Yummo

I've seriously a Beachbody advocate now that I've done insanity & started up the program AGAIN! My results were subtle, but very rewarding. There are areas on my body I've never had so toned in my life & I'm really excited and to see how the next 90 days go too! There are so many Beachbody videos to chose from, I can't wait to execute them all. I'm not at my pre-baby weight yet or goal weight for that matter, but I know that this round my focus in on clean eating & not letting the scale define me. It's challenging & it's a commitment, that is why I've started SHAKEOLOGY! Replace one meal a day with this delicious shake (not even kidding, it's delicious) & know that your putting the best of the best into your body. "It contains more than 70 natural ingredients derived from rich, nutrient-dense whole-food sources from around the world. Shakeology is so incredibly healthy, no other single food item out there can supply you with all the nutrients, vitamins, proteins, and minerals in the amounts you need the way one delicious shake can."- Beachbody

 

REMEMBER: Exercise 20%, Diet 80%

 

Nourishing myself is so important on a daily basis & even more so while breastfeeding. I have so many friends who don't eat clean or eat healthy meals daily, this is exactly what you need to get on track. Shakeology will help increase your energy, reduce cravings, lose weight, improve digestion and regularity, and transform your health. I decided to take the plunge into Team Beachbody because I LOVE HEALTH & FITNESS. I'm constantly talking my friends, family & even strangers ears off about my commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle. I see the importance in it everyday, during pregnancy, post & in the future. I'm going through this transformation right now & love it. It's so hard to get the daily intake of vegetables and fruit in & this is a really easy way to do it. It's good. It's real good!

 

 

Put time into clean eating, a active lifestyle & drinking A TON of water & you will see results. I'll be posting regularly about my journey & staying accountable. If your interested in making a change in the right direction-I'd love to talk!

 

Also, check out my Pinterest board too, yummy delicious recipes (I've tested first hand) to keep you on the right track.

 

Thanks,

A weekend recap.

I really wanted to post these adorable pictures of last weekend before I dive head first into my birthday weekend camping extravaganza! It's our annual camping trip with friends & this year it is really special since our group of friends no longer live in the same city. They've all graduated & spread out across the state for jobs; so continuing to make this trip happen is exciting. It just so happens to always fall on my birthday weekend, the big 2-5 this year!

Last weekend we attended my family reunion & Bryce's cousins high school graduation party, fun times I just had to capture on camera. 

my handsome hubby & beautiful baby girl

her smile is breath taking

water balloon toss

Lining up for kid games

I would adore this picture if it weren't for those dang cones...

or if I could actually edit!

Avery & her Aunt Ka

SO MUCH LAUGHTER

Huge blow up race course at the graduation party

Avery quite possibly went through it 50x

Uncle Devon wins!

water baby

Grandpa & Grandma loving on El

I'm really bummed I didn't get a picture of the graduate. He was off having a blast with his friends!

CONGRATS AGAIN CODY! 

Family pictures.

In early July we had family pictures taken while my brothers family was in town from South Carolina. Which by the way won't be much longer before I get to love on my nieces all the time since there making the move back to the mitten!!! Family pictures are something my parents have wanted to have done for quite some time now. Four little GIRLS plus six adults all looking in the same direction was quite the task. This was not easy, but thankfully we have an awesome photographer. I adore her & her work!

SO MUCH CUTENESS

Traverse City| In pictures.

She's going to be one hell of a Mom one day

There is nothing better than relaxing on an outdoor patio in upper Michigan

Swimming in Lake Michigan

Wine tour

Mitch & Lindsey-pure love!

My best biggest girl out to eat & being her normal crazy self-Exhausting! 

gg & squish

Big smiles!

Go Uncle Devon

Saginaw Old Golds-Vintage baseball

We had a fabulous 4-day getaway in Traverse city. The views were amazing & my mind, body & soul feel refreshed!

Currently.

Currently watching...

• I'm seriously an ABC fanatic all the way; I'm really into 3 shows right now. Mistresses. Rookie Blue & Motive. Bachelorette just ended so Bryce is thankful he has until January until I start up that Monday night fixation again! 

Currently in Avery's world...

• She is doing an awesome job at eating lately. As I talked about it in this post, I put my foot down & she is doing a 100% better at having a well balanced diet. She is eating more veggies (usually hidden in my cooking) more protein & fruit, & overall less processed foods. Isn't it ironic how if they eat there meals they need less snacks, who'd a thought?! She is also eating outside our home which is also a big milestone for us. 
• ABCs & 123s became an interest after I told her she has to know them to go to school. {yes, shes only two} Mind-games people, mind games! 

Currently in Elliana's world...

• She is nearing 4 months. CRAZY! She's taking a whole new level to breastfeeding. She's so squiggly & smiley; I have to really work to keep her focused & attached for longer than a few minutes, but shes growing like a weed, a big weed! She is sleeping {most nights} great at night, I need to put her in her crib. I need to put her in her crib. I need to put her in her crib. I'm still not ready & I don't know why...
• Working hard at getting her to take a bottle. This is a full time job.

Currently Focusing on...

• Trying to NOT snack after dinner. Have not figured this out yet., like not at all. Why can't I say no to food in the PM? I'm really not hungry, its just a habit. A bad habit. Need help in this area, suggestions welcome!
• Also interested in how I can create an additional income for my family. Work in progress...

Currently giggling at...

• My current obsession with lactation cookies. I made them once I noticed a dip in my evening supply. They seem to be working, I had to wake up at 4am to pump! They are filled with a decent amount of nutritious ingredients & they're delicious!

A changing identity.

For many years my identity came from my personality; my friends & family knew me through my actions, my fun & my whit. My husband fell in love with a spontaneous young girl full of life. I was active, rebellious & free. but I've changed. Part of my identity now comes from being a wife & mother. A huge part. It instantly changed the moment I had my first born daughter. I became the housewife who was & still is so set on schedules & order. {My kids thrive on this after all, right?!} The mom who focused on her children far more than her relationship with god & my husband. Part of my identity is hidden in some crevice of earth, its buried in laundry, housework & motherhood. I don't want to stay buried, my kids need me to be full of life, smile & enjoy every moment right along with them, but mainly so does my husband.

We vacationed this weekend with two close friends, deep into the heart of their relationship; their dating & at that phase in their life where life is at ease. We also vacationed with my parents who are at a stage in their life where they are just living each day to the fullest; totally engulfed in their grandchildren & in each other. The love is so strong, its obvious! This deep love surrounding my husband & I seems so young & care-free. The way it was when we met & dated for years.

I've been told that the hardest days of a marriage our the days surrounded by raising young children. It's so easy to get focused on their needs & structured parenting is so important for them. I wouldn't say that our marriage is hurting in any way, shape or form. We love each other entirely, but its a love wrapped around whose changing the next diaper, whose night it is to put the kids to bed & whats the most effective way to discipline a toddler. Our marriage is a bond we will never break. But after this weekend I ask myself  if our marriage is being lived to the fullest? Our we putting our marriage first? We are the most important role models for our children & I want them to feel the love we have for one another because it truly is there.

I'm writing this post mainly for myself. I cannot speak for my husband; I only have control of myself. Our children our young, our journey is still so early on. The beautiful insignificant moments I have with my girls are such an intricate design that makes life worth living. I strive for these little moments of purity & happiness with my children. Yet, I lack the deep reality of what we are teaching them. What my own identity demonstrates to them. How my marriage above all is the base of all meaningful existence. My husband is my rock. We are the foundation of our family. Our love is much stronger & much deeper than we show.

So my identity has changed & maybe that's not all a bad thing. After all, my children are my world. I just want them to grow up feeling the love around them. I want to go on more vacations & relax about the little things. I want to hold hands more with my husband, kiss longer & have deeper conversation. I plan to laugh harder & not hold grudges for as long! That identity I had as a young school girl is still in their, I just choose to bury it in motherhood. It's no longer an excuse & that's a promise!

Wordless Wednesday| Saginaw Fair 2013

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt