30 before 30 revisited

One week ago today I turned 30. Something about that age makes me feel like I am a real adult. I remember when I was in high school thinking how old that seemed, and now, I don't feel any different than I did in my mid-late twenties.

God has been so good to me over the last 30 years and He'll undoubtedly be even more amazing in the years to come. I've finally taken some time to go over my 30 before 30 list. I accomplished many of the things on my list, and while I wish I had been able to cross them all off, I'm proud of what I've done. Maybe a 40 before 40 is in order?

Let's see what I was able to cross off...

30 By 30

1. Host a Brunch Party

2. Begin (and finish?) building our “forever” home

3. Hike to a waterfall

4. Lose 30 pounds

5. Make G a big sister

6. Take a family trip to Washington D.C.

7. Make a pair of shoes

8. Visit a lighthouse

9. Go to the South Carolina Aquarium

10. Take a family trip to the North Carolina Zoo

11. Make a pecan pie

12. Send a card to a stranger

13. Make a photo book of G’s first year

14. Take a cooking class

15. Make homemade truffles

16. Plant a tree

17. Serve at a soup kitchen

18. Make a holiday wreath

19. Teach a kids’ cooking class

20. Take a girls’ trip with my mom, daughter and sisters

21. Learn to crochet

22. Take a carriage ride

23. Make real homemade alfredo sauce

24. Make homemade ravioli

26. Pay for a stranger’s meal

27. Learn to French Braid

28. Be in a parade

29. Read 100 books with/to my daughter

30. Buy new living room furniture

 

Linking up for Thoughts on Thursday

 

A Little Revamping...

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Okay...this week has been a bit crazy. Over the weekend my daughter came down with a 103 fever. This lasted through Sunday when it broke mid-morning. We took her to the pediatrician and found out that she once again has Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). She's had this before but not this bad. In the past she had a rash and a high fever that lasted a few days. This time around she didn't have the fever as long but her rash is far worse and she has the blisters in her mouth. It's been a challenge finding things that she wants to eat. At least she has been taking lots of fluids.

On Tuesday she woke up at 4:30am and much to my dismay, did not nap at all! She finally laid down around 8:00pm. I don't know how she did it. Not only was I listening to a super cranky baby going down the road after an evening of parent-teacher conferences, but then my poor hubby called to say that he was leaving work because he was sick. His flu like symptoms made him pretty miserable and because he loves me and wanted me to stay healthy, he slept on the sofa bed. ::sigh:: It was a rough start to the week.

I needed a break from the chaos and thanks to a few posts by Leslyn, I felt inspired to revamp some of my fitness goals and to review my 30 by 30 list (especially since April will be here sooner than later.)

I've been maintaining my 20lb weight loss, give or take a few pounds (and right now it's more on the give side). I've really been trying to rein in my eating habits as of late (goodbye ice cream and cookie dough and cupcakes and...) so I've been opting for more fruits and veggies. Right now the two main things I have been focusing on are eating fruits and/or veggies for my snacks and getting plenty of water. I love water but teaching often distracts me from ensuring I get enough...not to mention I don't really get the opportunity to use the bathroom at will so I have to be conscious of that as well. Overall though I'm feeling better about my choices. I hope to start getting back to an exercise routine as well.

Now for my 30 by 30 list...

30 By 30

1. Host a Brunch Party

2. Begin (and finish?) building our “forever” home

3. Hike to a waterfall

4. Lose 30 pounds

5. Make G a big sister

6. Take a family trip to Washington D.C.

7. Make a pair of shoes

8. Visit a lighthouse

9. Go to the South Carolina Aquarium

10. Take a family trip to the North Carolina Zoo

11. Make a pecan pie

12. Send a card to a stranger

13. Make a photo book of G’s first year

14. Take a cooking class

15. Make homemade truffles

16. Plant a tree

17. Serve at a soup kitchen

18. Make a holiday wreath

19. Teach a kids’ cooking class

20. Take a girls’ trip with my mom, daughter and sisters

21. Learn to crochet

22. Take a carriage ride

23. Make real homemade alfredo sauce

24. Make homemade ravioli

26. Pay for a stranger’s meal

27. Learn to French Braid

28. Be in a parade

29. Read 100 books with/to my daughter

30. Buy new living room furniture

Linking up with Home of Malones

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

A month filled with multiple birthdays and Easter celebrations has the potential to do a number on one's weight-loss. While I know I should have been more cautious and said "no" more often than not, the damage has been done. Praise God for a new day...a new month.

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As you'll soon see, I don't have much in the way of weight-loss to celebrate this month, so instead, I'm focusing on the non-scale victories.

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Here are some of my non-scale victories thus far:

-pants are looser

-I can wear clothing that I wasn't even able to wear pre-pregnancy

-my rings are looser

-2 inches total off of my waist

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The month of May is already filling up. The end of the school year is drawing near and with that comes assessments, multiple check lists, and farewells. I was out on maternity leave this time last year...lucky me. It's funny how quickly I've forgotten all that comes with this time of year. However, as I prepare to send my precious first graders onto second grade, I also look forward to what the summer will hold.

We have multiple home-based projects and hopefully a mini-vacation or two. I'm also looking for ways to keep motivated as the hot weather settles in over the next couple of months. My hubby and I are planning to go visit my mom and sister in Georgia in June. We've found a couple of 5ks that we are interested in. We may just add one of those to our to-do list while we're down there. If this does not fall into place, I'll begin looking for a couple for this fall.

I'm also continuing to focus on losing inches. This month was not what I had hoped for in the way of weight-loss, which I take complete responsibility for. However, I did lose a little and I also lost .5 more inches in my waist. That totals 2 inches!

My biggest victory this month however is this...I really struggle with self-confidence (no, this is not my victory ha ha...I thought I'd give a bit of a backstory). I have a huge list of insecurities that influence a lot of areas in my life. I gained a little bit of myself back this week (okay...here it comes!) I bought a little black dress about 3 years ago. I wore it once for my birthday that year. I was working hard at losing weight and I was determined to wear that dress. I did. I have not worn it since. It has been hanging silently in the back of my closet just aching to be worn. I was cleaning out my closet this weekend and pulled it out. I looked at it longingly, wishing so badly to be able to wear something that I could feel good in. I decided to try it on to see just how far I had to go...and to my surprise...it fit!!! It fit better than I remember it fitting 3 years ago! I didn't want to take it off! I am currently working on a special date night that will allow me to doll myself up, put on some heels and wear this dress. I apologize for sounding so superficial, but this was a huge deal for me! While I'm still a ways off from wanting to splurge on a new wardrobe, I do have a non-scale victory that has given me some much needed motivation.

My "little black dress"

With all of this in mind, I am still working towards the weight-loss goals I've set for myself. I'm also eagerly trying to cross off more of the items on my 30 before 30 list. One of those items is to lose 30lbs and I'm getting there...Here are the numbers for April...

You can check out the rest of my weight loss journey here.

Counting Candles

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

29 and holding...at least for the next year...Today was filled with bittersweet memories and wonderful things. We began celebrating last night (only because my husband had to work today). I came home from work to a very clean house, one of my favorite dinners on the table, and my all time favorite ice cream cake! What a wonderful man I've married!

G enjoyed her first ice cream cake experience

After not sleeping well I wasn't sure I wanted to begin a new age. I was just getting a grasp of living life as a 28 year old. I made it to work and was greeted by some "happy birthday" sentiments. A few of my co-workers threw me a wonderful birthday breakfast. Once the school bell rang my students came in with lots of well wishes, cards and a gift or two. By the end of the day my door was covered in precious handwritten birthday wishes.

The music teacher even taught the students a sweet version of Happy Birthday with movement! I wish I could show you but the file doesn't want to cooperate.

Also, a couple of my friends got together and sent me a beautiful mini rose bush.

My adoring husband sent me some beautiful flowers from both he and my daughter.

I've been kind of in a slump lately and it was so nice to be surrounded by so much love today. Not to mention my best friend sent me a lovely new purse.

As the sun sets on this day, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. This past year I've learned and re-learned a lot of important things. I still have things I'm facing that I'd hoped to leave behind me, but alas, I remain a work in progress.

There are a few core truths I've been reminded of over the past year...
-Apologize no matter how much it hurts or what it may cost
-Savor every second with those you love
-Comparison kills joy
-No battle can be won on my own
-Hearts mend
-True friends walk through the storms of life with you
-Change can't occur if I remain stagnant

While there are so many other things that have come to light over this past year, I know there is still much for me to do and learn.

I've managed to accomplish many things this year, but the greatest of my achievements is the birth of my daughter. My life has been so much fuller thanks to that redheaded, little blue-eyed girl. When I think back to Psalm 139:16, I'm in awe of how God knows what my days will hold. He knew when I would become a wife, a mother, a teacher and so on. He knows me better than I know myself and while not every moment of my life has been rosy, it has been purposeful. He knew I'd make mistakes and He knew I would achieve great things and I believe He still has wonderful things prepared for me. I have precious silent prayers in my heart...hope for things unseen.

While it hasn't always been easy to trust Him (which admitting that out loud makes me realize just how ridiculous it is...but I'm human) I know He has my best interests at heart.

I've made some progress on my 30 by 30 list and I hope to accomplish all of these things...granted I won't be too hard on myself if that doesn't happen. Either way, I plan to have a good time trying. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this day wonderful and I send up a praise of true thanks to the One who saw fit to bring me into this world. God has a purpose for this life and while I don't know where this road will take me, I hope to make the best of the ride.

 

Revisiting the Journey

I enjoy waking up to blog posts from my dear friend and this morning was no exception. She has begun to blog about her pregnancy. The sweet moments, the ups and downs and all of the in-between moments, had me thinking back to my pregnancy. At this time last year we were just a couple of weeks from our daughter's unexpected arrival. It's hard to believe! I laid in bed listening to G babble over the monitor and could not help but revisit our journey.

Courtesy of Shay White Photography

We prayed so long for our little one and after my PCOS diagnosis, infertility treatment that led to many disappointments, wavering dreams, doctor visits, medications, blood work, etc., our prayers were answered. While we dream of adding to our family at some point, the anxieties and fears of our past attempt to rise to the surface. How quickly I can forget God's goodness and faithfulness. Not once did He leave me to hurt alone. While the journey was not easy, I was able to experience God in ways that I had not been able to do before. When you are TTC you enter into a whole new world. Whether it was the circumstances, the hormones or the medication, I was super sensitive and dealt with levels of emotions I was not prepared to experience. I know I didn't handle relationships in the best manner and I'm determined to find other ways to cope this go around.

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In discussing our hope to add to our family again someday, I often hear, "well at least you already have one baby if it doesn't work." Just an FYI, that does not ease the angst. While this statement is true, when the Lord places this type of desire in my heart, it is not something I can just shrug my shoulders at. I am not selfish. I am not ungrateful. While our experiences and journey were not as involved or as lengthy as some, it was our journey. It was our pain. It was our waiting. It was our hope. It was our joy. While many prayed for and empathized with us, we still experienced some dark times. I've been praying that the Lord will prepare our hearts and heads for whatever may come. I pray for peace and understanding. I pray for a stronger, sustaining sense of joy. While we don't know what the Lord has in store for us, we remain grateful for those who continue to pray with us and for those who didn't give up on me when I was not the person I wanted to be.

::via::

 

All of this brings me to this morning (did I mention I have yet another snow day?! Crazy!). After reading my friend's blog, I got feeling particularly sentimental. Her post inspired me to become a little creative. I have a "free" Shutterfly book that expires today and I had no idea what to use it for. I have been working on a book for G's first year but I still have a month to go...and the offer expires today...so instead, I thought I would put my pregnancy journal highlights into a Shutterfly album. I'm really excited (and a little anxious although I know to some that seems silly) about revisiting my pregnancy with G. I love the maternity album I created leading up to her birth but I didn't capture the ins and outs of my pregnancy...all of which I'm sure she will learn to appreciate someday.

Sworkit! My Next Step...and a Birthday Challenge

I've added a new resource to my workout bag...and it requires NO EQUIPMENT! I ran across this awesome app called Sworkit*. I currently utilize the free app and find it adequate at this point. Sworkit offers strength training, stretching, cardio and yoga exercises. You can use a pre-structured workout or you can customize your own. One of the best perks about this app is that it can link directly to my MyFitnessPal account and will sync any workouts I complete with a touch of the screen. It's super easy!!! I completed my first strength training circuit today and was surprised at how much I am already feeling it.

I've known that at some point I would need to begin adding in strength building exercises...and I decided today would be the day. I've also decided to set another challenge before myself. If you remember, I made a 30 before 30 bucket list a while back. I've been able to scratch several things off of that list, but one thing that will take time (and might I add that I'm half way there...) is losing 30lbs before I'm 30. Now in reality, this may have to be postponed if the Lord blesses us with another pregnancy (which I am WAY OKAY with!). However, until such time as we are blessed again, my goal is to lose those 30lbs...15 more to go! Sorry for the rabbit trail...the challenge I've set before myself is this...complete the At Home Crossfit Workout every other day. I have input the exercises into Sworkit and will be using it to help me complete this challenge. This challenge runs from today (March 9) to April 9 which will be my 29th birthday. I feel like it will take a bit more encouragement to complete this circuit training than it does to do my regular cardio...so this challenge plus my regular cardio, which is prepping me for my upcoming 5k, will hopefully result in some great change.

I'd love it if you'd join me. Check out the app and find motivation where you can. Here's to wishing everyone a safe and wonderful upcoming week!

*I was not compensated to promote any of the resources mentioned in this post.

3-0

This morning did not go as planned. G has not been herself these last couple of days. She isn't sleeping as well and has what appears to be a summer cold. The poor little thing has a stuffy, runny nose and the occasional cough. She still smiles mostly but we can tell she does not feel very well. We also believe she may be teething. Everything she can get her hands on goes in her mouth. She is gnawing like crazy! Around the time I needed to get ready for church, G finally fell back to sleep. I could not deny her a much needed nap.

My husband also returned home this weekend from a 48 hour shift on the fire/rescue crew at the Lockin' Music Festival. He was exhausted having only gotten a few short hours of sleep over the course of the last few days. He came home, kissed us both, and headed to bed.

As I rocked my baby and smiled at the thought of my husband being home, I realized I would have to worship the Lord from the spot in which I sat. I turned to my scripture reading for the day and this is what was laid before me:

Psalm 126:1-6 1 When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,*   it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter,   and we sang for joy. And the other nations said,   "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." 3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us!   What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD,   as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears   will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,   but they sing as they return with the harvest.

This scripture just touched my soul. I think back to the times when my heart and soul felt so barren from circumstances beyond my control. I would cry out to God. I would yell. I would shed tears. I would sit in silence...and through it all I would wait. As a Christian, my journey here on Earth is heading toward a beautiful beginning. The joy will be forever. The start of my eternity will have no end.

While I remain here on Earth, I find it easy to sink into the fears and anxiety that I have dealt with for so long. God continues to work on me and through me in an ever progress movement to get me out of the miry clay. With each step forward I can't help but connect with the joyful sentiments found in these verses. What AMAZING things the Lord has done! My heart clings to verse 5 when it says "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy." This reflects God's promise that He works all things to the good of those who love Him.

What joy!

I also began thinking about all of the things that I wish I would have done and all the things I hope to do. I see so much promise and hope when I look at my little girl. To have a doctor tell you that she has no options left for you and that a specialist will be the next course of action is very disheartening. It becomes even more so when the doctor says that she isn't even sure if the specialist will be able to offer anything else outside of invasive treatments. It was at that moment that I forced my heart, head and soul to remember who was my Great Physician. God had a plan for us and despite what might never be in the eyes and hands of man, there is nothing outside of God's ability. Our little girl is proof of that. His ability to create this precious life in a womb where there once was not one still brings tears to my eyes. He also led us to a new group of doctors familiar with  my condition and in them I have a whole new hope for conceiving future children. I can't explain how loved all of this has made me feel. It was as if God wrapped His arms around me and placed a peace in my heart. So, until we begin the venture of baby #2, I revel in the miraculous beauty that is my daughter.

I consider the obstacles that we may face as I edge closer to 30. The older we get the "higher risk" pregnancy becomes and with my condition, it only adds to the potential upsets. I forced myself to put these things out of my mind and instead focused on making a  list that I have been considering for a while. I have officially created my "30 by 30" list. I currently have 577 days until my 30th birthday. While age is not such a major issue with me, there are many things that I'd like to do. I'm already considering things I'd like to do for my "40 by 40" list. While my goal is to accomplish each one of these things, half the fun will be the attempt.

30 By 30

1. Host a Brunch Party

2. Begin (and finish?) building our “forever” home

3. Hike to a waterfall

4. Lose 30 pounds

5. Make G a big sister

6. Take a family trip to Washington D.C.

7. Make a pair of shoes

8. Visit a lighthouse

9. Go to the South Carolina Aquarium

10. Take a family trip to the North Carolina Zoo

11. Make a pecan pie

12. Send a card to a stranger

13. Make a photo book of G’s first year

14. Take a cooking class

15. Make homemade truffles

16. Plant a tree

17. Serve at a soup kitchen

18. Make a holiday wreath

19. Teach a kids’ cooking class

20. Take a girls’ trip with my mom, daughter and sisters

21. Learn to crochet

22. Take a carriage ride

23. Make real homemade alfredo sauce

24. Make homemade ravioli

26. Pay for a stranger’s meal

27. Learn to French Braid

28. Be in a parade

29. Read 100 books with/to my daughter

30. Buy new living room furniture

Take a moment to reflect on what you'd like to accomplish whether you'll be 30 or 80. What would you put on your list?