Water Challenge!

Drinking water has been a challenge for me! Especially Drinking enough water! 

 I saw this idea on pinterest and yesterday decided to try it for my self!  I put 1 band on for each bottle I needed to drink for the day and at the end of each bottle removed 1 band until they were all gone!

Drinking half your body weight in fluid ounces is the best and its often hard when you weigh over 200 lbs but its doable!  Yesterday I got to 10 pm and still had 1 whole bottle left! Eeeeks!  I ended up not finishing but my challenge to myself and my getting healthy friends for this week is to drink all your water every day for this week!!!! 

Who is with me? Can you drink all your water? Half your weight in fluid oz?  IE if you weigh 160 you need 80 oz?!
I got this!!!!

My Fav Fitness Quotes

Its Monday! Time to link up with Lanaya from Raising Reagan Slim By Summer Challenge!!!   This weeks them:

Here are a few of mine!!!!

I could go on forever! I have a ton more here... http://pinterest.com/monkeysandtutus/motivate-me/ http://pinterest.com/monkeysandtutus/herbalife/

Growing Patience

I am so thankful for my friends! Yesterday I had a rough day.. really its been a rough few days!  The encouragement and comments helped in ways you can never imagine!  My friend Stacie made a comment about the Orange Rhino Challenge - its been all over facebook about how this lady vowed to not yell at her kids for a year.  Wonderful but in reality it just doesnt work for normal human people.  If this lady really did this, holy cow she is beyond super woman!  Yelling is something I hate!  Ben and I rarely ever yell at each other, yet somehow we find ourselves yelling at the kids all the time!  Some times it is necessary some times its just a bad habit!  
Earlier Benjamin kept saying Mommy Mommy Mommy a million times over and I finally snapped WHAT! the look on his face broke my heart then he said mommy I just wanted to kiss you!  There are so many missed opportunities of letting my babies just love me Im sure! Its so easy to get aggravated and be at the breaking point but I want to be better! 
Back to my friend, Stacie's comment... Just like me she has 3 kiddos and related to a lot of what I said and she said something profound!  Instead of making silly vows that we can never live up to she has been confessing the Word and positive things during those tough situations!  So I have been busy searching out some verses that I can hold on to...
Oh how I love Youversion.com!  This is taken from the Growing Patience Devo...  Galatians 5:22 tells us that patience is a gift from God! But just like muscles, our patience needs to be trained so that it comes more easily and you learn how to handle challenging situations. The next time something happens that requires you to wait, thank God for helping you practice your gift of patience. Being grateful may even help you keep from getting upset and losing your patience. Proverbs 19:11-12 Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget. Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew. I seriously want to not be a mad dog mommy lol!
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love endures long and is patient and kind;  vs7 - msg LOVE Doesn't fly off the handle..... Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. vs 7 amp - 7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 
Ephesians 6;4 Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master
Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. 16Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] anddwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish andtrain one another in all insight andintelligence andwisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.17And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus andin [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

What have I become?

It's 515pm I'm sitting on the back porch watching my kids play. As I sit here I am fighting back tears (prob just pms but still)
My husband will be home late today which should be good it gives me extra time to get things acceptable, but not today...
The laundry is beyond overflowing! As a matter of fact I can't even begin to tell you the last time it was even close to caught up! I've had on the same clothes for over 24 hours, my last shower was 2 days ago, the dishwasher is loaded bit there are still dirty dishes everywhere!
The laundry that was neatly gathered into a basket has been throwing across the living room floor In every direction! There are Cheerios from this morning, perhaps yesterday morn, scattered in a dozen random places! I organized the toys last week and put away in different bins... They found them, climbed, conquered and destroyed!

It's starting to get chilly out... My kids refuse to wear shoes... Benjamin refuses to wear pants! They are happily playing. Yet they won't play outside unless I'm sitting outside too...
My kids one by one stop playing and come give me a hug and a kiss or a flower! Jax usually eats the flower before getting it to me.
I love my sweet babies! Who would have known 3 toddlers could be so sweet and so full of love and so out of control at the same time.

More often then not i feel like a failure, I let them watch toooo much tv, we have no order, they often eat in the living room...
The only way I can get them to even partially help clean is to bribe them..
Some days I feel like all I do is yell...
I hate yelling! Who have I become?

I'm terribly overweight and most days my poor husband comes home to the epitome of what I loathe... A messy, still in pjs, no make up, skanky breath, did I say still in my pjs? overweight wife who whines about how tough the day was, doesn't have dinner ready, and ps honey you have no clean underwear and I just stepped on another lego so I'm just gonna nag you all night kind of wife... really? Who have I become?

Ugh... I generally don't blog such whiny depressing things but some days I just feel alone as I wonder if other moms go through the same things... Do other moms let their kids watch lots of tv? Do other moms have to constantly step over toys? Do other moms have to rewash the a same load of clothes 3x bc They keep forgetting to put them in the dryer? Do other moms have days where they just wanna cry and hide in the bathroom? Do other moms yell at their kids and then feel like horrible moms for the rest of the day?

Jax will be 18 months next week and he still wakes up all trough the night! He slept through the night all night for a week straight but a week was all it lasted! Last week I spent an entire day countless hours cleaning from top to bottom and an hour later you couldn't even tell...

I just went in to check on Benjamin, who went in to potty, and a whole roll of TP was in the potty (3rd one this week) Along with his poop and a pair of tweezers! Did I mention the poop smeared on the wall? Ugh why! It's laughable and aggravating at the same time!

Some days I feel like we should be being filmed for an episode of the super nanny! Like how can things really be this out of control? What's the answer?
Check lists? Daily schedules? Posted rules? Or is this just the way it's always gonna be? I often feel like the days have no purpose.  We are just going through the motions doing what we do, living from day to day with no goals, no ambitions.  We need to incorporate activities and learning and stuff but it generally turns into a toddler free for all and nothing gets accomplished.  Id pay to be able to be a fly on the wall in other homes to see how things go.

To top it off there are days where Cronhs disease kicks my ace... Most days are fine but some days I just don't feel good and just wanna be in bed! Not really great when you have 3 toddlers to take care of... My husband is so gracious and such a help I just want things to be better for him!

I want him to come home to a clean house a clean wife an happy kids! Is that so much to ask for?!  I love my sweet babies and I know a clean house isnt whats important in life. But an ultra messy house is just stressful.  Where is the balance?  Really, Who have I become?

I heard this song today and thought it was fitting.. It sounds like life to me...  it is what it is

Old School Blogging

Old School Blogging? Whats that?  I recently got tagged in a fun lil post from Lanaya at Raising Reagan and I thought it would be a fun little get to know a little more about me and learn more about some of my blogging loves too!
1. How did your husband pop the big question?            I knew it was coming and he still managed to surprise me!  We started the day by waking up super early and heading over to a local lake to watch the sun rise! It was cold!!!! We were freezing and snuggled up in a blanket.. I kept waiting for it then he said ok lets go its cold.  I was like what!!!???  We had breakfast and then had planned to spend some time at the park chilling out, having a picnic, playing some bball etc.  I thougth surly it would happen while we were at the park! There were plenty of romantic opportunities but nada! haha The day went on and I decided well its not happening yet!  We ran some errands and we went to go feed some ducks at another park.  We were feeding the ducks when he stopped, got down on 1 knee and read me this mushy lil poem he had written followed by Will you Marry Me?!  
2. What are the 3 most surprising things about married life?            1. You think you love someone more than you ever could then you wake up to this...

Love is always changing always growing and the Brad Paisley song "Then" is really the way life is! 2. The advice I got from my mom (always wear beautiful nighties, always do you hair and put on your make up) yeah that lasted for a whole... pssshhh week? lol I thought Oh no prob!  Dude there are days that its lucky if I even remember to change out of my comfy yoga pants and tshirt to actual PJs lol 3.  The honeymoon can last as long as you want it to.. You just have to work at it!  Constantly!!!
3. How did you find out you were pregnant for the first time?       The first time was a major shock! Well all 3 times were unexpected shocks but the first threw a few kinks in the plan!  It was Bens Bday, we had been engaged for a whole 10 days, Ben was leaving in 2 weeks for 8 months of Basic and AIT and we were well into the wedding planning stages, preparing for a big wedding when he came back...  I just felt different, weird and knowing we hadnt been careful I went and got a test.. Im pretty sure my first pee on the stick ended with a few choice words! followed by about 10 other pees on sticks just to make sure followed by throwing up at work for 2 hours, getting sent home and then saying happy bday baby youre gonna be a daddy! LOL we were as scared as can be but it all worked out and here we are just a little over 4 years later with a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 1/2 year old lol!  4. How did you choose your first babies name?       Ben had just graduated from Basic Training and I flew out to South Carolina for his graduation and a few days together before his next round of training started and I had found a 3d Imaging place in town that did Gender Determination Ultrasounds and had one together so we could find out together!  I think we both had our minds set on a girl, not sure why.  We had discussed a few names and really hadnt come to any kind of agreements.  I had a dozen boy names I loved, Ben had just 1.. Benjamin!  When we found out it was a boy he said Benjamin it is.. I tried everything over the next few months to get him to change his mind but he really had his heart set on wanting to name his son after him and I just couldnt deprive him of that, however I was not a go with the same middle name.  We decided to give Benjamin my step dads name for a middle name and he was shocked but we love it.. Benjamin Keith! 5. Describe where you see yourself in 10 years?        In 10 years we will have a 13, 12 & 11 year old OMG hahah I see life being a little hectic with dance, sports and all those kinds of fun things!  Hopefully in a different city, a bigger house and the ability to pee with out an audience!   6. Describe how you find bliss using words or images?         

Yay now my turn to tag 5 of my friends!  Looking forward to reading about love from some of my fav Blogging Buds!

Jen - The Adventures of our Army Life Alex - Munchkins and Military Sara - Confessions of a red headed mama Mrs Duh - The Misadventures of Mrs Duh Dara - Not In Jersey

Shoot just got real

Ok so I did it... I registered for my first 5k!  I have till October to train and Im so gonna do it!  I created a team and already have 6 people signed up to do it with me and several others who are interested! Yay!

Our team name.. Orange Ya Glad I Didnt Say Pink!  hahaha with all orange accessories!  I was gonna do something Pink but I was informed the guys wouldnt appreciate! haha  Its all I could come up with!

This lil pic below.. yeah its my new life! haha 

Photo Credit 

Today marked week 4 of my 8 week herbalife Challenge and this last 4 weeks have got to step it up!  I did AMAZING for the 1st two weeks and the last 2 weeks I havent drank the water I need nor have I had as much protein that I need and we have barely worked out!   Ive snuck a few bad things here and there and it all showed today! So.. no I am behind on my goal!   Im so frustrated! Mostly because I am very capable and because I can know exactly what the prob is but havent pushed through the tough times like I should.. ie when i snuck the Oreos from the kids lunchables! LAME! Or when I snuck the cupcake out of the kids Easter treat bag!  Its all part of being a Fatty! Danget

Heres to kicking the next 4 weeks Butt!!!!

Our Weekend in Photos

Oh I can never get enough pics of my silly sweet lil stinky monkeys! Today alone I took over 100!  But with 3 toddles I generally take a bunch of the same thing just hoping for 1 usable pic! 

\

Princess Cloee cried and cried! She only wanted to wear a pretty princess dress to church!  Some days I wish we went to a church where people actually dressed up so she could dress up with out looking silly but oh well.. Shes the princess and shes beautiful!

While doing the dishes I heard Benjamin scream 'Mommy! Help! Im in Jail!!!' His little sister trapped him under a basket! hahah

Here they are supposed to be in time out! Benjamin was pouting and cloee was just cheezin so I started taking pics lol! 

 Hide n Seek Anyone? Can you find the half dressed lil monkeys?

 Excited for Tomorrow!  Half way point in my 8 week challenge! Will post progress after our weigh in!

New Design again

I know a lot of bloggers are going for the 'clean' look but I was too bored with the plain look and wanted something cuter and more me.. so I changed everything again!!! hahah Whatcha think?

Under construction..again hahah

If you visit today - sunday - sorry for the craziness im under construction again lol Check back later for a new look

Messy Casual Toddler Style

Tuesday!  Time for Trendy Little Link up from Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles!
  This week I thought I would share how my littles are trendy while being messy and casual!  Anyone who has kids knows how messy things get!  We were at the zoo for a whole 30 mins and Benjamin has a skinned up knee on his pants, Cloees pants are covered in dirt and grime and Jax.. well hes Jax hahah

Cloee has the best shoes from Famous Footwear!  Love these Sparkley Hello Kitty Sketchers! Her outfit is totally Walmart ! Cheap and cute! I love this pic bc shes all a mess after a long hard day at the zoo just kicked back and enjoying the ride!

The boys are always sporting Tshirts from Childrens Place bc my mom buys them in bulk i think! haha  But they are too cute and Jax pants are Childrens Place and Benjamins are Walmart

Shoes???? Famous Footwear!  

Chucks and Lightning McQueen Crocs

Motivate Me

I have been slacking a little on keeping up with my Slim By Summer Posts but Im back in the game this week!  I absolutely love this awesome group of women linking up and being a part of Raising Reagans Slim By Summer! Its not just a link up its a total support system and I love it!   PS Lanaya! holy cow girl I can not even begin to tell you how much you mean to me!  I dont even know you outside of the blogging world but you are such a motivator and an inspiration!  This was such a brilliant idea I love that you ran with it and what you have grown it into!  
This weeks theme is 

Wow what a crazy loaded question!  I could probably real out a list of the top 100 just off the tip of my brain! But here are the top 3 motivators for me!
1. Health!  (you can read the Diagnosis here) Health is at the forefront of my list mainly because its do or die time in the sense of when I eat right and exercise I feel good when I eat crap and lounge around I am sick, literally!
2. Family! I need to do this for my Family! This plays right in to Health but it is what it is! If I'm super fat then I cant do the things to the best of my ability! I cant run and play as long and as hard! If Im fat and eating crap I am sick and tired, literally and end up having to spend the eve in bed or worse.. a week or 2 in the hospital!  I want to be a great example to my kids of what is right and not for them to think its ok to just bury their emotions in a sea of food and become obese! Im doing this for my husband! I know he loves me the way I am however I want to be about to let him pick me up with out fears of him breaking his back! I want him to be able to swoop me off my feet and carry me to bed when I fall asleep on the couch! I want not feel limited in the things I can do because of how much I weigh!
3. Me!  I know me should be first but its not! I am doing this for me! I want to be able to go into a store and buy what I want with out rummaging to find out what fits! I want to go to a movie with out feeling my hips touch the sides of the chairs! I want to go to an amusement park with out fears that the seat belt might not buckle! I want to take pics and be happy with what I see and not disgusted!

  OH Wait 1 more! ha 4. Friends! I am doing this for my friends! I want others who are dealing with what I am dealing with now to see me do it and realize they can do it too!!!!  I want to be able to have a story to tell and be a motivation to others! 
1 day at a time!  Doing it!!!

Its a love hate relationship

I have developed a love/hate relationship with exercise!

A few days ago when I was in a craptastic mood, my good ole friend and herbalife coach, Stacy said just do it anyway it will put you in a better mood...  I so wanted an easy out that night! I so wanted to go to bed and I didnt want my hubs telling me we needed to work out even though I know we needed to!
It really is a love/hate relationship!  Before hand I'm like 'NO' then once I am done I feel so much better!  This saying is oh so true...

Photo Credit - Start Now
This past week we have done 2 days of 30 day shred and day 1 of couch to 5k!!!
For the first 2 weeks I lost 1lb per day this week I have lost 1 lb in 3 days which is frustrating but I am reminding my self this...

Progress is progress and even if I only lost 1 lb per week thats still 1 lb less and it all ads up!  
Stepping up my water intake, changing some things up and making sure to get my protein in!  I got this... 

Sundays Best - Toddler Style

Tuesdays have become my fav blogging day just because I love the Trendy Little Link Up from Sunny With A Chance Of Sprinkles! I rarely ever really do link ups anymore because I really just dont have the time but I love this one!!!
Its so hard trying to decide which outfits to showcase and every time I get them dressed to go somewhere I think 'Oh! This could be for Trendy Little' hahahaha My poor babies!  Im totally obsessed with taking their pics! My last photo sync was days ago and I already have 825 pics to upload again! eeks
Anyways! Here are my trendy littles for this week!

 My confession is I actually bribed them with Popsicles to get this pic! Bad Mommy ahahah oops

I had to share these too because they were just too fun and Benjamin kept saying Mommy! No Cheese! Uggghhh 

Cloees shirts are from The Childrens Place & Her Skirt WalMart  Benjamin is all Childrens Place (except the Paul Frank Monkey Wear is from Target) and Jax is Childrens Place and Target! Shoes always form Famous Footwear!