A series of fortunate (and unfortunate) events

Just before our wedding, I got into the best shape I have ever been in as an adult. I will never ever forget the way that it felt to be thinner. It was easier to buy clothes, I felt better and I had a ton more energy. Through a series of fortunate (and unfortunate) events I gained that weight back. Several pregnancies have definitely taken a toll on my body. And sometimes, okay a lot of times, I just don't eat right.

CONFESSIONS:
- I seriously could live on junk food. It may make me feel like a slug and gain 500 pounds but I'd be perfectly satisfied.
- I have a really hard time eating meat. I'd become a vegetarian but I've always been afraid that I'd just eat junk food all the time.
- I've always hated working out until I started going to Zumba. It's seriously the funnest workout ever. It's the only thing I've EVER looked forward to.

But even with those things against me, I have a real desire to be HEALTHY. My mom had a heart attack at the age of 38. My maternal grandfather died of a heart attack and my maternal grandmother died after going into a diabetic coma. They were in their very early forties. I need to be healthy for me and my family. I want to teach my girls to eat right and be active from an early age. I want it to be natural for them.

THE PLAN:
Exercise: I mentioned I found a new workout called TurboFire and that will be my exercise plan. I started it and made it 4 days.. and then quit. So tomorrow is day 1 and I am excited. There is a 90 day schedule, working out 6 days a week and I intend to follow that through to the end. I also want to start going to Zumba again.. either as a replacement for one of the days or in addition to my TF workout.

SOURCE

 Eating: I joined a nutrition challenge on Facebook and it starts TOMORROW! It's a clean eating challenge and it goes for 6 weeks. If you haven't ever heard of clean eating, basically you want to eat foods in their whole natural state. No preservatives or added junk. You eat lots of fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy carbs. I've been browsing lots of websites and really love the recipes and information on The Gracious Pantry.

By posting everything, I know it will help hold me to some accountability. Wish me luck! I'll post an update next week!

So there's this guy..

The 16th of April marked the day of mine and Justin's first date.. 8 years ago! We went to Applebee's and then back to my apartment to watch a movie. There was just something about him that I really liked. He was sweet, caring and focused. And besides that, he fit right in with my family, he cared for both of his parents who weren't in good health and he was crazy about me!

We dated for about 2 1/2 years before we got married.

And we were married for another 2 1/2 years before we had Isabella.

Daddy and Bella

And then of course, our magic number.. 2 1/2 years before we got pregnant again.

Daddy & Katelynn

 I'm so thankful that we took the time with each other before getting married and adding a baby to the mix. We definitely cherished the time that we had together first.

During our 8 years together, we have lost his mom, my dad and then his dad. He went to Arizona and got certified in mobile electronics and I finished college and got my degree, we started two businesses, we adopted two dogs, we had two kids, and the list keeps growing! Life has taught us a lot of lessons, including to be there for each other during the good times.. and the bad.

Not only is he my best friend but he is also the best dad that I could have chosen for my children. He is a loving and thoughtful daddy. He isn't afraid to play dolls and loves to teach Bella all about cars. Both of the girls adore him and so do I.

This post wasn't for anything special.. just because.

I love you Justin!

Our Fourth of July

Our fourth of July was a little lazy this compared to past years. We skipped the parade and slept in.

We went over to my sister's house for swimming and a BBQ. It was perfect!

Later on Bell's went to fireworks with my parents and I took the baby home to put her to bed.

It was a perfect, lazy and relaxing day!

Pouty Lip

Kate has the best pout ever! I finally caught a picture of it. So sweet :) She melts my heart!

Katelynn - 2 months old

Our little Katie Bug is already two months old! She is so darn cute! Everyone who meets her falls in love.

She had her two month appointment yesterday. She now weighs 11 lbs 5 ounces (80 percentile) and is 22" long(50 percentile). Her 0-3 month clothes are still pretty big on her.

-Smiles at anyone and everyone (started at 6 weeks)
-Hasn't started to lose her hair yet.. *knock on wood*
-Starting to like her swing
-"Talks" and coos
-She has found her hands
-LOVES her binky

She sleeps through the night usually from 10 PM to around 5 AM. I'm so thankful that my kids are good sleepers because mommy needs her beauty rest. We've been lucky so far! She is still a mommy's girl but daddy has a few tricks up his sleeve and she is starting to fall for them :)

Prepare yourself for some major cuteness..

Bella is still doing super good as a big sister. She loves helping out when she can and is doing a really good job sharing. I'm really really proud of her.