Changing My Body!!!

New Year.  New Year's Resolutions.  Work out, eat healthy, blah, blah, blah.

January sucked for me.  Post-holiday blues, just overall BLAH!  A friend of mine is a Beachbody coach and started a Beachbody challenge -- work out, log in meals, etc. etc.  I thought, ok.....I'll join.  Maybe the accountability will be good for me.  And since it's a friend, I really need to be accountable.

I did ok....at first....logged in, but in early January there wasn't much exercise.  I had no energy and no motivation.  I JUST.....DIDN'T.....WANT.....TO.

So reluctantly, I started to try to find a workout that fit me.  It's hard to get to the gym and I'm more of an early morning person, so workouts first thing are the best for me.  I ordered Turbo Fire, Rockin' Body and recently Turbo Jam and started doing them at home.  Sporadically....but I was doing them...

Then I had to take "Before" pictures, take measurements, and weigh myself.  That alone was enough to send me into an anxiety-filled tailspin.  I put if off and put it off.

I was ashamed.  I was embarrassed.  I didn't want to see....really see...how bad I let myself go. 

I bit the bullet and took the pictures, and took the measurements, and weighed myself.

And then I cried.

Slowly I started to make some subtle changes:

*  My normal Starbucks consisted of a grande cinnamon dolce latte with 4 extra pumps of white mocha.  I scaled back cold turkey and went to a tall skinny cinnamon dolce latte with no extras.....maybe one a week now.

*  I don't eat breakfast.  Bad, I know.  I don't have time....period.  I've got two kids to get out the door and getting up early to workout and then get the day started doesn't allow much time to make breakfast.  So I started doing Shakeology.  I have to admit.....I loved it.  My friend gave us little menus on how to "dress them up".....and these recipes have been a God-send!

*  I'll occassionally also have a shake for lunch too.

*  Instead of eating on a full dinner plate, I scaled back to a smaller lunch plate.  Makes a HUGE difference.

* I started measuring and bought a food scale.  Amazing how much you really eat when you measure vs. not measuring!
So with all these subtle changes, on Super Bowl Sunday I did a weigh in and was surprised to see the numbers were down.  Not much....but enough to motivate me to try on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn since before I was pregnant with Nudgie.

Imagine my surprise.....and thrill....when I saw that they were BIG and LOOSE!!!

If that wasn't the motivation to step up!

That week I went and bought new jeans -- 2 sizes smaller.  For the first time....in a long time....I didn't have to buy plus-sized jeans!

That also inspired me to bump up my workouts to 2x/day. 

I'm inspired.....I'm motivated.....and I'm on my WAY!

Read more...

Valentine's Day Care Package

Yesterday, I FINALLY finished My Marine's Valentine's Day care package!  Almost 2 weeks in the making....but it's done and ready to ship!

First, I decorated the box with this cute scrapbook paper that I got at Hobby Lobby on clearance for .53!!  (I still need to glue some pictures on the flaps before I seal it up!)

 

 

Inside the box, I added some fun stuff, along with a stuffed animal and some crafts that the girls made for Daddy.

This little bucket contains chocolate X's & O's

Then I took an old candle jar and filled it with bubble gum & Hershey kisses.  Awhile back, I had a picture of the girls and me blowing kisses.  I glued it to the jar with a little note that says, "We're Blowing You Kisses"

I also made an "ABCs of My Love For You" "book".  I found these oversized playing cards at the ARC Thrift Store for $1.50.  I covered them with scrapbook paper, added some pictures of us and things I love and miss about him/us according to the alphabet.

And the icing on the cake (or cookies!) are these "lingerie" cookies that I made for him as well.  I've seen these all over Pinterest and they seemed easy enough to make.  And while they were easy to bake, decorating was a different story.  But once I got the consistency of the icing where I needed it....it was a breeze!

Now, I just hope they don't get confiscated!  Ha!

Read more...

Featured on the "Getting to Know You Blog Hop!" Come Link Up!

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Spilled Milkshake letting me know that I'd been chosen as a featured blogger of the week!  Pretty exciting!!

So come and meet other bloggers!  Link up your blog below!  The rules are simple and you can also enter for a chance to be chosen as the blogger of the week!

If you're visiting for the first time, WELCOME!  Please leave me a comment below so that I can come and visit you too!

***************************************

Welcome to the Getting to Know You Weekend Blog Hop!!

This week we Getting to Know Jennifer from The Toy Box Years!

From Jennifer -

I'm a military wife and a SAHM and have been married for 17 years to my high school sweetheart. We have 2 little girls (8 and 4) and a 5 year old neurotic German Shepherd. We are stationed in Colorado, but I'm originally from Pittsburgh, PA and love my Steelers and Penguins with a passion.

I enjoy reading, photography, and crafting of all kinds. I enjoy watching TV and movies (when I have the time).

My husband is currently deployed, so I like to fill my time with creating themed care packages for him. I also volunteer as our unit's FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader.

Please come by and visit my blog or my Facebook page! I always love new visitors!

Blog: The Toy Box Years
Facebook: The Toy Box Years

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more...

Scripture Sunday

Read more...

Reasons Why I Love the Military

I love the military and I love being a military wife. 

Yes - I said it.

I honestly could not imagine my life any other way.  If you would have told me way back when that I would be military wife, raising my kids alone at times, living hundreds of miles away from my family, I would have ran crying to my room and not come out until.....well.....never.

But....here we are.  17 years of marriage, 2 kids, 2 year + long deployments, numerous TDYs and schools, and a lifestyle that I wouldn't change for the world.

Even as I sit here in one of the bluest times I've ever experienced, I can still find the positive about the military:

Extended Family:  Thanks to the military (Marines AND Army National Guard) we now have "family" from coast to coast.  Some of my friends here in Colorado ARE family.  Our very good friends, Mike and Cindy, are Nudgie's Godparents.  Within our circle, our kids call our friends "Auntie" and "Uncle".  We watch TV shows together via FB....just recently, two Marine Corps girlfriends and I watched a silly reality show together - me in Colorado, DeAnne in Texas, and Kara in North Carolina.  We cracked each other up with our running commentary via Facebook.  The only thing missing was our other friend Anna in California.  God help you if you ever get us all into a room together again!


Pride:  I can't even begin to express the pride I feel knowing my husband serves.  He knew, all along, that the military was going to be his life path.  While it wasn't the path that he expected, it turned out to be a better path for him.  He is good at his job and is respected in his field.  I am so in awe in of him.  It's a great feeling knowing that I'm married to someone who is willing to sacrifice so much to do something that he loves.  He is my hero.


The Uniform:  Seeing anyone wear the uniform makes me smile and just want to give them a hug!  But My Marine??  Do I really need to explain this?  Who does NOT love a man in uniform?   When he was in the Marines, seeing him in those dress blues would make me want to do some very unmentionable things!  Seeing him in his flight suit makes me heart go pitter-patter and puts butterflies in my stomach.  Sexiness and hotness.....the end!


Finding My Strength:  During our 17 years of marriage (all in the military), I have raised children alone, packed up and moved, done numerous household and car repairs and dealt with more little brush fires than I care to deal with.  But deal with them I did.  It took going through an 18-month deployment for me to discover that I really did have an inner strength and confidence that I didn’t know I had. I went from "I can't do this" to "I'm going to try and if I can't do it, then I'll call someone".  I learned (and am still learning) that while it's ok to "BE STRONG" and "DO IT ON MY OWN" it's still ok to ask for help.


Stronger Marriage:  I know....I know what you're thinking...."How can they have a strong marriage when they're apart so much?"  Trust me....it ain't easy.  We've had our low points....and even at one point came periously close to divorce.   Marriage is tough....period.  But when you add the stress of separation on top of it, it's amazing that military marriages survive.  But survive we do.  When we're apart, I remember the little things that drive me crazy when he's home (snoring, sweetener packets left all over the kitchen counter, dirty socks & flight suits)....and I wish I could have them back.  When we're together, we appreciate the little things more - even though after a few weeks they start to drive me crazy again.  I don't need flowers and candy and gifts for each birthday, anniversary, special occasion.  Is he home?  That's all I need.  While we still snip and argue, we've also learned to try to let it go a little more.  I never know when he'll come home and tell us he's leaving again for another school or TDY.  We cherish the moments that we have together.


Homecomings:  This just doesn't include homecomings from deployment either.  It could be a homecoming from a school, a TDY, or a 2-week AT.  The days building up to that anticipation, making sure everything is right, picking out an outfit, frantic cleaning all lead up to that wonderful day when he comes home.  Even now, my heart skips a beat thinking about the homecoming from THIS deployment.  There is nothing hotter than experiencing that "first kiss" over and over and over again!

Read more...

"1SG In A Box" Care Package

In my role as FRG Leader for our unit, I am so blessed to have an amazing Command Team that works closely with me.  And I have to say that I LOVE our unit's 1SG.....and especially his sense of humor.

With that in mind, I thought that I'd share one of my care packages with him.  I realize that there are some things that the Army will issue to him to assist him with his job.  However, there are a few things that the Army does NOT issue.....and personally, I think these are much more important!  So I put together some essential items to help him with his day-to-day duties!

Oveall picture of the box and its contents

Side Panel

Close up of items in the box

Checklist of items in box and what they are to be used for. 

In case you couldn't read the list in the picture, here's the text:

1SG Checklist: 

· Hemorrhoid Wipes:  Because some Soldiers are just a big pain in the ass

· Trash Bags, Drop Cloth & Toilet Paper:  Because working with some Soldiers is like potty-training a puppy or a toddler.  They piss everywhere when yelled at and you’re constantly needing to pick up/wipe their shit.

· Protective Eye Gear & Face Mask:  Because when some Soldiers fling you a line of bullshit, you need to protect yourself.

· Tongs & Gloves: Because NO ONE wants to touch someone’s bullshit…not ever!

· Bullshit Detector:  You know when you’re being handed a line of bullshit.  Save your vocal cords!  Don’t yell!  Just hit the Bullshit Detector and all is well!

· Nutcracker:  Every Soldier needs to have a good “nut-crackin’” just to keep them in line.

· Advil, Pepto, Heartburn Meds, Milk of Magnesia:  Because at some point, someone is either going to give you a migraine, an ulcer, heartburn, or acid reflux

· Coffee & Coffee Mug:  Because it’s a rule that every 1SG MUST drink coffee…even if it IS out of a Mickey Mouse mug

· Stress Reduction Kit:  Because no self-respecting 1SG will “reduce his stress” with yoga or Zen meditation.  A good old-fashioned head banging will just do the trick!

 

I really wish I could be there when he opens the box!!

Read more...

"Don't Let the Pigeon"

Back in November, I did a post about a writing assignment that Nani had to do....and she chose Mo Willem's "Don't Let the Pigeon....." series and wrote a whole story (with pictures) called "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Blackhawk"

My Marine and I thought it was so adorable that we decided to take it a step further.  I picked up two pigeons at Barnes & Noble and sent one to him and kept the other for the girls.  When My Marine got it, he proceeded to take some pictures of the pigeon really driving the Blackhawk and sent them back for the girls.  I told them that the pigeon flew the Blackhawk all the way back here just so he could give kisses to Daddy's girls.



 

Pigeon "resting" in the Christmas tree after a long night of flying!

 



So yesterday, the girls were THRILLED to find another email from Daddy with yet MORE adventures of Pigeon!

Pigeon is Co-Pilot

Pigeon getting ready to plant his & My Marine's Christmas tree

Pigeon refueling the aircraft



Pigeon and My Marine "planting" the Christmas tree

Pigeon crewing

The girls can't WAIT to see more adventures from Pigeon!!!!

Read more...

"Shark Week" Care Package

My Marine loves sharks. 

Oh heck....love is an understatement.  I can't even begin to find the words to describe how much the man loves anything sharks.

I had just sent out his "Movie-Themed Care Package" and needed to come up with an idea for yet another care package.  When I was shopping at our local Sprouts Market, I saw a package of gummy sharks, and it hit me!

Shark Week!

I was so excited to get this going!

Hobby Lobby had some toy sharks in their clearance section so I bought those.  I also ordered a little Beanie Baby shark and inflatable shark on Amazon.  I got 2 containers of the gummy sharks and a couple bags of Goldfish crackers. 

And what Shark Week isn't complete without a viewing of sharks mauling and eating various living beings?  So I also picked up some DVDs too!

I decorated the box with water-themed paper and printed out some shark stuff for the girls to color.

The only thing I wish I could do is have the Jaws theme play when he opens the box.....but I think that would raise a red flag with the USPS customs!

I seriously don't know what I'm going to do when My Marine comes home!  All these ideas and no one to send them to! 

Read more...