Life Lately {May addition}

I have been MIA lately. It would be an understatement to say I have been a little stressed lately. Trying to figure out what we are going to do next school year for both kids has sent me in a panic and that is all I can focus my attention on between working and playing mom and wife. Throw in the fact we passed another anniversary of my dad's passing. On April 30th it was 8 years. The week leading up to this date always sends me in to a depression that is hard to swim out of. Then the light at the end of the tunnel is Meredith's birthday the next day. But I made it through and I think have some what figured out what Meredith will do when school starts in August. Now we have to decide what we are doing for sure with little Max. I have to start work at 7. It is hard for this working momma if I can't drop my kiddos off until 7. It just doesn't work. So we are looking for a preschool for Max that allows me to take him at 6:30. I have an appointment to tour one daycare/preschool and then have 2 more I am going to talk to. While I hate taking him from St. Cecilia it doesn't work right now. I want to be the one to take the kids to school in the mornings. I feel like it is my responsibility as their mom. The 2nd thing, honestly, the big thing, is I am exhausted from each day being a different schedule on who takes who to school. Our mornings are complete chaos when I have to take each kiddo to somewhere different on mornings Nick is still at the firehouse. So I have a few ideas for how to make this work . I am praying that it will work out. I feel a little more sense of calm as well having a game plan in mind for both Mere and Max.

Meredith turned 9 on May 1st. I am in complete denial that she is this old. I have a hard time with my babies growing older. It makes me so sad. I want them to stay little and innocent forever. Now Meredith was so excited for her birthday. In fact, she has been counting down for the last 2 months. On her birthday I sent her to school with some cupcakes to celebrate with her class. Then as soon as she got home from school she opened her gifts from us. We let the kids pick where they want to eat on their birthday. Skyline it was. Which worked out perfect since there is one 5 minutes from our house.

Last night as an 8 yr old.

Birthday donut before school

We celebrated with family and close friends on Friday evening. We were having it at Larosas Pizza. No mess for this momma to clean up and what I thought would be less stress. Haha. Why would I think that? Friday was a crappy day outside and rained all day. Which must have made everyone want to eat out Friday evening. We got to Larosas an hour before family would arrive and the place was PACKED! We didn't get seated until 7:20. We were also supposed to have their party room all to ourselves but since they were so busy they couldn't accommodate that request. Ugh. So we made it work and fit all 25 of us in a tight space. But I am so bummed because I didn't get to set up a cake and cookie table and use all my birthday décor. No one else probably noticed but that is my favorite thing about parties and planning them . I guess there is always next year. I told Mere we would celebrate her 10th birthday on Derby day and have a huge party. Everyone will have to dress up and wear a hat!! Other than having to wait forever for our seats and not being able to decorate, it was a great night spent celebrating Mere. We all went home and crashed afterwards.

Absolutely LOVE how her cake turned out.

How cute is the little soccer girl

Always daddy's little girl

Max and Bensyn

and these cookies!! All the heart eyes!

Saturday we got up bright and early and met our friend Holly and her little boy Mason at Home Depot for their Kid's workshop. The kiddos had an absolute blast building a flower pot and cannot wait to do it again. That is all they talked about the whole day. If you have not done this you should. Your kids will love it. They have something different each month. We will definitely be back.

Why do the weekends fly by and the week just drags? It is Monday and I am already wishing away my whole week. Story of my life folks. One day I will learn to love each day to its fullest and not wish time away. But until then, is it Friday yet?!? or is it Vacay time yet?! Not much longer friends and we will be in my favorite place on earth, Charleston!!


Have a great week friends!!


xoxo

Carb Cycling

Ya'll when I tell  you I have tried every way known to man to try to lose all my weight from having Max...... FOUR FREAKING YEARS AGO.... I am not exaggerating. Let's see, first I tried weight loss pills. I lost probably 10 lbs initially but didn't like how they made me feel. So then I tried counting calories. Didn't work for me. I used the myfitness pal app. Didn't work. I tried weight watchers. Didn't work. I might have lost 5 lbs. doing that. I had in my head I would try the low carb thing others had done. A few gals from work had great success doing it. But I could never make myself to no carbs each and every day. I am so tired of feeling awful with the way I look. My whole mood is based on how I feel about my body. I know that isn't healthy but it is what it is. I know I needed to do something to lose weight and feel better about myself mentally as well. I saw several posts from one of my old neighbor's about a program called Carb Cycling. From seeing all the posts from her and what she had shared from other people that had done the program I knew this was something I had to try.


The program is essentially done through a facebook group and ran by two amazing coaches, Stacey and Jessica. The coaches and group interaction really sets the tone. The support you get physically and mentally is not part of any other weight loss program I have ever tried. Each day Jess or Stacey, or both,  posts a video along with multiple posts of encouragement and letting you know what your day should look like. This program is not just about losing weight. It is a total mind, body and soul program and focuses on all areas that I clearly need help with.




It goes for 28 days. Each day is something a little different. There is a regular day, a fasting day, a low calorie day, a low carb day, and a feast day. While it might seem scary or overwhelming, it is NOT!! These ladies are right there with you to walk you through each day. Also during the cycle you need to give up dairy, gluten, and alcohol. I was slightly worried about this but after the coaches explained the reasoning it made total since. I will admit the alcohol might have been the hardest to give up. This momma likes a glass or two of wine haha.


 My favorite day is honestly the fasting day. If you would have told me that in the beginning I would have probably laughed in your face. There is a calendar made at the beginning of your 28 days that explains exactly what is allowed on each day (how much protein, how many carbs, fit fats, fibrous veggies, and ideas of what to eat). They also provide you with a shopping list and recipes. I pretty much eat the same thing so as not to put too much thought into it or over think it. Meal prepping has really been key for me. On Sundays each week, I cook lean pork chops ( I like the taste better than chicken for some reason. Sometimes chicken makes me want to yack!) and bake in the oven a mixture of broccoli, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes (halved) sprinkled with an olive oil and some garlic powder. I make enough for the whole week. I also heat in the microwave a sweet potato. That's pretty much my dinner every night except low calorie days or fasting days. I also have loved the idea of interval fasting. What that means is not eating your first meal to maybe lunch time and then closing the kitchen by 6 or 7.




So I started the carb cycle April 1st. I lost 8 pounds. It fluctuated between 8 and 10 at the end but on the final weigh in day it was 8. I started my 2nd round May 1 and am done 12 so far. Ya'll it works. For anyone who has been struggling like me and are at your wits end message me and I would be happy to answer any questions and put you in contact with Jess and Stacey. I also have to say I have gained so much  more than just losing the weight. I have gained a little bit of my confidence back. My self esteem is slightly better (that is a work in progress for me). I gained a group of friendships that were cheering me on each day and so much knowledge from Stacey and Jess. I am excited to see where May takes me!!

On the Left: February 2017

on the Right: May 2017