September Goals

September already? Where did the summer go? I mean, technically it's still summer, but it feels like the season is changing already. September used to be my absolute favorite month, now it's a month when I focus on just getting through a few dates and making it to October. I will save that for another post.

All I want to focus on today is a short list of goals, okay maybe not a short list. HA! I love lists, so here are my priorities.

• Write at least 2-3 days a week
• Intentionally menu plan each week and stick to it!
• Prep and wash all baby g2's clothes
• Set up the nursery (pending furniture is sold)
• Read my devotional daily
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day 
• Do a photo shoot with Isaac
• Date night with Nick
• Tot School and routine calendar for Isaac

I think we'll stick with this list for now. Heaven knows I have more stuff written down in my notebook, but I think this is plenty to get me started. I'm hoping I can stay active and focused on my goals over this next month. Pregnancy does weird things to your brain - like make you go into overdrive and think you need to do 100,000 things before your itty bitty baby arrives. Oh, the stress!

I'll also be asking for many prayers the next few weeks as I mentioned before September is a difficult month for me.

Fall is JUST around the corner

Today we had a brief snippet of the weather that's just around the corner. It has been an odd summer. June was rainy and July was cooler than usual until the very end. August has been HOT and HUMID - not fun for a pregnant lady such as myself. I really can't stand air conditioning, but I am so very thankful for it on the very, very hot sticky days.

Isaac and I headed over to the local bookstore for story time this morning - read: Isaac played with all the store merchandise and didn't listen to a single story. Oh well. Then we hopped over to the mall because I was craving coffee and there was a little play place for Isaac to explore. Win-win. We forgot how to nap, and I lamented quitting my job while Isaac enjoyed a few episodes of Curious George. HA! That curious little monkey. It was quite the day.

When my husband got home I shared with him my internal struggle and he suggested we hit the town for some dinner. I gladly accepted the dinner date and off we went. Isaac thoroughly enjoyed his mac 'n cheese and I scored on his sundae he decided to snub. Another win for this pregnant mama!

Back to the work thing, I resigned in June and I've started to miss having something outside the home to work on. So here I am, AGAIN. Trying to start up this here writing project. YAY! Perhaps it will help me keep on track with the rest of this pregnancy I've kind of been neglecting. I've heard that happens with subsequent babies? Right? I'm not the only one?

Drat! It's 10:00 pm and now I'm too tired to do my nails. #lifeofamama

Fresh start

Happy July 1! Wow it's been a couple months since my last post. Life has kinda been a tad crazy or should I say I've been a tad unorganized. I'm starting the month fresh and ready to go with lots of energy and enthusiasm - or at least I'm trying to feel that way. Here are a few goals I'm setting for myself this month:

• Write for 21 days straight. Topic doesn't matter
• Workout at least 3 days a week 
• Record a food journal
• Keep up on my baby journal for Isaac
• Start thinking about my VA business & website
• Finish my bible plan (John) and start another
• Stick to our family budge (I did "okay" last month.)

P90x3 - Day 1

Today I kicked off strength training by starting the P90x3 training program. I'm planning to do the regular program and see where it gets me. I had a wonderful 8 mile run last Saturday, but I'm definitely feeling the effects of a weak core. I'd also like to speed up losing the last 10lbs of baby weigh. I fluctuate between 7-10 pesky pounds each week, and I'm ready to see the number on the scale drop or at least fit more comfortably in my jeans. (I'm tired of muffin top! blargh!) Yes, I should quit complaining, but I know what I feel like running without this extra weigh - much better! I also think it's important to set goals and take care of yourself. As long as I have this body, I might as well take care of it!

Running Therapy

Today I enjoyed a quiet, sunny 4 miler through my neighborhood. As I ran, I observed all the activity going on around me and just escaped all the thoughts running through my head. It's nice to get away for a while from one's thoughts and just enjoy the sound of your shoes on the pavement. My breathing becomes consistent and I fall into a rhythm (unless there's a hill, which there was but I conquered it. Take that hill!)

Running has turned into a sort of therapy for me. After losing my brother this past September, I haven't really learned how to cope with missing him. I was 24 weeks pregnant when he died, so I put all my energy into preparing to give birth and be a mother. Now that I've had my son, all those emotions have come flooding back. There are moments when Isaac does something funny and the first person I think to tell is my brother. I think, man, Ryan would totally get why I thought that was funny! My throat catches and I begin to cry thinking that I can't ever tell him the silly things my son, his nephew, did this afternoon. It's such a raw feeling. It's not like Ryan's in another country; he's in a place I won't reach until I die. It's surreal. Most of the time I don't even have the words to describe how I'm feeling. Most of the time the only thing that makes me feel better is to cry. I don't know where I'm going with this post, but it just boils down to missing my brother. I miss everything about him. Every. Single. Thing.

It's hard for me to talk about Ryan with just anyone. In most cases, I know my friends and family don't really know what to say to me, so it's hard because I don't really get to talk about Ryan. It's painful to talk about him just as much as it is to NOT talk about him. My goal is to just get through each day. I'm here for a reason and I do believe my life is mapped out by God. He loves me and I know my struggle is part of a bigger plan. Honestly, sometimes that's is a hard pill to swallow, but I'm keeping faith in God.

"There are moments in life when you miss someone so much, you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real."

Ryan would get a kick out of this photo!

Day 1 #1800MinuteChallenge

Today I kicked off the 1800 Minute Challenge with a 3 mile jog around the block and a decent stretching session. Penny accompanied me on the run, but she's not the greatest running partner because she tends to pull me all over the place. More mileage I guess?

The 1800 Minute Challenge involves logging 1800 minutes of exercise between today, April 1 and May 31. The goal is to get ready for summer weather and feel better about your body. Since having Isaac in January, I have been able to shed all by 10 pesky pounds. I'm ready to get rid of that extra flab. As my loving husband says, " It takes 9 months to make it, it will take 9 months for it to go away." Bah - I'm ready now! At least he loves me, extra baby fat and all!

It does, however, feel amazing to get out and run again. I was having some knee issues, but today everything felt pretty good. I'm definitely sore. I pulled a weird muscle in my back, I think from lugging around Isaac's car seat? I have oodles of massage gift card money to spend, so I need to sign up and get one. I also can't wait for my Young Living Essential Oils kit to arrive in the mail so I can start oiling up and remove some of the pain that way. I can't wait to try them out!

http://www.livinginyellow.com/2014/03/1800minutechallenge-join-us.html

Sunday Funday

Another week and weekend has flown by - I can't believe it's almost 10:00 PM on a Sunday evening. Last week just whizzed by with so many exciting developments.

I am officially heading back to work after my maternity leave. But with a very good caveat - I get to work from home part-time. I am required 4 hours of in-office time, but other than that I have a flexible schedule. That is wonderful news because now I can stay at home full-time with Isaac and make some money. It's a trial period for both my employer and myself, so we will see what happens. I have to say it never hurts to ask.

Friday night I went  out for my first girls' night. We enjoyed sushi and wine and there was lots and lots of laughter. It felt good to be off mom duty for the evening. However, I was definitely ready to head home at 10:00 PM to see my little sleepy guy. It felt good to get dressed up and put real make-up on for the evening. Next challenge will be date night with the hubs. We'll see if that happens next weekend or not.

Saturday was a day full of challenges. Our hot water heater decided to go kaput, so Nick spent the entire afternoon and evening installing a new one. Isaac and I lazed away most of the day. I worked on putting together my home office, but there is still work to be done. I was sad that Nick and I didn't get to spend any time together. Looking forward to next week already.

Sunday was filled with lots of activity. I decided to put Isaac in the nursery at church which was a HUGE step for me. Apparently, he did really well and the nursery workers loved him. I was nervous the entire service but managed to sit through it without having to take him out. It was relaxing and I was able to really dial into the message this morning. When we got home, I read some of our bible study book and then Isaac and I headed out to Young Living Essential Oils training. I purchased a kit and I'm excited to get started using the oils when then come in. I truly hope they will be beneficial to our family.

Finally, I rounded out the weekend with bible study. We've been making our way through "By This Name," and it's been a wonderful journey discovering my faith in Jesus. I'm learning each and everyday to let God work and put my faith and trust in Him. I found a wonderful quote the other day that fits perfectly with my life.

I'm looking forward to a wonderful week ahead of me!