GInger snap inspired

Such goodness can come from a cookie.
Why yes.
I had a few gals over for pumpkin carving and Beef stew/ ginger snaps.

Yes, I am a HUGE fan of ron paul and Carl is a little nerdy :) But aren't these just fun!
Just to get the fall celebration out of me cause come this Thursday ... wait for it...
CHRISTMAS
Say what?
Its just november?
What about thanksgiving?
Putting up the tree is not going to halt thanksgiving so no need to worry!
We just have decided Christmas is better 2 months rather than just one.
This year we are doing Thanksgiving with my side of the family and we are really excited. Carl and I love watching lils interact with her cousins! SO precious.

Heart change

God can change you.
God can work a new in your heart.
God can show you how to forgive or how to get over pride.
God can soften your heart.
God came to save you.

Words I used to read but never believe or just hope was true.
As of late though I have found them to be more and more believable. I have found them starting to become the truth in which I TRY to live my days by.

I really feel God is working on my heart on a lot of issues that I have stuffed away.. or have naively flaunted with such vulgar confidence.

I think not only with the health issues that have arisen but how to honor my husband not only outside our door but inside our home. How to be a Godly mother. How to live a gospel centered life. How to be a loving daughter. How to be a good Aunt. How to be a supportive sister. SO many things.

Health update. I blame the weather BUT alas I have so slacked off. I wish I had a gym membership but I am not sure if that would make to much of a difference.
Were still doing good.
Just not what we OR I was doing prior to the weather turning to Crap...
But this is still a priority in my heart.
AND things that are really important to you..you WILL make time for if not you will make excuses for...

I need to make time and not just talk about it.

( BUT really ..blast to all the weather and fall-ish food and desserts)

Life is good.
Still practicing Thankfulness.

Why I love Photography.

 Capturing moments that should last a lifetime.

Thankfulness

When ever I start to get down... ( Seriously this weather is just draining all the light out of me )
I am trying a new thing.. Trying as in ..dragging my feet and clinging to the ground while screaming.
What is it?
Thankfulness.
Salvation. ( more like in awe )
I am thankful for a wonderful husband...
SO loving and caring and such a hard worker!
I am thankful for a healthy daughter.
Thankful for sisters.
Thankful for my parents that love each other!
Thankful for Carls job.
I am thankful for our home.
I am thankful for cars even when they do break down.
Random thankfulness is as follows:
Warm bed.
Christmas music.
Cuddling with Carl on Wednesday nights with carl watching Modern Family ( thats now our "date night" ) haha.
Thankful for hot coco.
Thankful for reading time when I do get it.
Johnny cash's voice
Worship music... I mean good music.
Cuddle time with lils
WHY am I writing this all out?
Cause sometimes I forget. like today. I just get overwhelmed with negativity and just get consumed with just blah thoughts and or anxiety.
 I have been driving to olympia a lot lately and with carl commute to olympia 5-6 days a week and then seeing his family every once in a while .. the gas is just draining us SO
We have decided to look for a church in Shelton.. I am still going to go to WEB every other tuesday but we have to start cutting somewhere... Here is the thing though.. Church hunting by yourself is down right depressing! I just do not know what to do .. cause going to church at night is just pushing lillys bed time and carl is exhausted after work. Maybe we will just do "church" at home till lils is older.   I am really looking forward to the " why are you not going to church? " "how are you growing in the Lord if you are not going to church?" questions.. so excited .. n.o.t.
Overall lets just say in order to get through this drab weather .. lets be thankful. Lets be grateful. Above all let us in some way.. even small way.. find joy! I know .. Sue is being positive. Weird. and no I have not had wine today.

Who knew a pumpkin patch could be so much fun!

I went with a friend of mine and her little ones. :) We had a very good time! I loved it. I can say this is my first official outing with lils. By outing I mean Kid function. I really enjoyed it. I think one reason why is cause lils is really showing emotions and reactions to things now :) I really love watching her grow in her personality! So freaking adorable.

Getting creative with a 6 month old

I pushed myself to join some events and programs just so I get out in fall ( downpour of rain ) weather. *Calvary WEB bible study
*Mops
*Church on Sundays
* Mission of Motherhood study

I am enjoying this activities.

BUT I think I really took advantage of the nice weather this fall and I really miss walking outdoors with lilly and doing outdoor things. I am trying to make new mommy friends so I can get out and do things.. cause frankly days at home.. ALL day are just really starting to wear on my " am I a human or just a robot covered in spit up" instincts.

SO today going to the mall with just lilly and I.
Should be interesting.
I am trying to find things for lilly and I to do on these days. So If you have any ideas !!! pass them my way! :)
Besides that enjoy your fall days! We made Vegetable soup yesterday in the crock pot and Loved it!

Weigh in and frustration +motivation

So I have gained back 2 pounds so the total loss is only 5. I am so frusterated. I keep hearing myself say .. well you were sick then lilly got sick. BUT that is no excuse. This is supposed to be a lifestyle change. At the same time I have to remember that I can not get to down on myself and I have to just keep pressing on! So with that said It is gorgeous out and as soon as lils wakes up we are going on a long walk. I do know where and what I did wrong so I know what to fix!

MUST KEEP GOING!
encouragement. encouragement. encouragement.

The rain

The rain is making Carl and I want comfort food...
SO we have written out a pledge to help us with this issue.
We are as of October 15th
No longer Purchasing or consuming Ready to eat foods.
Including but not limited to
*Fast food
* Heat and eat foods
*Instant foods IE:Ramen
We have made exceptions for the following:
*Birthdays
* The sister christmas outing
*Anniversaries
* Coffee at church
FOR ONE YEAR.

On a lighter note I just purchased the following :) I would first like to explain that I was in real need of a good coat. I have only a sweater. Carl actually really supported this purchase cause he knows I have been needing this for a while and we both know it will last :) SO excited for this to come in the mail!

A quick visit

Not sure if it is the weather change BUT I was just itching to get out and about today :) Lils and I went and had a little visit with Isaac and Brooklyn <3

Fall. music. coffee. LOVE.

Spotify  Has been a life saver for me.
With budgeting I have to cut out new music purchases.
BUT with Spotify I can listen to full CDs of Artist I love.
If you click on the link above it will send you to one of my all time favorite artist. Especially during the fall. If you do not have spotify it will also give you the option to download it. Its free. :)

The presidential debates. I have been paying more attention to as of late. Can not believe we will have a new president. or an old. one. My choice.
Obama
and
Ryan
Can we get rid of Mitt and Biden?
:)

A little Photo op.

With fall comes colds and Hot coco.

The mornings have been darker and colder and the nice weather I am afraid is leaving us. I can not seem to complain though for I feel we have had the best september and october a resident of Washington could ask for.
I have been fighting a cold/ stomach thing this week. I hate saying I am sick cause it seems like I am always fighting something off. Today Carl's family took lilly for 5 hours while carl was at work so that I could sleep and rest. I slept for 3 hours then laid in bed catching up on shows and cuddling with dobby and hot coco. I know I should be drinking tea. BUT coco has just been calling to me as of late. I blame the weather.

Lately I have been clinging to God for hope. Just to get through the day. I know I am blessed and I am SO thankful. Days can be hard nonetheless. I have hardly any friends that have babies. I am pushing myself to make some "mommy friends". So we shall see.

Today was the weigh in a I decided to skip this week due to being sick, we are allowed to skip one weigh in. I will weigh in next week. I can say this though. As of late making exercising a part of my daily life and eating right.. has lead to less tears less dark days and less gloom. I am also trying to do daily praises and thankfulness. One can not be so gloom when practicing thankfulness.

Excited for the following: The holiday with my family, especially since it is our first holiday with our little girl.. what a blessing she is. I love my nephews so much and my new niece and I can not wait to see them get excited about Christmas trees and candy canes and snow.
Staying on the healthy path. Slowly but Confident and with much grace this is going to be amazing. Carl and I are going to find time to go see the new movie Argo. I am a huge movie girl .. and I love GOOD movies.. just ones that you can escape in and just ones that fill your heart with so many emotions it could explode. <3

Thanks for reading. :) May you have a wonderful and adventurous day.

New music to me is like fresh air

The Avett Brothers
Mumford and sons

Both have new Cd's out. You can thank me later.

6 months

A heavy heart

So much has been on my heart lately
~Carl and I having time to work on our marriage
~What lilly will learn from us and how she will grow up
~ Getting involved in church
~ Weight loss/ getting healthy
~ Gay marriage
~Having authentic and truly meaningful friendships
~ The church an its role in our lives and the future of it in this ever changing culture.
~ Building a family ( yes, a second child) NOT for a while!
~ Fully devoting my heart and mind to being a mother
Just random things I know. The Lord for so long was silent in my life... There could be many reasons for that. Many of which are probably due to not listening on my part or the tons of walls I have built up.   I am not sure if its cause Lilly has come into our lives or that we are so dependent on the Lord as of late but Carl and I have really been seeking the Lord in our future.. and in our just here and now. When I say heavy heart is not a heart of burdens or sadness. Just heavy.
NOW that is off my shoulders here is an article that after reading I just started bawling! I fully LOVE this article and encourage you to read it!= Amazingness  I have taken one picture of Lilly and I since she was born ... ONE ... So this article really got to me .. I need to take more photos of her and I together!
Hope everyones week is going well!
I have lost a total of 6 and a half pounds and am planning on continuing this weight loss/ get healthy journey for a year! SO here goes not nothing but EVERYTHING! :)

Weigh in!

This week I lost again! so that is a win ! It was only a Pound and a half BUT I must keep at it!