Things that make me happy.

Skype.

Cornstarch + water.

A good Yankee candle.

Planning the layout of our house in Florida.

My new Vera Bradley makeup case.

Looking at my biggest boy's pre-school picture throughout the day.

Being reminded every time I walk down my hall just how lucky and fortunate we have been living in Germany.

My new skin care products. I've been taking even better care of myself lately and it feels good!

The sight of grins and the sound of giggles.

New nail polish.

Tyler eating what I make for dinner.

Winter fashion.

My Christmas tree.

* And of course you for taking the time to read this. :)

oobleck.

A couple of weeks ago I received a book at a MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) meeting. It's titled Momsense: A common-sense guide to confident mothering. Now, I'm usually pretty quick to say that I am not at all a book worm but ever since Kyle has been gone (well, even before then.. when I started taking anxiety medication) I have had difficulty falling to sleep at night. I feel exhausted come 4 in the afternoon but come 10:00 when it's show time- nothing! I close my eyes but feel my lids twitch with all the thoughts that begin to run around my head. I need to pay that bill. Did I check Tyler's backpack for homework? Whose birthday party am I going to this week? They just keep coming. So I thought I would try good ol' reading to see if it would ease me to sleep. It works! And I discovered that I actually love the book I received. Chapter after chapter I learn more about ways I can become a better mother. Isn't that what every mom wants after all? For me it comes down to getting off this damn computer. Once I am off I am good to go and am completely hands-on with the boys. Today Tyler and I made oobleck. Again. I kind of love it.. :)

Last night was the chapter on patience. I think I am going to read it again tonight. It's something I need to work on a lot. I remember being rushed as a little kid and I didn't like it but here I am as a mom doing it. The author talks about how she strived to go an entire day without saying "hurry up" and how much of a struggle it was. I can definitely relate. We live in a busy world where time never stops but toddlers do to smell flowers, pick their noses and touch everything. In the end I'm the only one to blame because I should allot more time, which is what I did this morning and I'm pleased to say we had a wonderful and relaxed morning. Granted I had to wake up two and a half hours before we were due to walk out the door but if that is what it takes then I will do it.

Stay tuned for more adventures. :)

Sunshine Pumpkin Farm

Favorite shots from the day...

Japanischer Garten

Some of my favorite shots from the day...

Deployment.

"Sometimes it takes being away from someone for a while to realize how

much you really need them in your life."

Don't get me wrong. I've known since the moment I met Kyle just how lucky I was to have been the one to snag him and he proved himself even more to me once he became a father. Now being separated for what will be six months is yet another eye opener. I truly am one lucky lady.

Thank you Kyle for the countless and countless times you have gotten up early with the kids, even on the days you were supposed to sleep in.

Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick.

Thank you for rubbing my back every single night.

Thank you for putting up with my ever-so-slight shopping addiction.

Thank you for working long days and crazy schedules so that I can stay at home with our two beautiful boys.

And thank you for never holding that over my head.

Thank you for allowing me to go out whenever I want.

And thank you for not being one of those husbands who I have to get permission first.

Thank you for always supporting me. Whether it's to be a doula, photographer, surgical tech, you're all for it and believe in me.

Thank you always joining me at birthday parties. I appreciate the extra set of hands more than you will ever know.

Thank you for changing diapers, wiping snot, and anything else that needs to be done.

Thank you for never complaining about having to work. I know it can't be easy leaving in the morning while we're all still in bed yet you never say a word. You do what you gotta do and come home. Love you so much for that.

Thank you for being you. You're the true definition of a "gentlemen" and I honestly think I'm one of the luckiest woman alive. I love and appreciate you so much and can't wait to tell you that in person. xoxo

weight loss; 2 and 1/2 months later.

It's been roughly two and half months since I started my journey. How is it going? It couldn't be any better! The numbers on the scale continue to go down while my desire for exercise and healthy food go up!

Starting weight: 151. Size 10/12.

Current weight: 134. Size 7!

17 pounds down!

I am diving deeper into cooking and becoming more fascinated by making everything myself. It's a great feeling to eat something, or feed the boys something, where I know exactly where it came from and every ingredient in it. Tonight I made homemade pizza using a whole wheat bread recipe my friend uses and it was delicious! If I haven't been making it, it's been organic and either way it just feels really good.

My mom will be here in 5 weeks and I plan on taking full advantage and working out 7 days a week (I'm a 4-5 now and that's days I'm actually in a gym. I workout every single night in my house). I'm praying my nutrition will stay on track while she is here. I have learned that I have little, any any, self control when it comes to saying "No"- although I did pass up a mocha latte something or another drink the other day when shopping with a friend and I must say I was pretty proud of myself! :D Other than that when the opportunity has presented itself I've usually caved in every single time. I shouldn't let this bother me considering I have still managed to lose weight but I just wish I didn't have any temptation.

Anyway, onto some pictures..

I got muscles! I got muscles! (:

(I had horrible morning face in this picture. No thanks!)

Most recent comparison picture.

Sometimes I feel discouraged about my weight loss

but then look at this and feel super motivated again!

I'm starting to find my old body. I have hip bones again and at least a 4 pack going on! :o

When I started this I prepared myself that while most everything would be toning and tightening, my stomach would do the completely opposite. I figured with every pound loss the excess skin would look worse. Much to my surprise, that is not happening at all. And I think I have my detox wraps to thank for that (oh, and maybe the countless sit-ups I do a day?)! I'm definitely a believer.

Until next time...

exploring deutschland (finally!)

So since I've been on this whole "get healthy" kick, and seeing as how we leave Germany in 5 months, I've had an itching to shop on the economy. The selection at the commissary on base is limited, especially organic food, and it's almost always crowded since it's where the majority of all us military folks shop. Plus you have to pay someone to take your groceries to your car which I think is dumb but anyhow.. So today, after arranging babysitting for the boys, my friend Laura and I made our first stop at Alnatura. It was a cute, very clean and organized store. I believe every single thing inside was organic. Let's take a gander, shall we?

Total failure on my part today was not pulling Euro out to have. I figured everywhere in the world takes card. Silly American. Thankfully Laura had 12 Euros on her incase I found some things I wanted to try. Sure enough I did..

Next we went to Globus, a well-known retail chain. It's pretty much Super Walmart. It has everything you need inside. I had been in once before, to look for floral tape but that's about it. The organic selection (or "Bio" to the Germans) wasn't as great as I thought but the produce and deli most definitely made up for it! 56 Euros later I left a happy camper. At the end of the trip this is what I had purchased between the two stores..

[note: the green little label with "Bio" means organic]

(corn meal)

(pork chop)

One of the things I have also been wanting to expand on is my selection of cheese. I wasn't too sure what to get but I figured anything is probably better and more nutritious than American Cheese, right?

So I went with mozzarella.. I was a little weirded out, I'll admit..

..and I got tomato basil and then cheddar.. I think.

Nice, fresh, not previously frozen, going to expire soon, chicken! :)

Since it did come with 7 breasts I sealed them by twos (and then 1) in sandwich bags and then wrapped them good with press -n- seal to be individually thawed as needed. Pretty proud of myself! haha.

So that's it. All in all I am really looking forward to my next adventure out!