Movin' on OUT.

Well, for those of you who don't already know: We're moving.
We're not going far, we'll still be in Keizer.
It's a bigger place that has been totally remodeled by my AWESOME husband.
We gain a bigger yard, a bigger master bedroom, another BATHROOM, and a dishwasher.
Believe it or not, I have never had a dishwasher.
(I'm pretty excited about that.)
Another huge PLUS is that the kids won't have to change schools,
which was really important to us.
They go to a GREAT school, and I'm just so happy that they won't have to be up-rooted.
So, yeah. It looks like we'll be moving in early May.
I have come to realize a few things though:
Picking out paint for EVERY room is HARD.
You wouldn't think so... but it IS,
and just the "thought" of moving is exhausting.
Oh, bring on the FUN.

She's NINE.

Well, today is Kaylee's birthday, and it's hard to believe that my little girl is NINE.

I still remember the day we met her, and it's crazy how that day is still so clear in my mind.

She was the most beautiful baby girl that I had ever seen. She was ours.

Life with her in it for the past nine years have been such a joy.

I'm so proud of who she is growing up to be.

I love her spunky attitude, and her funky style. (Okay, so it's growing on me.)

She's developed an oppinion here recently on EVERYTHING, but honestly, I kind of like that too.

I love her passion for life, her deep love for her brother, and the way that she is up for anything.

She's growing into quite the little lady, and I feel so blessed to be her Mom.

Happy BIRTHDAY to my baby girl.

(It's a BLAST FROM THE PAST. Stacie holding Kaylee for the first time. It's one of my favorite pictures... had to share.)

No time.

This last week was a crazy, crazy and super busy one.
It also went by fast which was nice, considering the kiddo's we're gone with my parents.
I joked with Lee the other day: "Good thing they're not here. I'm not sure we'd even have time to "fit them in."
With work, getting ready for upcoming birthdays, grocery shopping, housework, and 2 photo shoots, I barely even saw the hubby.
I didn't even have time for facebook, (Yeah, that's a shocker.)
You know something is going on if I'm not on facebook.
On a happy note: I did get to spend some quality time with my oldest niece.
I have to admit: She's grown into a very awesome teenager. (And yes, this DOES scare the crap out of me.)
Anyhoo, tomorrow is Monday. A new week. Another busy one.
We've got 6 birthdays in the family. One being Kaylee's.
It should be interesting. :]

Yep. They're fine.

Talked to the kids last night, and I think that it's safe to say:

They're not homesick.

They told me all about everything that they've been doing.

They told me about a fort that they made, how they've been riding their bikes all over, playing on the beach, going out to eat, and shopping at these little shops with "really cool sea-shells."

They're most exciting news is that they have also made "new" friends. There is a family camping near-by that has a 10 year old daughter, and 6 year old son.

Actually, Layton had to cut our conversation a little short because he had to "hurry up and get outside" so he could roast his marshmallow.

Sooooo, Yeah.

I think that they are having too much fun to really miss their Mom.

Awww... Good for them. :]

Hmmph!!

So lately the rumor around work has been that a new dress code will soon be enforced due to the fact that we now have a new DM.

Today, that list was posted in the office.

Hmmm.... Interesting.

NO jeans.

NO shorts.

NO tank-tops.

NO hoodies.

NO t-shirts.

NO sleeve-less shirts.

NO Flip-flops. 

NO colored shoes.

Oh, and NO dangling earrings.

WAIT. WHAT?

Seriously?

What is WRONG with dangling earrings??

That's like telling me I CAN'T wear underwear.

These people must not know just how CUTE my earring collection is.

I can live with the rest, but THAT one?

I'm totally NOT HAPPY about that one.

It's going to be a long week...

Well, the kids are off. Off to the beach for a FIVE day camping trip with my parents.

They could barely contain their excitement this morning. I could barely contain my emotions.
Now, normally I have no problem with them being gone for a few days. But, I think the fact that it's for so long, and the fact that they're not just 10 minutes away from me is what  makes me panic.
I couldn't even sleep last night.
Lee did his best to reassure me that everything will be fine, and I know he's right.
I just worry.
They have a full list of things they are doing over the week, and I know my parents will take great care of them. I just can't help myself.
It's a just "Mom" thing... I guess.
I have a jam-packed schedule this week, which I think will be a GOOD thing.
Before I know it, they'll be home, and telling me ALL about how much fun they had on SPRING BREAK with Nana & Pappy.
That gives me something to look forward to.

Speed-bumps.

So, I got my 1st: "You're looking thinner, are you losing weight?" comment today.
I must say... it was a GREAT moment.
Especially since I feel like I have been struggling a bit this month.
Random cravings have been getting the best of me.
I haven't weighed though. I refuse to piss myself off when I still have over a week-and-a-half before the END of month three.
I'm trying my best to pull myself together.
I've still been hitting the gym, just not "watching what I eat" as closely as I was before.
Perfect example of this?
I tried Burgerville for the FIRST time on Wednesday... Oh, HEAVEN.
Anyhoo, just a few bumps in the road, on this journey to healthier living.
It was bound to happen.
I'm just praying that weigh-in on the 6th of April doesn't make me CRY.

Ok. Where's my cape?

Today has been... a day.

My house has been in dire need of some TLC, and I just wasn't in the mood.
It was the last thing I wanted to do, but of course I did it anyway. Because, I'm awesome.

After fighting with myself for half the morning I finally got to it:

I cleaned the kids' bedrooms, made all  of the beds, did 4 loads of laundry, (washed, folded, and put away.) vacuumed all rooms, dusted all rooms, cleaned the tub, cleaned the toilet, scrubbed the bathroom floor, scrubbed the kitchen floor, changed the cat-box, gave the dog a bath, swept off the back porch, & took out the garbage. (Which isn't normally MY job.) I even found time to make me some lunch, take a shower, wash dishes, organize toy bins, and even have the bestie over.

Oh, and might I add:  ALL of this was accomplished while taking care of a child home-sick with the stomach flu.

Ugh, I'm SO ready for some take-out,  and an Advil.

Ooops.

For 3 years now, I have been giving Layton his haircuts.
Never, and I mean NEVER have I messed it up to the point where it couldn't be fixed.
Until... TONIGHT.

We recently purchased new clippers and scissors, and tonight was the 1st time I used them.
I soon realized, that they worked way better than the old ones.
I was finishing blending his sides when Layton turned his head, and my hand slipped.
It took everything in me not to SCREAM but I must admit, I did say  a few choice words.
After trying to correct it, (and making it worse) I finally realized that there was NO WAY I was fixing this one.

So, It's gone. All of it.

Afterwards, he ran into the bathroom, jumped on the counter, looked in the mirror, and I heard him say to himself: "YESSSSSSS! It looks JUST like Daddy's!"

(Well, it's good to see that he's not too tore up about it.)

The simple things.

I find it crazy how the simple "I love you's" I hear from my kids can make a rough day just disappear.
How hearing them giggle, can make me laugh too.
How a tiny hug can make my heart just melt.
The snuggles, and the sweet kisses that give me a feeling I can't even describe.
The fact that they think I'm really something.
Little do they know:  I think they are the GREATEST little beings that I have ever known.

Rain.

It's been rainy, windy, and gloomy today.

To sum it up... It's been Oregon.

Looking forward to a night in with the family tonight.

Steaks, baked potato's and nowhere to be.

Sounds nice.

No pictures please...

I'm in sweat pants, with a worn out t-shirt, and a hoodie that is TWO sizes too big for me.
I'm wearing raggedy flip-flops, with no make-up on.
My hair looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket, and I need to shower.
I decided that I'd help Lee on the old house today, so I really don't feel the need to clean-up before we head over.
What would the point of that be? :]
Talk about feeling gross though.
Yep. this is what FRUMPY looks like.
It's a "look" ONLY my husband could LOVE.
That's for SURE.

She's a party animal.

Kaylee attended her cousins slumber party last night.
This was the result: A day and evening of being grumpy, tired, and a royal pain in my butt.
Then? OUT.LIKE.A.LIGHT. (at 7 O' clock.)
Crazy how this picture can make me almost forget, about how irritated I was with her just a few hours ago.
Awww... kids. How would I live without mine?

The TWO month-mark.

Well, this morning marks TWO months.

TWO months of excercise, and healthy eating habits.

TWO months of being dedicated.

TWO whole months of sticking-with-it.

YAY for US.

We both weighed in this AM.

I am happy to report that I have lost 5 more lbs,

making that a TOTAL loss of 12 lbs for me.

(Half-way there people!)

Lee lost another 4 lbs,

making that a TOTAL loss of 16 lbs for him.

We are feeling so much better in so many ways.

He's still smoke-free.

(And, I must admit I am more PROUD of him for this accomplishment than the weight loss itself.)

We've stuck with a consistent work-out plan... that we both LOVE.

We eat out way less, but don't deprive ourselves from the occasional "un-healthy" meal.

(If I WANT a cheeseburger... I'm going to HAVE me a cheeseburger!)

I drink water ALL the time, which still SHOCKS me.

Diet soda is ALWAYS in my fridge, which shocks me as well.

(Please note: With the occasional "un-healthy" meal... comes the occasional "regular" soda, which I TOTALLY look forward to.)

We've both started lifting in the weight room as well.

Lee more than me.

I'm going for LEAN... he's going for MEAN. :]

It's a great feeling to be able to work out hard-core, and find your body willing to keep up.

I can work out harder, and longer, without getting winded as quickly as I used to.

It's a totally AWESOME feeling.

I also find it weird at how my body "looks" after a 12 lbs loss.

NOT like I expected.

I figured I'd look "skinnier." I don't really.

(Which is oddly, totally FINE with me.)

What I do see is:  My legs are leaner, my waist is smaller, and my thighs have shrunk.

(THANK YOU GOD!)

The proof is in the measuring tape. :]

I've lost 2 inches off my waist alone.

Yeah, BUDDY!

I must say, I'm really pleased with the results.

I won't lie though. It's been work.

There have been times when I have been tempted to eat an ENTIRE bag of Oreo's.

Or countless times, I've craved a whopper late at night, and with Burger King practically being our neighbor...I've had to fight the urge.

Honestly, sometimes the urge has even defeated me.

But, hey... that's life, and it happens.

I'm human, but I'm STILL proud of how far I've come.

Month THREE?

Bring it on.