Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Sammy"s High School Graduation Weekend

My little little sister, Sammy, graduated from high school!!  I can't believe it!  We had such an awesome weekend celebrating!

She had her party on Saturday night.  It was so fun seeing family and friends!


My other sister, Alyssa, made her cake and cupcakes, so cute and delicious!

  




Hakan loved looking at old pictures of his mom with one of my mom's friends:)




The graduate:)



I love this picture!  Brady (cousin), Alyssa, Sammy, me, Megan (cousin), and Derek.  These are the only two "real" cousins I have...but I have a lot of step-cousins:)


 Reading all the wonderfully sweet cards Sammy got.


Graduation day!  First one to walk...because her last name started with "D" and she's a smarty pants :)


Singing in the choir.




Sisters 


There were quite a few of these pictures...good times.


Our mama and her girls.



Mom and Darrold


Completely pooped from all the fun...she barely ever falls asleep like this!


Baby goats and llamas out at G'pa Darold's farm.


Jumping on the tramp.




Congratulations Sammy!!  We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what God has planned for you.  I know your papa is so proud of you too!  And we're soooooo super excited to have you going to school nearby!!!!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My Mother's Day 2013

It's kind of been our thing to celebrate Mother's Day on the Saturday before, that way we have a whole day for fun...not that church isn't fun, just breaks up the day a little.

We went to Como Zoo, to change it up a bit from the MN Zoo.





I love this picture, makes my heart happy!








Then we went out for dinner, play-dough, it's our new restaurant savior, keeps them entertained for a long time!


Then on Sunday, our wonderful church, Southland, helped our kids make these fun canvas paintings!  Best picture I could get of crabby pants Adeline:)




A friend from church took pictures for everyone, so sweet!

On Sunday night, Derek and I went on a date to see one of our favorite bands, Jenny and Tyler, I wrote about it here.

As I'm looking through these pictures, I am just completely overwhelmed with joy.  It blows my mind that God chose me to be the mama to these two crazy awesome kids.  To bless me with an overflowing heart of love for them.  I am the one who got to hold, rock and nurse them, the one who gets to see and share in all of their important milestones in life, who can kiss their boo boo's all better, the one who gets to wake up every morning to their full of energy smiling little faces, the one who gets to help shape and mold them into the people God wants them to be, the one who gets to play catch, dance, race, and play with.  Of course, there are difficult days, lots of them, but those are the days that help me appreciate being a mama even more. I get to be their mama, forever and always, good days and bad, I get to love them with every ounce of my being.  Before I had babies, I just didn't realize how powerfully and wonderfully I would love them, and how I would do anything for them.  Becoming a mom definitely changed me, but for the better, times infinity.  Obviously, I wouldn't be half the mom I am without Derek, he helps balance out the crazy;)

Thank you for making me a mama, Hakan and Adeline!  Love you!!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

counting calories + p90x = results

From 6th grade to my freshman year in college, I was a swimmer, pretty much year round, with school and club swimming.  I learned how to train hard, lift hard and give it my all.  What I didn't learn, was how to eat right.  I was always burning so many calories, I could eat whatever I wanted.  I'm not even sure of my weight while swimming, but I do know I gained a TON of weight after, which I didn't even see until I started to look at pictures and realized all my clothes were four sizes bigger.  The year before Derek and I got married, I joined weight watchers and lost 42 pounds, it worked!  I basically started eating healthier and smaller portions.  After moving to MN, I didn't find a meeting site that worked for me and gradually put on about 20 of those lost pounds.  I've stayed pretty much the same after having two babies, losing all the baby weight while nursing, but staying the same around 210 pounds (but babies did change my body shape of course).  It doesn't help that Derek and I both love to cook and bake:)

Derek and I decided to try P90X starting in February this year, and I started using the app, My Fitness Pal, on my phone to count calories.  Working out is something we like to do together, but is tough with Derek's crazy busy work schedule.  So after we put the kids to bed, we immediately worked out...which is one of the last things you want to do after putting the kids to bed;)  When Derek was traveling, I would still do the workouts, but it wasn't always an option for him, so we would just start where he left off.  It took us a little longer than 90 days, but we did it...minus the pull-ups (no where to put a pull-up bar).  Even with my horrible knees I was able to do most of the workouts.

To date, I've lost 18 pounds, and have gone down a pant, bra and cup size.  I said goodbye to the 200's!!  I should have taken measurements along the way, but didn't think of it.  I feel quite a bit better, more energy and endurance, flexibility, strength, and confidence. 

Here are some (not so great) pictures to show progress, bleh!

   
This last pic was taken just last weekend after running three miles and I am a terrible runner!  Also taken at late dusk, hence the not so clear.


Now that it's finally spring/summer (fingers crossed), we have been getting outside for lots of bike rides, riding 40 miles this weekend, and walks to the park.  I have some weight to lose before my goal, but my next step is to cut out a lot more sugar and carbs from my diet.  Our CSA starts in a few weeks, which will definitely help, lots of veggies!

I'm finally learning to eat smaller portions and to stop eating when I'm full.  I try to work out at least 5-6 times a week, but active in some way, everyday.  It's definitely not easy, but sooo worth it!

The winners from the Sambazon and Anchored Hope giveaway are posted, Julie R. won the wooden bowl/spoon and Linda R. won the Anchored Hope pouch, are you guys related?!.  Congrats!  Please email me at anchoredhopelacy(@)gmail(dot)com with your addresses, thanks!!