Fab Ab February

It's a new month in 2013! Can you believe it's already February? Yeah, me either. Exciting new for me because that means my husband comes home in four months! We're down to a one-hand countdown! Color me excited.

Well, with this new month comes new goals for me. I've got to get back into my healthier living routine. I was super motivated last Summer and my asthma put a screeching halt on all activity when it became out of control. But that all has got to change. It started when a page I like on Facebook posted her Fab Ab February challenge. I'm doing it! I already did yesterdays and I'm keeping people in check on my Facebook as well! Want to join in? Here's the schedule.

So any are of you with me? In addition to Feb Ab February, I plan of going to the gym at least twice a week and running again as well! Time to do this. I can do this!

It's time for a good time

Well 2013 is officially here. I made it through my first New Years Eve alone. In reality though, I didn't spend it alone! I haven't talked about it yet, but my hubby is currently overseas. He's been gone since June and we still have a little over half a year left. We don't get to talk on the phone much since his phone doesn't work over there. Well, it does work, but I'm not cool with spending $300 extra a month to pay the roaming charges. So he just uses his wifi and we FaceTime a lot. It's about fourteen hours time different from here to there and he surprised me me by FaceTiming me right before midnight my time so we could kiss at midnight! Oh yeah, did I mention he's a keeper? Yeah, he is! I even caught his kiss on camera. But what he didn't know was he was in for a surprise, too. I dyed my hair recently and put some pink in and didn't tell him. I wanted to see his reaction when he saw me. And oh boy! He couldn't tell me enough how much he loves it. I'd say that was a success, no?

And here's the big pink hair reveal!

After I got my NYE kiss, my mom called me to wish me a Happy New Years from California! You're probably going to be hearing a lot about her, too. She's one of my best friends and for Christmas she got a Kindle Fire. So naturally, I lent her some of my favorite books for her to read and I hope to get her to review some books as well. So be prepared guys. If you think I'm a firecracker, I get it from my mama! She's currently reading Inescapable by Amy Bartol. Oh yeah, she says "She's loving it!" You'll love her, too.

Another fun thing about this year is I finally got my custom made charms for my charm bracelet. I found someone on Etsy who made the cutest clay cupcake charms and made them into characters. So, since we all know my slightly mild obsession with cupcakes in general, I ordered one that also looked like Indiana Jones. Then I got a brilliant idea to order some that had to do with my favorite book series. So I started off with the amazing author mentioned above, Amy Bartol. I got a red wing, a charcoal grey wing, and a set of vampire teeth. When I opened them in the mail, they were everything I could have hoped for and more!

I guess I should also mention, I'm a total emotional hot mess. If I'm too excited, I cry. If I'm too happy, I cry. If I'm really nervous, I cry. You get the picture, right? I started tearing up when I opened this. Especially over this cupcake. If you haven't read my about me, then you don't know that my husbands name is Indiana and our last name is Jones. So, he is, essentially, Indiana Jones. He even has an Indiana Jones tattoo. But you will see me refer to him as hubby on the Internet. So my love for my husband and cupcakes came clashing together in the beautiful handmade work of art. You're dying to see it, I know. Just wait. I can't wait to add more charms onto this bracelet, but I think I need to find a thicker bracelet. This one seems pretty thin for having such big charms on it. That's going to be a quest in itself.

I think I'm going to try something tomorrow and see how it goes. It'll be a weekly posting event. Hopefully it goes over well.

Melting Away

I'm finally beginning to feel better. Not too many more stomach problems and the sore throat and ear aches have disappeared, too. Maybe it was just allergies. Just in time for this blistering hot weather to show up. Now, I hate having to run my air conditioning. If it were only me in the house, the dogs and I would be sweating it out with all the windows open. Hubby loves the AC, but hates the bill. But this past week even I am cranking the AC up. It's miserable just to walk to the car into the house. YUCK. Thankfully, I spend most of my day in an air conditioned classroom or else I may melt away. In fact, sometimes I have to wear long sleeves in the summer because it gets that cold in our room. I love it.

This week at work we had our annual carnival. It's mostly for the older kids to enjoy, but there's two bounce houses, a slip n slide, lots of water play toys, popcorn, and snow cones.We got to take the infants in the stroller to watch the fun and excitement but it was also fun to see some of my infant graduate be big kids and play around outside. We survived about an hour outside before we had to retire back to the ice box.

Hubby had had to work all weekend, nights again. Friday night he called me and told me he thought he broke his finger, but didn't remember doing anything to it. I was half asleep and just thought maybe he jammed it. Then he sent me a picture of it. OW! It was swollen, bright red and pale white in places. It looked like he had hit it repeatedly with a hammer. So, they sent him to the emergency room. A few hours later he called back. He got bit my a Brown Recluse! WHAT? My poor Hubby. They had to poke and prod him but now he's better and his finger has returned to normal color and size. And thank goodness I was half asleep or else I would have panicked more!

We did go to the Farmers Market yesterday. It was so hot that we rushed through it and forgot some things. I really wanted to get some eggs, but I forgot! Boo. We did get some amazing new butter from the same lady. This time it's strawberry honey butter. AHH. It's like putting sweet butter and homemade strawberry jam on things. YUM. This lady works butter miracles. We're also going to order some local beef that is 100% grass fed. I can't wait to see how that comes about and also how it tastes.

Today, I am just laying around the house. I did some cleaning and organizing, but I'm feeling so lazy. I do know that I'm going to try and post at least every other day this week. I love my blog and love my readers! And I know when I get to 100 followers, I have an awesome giveaway planned.

Go check out some awesome blogs today!

Weekend Adventure Lake Trip

The lack of posting going on here is making me sick. Can we fix that? Okay, so maybe it's not the lack of posting making me sick but something sure is. My, to put it nicely, stomach problems, is continuing for the past week now and I think the toilet may start growing to me. I'm not sure what is going on because I feel fine, not sickly at all, but then I must run to the bathroom, more than once. I've been following the BRATY diet - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and yogurt - but it's without fail that the dreaded feeling comes back. This diet is also making it hard for me to continue with my healthy eating, but I'm really trying. Although I've been cheating a little it, I'm happy for announce I've already lost 5lbs. Isn't that amazing? I'm pretty excited because that is motivation for me. 

 

Since I haven't been feeling too hot, Hubby took me this weekend to a great place a few hours from us in Kentucky, Lake Malone. It's posted that you can't swim, but apparently, that just means we said no swimming if you get caught, because everyone swims. I was a little chicken at first, I'll admit. The idea of hanging out in water that I can't see through it a little creepy to me. But it was so hot, that I gave it. And then I never came out. We brought Cupcake and PB Cup on separate days, and both of them enjoyed to water. I couldn't get pictures the second day because I......broke Hubby's camera. Yeah, I got a fancy waterproof case and everything. Then I slipped on the rocks and jammed to lens. ACK. He's not upset, but I am. Which proves to me I shouldn't chance my fancy camera by the water.

The first day with Cupcake was only her second time in the water. She was not so sure what to do. We have to pull her in most of the time. And she got shown up by a few other dogs who just jumped right in. But that's okay, because I love her anyways. She was SO hot that she ended up giving in a few times and just sitting in the water with me. 

 

I also met the Cicada's for the first time ever. We don't have these in California. And they're LOUD. Apparently these little suckers only come out every thirteen years, so I'm happy for that one. They were dive bombing the water and floating next to me. The ground was covered in them. Yuck.  This one especially loved my towel. Apparently they are "generally harmless." Unless of course they mistake your limb as a tree and try to bite you. It's painful to humans but not harmful. I just decided it was best to steer clear of them and then battle them out in thirteen more years.

 I've also decided after this swim trip I am going to get that bathing suit I've been wanting for a year now. It's expensive, but gorgeous. And if I haven't changed my mind yet, I should spoil myself and get it, right? Right!

Celebration of Life

I didn't get to post much about our kitty, Frankie. Now I wish I had. As if feeling ill wasn't bad enough, Frankie passed away Friday morning. Unfortunately, it was one of our own dogs that did it. I guess you may need some background information before you understand the situation completely. We have to sets of dogs - Peanut Butter Cup and Two-Bit, and then Cupcake. All three of our girls used to get along just fine until one day they snapped. I guess it's common when you have all female dogs, but it's still heartbreaking for us. It has been over a year now and they still cannot be together. We work with them but it just seems to be something that has snapped inside of them. They fight. And they don't just fight they will fight to the death. It hurts my heart to know they will never get along again, but we love them all so much.

Que Frankie. Frankie showed up one night as a little kitten meowing his head off on our front porch. We brought him inside and I loved him, but knew we just couldn't keep him. We went around the neighborhood and asked if anyone knew who he belonged to, but no one knew. He had to have been someones pet because he was just too perfect. Him and Cupcake instantly got along. They slept together, played together, and ate together. They loved each other. He was so sweet, loved to play outside, but came inside to sleep with us at night. Hubby and I marveled over how lucky we got that this awesome cat chose us. Hubby had been wanting a kitten for some time, but I always put my foot down, saying Cupcake would not like a cat or we didn't have to room.

The night Frankie passed, he must've slipped right outside before we let the other two girls, PB Cup and Two-Bit, outside for their last trip before bed. That was it. The girls did what they naturally do as dogs and got Frankie before we could. It hurts inside to know our own animals did this, but I still love them. They didn't try to kill him on purpose, but Frankie had no chance. We buried him that morning in the back of our garden where he wouldn't be disturbed by any other animals. I've been crying for a long time over this. If you know me, you know that our animals are our babies. I love each and every one of them. And this situation was particularly hard for me to handle.

But now I'm trying not to be sad and try to celebrate the few months we got to have with him. We've already decided to get another kitten/cat for Cupcake. She knows something is not right. She sniffs all the spots he would hang out in and knows he's in the garden. When you know your animals well, you can tell. Frankie chose us and I couldn't thank him more for that. He gave us laughs and we gave him a loving home and lots of love. He showed Cupcake she could have another friend, even a cat. He is missed in our hearts and will be thought of often. But now, we have one more little kitten angel up there to greet us later on in life. We love you Frankenstein.

WHEW.

So no Wordless Wednesday yesterday and not a very long post today. Needless to say, I'm exhausted! I have more energy tonight than I did yesterday, but I still feel run down. Yesterday I had that drained feeling of when you sit out in the sun all day long, except, I wasn't in the sun at all. I didn't have a fever, but I feel asleep on the couch watching movies around 10. That's how tired I was, and sadly, that meant I didn't get my workout in. BUT I've been really good with not eating fast food for lunch. Yesterday for lunch I ate a onion pita pocket, a slice of reduced-fat colby jack cheese, some chipotle mayo, and a grilled veggie Boca Burger. It was so yummy! And today I have another chicken quesadilla. I can make it all the way to Monday, I think! Then I'm going to start all over again. I've been doing good with dinners, too, and trying to limit my snacking. I love snacks.

I have some really awesome things lined up for this weekend and next week. Yay! What do you guys do to keep your healthy motivation up after the first week?

And some blog hopping

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope it's a happy one for you and not a day of sorrow, but of celebration of life. Before I married Hubby, Memorial Day was just an excuse to have an extra day off and BBQ like crazy. Now it's more to me than that. Hubby is a soldier and has served several deployments. He's my little hero. I have not known anyone personally who has given there life in this war, but Hubby has seen it first hand. He's had friends make the ultimate sacrifice, and although I don't know them or their families and may never speak to them, I want them to know that my love goes out to you. Hubby is the best man I know, and not because he's a soldier, but he's my husband. He works hard, does his best, and loves me(and all my craziness) more and more everyday. I knew what I was getting into when we got married, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my soldier, but I am thankful for the sacrifices others have mad, past and present, for us to be where we are today.

 

If you know someone who has served or maybe you have served yourself, please don't forget to take the time to say thank you. It shouldn't take a national holiday, but sometimes it does. I appreciate everything the military has done and the lives that were taken. God Bless.

Farmers Market Sunday

It's been scorching hot around these parts lately. Hubby is back on night shift for three months. That means two different sleep schedules! But he sacrificed his sleep yesterday to accompany me to the Farmers Market again. It was twice as big! Lots of new venders and that makes me one very happy lady. There was even a TON of produce, which makes me an even happier lady. The morning started off chilly but by the end of the day I think it was up to 90*. Today is even worse with record high temperatures of almost 100*. Helllooo southern weather! At least it's just dry heat and not humidity....yet. So what did we get?

 

We got a fancy granola bar(that was in no way healthy. 400 calories?? EEK), a head of cauliflower, two giant potatoes, two fried apple pies, and some strawberries. We also got some lemonade....but I drank it all! OOPS! First, I have to tell you about this sweet friend pie lady who we bought the amazing honey butter from last weekend. We didn't have enough for what we wanted, so I told her I would catch her with my extra dollar this week. When we got there she remember us(and PB Cup our dog), and said "You don't owe me anything. Here's another lemonade on the house!" What? Okay, I'll take it! Next week she says she's making some sweet cream honey butter but adding some organic cinnamon. I told her she better save one for us or else I'll hunt her down!

The cauliflower was apparently supposed to be a new hybrid that grows purple. The guy said that since it's so hot it just wasn't becoming the purple they were looking for....purple veggies that are supposed to be white scared me so I went with the purest looking one. Yikes. I have plans to make mashed cauliflower with these. Hiding in my veggies where I can get them since I'm trying so very hard to stay on the healthy track. Lately though veggies have just been a huge turn off for me. I've never been a picky eater but now I feel like a five-year-old. The only veggies I do like right now and smooshy peas and broccoli with cheese. Oh and avocados, but they're just not the same quality as they are in California. I got spoiled.

On my quest to be healthier I've tried to eat more wraps. I don't know what it is about the wraps I make but they never taste like the ones I buy pre-made. This one is a 100-calorie tortilla, half an avacado, 1 tbs chipotle mayo,  baby spinach, and some southwest grilled chicken. My biggest challenge with sticking to eating healthy(AKA, not eating fast food), is that I can't find anything I like that is easy to bring to work. We have a fridge and a freezer in our classroom, along with a microwave. So I have a lot of options. But I don't like anything. Fried food sounds so much better. I did find these awesome little frozen veggie singles in broccoli and cheese from Green Giant. It's only one weight watcher point and even though I'm not doing that program, I figure one point has to be okay, right? Anyone have any suggestions on what they like for a healthy lunch? I'm out of ideas! 

 

It's been a lazy Sunday around here. Cuppy has been nice enough to not leave me alone all day when it's so hot out. She always has to have some part of her body on me. She'll even come up if I'm sitting on the couch with my legs crossed and prop her head on my crossed foot that's in the air and fall asleep. Mommy's girl? I think so. Hubby is asleep and has to work tonight. Tomorrow he and I both have of and if it's not to hot we plan on going out to the Lake and going kayaking. Did you know at a slow pace kayaking can burn up to 400 calories an hour? Me either but I think that's enough inspiration to get my booty our there more. All I need is a cute swimsuit. I want this one. Anyone want to buy it for me? I'll take applications. If you buy it by tomorrow it's 15% off! You know you want to? I'll bribe you with cupcakes carrot sticks(healthy thoughts).

 

I'm also in the process of getting a new and improved layout. Lets just say it involves owls and is custom made. YAY. I also just got a twitter - @thehitchedlife. Follow us! If you're here from one of these lovely blog hops, let me know so I can follow you back. Happy Sunday.

Trashcans and Washers and Tornados, Oh My!

If it's not one thing it's the other, right? I've experienced this in full force the past few weeks. Last week our washer decided it was the perfect time to go on the fritz. Boo. Especially when I needed to do laundry! Well, Hubby did a wonderful job of finding someone off of craigslist who came to our house Monday. He offered us a low quote for a new motor and then scooped ours up. He even left behind one of his other washers so I could finish my laundry. How awesome is that? He got it fixed the next day and dropped ours back off for the trade. After Hubby went to work(he's on nightshift now) I went downstairs to plug in the washer. And now the washer leaks from the water hose. Boo. So I have yet to finish the laundry and now we have to make a run to Lowes before this crazy weather hits.



Speaking of weather, I'm really over this Spring. Tornados are a-brewing here and everywhere else it seems! Thankfully we've not been hit too bad, but tonights storms are supposed to take the cake. Last night I was in the middle of cooking dinner when the sirens went off. I'm getting more fearless when it comes to the tornado warnings and one day I may blow away because I was "that person" who didn't go into the basement. Oops. It's just a hassle to get the animals downstairs because they don't get along. Cupcake has to go in a separate small kennel while the big kennel is covered with blanket so they don't see each other or else they will fight. Not good.



This trashcan is a whole different story! Our trash company recently got an online payment system. We tried this for our last payment and I guess something didn't go through and the trashman came and repo'ed our trashcan. But he did it in the most awful way. First he had to go through our gate into our backyard. Once he got the trashcan he proceeded to dump our trash in our backyard. Meanwhile, the girls were downstairs in their kennel and PB Cup, our 70+ pound German Shepherd busted through the latch and attempted to bust down the garage door to get to the trashman. Needless to say, Hubby called the trashman and let him know how he felt about the situation! Now we have a pretty pink trashcan in support of breast cancer research. Yay. I love it.

That Pee Stick Thing!

"Have you peed your pee stick thing yet?" These are words that are heard often around my house. I don't often talk about trying to create our little monster to more than a few select people, but I feel like many others may be able to relate to what I'm going through. Hubby and I have been doing the baby thing for almost a year and a half now. It's not that long for some but for me personally, it's a lifetime when you are dead set in what you want. Both of us have our eyes set on the final product - our little monster. We were blessed last October, but unfortunately God called that that little bean up early and I miscarried at around five weeks.  We're taking it one day at a time and just continuing to half faith that God has something big in store for us. We just have to be patient waiting for him to decide when the time is right.

In the midst of all this trying, I'm using OPK's to know when I'm ovulating. If you have no clue what that means it's a little stick you pee on and if the first line is as dark as the control line, your magical lady bits produce an egg in 24-48 hours. I get to pee on this lovely stick twice a day, just to make sure I don't miss it! So the other day when Hubby shouted "Have you peed on your pee stick thing yet??" I could help but giggle! Sometimes I take things way too seriously, but he makes me lighten up about them, which I need!

Sometimes I have people ask me how I do my job everyday when I've been trying to have a baby myself. In case you didn't know, I've worked in an infant room at a preschool for almost a year and a half now. I did Kindergarten and school age for four years so being with the infants is a completely different experience. My question to them is always - How could I not love my job? I love my babies! And why not work with them when I have so much love to give. I couldn't be happier when I find out people I know and love are pregnant. Sometimes it stings to know that it's not me, but a baby is a gift, and I can't be jealous of that. I know one day my time will come and when it does, I want people to share the same joy and excitement with me as I have for them.

I want people to follow our journey because it's a different and sometimes difficult one. But why not be there to enjoy(or hate) the ride with me?

Buying Local

Saturday was opening day at the Farmers Market here in town. I never got a chance to go last year for one reason or another but this year I became determined. In fact, I'm hoping to go every Saturday, especially since I've newly discovered my love for local products. I guess our Farmers Market was rated #1 in Tennessee and #6 in the nation. Pretty awesome! I've been on the search for raw local honey and that was my main goal of our trip. There wasn't too many produce booths yet since it's so early in the season but I accomplished my honey mission and then some.

 

Not only did I get local raw honey but a lovely lady who was selling fried pies(they were sold out when we got there) was also selling sweet cream butter with raw honey. Holy moly batman. It's heaven. Hubby and I tasted it when we got home and I could have eaten it straight out of the mason jar with a spoon! We slapped it on some cinnamon raisin bread and it's delicious. We've eaten half a loaf already with this stuff. Yum. I'm also hoping that taking the raw honey everyday will lessen my allergies. Hubby and I are going to try this so cross your fingers that it works and I'm not miserable all Summer.

We also went to the flea market here for the first time. There was A LOT of people, however they were selling a lot of junk, too. We did make it out with a beautiful silk dress and two prints of Native Americans that were beautiful, framed in rustic wood. I can't wait to hang them in our living room and will snap a picture of them when we do. We still want to paint before we hang anything up. Did anyone else find anything good this weekend?

It's the season....

I just got done chopping up watermelon. This could only mean two things. 1. I'm going to be making a bunch of watermelon fruit leather. 2. It's Summer. Isn't the right? I always feel like when I cut up the first watermelon of the season it's the mark of Summer. This one was so big I only got halfway through before stopping and covering the other half in the fridge whole. Oops! 

Tonight has been a laid back kind of night. Hubby and I went to dinner. I finally got that sushi I was craving. Spicy crab roll. It was delicious. Now we can home, cracked a bottle of wine, and are enjoying the beautiful night outside on the patio together before the storm hits. It's looking like we're in for a rough week with some storms and possibly tornados this weekend and into the next week. This is especially nerve wracking since Hubby starts but up with the night shift. 

Tomorrow we're heading to Nashville to see Social Distortion. Hubby loves them and I like their new stuff. Should be a pretty exciting! What are you doing this weekend??

Weekend Adventure

This weekend was one filled with great adventures. Sadly, on Saturday I was so sick to my stomach. We woke up realitivly early and I noticed I was feeling a little flu-ish. On our way out the door I took a swig of orange juice to wash down some cold medicine. Que me feeling like death. We got to Ihop, and I had to run into the restaurant and use the bathroom. If you get a quesy stomach easily, skip on to yhr next part. Now, I'm not one of vomit easily. I will try everything humanly possible to keep it in. No luck for me in the bathroom and we left Ihop and headed home. Thank goodness for Hubby and his plastic bags because I lost my cookies in the car! Yuck! But he brought me home and I took some anti-vomiting medicine I had from when I was very sick a while back. I was down for the count the rest of the day. That stuff knocked me out! And I wasted away a good day in bed.

Thankfully, I woke up today feeling rejuvenated! I was ready to take on the world. And I feel like we did. We loaded up ou new kayaks and headed over to Land Betwen the Lakes, which is a huge camping, fishing, hiking and adventure zone of a national park. It's pretty cool. We also picked up a Backwoods Camping Pass that let's up just go out anywhere at LBL and set up camp. Pretty neat. We evntually found a spot to ship out.





I've never kayaked before and Hubby has been begging to get one for almost 9 months now. I finally gave in and I even got a pink one out of the deal. I was so nervous. I don't like the idea of floating on top of dark water and not knowing how deep it is or what creatures are hiding beneath it. I also keep playing in my head me capsizing. Yikes. But I got in, Hubby pushed me out and I did it! I actually kayaked. And dare I say, I enjoyed it!! Next time we are definitely bringing our fishing gear and some lunch. My poor arms tired quickly but I think with practice I will he ready in no time or a day trip.

We're back!

After a very long an eventful week, we're back and safe in our hometown! I have a bunch of great posts to put up, but unfortunately last week our internet was not cooperating. So this week will be busy, busy, busy! I have a lot of recipes, including some of my favorite sides like corn & mashed taters, along with some yummy desserts. I'll include an update and a few reviews of some fabulous places we visited in Memphis. And.....drum roll please......A GIVEAWAY!! So make sure that you keep reading this week because I have a few giveaways planned!! Also, don't forget if you love us and want to support The Hitched Life blog, you can go here and vote for us. It's just a click; it's free and don't have to sign up! See you soon!

The Great Cloth Diaper Change Part II

What an eventful day. Not only did I change my first cloth diaper butt; I also bought my first two cloth diapers! Hubby and I headed over to Butzie Covers at around 10 am. Now first, I want to brag about my Hubby for a second. He’s always so supportive of me and my decisions. When I first brought up wanting to cloth diaper our future children, he agreed right away, even though the only thing he knew about cloth was that they were made of cloth and cheaper. I was taken aback that I didn’t even have to explain myself, he just agreed! And when I told him about The Great Cloth Diaper Change, he even sounded excited to go! But on the way there he made the comment, “But I don’t even know how to change a cloth diaper! What am I going to do?” This made me smile, but I reassured him I didn’t sign him up. I told him that this event would probably only take about an hour. Well, amazing Hubby stood around for more than two hours and didn’t complain a peep. In fact, he even smiled the whole time. Did I mention how incredibly lucky I am?

 

The main event was exciting.  Since I don’t have my own little baby booty, I got to change a baby booty that belonged to someone else. I was introduced to Carolyn & her son Tyler, my cloth booty! Which might I add; he was the sweetest and cutest little boy. Everyone scrambled around before the actual change, and I made my first cloth diaper purchases. I bought the Charlie Banana Earth Day diaper and a super cute white and green star Kawaii. Then came to actual time to set the world record. Everybody had to leave the room and we entered back inside in number order and instructed to sit in our assigned box on the floor. Tyler saved a good diaper for me too. Yup, you guess it….POOP! But that’s okay because I did it! We had to hold up our cloth butts before the change for pictures and then after the change. Did you know taking picture of naked baby butts is considered child pornography? Me either, but it makes sense! Which is why no pictures were taken during the event.

After the Great Change I spoke with some of the ladies around me about which diapers they liked the best. They were so great and helpful. I also got to chat after when we got to each some yummy cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection about home births. Hubby is very nervous about this subject, but he says it’s just nerves about me giving birth in general. One woman I spoke with had an unassisted home birth. Women who do this are warriors! I would be way too nervous, but it gives me a good feeling knowing that I could do it. I’m hoping once I find a midwife it will calm Hubby and our families nerves.

This was one of the highlights of this year for me. I was nervous I would going to be the odd man out with no baby, but after things started flowing, I don’t think anyone noticed. I loved being able to walk around a bunch of baby wearing mama’s and mama’s nursed their babies right there! It was inspiring. I also meant to take a picture of the sign that said “Please feel free to feed your babies when and how you want!” So comforting to see nursing in public welcome, accepted, and encouraged! I also got one of the sweetest goody bags I’ve even received!

 

 I have to throw this out there – If you live in the Clarksville area, please go visit Butzie Covers. That place is heaven. Goldie the owner was so sweet and helpful, even when things were getting a little intense! I can’t wait to go back and stock up on some more diapers among other things. I’ve been learning towards to prefold with cover option with a little influence from a close friend, but I also wanted to get a few of the different ones out there, just to see what I like! Bring on the babies, now!!

Isn't this gorgeous? I wish I had my camera on my but my iPhone will have to do. I've never witnessed a double rainbow so beautiful and bright it looked like the sky was painted. It was driving in the car with Hubby laughing at me because I was just amazed at this sight! It even went all the way across the sky and made a complete arc. I wish I could have just sat in the grass underneath it and watched it. Just as soon as this lovely sight appeared, it was gone. Just reminds me to sit back and enjoy the little things in life.

I'm a winner??

If you know me, you'll know I have never won anything at all. However I've had a slight obsession with melting waxes lately and bought some from around here locally. I know of Scentsy and had heard a lot of great things about it. The only thing it's really expensive and I'm slightly frugal. But I've been drooling and figured I could just TRY it. So when I found out a friend of mine knows a Scentsy consultant, I wanted in! She held a contest on Facebook....and I won!! And then a mysterious box arrived from UPS! A BIG box! I was not expecting that! I tore it open and BAM. This beautiful plug in Scentsy burner was mine! Along with a box of Flutter.

Ironically, since we had a huge storm that produced over 85 MPH winds, we were without power for over 16 hours. I couldn't even try my knew gift!! But tonight I plugged that sucker in and yummy. Let's just say I'll be indulging myself soon in some products of my own.

Thanks Kati! You made a fan of me!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I made it. I turned twenty-three. What a celebration! Just kidding. As much as I love other peoples birthdays I have never really been a big fan of my own. I like to celebrate with family and friends, but since being married, I'm partial to a couples dinner at the restaurant of my choice. Last year I chose Hooters. What can I say I love their chicken? Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't mess around when it comes to spicy chicken wings/strips. Yummy. This year I didn't even decide until I got off of work!

But I made the decision. Outback Steakhouse it was. I spoiled myself and even ordered an alcoholic beverage! I know, right? I asked for the fruitiest thing one their menu ended up with some rum, mango, strawberry concoction which wasn't half bad. For dinner it was 9 ounce of steak, a loaded sweet potato and loaded backed potato(no chive, ew). It was fantastic! We got there with perfect timing and got seated right away. Although our waitress forgot our bread(bummer!) we still had a good time.

Another thing to know about me, I hate when large groups of people sing happy birthday to me. It's so awkward. I always feel like, "What am I supposed to be doing right now?" I don't know where to put my hands, if I should smile, if I should laugh, or if I should just stand there. What do I do? Yet, Hubby decided to tell our lovely waitress it was indeed my birthday we were celebrating. I immediately piped up with "No, please don't sing!" The Hooters waitress last year was nice enough just for her to sing to me. This year, I thought I could win the sympathy of our waitress again and thought I actually did when we were finishing dinner.

And then the clapping began. And it continued to get closer and closer. And then I had about 6 not-so-happy-faces looking at me like, "Really lady? You want us to sing this again?" Now what do I do? These aren't even people I know, but I know they're tired of singing this stupid birthday song. And as quickly as it began it was oven and the huge plate of ice cream sundae they left me sure made up for my awkward birthday moment.

I would say I was spoiled again this year. Hubby got me some beautiful flowers with candy and a giant mylar balloon. Last year we kept the balloon tied to one of our kitchen chairs and it stayed floating well into the Summer. I feel a tradition coming on. I also got some other giftys but I'm waiting for them to arrive in the mail. I can't wait.

All joking aside -- I'm happy to make it to another birthday with the man I love, friends who I appreciate, and family who is happy and healthy. Life is good.