Sunday, June 6, 2010

Memorial Weekend - Virginia Beach

We tent camped for the first time in YEARS over Memorial weekend. It was so much fun. Camping at a KOA type of campground is so much different than the campgrounds I camped in growing up, but still super fun. (In a packed like a sardine can kind of way!) I've never seen so many campers and tents in one location. The campground has 600+ sites, and they were full to capacity. Craziness! Lucky for us, we were right next to the Madrishin family, so we shared our two sites.The beach is just a mile or two away, and we had some beautiful weather (only one day of rain!) so we got to enjoy camping and the beach all in one weekend. Such fun!
Our little man Colby also turned one last week. I can hardly believe it. We celebrated his birthday while we were out there too.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Really? Really?

Yesterday was one disaster after another. Luckily all of it was pretty laughable and nothing that is of great importance, but here's how the day went...

8:00 AM - Off to the airport. Daddy is dropping the littles and I off for our quick last-minute trip to Utah. (Grandma Lela's memorial service)
8:30 AM - Realize we forgot the stroller back at home...guess I'll have to do the airport scene while carrying Colby. G R E A T...
9:00 AM - Get to the airport, only to realize that we forgot to get cash to tip sky-cap. We rounded up $1.60 between the two of us and apologize profusely to the sky-cap guy about the lack of $. When I handed him what money we did scrounge up, I dropped a couple of the coins. Bent over to pick them up and my pants split right up the back. A W E S O M E... Luckily they haden't wisked my bag away yet, so I grabbed another pair of shorts to change into once we get through security.
11:30 AM - Halfway between Dulles and JFK Kyle spills an entire water bottle all over himself and my backpack...which has the laptop and SLR Camera. S E R I O U S L Y?
12:00 noon - Three-hour lay-over in JFK. F U N
1:30 PM - Colby poopy diaper change.
3:30 PM - Now a three and a half lay-over. Plane is late getting in.
4:00 PM - Colby cries/screams for 30-45 min. on the plane while trying to fall asleep. S O R R Y peeps.
5:00 PM - Kyle has to go potty...BAD. Seat belt sign still on, we had to ignore it.
5:30 PM - Colby poopy diaper change. Again ignore the seat belt sign.
6:30 PM - Kyle has to go potty AGAIN.
7:30 PM - ANOTHER poopy diaper change for Colby. I am now out of diapers and hoping for no more poop.
***Now in Mountain Time Zone***
6:45 PM - Plane lands. Colby poops A G A I N. Luckily there are diapers in the suitcases. We'll change it as soon as we get to the car.
7:05 PM - Waiting for luggage on luggage carousel.
7:15 PM - STILL waiting for luggage along with about 20 other people from my flight.
7:20 PM - Get word that OOPS! JetBlue forgot to load one whole baggage cart back at JFK. - which means no diapers, no car seat for Colby, no clothes, etc. G R R R R.
7:30 PM - Luggage isn't going to be in until tomorrow NIGHT. There is only one JetBlue flight from JFK to SLC each day. - Leave info so that our luggage can be delivered once its in. Get a $50 credit to use on a future JetBlue flight. Given a 'loaner' car seat for Colby. Promised to be reimbursed for diapers/wipes.
8:00 PM - Stop at Target for diapers and PJ's for all us...so that we can wash our clothes to wear tomorrow.
9:00 PM (11:00 PM East Coast Time) - Finally, bed time for the littles. W H E W!

It was just one of those days. I only lost my cool once, and that was when Kyle was being careless and spilled the water all over everything. Other than that, I think I rolled with the punches pretty good. I didn't really figure there was any other choice. Hopefully the next few days will be a breeze.

We'll be in Utah for only a week.

I'll post pictures from our fun weekend at Virginia Beach in a day or two.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Annual work picnic

Saturday was Scott's annual work Family Picnic. It has proven to be a fun event every year that we've been with the company, and this year did not disappoint! Highlights for the boys were the bounce castle, face painting, and playing on the playground...And the highlight for me...the climbing wall and zip line! I'm such an adventure junkie. They had this available at the picnic two years ago too, the wall was easier for me this time...must be the exercising and weight loss!
We are so blessed that Scott has such an amazing job and employer. Thank you VRL for the fun Saturday afternoon and all you do for your employees and their families.

Next weekend? Camping in Virginia Beach!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Milestones

We've had an exciting few weeks around here!

Boy #1 no longer needs training wheels...



And Boy #2 is off and walking!






The fun is just beginning this summer! It's going to be an exciting few months with these boys of ours.

Friday, May 14, 2010

it can't all be fun...

This is one of those 'real' posts. For me, more than anything else. It needs to be shared, so that I can move on and celebrate the baby steps.

not fun: Clothes that were purchased as what I call my 'fat clothes' becoming tight and stretching in all the wrong places. (Fat clothes means that I am NOT willing to buy the next size up...this size is already WAY TOO big.)
not fun: Coming to the realization that something HAS to be done about the weight issue. I mean really, it's a life or death kind of realization.
not fun: Finding out that I have enough weight to loose to be considered a contestant on The Biggest Loser. Deciding to send in an application and video, going to the open casting calls in D.C., and not getting selected.

Guess that means I am going to have to take this on all by myself...or at least without Bob or Jillian yelling in my face yelling at me to push harder. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who is willing to support me, and even embark on this weight loss, lifestyle change with me. (He only has to drop about a third of the weight that I do, but the support is invaluable.)

not fun: Eating 1200 calories a day (started the day after easter 5 1/2 weeks ago). Keeping a food journal to make sure I am really only eating 1200 calories a day, and to make sure that the calories I am eating are healthy ones.
not fun: Missing a neighborhood Ice Cream Party, because I knew I wouldn't have the self control to say 'no', and a girls night out...for the same reason. (The theme of the girls night out was bread. That would have been like a recovering alcoholic going to hang out with friends at a bar...not a wise choice!)
not fun: Cooking. Seriously, our choices are SO much more limited. I'm SHOCKED to calculate how many calories were in some of the meals I prepared on a regular basis. And Realizing that our portions were WAY TOO BIG.

I have not been complaining, not at all, just being 'real'. There is a flip side to all of this.

FUN: After coming to the realization that I needed to take some action about my weight, actually TAKING ACTION! I'm taking control of my life back! Unless you've been in this situation before, it's hard to put into words the happiness and joy that I have felt the past few weeks, just knowing that I am doing this for ME, and that I CAN DO THIS.
FUN: My 'fat clothes' are not big on me by any means, but they are fitting correctly, some with even a little bit of extra room.
FUN: Walking in the mornings with Colby. Since I don't get to check out of real life and go on The Biggest Looser ranch for a few months, I needed to find something that works for me, in real life. Walking is what I can do right now. It feels good to just get out and go. Colby loves watching the birds and bugs fly around outside, so it's a win-win! (We go after Kyle heads off to preschool.)
FUN: Who knew you could do so many things with ground turkey and chicken sausage? I'm learning to cook with ingredients that I never really gave a chance. Veggies have become a 'filler food' rather than bread or carbs.
FUN: Reporting to Scott, every Sunday morning at weigh-in time, on my progress.
FUN: Starting to feel my progress physically, and others commenting on the change.

This is going to be a crazy long road. It hasn't been easy so far, but it also hasn't killed me! I am proud of myself and gaining back my self confidence and self control for the first time in a long time. I am not meant to be a fat chick dang-it. I want to be that cute girl again that Scott asked to marry him. I know I can do it, but if I get discouraged, I may need a little encouragement. Wish me luck with continuing on my journey.

Five week weight loss total: 21 lbs.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mothers Day Funny

Along with our programs at church yesterday there was an insert from the primary. Each primary child was asked to share something their mother taught them, or something they love about their mother.

Kyle's answer: "After I eat she gives me cheese balls. She lets me off my chair."


Awesome.


I'm glad he loves me for something so important.


We had MULTIPLE people approach us at church saying his comment made them laugh out loud. Great, our kid is THAT kid.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bubble Economy

Yesterday was great! We had the opportunity to go to watch the Virginia Gold Cup Horse Races. Scott's company was one of the sponsors of the event, so we got to chill in a nice sponsors tent on 'Members Hill' and eat posh yummy food when we weren't watching races.The atmosphere was totally interesting. Everybody is dressed up, women wearing beautiful hats, most men in sport coats, or at least shirts and ties, horse-owners reeking of money...it was a PARTY! We decided to make it a special big-boy day for Kyle, so we left Colby at home with the Madrishins. Kyle loved being spoiled and having mom and dad all to himself for a few hours.

This was my first opportunity to watch any LIVE horse racing. It was exciting stuff! Even though there was no betting involved, and I didn't know one horse from the next, I definitely got into it! The horse with our favorite name of the day WON the final Gold Cup Race... Bubble Economy! (The owner is now enjoying his $75k purse!)