I am officially 30 years old as of yesterday! I am a mess of mixed emotions! I feel grateful and blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life and I look at what I have accomplished this far and I am even more pleased. I have a good husband who no doubt tries my patience, frustrates me, and drives me crazy but he also loves me unconditionally and works very hard to provide for our family. We have hit a rocky patch a time or two but neither of us is ready to give up on what we know is true love. God works in mysterious ways and although I have found myself questioning his motives some times, I am rest assured by the belief that if I trust in him he will not misguide me. I have an amazing, healthy, happy, beautiful, and comical little girl that is no doubt the very best thing that has ever happened in my life. She is my joy, my laughter, and my reasoning for doing anything I do in life. We have a beautiful and cuddly golden retriever who is one of the best friends anyone could ever have even if she does leave you full of dog hair all over your clothes. We have made ourselves a wonderful home too. We live in a quiet subdivision with good neighbors (from what we know anyways) and appears to be a great school system and environment to raise our child or children.
Although our families are a ways away, they still are here for us and are blessing to have too. Our friends who are also a ways away are the best friends we could ask for and we miss both our friends and family very much.
I will be blunt and honest and say that I am scared that I didn't make some of the right decisions along the way to this point in my life. Should I have gone back and finished college? Did I make the right career choices? Is the option of change really on the table? Have I loved the way in my heart I know I can love? Am I being selfish too many times? Could I have tried harder at things?
I am angry at myself for not pushing myself harder to do the things I want to do in life. The things that not only bring me happiness but also bring life to my soul like my charity work and being with my daughter. I love working with and being around woman. I feel inspired. I feel like woman put themselves last and yet are the most powerful people on this planet. Woman have drive and passion. And let me stop myself right there and say that I don't think men lack these things but they are for sure wired different. Priorities are different.
As a woman in my (gulp) 30's I would like to start to laugh more, live more, stress less, love more deeply, and apply myself for all that I know I can be as a woman and as a person. This year will bring lots of changes. And hopefully will be the year I truly find and become the person I know I want to be.
To quote my beautiful and inspirational Mary Kay director, " Lots of love and tons of belief".......
This 30 year old lady named Theresa
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Guest Post by Beautiful Mom Of Four
Many months ago my friend started a blog on her journey to 30 and a mother. She was on a journey to self-discovery of who this new person is that was once her. She requested a guest blog and up until now I have realized I have been on my own journey to self-discovery that is still under construction.
Call it lack of sleep from a baby who decided to wake up at 5am laughing at me, probably thinking, ‘If I smile big enough she won’t care that its so early!” I am inspired this morning.
Another friend of mine has started a journey of her own. Before I continue I realize journey is a word I am using a lot and feel its necessary to define for myself and those reading. Journey: a. The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip.
b. A distance to be traveled or the time required for a trip: a 2,000-mile journey to the Pacific; the three-day journey home.2. A process or course likened to traveling; a passage. As a mother this process of travel is most often just to the grocery store is an adventure and your learning something new from your kids, but in this case we are looking at the bigger picture. Back to my friend starting a journey of her own. She continues to inspire me with her strength and compassion and decided to go full force with women’s ministry, with me in tow. I have four boys, so understandably the opportunity to be with women was an amazing concept. Although I was spear heading I found that I couldn’t wait to help influence these women through a bible study, because just like when I taught preschool, I learned so much more while teaching than not!
So now, here I sit, having been up since 5am realizing that although my world is dirty diapers, meals, snacks, and then throw in every boy toy you can imagine I am truly blessed. I read stories of mom’s whose struggles go so far beyond 5am wake ups and whiny 2 year olds.
I know a mother who waits everyday for her autistic son to smile at him. I remember this when my 2mth old can’t take his grin off his face and then I have three more right behind him waking up with a smile. How can I can complain?
I know a mother who waits in a hospital room watching her 3.5-year-old son struggling to breath waiting for lungs. A life long battle of fear and questioning since he was diagnosed with cancer. How can I complain?
I know a mother whose 1 year old’s first hair cut will be from a neurosurgeon because of a chromosome disorder he was born with. Everyday is doctor’s appointments, and questions of what next and she continues to care for her other children, provide for other children outside of her home, and smile and love life despite the journey. Again, I ask, how can I complain.
In the end, we all have our own struggles. The women I listed above are just a few that influence me everyday. Not to compare my life’s struggles but to realize that life is what you make of your circumstances. Sometimes they really suck! Lets be honest! Sometimes life truly does throw lemons right at your head. You can dodge them, or try to catch them to take with you on your journey. Lets be honest with out those ‘lemons’ or trials to be metaphorical, we can’t look at the positive things in our life as blessings.
So now my post is becoming rambling so I will get to the long and short of my story. I am a mom of four beautiful boys. They are 5, 4, 2 and 2mths olds. Typically when I say their ages I get looks of disgust, awe, and just plain shock. There are days it truly is chaos more often than not, but they are best friends. I sell Thirty-One Gifts, a Christian based company that inspires women everyday and it continues to bless this family. I continue to do photography when I can, and if I can watch kids on the side. At the end of the day I am Matthew, Ben, Joe and Sam’s mom. I am Bill’s wife and I wouldn’t ask for another title. I have found myself as most moms do saying after I am ready to go out, “I don’t look like a mom of four, do I?” To which my husband responds, “I don’t know how to answer that, so I will just say you look beautiful.”
In asking that question for what feels like the hundredth time, I realized I need to rethink myself. I need to see myself through other’s eyes. I am a mom of four boys. Some days I am a mom to four superheroes, which makes me pretty proud. Although that title may seem mundane to me some days, others see it as so much more.
I am blessed to have such strong women in my life, I am blessed to have such an amazing family, and I am most definitely blessed to serve the God I serve. I could make this post so much longer, to be able to call out each of the persons in my life that bless me everyday, to show them their struggles are not in vane and are touching others, but for now I will just let each person know that they make my life better. If you are reading this feel blessed today knowing that whether you are in a time of trial or blessing, today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I received that text this morning for another virtuous woman I am blessed to know, what a way to start the day J!
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31
Call it lack of sleep from a baby who decided to wake up at 5am laughing at me, probably thinking, ‘If I smile big enough she won’t care that its so early!” I am inspired this morning.
Another friend of mine has started a journey of her own. Before I continue I realize journey is a word I am using a lot and feel its necessary to define for myself and those reading. Journey: a. The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip.
b. A distance to be traveled or the time required for a trip: a 2,000-mile journey to the Pacific; the three-day journey home.2. A process or course likened to traveling; a passage. As a mother this process of travel is most often just to the grocery store is an adventure and your learning something new from your kids, but in this case we are looking at the bigger picture. Back to my friend starting a journey of her own. She continues to inspire me with her strength and compassion and decided to go full force with women’s ministry, with me in tow. I have four boys, so understandably the opportunity to be with women was an amazing concept. Although I was spear heading I found that I couldn’t wait to help influence these women through a bible study, because just like when I taught preschool, I learned so much more while teaching than not!
So now, here I sit, having been up since 5am realizing that although my world is dirty diapers, meals, snacks, and then throw in every boy toy you can imagine I am truly blessed. I read stories of mom’s whose struggles go so far beyond 5am wake ups and whiny 2 year olds.
I know a mother who waits everyday for her autistic son to smile at him. I remember this when my 2mth old can’t take his grin off his face and then I have three more right behind him waking up with a smile. How can I can complain?
I know a mother who waits in a hospital room watching her 3.5-year-old son struggling to breath waiting for lungs. A life long battle of fear and questioning since he was diagnosed with cancer. How can I complain?
I know a mother whose 1 year old’s first hair cut will be from a neurosurgeon because of a chromosome disorder he was born with. Everyday is doctor’s appointments, and questions of what next and she continues to care for her other children, provide for other children outside of her home, and smile and love life despite the journey. Again, I ask, how can I complain.
In the end, we all have our own struggles. The women I listed above are just a few that influence me everyday. Not to compare my life’s struggles but to realize that life is what you make of your circumstances. Sometimes they really suck! Lets be honest! Sometimes life truly does throw lemons right at your head. You can dodge them, or try to catch them to take with you on your journey. Lets be honest with out those ‘lemons’ or trials to be metaphorical, we can’t look at the positive things in our life as blessings.
So now my post is becoming rambling so I will get to the long and short of my story. I am a mom of four beautiful boys. They are 5, 4, 2 and 2mths olds. Typically when I say their ages I get looks of disgust, awe, and just plain shock. There are days it truly is chaos more often than not, but they are best friends. I sell Thirty-One Gifts, a Christian based company that inspires women everyday and it continues to bless this family. I continue to do photography when I can, and if I can watch kids on the side. At the end of the day I am Matthew, Ben, Joe and Sam’s mom. I am Bill’s wife and I wouldn’t ask for another title. I have found myself as most moms do saying after I am ready to go out, “I don’t look like a mom of four, do I?” To which my husband responds, “I don’t know how to answer that, so I will just say you look beautiful.”
In asking that question for what feels like the hundredth time, I realized I need to rethink myself. I need to see myself through other’s eyes. I am a mom of four boys. Some days I am a mom to four superheroes, which makes me pretty proud. Although that title may seem mundane to me some days, others see it as so much more.
I am blessed to have such strong women in my life, I am blessed to have such an amazing family, and I am most definitely blessed to serve the God I serve. I could make this post so much longer, to be able to call out each of the persons in my life that bless me everyday, to show them their struggles are not in vane and are touching others, but for now I will just let each person know that they make my life better. If you are reading this feel blessed today knowing that whether you are in a time of trial or blessing, today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I received that text this morning for another virtuous woman I am blessed to know, what a way to start the day J!
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A POEM FOR EVERY WOMAN OUT THERE
A friend from work gave me this yesterday and I fell in love with it instantly!!! This Poem speaks so much truth to every woman out there. Please enjoy!!
MAYA ANGELOU'S'
BEST POEM EVER
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or never needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE..
a youth she's content to leave behind...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who let's her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents,
that her childhood may not have been perfect... but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love and more...
how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...
MAYA ANGELOU'S'
BEST POEM EVER
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or never needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE..
a youth she's content to leave behind...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who let's her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents,
that her childhood may not have been perfect... but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love and more...
how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
A Blank Wall
The dinning room is not on the normal path you walk through the house but I have been finding myself detouring and walking through obsessing over a big empty blank wall. It is driving me bonkers!!! I wanted something unique and not just a normal old painting. I decided on pictures from our Napa Valley trip last September. I also have a couple of shadow box things and wine boxes. Somehow, someway I will arrange them on the wall. I will post pic when it is done.
Do you ever have a vision or an idea that you just can't get out of your head? I do all of the time!! And it is always about decorating or improving the house, my daughter, food, cleaning, or entertaining. Sometimes I feel like I am missing what I am really supposed to be doing in life. I know God has a plan for me and I have a good idea of what it is supposed to be but it feels like it is out of reach sometimes. I am learning that I am not a patient person. I want what I want now (as selfish and horrible as that sounds) and I don't like to wait. That is just not how the world works unless you are a millionaire. I my friends, am not a millionaire. I wouldn't mind being one though if anyone has an extra mil they would like to share....lol! I think more of my problem is that I get so excited to do certain things that I don't want to take the time do a little at a time. I would rather just do it all so I can enjoy the end result today rather than in a couple weeks. Man I think I need help! Well I guess the one good thing about this quality (if you can call it that) that I get stuff done around here.
Do you ever have a vision or an idea that you just can't get out of your head? I do all of the time!! And it is always about decorating or improving the house, my daughter, food, cleaning, or entertaining. Sometimes I feel like I am missing what I am really supposed to be doing in life. I know God has a plan for me and I have a good idea of what it is supposed to be but it feels like it is out of reach sometimes. I am learning that I am not a patient person. I want what I want now (as selfish and horrible as that sounds) and I don't like to wait. That is just not how the world works unless you are a millionaire. I my friends, am not a millionaire. I wouldn't mind being one though if anyone has an extra mil they would like to share....lol! I think more of my problem is that I get so excited to do certain things that I don't want to take the time do a little at a time. I would rather just do it all so I can enjoy the end result today rather than in a couple weeks. Man I think I need help! Well I guess the one good thing about this quality (if you can call it that) that I get stuff done around here.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Healthy and Yummy tastes of Summer!!
Makayla and I went to the store to grab everything we need to make some yummy and healthy summer favorites today!!! Homemade salsa, fresh homemade cucumber salad, green beans for baked green bean fries, and turkey bacon, romaine lettuce, and tomato's for BLT's!!! I am trying to teach her more about fruits and veggies and doing my best to get her to eat more of them. I thought having her shop for them with me and touch and smell them she may be more willing to try things. She is more curious but no luck today in trying new things.
Nothing makes me happier than cooking for my family and doing things around the house and with my little girl!!! I really want an apron though!! I don't have one. I just think it would be awesome to have one. Is that weird? This evening I was making the mango salsa, Makayla was playing with play-doh at the kitchen table, and Jason was down wiring the basement (manly work). I was sipping on some light margaritas Makayla and I were laughing and talking and I thought......all that is missing is an apron. Then I thought.....an apron for me and an apron for Makayla! So my new project is to make us both aprons like I did for our traditional Christmas cookie baking (see pic below). Maybe if she starts helping me prepare more fruits and veggies she will eat more. Can't blame a mom for trying. OMG!!! And a chef's hat for her too!!! LOL!!! More pics to for sure follow on that one!!!
Nothing makes me happier than cooking for my family and doing things around the house and with my little girl!!! I really want an apron though!! I don't have one. I just think it would be awesome to have one. Is that weird? This evening I was making the mango salsa, Makayla was playing with play-doh at the kitchen table, and Jason was down wiring the basement (manly work). I was sipping on some light margaritas Makayla and I were laughing and talking and I thought......all that is missing is an apron. Then I thought.....an apron for me and an apron for Makayla! So my new project is to make us both aprons like I did for our traditional Christmas cookie baking (see pic below). Maybe if she starts helping me prepare more fruits and veggies she will eat more. Can't blame a mom for trying. OMG!!! And a chef's hat for her too!!! LOL!!! More pics to for sure follow on that one!!!
Monday, June 4, 2012
BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY
This morning I posted a picture on Facebook of my breakfast I made for myself this morning.
A friend posted that she was lucky to remember her makeup, her purse, and her diaper bag in the morning let alone cooking breakfast. Well I feel for her because for awhile I was the same way until I realized how important breakfast was for me. Makayla was about 6 months old when my weight loss plateaued. I couldn't really figure it out because I was too busy to eat because I was busy being a single mom (Jason was still traveling and I was on my own all week long) and working full time. I would eat very little during the day and I was going non-stop so how in the world could I stop loosing weight? Well first and foremost, I wasn't eating enough to keep my metabolism going. And who had time for the most important meal of the day? Breakfast? Not me. I was lucky if I had two of the same color socks on. So I figured if I could change the way I eat breakfast I could probably change everything else about how I eat. So now I get up a half hour earlier than I used to. I still just throw up my hair everyday but I do throw on makeup. But that little half hour gives me enough time to throw together breakfast and eat it at home and not in the car but at the table with my cup of coffee and a few extra min of cuddle time with my peanut.
Most of the time I keep it simple with just egg whites, meatless veggie sausage, and cheese. But I love to keep chopped onion in my fridge so I started making this breakfast that tastes just like french onion soup!!! Saute red onion in a small saute pan (hint: buy the already cut up in a container for you onion, peppers, and celery. For my friends who are around a Meijer store they used to be like 2 for $5 and totally worth it. So sad I don't live by a Meijer any more!!!) Use butter flavored non-stick spray instead of butter. Add the egg whites to your onions to whatever thickness you choose and leave it alone. Go brush your teeth, get the same color socks on, get all the bags together to walk out the door, ect. Once you see that it isn't very liquid any more you can flip it to finish cooking. Microwave your Maple Flavored Meatless Morning Star Sausage Pattie for 55 sec, throw a piece of swiss cheese on it right when it comes out, and then top with the egg white. Add a little fresh cracked sea salt and pepper and enjoy!! Tastes just like french onion soup for breakfast!! But super high in protein and gives you a great start to your day quickly!
The breakfast salad I posted this morning is super easy too. I just spray my small saute pan with non-stick spray and then pour the egg whites to the thickness of my liking. I add a little cracked sea salt and pepper while it is cooking and walk away to do a couple odds and ends (laundry, pack Makayla's lunch, or whatever is on the to do list that morning). When it is ready I microwave a maple flavored pattie for 55 sec, cut it up with a fork real quick, and cut the egg up with a fork real quick. I had some left over romaine lettuce from the salads I made to go with last nights grilled chicken along with some diced tomatoes so I put the lettuce down, then topped it with the tomato, egg white, and veggie pattie. I had picked up mango salsa at the West Side Market on Saturday and so I also put that on my salad (looking for a good recipe to make it myself and have on hand at all times) and then grabbed my handy bag of salad sliced almonds from the pantry and topped it off. Yummy!!
The whole idea is to use what you have handy and semi already prepared to make a quick and healthy breakfast to start your day. Make it packed full of protein and low in carbs too!! I have had days where I didn't have any lettuce in the fridge but I did have low carb wraps so I made it a breakfast burrito. I make it work because I do feel better about my day when it starts out with a little goodness. I am not perfect and their are days I throw a Jimmy Dean De-light turkey sausage breakfast sandwich in the microwave or I stop and get an egg white and turkey bacon breakfast sandwich from Starbucks but I must be doing something right if I have lost over 100 lbs since Makayla was born and kept it off. I contribute it to breakfast and slowing down a notch. What's for breakfast tomorrow?
A friend posted that she was lucky to remember her makeup, her purse, and her diaper bag in the morning let alone cooking breakfast. Well I feel for her because for awhile I was the same way until I realized how important breakfast was for me. Makayla was about 6 months old when my weight loss plateaued. I couldn't really figure it out because I was too busy to eat because I was busy being a single mom (Jason was still traveling and I was on my own all week long) and working full time. I would eat very little during the day and I was going non-stop so how in the world could I stop loosing weight? Well first and foremost, I wasn't eating enough to keep my metabolism going. And who had time for the most important meal of the day? Breakfast? Not me. I was lucky if I had two of the same color socks on. So I figured if I could change the way I eat breakfast I could probably change everything else about how I eat. So now I get up a half hour earlier than I used to. I still just throw up my hair everyday but I do throw on makeup. But that little half hour gives me enough time to throw together breakfast and eat it at home and not in the car but at the table with my cup of coffee and a few extra min of cuddle time with my peanut.
Most of the time I keep it simple with just egg whites, meatless veggie sausage, and cheese. But I love to keep chopped onion in my fridge so I started making this breakfast that tastes just like french onion soup!!! Saute red onion in a small saute pan (hint: buy the already cut up in a container for you onion, peppers, and celery. For my friends who are around a Meijer store they used to be like 2 for $5 and totally worth it. So sad I don't live by a Meijer any more!!!) Use butter flavored non-stick spray instead of butter. Add the egg whites to your onions to whatever thickness you choose and leave it alone. Go brush your teeth, get the same color socks on, get all the bags together to walk out the door, ect. Once you see that it isn't very liquid any more you can flip it to finish cooking. Microwave your Maple Flavored Meatless Morning Star Sausage Pattie for 55 sec, throw a piece of swiss cheese on it right when it comes out, and then top with the egg white. Add a little fresh cracked sea salt and pepper and enjoy!! Tastes just like french onion soup for breakfast!! But super high in protein and gives you a great start to your day quickly!
The breakfast salad I posted this morning is super easy too. I just spray my small saute pan with non-stick spray and then pour the egg whites to the thickness of my liking. I add a little cracked sea salt and pepper while it is cooking and walk away to do a couple odds and ends (laundry, pack Makayla's lunch, or whatever is on the to do list that morning). When it is ready I microwave a maple flavored pattie for 55 sec, cut it up with a fork real quick, and cut the egg up with a fork real quick. I had some left over romaine lettuce from the salads I made to go with last nights grilled chicken along with some diced tomatoes so I put the lettuce down, then topped it with the tomato, egg white, and veggie pattie. I had picked up mango salsa at the West Side Market on Saturday and so I also put that on my salad (looking for a good recipe to make it myself and have on hand at all times) and then grabbed my handy bag of salad sliced almonds from the pantry and topped it off. Yummy!!
The whole idea is to use what you have handy and semi already prepared to make a quick and healthy breakfast to start your day. Make it packed full of protein and low in carbs too!! I have had days where I didn't have any lettuce in the fridge but I did have low carb wraps so I made it a breakfast burrito. I make it work because I do feel better about my day when it starts out with a little goodness. I am not perfect and their are days I throw a Jimmy Dean De-light turkey sausage breakfast sandwich in the microwave or I stop and get an egg white and turkey bacon breakfast sandwich from Starbucks but I must be doing something right if I have lost over 100 lbs since Makayla was born and kept it off. I contribute it to breakfast and slowing down a notch. What's for breakfast tomorrow?
Saturday, June 2, 2012
TEARS OF JOY AS THE JOURNEY JUST BEGINS!
Tonight I feel overwhelmingly blessed!!! Thanks to all of my family, friends, coworkers, and my community we have raised over $2300 for my fundraising for the Susan G Komen 3 Day 60 Mile walk coming up in August!!!!! I couldn't have done it without these amazing people in my life!!!!
But the journey has really just begun. I will continue training hard over the next several weeks to prepare myself for those 3 days. I am already brought to tears over the generosity of all of the people who have donated their time and money to help me fight for this great cause!! Over those 3 days I will be with thousands of men and women who are just as passionate about this fight and it will no doubt be very memorable, inspirational, and life changing for me. I will post pictures of the 3 Day event afterwards on this blog so you can have a glimpse into the experience.
I also want to invite anyone who reads this blog to leave a comment below with the name of a person you know who has either survived or passed away from breast cancer. I have a tank top that I made that already has several names written on it. I will take the names you give me and add them to the shirt and wear it on one of the days of the 3 Day. Those names will be my inspiration that day and will remind me why I am doing what I am doing. I want to celebrate those who have fought and survived and honor those who lost their battle. This is the tank top right after I made it.
WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL I AM! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY!!!!
Love Always and Forever,
Theresa
But the journey has really just begun. I will continue training hard over the next several weeks to prepare myself for those 3 days. I am already brought to tears over the generosity of all of the people who have donated their time and money to help me fight for this great cause!! Over those 3 days I will be with thousands of men and women who are just as passionate about this fight and it will no doubt be very memorable, inspirational, and life changing for me. I will post pictures of the 3 Day event afterwards on this blog so you can have a glimpse into the experience.
I also want to invite anyone who reads this blog to leave a comment below with the name of a person you know who has either survived or passed away from breast cancer. I have a tank top that I made that already has several names written on it. I will take the names you give me and add them to the shirt and wear it on one of the days of the 3 Day. Those names will be my inspiration that day and will remind me why I am doing what I am doing. I want to celebrate those who have fought and survived and honor those who lost their battle. This is the tank top right after I made it.
Love Always and Forever,
Theresa
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Blessed Beyond Belief
Today, my wonderful day off work, I am feeling extremely blessed. I took my little diva shopping for some new summer clothes, we stopped at Starbucks for cake pops, and I was able to do some things around the house like clean and organize. I am so blessed to have my little diva and to have the wonderful home we live in. My husband is amazing and works very hard. He has a great job that he is very successful in and I have some great opportunities in front of me as well. I do find it funny though that my retail therapy that used to be a shopping trip for a new outfit, purse, or shoes for me has turned into a shopping spree for my daughter. LOL! Funny how priorities shift when you become a parent. This is how well we did today!
I feel very blessed to have the friends and family I have as well, who read my silly posts and support me in all of my endeavors.
If anyone is interested in having a Mary Kay Facial Party with the theme of their choice let me know, I am looking to expand my business and grow. My time, unfortunately, is limited because of my day job but we can arrange a time that meets both of our hectic schedules! Mary Kay has blessed me with an opportunity that I will not give up on and given me amazing and encouraging people in my life that have been such a positive force for me.
I AM JUST BLESSED BEYOND BELIEF!
I feel very blessed to have the friends and family I have as well, who read my silly posts and support me in all of my endeavors.
If anyone is interested in having a Mary Kay Facial Party with the theme of their choice let me know, I am looking to expand my business and grow. My time, unfortunately, is limited because of my day job but we can arrange a time that meets both of our hectic schedules! Mary Kay has blessed me with an opportunity that I will not give up on and given me amazing and encouraging people in my life that have been such a positive force for me.
I AM JUST BLESSED BEYOND BELIEF!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Need Advice!
Ok, so I have been contemplating selling some of Makayla's baby clothes on EBAY. I know I know, what if you have another baby and it's another girl? I have thought about this. But like Jason asked me "aren't you going to want to just by something new for a new baby?". And what if it's a boy? I am only having one more kid then I am retiring my uterus. It is just too much on my body and only because Jason and I would like one more and hopefully a boy is the only reason I would consider getting pregnant again. The other thing to consider is sizes. I mean Makayla was always in way bigger clothes for her age because she was a big baby. What if the next kid is super tiny? What if he or she is born in late fall or Christmas time? The type of clothes would be different that that kid would need for that time of year so I may not have sizes he or she could wear of winter stuff. Makayla was born in April and by Christmas she was already in 12 month clothes. My point is, am I just holding onto totes full of clothes for nothing? Or could I be selling them while they are still in style and getting some cash back to go towards other goals I have? What have any of you done with your baby clothes in the past?
Thanks for any advice on this one!
Thanks for any advice on this one!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Little Things in Life
Obviously my husband and my baby girl and my fun loving dog make me incredibly happy, but have you ever sat and thought about the little things in life that make you smile or give you that warm fuzzy feeling? Here are list of my favorite little things in life!! Tell me yours!
Wine
Cheese
Starbucks
Cooking meals for my family
A clean house ( Now I didn't say I liked cleaning, I just love a clean house)
Pajamas pants
Bare legs on silky sheets
Cuddle time with my husband, baby girl, or golden retriever
Dinners at Mon Ami
Day away with the hubby to Kelly's Island or Put in Bay
Dark chocolate or any type of indulgent dessert
Reading
Quiet time
While that is a lot of my favorites I think I could just go on and on! Tell me what makes you smile!!
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
STORIES TO LAUGH ABOUT
So in cooking dinner tonight my husband almost hit me in the head with the cupboard door by accident. I told him it wouldn't be the first time and he responded with at least I didn't dump carpet deodorizer on your head. LOL!!! Yes folks this actually happened. We were joking around with each other one day while we were cleaning the house and he thought he was funny and was going to pretend to dump the carpet deodorizer on my head and well it was open and he really did dump it on my head. I stood there in shock and so did he. And then we both just died laughing.
So this got me thinking about all of the other silly or strange things that we have experienced together as a couple over the years.
For your reading pleasure and hopefully a good laugh I have listed them below in no particular order other than the order they came to me as I sit here. There are a million more but here are a couple highlights.
The carpet deodorizer story (above).
When Jason and I first started dating we were joking around on the couch and he pinned me and and sat on me and accidentally farted. He froze and we both just started laughing and it took me a bit to get over it.
While I was pregnant (18 weeks pregnant) Jason was involved in playing flag football. His team was awesome and went to state championships in Columbus. After being sick with morning sickness that lasted morning, noon, and night, I went to his game and sat by myself on the sidelines in a bag chair. Much to my surprise I ended up with two guys from the other team tackling me in effort to catch the football. I was thrown backwards hard and flipped from my chair. I had the wind knocked out of me and was shaken up but I was fine. They stopped the game and I had the whole team yelling "she's pregnant!!!" as they ran over to me to see if I am ok. They called the ambulance that had to drive over other fields that were being played on to get to me. They told me they could take me if I wanted but if anything was wrong with the baby at 18 weeks they couldn't do anything. I made the choice not to go and after we realized the baby was ok we laughed about it. Only me. Only I would have that kind of luck.
There is the time that I went to throw the Frisbee to the dog and Jason was standing behind me and I must not have let go at the right time and it flew back and hit him in the head.
The time Makayla was screaming bloody murder because I was leaving for work and Jason was trying to calm her down but I ended up just having to run out the door and I was already running late. We had had a fire in the driveway the night before (because that is how us hillbillies do it) and I never even thought to move it. I gunned it out of the garage and smoked the fire pit. I was late for work so I pulled up a little and backed around it leaving it in the driveway. That was a fun conversation on the way to work.
Jason was out of town on one of his hunting trips and my dad was over visiting. I had to run down to the basement for something and my body must have been moving faster than my feet or vice versa because I fell down the stairs and broke 3 toes. My dad from the living room yelled "are you alright?" Never got up. Not a bad father, Jason would have done the same thing. It's a man thing.
There was also the time I was cleaning out the dormer at the old house and I was taking an old heavy 1980's computer monitor out to the trash in the garage. I was wearing slip on sandals and the back step was wet and I went flying off the back deck. I threw the monitor just in time to land on my stomach flat down in the back yard. My husband and my neighbor were both in the garage and neither heard me or came to my rescue until my neighbor happen to catch a glimpse of me getting up.
Needless to say I am not very graceful and I don't have very good luck. They make for some great stories and some great laughs!!!!Makes more sense now why Makayla is as clumsy as she is. Poor girl....she is in for some pain, some laughs, and some good stories to tell.
So this got me thinking about all of the other silly or strange things that we have experienced together as a couple over the years.
For your reading pleasure and hopefully a good laugh I have listed them below in no particular order other than the order they came to me as I sit here. There are a million more but here are a couple highlights.
The carpet deodorizer story (above).
When Jason and I first started dating we were joking around on the couch and he pinned me and and sat on me and accidentally farted. He froze and we both just started laughing and it took me a bit to get over it.
While I was pregnant (18 weeks pregnant) Jason was involved in playing flag football. His team was awesome and went to state championships in Columbus. After being sick with morning sickness that lasted morning, noon, and night, I went to his game and sat by myself on the sidelines in a bag chair. Much to my surprise I ended up with two guys from the other team tackling me in effort to catch the football. I was thrown backwards hard and flipped from my chair. I had the wind knocked out of me and was shaken up but I was fine. They stopped the game and I had the whole team yelling "she's pregnant!!!" as they ran over to me to see if I am ok. They called the ambulance that had to drive over other fields that were being played on to get to me. They told me they could take me if I wanted but if anything was wrong with the baby at 18 weeks they couldn't do anything. I made the choice not to go and after we realized the baby was ok we laughed about it. Only me. Only I would have that kind of luck.
There is the time that I went to throw the Frisbee to the dog and Jason was standing behind me and I must not have let go at the right time and it flew back and hit him in the head.
The time Makayla was screaming bloody murder because I was leaving for work and Jason was trying to calm her down but I ended up just having to run out the door and I was already running late. We had had a fire in the driveway the night before (because that is how us hillbillies do it) and I never even thought to move it. I gunned it out of the garage and smoked the fire pit. I was late for work so I pulled up a little and backed around it leaving it in the driveway. That was a fun conversation on the way to work.
Jason was out of town on one of his hunting trips and my dad was over visiting. I had to run down to the basement for something and my body must have been moving faster than my feet or vice versa because I fell down the stairs and broke 3 toes. My dad from the living room yelled "are you alright?" Never got up. Not a bad father, Jason would have done the same thing. It's a man thing.
There was also the time I was cleaning out the dormer at the old house and I was taking an old heavy 1980's computer monitor out to the trash in the garage. I was wearing slip on sandals and the back step was wet and I went flying off the back deck. I threw the monitor just in time to land on my stomach flat down in the back yard. My husband and my neighbor were both in the garage and neither heard me or came to my rescue until my neighbor happen to catch a glimpse of me getting up.
Needless to say I am not very graceful and I don't have very good luck. They make for some great stories and some great laughs!!!!Makes more sense now why Makayla is as clumsy as she is. Poor girl....she is in for some pain, some laughs, and some good stories to tell.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Pregnant
Nope not me but I caught your attention didn't I? LOL! I have had a little baby on the brain lately though. It is amazing how many people I know that are pregnant or just had a baby!! And Makayla has been even more super clingy to me than usual (if that is possible) and I would be fibbing if I hadn't thought about the possibility of another little one running around the house. But then the flashbacks of my pregnancy hit me like a brick and how absolutely horrible it was for me. How sick I was. The 85ish pounds I gained. The gestational diabetes and the shots several times a day. Being at the hospital 2-3 times a week for the last 2+ months for non stress tests. And there are the thoughts about daycare expenses. Two kids in daycare would cost me more than my house payment. And I have a sizable house payment. The diaper expenses and paying for formula again. OMG! Not happening for a little while. Get my peanut in kindergarten (can't even picture her in school but time is going super fast) and then I will give it a shot.
I think with turning 30 this year I am starting to have a mid midlife crisis. I am not running out and buying cars or motorcycles or going to the bar every night pretending I am 21 again but I am questioning all of my important life decisions and re-evaluating things that are important to me. And I seem to be in this hurry to get all of it figured out. It's as if I all of sudden grew up. But I moved out on my own when I was 18 and have had my own bills for a long time now. I have been married for awhile and Makayla is 2 so it's not like anything major just happened to make me feel like this. I litterally can't shut my brain off. I am always thinking about a ton of stuff going on in my life right now. Why is turning 30 such a big deal? Five years ago I gave my husband a hard time about turning 30 and I just kept saying it's just a number. It's not a big deal, your not old or anything. But he really struggled with it and now that I am starting to struggle with it I feel like I was super unsupportive to him.
I never really had a life plan like some people do but I feel like I have done a lot of the things that are important to me like finding my soul mate and starting my own family. This year more than ever I have also committed myself to my favorite charity more than I have ever in the past. In doing so I have met some amazing people. Jason is also making one of my dreams come true the week of my birthday and he is taking me to NYC. I already knew this would be a big year for me because of the big birthday but this may be a life changing year for me. We will see how it all plays out but I see lots more in my future.............stay tuned.
I think with turning 30 this year I am starting to have a mid midlife crisis. I am not running out and buying cars or motorcycles or going to the bar every night pretending I am 21 again but I am questioning all of my important life decisions and re-evaluating things that are important to me. And I seem to be in this hurry to get all of it figured out. It's as if I all of sudden grew up. But I moved out on my own when I was 18 and have had my own bills for a long time now. I have been married for awhile and Makayla is 2 so it's not like anything major just happened to make me feel like this. I litterally can't shut my brain off. I am always thinking about a ton of stuff going on in my life right now. Why is turning 30 such a big deal? Five years ago I gave my husband a hard time about turning 30 and I just kept saying it's just a number. It's not a big deal, your not old or anything. But he really struggled with it and now that I am starting to struggle with it I feel like I was super unsupportive to him.
I never really had a life plan like some people do but I feel like I have done a lot of the things that are important to me like finding my soul mate and starting my own family. This year more than ever I have also committed myself to my favorite charity more than I have ever in the past. In doing so I have met some amazing people. Jason is also making one of my dreams come true the week of my birthday and he is taking me to NYC. I already knew this would be a big year for me because of the big birthday but this may be a life changing year for me. We will see how it all plays out but I see lots more in my future.............stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Grand Tour of My New House!!
A couple of people have not been out to our new house yet and have asked to see pictures. So I ran around my house this afternoon taking pictures of almost every room. So here is the grand tour!!
Let's start with the front of the house. Welcome!
And the back of the house.......
The front room...
The living room....
The other spare bedroom and upstairs hallway.....
We have a basement as well that is mostly finished. Walls and carpet are done but it still needs a drop ceiling. We use it as a huge playroom for Miss Makayla and there is a huge sectional down there that works well for lounging or extra sleeping spots for guests. So that's our new place!! We are super excited about it and obviously not all of the way done with decorating but well on our way. It feels like home and there is plenty of room for our family to grow whenever that time comes. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!
Let's start with the front of the house. Welcome!
And the back of the house.......
The entry way
The front room...
The living room....
The kitchen....
The dinning room...
The laundry room...
My husband and I's room and bathroom....(Note, there are a total of three bathrooms in the house but the other two are just normal bathrooms and I didn't take pictures)
One of the spare bedrooms being used as my office...
The other spare bedroom and upstairs hallway.....
Makayla's room.....
We have a basement as well that is mostly finished. Walls and carpet are done but it still needs a drop ceiling. We use it as a huge playroom for Miss Makayla and there is a huge sectional down there that works well for lounging or extra sleeping spots for guests. So that's our new place!! We are super excited about it and obviously not all of the way done with decorating but well on our way. It feels like home and there is plenty of room for our family to grow whenever that time comes. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!
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