It's February!!

Oh my goodness- where have I been the last few days?? To be honest, barely near a computer except for brief moments here and there. It's been a chaotic last few days! I thrive on the chaos though because time moves faster the busier you are! My poor dogs have spent more time crated in the past 3 days than they have in a long time! :(
BUT the good news is that it's now February! Most people are getting ready for the super bowl today.. not me. I'm not a foot ball fan. My kids want to watch it, I'll let them but I am keeping that TV off as long as possible.. lol Today I'm more focused on laundry, house cleaning and getting all my business affairs in order from January (I know it's february but still working on some January things! PLUS I'm expecting several deliveries early this week! GAH!
I made myself some homemade spaghetti sauce this morning and it's simmering on the stove now until dinner. My kids are excited to have spaghetti but what they don't know is that I'm not cooking noodles.. I'm cooking a spaghetti squash instead. I'll have to let everyone know how that goes. I'm sure there will be some initial resistance but I'm hoping they come around pretty quickly.
I'm also trying to get ready for a super quick business trip I'm taking the end of the week to Ohio~ I get to see members of my team for my business plus get even more excited at what's to come this year!! I'm excited about this trip and nervous at the same time! I know it will all be okay!
Let's see what else is going on? As of today there are only 71 days until we go on our cruise. It's hard to get excited for that considering my hubby is still in Afghanistan.. I think once he's here it will be easier to get hyped for the cruise!
I guess that's really all the news on the home front here.. what are you doing for the super bowl??

Motivation

Motivation is required for so many things. I need lots of motivation for lots of different things. Sometimes my motivation has to be mental and sometimes it needs to be heard. Today I did something that required self-motivation which I thought I was lacking in. I surprised myself and got it done and did it with all the ability that I would have had if I was being motivated by someone else! So I'm sure you're dying to know what I did today.. Well good, because I'm going to tell you (I'd hate to disappoint).
So the beginning of the month I started a fitness boot camp and doing cross fit. I do boot camp on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and fill in on Tuesday and Thursday with cross fit. I love the feeling I get at the box (that's what you call a cross fit gym). The coaches and other boot campers and cross fitters are amazing with all the motivation that they give each other (including me). Well Last week on Friday we got Snow in Louisiana.. yup you heard me right, snow.. only down here they call it SNEAUX.. Haha!

So Friday we didn't get to do boot camp. Saturday the weather was bad still so I couldn't get to the box to make up my friday, so I ended up with rest on Friday, Saturday, Sunday (That's a LOT of rest days)- those 3 days were horrible.. I just wanted to sleep! Monday we were back at the box for Boot Camp (YAY) and we got in a great workout. BUT then on Tuesday, guess what happened? We got Sneaux again! Seriously- twice in 5 days.. what's going on?? Might be time to start stockpiling for the end of the world?

So we have a Facebook group for our boot campers so I said- can we have an at home WOD (Workout Of Day)and our coach gave us one.. it was a 20 minute AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible)of 5 push ups, 10 sit ups and 15 air squats. Seems simple enough right? The hardest part was going to be getting out of my pajamas and getting dressed and ready to work out- so I did it, went upstairs and got ready just like I would if I were leaving to go to the box.. then I turned on some music on my computer turned the volume up set the timer on my phone and I did it! When I had moments or thoughts of quitting I kept telling myself that it was only 20 minutes and after the first two reps I decided that I wanted to get 12 good reps in- so I set a goal (hard to believe I would do that right?) and near the end when i was getting so tired that I was doing sit-ups in sets of 4, 3, 2, 1 to finish my dog got up off the couch and sat behind my computer and started barking at me. At first I wanted him to shut up but then I realized that in his own doggie way he was motivating me like a coach- encouraging me? Maybe? Telling me to hurry up? Maybe? Not sure what his deal was but when I finished with 11 + 15 (11 full reps and 15 parts- I did the 5 pushups and the 10 sit-ups of the last rep, but didn't finish the squats) and I laid on the floor done (with a touch of rug burn on my bum) my dog came by and licked my forehead and went back up on the couch. I facebooked my coaches this picture- to prove to them that I had done my workout:

And you know what? I felt so much better knowing that I motivated myself!!

Do you motivate yourself? How??

Things I miss..

When your hubby is deployed you miss a lot of things. Some things are very obvious, some things are things you don't think about until they are gone. I have quite an extensive list of things I miss..
Such as:
His socks on the floor.. Crazy I know makes me nuts when he's here, but I miss seeing them
Tripping over his boots.. yup another crazy one. Seeing those boots means everything is OK
His hugs.. No one hugs like he does..
His smell.. I was sleeping with his last shirt for a while but his smell is gone and cologne isn't cutting it anymore..
The smell in the bathroom after he showers- its a combination of soap, shampoo & shaving cream
Someone other than the dog stealing the covers (they are easier to get back from him than from the dog.. seriously)
GRILLED DINNERS.. my hubby is the Grill Master of this house.. I try but have no skills!
Having someone to talk to face to face- he's my best friend
His cleaning tendencies.. He likes to dust and do floors I do not.
Being able to pick up the phone and call him when I want
I miss finding his half drank cups of coffee all over the house- why he never finishes them I'll never know
I miss having to share the TV.. maybe.. ask me about this one when he gets home..lol
I miss other things that aren't blog-friendly too ;)

The longer we are apart the more things I find that I miss- I sure hope I don't have to wait too much longer before he's home.. Above all the other things.. I miss my husband. <3

Where you were..

Do you ever sit down on a particular day and think of where you were a year ago on that day? Or where you were 2 years ago on that day? 3 years? I could go on and on- most of us don't remember days unless something significant happens on those days- for example, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I have quite a list of important days that I keep in my memory- most are birthdays, one is my anniversary, one is the anniversary of when I started my home based business, one is the date our boys came home, one is the date that our adoption was finalized, and several are the dates that my husband either deployed or came home from a deployment- which very strangely has happened each time on another date that is significant (or the day before or after). Sometimes I sit down and I think where was I a year ago today- and I will actually pull out my calendar from last year- I keep them for a while after they are done- to see what I was doing on that day.. Today is Friday January 24. It's the eve of my business anniversary! Tomorrow I will have been in business for myself for 4 years!! Last year on January 24, I have written in my calendar: that's right NOTHING.. I must have been still using one of my other calendars when this one started in January of 2013. I do know where I was 4 years ago today- I was at a party at a friends house learning about the business I was about to join! I didn't hold much hope that it would be something that I did long term but I am so glad it turned out to be something so amazing!!
Some days when I think of where I was on that day I feel very bittersweet- April 7th is one of those days- that is the day our boys came to live with us. It's bittersweet because not only were our dreams of becoming parents becoming real, but somewhere out there a mother was losing her children. A Grandmother was losing her grandchildren. Aunts and Uncles were losing their nephews. Our family gained 2 beautiful toddler boys while one family somewhere else was losing theirs. I can't help but feel conflicted when this day rolls around. I alway stop and think about our boys' birth family.
Other days I feel nothing but pure joy when I think of where I was on that day how ever many years ago~ My anniversary- I still can't believe it's been over 17 years since a silly girl married a silly boy!! :D I for one don't feel old enough to have been married that long! LOL
Some days are just sad.. I remember where I was on September 11th (who in my generation doesn't?) I was in bed- we were stationed in Hawaii. Steve was in the field, and my friend, Kim called me to tell me to turn on the news- it was about 3 in the morning (maybe 4?) I sat in my bed terrified as I watched the horror of the day unfold.
I have a thing for numbers, so I guess it's only natural that I would remember where I was on certain days. How about you- do you remember where you were on certain days? <3

Making Changes & Being Free to Be ME!

So since 2014 began, I've been trying to make some small, subtle changes in my life that I'm hoping will make me a better person. I've first chosen to continue to see the positive in things and share my love with the world with those in my life. I'm trying to fill my life with people who see life the way I do and who are encouraging and supporting in a genuine manner. I think I've found those people, and I love them. <3 I've changed my lifestyle as far as how I treat my body. As much as I may gripe and complain of my injuries- It's really not complaining- I want you to notice what I've done and how hard I've worked for what I've done so far. The change may be minimal as far as looking at me right now- but I'm getting stronger every day and before you know it my body will conform. I am practicing "clean" eating and filling my body with the things that it needs in order to function well. I used to think I had to work out so that I can eat- but now I eat so that I can work out. (Fueling my body makes such a difference)... I try to focus on the things and people that I care about and worry and stress less about the things that don't matter.
It's weird to think that in just a mere 23 days I've made so many changes, some of them seem so small yet they are so significant. It's amazing what true, honest positivity can do for you.
**I've always been a lover and a helper to people. If you call me or tell me that you need me- I'll be there! This is something that I've often hidden from people in fear that it would be seen as a weakness. I may not have all the answers BUT I will sure try!!
**I've always seen the best in all situations- tomorrow is a snow day here.. everything is closing because of 1/4" of anticipated snow.. In Louisiana.. which means no school, no work for most people and NO GYM? GAH no Gym?? Okay so that makes me sad- because it is boot camp day.. BUT I can make my own workout- I think that I will do an AMRAP (for you non-crossfitters "As Many Reps As Possible") of sit ups, push ups, and maybe something else- I will have to scrounge.. maybe I can work on my double unders!! I have my rope and I have a cushioned mat i can jump on.. see the wheels are turning- just because I can't go to the gym doesn't mean I can't work out I just have to get creative! I wish I had a way to practice box jumps.. but that's something I could work on when my hubby gets home.
I hope all this makes sense and wasn't too boring.. <3 enjoy your weekend!!

Anticipation

I hate waiting.. I really do. I think I'm an an instant gratification kinda gal. I have so many things that I am waiting for right now, and I just want to wake up it be "THE DAY"... I seriously have countdown timers on my phone for them!! The first one is for a training convention trip where I will be reunited with my team (I really just sang in my head "Reunited and it feels so good"~ I may be delirious), that one is coming up pretty quick!! Little more than 2 weeks left! YAY! Here are some of the Beauts I will get to see!!

The next one isn't a specific date (as of yet) just a broad spectrum of time when my hubby could/should be home. For security purposes we won't know until right before he's coming that he's coming.. which stinks and is okay at the same time- I want him home safely so I don't mind the not knowing exactly, and it's less time to stress about having everything in it's place if you have to just scramble to get it done.. so for this reason, I don't mind waiting. :D So here's my love and I:

The last big thing coming up is we are taking our first Cruise. This one has a definite date in the spring- BUT I'm already on pinterest pinning ideas for outfits, and excursions, and photo ideas.. I'm such a dork! I can't wait to go to the Jungle and go snorkeling BUT hopefully most of all I can't wait to wear cute cruise outfits! I've been busting my hiney at the gym 5 days a week to try to get back into some sort of shape that isn't round.. lol I'm feeling stronger everyday so I will at least if not anything else be able to kick someone's ass if I need to during our cruise! LOL (Just kidding I'm a lover not a fighter- unless you have peanut m&m's because I'd fight you for them today)...

How patient are you when you are anticipating something??

The sweetest story.. (you might need tissues)

I want to tell you an incredible story- one that had I not known those involved, I might have thought was the object of someone’s imagination.

Not long after moving to New York, I met with a young lady about my business. She was interested in possibly starting one of her own so we met at a coffee chain to discuss the business and what it had to offer. I took her with me to see me work so that she could solidify her decision. In the end she decided my business wasn’t for her, but we kept in touch, mostly through Facebook. On the times that we had spent together in person, she shared with me a story that broke my heart. She told me that she had had a baby but that he was born with a condition called Trisomy 18 and lived for just 132 days. When she talked about her baby she got this amazing glow about her and I felt her pride for her son. When I got home that night I told my husband about her and her baby and I cried. No one should have to go through something like losing a child and my heart broke for her and her then boyfriend (the baby’s father).

During the rest of my time in New York we kept in touch mostly on Facebook, this girl was busy going to college, working and just being a young woman. I watched through the window of my computer as she and her boyfriend became engaged, and then as they married and started their life as husband and wife. I watched her go through the trials of trying to start a family and then deciding to “take some time off” during which she found out she was expecting again. I excitedly watched a video that she posted at her sons gravesite announcing that he was going to be a big brother and I cried like a baby out of excitement for her. I watched how terrified she was whether or not everything would go well with this pregnancy and anxiously awaited the days she went to the doctor when she would share her clean bills of health for both her and the baby. I was overjoyed when she found out that she was having a girl. Watching her go through everything she was going through made me wish that I was still in New York and that I could go over to her house and just hold her hand and tell her everything was going to be okay.

All the while I have known her, she has always fought to keep the memory of her son alive, not only for her, but also for everyone who knows her. This past Sunday night, she wrote on Facebook that 7 years ago on that date, she went into labor with her son. And that 7 years ago Monday, he was born, and she posted his birth stats and a picture of the most adorable boy with the biggest sweetest eyes! I posted Happy Birthday to him on the post and had a little twinge in my heart for her. Birthdays are supposed to be happy days, and I know she feels happy when she remembers him but that happy has to always be followed with the sad that he’s not here. When I woke up on Monday morning, the first thing that I see on Facebook is a picture of my friend in the hospital in labor. At first I thought it was from when she was in labor with her son, but wasn’t sure so I clicked on her profile and the post prior to that picture said “MY WATER JUST BROKE”… I was so excited/nervous/scared/happy/anxious for her that when I went to the gym that morning I checked my Facebook acct while on water breaks! I told other people at the gym her story. She had gone into labor on her son’s birthday!!
All day long I stalked her page, just waiting for an update, waiting to know that everything had gone well, that her daughter had made it safely into the world, but knowing that everything HAD to be okay, because after all this little sister has a big brother who is an angel. The day seemed to go so slow waiting for an update. Had one of her friends that was a amazing delivering updates as she got them from the husband. And then.. there it was a picture of a beautiful baby girl with the words I had waited all day to see! She had not only gone into labor, but had given birth on the same day 7 years apart. I feel that this was something that happened so that this day isn’t a day that is filled with bittersweet happiness, but so that it’s filled with immense happiness and joy as they not only celebrate the life that their daughter has, but the life that their son had as well.

I was so happy for this couple and their journey to parenthood again that I sobbed with excitement, relief, and pure joy for their newest member of their family. I am so grateful that I met this beautiful young lady and got to witness such an amazing story. I can’t wait to watch this baby girl blossom into a little girl. She’s going to be one lucky lady to have the mother she does.

Welcome to the World Arabelle Eve & Happy Birthday Dominic Matthew <3