way of thinking is so very different.

We visited family for the Easter holiday and we learned a lot while we were there. Feelings were hurt (mine) and no one seems to care (which isn't anything new). I've always been the Cinderella in my family. My mom's own BFF will tell you that. My sister (J) is the favorite, my sister (M) is the baby, and my brother (also an M) is the boy. But you know what? I'm learning to accept this and that it's OKAY. I will never be super skinny like J is and to my mom--that's all she cares about. She doesn't think of my boys--only herself. She doesn't keep toys at her house for my boys that they can play with outside--so we hear DS1 complain NONSTOP about how bored he is...and if you are a parent--this drives you nuts!!!

One day, they might see the light. They might see our way of thinking. But for now, it's okay that we are different. Right now, we are living like no one else so that later we can live like no one else.

I don't live my life to please my mom or any of my family for that matter. I live to please God and to serve him and my family. My husband and my boys mean the WORLD to me. I go to sleep thinking of them and I wake up thinking of them. They are my life. Behind God--they come first. I strive to make them happy--to be a good mom and an even better wife.

So...what's wrong with being different?

N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!!

Tell me--are YOU different from those closest to you?

So lucky, so blessed

(Disclaimer: I debated even hitting publish on this post...but this is my blog and hence my thoughts...)

Lately, I have been feeling very lucky and blessed.

The hubby and I have been on the same page for a while now. We are in sync with each other and it's been very nice. We no longer argue about money. Almost a year ago we started on the Dave Ramsey Plan and our life has gotten better and better ever since. In October, we started going to church. We have been married for almost 10 years and I have been wanting us to go to church ever since we got married. I swore I would not be that woman at church who brought her kids but her husband didn't come with her. Besides, once we got married and moved to our current city, I lost my home church (driving 2.5 hours one way was not gonna happen). So anyway, we started going to church in October...we don't argue about money anymore b/c we live on a (gasp!) budget and our life is generally good.

We've been blessed with DH having a good job. I have been at my job for almost 10 years...and working from home for almost 7 years. My job also provides our health insurance and it's better than what a lot of people have so I won't complain about it.

We have 2 wonderful healthy boys that adore each other. They have blessed and enriched our lives so much. We adore them and love spending time with them. How did we get so lucky?

So...here's my question. And I will be 100% honest here, I am SCARED TO DEATH to even say this. I feel like things are going so well....when will the other shoe drop?? Yeah, we had some major car issues this last week but b/c of our budget and our savings, it wasn't a problem at all money wise. But I mean....I feel like I'm so lucky and we've been so blessed especially in the last year. I know there is a higher power at work here too and to that I am thankful.

I'm trying to get closer in my walk with God but I'm new at this too. The hubby and I have never prayed together before...ever. Every time we go to church (so every Sunday now), it's such an emotional experience for me. I think hubby thinks I'm crazy b/c I cry every time we are in the church service. :)

I don't know where I am going with this. Just trying to get my thoughts down on proverbial paper. Lately, I feel like things are going so well. It looks like there IS a reason for all of that.

I'll be back to your regularly scheduled blogging after this. Promise! ;P

Where does the time go?

Holy cow, it's Wednesday.

What happened to the weekend?? And Monday and Tuesday?? Lately, the days seem to be going by so fast and it's only going to get worse (or maybe better? Closer to spring and summer and warmer weather).

Well, I survived the weekend. It wasn't great eating wise but it wasn't a complete disaster either. This week hasn't been great but it's not been awful either--eating wise. I've been keeping up with my workouts thus far. I need to get something done today and tomorrow.

So I want to know if this is normal. When I am running outside in the cooler air and I take deep breaths--I get a bloody like taste in my mouth. I drink while I run and also spit out mucous (sorry if that is way TMI!) and phlegm and there is no blood. But that taste is there--is that normal??

I got out on Monday and rode my brand new bike for 36 minutes. My mommy parts were sore afterwards but once I recovered I was fine. My butt wasn't even sore and that's why I bought the bike I have--LOVE the seat!

Okay, I'm going to go get some lunch. I've been trying to do higher protein at lunch time (well the whole day actually) and it's done a world of good for my afternoon snacking! Have a great OP day!

Stats don't lie...

(sung to the tune of Shakira's Hips Don't Lie).

Last week I installed a new stat counter on here. I was curious if anyone was still reading b/c I wasn't getting any comments. Low and behold you are! I've gotten 2 comments (1 per post) on my last two posts but yet my blog has been visited way more than that. If you're here and you're reading, go ahead and leave a comment! I won't bite, I promise. I'd really like to know who all is out there nowadays. :)

So it's been a super crazy week! Work was pretty crazy on Wednesday and I stress ate to deal. When am I going to learn that doesn't work or help??!!? Tuesday, I did get on the elliptical for 20 minutes and it felt so good. I didn't set out to do any certain mileage or work extra hard--just 20 minutes. I felt good afterwards and I worked up quite a sweat. Today (Thursday) I got to take my workout OUTSIDE! I went to the park and ran 2 miles. Well, I won't say ran. I walk 2 minutes and run (more like jog) for 3. Back before my injury in October, I was jogging 8 minutes and walking for 1. I'm really trying to get back up to that. My mini is in 64 days and I am starting to freak out a little bit. I think I'm going to have to go back to the mentality of doing something work out wise every day. That's what I was doing back in October. I did something almost every day--whether it be a walk or a jog or the elliptical. Now, I have my brand new bike to add to the mix and I can't wait. The weather this weekend is supposed to be GORGEOUS. I'm hoping the hubby and I can go for a ride on Sunday afternoon. I still have to get a bike trailer so I can take my littlest man when I'm not riding for fitness. Can't wait to get that though and make it a family affair.

I am so looking forward to spring. Just this morning I was telling the boys all the fun stuff we are going to do this summer--the pool, the zoo, playing outside, riding bikes--oh I can't wait! I feel like I've spent so much of the last 2 summers inside b/c DS2 was so little. I'm so thrilled to be at this point with them. They adore each other which makes my life a lot easier! :)

We're trying to decide where to go for vacation this year. Looks like we are going back to Florida. I told DH that next year, we are going to the East Coast. I want to go somewhere different and somewhere we've never been before. I'm more excited to plan that trip...guess I should get this year's over with first, huh? :) Any tips out there on places to go on the East Coast. Myrtle Beach is out--went there in 2008 and didn't really care for it. I'm thinking Jershey shore or Maryland or somewhere like that. I want to get a beach house that also has a pool. Of course all of that depends on the $$$. That's why I need to start planning now. :)

Our anniversary is in June and the hubsters and I will be married TEN YEARS! How did that happen?!?! I seriously don't know where the time has gone. It's CRAZY!!! So we're talking about going on a cruise this fall to celebrate. I'm kinda excited...who am I kidding--REALLY excited! :) We're looking at five days--KID FREE!!! Oh I'm gonna cherish that!

So with all this vacation talk...I have got to get my butt in gear and lose these pounds. I've changed my goal to "only" want to lose 2o. Heck--that might as well be 200 to me. But I can do it. I'm turning in my journal next week to my leader so I have to track everything. I will exercise at least 4 days this week (hopefully more!) and I will track it all. Last time I did that, I lost 3.6# that week. Well, needless to say--I've gained that all back. ARGH!!! So, that's my plan for this week--journal and exercise. I'm also going to eat higher protein. I'm going to try to keep my snacks to popcorn or fruit. I'm having troubles with my lunches. Here's where I could use some tips! I try to do leftovers, but lately we rarely have them. What we do have, DH usually takes for his lunch. Since I am home, I can make something but I'm usually swamped for time too. I think I just had some ideas pop in my head...but I'll take any ideas you may have out there too!

If you made it this far, GREAT! Now go ahead and leave me a comment--it's not that hard. Just click where it says "comments" to the right of the time. That's where you leave it! I'm dying to know who's reading. I'll be back this weekend with an update. I already have my journal started for the week (week starts Friday morning) so I am on the right track. Have a good one!

Dear Winter,

It is now March 1st.

I hope and pray that you are done with all your snow and ice and cold temperatures. It's not that I don't love you for your own reasons...but I am over you at this point. I am longing to get my exercise outside. I have a brand new bike that I'd love to rack some miles on to. I want to get my mini marathon training outdoors instead of on the elliptical. I'm starting to hate my elliptical and that's not a good thing. The weather forecast here in Indianapolis this week has lots of sunshine and increasing temps. I pray this means spring is literally right around the corner. I'm ready for sandals, pedicures, long walks outside after dinner and family bike rides. According to the calendar, March 20 is the first day of spring. Please, winter, please be over early. You always come early--why can't you be over early too? Also, my boys are dying to get outside too. They are sick of playing inside. They want to go outside and run and play and wear themselves out. I will gladly welcome you next year with open arms and all your snow. But for now, I am over you.

Love,

Amanda :)

So now it's March 1st--what are your goals for the month?? I'm going to get back on the exercise bandwagon. It's been 2 weeks since I worked out and I'm ready to feel that rush again. I didn't sleep well last night so I didn't get up when my alarm went off this morning...hoping to squeeze in a workout this afternoon. We have our FPU class tonight so Mondays are pretty tight.

Okay, so I started this post this morning and came back to finish it. Doesn't look like I'm going to get in a workout today...work is too busy this afternoon. But I will make it tomorrow! I'll report back and tell you how it went.

Oh one more thing...I'm trying to start using twitter more. You can follow me here. Later!!

Stream of consciousness...

It's Friday afternoon. Izaac is asleep. Xander is at school. I have NO motivation to do anything constructive. So I am going to write. We'll see where I get.

I've had absolutely NO motivation to work out or count points the last 2 weeks. We went to Colorado on 2/13 to spend a brief time with my BFF. Izaac stayed with the grandparents as what we were going to do was not for little guys. We did take DS1 with us and he had a BLAST. While on vacation, I worked out EVERY DAY (granted we were only there for 3 days) but this is huge for me. I worked out and I didn't eat like crap the entire time I was gone--GO ME!!! We spent 2 days in the mountains tubing and DH tried snowboarding. Xander loved tubing as did I. Told the hubby next time *I* want to ski. But we came home on Tuesday (2/16) and I was sick. Spent the rest of the week sick. It wasn't fun, but on a bright note, so far this month, it's only been me that's been sick--a RECORD in this house this winter. I ate better on vacation than I did once we got home.

I swore off fast food back in January as part of a 1 month trial. Had Taco Bell in early February and felt like crap the entire rest of the day. And I mean stomach in knots for HOURS crap. I knew it was the fast food. And before I gave it up? I ate TB all the time. Like seriously, 3-4 times A WEEK! Now my body can't stand it (and my wallet is a lot fatter with all the money I am NOT spending). So needless to say, I made another 1 month vow of no fast food*. So when I am eating bad, it's not even fast food bad. But it's too much other stuff. Went to the store the other day and bought a box of Life cereal--BAD IDEA! I kid you not I think I ate half the box that day just sitting in front of the computer working.

*Fast food (to me and my sister who I made the pact with) is anything with a dollar menu AND a drive thru. We said Subway was okay and Chick-fil-a and that's about it. So there's no McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Burger King, Hardee's--nothing like that. Places like Panera and Chipotle are okay. This is our definition...these places get us into trouble.

Today, I was going to work out during nap time. Decided to sleep in this morning since I didn't have to work (thank you new policy that I can now work ANYTIME I want). But now my foot is bothering me. My foot that I injured back in October and had me sidelined for 3 months. Like pain that hurts when I walk type of pain. WTH?!?! I haven't ran in almost 2 weeks. My half marathon is in 10 weeks. Oh and let's not even mention the weight...

Oh heck why not. I'm up almost 3 pounds in 2 weeks. Yes, 3#. Sad! I know I can do this. I've changed my weight goal once again (this is my personal goal anyway...for the time being). For now, I only want to lose 20#. Well, now more like 23 but you get the picture. So today, I am counting points and writing it down. I had a weight watcher smoothie for breakfast--so yummy and very filling. It's almost 2 in the afternoon here and I haven't had lunch yet! I may not...I think after I publish this, I'm going to curl up for a little nap.

In other news, DH and I have decided that there will be a baby #3. The timing I will keep to myself until it gets closer but I will tell you I will not be getting pregnant this calendar year. But 3# is it for us. There will be no more after that. And to answer Nanny's question about my kids names..DS1 is Alexander Kyle and we call him Xander. DS2 is Izaac Jeremiah. Initially we were going to call him Zac (still do sometimes) but Izaac sticks with us more than anything else. I ♥ his name. I love Xander's name too--don't get me wrong. I love them both in their own ways but the one commonality with both names--their daddy named them. :)

I think that's it for this update from my world. I decided to sit down and type and look where it got me? Not really about anything in particular but about a lot of different things. Have a great weekend!

Some good news...

Back in December, I went to see my thyroid doctor for my every 6 month check up. Normally, I have to see the nurse practitioner b/c I wait to long to try to get an appointment with the actual MD. But not this time. They told me to call in September and I started calling on 9/1. I finally got an appointment and went before Christmas. She brings the idea up to me to start weaning me off my Synthroid. We'd never tried since I had been done nursing (and partly b/c I'd only seen the nurse practitioner the last time I was there--back in May). She told me to get through the holidays and then start weaning the pill to every other day, then get my levels checked in 2 weeks. I got the blood work done last week and got a letter in the mail on Wednesday that I could completely STOP taking Synthroid and she will re-check my levels in 4 weeks!!! Isn't that AWESOME news?!?!? Do you realize that most people take Syntroid for the rest of their lives once they get on it?? I know I am extremely lucky and I feel so blessed. I'm hoping that my body will adjust to not having the meds quickly and maybe, just maybe, it will help me lose weight to not have the meds??? I don't know but either way, I am thrilled!

My baby is now 21 months old. How did that happen?!??! We are quickly approaching his 2nd birthday (and big brother's 6th birthday!). I still can't believe it. DH is bugging me for #3, but for now, I am done. I do not want any more children at this point in my life. Life is crazy-busy with 2...I can't even begin to imagine throwing a 3rd one into the mix!

Training for the half-marathon in May has started. I want to be ready for this run but I feel like I can't make any head way in my training. I feel like I'm not doing enough...then there are times where I think I'm doing too much. DH keeps warning me of over training but at this point, I just want to feel like what I am doing is the right thing. I wonder how I can get faster? I'd like to be able to do an 11 minute mile, but at this point that's a pretty lofty goal! But I will stick with it and keep going and training. The training run that I am going to do in preparation for this is in March and it's a 10K (roughly 6.2 miles). I'd love to be able to complete that in a little over an hour or so, but we'll see. I have 100 days until the half--Oh boy!

In weight loss news, there is not much to report. First WI of the new year (1/9/10) down 4#, the following week--down .2, last week up .3, and I don't hold out much hope for this week. It's been a very snack-y, lazy week for me. I'll pull it together this week. I have a plan for this week, so hopefully that will work out for me!

Okay, I'm off of here now...gotta get to bed. 5 AM comes WAY too early....

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year!!!

I love January. Fresh start to a new year, new month, new ME! I got back on the workout wagon last week. I got in 4 days and am on track to get 5 days this week (week runs Friday to Thursday). I also tracked my food and saw a 4# drop on the scale. The holiday weight is almost gone...now on to the other 35# I want to lose. This is it. I am going to do it this year. I am going to RUN that half marathon in May if it kills me. :) Okay, so not literally but I will finish it and I will run across that finish line! I want to do another half marathon in October too so that will keep me running throughout the summer.

I have some other goals for 2010 that aren't weight related. I'm going to take better care of myself. I'm going to spend more time on myself...doing this will help me be a better wife and mother. This past Saturday, I got up early (to an ALARM--a sin in my book) and worked out, headed out to weigh in at a Saturday morning meeting grabbed Starbuck's and came home. It was a GREAT start to my day. There are little things that I am doing too...making sure I brush my teeth AND floss every night before bed. All these little things are going to add up and make me a better person. I'm learning that taking time for myself is VERY important!

DS2 has been sick this past week and it's been rough! All he wants is momma and I'm trying to cater to him. Makes it hard but I've still been taking care of myself. I went to bed right after he did last night b/c I was so exhausted (mentally and physically) from the day. I'm trying to remember that I will miss this age eventually. I may not LOVE it right now but he lets me hold him and cuddle him anytime I want. Eventually he won't want anything to do with me and he'll do anything to get away from me. :) For now, I will cherish these times.

I think that's enough from me for now...I'll check in again after I weigh in this week! :) Which, BTW, is changing. I'm going to my meeting on Thursday night, but my 'official' (to me anyway...LOL) weigh in is going to be at my scales on Saturday mornings. This way, I don't go hog wild on Thursday nights and I can enjoy the one meal out that we do each week. So far, it's working well for me. We'll see how it goes.

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I did it!

I signed up for the half marathon on May 8...AND I signed up to RUN it!

WhatthehellwasIthinking?!?!?!?!

Deep breaths....calm down....

Ahhh....

Yep--I did it! My sister signed up with me so I will have a partner in crime when I cross that finish line. I hope I can do it. I'm going to try my hardest that's for sure. A friend of mine ran one in our hometown back in October and she wants me to do one with her in April down there--an inaugural half marathon and marathon. Obviously, we'd only do the half. I have absolutely NO DESIRE to do a full marathon. I plan to run the one she did in October NEXT October and another one here at home in November next year too to (hopefully) keep bettering my time. :)

DH and I are thinking about doing a couple triathlons next summer as a team. He would do the swim and bike and I would do the run. He can't run anymore (bad knees) and we just got brand new awesome bikes so he should be able to keep up with the other bikers. I got a bike for exercise and to be able to go on bike rides with my kids next summer, so I didn't get a 'racing' bike (neither did DH). I wanted to be comfortable and be able to exercise...and I LOVE my bike! The bicycle shop was awesome too. Love that customer service!

Now...if only I could NOT proceed to get a big as a house this holiday season, I'd be doing GREAT! UGH!! I've decided that I really don't want to gain anymore than I already have with my inactivity (more on that in a minute) so I'm hoping to get through these next few weeks without having major gains. If it weren't for the darn weekends I'd be in better shape. :) Wouldn't we all?? BFF is coming to town the last of the month too and that always spells trouble. I love her to death but we eat out like fiends when she is in town and she's a bad influence! (she'll say it's me). :)

As far as the ankle goes, I am boot free now! I'm supposed to be working my time up on the elliptical...that isn't going so well but I am PAIN FREE!!! When I am on my feet for a long time, my ankle will give me fits but other than that I am doing GREAT where that is concerned. I see the doctor on Tuesday and I am hoping he will say I don't need any more PT. I had to cancel last week b/c I had sick (throwing up sick) kids. NOT FUN! I'm not doing my exercises the way I am supposed to, but oh well.

Gotta scoot...the dryer is going off and I still need to clean up the mess from dinner. I guess the whole family thinks I LIKE to clean up messes b/c that's ALL I EVER DO! I'll leave you with this...

Cleaning your house while your children are growing is like shoveling the drive while it's still snowing.

Yes this picture just may make the Christmas cards this year!

Well, well, well...and some pictures!

Here I sit. I have so much I WANT to write about, but not enough time (at least I don't think). So I'll start and see where I end up...

Found out last week that I do NOT have to have surgery on my ankle. Doctor wants me to do some physical therapy and wean off the boot. I haven't worn the boot much the last 2 days just b/c it's so cumbersome and slows me down so much. But boy could I tell it this morning! I felt like one wrong turn and my ankle would just split in half. So, I start physical therapy on Thursday and should only have to do it for a few weeks. I'm hopeful I can go back to working out soon.

I really MISS working out. My eating has been crap b/c I feel like if I can't exercise, then why eat right. I know that is a horrible mind set but it's the truth. When I would work out, I always felt like I had to eat right b/c I was working out and fueling my body for those work outs. It's a vicious cycle these mind games we play with ourselves.

DS2 was been sick since Thursday. I had him at the pedi on Thursday afternoon where she gave him a shot for croup. Saturday night we were in the urgent care and they treated him for pneumonia--gave him a shot of antibiotic (he HATES oral medications) and started him on breathing treatments. Chest x-ray came back negative but they told me to go ahead and keep treating him.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I have! DS2 is pretty much done minus his stocking stuffers and clothes. My neice and nephew are done and DS1 is started and I just have a few more things to get him. Now...to tackle everyone else on my list. Every year my list seems to grow but my budget doesn't. :)

So here are some fairly recent pictures of the boys and me.

This is DS2 on Halloween--he was a spider. Cutest spider EVER!!! But I may be a bit biased.

This is the boys and me and the dog (Sophie). DS1 was Transformer BumbleBee and Sophie was dressed up like a pumpkin. :)

This is DS1 on his first day of kindergarten--back in August. He hasn't changed much other than maybe gotten taller.

So there you have it...an update of sorts. I'm still here, still fat, and still non mobile. Fun times in Amanda-land! :)

Down...maybe out???

And I don't mean down as in losing weight down...

Two weeks ago (10/14 to be exact), I was walking DS1 out to the bus and my right ankle just rolled out from under me. I never fell per se, but I knew I had hurt it. Couldn't put any weight on it AT ALL. Went to the doctor the next day for an x-ray b/c I was for sure it was broke. It wasn't. So he tells me to rest (yeah right! I have 2 kids how can I rest?!?!) and take ibuprofen. So I start popping the motrin and the pain is hidden very well. Fast forward to 10/21 (my birthday). Doc's office calls back they need to speak to me ASAP about my ankle. I wasn't home and doc was getting ready to leave the office until this past Monday. I called back on Friday to see if the nurse would tell me anything...she couldn't/wouldn't. I knew then that it couldn't be good news. My foot/ankle had started to feel better but then it had started getting worse again. Doc calls me on Monday and thinks I may have a break somewhere and/or tendon/ligament damage, he sends me to a specialist ASAP. The NEXT DAY, I see the specialist. He orders an MRI and thinks I have tendon/ligament damage. He gives me a walking boot, tells me to wear it any time I am weight bearing and also gives me a compression sock to wear at all times as well to help w/ the swelling. The MRI is this coming Monday (11/2) and I have my follow up appointment w/ him next Thursday to make a definitive diagnosis and plan.

So...needless to say my workouts are now non-existent. I am so bummed. I may be looking at surgery...and if I need it, I'm not having it until January. I will NOT be laid up during the holidays. I don't care, I won't do it! I will NOT miss this time with my boys. And we're talking 8-10 weeks of recovery after surgery OR 8-10 weeks of physical therapy (if I don't need surgery). I had all these plans to do a half marathon in May. There's no way I can do that now if I can't even begin to think about working out for that until March! I'm so disappointed and discouraged.

So, I'm thinking about going to a Core lifestyle for eating (thank you Colette!) and doing a lot of pilates to strengthen my core and upper body. I love my legs and they've always been strong (or so I thought) so hopefully they will bounce back from this quickly. I don't know how to swim correctly and I don't have anywhere to go (FREE!) that I can use a pool in the winter. My diet is going to have to be PERFECT if I want to lose any weight. :( And we all know how hard that is!

So that's my update. My week has sucked eating wise, but I am going to try super duper hard this coming week. DH has put a monetary incentive out for us. Whoever loses the most per month (based on a percentage), will get an extra $50 of spending money in their budget for the month. WOO HOO!!!

Have a great weekend and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Maybe I'll post some pics of the boys in their costumes...if I can get DS2 to wear his. He threw a FIT to even try it on!

It's been a while...

I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged...WOW!!! A lot has happened but I'll post the major stuff...

DS1 started kindergarten in August and LOVES it. He just got his first report card last week and is doing so well. He's gotten a 'green light' every day which has shocked us!

DS2 is now 18 months old...and he is MEAN! LOL!!! But he is so stinkin cute and sweet. We absolutely adore him and he is his mamma's boy.

I'm still playing with 5# that I gained over the summer. I want to lose 10# by Christmas and I was doing really well in the work out department....but then I suffered a severe sprain on 10/14 to my ankle/foot. Actually, the doctor called me back last week and left a message that he needs to talk to me about the results of my x-ray. Well, of course they called on Wednesday (my birthday) and left the message but that the doc would be out until Monday. So, now I wait until tomorrow to find out if it's really broken or if it's a torn tendon or what. I am so bummed!!! I called the office on Friday to see if the nurse would tell me what was going on but she told be that the doctor himself wanted to talk to me...that can't be good!

I had a birthday last week--the big 3-1!

DH and I had an anniversary in June--9 years!

We started Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover in May and are now credit card debt free for the first time in our marriage AND all of our vehicles are paid for (we have 3). I am not sure on the total amount of money that we have paid off but it's been AWESOME for us and our marriage. We live on a budget now (never did before) and we don't argue at all over money. WOO HOO!!!

We are debating baby #3. DH is all on board but I am not. I really like the age Zac is now and I really, really, really hate the baby stage. I hate feeling tied to the house and I did until Zac quit nursing. I loved breastfeeding him but I hated feeling like there was so much I couldn't do. I never got a moment alone...and now I do. Tonight, both boys played outside together for well over an hour...if that's what next summer is going to be like, I'm all for having some time to myself again! I know that sounds selfish but between working full time, being the primary care giver, and running the household--this girl gets worn out! I think we will wait at least another year to make any major decisions.

That's all I can think of for now. I'm going to try to get back to blogging...but I'm addicted to facebook! I'm always on there...sometimes just wanting people to post something that I can read--LOL!!! I'll try to get some pictures of the boys on here soon...they are growing like weeds and eating us out of house and home!