With A Smile On My Face

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while. Yesterday my hubby and I met with a lawyer to finalize our wills. We've been talking about doing this for quite a while and I am grateful to say that thanks to the Wills For Heroes Program, we now have official wills and a wonderful peace of mind. We also went to a consignment sale where I found many spring and summer items for G at half price...yay! Here are some of my favorites...

Afterwards we had a lunch date...just the two of us! It was nice to spend some quality time with my husband. While we adore and cherish every moment with our daughter, it was nice to have some true adult time. We took a stroll through the mall and then headed home.

Today brought just as much enjoyment. My friend Shannon and her little one came over for a much anticipated play date. The girls played while we caught up, laughed, and adored the tiny humans of whom we are blessed to call ours. The girls played so well and kept us giggling at how they interacted with and reacted to each other. We enjoyed homemade pizza, dancing, and music. Who doesn't love clapping if you're happy and you know it?!

She wanted "the baby" to sit in her lap.

My hubby has a training today and tomorrow. Fortunately he has his evenings free and will be returning home soon. G is asleep and the house is quiet. After so many wonderful things, I find myself (finally) at rest with a smile on my face.

Five on Friday

It's hard to believe that earlier in the week we were celebrating a day of Spring like weather, only to have a down pour of ice and then snow the following day. I've given up on the weather. I just wake up each morning and say, "surprise me!" One thing that is consistent is the weekly Five on Friday. I enjoy linking up with Darci and others to share five of whatever my heart fancies.

[one]

I love to cook and bake and I do both on a regular basis. I make a menu every month and cook dinner almost every night. I currently have to watch my sodium intake and I am constantly looking for ways to make our meals healthier. A while back I began substituting apple sauce for oil in many of my recipes (primarily baking) and honestly, you can't tell the difference! Another item that I've recently fallen for is yogurt. Sure, I've eaten yogurt all of my life, but I've never really cooked with it. I've substituted it for both milk and sour cream in various recipes. I've begun keeping both vanilla and plain on hand. This is one recipe we really enjoyed...Greek Marinated Chicken.

[two]

This past week I finally registered for the HoosHeal 5k. I'm a bit anxious. I haven't done a 5k since well before I became pregnant in 2012. However, I am really encouraged to have a goal in front of me. To make things even better, a dear friend has graciously decided to do the race with me. Come April we'll be hitting the pavement to help fund research for various childhood cancers.

[three]

I have been a member of SparkPeople for a few years now. I love the support and encouragement that I find there. I completed my February Fitness Minutes challenge and have since signed up for the Blooming Beauties Challenge. We weigh in several times between March 1st and Labor Day. We are also provided with multiple mini-challenges that are not directly weight loss related.

[four]

15lbs down! I've officially made it! With each mini weight loss goal I've designated a "reward". I ordered my reward this week and I cannot wait for it to arrive. It looks like this, with the exception that the jewel bead is crystal and the initial is "G".

[five]

Here is a little sneak peek of G's Easter dress. I picked it up while I was out this weekend. I can't wait to celebrate her first Easter! We have so many traditions we want to share with her!



A Taste of Spring

Despite the fact that the current temperature is below 30 and still dropping, we did get a nice taste of Spring weather yesterday. I took G outside after church to enjoy the beautiful 60 degree weather. She adores the outdoors and if it had not been for the rain, we would have remained outside for most of the afternoon.

 

 

Today will be a typical snow day. I'll catch up on some snuggle time and straighten up the house. I broke out our new donut maker and tried my hand at a new donut recipe. Hopefully I'll get to post about that later. They were quite tasty!

Only time will tell if we'll be home tomorrow. My husband was held over for mandatory overtime at the fire department. After getting his call this morning and learning about the road conditions, I'm glad he had to stay. They continue to respond to automobile accidents and considering we live almost an hour away from his work place, I am glad that I don't have to worry about him traveling home (I know he has to still respond to emergency calls, but fortunately he is not alone and is in a REALLY big truck). The layer of ice beneath the snow is reeking havoc, even on the main highways.

The ground hog was not kidding when he saw his shadow...

::via::

Celebrating the First Day of March

I still can't believe that March is here! I'm beginning to get Spring fever. While the weather was far from Spring like yesterday, we ventured out to meet with friends and enjoy a girls' day. We began with a yummy brunch at Cracker Barrel. I'm a big fan of their French toast, and to top them off, I just have to add their apple topping. Delish! G was a big fan too.

Yum!

 

Taking "selfies"

 

Tiff loves getting some snuggle time!

My friend Terri, along with her daughter, accompanied us to the mall. Her daughter kept G entertained, which was so nice. I could actually browse! After a while, G passed out for her afternoon nap.

Then I was off to the grocery store. This is always a daunting task, even though it's only once a month, but it seems to be multiplied when I bring along the baby. She is always really good, but it tends to make the shopping a bit more chaotic. (FYI...the first day of the month is NOT the day to do your shopping. The stores are packed! Lesson learned.)

We managed to leave unscathed and headed home. I unloaded all of the groceries and eagerly awaited my husbands return. He has a training this weekend, so even though he's technically off from work, he's doing a ropes training in the city. I'm so proud of his dedication, even if that means I have to miss him.

While he's gone today, I'm considering taking G on a picnic after church. The weather is going to be gorgeous and I feel it would be a shame to waste it...especially since they are forecasting snow tonight through tomorrow!!! As much as I love winter, these Spring days are such a tease.

 

It is my hope that we will all find many things to rejoice about today and may God be glorified through our thanks.

 

 

 

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

I can't believe another month has gone...and so quickly! My little girl turned 10 months old and celebrated her first Valentine's Day. It was not the best month for weight loss, but at least I still saw some progress (no matter how small).

Truth Time!

From December 29-February 27 I have lost a total of

 

While it's only a 1.6lb loss, I'm okay with that. I ran into a couple of slumps over the last month and I know highs and lows will come. This may not be a strong month in the way of loss, but it's still 1.6lbs I no longer carry on my body...and did I mention I've lost an inch off my waist?! Small victories!



 

I have learned several things over the last month...

 

1. Regular exercise takes away the guilt of a splurge. In January I was very consistent with my exercise. For various reasons (and excuses) I was not as consistent this month. I felt so guilty if I splurged on a brownie or wanted to enjoy a special Valentine's treat. Just the month before I allowed myself to enjoy those things because I knew I was working out regularly. Let's just say I felt a lot of guilt this month...so much so that I took a week off from sweets.

 

2. Accept the numbers. I was really down on myself for the days I did not do well, which were clearly more often than not. Thanks to the encouragement of my best friend, I stepped on the scale each week, regardless of what I thought knew would be the end result. I learned to accept that not everyday would be good and that was okay. I also decided to not solely focus on the weight loss itself. I added my waist measurements.

 

3. I am worth it. This is something that, while it seems like a "duh" kind of mindset, is far from a statement I have been comfortable with, let alone believe. I know I am loved and I know that I mean a lot to others, but I've not accepted myself in a way that provides motivation. I strive each day to give my all to others in all that I do and I am learning that this needs to seep into my weight loss journey. There have been days when I ask myself "why am I doing this?!" and then I look into the face of my daughter or in the eyes of my amazing husband and I am reminded that I need to do this for them. I need to do this for my future children. I need to do this in order to live the life God intended me to live. So while I strive to lose the weight, I will also strive to own my self-worth.

 

 



I'm also really excited to announce an upcoming goal! My friend Shannon and I are going to be participating in the HoosHeal 5k coming up in April. I will be racing in memory of Sarah Ann and in honor of my daughter. In case you missed my Raising Royalty post where I introduced many of you to precious Sarah Ann, you can find it here. I am so blessed to have a beautiful, healthy daughter of my own and I never want to take that for granted. I truly feel it an honor to race for those who have gone before, for those who are currently fighting, and for those who may face childhood cancer in the future. This will be my first race since before I became pregnant in 2012. It will be a slow go but I will finish. That finish line is mine...

 



Raising Royalty

From an early age I was taught that I was a "princess". Not in the "wear a crown and have your own way" sense, but in the Princess of the King sense.

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

Romans 8:16-17a

 

It didn't sink in until I was older what that meant. It means that I am cherished and beautiful and priceless in the eyes of my Savior. He made me with purpose. He desires that I glorify Him in all that I do and that I love others into the Kingdom. Just as any princess, I have a great task before me, none of which I go about alone. Just as the King reigns His Kingdom, so does He reign my heart.

 

"Hanki Doll"

These truths have been at the forefront of my mind since last week. I received a pretty package in the mail (I do love brown paper packages tied up with strings...or in this case, a pink bow.) I opened the box to reveal its contents. Inside I found an adorable little hat, a beautiful gift for G and a card that still brings tears to my eyes.

 

G wearing her new hat

These precious gifts were sent to us by our dear friend, Kelly. Our friendship began the summer of 2004. I answered God's call to work at a Christian camp tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. At the time, Kelly and her husband were part of the management staff of the camp. I adored Kelly's up beat personality and her love for the Lord was contagious. She shared many God given gifts and talents with me over that summer, but the most important one that she shared was that of her daughter, Sarah Ann. Talk about a beautiful little girl. She had "God's Masterpiece" written all over her. To look at her sparsely toothed grin and her glittery eyes, you'd think she was just like any other little one. Unfortunately, Sarah Ann was battling cancer. At just 10 months old she was diagnosed and spent the next year battling the earthly fight. I watched through pictures as she grew bigger and more beautiful, but weaker as the months went by.

 

In January 2005, I received the call saying that Sarah Ann had gone Home. A beautiful princess went to be with her King. I remember answering the phone, but could not tell you who called. I remember sitting in the living room chair and crying, grateful that her fight had ended but devastated over her family's loss. The tears were, and still are bittersweet. I remain in awe at how such a little life could touch the world in so many ways. Her legacy lives on through her family as they continue to use their testimonies that were furthered by her life.

 

She also left her mark on us. C and I knew she was the one we wanted to be our flower girl, and when the time to nail down details for the wedding came to pass, we knew that there was not a one that we would rather have in her place. We decided not to have a flower girl, but instead honor her memory on our wedding day. That picture still remains framed and sits prominently on our bookshelf next to one of our favorite pictures of G.

 

 

I write all of this because, as I've reflected on the  amount of love and commitment that her family poured into her in just a short time here, I, too, long to provide the same for my daughter. On February 19th, G turned 10 months old. What would I do if I received that kind of news at her tender age?  I've learned, among many things, that one of the most powerful things about the love we have for our children is the part of that love that allows us to let them go. I'm reminded that our children are entrusted to us, not for keeps, but to grow them up as fruitful, loving, passionate victors for Christ.

G loves playing with her "hanki doll"

 

As G grows, it is my #1 goal to raise her to love the Lord. I want her to want to know Him. I want her to rest in His presence and live undoubtedly loved. As Kelly and her husband continue to raise their two boys, I remain in awe of their courage, faith and dedication to His service.

 

It's hard to believe that Sarah Ann has been dancing on the streets of gold for 9 years now. How amazing that must be. I imagine her painting pictures and hanging them up for all to see. I imagine her singing the songs of praise taught to her by her parents. I know that she is in good hands and those same hands are the ones that continue to guide us here. Those are the same hands that cradle and protect our daughter as she grows in this sin laden world. For that I rejoice. For Sarah Ann's life and her home with Jesus, I rejoice.

 

The other day, Kelly posted this verse:

 

 

May we never forget to live in this way. I pray that you will hold your little ones a little longer and seek to raise them in a way that will honor the Lord. Teach them to love the Lord, love others, and love themselves...we are in fact raising royalty.
 

 

To learn more about the life of Sarah Ann and her family's testimony, please visit their Family Web Page. God is good and His love is a priceless gift that we can pass down to our children. It is the greatest gift we can give.

 

Five on Friday: TGIF

These past two weeks have been a bit crazy! Between the snow, teething and grown-up odds and ends, I'm grateful to thank God for it being Friday. Join me and others like Darci for this week's Five on Friday!

 

 

[one]

Besides not having our computer functioning last week, we also said goodbye to our water heater. Of course it would have gone out the coldest, snowiest week this winter. I briefly discussed this week previously and I was not sorry to see that week go. Over the weekend we got our new water heater! Yay! The things that we get excited about as adults...

 

 

[two]

Taco Tuesdays are always a big hit at our house and I do my best to come up with new takes on some of our favorites. This week I made a super simple Enchilada Chicken with Cheesy Enchilada Rice. Think of it as healthier Chicken Enchiladas deconstructed.

 

 

 

[three]

A couple weeks ago we began the Winter Reading program at our local library. G met her first goal and received her free book and her free vanilla cone. That will be a great treat for her first birthday in April.

 

 

[four]

Speaking of G, she turned 10 months old this week! I cannot believe how big she has gotten. Time is flying!

 

 

[five]

I've been teaching about President's Day, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington this week. To celebrate the holiday (a few days late) and all that we've been learning, we'll enjoy Patriotic Parfaits (similar to these)! I'll be using strawberries, blueberries and vanilla yogurt in layers to form the Red, White and Blue.