Memorial Weekend

I was so happy to have a long weekend to spend with my family, but the fact that I still have 8 more days left of school kept sneaking into my memory. I did my best to push those thoughts aside and just focus on having fun with all my boys. We spent Saturday getting things done around the house and took in the matinee showing of Kung Fu Panda 2. Macalan did just fine throughout the movie, but kept asking when Cars was going to be on. He saw the preview for it before the movie started and thought that's what we were going to see. Sutton made it about half way and then started to freak out. I tried just standing in the back, but he wanted to run. I took him in the hall and the person taking tickets said we could get our money refunded if he wouldn't sit through the movie. I would have never thought of this, but it was great to get 2 of the tickets refunded. Later that day we spent some time at a going away party for our neighbor who is headed for Kuwait soon. God bless all those men and women who fight and have fought for our country.

On Sunday I attempted taking the boys to church by myself. NEVER. AGAIN. They did okay for the first little bit, but it wasn't long until Mac was asking when it would be over and Sutton was throwing every possible distraction I gave him on to the floor. Later he began crawling across the chairs and he and Mac got into a shouting match saying "yeah!" and "no!" very loudly. Thankfully they stopped that after only a couple of rounds. Whew! We made it through and even though they may have not deserved a donut, I certainly felt like I earned one so we stopped off at the commons area of our church for a quick bite. It was an interesting experience and I learned never to attempt that on my own again. If I do I will most certainly utilize the nursery.

Later that evening some friends came out with their kids and we all enjoyed grilling out, watching the kids play, and making s'mores. It is always so fun to see our boys interact with their little friends.

Today was spent just lounging around. Eventually we did go for a short walk and played on the deck for a while. It was so hot! I went from turning the heat on Friday night to cranking the air today. Only in Minnesota! I did have plans to go to town and take the boys pictures. That was foiled when Macalan decided to push Sutton off the last two stairs (I feel bad for Macalan on the day that Sutton decides to seek revenge). He landed on his face and thankfully only bit his top lip. However, it swelled up quite a bit and I really didn't want pictures of him like that. I'm going to have to put him in full pads and a helmet next weekend just to be on the safe side. The last time I attempted pictures he tripped and cracked open his chin.

We also made a Cars 2 paper chain because ever since the movie on Saturday Macalan has been harassing us about when he gets to go see it. The paper chain didn't really work either. He still asks and gets upset when you tell him he won't get to see it for about 24 "sleeps." I really want to say, "learn to read a calendar and tell time! It isn't happening until we say it is!" Obviously that would be a poor parenting choice to actually say that, but he really is starting to get a tad bit annoying about it.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

15 pounds & 9+ inches

I wasn't sure what to title this blog post so I decided to keep it simple with the amount of weight and inches I have lost over the past 3 months. Normally I dedicate this blog to being about my boys and the adorable, silly things they do. However, in order for me to feel like I can do my best at being a mom to them, I need to feel happy and content with myself. So this post is all about how I have achieved amazing results with weight loss and overall better physical health.

It was about 3 months ago that Kyle and I decided we needed to make a change in the way we were living our lives. We both felt so out of shape and crappy about ourselves. We were devoting all of our time to our jobs and the needs of our kids that we were forgetting about our own needs. Both of us were always tired and lacking energy. We had a membership to the Y that was never being used, except for the occasional trip to the pool with the boys, which I rarely participated in because that meant I had to put on a swimsuit!

To start off we knew we needed to start with the basics: stop eating crap, control portion sizes, and start doing more for exercise than just chasing the boys around the house and wrestling them to get their diapers and clothes on :) The other HUGE factor in our weight loss equation was being introduced to some health products that one of Kyle's former football teammates was selling. He had called Kyle several times and explained the products and how great they were. We were pretty skeptical to try them and it wasn't until Kyle had done lots of research that we finally decided to try out a few things. After trying some meal replacement shakes and bars, as well as the snack bars we were sold!

One of the most popular products sold by Advocare (the name of the company that sells these products) is the 24 Day Challenge. This is the product that completely changed my viewpoint on weight loss. In the past whenever I had tried to lose weight I would start exercising more and eating better. However, I never saw the results fast enough to keep me motivated to maintain my good workout and eating habits. With the 24 Day Challenge I was able to see results within the first few days! I was so excited to step on the scale each morning and see what the change would be from day to day, Normally stepping on the scale was about as fun as taking two kids to church by yourself while one screams at the top of his lungs and the other throws fruit snacks on the floor (true story). Now I anticipate the next time I get to step on and see how much weight I've lost.

By the time Kyle and I completed the challenge I lost roughly 12 pounds and more than 5 inches. Kyle lost 17 pounds and 7 inches.The great thing is that we were able to continue taking some of the same products that we took while on the challenge. This enabled us to continue our weightless and stay focused on making healthy choices. We also tried out more of the seemingly endless products that Advocare has to offer.

One of the best things that has come from all of this are the compliments I receive on just about a daily basis (sometimes multiple times a day). So many people have noticed a change in my looks and in my attitude. I have more energy to get up every morning and workout on top of work full time and take care of my family. Several weeks ago I traveled home for my niece's graduation and on a whim I decided to try on my wedding dress that was hanging in the closet of my old bedroom. I really didn't have any expectations, but I couldn't believe it when I tried it on and it was too big! I would have never thought that after 6 years of marriage and 2 kids that I would have lost so much weight that my dress would be too big!

Because people noticed the changes in both Kyle and myself we have had friends, family, and co-workers try some of these products. Everyone has had great success on the challenge and loved the other products they have tried. We are both so happy to share the products with others and get them feeling better about themselves again. Being introduced to Advocare has opened so many doors for us.

I know I sound like an infomercial right now, but I really felt the need to share our good fortune with others. If we hadn't been exposed to Advocare and all that the products and the company could do for us we would most likely be back to our old habits of dieting and exercising for a few weeks and then eating horribly and being lazy again. I have never felt so energized and happy with myself. I especially love how Macalan likes to follow me into the basement and attempt to do some of the exercises with me! :) It's pretty cute and I'm so glad that we are setting a healthy example for our kids.

If you're interested check out this link!
https://www.advocare.com/11027698

Graduation Weekend

This past weekend I FINALLY graduated with my masters from Concordia University! We headed up to St. Paul on Saturday morning to get checked in to the hotel and get everything settled before the ceremony. I was really glad I participated in the commencement ceremony. It felt good to get a little recognition for all my hard work. However, I know I could have never done it without the support of my family and friends!
Sutton looked a little surprised to see me afterwards with my cap and gown on. Once he realized it was just me he had a fun time playing with my tassel. Trying to get a family picture was pretty much impossible!
Both my family and Kyle's mom and niece were able to make it up for the celebration. It was nice to have everyone together. After dinner Macalan and Sutton finally got to go swimming. I told Macalan that the pool wouldn't be open for him to swim until mommy graduated and everyone ate dinner. I had to tell him this little white lie because he kept hounding us to go swimming! :)
He had a great time and both boys were exhausted by the end of the night. Sunday morning we all took a really nice walk by St. Paul's Cathedral and in the neighborhoods surrounding the area. We couldn't believe what nice houses there were!
It was a great weekend full of family fun! Not to sound greedy, but I particularly enjoyed the monetary gifts I received! :) On the way home we stopped at the outlet mall in Medford and I did a little shopping. I had to because I have been swimming in all of my clothes. I can't even tell you how good it feels to put clothes on, that are a 1-2 sizes smaller, and have everything fit awesome! I would never trade my boys for anything, but pregnancy really did a number on my body and it feels amazing to be in what is probably the best shape I have ever been in! I will post more about this in a future blog.

Now I need to go get registered for my doctorate program. Yeah right! Well, maybe someday! :)

The Gas and The Brake

Recently Kyle came up with a really good car analogy for our boys. It truly sums up their personalities. We've decided that Macalan is, and will probably always be, the brake. Sutton on the other hand is the gas. Here are some of the reasons why have come to this conclusion:
*Macalan is more timid and shy until he has a chance to assess the situation and warm up to new people.
*Sutton will pretty much go to anyone and is very relaxed.
*Macalan HATES bugs.
*Sutton thinks they provide some added protein that apparently I am not providing him in his diet (he likes to eat them). GROSS!
*Macalan is usually very cautious and is willingly to ask for help when he needs it.
*Sutton will dive head first off of the furniture and is hard to keep up with.
*Macalan likes to stay clean, just as his mommy does :)
*Sutton will trample through and play in mud whenever the opportunity arises.

I think these few reasons I was able to come up with prove how Macalan is the brake (always cautious) and Sutton is the gas (on the go and not afraid of anything). I can already envision Macalan as the bookworm and Sutton as the guy doing keg stands. Maybe I shouldn't be "labeling" their personalities already, but it's really hard not to! They are each their own little men with their own personalities and I love them SO much!

First Newborn Session!

So I have been VERY slowly trying to get started doing some photography. I have practiced on the boys and some family members and recently a friend and co-worker had a new, adorable baby boy. I asked if I could practice taking some photos of him and she was very happy to let me!

I was able to make it over to her house after school one day. I felt a little rushed because I needed to get the boys from daycare on time, but overall I think they turned out really well. Anyone who looks at these that has been doing photography for a while will, I'm sure, spot many flaws in these pictures, but I'm still learning and figuring things out. I am pretty proud of what I was able to do for the first time. It can only get better from here!

I don't know where this photography venture will take me, but I'm excited to see what the future may hold. I have been very inspired by the different people who have taken pictures of my boys, as well as all the amazing blogs and websites I have been looking at. What could be better than being able to capture a sweet newborn smile or the mischievous grin of a toddler!?

I have a session on Saturday with a 3 year old and twin 11 year olds. Hopefully all goes well and the family will love their pictures!