The Best Day Ever...

First off, I just have to tell you...Every time I think "The Best Day Ever", I sing it in my head like Spongebob! It just makes it that much more magical! I bet I'm not the only mom who thinks the same thing.

The Best Day Ever for me hands down was June 6, 2006. Craig had been in Afghanistan & I hadn't talked to him in about 2 weeks. Not ideal, but it was becoming the norm to have weeks where they weren't able to get any internet service or telephone time. I woke up the morning of June 6th with contractions and I just knew that it was THE DAY! Exciting! But then Craig called before we left for the hospital & said he would be home by this afternoon. Super great news. He was very surprised when I gave him the news that our son would be making his arrival that very same day. It turned out that Craig was late for the birth by 30 minutes but...the timing was still amazing! Cyrus's birth was healthy, happy & relatively quick and painless. I gave birth in a water birthing tub so our experience was educational for many nursing students & DR's there that day that asked to witness. We were surrounded by family(although it would have been nice if my mom and sidlings didn't live across the country) & friends. My husband was able to make it there the day he was born even though we had no control over the 2 week window either of them might have made their visit.
What more could I have asked for?! Thank you Jesus for giving us this blessed memory.

What's your "Best Day Ever"??
Margaux

love yourself

 

 

 

Take a moment to read the quote above. Really, read it. This really stuck me as important. Something I really need to work on. We as women are so hard on ourselves...so much negative self talk...constantly. And honestly most of the time when we don't take care of ourselves by overeating, not exercising, not taking "me time"...it boils down to NOT loving ourselves. Thinking we don't deserve to take the time to exercise or enjoy real "me time". Taking out our anger or depression by eating "crap". I'm going to make it a personal challenge to LOVE myself enough to take the time to pack a healthy lunch. LOVE myself enough to make time to exercise or finish cleaning the kitchen early so I can take a bubble bath after tucking the little monster in bed. LOVE myself enough to put time and effort into my hobbies that make me happy. Isn't that what the point of all of goals are: to make ourselves what happy? We all just want to be happy with what we see in the mirror and what we feel about ourselves deep down.  I think maybe if I try to focus on what I can to do to act like I LOVE myself instead of hate certain things about myself my result might change.

 

I challenge you to try and LOVE yourself more this week. Let's see how we feel next Sunday!

 

 

`

Work it out!

 

 

Every successful workout includes selfies, right?! Here's last weeks 1st work out.

 

 

 

 

2015, ALREADY?!

2015 Goals

1. Lose weight! Seriously, this HAS to be the year to get it under control!
-by March: 15lbs
-by June: 30lbs
-by September: 45lbs
-by December: 60lbs

2. Create healthy routines for yourself and the family & make them habit-eating & exercise!

3. -Monthly -"Family Fun" Days & Monthly "Date Nights"

4. More playtime! Set aside more time to play with Cyrus. As well as more fun-for-me time.

5. Stick to my daily housekeeping schedule and  continue purging & organizing the house. Make these routines more of a priority to avoid once weekly cleaning marathons!

2014 Goals

Here are my goals for this year. I'm SOOO not good at sticking with things, but 2014 needs to be MY year. I'm determined to get myself-physically, mentally & spiritually on the right track to being healthier and happier. I know I am capable of so much more and I'm ready, with lots of coffee and God's help I can achieve my goals.  

1. Take Care of YOU! 

-Body: Work on losing weight, getting in shape, staying on track with healthy {DO-ABLE} habits for exercise and eating. 

-Mind: Quit beating yourself up-Change it OR Get over it! 

-Soul: Pray more, read-write-play-cook-create more. BE HAPPY! 

2. Set up for success...For the family and for yourself! 

-Plan & Prepare. 

-Find a routine that works for you & not against you and STICK TO IT. 

-Get organized

3. SAVE/BUDGET/SPEND LESS/MORE WISELY

4. To school or not to school?

-Get started on achieving this DREAM! 

What's In Your Handbag?

My hubby picked out this purse for me for my birthday last year and I LOVE it! 

There is lots of room for everything I need! 

My wallet, checkbook, planner, kindle fire, gum, chapstick, lip gloss, pens, cell phone and a small pencil pouch that I keep headphones, extra pens & chapstick, hair bands, a few OTC's & "lady products", 

band-aids and such. 

Sometimes I keep random receipts in the middle zippered pocket to try and keep things neat & organized in my purse.  

What about you...what's your favorite handbag? How do you keep your purse neat & organized? 

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

I have always bought jarred alfredo sauce. I just assumed that it was hard & expensive to make your own. 

I found a recipe and gave it a try. I should have tried it years ago! It's so much better than the store bought jarred alfredo sauce, and it is pretty easy! 

Homemade Alfredo Sauce 

1 stick butter

1 clove minced garlic

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 cup shredded parmesan or italian cheese blend

2 TBSP cream cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

In a saucepan over medium heat melt 1 stick butter, add the  clove of minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Then add in 1 pint heavy cream and  2 TBSP cream cheese and cook until bubbling, but do not boil.

Stir in 1 cup shredded italian cheese and mix until cheese is melted. Sprinkle in salt & pepper. 

Pour over your favorite noodles and enjoy!