Reasons to Smile

Today when my husband came out of our bedroom, he was wearing a pink polo that he's had for over a year and has never wore it until today. He never felt comfortable in it, but since he's lost all his weight, not only does it fit him, but he looked fine this morning! ha ha. I'm so stinking proud of all his hard work. Keep it up babe! I just might start chasing you around the house! (If you heard pastor Herbert's sermon, you know what I'm talking about. If not, you need to check it out!)
Yesterday, pastor preached an amazing sermon. It really hit my heart, and made me think long and hard about protecting my marriage. Everything he said was right on point for people who are married, and I am so thankful to be at a church where they tell it like it is. Thank you God for bringing Chris and I to people's church. It's so great to know that every Sunday we're going to be challenged by God's word, and it's also so great to be on staff with such amazing people. What an experience it is to know you're somewhere where you're making a difference in the lives of others. We are so blessed!

**If you'd like to hear this sermon, just follow the link below =)

"How To Have An Affair"

http://sermonplayer.com/senttofriend.php?clientid=2031&sermonid=130158

Today is the first day of Autumn!!! I've been counting down the days it seems, and it's finally here! Now I just need the weather to get chilly so I can finally break my hoodies back in! =)

My son Jace is turning one THIS Thursday!!!! I can't believe how fast this past year has flown! It's been so fun and exciting watching him grow and turn into our little man. He's such a great kid, and I'm really looking forward to all the developmental changes to come in the next year. This time next year we'll actually be able to have somewhat of a conversation!! Yay!

Our Ignite service was last night, and I always look forward to going. Being around other young adults is so refreshing. It's definitely a great way to make new relationships. I'm really looking forward to all God is going to do through this Sunday night experience!

Two of our very dear friends, Bart and Melissa Shadle, and Marc and Stacy Petty, had babies this past week! Melissa gave birth to little baby Noah. He's their first baby and I just know they're going to be amazing parents. Stacy gave birth to baby Brady (no connection to the N.E. Patriots, just in case you were wondering ;) and he is as cute as pie. I'm so excited for both of our friends!! Congratulations and we love you guys very much!

Baby Petty: "Brady"

Baby Shadle: "Noah"

My coffee tastes exceptionally good this morning! I love it when that happens!

Jace is taking a nap at this very moment. That means mommy time =) That's definitely a reason to smile =)

Yay for New Jeans!!!

I'm so excited! I went shopping today for jeans, and for the first time in I don't know how long, I actually enjoyed it. I tried on only a few pairs and instantly fell in love. Before losing my baby weight, I probably would have tried on at least 10 pairs and then I still would have left with none, but I'm finally at my goal size. I'm finally at the place where I feel good in most of the things I put on where as before, it was definitely the opposite.

Thank you Jesus so much for giving me the self control and discipline I needed to lose that baby weight! I feel so happy and good about myself again.

Thanks also to my husband who not only has helped me by setting an amazing example, but for always holding me accountable..... well except for maybe at the fair! ;) I couldn't have done it without you, your love, and your support.

Just wanted to share my exciting news! Here's to keeping it off!!!

OK FAIR!

We went to the fair last night with the Jackson family, and we had a great time. The smells, the lights, the crowd... it was definitely exactly what I had imagined it would be before we had arrived.
Shortly after we got there, it didn't take us long to decide we were hungry. Then again, how can you not be hungry when around every corner there's another stand with big painted signs advertising "Hot Funnel Cake" and "Fried Cheese"!!! YUM!!! So I decided I wanted an "Indian taco", (which my friend Umo promised me I would love=)), and Chris and Jace went looking for some "Chicken on a stick". After standing in line for probably a good 20 minutes, and then buying this "Indian taco" which by the way, they should rename it the "mountain taco" because it was so huge, I was sadly dissapointed when I realized that the "Indian taco" actually wasn't very Indian at all! =( I thought it was going to be authentic Indian food, like from India! Little did I realize that all an "Indian taco" is, is some pinto beans on a yummy taco shell with about two handfuls of shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese! Bummer! It was still good though.
After eating, we decided to do some walking, and hopefully burn off half of what we'd already consumed! =) We took Jace around pretty much the entire fairgrounds until finally we decided to take him to the Petting Zoo. This was my favorite part I think! Watching him trying to touch the animals was SO cute! He definitely knew which ones he like, disliked, or just had no interest in at all. He definitely like the chicks, the hens, the sheep, and the swine. The big dairy cow, he wasn't so sure =) He definitely looked at those big beety eyes and took a step back like, "Wait a minute mom. I don't think I want to touch that one!" It was pretty cute.
Finally, when we were done meeting and petting all the animals, and after Jace had decided he was done showing US where to go, we figured we'd better get something sweet before we left. So we walked around in search of the infamous chocolate covered cheesecake and after looking, for quite a bit I might add, we finally found it - and it was SO worth it! It was so good! I definitely knew that was my "cheat quota" for the week though!
All in all, we had a great time, and the best part of all is we were able to have some good quality family time together. =)

Mornings like these =)

Not much to write about today. I just woke up, felt the chilly breeze blowing through our bedroom window, and suddenly became really happy =) Yes, right now at this very moment, I'm sitting on my love-seat, in my comfy flannel P.J.s, sipping a delicious cup of french pressed coffee, wearing my soft slippers, and slouching.... Oh how I love mornings like these. Jace is napping, Dungy is passed out in our room somewhere, the dishes are done, the house is caught up, and I for once have nothing that I really HAVE to do. Well, atleast not for the next hour ;) So I'm probably going to sit here, watch an episode of SVU perhaps, and enjoy every second of this time. I probably should do that more. Just soak in the present moments I do have, instead of fretting about what I have going on later. So bye for now, I'll be relaxing if you need anything. Thank you Lord for mornings like these =)

Being a Mom

So this is a day late, but yesterday I was tied up pretty
much all day, and today, well hopefully it will involve a lot of relaxing =)
Just the other night, we had our cram night at epic. The theme of the night was "craziest fan", and of coarse me and Jace had to participate =)



I was trying to figure out what I should dress him in because he really doesn't have any sports jerseys, and the one colts outfit he did have, well it's in a box in the attic with the rest of his newborn clothes. So being the crafty person I am, we decided (as in I decided) to make Jace a shirt!




Yeah, yeah, it was more so I could have fun - I love doing stuff like that, but it turned out pretty good actually. And the best part was we matched=) We both had our royal blue on in support of our team. And I have to say, Jace looked stinking adorable, but then again I think he looks stinking adorable in everything!




After we were all dressed for church we still had a few minutes until it was time to go, so we went out in the backyard and played for a little bit, and standing there watching my little man, walking around everywhere, just made me smile and feel so overwhelmed with love. It's so funny how simply being near someone can make you feel so much. This little guy has changed my life! And it's all for the good =) Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts I've ever recieved.




So here's to all the fun things you get to do when you're a mom. Making t-shirts, baking cupcakes, or going to play dates... being a mom sure is great!

Pandora!!!!

I just have to share this with anyone who reads this because this website has completely revolutionized my music listening experience!!! The website is absolutely free, and it has all your favorite music organized by genre, author, song title, whatever you want! Just type in one of your favorite tunes and it automatically plays songs from that author and all other music that's similar. So I typed in Ella Fitzgerald, love her, and now I'm listening to Billie Holiday, Etta James, Julie London..... I love this website! You've gotta check it out =) Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Just go to www.pandora.com

More Lime Mommy!

So I just had to blog twice in one day because these pictures were too funny to skip out on. This is how I like to torture Jace in my spare time.... not really but this was fun!

Take a Good Look

Every day Chris seems to be slimming down more and more. Man am I proud of him. He's been working really hard, and it's definitely paying off. Just this past weekend, we decided to go to the mall to exchange a pair of jeans he had, and when asked by the sales associate what size we needed Chris immediately responded with "size 38", but knowing he's been working his booty off.... literally, I butted in and said, "size 36" with a smile. Chris looked at me as if not so sure, but I was feeling confident that he would be happy with the result. Sure enough, he stepped out of the dressing room, and well as I would say when I was in college, he was "looking mighty fine in those jeans". Ha ha ha ha. No but really, he looked great, and more importantly, it was evident that he felt great.

I have to say losing weight is definitely not fun, but when I think about the years we're adding to our lives by making better choices, and I see the confidence it gives me and Chris both, that's when I know it's well worth the hard work and sacrifice.

I said all that to say, take a good look because from here on out, we're never going to live the same.... and hopefully never look the same too =).

Oh How I Miss the Fall

I rolled out of bed this morning, standing in my P.J.'s thinking, "Feed Jace. Get dog." .... Well maybe you think in better complete sentences first thing in the morning, but I do not =)
I stumbled over to the dog kennel, let Dungy out, who almost knocked me over because he had to pee so bad, and then somehow found my way to the back door. Our back fence is down at the moment (long story), so instead of just letting him run around, I figured I oughta go out there and make sure he did what he needed to do (pretty badly too! he he). I stepped my bare foot onto our cement back porch, and the most wonderful feeling came over me. The porch was cold, and the breeze was chilly! Instantly thoughts of a fuzzy blanket, a steamy cup of hot chocolate, and being snuggled between the couch cushions filled my head. This is what fall feels like! I had almost forgot with all the heat we've had. I was standing in a daze, probably with a really awkward smile on my face, when suddenly the bubble over my head popped! For one because my crazy dog jumped on me with his wet paws, but also because reality is, it's only the beginning of September =( Oh what I would do to make it October =) Well I guess I'll just have to wait a little while longer. All the best things in life are worth waiting for..... but atleast for now I get to wear a sweatshirt!!!!

A Self Discovery

I've always thought that I knew myself pretty well. In fact, I've always been the type to think that I'm pretty honest with myself, but for some reason, I've made a discovery recently. Something I where I just never made the connection. One thing I did know, I'm a perfectionist - In every way, my hair, my cooking, my house, the way the DVD's sit on the rack..... yes everything. What I discovered though, is that because I'm such a perfectionist, one area that drives me absolutely bonkers, is being a perfectionist of my time. Not sure why I didn't realize it sooner, but I really think that my number one pet-peave is wasting time! Lately, the time I spent at hom0is a little less than it used to be. I've been working part time at Starbucks, and I've also been helping out with a few things at church. Both of which, I love, but with me having less time at home, I'm noticing that the time I have is precious. There are clothes to be washed, dishes to be done, and a baby that's always hungry =)
Before, when the only thing I had to do was stay home, I found myself never worrying too much if things didn't get done, because I knew there was always "tomorrow". Well now, it seems as though, if I don't stay focused, I end getting everything done, but feeling like I got nothing done. Does that make sense? =) For instance, the other day, I was looking around the house and feeling a bit overwhelmed. There was a basket full of laundry, dishes in the sink, toys spread all over the living room, the couch pillows were tossed every which way, the carpet needed to be swept, .... I think you get the point. I started with the laundry. I started two loads, and then before I could even move onto to my next task, Jace was waking up from his nap and he was ready to eat. So I got him fed, changed, all that good stuff, and after that I just started getting caught up with other things. It was almost time for Chris to be home, dinner needed to be started, and the clothes... oh yeah the clothes.... well that's what I'm getting to. The days flew by and so did the night, and then again, so did the next day, when suddenly it dawned on me..."oh that's right, I have to be at work tonight, and my clothes are in the dryer". So I go over to the dryer, to realize, "oh I never pushed start!" So now, not only were my clothes not fresh and fluffy. On the contrary, they were damp and smelled like sewage! oh yeah! So not only did that strike my nerves because they smelled horrible, and I was going to be going to work soon, but the fact that in the midst of trying to get lots done, and thinking "well atleast I got the laundry done", and then realizing that I didn't even get that done. Well, that's when I lost it! I went crazy! (Chris may have been thinking, "who is this woman, and where is my wife?!) I was ranting and raving going on and on, and I just kept saying, "what a waste of time! I hate wasting time! Like I don't have enough laundry to do, now I get to do it all twice!".... yeah, doesn't sound too pretty.
Luckily, I'm not always that way =) and now that I know myself a little better hopefully I can plan out my days better. In fact, I even went out and bought a planner. I'm hoping that if I can stay on some sort of a schedule, I'll be able to keep the hairy scary side of me from coming out again! ..... and now I'll always double check that when I put laundry in the dryer, I hit the "start" button =)