Friday Is My Favorite!

Shorts- Target/ Shirt- Old Navy/ Sandals- Shoe Carnival/Bracelet- Giveaway

Friday is my favorite. Today we're off to meet up with friends and enjoy a little sunshine at the park and fresh Florida air. Before we do, let's talk about something--kindness. This gal knows all about it. Week after week she chooses good deeds to bless people with, carries through with them, and then tracks it on her blog in order to inspire others to be kind, too. I love that. I haven't played along until this week. I thought since I hardly ever leave the house, "What can I do?" But hello. I live in the information age. The Internet is a good tool. Anyway, I bought a little somethin' somethin' for a certain name that shall not be mentioned in hopes of encouraging said person. I was happy to do it.

More importantly, though...

I've been trying harder with the people directly around me. God has surrounded me with a beautiful family and I want to pour as much of myself and my energy into them as I can. I'm so blessed to have each of them. J and I have recently started the five love languages daily devotional for couples and I've been trying to communicate to him in his love language. I'm excited about our relationship! My love language?

Source: redbookmag.com via Jeimy on Pinterest

Acts of service- all the way. Hold the baby and do the ironing? Shut up!
Yeah, right. We don't iron clothes around here. If you can't throw it in the dryer to get the wrinkles out then you might as well wash it again and start over. Honestly, though- it means so much more to me when he thinks of little ways to help me out around the house or show me he loves me by doing some little task for me.
Anyway, I'm pretty pumped about the weekend. Today is the first day that I have woken up not feeling like death. I hope this continues. It's odd, though because I slept not so good last night. Baby A has decided he isn't going to be sleeping through the night anymore and now he's waking up to eat again. I hope this does not continue. Well, the eldest is yelling for me to come scoop him from his crib and the youngest is talking up a storm beside me. I'm missing all the good stuff- I must run.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend! And just for fun, head over to my facebook page to vote on what dress I should wear, mmkay?

Toddler Activity Board

I told Captain J I'd like to make an activity board for Cray K. My little man is quite the engineer (like his Pop!) and he seems to enjoy focusing on how things work and move. From an early age, he played with his toys in such a way that made me think that there was a lot more going on in that brain of his than I gave him credit for. Perhaps I'm just one of those moms who thinks their child is completely brilliant. That's okay, too.

Pinned:

Source: designdazzle.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Captain J largely took this project in on his own. We went to Lowe's and got some materials and the project was finished in no time.

Our version:

The only drawback to this project is if you don't have a lot of these items around the house then it can get pricey to buy. K loves his board and I'm glad we made it for him, but it ended up costing around 60 bucks because we bought everything new.

Have you tried out any toddler crafts or projects I should know about?

3 Under 3

For the past few weeks, I've had this feeling. You know the one. I have felt sick, icky, and a whole lot of anxious. I was lethargic. I was bloating. I was terrified. The combination of these things is what lead me to Walgreens one sunny afternoon with the intention of buying a pregnancy test. I made it a point to wait on J to get home from work because I didn't want all the judgment that would inevitably be hurdled my way from walking in with a toddler and a three month old to purchase such an item. To make it  even more humiliating, J was requesting beer. I hate buying beer when I'm pregnant.

Anyway, I stepped up to the counter with Corona, 3 cheap pregnancy tests, birth control pills, and Cadbury Eggs. Don't judge me.

The young guy ringing me up asked me how I was and I wanted to say, "Based on the items you casually rang up, how do you think I am?" I didn't say that. I just said I was great and tried not to lose it. I was so nervous. After all, how could I handle three children? Three children under three? This couldn't be my life. There's no way God wants this for me. I'm barely an acceptable mother as it is.

I took test after test. Each one sported an extremely faint line (just like it did when Baby A came along) that only I could see. My husband began to think I was crazy. I was convinced, though. I began thinking about the car we recently bought and how we'd have to get something bigger. I started wondering where we would go from here. Most of all, I wondered what God was thinking. I finally found comfort in Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy..." I just had to trust in Him. If this is what He wants for us, I'll be joyful in that decision.

My phone rang today. The man on the line gave me those sweet words that had my heart beating just a little faster-

"Your result is negative."

Turns out, God knows exactly what He's doing. Thanks to Him, I think I will start legitimizing the existence of P(Postpartum)TSD. It's a real thing, folks...and I have it. Maybe we could even name it after me? The Mrs. K Syndrome has a nice ring to it.

Diddly Squats

I haven't had a good run in awhile. I haven't weighed-in in awhile. Exercise hasn't been a top priority of mine. I'm in a huge rut and honestly, I haven't tried very hard to get out of it. I want to climb out, but I must not want it bad enough because I'm still here. When I do have time to workout, like I did this morning, I choose to do other things: homework, clean, relax. There are two things stopping me:

1. I get very few minutes of "me" time. If the boys are (by some miracle of God) sleeping at the same time then I get about an hour to get a workout in and shower. I wish I could take them to childcare and go to a gym for uninterrupted workouts but that's just not in the budget right now. I know...excuses, excuses.

Source: someecards.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

2. I have felt icky lately. Sluggish and tired. I wonder if I'm not eating enough calories (since I'm breastfeeding) or if I'm just eating too much crap. It's probably a combo of both. I have had so much chocolate lately (that I don't regret by the way) that it no longer feels like such a treat. It's more like an essential part of my day. Not good.

Source: rottenecards.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

I haven't weighed-in because I've GAINED two pounds.

Previous Weight: 128

Current Weight: 130

I look in the mirror and I don't like what I see. I see a capable woman yet she's aging prematurely, she's tired, and she's freakin' hungry. I can't stop eating. 

I'm going to try to focus on these inspiring pins/words this afternoon and get this week turned around:

Source: fitfabcities.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: ktjweighingin.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

What are your fitness goals? How are they progressing?

Just so you're trackin'

"Just so you're trackin' "

Captain J says those words a lot. It's our little way of keeping up with each other and what we have going on/what is important to remember. Thus, I shall share some of those with you today. 

First of all, all the cool bloggers are making the big switch:

Being a follower and all, I better do it too. Because Google Reader is calling it quits, I've been using BlogLovin' for keeping up with all of y'all. I kind of love it! I find that it's easier to use and more convenient. That being said, please please let me know if you're following me and I haven't followed back. I've seen a lot of new faces but I read so many blogs that I'm not sure if I have returned the favor. I blog to express myself and keep myself sane. Part of that is enjoying connections made with various blog pals. I like making new bloggy friends and I certainly am not ignoring you on purpose if I happened to not have followed back.

Also, just so you're trackin'...
I have the best bloggy pals ever. This past week I got two deliveries from people I've never actually met in person. I'm so blessed to call many of you friends. One sweet blogger sent me several cloth diapers thereby saving me from having to wash every single day. That, my friends, is awesome!

Another blogger does a weekly linkup that encourages bloggers to participate in acts of random kindness. She sent me a gift card that I finally cashed in for this--

The wrap, not the baby. You can't just pick up a jewel like that anywhere. He took nine long months to make. Anyway, I have been enjoying this wrap actually. We've battled the baby wearing trend so much with my boys. They didn't seem to like it much, no matter what carrier I tried. I found that A really likes the "adventurer" position. That's good because his head is a little lopsided. I noticed shortly before his three month appointment that the right side of his head was looking a little flat. When I asked the doctor about it, she confirmed that it was and we should start working to change that or he'd likely need to be fitted for a helmet soon. I felt so sad for not noticing sooner. Then I read a comment someone (who isn't even a parent, by the way) posted to someone else saying, "If you hold your baby at all then a misshapen head won't be a problem." I wanted to cry...and then I wanted to yell at her for saying something so ridiculous. Mean girl. Anyway, the doctor suggested we put Baby A on his side for sleeping and see how that goes. He is such a sweet soul and is adapting well to laying on his side. I thought it was helping, but now I think that may have been in my head. I don't know what else we can do, really. I'll keep you updated with his progress when I learn more at his 4 month appointment.

You should also know that a miracle occurred the other day:

I survived a shopping trip with both boys for...HOURS. It was amazing. They were both great and SAT IN THE STROLLER.  I mean, I didn't even recognize Cray K. It was weird...and glorious because I got in some much needed adult conversation with one of the girls in the mommy group I joined on FB.


Just so you're trackin', we also have started trying to get Cray K socialized. It's a big to do. He did really well at church the other day (and we found a church we like!). He acted like he might cry when we left snuck out and watched from a window, but he didn't and we got to enjoy 1.5 hours of a service sans children. It was great! I also signed us up for MyGym where I get to play with him and a bunch of other kids/parents in a structured class each week. He was very nervous, but he began to warm up after awhile and ended up crying because he didn't want to leave!

Oh, and just so you're trackin'- We got Comcast to send us a new device and now I can access my graduate work. I guess I'm really doing this again! Week one went well. I'd really like to get ahead one of these days, but here I sit- blogging and NOT doing homework. Some people never learn.

Just so you're trackin' : Amber has a huge giveaway going on. Up for grabs? Starbucks, PayPal, Forever 21, Target, and Amazon prizes. Sa-weet!

Happy Monday! What's new in your life?

Saturday Sillies

Sure, I've been known to not hit spellcheck before I publish here, but I'm going to be the pot and call the kettle black today. Grammar problems on my facebook feed send me into a tizzy. Like, I want to immediately delete someone who types out "I done..." or "I seen..." It makes me feel all nervous and icky inside. WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME?!

Then, then...

I discovered Buzzfeed.

And now I have a whole new appreciation for ridiculousness on the Internet. For example:

This one killed me. LOL

This one had me shaking my head. Oh, the irony.

And this made me sad for science.

And this made me think of a dear friend and a hilariously memorable tennis match. 

But that's a story for a different day.

Have I ever tweeted or updated my FB status to something you found absolutely ridiculous? Go ahead, call me out on it! I do recall a trip to the beach with my friends....

While driving on this road trip with two of my gal pals, I hear one laughing in the back seat of the car. "Did you know your status says you're going to see a man about a horse? Did you update that?!" Confused I replied "yeah, so?" After all, I didn't want many people to know we were driving to the beach and I would be away from my condo.

"Oh my gosh (insert guffaws), THAT IS NOT WHAT THAT MEANS!" (even though it is)

Little did I know that most of my facebook friends associate that phrase with having to do #2.

Oh, the embarrassment.

I really was just going on a secret road trip, y'all.

This Man

My husband just sauntered off to work in his green scrubs. I watched him walk away, brief case in hand. Man, how our lives have changed over the last five years. When I met J, he was a young lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He lived in Alaska and me? I had never lived any place apart from Tennessee. His job became a romantic notion in my head as we talked although I laugh about that now. After all, what is desirable about sending the man you love off to war? I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Plans began to be whispered over late night conversations at our parents' houses, "Will you come to Alaska with me?" Without hesitation, we started our search for flights. In that week, my blinders started to slowly come off. I was about to send him off for an entire year or more. How do families do this?

The young, inexperienced new lieutenant come home from war an experienced veteran. Adjusting to the changes that brings with it was difficult, but I can honestly say that it was a fun time for us. Homecoming creates this high that can last you for months if you can't already see the next deployment in your headlights. Some people aren't as lucky as we were.

We had fun! We traveled around Alaska, New Zealand, Hawaii and Tennessee in those months following his return. We dropped money left and right and spent like we couldn't take it with us. I began to notice subtle changes in Captain J, things I never noticed before he left. I assume he came to know new things about me, too. A lot can change in a year. Yet we had it so so good.

As we drove away from Alaska to move on to the next duty station the Army wanted us to go, we realized how much we didn't want to leave. We had made friends there. Great friends. And I feared we would miss our lives nestled in the mountains. Our adventures weren't over yet, though. We drove across America, stopping when we pleased. We had each other, two silly dogs, and so much possibility on that trip. Those memories keep me warm at night.

Upon arrival to Georgia, we got some unexpected news. We were (finally!) expecting. By the time the due date rolled around, we had already moved again. Louisiana would be our baby's first home. Come to find out, we'd have two babies in our 17 month stay there.

Now, here we are. Still making it. Still thriving.

The Army Officer that I married is still very much alive in him, but I can see a new man evolving, too. He comes home excited about some surgery he was a part of. His phone rings less while he is home. He walks through the door at a fairly predictable hour each evening. Instead of tripping over combat boots in our bedroom, I'm moving around medical devices. Scrubs have replaced camo in our lives and my boys won't have to know what it's like to send their daddy off to the middle east.

This morning we woke up early, had our coffee, and read our morning devotional as we usually do. That's when it hit me. This man is so different from the one I started dating years ago. I am so different. I guess time will do that to you. But every once in awhile, he'll flash me a smile and tell me as he did this morning, "You always look good when you wake up" and I remember that young couple we were not so long ago before our children began the hopefully slow process of chiseling away our youth. 

This man has my heart, for better or for worse.

And I just don't think I say that to him enough.

3 Months

Dear Baby A,

Happy three months to my sweet, little cuddle buddy. You are still quite the sleeper. All you want is to be swaddled and placed in the swing, your bassinet, the bed, or someones arms and you're golden. Sometimes you wake up for awhile and flash the cutest smile! All this growing requires lots of sleep apparently. You are my big boy! You've been steadily gaining weight normally and eating wonderfully. I much appreciate both of these qualities. Thank you so so much for full nights of rest.

I love your baby smell and kissing your tiny cheeks. Sometimes when I have a million other things I need to get done, I'll just stop and stare at you in awe that I was chosen to be your mama. I can't believe it. My love for you is indescribable.

Your brother loves helping you out. You make a peep and he's right on the trail to get your paci and stuff it in your face. His aim is often off, though but I suspect you don't mind too much. You enjoy gazing at him from those handsome blue eyes of yours. I hope the two of you will be best friends.

You are my breath of fresh air, Baby A. I can't explain it, but I look at you and know everything will be alright. When I'm questioning myself as a mother or when I'm stressed about something insignificant, I gaze over at you and I remember how incredibly blessed I am. Just seeing your sweet sleeping frame, the peace you seem to have, I know that everything is okay. More than okay. I love you so much.

Since you've been born, our family has never been happier!

Love,
Mama

Nothing Is Impossible

I woke up Monday morning feeling motivated. I had recently cracked open a fortune cookie that read, "Happiness is activity." With that in mind, I set out to enjoy my day by being productive. I wanted to have the house in order, the kids taken care of, and the majority of my school work done for the week. You know what? I did it. All of those things were accomplished and then some. I know how--it's because I didn't read a single blog yesterday. You people are time consuming.

Anyway, I was having a really great day and then BAM.

I wasn't.

I tried uploading my homework, participating in required discussion forums, and taking quizzes but none of these things would work for me. It turns out that there's a weird kink with the university's blackboard system that won't work if you're using a Mac and Comcast (Xfinity) Internet together. I was bummed. Actually, bummed is not the word. I was pissed. I mean, if you're going to take thousands of dollars out of my wallet, you should probably let me know if there's a stipulation to attending school online. News flash- A lot of people have Macs...and a lot of people use Comcast. I was so angry, still am really but I'm trying to deal with it.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm just so emotional about everything lately. I'm attributing it to my hormones still being out of whack after having Baby A, but I really don't like who I am right now. After spending half the day trying to figure out the problem with my class, I wanted to give up. That tight, awful feeling started gripping my chest and I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack. It wasn't just the initial WHY DOES EVERYTHING ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME? It was more along the lines of WHO DO I THINK I AM? I CAN'T DO THIS. I JUST NEED TO ACCEPT THAT AND MOVE ON. Honestly, I tried to get a hold of an advisor so I could drop the class and get my money back. I called after-hours, though or I would have quit again. I was that stressed.

I find myself wishing I knew what God wanted me to do. I really don't know if this is the route I'm supposed to take. I just feel like I should take some route instead of standing idle. I don't know if I want to listen to other people discuss their marital issues with me, though. I've got my own family who needs my attention, ya know? Still, I hate to start something I didn't finish and that's the only reason I want to continue on this journey I started years ago.

It's going to be hard enough going to school with two small children at home with me. The last thing I need is to not be able to work from our computers. It is so frustrating. That's where I'm at right now. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to proceed from here. I'm told Comcast can replace the device I have with one that will work, but I'm not holding my breath. I went to bed angry about all of this. I woke up angry, too.

I got out my devotional this morning and flipped open to find the perfect words for me to hear today. They were so good, I began writing them in my prayer journal:

Just the thinking WHY DOES EVERYTHING ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME is shameful. I hate when that thought floats across my brain. Because, really Mrs. K?

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Clearly, I'm so very blessed. I want to cry at just the thought of questioning this life of ours. Life is so so good. I have every reason to be happy. My boys are happy and healthy and that's my most important job in this life of mine. I don't need anything else.

It is my prayer that I recognize this every single day.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Ephesians 3:20

Losers

Monday nights are like a bonus to my weekend. I don't know what I'm going to do when it all comes to a crashing end tonight. Last week marked the end of The Bachelor (for awhile)- not that I watched. And now Biggest Loser is ending, too. Whatever will I do?

Probably homework. My classes start today. Blah.

Anyway, I'm excited to watch! I don't care who wins this time. I like all the contestants that are left.

I do tend to cheer on Danni (front row, far left) more than the others because man, she's a go getter. And you can just see how happy she is with her progress! And, if you've been watching, you know she deserves to have made it this far. She is such a hard worker.

The finale is always my favorite part. It's so inspiring! Not only are these people losing tons of weight each week, but the contestants who are eliminated usually continue to do well at home. It's encouraging! The transformations blow my mind. It reminds me that so much can happen in mere weeks.

I wanna be a loser- instead of a stay-at-the-same-weight-for-like-WEEKS-now person. Jillian is coming to Jacksonville in April. It would be cool to hear her speak, but I'd have to go by myself so that's not happening.

Have you been following along? Do you like The Biggest Loser or hate the show? Indifferent?

Today

(Shoes & Top- Target; Burnt Orange Skinnies and Bracelet- Altar'd State)

What a day. It's silly to me to think about why I end each day feeling as if nothing was accomplished when in reality I do a lot. Moms do that. There's always some chore to be done, a little boo-boo to kiss- energy expended into these tiny humans. Yeah, stuff got done today. I raised my child a little more and that's enough. Some days it doesn't feel like it, but I know better.

And besides all that, I got a lot done anyway- washed diapers, attended Baby A's doctor visit, filled out paperwork for my upcoming visit to see Doc, scheduled gym time for a mommy & me class, cleaned the kitchen...

Oh, the list goes on. I'm terrified of starting school again next week. I already have anxiety about it. I don't know how I'll find time; I just know it will work out. Somehow, it'll get done. Surely.

I got a quick workout in today, too. Thanks to my new Polar watch that arrived in the mail, I know that I burned 200 calories in under 20 minutes. Not too bad for an impromptu burn sesh! I'm learning to accept that I don't get allotted exercise time so I have to jump at the chance when I do see a window of opportunity. J came home to work at the house, K was sleeping, and A was sleepy after his doctor appointment so I strapped on my HR monitor and running shoes and hit the road. I ran a mile and then came home to do burpees, squats, and crunches. Both babes were up within minutes of me getting home. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have more time to play with the monitor, but I love it so far.

Oh, you're wondering what the photo has to do with this post? Absolutely nothing. I just wore that today and decided to play fashionista. The bright colors had me daydreaming of Spring. Just kidding. I live in Florida. It's always spring.

Over and out.

St. Patrick's Day Craft

I tried to be one of those moms who do crafts with their children. Cray K was not having it. This isn't the first time he has been completely uninterested in creating with me. The only thing this kid wants to create at this point is a big ole mess! That's okay. I'm making memories.

Memories of him shaking his head "no" aggressively.

Memories of him looking at me like I'm absolutely crazy for painting his hand green. He seemed to think, "What are you doing, Mom? Not cool."

Whatever. We'll have all these cute little crafts and I can tell him all about how we used to paint together. I'll make it sound great! He'll never know.

It's not over

Just because Captain J is out of the Army, it doesn't mean we can all slip happily back into that space where war doesn't exist. We can't be like the countless other Americans who don't know anyone "over there" and we definitely won't ever be someone who doesn't think about the Middle East every single day. When you've been a part of this community of warriors for so long, they become etched into your mind. Each duty station, each new city you come to, you meet someone who will likely be serving overseas while you sit at home enjoying your family and a good burger one hot, July Independence Day.

It's our turn again. In the above photo, Captain J is swearing his younger brother into the U.S. Army. Now, his little brother is in Afghanistan. While I'm so glad Captain J will likely not return to a war zone, it's not over. I ask for your prayers of protection over Uncle Jesse as he does his job. We want to get him home soon so he can meet his latest nephew!

I'm out of practice. What sorts of items do you include in care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan?

Linked Up Here: