Acceptance

My life is not perfect (shocking...I know). I honestly hope those that read this don't think from my post, pictures, etc that my life is. I am a huge ball of mess in my head most of the time. I do strive each and ever day to be positive despite the negative world we all live in that the media loves to broadcast.

I had my melt down last night...where I could have just cried for hours. I just had hit a point from doing SO much since my husband is currently recovering from surgery. From being single mom 95% of the time (huge praise to you mamas out there that do it all alone...I don't know how), to getting everything ready for baby, to cleaning...food prep, etc...I just hit my wall and needed a good cry. A good cry is what I did.

After talking to Tate about it all and him making me feel better...a Target run and talk with my BFF is what was needed. So at 8:30 last night I left to go walk the aisles of Target and it was so therapeutic. I found a couple super cute mirrors for the nursery that were on clearance (SCORE), picked out ice cream and got a few other items all while chatting with my bestie.

After reflecting on this all...I came that I really need to accept that everything is not going to be 'perfect'. In reality...I know my house, marriage, life are not perfect. Nothing is. But to me...I always was trying to find this time that it would all be perfect to me. The point where the house is sparkling clean and there was no dog hair anywhere, Turner was being his lil' perfect self and my husband was home cooking dinner or building me something ;)

What is perfect is that I have my family with me under one roof. I have a husband who is the most patient human ever (seriously...he has to be to deal with some of my stuff) and gives me constant support even though he doesn't always verbalize it to me...I have my health and my family has their health. I have a beautiful miracle growing inside of me and a dog that loves all of us even though she has been not getting much attention as she would like. My life is perfect to me. God has blessed me immensely.

Being super OCD and type A like myself...accepting that things will not always fall into place on my schedule or how I would like it to takes some time. I don't expect me to be OK with everything overnight. It's going to take constant prayer.

Acceptance that the house will be a mess most of the time, that dog hair will scatter the floors, that repeat meals and leftovers will happen frequently and that the nursery may not be done before this baby arrives is happening. Taking it one day at a time and just 'breathing' is all I can do. Continuing to talk to God through prayer will happen daily. Soaking in every moment with Turner as my only child for just a little bit longer will happen more frequently and learning to just let go of things will constantly be reminded to me through this post.

So to you other ladies out there that feel the same way, know that you are not alone. Everyone has their own struggles. Learning to accept those struggles, talk about and work through them is what helps. Things that I have learned that have helped me are...prayer, working out (especially yoga which I hope to start up after baby), NOT reading the news since the media likes to splash every negative story imaginable, staying positive even in moments that you find it hard and surrounding yourself with those you love that are positive. Life is way too short.

I posted this recently to my Instagram and it's the most real life picture I ever posted. Honestly, it was also the best picture out of the group. Turner throwing a tantrum because mama isn't holding him (he's a total mama's boy right now), Tate's injury and me big and preggo trying to keep it together :)

Also...if you find yourself sulking from looking at other peoples IG pictures/Facebook posts or what they write on their blog thinking that persons life is 'perfect', stop it. We can all get sucked into that mindset and it's not OK. The struggles are real for everyone even if they don't share it. I can promise you that. So if you find yourself doing that, give yourself a social media break and see how you feel. You will be amazed what can come when not scrolling through your phone.

Happy Friday!!!!

XOXO,

Top 5 reasons why....

...today is one of the best days ever!!!

SLEEP

I CANNOT wait to sleep for 8 hours a night for a full week. During tax season, I average probably 5-6 hours a night. I went to bed around 10 or 11 and got up around 4 or 5. I worked from home when I would wake up. I did this for many reasons...one main one being that I could see and spend time with my boys. The work was also there for me to do and it had to get done.

BLOGGING

I am very excited to be back blogging. I've missed this lil' space of mine. I miss recording all our memories and I miss connecting with all of you. I have a goal to ease my way back into this by posting at least a couple times a week...don't want to shock my system too much ;)

SUMMER

This cold weather is just playing a cruel and mean joke. Usually when April 15th rolls around...the sun is shinning and the sunroof is open. Today is only a high of 39 degrees. One major advantage of tax season in the Midwest is that we work during the crappiest months out of the year. From mid-January to today...the weather just plain sucks. Everyone is over winter and can't wait for the snow to melt. And when it finally does, it's sloppy and wet outside. Well...now that tax day has arrived, Mother Nature can put away this weather and bring out the sun!!!

FITNESS & FOOD

I managed to keep up with working out during tax season and eating "OK". I say "OK" because my work brings in food a few days a week for us and it's not always the healthiest. Sometimes it is....but not always. When you've worked a long day and they bring in food...I have no will power to eat anything healthy...I want that pizza that looks greasy and good. These last few weeks have been tough to get to the gym since there was so much work to get done. I am excited to get back on the fitness train. Mya is really excited for more walks and runs and I can't wait to take Turner out in the Jogger. I am also excited to get back to eating really well. Tate and I have tried many new recipes during tax season and I'm excited to share them all with you all.

T&T

My boys..spending more time with them is my top priority. Tate did a GREAT job keeping the house in order during this time. I am beyond excited to hang out with them every night and enjoy these precious moments as Turner is growing so fast (1.5 months until he turns 1). I feel like I have missed so much of him in the past 12 weeks. 

Some other things I am looking forward to is...

reading, Big Bang Theory (have many episodes on the DVR), friends, visits to the zoo, 8 hour work days, being organized again, and really having time for myself...which did not exist at all in the last 12 weeks.

Happy tax day everyone!! Cheers to another one down and another year closer to retirement ;)

15 things it says to do before kids

I get emails from The Nest on occasion and yesterday I received one that had a list of things you should do before you have kids. I was intrigued and read it. I found it very interesting and wanted to share the list. I also wanted to give my thoughts on it and share what Tate & I have done!

 

Go on a wine-tasting tour at a vineyard

This is something that Tate & I have done when we were in the Florida Keys. I've also been to a few here in MN also.

 

 

Go skydiving/bungee jumping/swimming with sharks...or whatever other crazy, life-risking thing you’ve got on your bucket list.

I have gone skydiving twice and Tate has gone once. The first time I went was in CA while visiting my brother and then I took Tate for his 27th birthday!

 

Make a list of all the restaurants and bars you've been meaning to check out -- and go.

Um...I'm not a huge fan of trying new things or even going out to eat. I like home cooked meals and knowing whats in my food! I can't think of anything out here that we so want to try that we haven't yet...and when you have a kid, you can still go out to eat at a restaurant!

 

Appreciate the bathroom -- alone.

I know this is one that I will want after a child comes. I hear stories that moms rarely even get time to shower in a days time! I will be appreciating my bathroom time a lot more now!

 

Stop being so self-righteous.

haha...the description for this list items states "When you see a mom or dad struggling with a tantrum-throwing kid in the airport or at the drugstore, don’t roll your eyes and think, My kid would never do that. Because he will. I guarantee" haha...this is so me and my kid will probably so do this so many times and I will regret feeling self righteous!!!

 

Take a road trip.

This is something that Tate and I have done lots of. We road trip every time we go to his hometown because it's 4 hours away. We did road trip to Ohio many years back for a football combine and make it a little nice vacation! Road trips are fun but I really like flying too!

 

Be spontaneous.

I am the most un-spontaneous person ever and my husband can be very spontaneous. It's good that at least one of us. I am a big planner and can NOT just 'go with the flow'...it gives me anxiety!

 

Spend an entire day in bed together watching movies.

This is something that has never happened and I am not sure if ever could. I can't just sit still! We have had 'hungover' days where we lay on the couch all day...but other than that, I usually have a list of things to get done! I think when we have an infant, it would be more likely that all I want to do is lay in bed, feed baby, change diaper and then sleep.

 

Have boozy lunches with friends.

This has happened! More in my college days than now, but it has happened, it was fun and it may happen again...just probably not Tate and I @ the same time since one will have to take care of the kid :)

 

 

Feed your minimalist side.

This list items states 'Get a white chair/couch/rug/anything else you wouldn’t want stained. Leave your wineglass or coffee cup on it and watch it not get knocked over. Enjoy it while you can, because once there’s a little one tottering around, you can kiss it good-bye!'  Ok...I will NEVER own a white couch and I would never leave a wineglass on it if I owned one. Tate and I are pretty clumsy people and it would get spilled with or without a child in the house!

 

Have morning sex.

Your have a kid...your life is not ending! Morning sex may be the only time you can fit it in! Some of these things are ridiculous to me!

 

Be the last ones to leave the party.

Well the last time this happened was our wedding...but other than that, this doesn't happen. My husband is the night owl in our relationship and I am the morning person. I get tired very easily and usually want to the first to leave the party!

 

Fly first class.

Tate has flown first class and it wasn't a good experience for him...not airlines fault, just his young minded self back in college. I have never flown first class and I really don't have a desire too, unless it was free. I don't want to pay for it...call me frugal, cheap...what you may but I would rather spend the $50-$100+ on a new outfit or shoes!

 

Wear as much silk, cashmere, dry-clean-only clothing as you possibly can, while you still can.

Um...I don't wear dry-clean-only clothing now and I don't plan to start. I usually deter from buying if the tag says 'dry clean only' because it usually cost way too much for dry cleaning and I don't buy clothes expensive enough that need to be dry cleaned!

 

Take a career risk.

I have definitely have done this is the last 3 years...but I am finally where I belong! I would agree that you should think triple times long and hard about any career moves while having children because you still need to provide for your family!

 

Any of these sound ridiculous to you? Some things that should be added that you have found very difficult to do now that you have children?

 

Dealing with stress

Lately I have been trying to find ways to deal with my stress. It seems a bit overwhelming lately and I would like to fix it sooner rather than later. I hate feeling stressed and having anxiety about things that are petty and not worth it.

It seems that I stretch myself a bit too thin...and these last few months it seems that it was too much on my body. I can feel myself more tired and I can tell I am slowing down when I do things...the only thing I can think this relates to is stress.

Source: flowingevents.com via Flowing on Pinterest

I know stress can really take a toll on ones body and that scares me. I feel like I am a pretty healthy person and would hate for something to happen to me because of the stress I put on myself!

With all that I have going on right now...SUPER BUSY @ work (9/15 and 10/15 tax deadlines), training for my triathlon and deciding to remodel 3 very important rooms in our home...it has finally caught up to me and my body is slowing down. I am not taking care of myself and something has to change on my end before my body decides to change on its own in a way I would not probably agree with.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Danny on Pinterest

Now I haven't experienced ALL of these affects on my body, but I have felt some! I've noticed that in my training for my tri that my body wants to stop before it's time. I've noticed I am way more tired than normal and am loosing energy to do things. I notice that my fuse is short and I get very irritable with people a lot more easily. This is not the way I want to live...so something has to change!!!

One thing I for sure started doing this week was going to bed earlier...I mean A LOT earlier. I had been getting to bed around 11 which is ok if your waking up at 6 or 7. I am waking up at 4:45 to get to the gym to train for my tri...so that means that is less than 6 hours of sleep which is not enough for me. The last few days I have been trying to get to bed by 9. So far...it's been about 10 that I actually shut off the lights...which is an extra hour so far. I'm working my way to 9 :)

Source: s3.amazonaws.com via Danika on Pinterest

These are very good ways on how to deal with stress. One thing I don't see on that I've decided to take up is meditating. I would like to meditate everyday for 10 minutes and see how that helps. I have a few songs on my iPod that are 'meditation' songs. I used them while I was studying for the CPA exam and would meditate to help with my stress then. I eventually did pass the test so I am hopeful that it helped. I really need to make more 'me' time and I think meditating is a good start!

Source: jolie.fi via Noora on Pinterest

Any other suggestions on dealing with stress and how to break up with it for good?

Words

Whenever I have moments where I feel down or days when all I want to do is feel sorry for myself...I look for encouraging words to pull me out it! Now...this is not an often occurrence. I mean...I am a very happy person that is always giddy with excitement, but I am also human and have days where I just want to curl up and cry all day...most times for no reason at all!

Saw this yesterday on Instagram and LOVED it! Need to always look @ the postives. Forget about the past...because that is what it is...the past. Can't undo it and you can't change it. But you can do something today so that you don't repeat the past. All in all...just stay postive!

Source: bitsotruth.blogspot.com via Bridget on Pinterest

Loved when I found this. I think most females always do this! I've learned that I can't be anybody but myself...and I frickin' love myself :) Others love me too and I need to learn to not care what people think of me so much...if they don't like me, there loss, not mine!

Source: minted.com via Bridget on Pinterest

This this this!! Wow..does this speak VOLUME to me! I am one of the most impatient persons you may ever meet! It's pretty bad and I have my dad to thank for that! I've been trying really hard to be more patient and I think I have been improving...even though it's hard. Everything happens for a reason, I have to keep remembering that and if it takes longer than I would like...there is a reason for that. I may not see it right away, but soon enough that reason will appear and I will be thankful.

Source: bing.com via Bridget on Pinterest

 I am a very Type A person and have a 'plan' for everything...including my life! If things don't go as planned...I get bad anxiety! I've been learning to let go and just let things happen. My husband is very good at this...me, not so much...but I am trying! Need to live for today because we are not promised tomorrow!

Source: littlemissmomma.com via Bridget on Pinterest

And I thought I would end on this one because it speaks everything I think and believe. Even though it's hard to always remember to live by these words...I try really hard to. Each day is a blessing! Live life to the fullest. Don't take anything for granted and always remember to let your loved ones know you love them!

 PS...I love all my fellow bloggers and readers! Thankful for you and feel blessed to have you in my life :)

Lent Season

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. "Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption." (Catholic.org)

I have given up many things during this season in the past. Last year I gave up sweets...and it looks like I will be giving that up again. My office has a big candy dish @ the front desk and I am up there constantly munching on it! I have really sensative teeth so eating too much of it hurts! It will be hard to give this up because it is always in my face...but it will help me not have so much sugar that is not good for me or my teeth.

Did you give up anything for lent? What did you give up?

Quotes

Found some GREAT quotes that I need to post and share:

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Curly Howard

"When life knocks you down, try to land on your back.  Because if you can look up, you can get up.  Let your reason get you back up." - Les Brown

"Never, never, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill

"You become a champion by fighting one more round.  When things are tough, you fight one more round." - James Corbett

"Do not quit!  Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else come along and makes a fortune by just going that extra yard." - Joseph Cossman

"...The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, here comes number seventy-one!" - Richard DeVos

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas Edison

"When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting, I go ahead of it and make trial after trail until it comes." - Thomas Edison

Another Busy Weekend

Another busy weekend has come and gone.  We had a lot of wedding to do items.  It started out on Saturday morning with going to Anchor Paper to buy all the paper for our invitations.  We had a good idea of what we wanted, we just needed to find the exact colors and buy it.  We bought it, ordered what they didn't have there on site and even got our envelopes.

Next stop, lunch.  We didn't have our next appt until 1 so we made a quick stop for some lunch.  Before we left home, I went to our DreamtripsLife website to find a coupon to use for lunch.  I found for a place that is on our way down to our cake tastings that afternoon.  Buy one sandwich, get one free @ a little BBQ shop.  IT WAS SOOOO GOOD.  Tate really loved it also.  We received big souvenir cups to keep and they had FREE ICE CREAM!!!!! 

After lunch, we were onto our cake tastings.  I was super excited about this.  The first one went really well and the cupcakes were AMAZING!!!  The gentlemen let us take home the cupcakes that we didn't eat while there (he gave us 8 total, 2 of each kind to try).  We brought home one of each kind and a half eaten one :)

The first cake tasting was better than the second.  We got pricing for both...and they are both kind of expensive in my opinion.  We have another cake tasting in a couple weeks and I am going to see what other options are out there.   We want delicious tasting cupcakes, but not pay an outrageous amount.

After our 2 cake tastings, it was one to wedding ring shopping.  This was more for me but we really wanted to get Tate's ring size and see what mm size of ring he likes because we plan to order his online.  We found what he liked so now we just need to look online to see what we can find.  We also found what I liked, but they had to order it in because there is only 1 left.  They will received it on Tuesday so hopefully I like it on...we will see.

After running around all morning...it was nice to get home and work on the invitations and to update our budget to see where we were sitting on that.  I have a very good start on the invitations and the budget is all updated.  It feels good to have those time consuming items done.

We didn't do anything Saturday night.  We woke up on Sunday and went to church.  I had plans on Sunday to meet up with a mother of a knottie bride to buy some vases from her.  She was selling them for $.75/vase.  I am going to be using these to make the memory candles.  If I had bought them online, they would have cost $3.50...so I was super happy to buy 10 for less than buying 3 online. (We won't be having 10 memory candles, but I thought I will use the others throughout the house).

Before we met up to buy the vases, we decided to bring Mya to a off the leash dog park.  She rarely gets to run around free with other dogs...so I thought it would be good for her.  She loved it.  She was like a kid in a candy store...running all over the place.  I really hope I can find time to bring her weekly because I feel like she really needs that time to just run free.

Here is a picture after she settled down a bit...





















Another picture of her and the other dogs getting to know eachother!!!  Isn't it lovely...Mya has her face in the other dogs butt.  Imagine if this is how humans got to know eachother...so odd!!!

I wish we could have stayed longer @ the dog park...but it was FREEZING out.  Only 30 something degrees outside...brrrrr.  But we were on our way to buy the vases and then home again.  It was an eventful weekend full of running around...but it definitely feels good to get things done.

Another day in history happened yesterday...OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD!!!!  He has been the most wanted man in the USA since 9/11 and the troops finally killed him yesterday!! I hope this serves some sort of justice for the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks.  I would like to thank our troops who have fought and continue to fight to this day to keep our country free!!!  GOD BLESS AMERICA...

'Rich Dad, Poor Dad'

I'm not much of a book reader.  I haven't ever gotten into Harry Potter or Twilight.  I read very minimal growing up.  Reading to me was boring.  I often found myself thinking of other things while reading and then I couldn't even remember the 2 pages I just read and would have to go back and read them over again.

I just finished reading a book in less than a months time...first time ever :)  I already went to the library and checked out a new one to start.  Tate started reading a book also.  We read every night before bed now instead of watching TV.  We are focused on building our business and securing our future financially. 

Since starting our WorldVentures business, I've listened to very talented speakers talk at our regional trainings.  At our latest training in March, the speaker recommended the book that I just finished and I am so glad he did.  'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' by Robert T. Kiyosaki.

I recommend this book to anyone.  It definitely gets you thinking about things and ways to take action.

What do I want to remember?

I have come to realize many things in the last month.  One thing in particular is...I WANT TO MAKE A LIVING...LIVING!!!

Some questions that I have been asked are...

Do I want more of this in my life...














Or do I want more of this?









Do I want to work with this everyday...











Or work with this everyday?








Do I want to remember my days as this...














or would I like to remember doing things like this?




















Do I want this as my retirement...










Or this?










Would I like this @ the end of retirement...














Or this?










Do I want this as my golden years...














Or would I like this as my golden years?











I think it is pretty clear what I went with.  IT JUST MAKES SENSE!!!!  It's possible and people all over the USA and 16 other countries are doing it.  You can to.  Watch #2 - CLICK

*I would like to note that I do love my job, I like the people I work with and I am happy.  Is this something that is better...yes. It also gives me the opportunity to stay @ home when children come in the picture someday.  Who wouldn't love to travel more and be able to spend more time with their loved ones?  Once again...IT JUST MAKES SENSE!!!!*

Japan

I'm so heart broken with seeing everything that has happened in Japan last Friday. 2 natural disasters in one day.  It's so sad that one natural disaster caused the other and has killed so many people. 

I'm reading articles of the towns that are wiped out and of people saying that they are not sure if it's good that they survived.  Stories of bodies being washed ashore. Worries of nuclear plants exploding.  This is so sad and really makes me feel helpless.

I found this website to see different ways I and anybody else could help. Click here --> HELP Japan

I look at my life and realize how incredibly lucky I am.  I am so blessed.  I wonder I would survive such an ordeal.  I wonder what they are going through.  I pray that they find the strength to overcome this.  It truly does make you think twice about complaining about anything.  How could anything compare to what has just happened in Japan?!?!

This picture is incredibly sad...

**all pictures are from CNN.com**

A friend of mine posted this as her status update today...
"Sept 11th (NY), Jan 11th (Haiti), and Mar 11th (Japan)...Luke 21:10-11 - Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.""

Since I am not able to be there to help those suffering in Japan...I will do my part her by donating and praying.

Lent

Lent season starts today.  I am giving up sweets/treats.  I found myself lately after every meal wanting a piece of chocolate or some sort of treat.  So since we are supposed to sacrafice something...I thought that would be a good choice since I am alwasy craving it.  So here we go...40 days with no sweets/treats.  That means no bite size candy bars after lunch while @ work, no ice cream, no handful of chocolate chips after dinner, no cookies, etc.  This is going to be really hard but will be done.

I will apologize in advance in case I am cranky during the next 40 days from lack of sugar :)

Follow up

So I had my follow up appointment @ the dermatologist yesterday.  The biopsy came back negative...meaning it was not cancer.  My doctor did mention that it was pre-cancerous though.  The cells in the mole were changing.  Thank gosh they removed it.  I just found another mole on my toe that I will have my doctor look at when I go in for my next skin check.

Everyone should go get their skin checked yearly for any odd looking moles.  As a woman, you could have your regular doctor look over your moles at your yearly check up.  That is where I had my skin check that found the mole that was cancer 4 year ago.  Checking your own moles monthly is something to do also.  Look online for pictures of moles so you know what to look for when trying to find any suspicous looking ones on your body.

Both moles that I had removed on my body were small...about the size of ball point pen tip.  That was it.  Regular check ups are good and ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN.  I've learned that being tan is not important in my life.  Living a long life...pale & cancer free is alright by me!