A Whole Lotta Everything...

This is going to be a big ole recap post and picture heavy!  Sorry!  Eek!

 

Let's start with Mother's Day Weekend...I'll spare you the drama that occurred and just stick with the positives!

Saturday we did some landscaping in the front of the house...well I watched from inside!  Kidding...kind of... You see I have this thing about Bushes - I don't think they should exist, anywhere or in any form!  I think clean, simple landscaping is best!  And yes, this applies to more than just your yard, Ladies!

The top picture is the Before - you see all those bushes?  They freak me out!  They screamed, "Hi all you little Earthly Critters - come build homes in me, you will be well hidden!" and I just cannot deal with that!  This June will mark our 2nd anniversary in this house and from Day One I've been begging The Husband to pull them bushes out!
The bottom pictures is the After - much, much better!  I feel like I can now walk up the sidewalk and not have to do a high-step run because I'm scared to death a snake or beaver or wasp is going to come flying out at me!

My girl Tara wanted to see our porches!  We are very lucky and have both front and back covered porches!  I guess in Texas you either get a porch and no yard or a yard and no porch or something...I guess everything isn't Bigger in Texas!  Tara, you should consider moving to SEK - it's much cooler and white trash (more on the WT later).

I spent most of Mother's Day with Bean, we slept in, had breakfast and then went on a 3 mile walk with Oscar!  We just played for the majority of the day. The Husband and Jack went turkey hunting, but I got the cute snap chat from Jack below - well his Aunt KK helped him send it!

 

 

 

One thing The Husband is good at is gifts...I'll give him that!  ;-)  I'm currently waiting on my new earbuds and UP bracelet.  The UP bracelet was on backorder, but I got the shipping confirmation email this morning so hopefully it'll be here by the end of the week!  Yay!  If you are considering getting an UP you should check out Amber's Review on her blog Living in the Moment!

 

Jack and Bean potted these plants at daycare for Mother's Day!  Too sweet!

Running...I've been trying to get back to it, but I have to be honest and say since those 6 weeks off after having my BOOBS done...it's been a slow go and harder than I thought.  I feel weak, my legs feel tired and slow - slower than my normal slow!  Ha!  I haven't yet gotten back to enjoying my runs, but I will...someday!

 

I had been literally stuck at 2 miles since I started back running, but I made myself push through 3 miles the other night for the first time.  I felt great at the end, but it sucked...BIG TIME.  I just don't understand how your body can go from running 5 or 6 miles to barely tolerating 3 miles!  It's mind boggling and discouraging, but also motivating because I know what I'm capable of, I just need to put in the work!

Now that we have Oscar, daily walks around the hood are also required. We usually only do a mile/night because two laps around out subdivision is a mile and it's easy!  He did not appreciate the 3 mile jot on Sunday - he literally slept all afternoon!  Someone needs to beef up their cardio...

 

 

This Saturday I'm going to run my first 5K since my last 10K the end of January.  I registered for one in April, but didn't end up running - partly because I was sick, partially because I didn't want to look like a fool!  Eek!  The run is the Joplin Memorial Run, there is a 5K and a half marathon - the worst part?  The both runs start at the same time and that time is 6:30AM - like WTF?  Plus, Joplin is like a 30 minute drive for me...sucks!

 

The Starlit Running Company out of Joplin is also having a Summer Race Series featuring 3 nights runs!  I'm planning to do the entire series but I have to con some friends into running with me!  Each run has a 5K and 10K option, the June run I'm doing the 5K, but planning to do the 10K in July and August!  Boom!  If you are around the JoMo area and are going to do any of the night runs hit me up!

 

Oscar Update:  I love this little guy, he is my new BFF for sure!  The lab results came back and showed that he had both Whipworms and Giardia and both of those things come from basically being in a dirty environment!  I was on FIRE...I don't understand people that do jobs that they don't love, especially when someone/some thing's life is at stake!  Needless to say, I wanted to call the Vet Clinic we picked Oscar up at and rip ass!  The Husband deterred me and said he would call, he still hasn't so I'm thinking I'm going to have to take the matter in my own hands!  Ha! But I did send the nasty-gram below to The Husband's cousin that works at said Vet Clinic.  The Husband is taking Oscar out to our vet this morning to have the stitches taken out of his tail and for another overall look at him, he seems to be feeling good and he no longer has the screaming shits which is definitely a plus!  Today is also his last day of all his meds!  Whoop! Whoop!

 



 

I wore this dress on Monday for the first time and I am in love!  I've had it for a couple months, but just hadn't pulled the tags off!  It's the LC Pleated Ponte Dress by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's and I got it on sale for $26.00!  It's still on sale for $24.99 and also comes in Black...I'm tempted to order the black to, that's how much I love it!

 

In Other News:

Confession Time: I have a bad habit at biting/picking at my lips - always have.  Well while in Mexico my new SIL introduced me to Merle Norman's Super Lube!  Yes, that's really the name and Yes, I wish I was making it up!  But it's seriously the best balm I've ever tried. I don't know if it's the consistency or the smell or what, but I have not been biting or picking at my lips since I've been wearing it.  It's pink in color, but colorless on your lips - just add a slight hint of shine.  Love it!

This little diddy was in our local Morning Sun Newspaper yesterday... #whitetrash #keepitclassy #onlyinpitt
Some of my friends and I have been discussing buying an ad next week asking for full disclosure of what Mike really did to Tina and a current status update!  Hell, this shit might just need it's own FB page!  I'm sure the story could provide hours of entertainment and plenty of laughs!

I Still Got It!! And this is when you know you do...a bunch of 18-19 year old baseball players like your selfies!  Haha!  Score!  Man, I miss junior college!  I was a self-admitted Jersey Chaser and I'm proud of it!  Baseball boys were my favorite though...so HOT!  Ow! Ow!

 Lastly, I'm going to link up with Erin for Weigh In Wednesday.  I finally weighed myself yesterday morning for the first time since the morning we left for Cancun.  To my surprise I only weighed 1 pound more than before Cancun!  The bad news, I'm also 5 pounds up from my lowest weight which was probably about 6 weeks ago after Erin's Diet Bet!  Boo...

 

 

I decided to set a couple short-term goals to try to get back on track:

1. Stop with the Soda - I tend to drink Diet Dr. Pepper like it's water...actually instead of water!

2. Run 3 Days/Week at a minimum!  I also am going to start back to Step Class next Monday.  I've learned that especially now that it's getting hot outside, I'm going to have to rely on my lunch hour for the majority of my workouts!  Sucks, but gotta do what I gotta do!

3. Lose 5 pounds over the next 2 weeks!  This will be tough, but I'm determined to get back to where I was and then keep going forward!

4. Eat Naked!  We have a local business called "Naked Fruit" and they actually deliver to our work once a week.  It's all super fresh and delivered in coolers!  I've done it a few times, but I'm going to do it every week because their produce is seriously the best/freshest/tastiest around! 

*disclaimer - this does not mean I'm going to Eat Clean, I can't! #sorryimnotsorry

5. Cut out the Fast Food Crap!  Ever since Mexico we've been a bad habit of just grabbing fast food.  I pretty much stems from my lack of willingness to endure the place I like to compare to hell...Walmart!  Ugh!  So looks like I'll be heading there this weekend though for the first time in about a month!  Yikes!

 

Love You, B Faces!

xoxo

 

Motherhood: And How I May Need Medication to Survive the Rest...

Good Morning!  I have a special treat for you today!  My friend, Molly - she used to blog over at The Fuchsia News, and still posts randomly about every 6 months or so but says she is going to start back up again *don't hold your breathe, I've heard it a gazillion times before* is guest posting!  You see, Molly is on the "First Team of All American Moms" - she is the type of mom I wish I wanted to be, but currently I'm just not there yet...someday maybe, right now though I just don't fully understand or get it and that's ok!  Enjoy Molly's writing and let us know what your thoughts are on this whole motherhood thing!

This past weekend the girls, Gerrad and I were at the zoo, enjoying a gorgeous day outside as a family, and I could not seem to get my emotions under control. I was looking at all of these families with small children, parents chasing around tots, mothers holding the hands of their small little ones. It was a great day, but I was a mess internally. I'm not sure if it's the constant talk of my 'baby' going into Kindergarten, or my oldest baby starting the LAST year of elementary school this coming school year, or what my problem is, but this momma is a MESS on the inside. The littlest things have set me off this week for no reason, and yesterday took the cake. I watched this YouTube video, and the rest of the day was downhill flooded with emotions on and off. I'm sure some of you have seen this video floating around on facebook this week, if you haven't, you should definitely take the 7 minutes to watch it!

 

It's a simple video about enjoying every single ordinary day of motherhood, that's it, but the emotions it brought on were so ridiculous. Do I enjoy EVERY single thing? NO! Do I enjoy when my girls are yelling and about to claw each others eyes out? Heck no! Do I enjoy a simple hug and my littlest wanting to snuggle in bed with me and watch a movie? Most the time yes! Do I take for granted these moments? Every.single.ever-loving.day. 

We have made the decision to not have anymore children, I am perfectly OK with that decision. People ask all the time "Are you going to have anymore children?" Sometimes when I say no, the looks I get are a little funny. If you would have asked me a year ago if I was done, I would have said "Maybe." Now I'm sure that I'm OK with the decision to be done. Most of our friends are still expanding their families (or haven't quite started yet), and although we're raising our children together, we're at different stages in parenthood. I'm sure I seem insane to them for feeling this way, heck I feel insane in my OWN head some days ;) I have brought 2 beautiful girls into this world, and I'm grateful.

I need to work on being present, and absorbing every single moment I am given. I keep having these thoughts in my head 'This is the best it's ever going to be, at this very moment my babes are the youngest they'll ever be again! Why do they have to grow so fast?' Then I'm all 'Get a grip, Molly! Enjoy it while they're still young, stop living in the future and thinking about them growing up and moving away!' I'm TERRIFIED of letting go, my babies growing up and moving away. Who will I be if I am not Macie and Addaline's mother 24/7? Who will I be if I'm not cleaning up messes, giving hugs, wiping tears, kissing boo-boo's, helping mend broken hearts, spending countless hours shopping at Justice when all I want to do is roll my eyes at their prices, hitting the volleyball in the driveway for hours, kicking the soccer ball around, trash talking about playing golf and who can putt the best, going to school programs and parties, etc... I *may* be overly dramatic, and acting like I'm dying and will miss all these things, but goodness I am having a heck of a time with letting my girls grow up. Please tell me I am not the only mother that has ever felt this way?!! It's a season I wish wouldn't end. I told Addaline last night at dinner I wish that she could stay 5 forever! 

You're probably thinking 'Get a hold of yourself, Molly! Goodness sakes!' It's only going to get worse tomorrow when I take my blonde, independent 5 year old to kindergarten round up, watch her get on the bus and wave at me with her big cheesy grin, without a care in the world. I'll smile and be happy for her, but on the inside all I can think of is 'I don't want to let go!!!!' I'm already in a puddle of tears just typing that!{I may need medication, HA!}

From now on, I'm going to pick up my phone less, and love on my girls more. Not worry so much about making sure my house is clean, and spend more time making a mess (even though on the inside I'll be stricken with anxiety about it, ha!) I'll do a better job about not getting upset when Gerrad gets the kids all riled up when they're supposed to be getting ready for bed. I'll take my youngest for ice cream or a Sonic happy hour drink after every allergy shot appointment, because she's a bad ass and didn't cry. I'll let my oldest have more sleepovers with friends because I know at this age she'd rather be with friends than her 'boring parents.' I'll listen to countless 'boy crazy' stories because I know it's the age (and I'll laugh when G looks like he might stroke out). I'll turn the music up loud in the car when their favorite song comes on, even if I loathe it. I'll enjoy turning all of Macie's socks right side out when I wash them, because in a few years that will be a faint memory.

I am beyond grateful that God blessed me with these sassy girls, and I pray every day that I don't totally screw them up, and that I'll learn to appreciate all the 'ordinary moments' I so often don't find important!

To give a little more perspective on Molly's crazy awesome crazy-awesome "Mom-ness", here is a little text conversation we had a couple weeks ago...

Ridiculous indeed! 

I've been asked over and over "if I missed the kids while on vacation..." and each and every single time I get wide-eyes in response to my "No" reply.  But seriously - Did I cry because I missed them and want to come home? No.  Did I think "man I wish we would have brought the kids"? No.  But that's what technology is for, we FaceTime'd with Jack almost every day, but even if we didn't my feelings wouldn't have changed.  I think every parent, mom, dad NEEDS to take some time away from their kids - it's good for us and allows us to recharge and it's good for the kids to learn and experience some separation from their parents. 

In my head I keep thinking, "I must not get it because 1) I'm the shittiest mom on Earth... 2) Jack and Bean are still so young?  3) I'm the most selfish individual I know, but really...I am! 4) I haven't yet experienced these "growing up firsts" like: Jack's First Tball Game, Jack's First Day of Preschool, Jack's First friend sleepover, Jack's First Crush... Personally, I'm going with option 1 and option 4 and if I'm totally honest a little bit of option 3!  Bash if you want, but I'm a damn good mother, we all are - just in different ways!  I know someday I'll experience what Molly is, every mother will...I just haven't...YET! 

 

In the end, my true philosophy... To Each Their Own!  Whatever makes you happy and your kids happy (*disclaimer: obviously if your actions cause harm to your children that does not make them happy and you should not do it) then do it!  Do it no matter what anyone else thinks or says.  We have one life, so live it!

So what category are you in?  Or are you in a league of your own?  Do tell!

xoxo
 

Cancun Vacation...

I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking today!  We had an awesome vacation and it was so nice to get a break from the daily grind and switch things up a bit!  We haven't taken a "big" vacation since our honeymoon almost 5 years ago so to say I was excited is a bit of an understatement! 

 

Welcome to Paradise!

This was also our first experience with an "All Inclusive" resort - it is amazing!  We won't go any other way from here on out!  If you didn't want to leave the resort you absolutely did not have to!  On the resort there was a Mexican Restaurant, French Restaurant, Italian Restaurant, Hibachi, Seaside Grill, Oceana Restaurant, World Cafe (buffet style with just about any and every food imaginable) and then also a Snack Bar on the beach...oh and 24 hour concierge and room service!  There were 2 main bars - one in the main lobby and one on the beach - then also a swim up bar in the infinity pool!  Amazing!  The big kicker, there was a Discotecha right there on the resort as well!  Can you say Dance Party?!  I can!

The resort also brought in entertainment every night at 8:30 we saw the following: a Hypnotist, Rocksimus Maxximus (rock show combined with circus stunts), a Fire & Drum show, another Rock Show, they had a Casino Night and I don't remember what else there was!  :-)  Rocksimus Maxximus was my favorite though!  They played old school rock and the acrobats were awesome!  Here are a couple videos from the show - they are short!  And yes, all the screaming is me!

 

 

The guys also went deep sea fishing and golfing, the whole group went on a Mayan Adventure all day excursion - we snorkeled in old freshwater caves, went zip lining over the jungle, rappelled, swam with dolphins, sharks, sting rays and manatees!  It was a long day, but so, so, so fun!

 

There was also a wedding!  My big brother got hitched...again!  :-)

 

 

 

The rest of the trip you could find me pretty much like this...

 

 

 

 

 Which resulted in this...

 

No worries though, I was back to my pretty self by our last night!

Coming home wasn't fun!  We went from 80's and Sunny to 40's and Cloudy!



 

Overall, the trip was awesome and much needed!  We also made a "Harlem Shake" video at the dinner after the wedding - my friend is editing it and I'll post it as soon as it's done!  Although, I'm fairly sure you can't even see me because the guy two seats down decided to jump up on his chair with two huge bottles of wine! LOL

 

xoxo