One step forward

Before my doctor said I could start exercising, I thought of all the things I wanted to do. When I was given the go, I told myself "you've got this...you can do it!!" So I set my goals and I have started down a path to reach them.

And here I go...

I ordered my AdvoCare cleanse and I start it on Monday! 10 day challenge - bring it on! I also started walking after work with my co-worker and friend. We walk a brisk, fast pace and complete 2 miles on average, three times a week. Go us!!

I am super excited to keep updating on my progress and I hope you will join me on my journey! My #1 ultimate goal is to get fit and be healthy for ME!! The rest, will all fall into place :)

CHEERS friends!

Photo- (http://fitgurl4life.tumblr.com/post/24168145327/myfitness-app-is-that-what-it-is)

Happy Memorial Day

To all the brave men and women who serve our country...
To all the brave souls who died in the line of duty...
To all the families of those who serve in the military...
I salute you!

Thank you for your bravery and your sacrifices. Thank you for our freedom!

Mrs. Maid

Laundry...check.
Dishes...check.
Clean bathroom...check.
Exhausted...double check!!

Sometimes the things we HAVE to do aren't so fun but it sure is nice having a clean house. If only there was money in the budget for a maid!! I know where I can find one for free...I guess it's one of the many "hats" I wear.

Keeping a house clean, especially one as small as ours, is quite a chore! I feel like I am constantly picking up toys and socks, or tripping over shoes in the doorway! I clean one thing only to turn around to something else being left out! I am forever finding my couch pillows on the floor or stuffed behind the couch, and the throw blankets thrown about. Oh man, these silly kids...but I wouldn't trade them for anything in the whole world!!

Starting today, however, I'm taking donations to hire a maid (or just pay myself!!)

Happy weekend friends!! I hope that you all are doing something more exciting than cleaning! ;)

Happy Notes!

Happy Friday friends! Helllllooooo 3 day weekend!

T's Happy Notes Part 3 -

Memorial Day weekend - Long weekends are definitely my favorite! I am so very excited for this weekend in particular because my hubby will home all weekend!! That means we get to spend 3 wonderful days together as family! Maybe we will even get to do something fun...farmers market, bowling, movie night, BBQ??? Hmm...so excited!

Summer Break - Friends, there are only TWO MORE MONDAYS of school left!!! This makes me so very happy because that means that Summer Break is in sight! I get to (hopefully) enjoy beautiful weather, hang out with my kids, take vacation, sleep in and be reminded of the many un-paid benefits of this wonderful job I have! The positives of working in a school. :)

Yellow Tail, Merlot - I ♥ you! Thank you for jumping off the shelf into my basket so that I could bring you home and enjoy your deliciousness! You make my long, stressful days SO MUCH better! In the short three days you have been with me, I thank you for my sanity. We shall meet again...tomorrow maybe? OK, yum!

Friends, I hope that you have an awesome Memorial Day weekend! Do something FUN and be safe.

CHEERS!

Unexpected surprises

Woke up at 6:15 a.m. to be to work early. Left the house late, hit every red light, got stuck behind two school buses and ended up arriving to work ON TIME. Boo.

Started my day off with a staff training (didn't go as bad as expected...) and it was go time until 4pm when I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Long day. Enough said. All I wanted to do was go home and relax (as much as I can with 3 young kids!). Stop #1- picking up M&M's and Almond Joy from daycare. Stop #2- picking up Kit Kat from after school care. Stop #3- home!!!! And then it all hit me like a ton of bricks... Oh wait, nothing at home to make for dinner!! Add grocery shopping. Oh man, I forgot it's Tuesday and that means Kit Kat has scouts tonight...add that in. Soccer practice?? YES! Oh boy, I'm going to go crazy...too much to do, so little time and all I want to do is go home and relax!!! *sigh*

As I am arriving to the grocery store , I get a call from the hubby. "Hey babe, no work tonight, I'm on my way home!" YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!! And as I am wandering the store I get a message "scouts cancelled for tonight, see you next week"....and I start silently cheering THANK GOODNESS!!! The next thing I know we are checking out and it's...oops, past soccer time. WHAT!?! Ahhh!! Then I thought, "hmm. I went from crazy busy to forgetful mom and it feels.....AMAZING!!!" It really did feel amazing.

Within minuets I was home, making pasta, enjoying the unexpected company of my hubby. We all sat down together as a family, had a wonderful dinner (prepared by yours truly), and I sat back and enjoyed not one but TWO glasses of vino. As I sipped each wonderful drop from my glass, I thought to myself, "now this is the life!"

CHEERS friends!!

Crumbling

Have you ever had the feeling that the world was falling down around you? That no matter how hard you try to keep the peace and the balance, it's just not enough? Have you ever felt like you were swimming and swimming yet drowning at the same time? Like you are holding the world on your shoulders and waiting for one..more..thing...to come crumbling down on top of you?  Waiting and hoping it doesn't happen yet praying for strength in the event that it does. Tired. Exhausted. Broken.

I have so much to be thankful for in my life and I feel so blessed for everything and everyone who is a part of it. I have love, happiness, laughter, great friends and an awesome family. Anyone who knows me knows I would do anything for my loved ones...anything. I would make sure they were safe, protected, loved and important. I am fairly certain that they know that but if they don't, they should.

Lately, I have felt like I have been so busy and focused trying to help out certain people who need me that I have been neglecting other important relationships in my life. I've been putting their needs first and taking care of their "problems" and overlooking my own. That's what I do. When a family member needs me, I am there, whole hearted. Unfortunately, this time I feel like I can't help. The harder I try, the deeper I get and the more I realize, I am scared. I am scared of the unknown. I am scared at what I have discovered. I am scared of what the future holds and where the road is leading. I am scared to stop trying but I am also scared to keep going. I am frozen. I can feel the ground start crumbling underneath me...

My husband is my rock. He is there to save me from the dark hole and pull me back to reality. He is the one thing that I can count on to always be there, know no matter what. He will be there to rescue me. Hold me. Tell me he loves me and that it's all going to be ok. He is the man I cannot imagine my life without. Yet even with all his love and support, there is still that feeling of uncertainty from a not-so-far-away place...my "other" home.

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."     
~ unknown

Happiness is...

...a glass of wine after a long day.
...waking up to a little girls smile.
...listening to the imagination of little boys playing.
...a hot cup of coffee after a sleepless night.
...family.

We have had my nephew at our house this weekend for a sleepover and he and M&M's have had such a blast! They are the best of friends and I love watching them and listening to them play. Occasionally, like brothers, they fight and yell but for the most part, they get along great. I am so happy they are so close in age and have each other to entertain!

As I sit here and write, I look around at my house and wonder...WTH happened in here!?! Every Lego, puzzle, book, car, train, and toy is out of it's bucket and strewn from one end of the house to the other. There are Ninja Turtle guys without heads, Mr. Potato heads missing limbs and random pieces of hot wheels throughout the hall. The beds are bare from them trying to build forts and the clothes hampers and completely emptied. Most people would be quick to judge saying "Why aren't you supervising them? How could you let they make such a mess?"  Friends, it's simple...they are 3 yr old boys...and they are as happy as can be! Sure it will be a challenge later making them pick it all up, but as long as they are laughing, having fun and aren't fighting, then who am I to rush in and ruin their fun? Gosh, I love them SO MUCH!!

Happiness is a messy house and happy kids :)

CHEERS!