feelin groovy

Good morning girls and boys,

I had an amazing week of fitness and health. Finally back on track...and I must say that I'm impressed with this Cassey at Blogilates.com because she seriously knows her stuff! In just one week of doing 30 minutes a day of her workouts and eating well I made more progress than when I was doing a cardio and pilates combined 1 hour a day regime. Clothing that was tight on Monday were actually loose on Friday! Loose folks! That's only five days...and no, there was no fasting involved.  Here are the two workouts I've been doing:

The 20/20

and here's  a link to the easy printout version of the 20/20 workout: 20/20 printout.

The Muffin Top Meltdown

...and if you're interested in seeing a sample of my healthy eating then go to this link. Let me know if you decide to try this....it's been amazing for me. Oh, and my back pain that I've had since forever is not only gone, but muscles have started to take it's place. How cool is that?

a great little space

I love this comfy little space. Don't you?

baby e- course

The lovely ladies at A Beautiful Mess have done it again. They have created an e-course that should entice all of my expectant mother readers (heck, I'm enticed just because it's an affordable way to learn something new...and everything in it is soooo adorable). It is the "Baby on the Way" e-course. This course teaches how to make a plethora of ridiculously cute baby items and it is only $32.00 for the course. It is a great way to use that 9 months of waiting and waiting, whether you are the mother, grandmother, or just a doting friend dying to hold the bundle of joy. Check out these great creations you could begin making right now!

Oh so great...oh, and these ladies offer other e-courses as well. Some to make you a better blogger, others to teach you how to make your own fashionable clothing and accessories. If your interested in seeing the full list of other courses that they have to offer, well, then just follow this link to your hot new-found hobby.

Coffee Hop

While my mom was here I think we went to every single amazing coffee shop in the area. This is a little photo essay of our trip to Bean There.

I love that Mom isn't camera shy. 

 (LOVE their Mocha's...try one with Amaretto if you get a chance)

Ya know, cafe's are so kid friendly now...they all have board games now and that keeps the kids so happy.

A lovely mess

thrift brag

So I went to the thrift store the other day and here is what I scored (my thought process as I was shopping is represented in the photo captions).

"Oh, this is a neat, functional, little container. How cute. I wonder what's inside."

"OH SCORE OH SCORE OH SCORE OH SCORE! I'LL NEVER HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER KNITTING NEEDLE AGAIN!"

"NO WAY, ALL THIS IS ONLY, LIKE 2 BUCKS! Sooooweeeet!"

The end. (Wooo hooooo! Love Thrifting!)

free to enjoy

I've been thinking about this blog and what I use it for. I don't use this blog to evangelize. I use it to savor all the blessings that come with a life bonded to Jesus. I believe that he loves to see me be passionate about so many things, and be inspired, and savor life.....kind of like Julia Childs' husband in that movie "Julie and Julia". He is so in love with her that he loves just seeing her enjoyment doing the things she loves to do. He invests in her joys. He frees her to enjoy them...he frees her with his love. At this moment I cannot believe that I ever thought my passions, and heartfelt enjoyments were getting in the way of He and I. I'm sure they have the potential to, but they aren't right now. Right now that is what I am thinking about. How he loves me so well.

photo credit:

http://colleenslittleblog.blogspot.com/

Vander's Birthday

 We recently finished off the yearly birthday decathalon with my 3 year old's birthday party. Vander is still my baby in so many ways...we have quite a different kind of bond: He was my first and only home birth and was my biggest at birth- 10 lbs...so you can imagine what an event having him was! Nothing really went wrong at his birth, but it was challenging, so I have always said that our bond is one much like war buddies. I remember when he finally came out into the world. I was looking at him, and he was looking at me and I felt he was thinking the same thing I was: "You and me, baby...teamwork. We did it together; we made it through...war buddies." In honor of his 3rd year of life, and after the wild month it has been in the house we made this party a simple, quiet family party for my little comrade...my man of few words, but big actions. I love you, Vander!

I couldn't get past how cute the Paul Frank monkey stuff at Target was so it became the theme.

monkey, monkey, monkeys everywhere

I call this one "Richie Tenenbaum Monkey". He's my favorite. 

A suprise visit from Auntie on Skype all the way from Egypt! We miss you!

Do you need a monkey in Egypt?

Everyone yelling "Blow them out!" Inside Vander's head: "Are you kidding? This is the closest you've ever let me get to fire!"

Nom Nom

The next morning: only minimal party fatigue. :)