weight, recipes, and more!

I’m a very visual person, not in every case, but certainly in situations involving weight loss. I’ve worked so hard [okay, I’ll admit, not nearly as hard as I should be working] this last month and a half, and the results were, I felt, unnoticeable.
And then, yesterday morning [when I woke up at five thirty, yeah, my thoughts too] I did a wii fit workout to wake up. And bam, 3 pounds down since I first started [Christmas Eve morning] this round of working out. 3 pounds isn’t much, and I can’t visibly notice it, but seeing the three pound difference on the tv screen, it’s quite butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling.

My 30dayshred dvd stopped working on me, so that workout is out the door for the time being. Instead, I’ve been improvising; jumping jacks, sit ups, pushups, all the stuff I’ve never really been a fan of. This morning, before church, the boy made me a deal; for every one I did, he did three. It definitely helped, having a partner working next to me.
My biggest goals, as always, are to work on eating healthier foods. I’m not much of a cook [i.e. I very rarely cook] so usually we turn to quick easy, not so good for you foods. Yummy meals are definitely in my near future; any suggestions, offer them up now!
This is a really lame Mamavation Monday post, but here I am falling asleep.
So instead, I’ll post another Mamavation post sometime throughout the week :)

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[i am] thankful

I recently made a promise; that I would try my hardest to let things “roll off my back” and not get to me like they previously would. Thus far, I’d say I’m doing an excellent job. Some recent issues with the ex/baby daddy have made that difficult, but I’ve made the decision to wash my hands of the drama, sotospeak, and just stay positive.

In the process of staying positive, I’ve come to realize there is so much to be thankful for in my life. I am surrounded by so many amazing people, and on top of the people here, physically, there are all my new sistas, who support me in ways I never thought imaginable. There’s my beautiful daughter, who in so many ways has taught me new things; most importantly what being a mommy really truly feels like [amazing, to put it simply.] My awesome boyfriend, who has shown me what patience and love truly is. Who gives me advice before I’ve asked for it, who listens and holds my hand, who tells me how he feels without “toughening” it up. My parents, who as crazy as they drive me, help me, support me, make me feel better about things I can’t control. My sister, who in so many ways is my best friend, she listens and lets me complain without judging me. My friends, you-reading this- included, for the advice, the hugs, the shoulders, the texts, the jump up and down excitement with me.

Then, there are the material things I’m thankful for:



Strawberry banana smoothies- seven am work/school days suck, especially with a three year old who likes to change her outfit five million times in a ten minute timeframe. Strawberry banana smoothies are a saving grace at 6:45 as we head out the door.


Antibacterial hand sanitizer- the person who created such is truly a genius. I work with kids on a daily basis. Kids who, especially this time of year, have snotty noses, coughs, and all that gross germ spreading stuff. I change diapers several times every hour. Without hand sanitizer, I’d be germ covered and sick all the time.


Music- I have a 30+minute drive to/from school two/three times a week, on top of a 20 minute drive to work. Music makes car rides so much funner, especially when the kid knows the song and sings along.


Family gatherings- Not just my family’s but M’s as well. I love family. I love big family gatherings. It seriously bums me out that I don’t get to see my extended family very often. I love the lunch dates we have. They’re always filled with happiness and tons of laughter.


Weekends with the boy- most of the time, schedule conflicts keep us from spending a lot of time together. By the time I get home, he’s getting ready to head to work. When he gets home and is ready for bed, I’m heading out the door. So workless weekends are definitely something we look forward to.


Reading- I love to read. Especially when it’s just for fun, not because some professor is telling me I have to. I’d read all the dang time if I had the ability.


My job- I love my job. It is, to put it simply, the best job ever. The people I work with are pretty awesome, as well. I work with kids; my days are full of smiles, laughter, and tons of fun. I get paid, not just with money, but by knowing that I am teaching these kids. The looks on their faces when something “clicks” whether it be writing their name, learning a letter, or counting; it’s an amazing feeling.


Sunshine- because without, my life would be so grey, literally. I am a huge fan of summertime, because of the sunshine that comes with it. The way the sunshine feels against my bare skin, it's a feeling I quite enjoy.

And here's my list of today's thankfuls. I'll add plenty more to this list soon enough; like falling asleep next to my favorite boy in the entire world, pregnancy tests, health changes for the positive, weight loss, the fact that pop is no longer a daily necessity for me, oh, and, some huge life changing discoveries. :) yes, I have a lot to be thankful for.

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Mamavation Monday [er, Tuesday?]

A little late, but hey, I'm new to this, and besides better late than never, right? Right.

A friend of mine listed a series of resolutions she had for the new year and one of them was Jillian's 30 Day Shred. I've never been one to make resolutions, but hey, I'll take some healthy changes any day of the year.

A month or so ago, I started doing daily workouts using the Wii Fit program; it's easy, and fun. My three year old does all the exercises next to me, which is always a plus.
And now, I've added in the daily workout from the 30 day shred video.
It's not easy, but totally worth it.

The gym scene has never really worked for me. I don't have the time, between school, work, and the kiddo. Getting someone to watch her while I take time for myself at the gym just isn't happening, so instead, the wii points me in the right direction. Either she does the exercises with me, or I do it all once she's in bed.

Another "goal" I have is to start eating healthier. Not really go on a "diet," I just want to eat what's good for me --more fruits, veggies, and eventually be able to be pop free.

Mostly, I want to feel good about myself.
One day at a time.

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your wonderwall.

& afterall, you’re my wonderwall.

Months upon months ago, we played wonderwall, by oasis, on repeat as we drove in the darkness to a friend’s house. We pulled up and sat, hand in hand, just listening to the song. He smiled, said he liked the song, that it just might be, at that moment, his favorite.

Days later, long after we should have both been tucked into bed, fast asleep, we were texting each other.
“Maybe it’s like the song says. You’re my wonderwall. You’re supposed to save me,” he said, with a smiley face. We were talking about all the hard things we’ve both been through. The decisions we’ve made, and kept making.
I thought, at the time, maybe he was just trying to make me feel better, about things.
But, he’s right. Loving someone is all about helping them. Saving them, in a way.
It’s like this; he loves me. The love he gives me, even in the randomest of ways, makes me strong. I’m here, not giving up, because of him.
And, because I’m here, he’s making choices he wouldn’t otherwise make. Hand in hand, we’re changing each other. Or rather, growing with each other.

I think, in a way, this is my first real relationship. Relationships that consist of lies, yelling, and absolute hate aren’t real.
This, being a wonderwall, being the person the other wants around most… that’s real.

I was so in love with the idea of being in love, I forgot the most important thing: it’s not being in love that matters. It’s the smile, the laughter, the looks you give each other, the way a simple hand on your shoulder or around your waist can make you feel. It’s the sound of his voice, a simple good morning babe text message.

It’s like the song says; I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do, about him now.

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mom blogs.

I’m trying to work on some super awesome post that describes just how wonderfully smooth my life has been. It’d be a pretty nifty read, right? Right.
But, it‘s not happening. Not because nothing super awesome has happened. And not because my life hasn’t been wonderfully smooth (although wonderfully smooth doesn’t quite describe it.)
Mostly because, well, I can’t even begin to put into words how things have been. Some examples, you ask? Sure!:
For starters, the new semester started last week. This equals book buying, lots of introductions, driving [as I live a thirty minute drive--on a good day--from campus], less working, which in reality means more [school]work.
And then there’s the fact that well, the new semester means I have less time with the kid. Less time with the kid is never a fun thing, I promise. I miss her like crazy. She’s my world, and now I get some random hours of awake fun time with her. Random hours. It sucks. A lot.
I have to tell myself on a daily basis that I’m doing this not just for the fun of it, but because I want to make our lives better. I’m doing this to get us out of here. So that we can maybe get where we need to be. And so, I do it. Day in, day out.
The amazing thing is…she doesn’t love me any less.
She still kisses me good morning, and goodnight. We still have our nightly bed time story (which is never really one story, more like fifteen, or so) We pack our lunches together, and occasionally, even get to sit together and eat (all while I listen to her and her little friends talk and giggle about string cheese, monkeys, and whether spiderman or Cinderella wins--usually, for the record, spiderman wins, even among the girls) It’s fun. I love it.

Mostly, I love every second of my day with her. It makes the long classes, the crazy hectic nights, the homework…every bit is worth it, because I have her.

And now, upon re-reading this particular post, I‘ve realized this is exactly what I said it wasn‘t gonna be--it‘s a mom blog. I write about my kid.
I‘m okay with that though, because really, that‘s what I am. A mom.

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