Why, hello October...

Well, where did that September month go!? We were busy, as usual, but made a LOT of great memories and had wonderful family time.  We started off September with Travis having to work Labor Day wknd, and I had my first Vendor show in Port O' Connor! It was a great success, met some wonderful people, and had a blast! Here's my set up from the show :)

As stated in the previous post, we ordered a shed! Well, it took a few weeks for it to come in, so we decided to plant some grass in the dead areas of the yard. Once the shed came in, Travis began to build the flooring immediately, and thankfully his Dad helped him construct it.

Within a few weekends, we had a shed! WOOHOO! You should see the difference in our garage! We can walk in there now. We still need to paint it, but that's not a "hurry up and do" kind of thing.

We had a few birthday parties in September. We celebrated Izzy's first birthday, and then at Hangtime Trampoline Park for Nik's 2nd Birthday! We loved it so much, the next weekend after visiting with Travis' grandparents, we took Corbin for some fun!

 

Travis' room mate from Texas State, Zack, got married! Travis & Zack dormed together, and then moved into an on campus apartment where they stayed together until Travis' graduated from there in 09'. Talk about total opposite majors. Travis was pre-PT, Zack was a music major. But they got along great, and we became great friends with Zack. Zack is a very successful man, he is in the band "Blue Water Hwy Band" and they are, well, amazing! And on their way to the top!

So, we went up to San Antonio on Friday after Travis' got off work, I spent my day off cleaning our house top to bottom, packing and all that goes with that! We LOVE the Drury hotels. They are always clean, comfortable, free nice breakfast and this one in particular has an indoor pool! Saturday morning we took off and did some shopping before the wedding, Corbin LOVED to ride the Escalators at the mall! He'd get off, "I ride, I ride!" SO Travis got to ride the escalator with him, um, about 50 times? Hehe.

 

 

The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride & groom. We didn't stay too long at the reception because when you have a almost 2 year old who's going on a 30 minute nap and not slept well the previous night, it's time to pack it in! haha.




We have an even busier October. The reality of us going to Disney in a few short weeks is SO real. I'm so nervous, anxious, excited, and READY for quality time with my guys. But first, we will have a house full of family & friends, well, hopefully a yard full if the weather cooperates...for Corbin's 2nd Birthday Party! Which reminds me, I've yet to prepare anything for it. Ok, I lie. I may have stuffed the piñata already, and I have things bought. But I haven't "planned" every single detail down to the last picture on the table...much different than last year. :)

Anyways, Thanks for taking the time to read about our September...here's to just 3 months left of 2015!

Updating

As I sit here at my laptop in my office that my husband so kindly built for me (I have an awesome craft desk and shelving units he hung recently to help me organize & have a place to craft!) I think...man, I am only ever in here to pay bills, work on my Jamberry stuff, or upload pictures! Life is busy, and that is that. But I have SIX unpublished blogs I've started, never finished, or just kept as a draft on here! So I'm going to take a few minutes to UPDATE since my last post was in June!

 

My office! I love my white/pink chandelier we found for $25 at Lowes! Score, and it's super bright compared to the ceiling fan that was in here prior! 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great 4th of July. We went to Travis' PawPaw's house on Lake Echo and had a great time with family. Did some fishing, took Corbin to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, did some shopping, fishing, & shooting and saw some awesome fireworks!

This is one of my all-time favorites of him, at 4th of July. Coincidentally it's the same one we chose for his 2nd Birthday Invites (that were just sent out recently!) I have this picture along with various others on my desk, and patients always ask if that's the same kid! He's changed SO much this past year!

Ready for his first boat ride on the lake!

Had some time to go shooting!

LOVE my gun! Had my Jam's going on for the 4th!

 

 

So in July we didn't do too much, we went to Splashway a couple of times. Had a blast!

 

We ordered our next project...a SHED! Yay! It arrived mid-August & my husband has been working on putting it together! It's HUGE. 12x10 to be exact. Our backyard's NOT massive, so this thing is something else. I joke & tell him a bed & mini fridge will fit in there perfectly for him :)

 

We've been playing in Corbin's little pool we have for him, it's big enough for us to set up/take down in a day, his little slide fits in it to make a water slide, or most recently a "tunnel for playing alligator" haha.

 

Been trying to catch up on projects. I've alluded to the fact that I will N-E-V-E-R scrapbook the 100's of picts I have stacked on my desk...so I purchased photo albums! And one day, I will put them in there! hah. We are sprucing up the play room with "READ" letters on the wall, décor and just making it a nice room for Corbin to hang out and play in with all his bazillion toys. And it gives his tent a home that his Mimmie & Pappy gave him when he was sick last winter!  I found some cute sayings on "cloud" signs at Hobby Lobby with "clap your hands" and songs as such. I made his curtains and now, keeping it organized is another story!

He will eventually have a couple of shelves on the wall beside "READ". Love his little rocking chair my Dad made for him, it's just like the one my Dad made for me :)

 

 

 

We have a certain someone's 2nd birthday party coming up. I was all about having it "Puppy" theme, then he took interest in Mickey & we're going to Disney, so we switched it up! I'm not going "all out"...so I say... ha.

 

Other than that, trying to lose some weight, get in better shape & spend time with our little guy! They started doing more arts & crafts at daycare, so I'm super excited when I pick him up, I have a little "gift" Makes my day!

 

He LOVES for me to fix his hair.

Us before church one Sunday, when Daddy had to work! :(

 

Hopefully I'll post again soon, if not, until next time...



 

June Updates

The 21 day fix is going, well...it's going! It's so hard to stick to it sometimes...especially with holidays & family functions. I have managed to lose & keep 6lbs off going into week 3. I'm okay with that, considering how awful I have eaten a few days out of the last 2 weeks! My goal is to do better each day...and see what can happen. This week I will follow my normal plan, and then next week (July 4th week) I will do the 3 day fix...which really restricts eating & focuses on exercising, to wind up the 21 day fix. Once 4th of July is over, we will hit it again for another 21 days...and we plan to continue this lifestyle indefinitely! Cheating & junk food is a must on some occasions! Gotta live, a little at least! ;-) 

Time is flying by...tomorrow our little man is officially 20 months old. FOUR months until he turns TWO. Speaking off, I placed the first order tonight for favors for his "Oh Two-odles" birthday party! Lets put it this way..."We've got ears, say Cheers" sums up what I ordered ;-) I need to control myself this year, last year was a bit...over the top. Haha. Oh well, I'm just "That" MOM! 

He has such an amazing personality, loves animals & balloons. Being outside, playing in the dirt & water, riding his 4-wheeler & driving his different cars (He seriously has a collection going...) He's talking a lot more & loves to say "NO!" but we've gotten a few "Yes"'s out of him lately! He has learned to open the fridge...which poses a problem when he wants to eat lunchables & cheese all the time, or when he's walking around licking a frozen pizza roll...oh yeah, never a dull moment! We have child locks on our pantry & exit doors to our home now, because yep...you guessed it, he's conquered the door opening 101! He's in such a routine when it comes to bedtime...it's so stinkin cute, I wished I could video it to always remember how cute this little man is, walking through the house butt naked before bath & then in his cute jammies on his way to bed. He must have Goofy (he has 2...a small one that we got him & a medium one from Jennifer, Jose & Tommy... he must have BOTH with him) and his little puppy that his Aunt Karen & Uncle Ted & Mason gave him for Christmas last year. And his silky blanket & his taggie...and he gives tons of kisses & it's just precious & heart melting! 

I don't see how anyone could not like being around him. Or any child who's of that age, with this type of personality (Not going to lie...the whiney, fussy, loud kids drive me crazy!) But he's pretty mellow most of the time. It's actually sad that some people, just don't want to be around him. But, it's definitely their loss! We love him, he's got a lot of family & friends who love him & enjoy being around him...and those are the people who matter to us! :D 

Anyways...here's some pictures since I just love making posts picture heavy...

My cute date with his "big boy haircut" before church :) 

We got to go to the beach last weekend when Aunt Sue was down, we went crabbing & he went swimming (not planned, he just has no fear apparently!) 

Isn't this just like "Hm, wonder what life will be like today?" Pose!?

LOVED the (nasty) beach water!

And of course...enjoying some rain puddles dumped on us by Tropical Storm Bill! First Tropical Storm to go through in our house & with Corbin...and it wasn't very bad. Our neighbor lost a big chunk of their tree, and we just got quite a bit of rain making our grass so very green we can't complain! 

Until next time...

Week 2, 21 day fix

Hey! So, officially 9 days completed of the 21 day fix! It's going really well for both of us. I weighed in on Friday, we both did...and for once, my results trumped Travis'! I had gone from 218, to 208! TEN lbs, in ONE week. Amazing. While I did the shakeology for breakfasts, I never found one I was "oh so in love with", no matter how I blended, mixed, froze, all were just not for me. So I decided to whip up some scrambled eggs with veggies to get me through the rest of the week until I can try a diff protein drink to weigh my options. Shakes are just faster for me, I can drink it on my way to work or to drop off Corbin at daycare. So we did 3 work outs last week. Shameful, I know. But still saw amazing results! We had my Aunt Sue in from Louisiana, so we did eat out more than we were planning. We plan 1 cheat meal a week...and while we ate out 3x's, we still controlled ourselves...at least I did. haha.

Here's my breakfast, snacks, & lunch for tomorrow. For supper we're going to do ground turkey/beef mix and either do spaghetti with it or make meatballs...something. haha. Below is: Ziti pasta, Grilled Chicken, Squash, Carrots, Cucumbers, Watermelon, Yogurt w/ fresh strawberries, my "omlette", a cliff bar & in the orange container...peanut butter! My after dinner snack for when my sweet tooth kicks in!

I decided on Monday to take my 2nd picture in front of the mirror...wearing the same outfit that now is loser on me. I can totally tell a difference in how my clothes are fitting. All of my athletic shorts are becoming large on me, to the point my husband makes a comment (compliment) every day. I wear uniform scrubs to work...and kind of the "turning point" for me was when my scrubs were tight. Tight to the point of ..."Maybe I shouldn't squat THAT far..." and one of my co-workers has had huge success with the 21 day fix, so I inquired more and ordered the goods. My scrubs are BIG on me. To the point of..."how much tighter will this drawstring REALLY go before my pants just give up & fall to the floor?!" Ok...so maybe not THAT severe...but pretty close. I have SOOOO much more energy. Trust me, when someone sits beside me at lunch with a bag of crunchy cheetos I want to pounce on them like chester...but I know better. I know I'm seeing results, and I know my food is VERY good tasting & good for me, and leaves me feeling hyper/happy/energetic...vs how those "delicious at the moment cheetos" do! that being said...I am already brainstorming our 'cheat meal' this week. I guess it'll depend on the number on the scale. We worked out last night and tonight, last night we did the cardio video, tonight was Yoga. Tomorrow & Thursday we will have to hit the arms/legs again, and my legs are probably STILL sore from those crazy moves last week! BUT it'll be totally worth it in the long run. Here's week 1 picture vs week 2. I will take measurements again at the end of 21 days.

Until next time...

HERE WE GO!

Hey everyone! SO, Travis & I decided to take the 21 day challenge with Shakeology & Beachbody! One of my co-workers has had amazing results and became a coach recently, so I ordered through her. We began on Monday, June 8th...the 21 day fix with the containers & work outs. I am drinking a shake for breakfast, but Travis isn't. I'm so excited. The work outs are only 30 minutes long, which is PERFECT. Because frankly, working out for any longer than that will NOT keep my interest for very long. I always get "bored" or just find something "better" to do. Haha.

So I'm getting my water in, working out now, and eating a LOT healthier. It's only the end of day 2, and yes while I feel like my legs may fall off & my arms burn...I am feeling 100% better. I can already feel & tell the differences with my clothes & energy level.

I'm hoping to post at least once a week, maybe more if I have time..during this 21 day fix! I want to be held accountable, and with Travis participating as well that makes it SO much better & easier for me!! I don't have to listen to him go on about how good Whataburger, Grandys or Chick Fil A sound! hah!

So, I'm willing to put my stats out there. They are embarrassing! Maybe that will hold me more accountable??! When I weighed in on day one...I weighed 219lbs. Most people don't think I weigh that much and usually make me stand on a scale in front of them to prove it (silly, I know...why would I make myself weigh more!?) I am tall-ish and I feel like I do carry it well. However, I know I am over weight...and not eating healthy. Life is busy, fast food is EASY. But the lack of energy and bleh feeling...I had enough! Here is one of my before pictures...so, here's to 19 more days! I'm excited we will finish round one before 4th of July! I'm just nervous because my Aunt Sue comes down tomorrow for a week...luckily I work all but the weekend while she's here, if not I'm sure I'd be very tempted to eat bad with all the good cookin my Mom will be doing!

I hate the fact that I still have such a "baby belly" pouch! Time to CHANGE that!

Day 1. Let's do this!

2 days of my meals! Went with whole wheat pasta, tomato sauce, grilled chicken & grilled turkey/beef mix for my meals. Salad with: Spinach, Kale, Cucumbers, Tomato's, Carrots, and olives. Clif bar for snack, peanut butter for snack, fruit & shakeology for b-fast! It's really a LOT of food! 

My short term goal is to lose 25 lbs-ish. I'd like to be around 195 when we go to Disney! YES we're going to DISNEY WORLD! Not for a few more months though :) Let's do this!!

May catch up!

Busy is an understatement. And is that wasn't enough, I've taken on yet another adventure...I now sell Jamberry nail wraps! I'm mainly super excited because of all of the product I get for cheap (or free) and I love them, so if I sell a few and spread the word about something so amazing...even better! Here's some of my nails over the past few months...

We've been busy with home projects, vacations, quality time with family...you know, enjoying life! God has blessed us, we say this a lot, and we Thank God all the time for all of the wonderful blessings spiritually, physically, mentally and financially. 

We celebrated my 28th birthday here at home, my hubby got me a cookie cake and I was able to spend the day with both of my boys! It was great! We did dinner at Peter Piper Pizza with the in laws, I was blessed with many gifts, cards, calls and texts! 

Easter was just 2 days after, we had a small hamburgers and egg hunt here at our house, my oldest sister was able to stop by, we had my parents, in laws and my husband's father's parents here for lunch & to watch Corbin (ever so slowly) hunt the eggs! 

He had to check out what the bunny left for him before getting ready for church...

Every good egg hunter must take a M&M break!

At the end of April we took a family vacation to San Antonio! We had a great time. We stayed at a Drury, so we had free breakfast, free (ended up being supper both nights!), free soda & popcorn mid-afternoon, indoor pool, and for Mommy & Daddy...free adult beverages each evening! (We mainly booked here for the drinks indoor pool! :) 

Our first day there, we went in through San Marcos so we could reminisce from Travis' Texas State days! (can't believe he graduated from there with his Bachelors 6 years ago!!) We ate at Gills (best fried chicken & biscuits EVER) & realized that his apartments on the river were no longer there! The river changed SO much since we were there last...6 years ago I guess! And so has the campus. Crazy. We did some shopping, of course Corbin received an abundant of new clothes! I purchased a cute little Vera Bradley wristlet & that's about it! 

We checked into the hotel, ventured out to the Bass Pro Shops & I got some new sunglasses (Whoop whoop!) 

Swimming, running around our hotel was on the agenda the remainder of day 1! 

Day 2 we drove out to Fiesta Farm Zoo! That was to be the BEST place for kiddos, heck, I enjoyed it too! (Super cheap!) Corbin was able to interact with chickens, goats, bunnies, pigs, horses, even rode a PONY! He had a great time, as did we. We took a hay ride & all... 

No, we're not holding our nose...we're blowing kisses to Daddy!

After Fiesta Farm we went out to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch Drive through zoo! We have been there a couple of times prior, but Corbin has never been (Unless you count the weekend when I found out I was pregnant...and he was only like, 2 weeks in the womb!) 

He got a HUGE kick out of it. Of course, anytime he gets to ride shotgun he LOVES it. 

Not going to lie...the Zebra scared the bag right out of my hand!!

After the drive through zoo we ate at Red Robin...I'm pretty sure Corbin's favorite part (besides freckled lemonade) was the doting waitresses, and receiving a balloon on our way out! That balloon made it the whole evening, next day, and until we were unloading in our driveway...then kaboom!

On Friday, our final day...we went to the San Antonio Zoo! It's much larger than I remember, so we knew we weren't tackling it all in one day. We began the day with a FUN train ride! Not many people on board, and it was nice weather. 

I'm pretty sure he enjoyed chasing the "free" animals more so than viewing the sleeping exhibit ones!

Yep, still terrified of the carousel 

Afternoon snack in his red wagon! Let me explain this picture...it almost didn't happen. You see, while we were on above train ride, we left this gem of a wagon parked between the train station & the track, with people who work there (thankfully) all over. Everyone leaves their strollers, buggies, ect. there, because you can not pack these items into your train car! Well, we get back and get to loading up Corbin in it, to take off to the zoo, and a conductor comes up and says "You know, someone came up and started to take off with your wagon, but saw we were watching & dropped it and took off" We were both in shock, and if Corbin could understand to that level he'd have been as well. You really can NOT trust people. Don't get me wrong...the wagon is nice, but it's not overly expensive and it even has a license plate with Corbin's name on it. How could anyone steal from a child? I just don't get it. After that we kind of "took turns" with exhibits that required us to forgo the wagon...until the carousel, we insisted we do that as a family...and our concept was "If someone needs that wagon more than us, then so be it..." It was still there, and that is how I was able to capture this image above. He's eating his animal crackers & drinking out of his monkey cup (from his Birthday party, yes, I'm cheap...he knew no different, and he thought it was awesome he got to use it!) 

After this, he was crashed out. We grabbed a bite for the road...and vacation was over. It was a blast spending so much time with my 2 main men. 

In between all of the fun above... with the help from our parents, we were able to replace our privacy fence! It saved us a lot of money being able to do it ourselves, and we appreciate all of the time & help our parents gave between giving advice, wrangling Corbin & physically helping remove/replace posts! It looks great...and even our 2 pups enjoy it! 

We all know what spring means, especially in south Texas, ESPECIALLY with the amounts of rainfall we have received as of late...DEWBERRIES! We loaded up! Corbin was eating them as fast as we picked them, he's definitely our child, haha. I've already made 3 cobblers, and still have 1 gallon bag in my freezer, Whoop! 

Travis tackled a "pinterest" idea...! We had been discussing a "catio" or "cat-itat" to get their box out of the main house, and give them some "freedom" of outside. Based on the layout and where we were willing to budge...they have a catio in our garage! They seem to enjoy it. The shelves are covered with green outdoor carpet, he used left over wood from my craft table he built me to do the shelves & total cost out of pocket was under $100. Not bad :) 

To end this ever so long (was going to be a quick post... & not picture heavy (ha, like I've EVER done that!)). Here's a capture of our front page of the newspaper. I'm sorry, we live in SOUTH Texas. Not the Panhandle anymore! We lived there in Amarillo for a little over TWO years, and NEVER did we ever see this, nor have to have a "Code Black" at work! Here, TWICE in one WEEK! This is crazy weather! Thankfully no major damage has been done, and everyone's stayed safe! 

Anyways, thank you guys for reading & keeping up with our 'adventures of married life...with kid!' 

Until next time :)