Amy's Avenue

Getting to know you: 8 Facts about Amy!

2016-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since I have some new readers to Amy’s Avenue Blog I thought that I would do a quick “8 Facts About Amy” post!

1. I am a completely disorganized organized person! Confused yet? My clothes/laundry are just never put away. I try, I really do. It is just not a huge priority to me. However, at work and with my daily planner I am always working a color coded system and I am super organized. Just don’t worry about my “floordrobe” (or the backseat of my car for that matter!).

2. When I was 15 I found out that I have a sister who is 9yrs older than me. Michelle immediately took me in and we have been very close ever since. Not only did SHE take me in, her wonderful mother, my step mother Robin also took me in and has loved me as her own ever since.

3. I do not like seafood, at all! It grosses me out. I also have a hard time eating meat products. I do eat chicken once in a while and maybe once a month I will have ground beef. I have never once had a steak (Except for a disgusting bite here or there). I could go months and months without meat and I would be perfect content!

4. I am not at all a fancy girl. I own 10 pairs of shoes and 1/2 of those are flip flops. I have only gotten high heels in the last few 18 months with my new job. However I come to work in boots or slippers and I take the heels off as soon as I possibly can after work. The most expensive pair of jeans that I own were maybe $70.00! Most of my of my other pairs are $19.99- $24.99 from Old Navy. I just can’t bring myself to purchase expensive clothing! This also goes with purses! My most expensive one is maybe 30 dollars, and I PONDERED over the cost! I would rather take 100 dollars and purchase 10 things for 10 dollars each, than get 1 thing at 100 dollars. However, I will spend any amount of money on sheets. I absolutely love sheets. My current favorites are 800 thread count and I just adore them!

5. My top favorite shows of all time (in order) are 1. Lost, 2. Breaking Bad, 3. Private Practice, 4. The Office and 5. Greys Anatomy

6. I have lived in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Wyoming. The last 6 places I lived was within an 8 year period. My ex-husband was in the military so we moved… a LOT! I am back in Pennsylvania now and I am loving it! My favorite place that I lived besides PA was Wyoming. I thought I would hate it there, but the views were just breathtaking! I would love to eventually live in Colorado/Wyoming again.

7. Due to a family history of alcoholism and my own struggles in the past, I made the decision to not consume any alcohol. On February 13, 2016 I will have 18 months without anything to drink – something I am very proud of.

8. Since college I have worked in Human Resources and I was a stay at home mom for 5.5 years. My passion though is counseling and working in the world of addiction/recovery. I currently do volunteer work for a local rehab facility and I hope to gain my certification in Addiction Counseling in the very near future.

So that is just a little bit about me! I would love to hear more about my readers. Comment below and tell me an interesting fact about yourself!

"And she's back in the game"

2016-02-03T18:42:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the new Amy’s Avenue Blog!

I took a blogging hiatus for about 18 months when a huge change of life happened for me. For a while I was not quite sure how to address what was new and happening in my life. For a long time I felt like I had failed at the life that I had. Only now, through 18 months of prayer and reflection, do I see that the life that I had was not the life that I wanted. On the outside it looked pretty perfect. However, I was not being true to myself and true to the woman that God intended for me to be.

When we mold ourselves into someone that we are not we may look fine from the outside. However, we have to deal with the consequences of not being true to ourselves. For me, one of those consequences was a divorce. While the end of my marriage was in no way entirely my fault, I do take ownership for my role. I do not plan to go in to a lot of great detail about this, but it has shaped the woman that I am today.

One huge thing that has changed for me in the last 18 months is gratitude. I did not have proper gratitude in my life. I choose to take a victim mentality a lot of the time which is a very sad place to be. I did not take gratitude in the things that I had, but only chose to be upset about my difficult childhood and circumstances that were not making me happy. Without gratitude, there is no joy.

Today, I can honestly say that I am grateful for the struggles in my life. A year ago I do not think I could have said that. The hard times have only made me stronger and have made me a better person. I know that I am a work in progress, but as long as I keep doing the next right thing, all will be well.

I plan to share some of my more difficult moments on this blog, in time, with the hopes that they can help others. I believe that God gives each experiences to build us and grow us stronger; so that we may use those tolls one day for the greater good. Today, I can honestly say I have gratitude in that!

365 +1

2015-08-14T23:34:00.000-04:00

It has been over a year since I last posted here. Over a year since my life changed in every way imaginable. Over a year since God told me enough was enough and I had to completely surrender to Him and His will for my life.

Over the next few weeks I will attempt to share more about these changes, where life has taken me now, and how much God has blessed me despite difficult circumstances.

Today, on day 366 of my journey to a new Amy, I can say that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Life is not exactly what I expected it to be at this point. I am not necessarily where I want it to be. But I know that I am where God wants me to be. I may not see the big picture, but I know that HE does. For that, I am grateful!

this verse has gotten me through some really difficult times in the past year!

Week 2 in photos- August 3- August 6 (partial week)

2014-08-10T13:31:00.002-04:00

Ok so the title of this post is a little misleading! But as I was doing this post the photos from especially Friday the 8th got to be VERY VERY overwhelming. So instead of doing photos for the whole week, I am going to break this week up into two different posts. Plus- I am working on this on Sunday the 10th but I need to wait to get some photos back from my in-laws because they are currently with the boys camping!

Sunday August 3, 2014

These photos were actually from a project Owen did YESTERDAY at Home Depot. But he just got it all dry and the stickers finished so the photos happened today. He made this adorable pencil case and he is super proud of himself!

Owen actually decided to give this to Pop-Pop for his basement which is so sweet!

Owen and Grey both got the cutest smocks for the project!

I just snuck in and watched both of my boys sleep for a few minutes. I am just amazed at how much I truly love them. I am so incredibly thankful for both of them and I know how blessed I am to have them in my life!

Grey has really started sleeping with A LOT of animals/ babies and blankets!

Owen sleeping with "Joey", Baby Bear and Piper Dog

August 4, 2014

Grey being silly in a laundry basket

I got to do my niece Evie's hair this morning! Super fun for a "boy mom"!

Oh how I have missed Philadelphia Pizza!!!

My boys love Philly pizza too!!! This is Daddy's favorite kind- Sicilian!

August 5, 2014

Greyson + ice cream!

Helping Pop-Pop do some work on the bathroom

Owen took this nice picture of me this morning

Family Shot

Owen and I doing our nightly devotions!

August 6, 2014

Someone is beginning to really potty train!!!!

Milkshakes with MomMom!

Grey got his first bee sting!!! You can see his right chin/cheek is swollen!

Uncle Nate with Grey and cousin Mila!

I had the pleasure of having dinner with some old work friends from when I was a preschool teacher (2003-2005!) It was a super fun reunion!

This is my friend Doni and me!

With Traci and Susan!

It was a very nice (half) week! I am having a great time here in PA and I know the boys are too!!!!

Week 1 in Photos- July 27- August 2, 2014

2014-08-03T14:51:00.001-04:00

I have decided I really need to be better about documenting our lives. I am so good at taking tons of photos on my iPhone but then never doing anything with them. Or I over-share them on Facebook which is annoying. I know a bunch of people are into Instagram- and while I use it sometimes- I really need to just have a place I can document lots of photos each week.

So my new goal is to do weekly photos on here of our lives. We will see how long this lasts- but I would love to do it all year. I have friends who do "Project Life" and while I would LOVE to be able to do the same, realistically I know I just wont follow through like I hopefully will on here!

This was actually from the week prior. Grey and I flew from Wyoming to Philadelphia. I was supposed to be on the same flight as my in-laws who had been visiting us in Wyoming for a week- but there was a bit of a mix up so I flew solo with the boys. They did SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

Thursday July 24, 2014

Greyson fell asleep on the 2nd plane of the day

The boys on the 1st of 2 airplanes. They really did so great!

Aunt Jean was nice enough to pick us up and take us to her house. Owen immediately started playing with his cousins and doctor dress up happened pretty fast!

Sunday July 27

Love this little one!

Grey immediately took to sleeping in bed with his girl cousin's babies. I caught him like this when waking him up from nap this Sunday. He also makes me tuck "baby" in before we leave the room. I guess we are going to have to buy him a baby for Wyoming! It is adorable how paternal he is with the babies.

Kisses from Victor- Uncle Steve's doggie!

Monday July 28

A day before my actual birthday (because the day of was getting a little busy), Owen took my out to the Movie Tavern here in town to see the new Planes Fire and Rescue movie. This place is great because you get to order food to eat while you watch the movie. I had a great birthday date with my oldest!

Owen's yummy pizza at the movie

Tuesday July 29

Beautiful daisies and mini roses from my husband. He is away for a couple of months so it was extra special to get these from him for my birthday. I keep moving them from the dining room to my room depending where I am because they are so pretty- I want them around me all the time!

My sister sent me a sweet package and one of the contents was a birthday banner. I hung it up in the room I am staying for a little extra cheer!

My best friend Erin took me out to the Cheesecake Factory- my absolute favorite place EVER to celebrate my Birthday.

So I am now officially 33 years old. This was a particularly difficult birthday for me because (once again) my husband and I are apart for it (darn military - said with a smile), and I just really wanted him around. I am here visiting with friends and family who did a great job of making me feel special- I just really missed my husband. We will also not be together for our 8th anniversary of marriage and HIS birthday. Not my favorite time for him to not be near us. Not that there IS ever a good time.... This just seems to happen more years than not. Ok, pitty party over! :)

Wednesday July 30

Grey loves to play dress up and can be found most days with a random hat or pair of shoes!

Thursday July 31, 2014

On Thursday we spent the day at Erin's in-laws amazing new pool.

Underwater shot of Owen, Papa and Evan

Owen was so great in the water. I was so impressed!

Greyson was a little less sure about the water- but by the end of the day he was letting me take him to the deep end to pretend to be a shark chasing Owen. Most of his time though was spent in the shallow shelf area checking it out himself. He LOVED the pool!

Owen about to go down the great water slide! He love this thing and did not even mind going under water like he normally would have. The trip to the pool was definitely great for his confidence. We plan on going back next week!

After they were tired of swimming all of the boys enjoyed some swinging time

Grey riding his first big boy swing (without the sides of a baby swing! He loved it!

Friday August 1, 2014

Friday was finally a low key day. I feel like we had been go go go for a while so it was nice to not have any plans and to just hang around the house. We were all exhausted still from swimming!

Grammy (Amy's step mother) sent a package with tons of stickers and activity books for all of the cousins.

Showing off his new big boy backpack that we just ordered and had monogram ed from LL Bean. We also got the matching lunch box. Owen loved them both and felt like a pretty big deal!

Cousin love early this morning!!!

Saturday August 2, 2014

It is so hard getting all 6 cousins looking in the same direction, smiling. But we sure tried!

It is even harder when we put them all up on the play gym. Poor Mila was just not a happy camper!

Grey really is enjoying swinging on the "big boy swing"

The girls. My nieces and me!

The kids and I have had a really nice week traveling from Wyoming to PA. Our time here in PA has been really great so far. I am looking forward to a couple more weeks of fun!!!

Advocare 24 Day Challenge Results/ My weight loss journey

2014-07-30T13:29:00.003-04:00

***Please read to the end, I posted before and after pictures***

I am know I am super late posting this- but I am so happy to say that I lost 10lbs and many inches doing this plan.It ended a couple of weeks ago and I have lost about 5 more. So 15lbs in the last little over a month. It really did jump-start me (and my husband who lost almost 20lbs) into a healthier lifestyle.

I found the Advocare 24 Day challenge super easy to follow with the easy instructions to follow. They really walk you each step of the way. Included is even meal suggestions on how to get the best results. I also spent a ton of time on Pinterest researching "clean eating" and "Advocare 24 Day Challenge Eating Plans" to look for recipes my whole family would love. It really was a pretty easy process. Probably the easiest thing I did for my body, and I continue to do, is drink a ton of water. During the challenge I really tried to drink a gallon each day. Since then I am drinking about 65oz each day. I find it not only curbs my appetite, but it also makes my skin look better and makes my body feel overall better!

The program has been over for a couple of weeks now and I am still continuing to lose weight. Like I said before- at least an additional 5-8lbs. I am currently on vacation and I wont weigh myself again until I get back to Wyoming! But I am really really happy with my current size which I have not been able to say in a REALLY long time.

Since November I have lost 35lbs and I am SO SO SO proud of myself!!! I normally would never post a pictures like this of myself- but this is so motivating to me! I do not have a great photo when I was at my heaviest because I avoided the camera as MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Pardon the nose injury in the 2nd picture. I had just gotten stitches after an injury on the Wyoming Ice!

Here are a couple of photos of when I was at my largest.This was last November. Even at the end of November, so I had probably already lost 5 or so pounds. Just seeing this makes me cringe!!! I really had to search hard for these photos because I really avoided the camera during this time. I was so embarrassed about my size!

I gained 40lbs in a very short amount of time- mostly due to a medication I was put on in October. There were some other circumstances sure, but the medication was the main factor. It was given to help with my insomnia but they also give it to anorexic patients to hold onto weight- not a side effect that was discussed with me first. Not a great side effect and after the 28 days on it was DONE!!! Unfortunately the weight did not come off as quickly as it came on!

These pictures (which again I can not believe I am posting!) were taken June 16th the day we began our 24 day challenge. Like I said, I lost at least 10lbs (on this 24 Day Challenege) and MANY more inches. My energy level went way up and I just feel better all around!

And this picture was taken on Sunday July 27, 2014- a couple of days ago. Sorry for the not so great great quality. My sister in law gave me this amazing bathing suit and I am just really proud of how far I have come!

I am really proud of myself and I can not to lose even more- but mostly I am excited about this healthier lifestyle I have started.

Please let me know if you want any more information!

You can check out my Advocare Website here- https://www.advocare.com/140613876/default.aspx

Or for more information on the 24 Day Challenge go here: https://www.advocare.com/140613876/24DayChallenge/Default.aspx

Cha-Cha-Change!

2014-06-12T10:28:00.002-04:00

Over the next few weeks I will be participating in an Advocare 24 day Cleanse/Challenge . It is just time for a change. Last Fall I gained 40lbs in a very short amount of time. Since I have been able to loose about 20-25 (depends on the day) of it, but I still want to lose that last 15!

I am super excited to chronicle my time doing the challenge- the good, the bad and the ugly!! I promise I will not try to hardcore promote these products- but it is something I believe in 100%! I believe in the products so much that I decided to become a distributor as well!

I have never been someone to struggle with weight. I have always been able to eat pretty much whatever I want and stay between 120-130 which has been a good place for me. However, after 2 kids my body composition has just changed!

I have heard of these fad “diets” before and I have always been super suspicious. No sugar? No processed food? NO WAY! But now I realize I really need a change. I am sleepy ALL THE TIME. I am a chronic Pepsi drinker. I eat a ton of processed food.

This is what made me start looking deeper into the 24 Day Challenge by Advocare. I have had friends who use/sell Advocare for years but I never truly looked into it. After doing my research and praying about it, I decided this was the plan for me!

It is really about a lifestyle change! The 24 Day Challenge is the perfect jump start to this!

The 24 Day Challenge is broken up into 2 Phases: The Cleanse Phase and the Max Phase.

AdvoCare 24-Day Challenge: Days 1-10 Cleanse Phase

The first ten days are about cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption, and you may enjoy weight loss as well!

Herbal Cleanse-Citrus: helps to cleanse and detoxify your body.

OmegaPlex: essential fatty acids for increased overall wellness.

AdvoCare Spark: nutritionally-advanced energy

AdvoCare 24-Day Challenge: Days 11-24 Max Phase

Give your body the best tools you need to achieve your next weight management goal during days 11-24!

Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS): Your choice of

Max C+ for maximum appetite control,

Max E+ for maximum energy, or

Max 3 for appetite control and overall wellness.*

Meal Replacement Shake – Complete nutrition in a great-tasting shake!

AdvoCare Spark: nutritionally advanced energy

Each AdvoCare Products 24-Day Challenge includes:

One box of Meal Replacement Shakes

One box of Herbal Cleanse
One bottle of OmegaPlex

One box of AdvoCare Spark – Choose Flavor

One box of AdvoCare Spark – Choose Flavor
Your choice of one box of MNS Max 3, C, or E

In addition to using the Advocare Products I will also be adhering to these guidelines. I am a little nervous about putting these restrictions on myself, but I know this is the start of a great, healthier lifestyle!

I am starting this challenge next Monday- June 16,2014. I will be sharing before and after photos on here as well as my assessment of the products, meal plans and other updates. I am so excited about this journey!!! Please let me know if you have any questions about this process!

Big boy!!!

2014-04-20T22:33:00.003-04:00

I have not posted in so long!!! We celebrated Owen's 5th birthday back in February! I will do a post soon with lots of photos- but he had a great time.

We recently spent some time with family in Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was so nice to spend some time outside of Wyoming! I love it here, but I definitely enjoyed the lack of wind and snow for a bit!

We had some amazing family photos taken by my very talented friend Kris!

I am so excited to have an updated picture of our little family! The boys have gotten so big!

Speaking of big.. guess who went to Kindergarten Roundup this week??? THIS GUY!

I can not believe he will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall!!! He was so excited to see the classes and meet the new teachers! He is most excited to "ride the school bus!"

Owen’s 5th Birthday!!!

2014-03-01T15:44:00.000-05:00

In February we celebrated Owen’s 5th birthday. I seriously have no idea how he got that big!!! It feels like I was just pregnant with him. Now he is no longer a baby, no longer a toddler, he is an actual boy…. a boy who is about to start kindergarten!!!

My Friend Annie is an excellent cake maker. She pulled up a few caked ideas after I told her the theme would be construction… and she created us such a masterpiece.

This is Owen seeing his cake for the first time… he was in AWE!!!

The cake was so awesome and so well made we almost did not want to eat it…. almost!

Owen blowing out his candle!

Opening presents with friends!

Here are some great pics with Owen and some of his buddies.

This is Owen and Joshua… his best friend who moved away in April!

With his buddy Matthew who also moved

With Joshua and Matthew’s brother, Isaac.

Owen and Cooper. They will be starting Kindergarten together in the fall.

With Olivia, one of the first friends we met in Wyoming.

Owen and Elizabeth and John… they lived next to us in TLF when we first arrived.

A special thanks to everyone who made Owen’s day special. We OF COURSE had yummy chicken nuggets from Chick-Fil-a and lots of other wonderful food. What made it super special though was all of our wonderful friends who attend. I am so blessed with a great “Cheyenne Family”!!!!

More On Meal Planning

2014-02-21T12:26:00.000-05:00

In order to make my life a little easier when meal planning, I assign a certain theme to each day. This really helps!!!
Sunday- Italian Night
Monday- Meatless Monday
Tuesday- Mexican
Wednesday- Beef
Thursday- Chicken
Friday- Leftovers
Saturday- Something new

Here are the links to some of the recipes I am using in the next two weeks.

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie over Biscuits

http://coersfamily.com/2013/02/17/chicken-pot-pie-in-the-crock-pot/
Stuffed Shells (meat and Cheese), Garlic Knots
http://thisweekfordinner.com/2013/07/17/garlic-knots/
Grilled
Enchilada Casserole
http://mixandmatchmama.blogspot.com/2013/10/dinner-tonight-easy-enchilada-casserole.html
Chili Macaroni
http://mixandmatchmama.blogspot.com/2012/10/dinner-tonight-chili-mac.html
Chili Stuffed Peppers
http://www.michelleshealthybites.com/2013/02/chili-stuffed-peppers.html
I am really excited for the next couple of weeks and all of these tasty recipes!

My Meal Planning Method

2014-02-20T12:20:00.000-05:00

I have a new method for meal planning I am really excited about. This hangs on the wall in my kitchen so that we always know what is for dinner. I do mine for two weeks at a time because that is how I try to grocery shop.
To make this great board you just take a picture frame (mine was 12x12) and put any kind of scrapbook paper behind the glass that you like. I first wrote on the scrapbook paper the days of the week so they would always be there. Once you assemble your picture frame just take a dry erase marker and fill in your meal planning. I have been doing this for a few weeks and it makes my life easier.
Once I decide what I want to eat for the two weeks I use this grocery list below for marking off each ingredient I need to get at the grocery store. Some things, like fresh veggies, I will have to get in the middle, but I try to shop only every 2 weeks as much as I can.
You can get this printable from Organized Home Life. If you like them on facebook you get to download it for free! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/OrganizingHomelife?fref=ts
This has become such a great way to meal plan for me and I hope you try it as well!
Tomorrow I will post some links to the recipes I will be using.

Day at the Dentist!

2014-02-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Today the boys had their first dentist appointments at the dentist here in Cheyenne. Owen did a great job and talked the technicians ear off about anything and everything (typical Owen style)

Grey did a great job as well. This was his first dental appointment. He was very cooperative and charmed all the ladies with his smile. Here he is waiting to start.

I was a little worried because Owen kept talking about how nervous he was to be going, but everyone did great and are cavity free!!! :)

Brothers

2014-02-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

I love sweet moments when Owen and Grey decide to snuggle. G comes up a lot to hug the dog and John and I, but on the rare occasion he snuggles Owen I really treasure it!

The boys are getting to the age that they are fighting more and more. I guess I have about 15 more years of this to look forward to. Oh well, i love being a mom to my boys!

And here is a bonus photo of Greyson, i love his cute little smile!

Learning to Quilt

2014-02-16T08:32:00.000-05:00

I am so excited because I am learning to quilt! My friend Annie is teaching me. I am currently working on a table runner for Spring!

Isn't this fabric absolutely beautiful?!?!?

This is after i started sewing.

And this is how far I have gotten. I sewed my strips together, then cut them in a different way. I will soon line them up and REALLY being the work.

I am so excited to have a new hobby to work on in my "free time" something that is just for me!!!

I already have plans to convert my guest room into a really good sewing space!

Nail Biting

2014-02-15T07:23:00.000-05:00

I have always been a crazy nail biter. Since I was a small child I can remember biting my nails. Well the other day, Saturday February 8, 2014 I stopped biting my nails cold turkey. I am typing this out so that I have accountability. I got some pretty mauve nail polish which deters me from biting and I am hoping this works!

I am always so embarrassed when people look at my nails that I bite down to the nubber. I always have bit my nails when I am anxious or even just bored. I have stopped biting a few times throughout the years but have only lasted a month or so each time- then something stressful has come up and I have stopped. So I am telling myself and the blog world that this is it!!!! I'm going to continue not to bite and I know it will make me much happier!

I hope I can continue this! I would love to eventually have nails that look like this...

FINGERS CROSSED!

Valentines Day

2014-02-14T07:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day John. This has been such an emotionally taxing year, but with you by my side it has been amazing. We have been married for 7.5 years now, and it has not always been easy with moves (6 in 7 years) changes in military things, having two sons (who are just perfect) but we have gotten through it all together.

My prayer for us, for the future is :

Lord, help us to remember when

we first met

and the strong love that grew between us.

To work that love

into practical things

so nothing can

divide us.

I ask for words both kind and loving

and hears always ready to ask

forgiveness

as well as forgive.

Dear Lord we put our marriage

in YOUR hands!

And John, just so you know

Love your wife who is so proud of you each day and so blessed to call you my husband!

And thank you for the beautiful flowers!!! They are the prettiest ones I have ever seen!!!

5 year Journal

2014-02-13T06:45:00.000-05:00

For about a year and a half I have been doing a fun thing called a 5 year journal.

I have not been great about using it each day, but the purpose is to jot down your thoughts to questions each day for 5 years, and then it is fun to go back and read your responses as the years go by. For example, today it asked "how did you get to work today. So just small questions to trigger you to think. Some of the questions are light like that one, and some are deeper.

Now that I have had it for a bit I am starting to do my questions for the 2nd time and I am already enjoying seeing my answers from last year. I have a feeling mine is going to be more like a 7 year journal because of skipped days- but that makes it even MORE fun. So much can change in just a few years!

I have always wanted to keep a GREAT journal, and I have gotten better at long journaling lately, but this is fun to write just a few sentences each day.

Anyway, just wanted to share a product I really like!

Disclaimer- I am in no way compensated for this post- I just love the product!

Grey needs a little surgery

2014-02-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

My little Grey needs a little surgery. Nothing major. His circumcision has just began to grow back so they need to put him under for about 5 minutes to fix it. I feel so bad for him though. We have been trying for a few months to use cream to pull it back so surgery would not be necessary but it definitely is!!!

Here is Grey waiting to see the doc earlier this week...

Owen decided his job was to entertain us while we waited. He is always making me laugh!!!

So while I am nervous for my Grey to have surgery, i know it is necessary so i worry less. Its like the doctor said, it will be worse on mom than on Grey!!!

Life Lately

2014-02-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

I have done a pretty good job at posting tons of photos, but I have not really talked about out lives lately. After a few hick-ups we have settled really well into Wyoming. I am so surprised to be saying this, but I actually LOVE it here. I thought I would hate the snow and not really acclimate well but I have.

It is no surprise to wake up to another 3 inches of snow each morning, but the town takes care of things well, it is not a big deal. If this was Virginia (my home state) things would be shut down all winter! It is also no big deal to look at the weather on my phone in the morning and it say the windchill is in the negative 20's or 30's. I had no idea how cold that was until I got here- it is COLD!!!!!!

The kids love it here. They both love playing in the snow and just watching it come down. Unfortunately a lot of the time it is just too cold to send them outside to play so we sometimes bring a bit of snow inside on a tray and they play cars in it. It is a great snowy day activity!

Speaking of the kids they are doing great. In just a couple of weeks Owen will be 5. I absolutely can not believe it! Wasn't he just a tiny little baby???? He has asked for a small construction theme birthday party. He is excited.

Grey is getting huge as well. He is now 19 months and is as active as ever. He is starting to talk by saying thankyou, please, milk, night night, etc.

We have decided we are definitely done having children so no worries of more babies here. My pregnancies are just too traumatic to deal with when I have TWO children! I am so blessed with the two that I have, so I am not upset at all. People always ask if im going to try for that girl- but honestly i have no idea what I would do with a girl. I just love my boys.

A lot of my friends are pregnant or just had a baby so I will get my baby fix from them!!!!

That is the update on us. Honestly I have no idea if anyone reads this blog anymore (so i would love a comment if you do) but I still enjoy documenting things so that I can go back later and remember where we were at a certain time! :)

Ski Weekend!

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A few weeks ago we went skiing for the first time (well John grew up skiing but I had never been) at Keystone in Colorado. We went with out good friends Chris and Ashley and their daughter Olivia.

It was about a 3 hour drive so I spent some time trying to look the ski gal look!

The beautiful view on the way! How amazing is this?

Friends!

While John attempted to teach me to snow Ashley and Chris took Greyson to play in some fun kids areas. Owen was in ski school all day and he did GREAT!!!!

When it comes to ME learning to ski… well that was bad. I probably made it about 20 feet, I fell 3 times, I cried, and then I was done. But I still had fun!

A family pic minus Owen because he was in Ski School

We hardly ever get a photo of just John and I!

Owen and Olivia playing in the snow.

Greyson enjoying the gondola ride!

Even though I was terrible I would definitely go again, probably not to ski, but I enjoyed the lodge, playing with the kids, and just having ski town fun!!!!

Friends

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We have ben so lucky to make friends so quickly here in Wyoming.

My boys just love playing with all of the great people they have met. Which means I get to spend great time with my new friends as well!

Sometimes being in the military is hard because people are constantly moving, but the friendships you make are long lasting!!!!

Joint Baby Shower

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I had the pleasure of throwing two of my closest friends, Ashley and Elizabeth, a joint baby shower this weekend.

They are both having boys so we did a southern gentlemen theme.

We had yummy chick-fil-a nuggets

Homemade spinach dip

Strawberry Short Cake

And of course cupcakes!

Lots of gifts were given!

Friends with fun props!

We made sweet onsies as a craft- it was super fun!

More fun pics!

I thought the baby shower went off quite well!!! I am so thankful for good girl friends to share great moments with!

My favorite secret Christmas present!

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My husband is SO HARD to purchase things for. Each Christmas we both make wish lists which I stick to, but I like to add in something meaningful as well that he does not know about. But he is seriously the hardest person to 1. surprise, and 2. just to purchase things for.

I was browsing ETSY and found this amazing shop that makes custom handmade signs for your home with airplane (or helicopter) paintings.

Laura at iheartflyboys(click on to be taken to her site) was SO EASY to work with. Poor girl had to deal with me changing my mind on things about 10 times before I finally decided on this which I am so happy about. She was so willing to work with me though and made the process so easy!

Her products are a great way to show your military and family pride! Completely customizable with your own choice of colors, font, name, and plane- a great gift for graduation, weddings, or just to have around your own home! Each sign can be stored inside or out for your neighbors, family, or friends to see an enjoy! The sign is 20x12 inches.

And how fun is this… Laura and I have mutual friends in the military community. So now I can call her a friend as well!!!

I just love how this turned out, and John WAS surprised! I am already thinking of other signs to make! Check out Laura’s shop! We put this one in our entry way where we hang our coats and such! I just love how it turned out!

Disclaimer- I did not receive any compensation or free items to mention her shop. I just think her products rock so I wanted to blog about it!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/iheartflyboys

Merry Christmas!!!!!

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This year we celebrated our first Christmas in Wyoming. It was a low key day with just our family of 4 which was perfect! We had time to really celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to enjoy each gift. We tried to celebrate the moments so we did not get a TON of pictures, but we have some to show.

First, we opened stockings once John read the Christmas story. This was Greyson’s first Christmas that he really enjoyed. When he was 6 months old he could really care less. So it was extra fun seeing him be excited! Here he is showing off his new sock monkey and some toys!

I absolutely love bath products and was super excited to get new ones in my stocking!!!

Owen was happy to get some cookies, cars, airplanes, and special treats in his stocking!

We even had a stocking for Maggie complete with bones and new toys!!! She went to work right away!!!!

The boys comparing stocking presents!!!!

After breakfast we went to opening up the big presents. John was excited to get a new rack for his 4-Wheeler!

Owen opened up a painting kit and then we showed him his new easel. He was pretty excited!!!

I was really excited to get a new IHome player so I can play music off of my ipad or iPhone!

Owen loved giving out the presents to each of us!! He can now read our names so he did a great job!

Showing off some of their toys!!!

For a few months Owen has been asking for a dump truck he sees each time at Sams Club. We left this present for last and caught some cute faces as he was realizing what was beneath the wrapping!!!

He was one happy boy!!!

We had a great Christmas, just the 4 of us. A couple of days later John’s parents flew in to Denver and we spent a few days in Colorado Springs. I will post some fun photos of this later!!! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!

Sick Boys!

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The boys have not been feeling so well so they have been doing a lot of laying around lately!!!! I keep finding Grey with his sippy cup and blankets and a pillow. That is my sign he is not feeling great!

They have even been snuggling together which just melts my heart!

Since they have been BLAH we had to cancel watching the Grinch with some friends and eating yummy cookies that were made. So a couple of days later they GREATLY enjoyed the cookies!!!

Being sick is just no fun! Lucky for us though they remain in good spirits despite having up to a 103.2 temp!!!

We took them to the doc and Greyson has pneumonia, which the doctor said means Owen probably has pneumonia as well!

SO lots of love, lots of snuggles, lots of movies have happened around here!!!!