The Weekly Chase #14

So much to talk about today that I might have to break it up over a couple of posts! I love days like this!  First and foremost I have my goals to talk about and then you will hear about my “Married To The Army Alaska” recap – so many words for that show – especially since this is based from JBER – where I am right now.  I also have words about Christmas and buying local and making gifts this year.  So many good things going on! I am finally starting to get in a bit of the holiday spirit so I don’t want to waste it! I want to share it!!

 

Last Week Recap:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school – Check!

Practice memory verses with kids every night – nada…

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls – Check!

Write Nick a love note – nope – but will this week for sure!

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as we are going to a birthday party on both days!  We also went bowling in addition to this!

Personal Goals:

Start reading the books I picked out – started and stopped – I didn’t pick a good book sadly.

Schedule exercise for 3 days – nope.

Drink More Water – not exactly – I ende dup drinking iced tea that was watered down about 50% so I could have something that I liked to drink too 🙂

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week – no – but this week proves promising!

1 Load of laundry everyday – yes except for this weekend 🙂

This Week:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note ***Our 8 year anniversary is tomorrow!***

Take kids to play once a week 

Personal Goals:

Find a new book or two to read

Schedule exercise for 3 days

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week **I got two planned for Thanksgiving!**

1 Load of laundry everyday

Get house cleaned BEFORE Thursday

This week’s details – this week should be a fun one. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house and have invited friends, and those who have nowhere to go – mostly single soldiers in that respect. No one should spend the holidays alone as I see it. Each year on the holidays we try to have  people over, our own little band of misfits you could say. It is just too dang expensive to get anywhere from Alaska so we will all do what we can.  I love the fact that each year it is new and interesting and I am hoping to capture more pictures and fun than ever before. We will do it all over again at Christmas so I am going hunting for present deals so they all can have something under our tree. The military is family and I intend to keep it that way.

Tomorrow  Abby has a field trip to base to the play place that is so well-loved by kids. It is our beloved Arctic Oasis. I know that the girls and I loved it when we first moved here as I knew how to get there and it got us out of the house and was free. We found it to be a nice break from our house.

Married To The Army Alaska – No words for this show really. I think it is showing us in a bad light (not all of us but people will assume it is us all). I could care less if you met your husband at Hooters. It isn’t what is in your past – lets face it.  Divorcing an enlisted to marry an officer – yeah, people won’t like her, but it is mainly because of her attitude – not the rank she is wearing but says she is not.  The Brigade Commander’s wife seems like she has her head on her shoulders as she should – I am interested to see how they portray her when she has to deal with the loss of the first soldier. I think Rynn is going to be my favorite and Sara getting upper enlisted house is a joke. I had a friend who was on that same wait list but had 40 people in front of her. It is a wonder what cameras can do for you.  The pregnant one basically left the show after they got mad at her for having to take care of her newborn instead of doing some taping – good for her for having priorities. Shame on Oprah’s network for getting mad.  Tonight will probably be the last night I watch it because my husband might be able to be seen – he had to pull medical coverage for GI Jane Day and was so angry when he came home that day. So much re-taping and so on.  Also I might add that the only other reason I am watching it is because we got the channel for free for a month because it was filmed in Alaska.  Gee thanks.

So much for that. My Monday started with a bang – how about yours???

Flash Friday

Man this week has gone way to fast for me – Not sure about you! It seems like it was just Monday!

On Tuesday night my husband told me we were actually going to attend his military ball that I was told we would not be going to. It is tonight. I had to borrow shoes, Nick is going to perform surgery on my dress (he is a medic and will be stiching it – HA!), I will be doing my own hair, and I will wear gloves to disquise my out grown nails that need attention.

Wednesday Abby had her Awana Grand Prix – lots of tears over no trophy – but I think she will get over it just fine. Ryley gets to pick a matchbox car and run her Grand Prix next week. Hopefully she will do a little better! (yes my kid is wierd and rocked camo boots, courderoy skinny pants, and a flourescent pink shirt with her red vest, sigh)

Thursday was kind of relaxing and I tried to read a couple books and ended ups tuck on the Laura Bush book I had purchased of $4 at Barnes & Noble. I need to read more books to myself as the Bible is great and the kids books are good – but I want somthing a little different

Today is Friday – Hopefully an opportunity is still available and I will hear good news.

I do have some exciting news starting next week and through the rest of this year and on – I have been picked for two new blogging opportunities on different sites – one starting next week and one starting January.  I have some review opportunities that are FANTASTIC and I can’t wait to share them as well.  You are going to love this stuff I know it!

I cannot wait for you all to share in on the fun and awesomeness I have to share and It all starts next week!!! WAHOO!

What do you have new going on?

Do you have an Etsy shop – please leave the link in the comments below!

The Weekly Chase #13

Okay – recap from last week and new weekly goals to reach my month goals!

LAST WEEK:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school – we read on the days we had homework which was 3.

Practice memory verses with kids every night – this did not go well – we did not even think about to be honest.

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls – um, no.

Write Nick a love note – um, no.

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Friday as we are going to have game night at a friends’ house and they have kids that our kids love!* Check!

Personal Goals:

Start reading again – I picked out a couple books!

Schedule exercise each day – um, no.

Drink More Water *As of so far today (4:00 Alaska Time) I have not drank any – not starting off so good, huh?) – Yeah – This is a HUGE problem for me!

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week – haha, no.

1 Load of laundry everyday – Check!

So yeah – not my best week ever!

THIS WEEK:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as we are going to a birthday party on both days!

Personal Goals:

Start reading the books I picked out

Schedule exercise for 3 days

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week

1 Load of laundry everyday

Hospital for Special Surgery Blog Tour

My daughter Ryley has by far been the most challenging child I have had. I love her to death and I wouldn’t trade her for the world – but if she was first – she might have been my last.  I am very blessed that my first child is so easy giong minus the morning tantrum over getting up and moving. 

We are military as some of you know and have never moved anywhere until recently when we got sent up here to Alaska almost one year ago.  Ryley always was a picky eater – but she basically stopped eating once we got up here. I don’t know if it was a form of protest or what – but she scared me with it. She has been a peanut since birth and always a size or two behind her age. So you can imagine my shock when she stopped eating most everything and was looking gaunt. She didn’t really like to talk and her speech didn’t seem to progress as much.  I was worried.

I, like most military, use the care that is provided to our family for my husband’s service. I try to never complain about it as it is free and I am forever grateful. This time there was no need to complain at all. I was seen and my fears were put to rest as they stated she gained a couple pounds in the last month or two. As long as she was gaining I needed to not worry but still keep watch. This might have been her being stubborn with the move, but all in all – she wouldbe fine. I had to make sure that when she did eat or drink she did get some sort of nutrition along the way. I learned to be creative to say the least.

I was so thankful the medical staff here at JBER took the time to see me and listen to all my concerns. I have heard horror stories of people not getting any help, no concern, and basically run out the door. My experience was the exact opposite.  I am also thankful that these people are available if anything major or serious should ever occur with any of my kids. I can rest assured they will be awesome once again.

As a parent I look for someone that can explain to me what is going on so I can understand. I want to make sure I know all the signs to watch for and what the different outcomes could be. How can I help? Can I help prevent? As most of us do. I know that I asked 100 questions and I advise anyone who has any concerns to do the same as there is no dumb question and all questions needs answers when it comes to our children.

I want to direct you all to an amazing place that I am thankful for being in place for many people int he lower 48 to have access to!

Hospital for Special Surgery is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. Located in New York City, HSS recently opened the CA Technologies Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Pavilion providing comprehensive, individualized rehabilitation for both inpatients and outpatients from birth to 21 years.  Its multidisciplinary staff includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

The Hospital for Special Surgery Website is full of awesome information – including that ont he new CA Technoliogies Rehabilitation Center from the video clip above!

Please note you can visit their Hopsital for Special Surgery Facebook Page for new details all the time.

Our kids and family members (niece, nephew, etc) mean the world to us all and I am so thankful for place such as HSS to be there for us in our time of need!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hospital for Special Surgery. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name as a thank you for participating. You should consult with your physician or other health care provider before beginning any rehabilitation/therapy, sports training, or exercise program.”

The Weekly Chase #12

I love Monday’s – especially since it is when I get to set up my goals for the world to see and hold myself accountable!

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Friday as we are going to have game night at a friends’ house and they have kids that our kids love!*

Personal Goals:

Start reading again

Schedule exercise each day

Drink More Water *As of so far today (4:00 Alaska Time) I have not drank any – not starting off so good, huh?)

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipie this week

1 Load of laundry everyday

***Side note*** I had wanted to do some challenges this week and will be starting them today – but cannot really explain my goals other than to do them!

 

What you got?

November 2012 – Holy Crap!

So this month I decided to do my goals a little differently – I am going to have goals for the month and then break into weekly chunks to get them accomplished!!

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Practice memory verses with kids every night

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note

Take kids to play once a week

Personal Goals:

Start reading again

Schedule exercise each day

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 5 new recipies this month

1 Load of laundry everyday

I also have found a couple month challenges that I have found that I think will be fun to take part in and will also go along with my goals!

The Chocolate Mile:

#21Days is the challenge – check it out – it doesn’t last all month but it sure does sound fun!

Run To The Finish:

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge – Need I say more? Please let her know I sent you!

Little Girl In The Big World:

She has an awesome page of goals and shared a photo a day challenge that I will be joining!

 

Jock In A Skirt Fitness:

She also posted a fun picture a day challenge!

So what are you waiting for???

 

 

Talkative Tuesday

This is my excuse to pusblish a list like post – and for those you that know me – you know I love a good list!

I did not get in my Yoga last night as I forgot I had class from 7:30-9:20 last night and it is on chat. It was more interactive than my last class to I couldn’t even attempt to do it while in class.

I only slept 7 hours last night – which is not typical for the pregnant chick right now. However, I feel like I have more energy today than I normally do!

I have been getting the girls up at the same time for about a week and a half now and it seems to be getting easier! I also think that starting them off with eating first thing has been better than trying to get them dressed, brushing their teeth and such first.

I am OCD still and have a timer set for 15 minute increments that they girls have to get certain tasks done in. I think it is working though and it helps me!

My Abnormal Psych class started last night and I really enjoyed it – I keep thinking with each class I am in the right field of study – now to get studying for the MAT test I need to take to get the last of my graduate paperwork in line.

I already have a Bachelors and was halfway through my Masters for Business – and then decided it wasn’t what I wanted.  I want something that I can take with me and as much as I love fitness – I don’t want my hobby to become too much of a business.

My energy is gaining folks so watch out. I got all my household chores done yesterday that I have been slacking on and I think that it is a sign that I put make-up on today. Usually I don’t have that much energy 🙂

Work has been steady busy which makes for nice days that don’t drag too much. Only when I think it is Wednesday and it is only Tuesday does it feel that way – ahem, today. I just then ponder my workload and forget about it!

I have a couple new ideas for myself for this blog – and I hope you notice them and love them!

I am working on the move to self-hosted and I think it is scarey, but also fun! Who else out there is doing it?

I am working on erading a couple new books – who else out there has a good read for me?

Time to buckle down folks – business calls and Zumba is tonight! Yeah!!!

 

The Weekly Chase #11

Okay – so can I tell you how awesome it is to be a part of the group of girls from The Weekly Chase? It is nice to have those I can bounce ideas off of – help is always appreciated! Want to join? Check out Melissa’s Link up HERE!

I did not participate last week due to crazy things life throws our way!

Here ya go:

#1 – Get Zumba in 2 times this week! I am going to see if my boss will let me elave early on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get my girls so that I can bring them to Zumba with me and then my husband will just be in charge of dinner 🙂

#2 – Use the school gym to get in walking on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes one other day of the week – this will allow me to get in an extra hour of paid time off the following week – this will make it so I don’ thave to take shorter lunches on Tuesday or Thursday going forward to get my girls early! I am going to try and use this to my advantage!

#3 – Monday and Wednesday – I need to get some Yoga in – this will help me rest and relax!

#4 – Continue the purge people – I will get more stuff taken care of and get rid of it!

#5 MORE H2O!

 

What’s New Wednesday #21

Boy it has been a while since one of these!

Let’s See – What’s New….nothing really but why not make it seem like it is new and exciting!

First and foremost – the winner of my Giveaway is: Krista Flores – yes girl – you did it! Send me your address and I will get it to you! So excited!

Picture Source

I am now 13 weeks and 5 days.  My energy has hit another low and I think that it is part depression and part baby. The winter is setting in here with snow flurries about every other day and it is so stinking dark in the mornings now I can’t stand it. I was warned about this happening by the doctor and I can really feel it here lately. My husband says I am such a downer – but when you are used to summer 10 months of the year and you really got 2 days this year – You would be a downer as well. I will be buying this thing they call a “Happy Light” in the near future.

Picture Source

I had my first Parent Teacher Conference yesterday. I am going to admit I was a little scared but I now good to go. My daughter is the exact child I thought she was and I am glad that I know her as well as the person who spends most of the day with her. She is only in Kindergarten, but I take her learning very serious. I also take her self-esteem very serious so I was shocked when I was informed about a couple of mean girls in the class. Abby is not part of it, but seems to occasionally get sucked in – more to protect herself from it.  I had a feeling this was happening, but I was also glad when it seems that her teacher shared with me that my thoughts were valid. Being a parent to a young child is kind of like being a mind reader!

Picture Source

I am going through some major de-cluttering. My husband irritates me because it doesn’t matter how much stuff he has – but if I have stuff it can’t be seen. UGH! I am so irritated by it that I just want the stuff gone! I am obviously going to keep stuff – but I am going to get rid of the stuff that most seems to bug him and them go through what I do have get rid of the stuff I have been thinking about doing something with. I need to do something or get rid of it. Anyone want crafty stuff?

So that is what I got going on along with class that starts next week. I am excited about that actually. It is 2 hours a night that I can get with no interruption at all. It is exciting to me. How sad, right?

I am still entertaining the idea of a gym membership just so that I can get out of the house and have some me time as every time I sit down to Yoga kids get involved and not in a productive manner!

 

 

 

 

Snowy Saturday

So….it is Saturday and it is snowing…yes – snowing. I still don’t think I am ready for another winter up here since it will actually be a full winter.  Oh, well I guess….I don’t really have much of a choice. So I am kind of reflecting here and am going to share some random thoughts….so get ready.

• Dale Earnhardt Jr has a concussion and is out for 2 races and has ended his championship run in NASCAR. I am redneck and I love me some racing.
• I am sad because they are racing in Charlotte today and I can’t go like I used to.
• Reba has a new show on TV – she cracks me up.
• I want Mexican food so I sent hubby a text message and he so graciously agreed. I think he just knows he needs to agree when I am very specific with a text message that states “I want cheese enchiladas.”
• We had dinner with friends last night whom the hubby just got back from Afghanistan. I love it when they come home.
• I want on post housing and I can’t wait for our lease to be up – the new houses are so nice!
• Zumba is on schedule for next week and I couldn’t be happier.
• I have not heard a word about Penn State football since the first game – such a shame that the players get punished in it all.
• Iowa beat Michigan State? Man they need a new quarterback.
• I completely enjoyed watching college football with my hubby on the couch this morning
• My oldest kid is a brat.
• John Deere has a new faster ATV – part of me still wishes I work there. I miss it and the people and my dealers. I miss them bunches.
• I love Duck Dynasty – hysterical fun.
• Willie is dumb and irritating to me though.
• Quarter Horse Congress is going on in Ohio right now….as a matter of fact it is freestyle reining tonight and my parents are there. I am extremely  jealous.
• I miss my rodeo days.
• I miss the days of Tiffany, TJ, and Matt driving us around being the fun adult in charge.
• I need a new haircut but I don’t trust anyone in this state the scissors. I need Kenneth’s Day Spa to fly a stylist up here. Pronto.
• My friends at TNT are racing the Nike Women’s Marathon tomorrow – I was supposed to be there until Ritterbeck #3 came around. I wish them nothing but the best of luck. Go Get ’em!
• I am thinking about posting more recipes – it is the time to start hibernating since I don’t like cold.
• Notre Dame wins!
• Let’s Go Yankees!
• Ryley is playing with an Etch a Sketch – how fun 🙂
• I hate that Facebook has emoticons.
• I want to tan so bad right now – but obvious reasons won’t allow it.
• I have two new books to start and I can’t wait!
• I have one week off until school starts back up. Yippee!
• I still want to go see Pitch Perfect – but will probably have to wait until it hits the $3.50 theater.
• I love Squirt….so yummy – reminds me of summers in Traer, Iowa.
• I hope South Carolina beats LSU.
• Phones and text messages work both ways.
• I am getting hungry – looks like it might be time to eat Mexican soon.
• Tomorrow I get to check out Kids church – I hope it is fun and I like it enough to participate or know enough to say no.
• Ryley just choose a PureBar over Gushers – I am one proud momma.
• Kent St beat Army – wow.
• Can you tell I love college football?
• ECU won – yeah!
• Akron lost – sorry Tressel – you were better a Buckeye, too bad you had knucklehead players.

My Giveaway winners will be announced on Monday – get your comments in!

So now I have a couple questions that I am hoping you all can help me with! Please comment away!

• Is there a program I can easily use to do a “photo dump” onto a blog post?
• Do you like recipes that are fast and friendly versus just healthy?
• Got a Pinterest project you love? Let me know about it and I will try it! I am going to start getting my craft back on!
• I still am in need of some more topics to cover! Let me have them!