Thursday, May 29, 2014

Books I Read In May

Now that all my shows have ended I've been trying to read more. And since I've also declared it a waste of time to spent nap time cleaning the house I now head out to the porch as soon as the kids are sleeping and open up a good book. And once the kids are in bed at night I head back out to the porch with a yummy glass of moscato where I read till all hours of the night. Here are some of the books I read this month
 
 
 
The One and Only- I had Emily Giffin's newest book on preorder the minute it became available. And the day it came out I shooed the kids outside and started reading as they played. And I'm sad to say this is not one of her best books. I found it boring, to be honest. The story is about a forbidden love and football. Now I am not a football fan. The only time I show any interest in football is if the Packer's make it to the playoff's. Then I'll watch a game or two. If that doesn't happen a football game never gets shown in my house. Although I knew this book had to do with football I didn't think it would consist of pages and pages of football facts and stories. Oh my word I was bored to tears. On top of that I felt like you never really got to know any of the characters since most of the book was related to football and her writing style seemed more immature than usual. I ended up skimming most of the book and didn't think it got really good until the last 50 pages.
 
Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone- The husband and I are huge Harry Potter Fans. I am always up for a Harry Potter marathon any day of the week. But I haven't read all the books. I read books 1-3 years ago and keep telling my husband that I am going to restart the series and read them all finally. So I picked up book 1 and am hooked once again in the land of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and wizarding. Can't wait to read them all this summer
 
The Light Between Oceans- This book was my online book club's pick of the month. It was fantastic. I loved it and couldn't put it down. It made me think and I couldn't get it out of my head long after I had finished the last page. A more complete review will be up soon
 
My Best Friend Maybe- This book I received via NetGalley 
Synopsis from Amazon
"
Right before they started high school, Colette’s best friend, Sadie, dumped her. Three years later, Colette is still lonely. She tries to be perfect for everyone left in her life: her parents, her younger brothers, her church youth group, even her boyfriend, Mark. But Colette is restless. And she misses Sadie.

Then Sadie tells Colette that she needs her old friend to join her on a family vacation to the Greek Islands, one that leaves in only a few days, and Colette is shocked to hear their old magic word: need. And she finds herself agreeing.

Colette tries to relax and enjoy her Grecian surroundings but it’s not easy to go on vacation with the person who hurt you most in the world. When the reason for the trip finally surfaces, Colette finds out this is not just a fun vacation. Sadie has kept an enormous secret from Colette for years . . . forever. It’s a summer full of surprises, but that just might be what Colette needs."
 
This book was a quick easy read. I could total relate to the main character. A girl who had lsot her best friend years before and never knew the reason why. Through flashbacks you get glimpses of Sadie and Colette's friendship and it is impossible to relate to Colette as she struggles to walk the line between childhood and adolescence. I, myself was totally that girl who still played with barbies well into middle school, yet around my friends pretended to talk make up and clothes.
I thought the book was good until you found out the reason why Colette was dumped by Sadie. The end kind of felt rushed and not well put together.
Still an interesting read in regards to teenage friendships and family relationships
 
 



Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Could the terrible 2's get any worse

Gianna will be 3 in 2 months. I thought we were over the worst of the terrible 2's. No such luck. In fact things are getting worse. Last week was a doozy. Words can't even describe the frustration and sense of despair I ended every day with. Let me update you

Although Gianna is fully potty trained, last week she decided that she would resort back to her baby ways and have accidents anywhere and everywhere. Including a number 2 in the middle of my driveway while we were outside playing. Nice

Wednesday I had to go observe for work so both kids were going to the preschool rm at the school were I will be working. As I was making lunch I heard Ethan's bedroom door close, I quickly packed up the lunches and went to investigate. This is what I found
Both Ethan and his room were a cloud of baby powder. Gianna had gotten a hold of my extra large tub of powder and tried "cleaning" Ethan's room with it. You want to talk about a mess. It was a disaster. Took me hours to clean up

The following day after I sent her to time out for something I found every clothing item and toy she owned scattered about her room

The constant mess these kids make are enough to drive anyone crazy. Add to that Ethan getting sick and projectile vomiting everywhere and myself coming down with a sinus infection Ive come to the conclusion that I'm officially at the end of my rope with this deployment and my kids.

Gianna does not Listen. At all. I've tried everything in regards to her behavior. Spanking, time outs, taking things away, behavior charts, stickers, etc. Nothing has a lasting effect. Nor do they seem to phase her. It's maddening. I feel like all I'm doing with her is yelling. And what mom wants to feel that way day in and day out. I always apologize to my kids after I yell at them. Now thoigh when I have to scold Gianna her immediate response is "are you sorry you yelled at me" am I raising a toddler or a teenager?

I've noticed that when we are our and about doing things such as going to the zoo, pool or at the park Gianna is on her best behavior. It's like the more stimulation she gets the better behaved. But I can't offer her constant stimulation at home. I'm basically a single mom till my husband gets home and I have two kids to split my time and energy. And both fight for my constant attention

Any advice out there? I need any and all the help I can get. 


Could the terrible 2's get any worse

Gianna will be 3 in 2 months. I thought we were over the worst of the terrible 2's. No such luck. In fact things are getting worse. Last week was a doozy. Words can't even describe the frustration and sense of despair I ended every day with. Let me update you

Although Gianna is fully potty trained, last week she decided that she would resort back to her baby ways and have accidents anywhere and everywhere. Including a number 2 in the middle of my driveway while we were outside playing. Nice

Wednesday I had to go observe for work so both kids were going to the preschool rm at the school were I will be working. As I was making lunch I heard Ethan's bedroom door close, I quickly packed up the lunches and went to investigate. This is what I found
Both Ethan and his room were a cloud of baby powder. Gianna had gotten a hold of my extra large tub of powder and tried "cleaning" Ethan's room with it. You want to talk about a mess. It was a disaster. Took me hours to clean up

The following day after I sent her to time out for something I found every clothing item and toy she owned scattered about her room

The constant mess these kids make are enough to drive anyone crazy. Add to that Ethan getting sick and projectile vomiting everywhere and myself coming down with a sinus infection Ive come to the conclusion that I'm officially at the end of my rope with this deployment and my kids.

Gianna does not Listen. At all. I've tried everything in regards to her behavior. Spanking, time outs, taking things away, behavior charts, stickers, etc. Nothing has a lasting effect. Nor do they seem to phase her. It's maddening. I feel like all I'm doing with her is yelling. And what mom wants to feel that way day in and day out. I always apologize to my kids after I yell at them. Now thoigh when I have to scold Gianna her immediate response is "are you sorry you yelled at me" am I raising a toddler or a teenager?

I've noticed that when we are our and about doing things such as going to the zoo, pool or at the park Gianna is on her best behavior. It's like the more stimulation she gets the better behaved. But I can't offer her constant stimulation at home. I'm basically a single mom till my husband gets home and I have two kids to split my time and energy. And both fight for my constant attention

Any advice out there? I need any and all the help I can get. 


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Memorial Day, Chicken Wings and MilSpouses

In college Memorial Day was the official kick off to summer. I always started it out by bartending at this fun festival back home that my friend's family ran and I looked forward to it every year. Now as a military spouse I remember that despite all the fun that memorial day weekend used to entail and all that it still entails, Memorial Day is so much more than fun bbq's, music festival's and the start to summer. It is to remember all those who have served and who are serving.

I am so grateful to see that so many companies and business' are starting to do more and more to recognize memorial day and to honor are service member's. Let's be honest. They don't get the recognition and honor that they deserve so it is not to much to ask that we give them one day of respect.

But now I'm getting on my soap box. I'll take a step down and instead share with you what Hooter's is doing for memorial day. On Memorial Day, May 26th  as a special thanks to our nation’s brave servicemen and women, Hooters will offer 10 free wings to all military, active duty, veterans and their spouses with the purchase of a drink. How awesome is that. Here is some more information I copied from their press release. Link Here


"ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From veterans, to spouses, to active duty military, Hooters is saying thanks to our nation’s servicemen and women on Memorial Day, by inviting them to enjoy 10 free wings on the house. This year marks the first time the iconic wing joint is extending its Memorial Day deal to military spouses, in recognition of the instrumental role they play within military families.
“Military spouses have to make some of the toughest sacrifices in the world, especially when their loved ones are away on active duty,” said Andrew Pudduck, vice president of marketing, Hooters of America. “Expanding our military Memorial Day deal to include spouses is a small display of Hooters’ steadfast commitment to supporting the scores of courageous families within the armed forces.”
On Monday, May 26, all military personnel and their spouses may choose from Hooters’ world-famous traditional bone in or boneless chicken wings with buffalo sauce favorites, ranging in heat from mild to 911, as well as Hooters’ signature sauces and rubs on select menu items, such as a teriyaki-style samurai, lemon pepper or chipotle honey rub. Items will be served by military-clad Hooters Girls dressed in camouflage tank tops and shorts, in celebration of the holiday.
Hooters’ support for the military community spans many years and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for non-profit military organizations. In 2013 the inaugural Hooters for Heroes fundraising initiative was established with the goal of raising money and awareness for military non-profit organizations dedicated to U.S. veterans and their families.
“As a proud, retired U.S. Marine and former Hooters Girl, I am honored to be a part of an organization that continuously finds ways to show its appreciation for my fellow military brothers and sisters,” said Aliscia Andrews, executive assistant, Hooters of America.
The Memorial Day deal includes 10 free boneless or traditional bone in wings with any drink purchase for all military, active duty, veterans and their spouses at any of the 345 Hooters locations across the U.S. on Monday, May 26. Hooters wants military members and their spouses to feel appreciated on this special occasion, so to activate the deal, dine-in guests simply present a Military ID card, Dependent ID card or Veterans ID card.
For more information about the Hooters Memorial Day deal or to find your nearest Hooters location


Also visit www.Hooters.com for more info

I know where the kids and I will be going to eat on Memorial Day. And can I just give a big thanks to Hooter's for honoring the spouses. I mean I know my husband sacrifices way more than I do and his job has to be one of the hardest out there. However my kids sacrifice a lot as well. And as they get older it is harder and harder for them to be away from their dad. For people to recognize that it is a sacrifice and hard on the families as well is beyond appreciated

So thank you Hooter's for this awesome way to honor all those military families. And thank you to my husband, both grandfather's and great uncle for service your country. It is appreciated more than you will ever know

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Gianna's 1st Dance Decital

Gianna

This past weekend was your very first dance recital. A moment I have imagined since finding out I was having a girl

It has been a rough year for you. You said goodbye to your dad more times than a 2 year old should have to. And each time he returned and left we dealt with a new set of behaviors and struggles. When I saw the sign for a dance studio at Boo at the zoo that started at age 2 I signed you up despite the hour drive. I knew it would be good for you. You needed some time away from mommy and Ethan. Time for yourself to literally just dance and have fun with kids your own age. Plus you needed to learn how to take directions from other adults

And dance taught you all that and more. It gave  you something to look forward to every week. You got  so excited to go to ballet class, to be with your friends and dance with your teacher. And although some days you didn't listen, or danced to your own music in the corner, I know you got a lot out of it

Friday was your dress rehearsal. You couldn't contain your excitement. When I picked you up from school you literally screamed and told everyone you were going to your ballet recital. You loved wearing Mommy's makeup, putting on your pretty dress and dancing with your friends. Although you didn't so your actual dance during the rehearsal you had fun holding onto your pretty tutu and twirling around on stage. Cutest thing ever. And watxhing you and the other girls giggle and hold hands, priceless. 

Saturday was the big day. Which of course meant you woke up in a horrible mood. You didn't want to go to dance. Instead you wanted to stay home and play with brother and the babysitter. You fell asleep on the drive to the theater and I breathed a sigh of relief thinking you'd wake up refreshed and excited. No such luck.

I once again applied your makeup and got you dressed. The whole time blinking back tears. Where has this year gone? Then it was time to stand in line. I would be signing you in with your instruction and you'd go and wait backstage while I went and found my seat. As we stood in line I noticed all the parents together waiting with their child and I hated the fact that your dad couldn't be here with you.

We made it up to the line and I handed you to your teacher. As you realized what was happening you looked like you were about to cry. But you blinked back your tears and a look of determination crossed your face. You took your teachers hand, and turned to me and bravely, with only a slight quiver said "Bye Mom"

Now it was my turn to blink back tears and hurry to find my seat. Luckily you were the first dance up. The curtain rose and I could see you freeze. The music started, and with your hand in your mouth you stood, frozen and didn't move a muscle. I wanted to cheer you on, or run on stage and tell you it was ok. Instead I sat there and clapped as loud as I could, tears of pride streaming down my face. Because although you didn't so the dance, you didn't cry, tantrum or run of stage. And even with you standing there frozen as a statue, you have never looked cuter.

Afterwards you were all excited and forgot all about standing on stage. We watched a few more dances and then left to go grab lunch together. I will always remember your first dance recital

For now our dance journey will continue. I hope you love and enjoy it and want to stick with it. However if you decide one day you don't want to do it anymore that's fine to. I will always support you, be proud of you and love you more than you will ever know.

More pics from the big day


I think I'm more excited about our matching shirts than she is. My first dance mom shirt. Woohoo

Thursday, May 15, 2014

My Weight Loss Journey

When Ethan was about 4-5 months old I had lost all my baby weight. I was exactly where I was when I started with him and I even used some of our tax return to go buy some much needed clothes that actually fit. Because although I was back to pre-baby weight nothing fit the same. Having two babies back to back changed my body. Where I used to only gain weight in my bottom half, I now easily gained weight in my mid-section. Where I was once a 34A I was now a 36DD. My rib cage expanded, my hips curved more and my stomach now had a little pudge that no matter what would not got away. But for having 2 kids so close together I was pretty happy with the way I looked
 
And then my husband came home from his deployment. My husband is the sort of guy who can eat fast food for every meal, snack on bags of chips between meals and pound down soda like it's going out of style, yet wake up the next morning and to baggy clothes. I'm the sort that eats a handful of cheetos and the next morning I've gained 10 pounds
 
In addition to now having to cook more now that the hubby was home, we also ate out and snacked more. Add to that the stress of his returning and my influx of hormones due to weaning myself off nursing Ethan I easily packed on the pounds. It wasn't long before I weighed what I did when Ethan was born
 
And I'm a fairly active person. The kids and I were always outside and I started training for a 5k. Yet the weight kept adding on. I was at my wits end. Finally my dad told me about the Advocare 24 day challenge. Right after Ethan's first birthday I started it and dropped 20 pounds. Not only did it help me lose the weight and jump start my metabolism it also taught me how to eat.
 
It laid out for me what to eat and when. Even though I ate pretty healthy it was amazing to me to find out that the vegetables and fruits I did eat a lot of, are actually the ones packed with the most sugar or have no nutritional value what so ever. And it helped me cut out carbs, coffee, creamer and wine.
 
I've been off the challenge 6 months now and have kept the weight off. I plan on going back to the strict eating plan starting June 1 but until then I now have the tools to live a more healthy lifestyle
 
Putting on clothes from last summer that now fall off is so rewarding. And I have to say I don't miss the fast food or junk that I used to find myself craving. I've already told the hubby that this time he has to not tempt me with his bags of chips or wanting to eat out every day. He has agreed, we shall see how that goes!
 
I thought I'd share some of my pics with you. Ekk typing this makes me nervous but I figure it will help hold me accountable
 
Me in 2007-AKA Pre-Marriage and Babies

 
 Last summer holding onto that baby weight

Summer vacation-Still sort of toned but heavier than ever
 
Day 1 of my Advocare Challenge




 
And Today


 
I still have some work to go. I've been drinking a little too much soda, wine and coffee lately and with my mom in town I ate out more than I usually do but once I go back to stricter eating I hope to see some more results.
 
I'm also debating about doing the 24day challenge again and selling advocare. I'm a huge believer in there products and can't say enough how it has changed my life

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Summer 2014

There is nothing like summer love st the beach!!! Bebe'!!! But remember three days of fun and sun at the beach could become a lifetime...or thirty-one years...thought it would be a lifetime!!! But many happy memories remain...many made at the beach where it all began!!!
I love summer. I can spend endless hours soaking up the sun at the beach or swimming either in the ocean or at the pool. Growing up summer days were always spent outside. Turning on the tv was not allowed and I spent every day playing outdoors with friends, swimming in our pool. going camping with my family or taking our boat out to various lakes in the area. God I love Wi during the summer
And now as a mom to two little one's, I've adapted the no tv/play outside policy. Sunshine is good for the soul
Trying to entertain two toddlers who have the attention span of a bumble bee is another story. One minute they wan to go in the kiddie pool, the next they want to color with chalk, then go back in the pool. But for the most part they love being outside as much as I do and it is so fun watching their little imaginations go to work as they dig in a mud puddle, or make me soup in their playhouse or pretend to give each other bath's in the pool
I am also a big believe in activities that get kids out of the house, provide socialization and stimulation and enable the family to spend time together
As I wrote out my calendar for the next few months I had to laugh when I saw that my daughter has a better social life than I do.
In two weeks she starts swimming lessons, summer ballet and Fairy Princess Camp. That's right. Fairy Princess Camp. Why didn't they have that when I was little. Am I to old to sign up?
The camp is held in Seaside, so although it's an hour away from our house we tend to go there often during the summer and I think it's totally worth the drive
Ethan and I will be doing mom and me swim but he won't really get into any activities until next year
And besides Gianna's actual activities I hope to spend a lot of time at the beach, pool, the zoo or just playing in the backyard.
And of course in two months we leave for our family vacation down to Sanibel Island Fl. We went last year and can not wait to go back. And this year my family is joining us. Can you say free babysitters?
Look how little these two were last summer? While that vacation was a ton of fun it def revolved around the kids sleeping and eating schedules. And although Gianna was mobile and loved being in the water or running along the beach picking up shells, Ethan spent most of his time in the stroller or in the portable bouncer by the pool.
This year I have two mobile kiddo's who love the water and being outside. And with the help of Gianna's new Puddlejumper(lifejacket) she can now swim on her own. With supervision of course.
I can't wait for our vacation this year
 
 
What are some fun activities you do with the kids during the summer?


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A Drunken Sailor and Two Mermaids


Mother's Day was of course spent at the beach. But not just any beach. We went down to Seaside Fl or 30A. It is one of my favorite places to go visit. I could spend all day wandering the cute shops, picking out my future beach house, eating at one of the many amazing food trucks or just relaxing on the beach. 
Sunday was no exception. We ate lunch at Pickles where we dined on grass fed chicken sandwiches, then bummed around the shops before changing into our swimsuits and hitting up the beach. Ethan had started not feeling good during the day and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep on my moms lap. Before doing so watching him stumble on the beach was quite comical. And of course I took a ton of pics to document the day