Check-In

It's been a super crazy week. I'm juggling taking care of the boys, the house, and workouts around Josh's school and the baby's nursing schedule. He's nursing on demand and cluster feeds in the evenings which is my only time to work out. It's been hard but it's been worth it. 

If you know me personally you have heard me say many times that I only run if someone is chasing me. I never thought I could enjoy running. 

But here I am. Running everyday. And I'm actually pretty decent at it. I started my goal off with running a mile a day. I didn't care about time or calories burned. I just wanted to run/walk a mile a day. I downloaded the couch to 5K app on my Ipad and started on Sunday. 

I found that once I was running I didn't want to stop when the app told me too. So I didn't. And before I knew it I had run 2 miles. Actually, a bit over 2 miles... so I slowed down a bit and walked until I caught my breath. And then I ran the rest of the way. I ended with 3 miles in about 45 minutes. 

Since then, I've managed to run 3 miles in 34-35 minutes. I'm pretty impressed with myself to be honest. I've already lost 2lbs on the scale too. I'm not too concerned with what the scale says. I only weighed out of curiosity. I'm using an old pair of jeans as my scale. 

Yesterday was a rough day for me... I was tired and a bit emotional. (I love the rain but it often drives me into a few hours of depression when I'm already tired and hormonal) I did not want to run. In fact, I only wanted to walk to my bed and go to sleep. But I didn't. Instead, I ran. And I made my best time yet. :) It felt good.

So what else is new? 

My bestie Jessa is coming to visit on Monday. I'm SOOOO ready to have some girl time. I NEED girl time. Expect a blog entry showing all the fun we had. :) 

Josh and I are taking a date Thursday. Alone. Okay, not exactly alone. We'll have Landry but we found the most awesome babysitter and she'll be watching the older boys for a couple of hours. I'm nervous yet excited!

Wiggles Live concert is coming up. The boys are very excited about it too. Josh and I are actually quite excited about it too. I'm REALLY hoping Landry does well in the Mai Tai. I may actually see which carrier he does better in. I'd prefer the Mai Tai but I know he loves the Ergo.. so we'll see. I'll have a HUGE blog entry with tons of pictures from that family outing. 

I guess that sums up my current life. 

Here are some funny cards that have kept me laughing all week. Hopefully you'll enjoy them too.

Here We Go!

The workout has begun. 

I tested the waters yesterday by jogging 30 minutes (27 minutes to be exact) and 2 miles. 

I thought I was going to die. 

It made me realize how out of shape I truly was. 

Tonight I ran again. This time I had more endurance but my legs still felt like jello when I stepped off the treadmill. 

Here are my stats. 

3 miles in 43 minutes and 41 sec 

I'm pretty impressed with 433 calories burned. For some reason I felt like it should have been less. 

I was again covered in sweat and my face was fire red. 

But I felt awesome! 

My goal is to loose 20lbs by December. 

I'll post before pictures once I feel sexy again. lol. 

My four sons....

We had pictures taken of the boys. Of course, we ended up picking a day that was 105 degrees outside... 

As soon as we got out of the car we were covered in sweat... 

None the less... here are some shots of the family..

The photo's made Josh and I realize we both need to get on the treadmill... 

I'll give us both credit considering we just had a baby 8 weeks prior to this photoshoot (Yes, we both gain pregnancy weight) but yeah... we need to get back in shape. 

I may add some blog entries to help keep me motivated. I'm NOT a runner. In fact, I have always said I only run if someone is chasing me. But I have no choice. I need to get some of this weight off and I may need the internets help to keep me motivated. :) 

Venting...

Venting will be done in my paper journal today. 

Just wanted it noted that I DO sometimes listen to my husband. :) 

"Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
 Proverbs 17:28

Just a little update

It seems like it's been forever since I wrote a blog entry.

So I thought I'd take this time that I am avoiding making beds and sweeping floors to post one. 

Landry turned 5 weeks old Friday. 

Not sure how much he weighs but I'm guessing about 10lbs if not a little more.

We are officially out of newborn stuff and into 0-3 month. Even some 3-6 month stuff fits. 

He is a happy baby. Finally. I have been diary free, caffeine free, all greens free, seasoning free for a little over a week. So far we have very minimal fussy periods during the days and nights. 

I like to think he only cries when he needs something. Diaper changes, hungry, too cold, too hot, tired, or just wants to be snuggled. 

I am enjoying the smiles and even a few chuckles I've got from him lately. :) 

Nana and Landry. She put him right out... (I need her during the night for sure!) 

The boys are FINALLY getting over all the junk we battled a couple of weeks ago. We all caught the stomach bug.. and it made its way through everyone in the house, including myself. I had flash backs of sitting in the bathroom for hours upon hours when I was pregnant with Landry. I DO NOT miss that part of pregnancy ONE BIT. 

We bought a van! So exciting to have an extra vehicle that holds us all. I'm slowly learning how to manage having 4 children alone out of the house. We have made trips to the doctors office, audit department, DMW, McDonalds to play for hours and I survived it all. (No Valium was needed either)

I've had a lot of stares and a few nasty comments about all the kids we have. 

But I've also received a few really nice comments too. 

Zachary explained to a lady in McDonalds why he always wanted a big family. That was a sweet conversation. She asked if he wanted mommy and daddy to have more children and he said "Sure! We love babies!" Proud moment for mommy for sure!

Josh and I both find ourselves telling people we want 6 kids, even though we may be done having children. I'm finding really funny comments to make to people when they ask "Are you guys done yet?". So far "We like the number 6" has gotten the most reactions. I think I'll stick with it for now. 

My housework is slowly getting done each day. I sweep a little less than I used too even though it needs it a little more now a days. Laundry hasn't been completely caught up since Landry was born. I've managed to always have a clean towel for everyone though and clean underwear. Those are the only two that really matter anyway, right? 

We haven't found out if Brennon will be accepted into the pre-k program yet. I'm hoping it comes soon so we can prepare Brennon either way. I'm trying not to make a big deal about him going to school just in case he doesn't get in. (He is on a kindergarten +6 months level based on his pre-k entry test and got put to the bottom of the list) Never in my life have I ever prayed so hard for my kid to be a little dumber. 

I'm still trying to find educational fun ways to entertain the kids all summer. We have the craft table set up in the living room and we work everyday at sight words, reading and math. The kids enjoy learning so I'm taking advantage of it. (I think Zachary wants to learn more words so he can text my mom more than I love you Nana.)

The boys playing a power ranger "trouble" game. 

Brennon's artwork. 

My sweet "love" note from Zachary. It says I love my mom because she is nice. My mom is beautiful." Aww... sweet child.

Our craft table. 

That pretty much sums up whats been going on these past few weeks. I'm slowly getting in a schedule and hopefully will be able to post entries on a regular basis. 

Until then....

Homesick

I'm definitely homesick. 

I miss being around family and friends. 

I miss being able to pick up the phone and arranging a meet up. 

I miss stopping by my mom's house just to see her. 

I miss my nieces. 

I miss my sister.

I miss my friends.

I miss the familiarity of my home town.

I miss Georgia. Period.

I have enjoyed living in South Carolina. We plan on staying here a bit longer. It makes sense to be here right now. But I still have moments of being emotional and just wanting to be "home" again. 

Now that we have 4 kids under age 5 it gets a bit hectic... and with a newborn in the house it's a bit exhausting. I would give anything to be able to pick up the phone and call my mom and ask for a couple of hours of her help. But I can't. 

And that makes me even more homesick right now. 

I find myself getting super jealous when I see or hear of friends spending time with other friends. 

It's not that I don't want them spending time with other friends, but I miss having that same experience. 

I miss spending time with my friends dangit. 

Today is probably a terrible day to write a blog because I've been up since 3am with Landry and Zachary is officially out of school (which means all 4 kids here all day). 

I'm living off fumes for sure. 

So my emotions are whacked.... 

Tomorrow will be better I'm sure... 

I just really needed to get everything on "paper" so I didn't have a nervous breakdown this evening. ;) 

Graduation

Almost 6 years ago I gave birth to the most precious baby boy. 

Josh and I named him Zachary. 

He was an answered prayer and brought more joy to our lives than we could ever imagine. 

This morning he graduated from Kindergarten. 

It's such a bittersweet moment watching him get his "diploma". 

He has grown from a sweet loving precious baby to a sweet loving precious boy. 

He has become a big brother x3. And what an amazing big brother he is! 

He loves wrestling, super hero's and nintendo. 

He may be getting bigger in size... but I'm pretty sure he'll always be my sweet precious 8lb 9oz little boy...