Weight Loss Trio

So, I’m trying something new. I’m really hesitant to share this with anyone, let alone EVERYONE, but I’m doing it anyway. My weight is something I’d rather not talk about so here goes nothin’. A few days ago, I started on what we in the essential oils world call the “weight loss trio.” It’s a combination of peppermint, lemon and grapefruit ingested each day. Now before I go any further, I need to SHOUT out that it is NOT safe to ingest all oils and that the oils I’m using are specific to Young Living. Please (really, please) don’t do this with essential oils purchased at your local health food store. Thank you.  I’ve avoided trying this as long as possible because I firmly believe that we should be accepting of our bodies no matter their shape and size. I believe that what your body looks like on the outside in no way changes the value of the person on the inside. That being said, I still want to lose a few pounds.

 

I’m not one to follow the scale too closely, and I take into consideration that I’ve had twins (like two babies in my belly at the same time), I’m type 1 diabetic, I have a ton of scar tissue build up on my stomach because of the amount of insulin injections I’ve taken, etc., etc. I guess the point I’m trying to make here is that I’m not looking to be in next year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.  I’m looking for my jeans to fit a little bit looser. I’m looking to feel my best both physically and mentally.

I’m not going to bore you too much with the whole “it’s a lifestyle” thing, but know that I do believe this. I know that diets don’t work. I know that in order for any changes to stick around, there HAS to be a shift in the way one lives their life. Just for the record, I exercise and I eat in moderation. I get the recommended servings of fruit and veggies every day and I also indulge in birthday cake. There are two HUGE sheet cakes in my fridge from the girls’ birthday last weekend which is why cake came to mind almost immediately. Anyway, I think that’s all I have to say about that. We all know there has to be a lifestyle change for long-term results with weight loss whether we want to admit it or not.

 

Moving right along. My biggest fear about trying this is that it isn’t going to work. That it won’t do anything and I will be sitting here having shared this with you all and have nothing to show for it. For whatever reason (I’m seriously not sure why as of now) I’m sharing anyway. I’ve watched it work for many so maybe that’s why I’m putting it all out there today. I don’t know.  I’ll keep you all posted on my progress and if anyone would like to join me on this journey, I welcome your company! Let’s get it done!

Dear Body

This was written by a friend and SO worth the repost. It's wisdom I wish I'd had much earlier in my life. Happy to have it now though. Thank you, Mariah, for letting me share.

Dear Body,

Thank you for being so good to me. For taking care of me, and helping me to function and being strong when I need it most. We've been through a lot together so far; pain, doubt, surprises, and unexpected changes. But all the while, you've been everything I've ever asked of you. You are beautiful. Not because you are the way the world wants you to be, but because you are unique to me and nothing less. You carry scars of battle, motherhood, time, and my occasional lag in upkeep. You've been so patient and steadfast, and unwaveringly loyal, and I love you. I love you so much. Thank you.

-Mariah Secrest Thomas

Broke into Someone's Car the Other Day, or Tried to Anyway

A couple of months ago when this happened I was driving a black Honda Pilot. Total mom car and there are lots of them out there. Ran into Home Depot to grab a couple of things, paid and the girls and I headed out to the parking lot.

We walked up to our car, I started looking for the keys. This is never easy as my purse is more like a duffel bag and a messy one at that. Finally find the keys and push the unlock button several times. By now the girls are getting impatient and start doing what any kid does in this situation: kicking the tires, drawing pictures in the dirt caked on the doors and incessantly pulling the door handle in effort to get the damn thing open. I mean OVER and OVER and OVER again. I finally deem the key battery dead and proceed to jam my keys in the driver's side lock. That's weird, it doesn't fit right. So what do I do? Try again. And again. Yup, one more time. I know what you're thinking; apple didn't fall too far from the tree. It isn't until now that I actually look inside the car.  It's. Not. My. Car.

As a single woman I probably would have been able to duck out of this without anyone noticing. Sadly, the girls and I are nothing short of a circus sideshow and I'm pretty sure every last person in that parking lot knew EXACTLY what was going on. Likely long before we did. Fortunately, I don't beat myself up over these things. The girls and I just laughed really, really hard as we did the walk of shame to the black Honda Pilot two rows over.

Holy Crap...My Kids are Almost 5!!!

Taken just a couple weeks ago.

I know, I know kids get older, time goes by soooooo fast. But seriously, MY kids are getting older and MY time is going by soooooo fast! This Saturday the girls will be five. Like just months away from kindergarten, losing teeth, dating, driving, graduating. I may be getting a little bit carried away but for some reason I kinda always pictured a perpetual state of "little kidness." Scientific term, no joke. I knew they wouldn't be babies forever (AND THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!) but I never really imagined the part where they turned into independent, self-sufficient five year olds. As everyone says, they truly do grow up so fast.

I did just get back from a vacation sans children, which has been known to cause post trip infatuation. For example, Ava spilled her milk, not once, but TWICE at dinner the night I got home and I laughed both times. Laughed. Any mom will agree that one spilled milk is annoying, but tolerable, though two spilled milks at one sitting, no less, is enough to drive you insane. Having said that and assessing the weight of post trip infatuation, in the last week I have fallen in love with my kids all over again. And the beautiful thing is that this keeps happening.
 

Ava's first photo. 3/22/09

Sophie's first photo. 3/22/09

I remember wandering through Target pushing my double stroller with babies that could barely hold their own heads. Random passerby's would say things like, "it gets so much better." I didn't believe them because in that moment it was as good as I thought it could possibly get. I was already in heaven. You know what though, they were right. Each year gets SO much better. I fall more and more in love with my girls and I can honestly say that the last five years have been the best five of my life. I'll draw this to an end before I get too sappy, just one final thought. If each year thus far has been so much better than the last, and history is the best predictor of the future, I expect that I have many more fabulous years ahead. I am so incredibly lucky to have my little girls and cannot wait to see what our future together holds. 

What a difference five years can make (Ava, L, Sophie, R.)

 

 

 

 

Here's the Truth (with Pictures to Prove it)!

I just got off the phone with my dear friend who is losing her mind.  Not because she is mentally unstable, quite the opposite really, her head is screwed on tightly to those shoulders. But because she has three kids, works (a lot) and is battling with the fact that in order to keep all the balls from dropping, somthing's gotta give. I so get this, I am right there with ya!

So, here's the truth: SOMETHING DOES HAVE TO GIVE. And for me, in this moment, that something is my house. It is trashed, you guys. Like morning after a rager, trashed. But instead of beer bottles and solo cups, it's littered with toys, dishes and dirty clothes. For whatever reason, I'm feeling especially strong today and not worrying about what "they" might think. Who are "they" anyway? So, without further ado, the proof:

That's my kitchen. Yup.

Those, there, dirty dishes...and LOTS of them.

Oh, yeah, that's my living room. Kinda regretting my pillow obsession right about now, as pillows in my house seem to prefer the floor to the couch.

 

Now that is my suitcase. Still nicely PACKED from our trip to Mexico. We've been back for five days.

 

And, finally, the piece de resistance: the girls' room. No explanation necessary.

 

 

I'm not doing this to air my "dirty laundry" so to speak, but rather to shatter the impression that all things must be perfect. Balls drop. Today, I'm embracing the drop and in so doing, hopefully, some of you moms out there can do the same. Enjoy!

Return from Paradise

I know, I say this all the time, but FOR REAL I want to blog more. I want to do this regularly. For one, I love to write. It’s always been cathartic for me and I rarely do it anymore. For two, recently moved, like FAR from friends and family, and I want a way (other than Facebook) to keep everyone abreast to what’s going on with me and mine. I love fb, but no one in my immediate family is on it. So here we go.

Most exciting news as of late, just took a fabulous trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico. Stayed at the Grand Velas resort and it did not disappoint. Every year, assuming my hubbie meets certain sales goals, we get to go on a wonderful, company funded (even better, right?!?!?) vacation. Thank you, hubbie’s company, THANK YOU!!! Think Aruba, Puerto Rico, Bahamas. Anyway, this has been the most beautiful one to date.  

I'm terrible about taking pictures, just don't have time for that when I'm having so much fun! Here's what I did take though. These are of/from my patio. I'm guessing here, but I'd say it was at least 400sq feet. Beautiful.

 

All in all, awesome trip. Changing gears now that I'm back at home. That's all for now!