Reminded

While cleaning out the pantry I discovered three disposable film cameras that were quite old. I had no idea what was on them or what year they were from. So I took them to Costco to get them developed. 

We picked them up today. I was shocked. Old pictures with ME in them. An old me.

I guess these are reminders of where I've been and where I don't want my body to go ever again. Gonna keep on keepin on.

I clearly have a type....

It's been a whirlwind couple of days.

On Tuesday Marissa and Jean Marie flew in. Cruz and I headed to Target to get dog food and shampoo and conditioner and prep their bathroom. Cruz was chilling in the cart... totally relaxing. Adorable.

Ryenne and Kai were thrilled to see their Grandma. Cruz was reluctant at first and then was a total cuddle bug with her. It was the first time Auntie Jean got to meet Cruz in person. They are quickly becoming buds.

On Wednesday we headed to Houston with Jean to go to the Bruno Mars concert. We drove through Bastrop which has beautiful pine trees.

 The driver :)

On the way we went through Brenham, which is wear the Bluebell Ice Creamery is. We decided to stop off and have some ice cream. YUM!

We made it to Houston safe and sound and checked into the Four Seasons Houston (hooray for comp nights!!)

Our room was really beautiful. We ordered room service and got ready for the concert. 

Here's me and Peter ready and excited to go!

 Jean, Peter, and Me waiting for the concert to start

Ok so who is Bruno Mars? He's a guy from Hawaii who made it big in the music world. He's a little bit old school, a little bit reggae, a little bit rock, and pop.

I'll admit he's my celebrity crush.

I'm am one lucky girl that I have a husband who so closely resembles my celebrity crush. Clearly, I have a type :) Now to see if Peter will ever wear a fedora and Chuck Taylors??? Maybe for Halloween???  *hint, hint babe!*

The concert was actually really awesome. Highly entertaining and we had such a wonderful time. If you're interested in videos, I'm posting below... but just so you know I was screaming like a school girl ;)

In this next one he busts out the ukulele - oh yeah! 

Thank you to my amazing hubby for making this trip happen, for buying me a t-shirt, and indulging me. I had such an amazing time.

We got home to beautiful kids and enjoyed the rest of our afternoon.

Big Girl, Little Girl

I had a photo shoot this afternoon with a return client that I adore. I knew she wouldn't mind if I brought Ryenne along so I asked Ryenne if she wanted to come be my assistant. Ry has wanted to come on photo shoots with me for quite some time, but the moment wasn't right for her to come until now. 

We (finally) had a good rain and after the rain these beautiful white blossoms appear in the meadows. My mom said they're Rain Lillies and I adore them. They popped up all over the place at Gams and Pops place. 

Before my clients got there I asked Ry to model so I could test the light.

It occurred to me how big she's getting. The big #5 is coming up next month. 

I was thinking, "Wow, she's so big." and I got sad. And then I saw how small she is by the tree... and it made my heart smile. Because although she is growing so much and is so much a little person and not a little baby girl, she's still small, she's still learning, she still needs me, she's still and will always be my baby.

When my clients arrived she took her job very seriously. Here she is playing with the baby girl making silly faces trying to get her to smile. 

I had such a wonderful time with Ry. I can't wait to bring her on more sessions with me.

Believe

I saw this quote online:
"She believed. So she did."

Believing in something so deeply and not doubting it's true will make things happen. It already has. Leaps of faith with full belief that everything will be alright is what it's all about.

I reserved a POD to move to Hawaii. Can you believe it? Do I have money for it? No. Have we sold the house? No. But I figured I might as well pick a date (October) and PODS will let me change the month as many times as I want. The price was by far the best out of every moving quote I got. It's $5200 including tax. Of course that doesn't include the cars. But it's booked as if it's happening. I believe.

So with my other crazy habit of checking Maui craigslist and the Maui MLS, I came upon this gem. Actually, if I had the moola I'd buy it RIGHT NOW.

This house sits on nearly an acre right across from Waihe'e elementary.  It needs quite a bit of work, but the bones and the trim are so gorgeous....

On the far right you can see the kitchen was totally ripped out. So there's no kitchen. There is no picture of the bathroom so I don't even know what condition that would be in! haha

On the property is a second home - a 3 bedroom ohana that is really adorable.

All this for $249K - for Maui prices that is AMAZING. God I wish this was coming up in a year or so when we're on our feet there. This would be SO IDEAL for us.

So I'll keep following my belief and faith that everything is going to work out just the way we want. Yep. I'm even going to imagine myself painting that house and cleaning and moving my dining table right there by that built in hutch. Yep. I can see it. I believe it. Something like this is gonna happen for us just when we're ready. 

Kiddos

I haven't had my camera in hand much lately for personal things. I've just been letting life happen mostly and enjoying it.

I did pick up the camera for some pretty cool stuff though. I had a Senior (high school) photo shoot a few days ago and Ryenne asked what that meant. I told her it was a girl who was growing up and wanted to have beautiful pictures - like a model. She said she wanted to model for me. So we just went out on the lanai and she turned on the charm. Her hair had just come out of braids. She looked so grown up. I just couldn't believe it.

 On Tuesday her school was having a Bible presentation. For all the children that are graduating out of the program, they give them a Bible of their very own. It was a sweet presentation filled with singing. Ryenne was so happy. This picture below is her with Miss Claudia (left), Miss Lyn (top) and Miss Shawnda (right).

 Ryenne and Jackson have been buds since they were two. Now look how big they are!

 Ryenne and her friend Avery. Avery joined their school for this year and her and Ryenne have gotten very close.

 Ryenne and Bella - they've been friends since they were two!

 Speaking of growing... Mr. Cruz is growing so much. I often look at him and his face reminds me so much of a little boy and not a baby. His expressions are so priceless. He has started saying "NyNy" at nap time and waving at everyone. He's also started giving kisses. He is such a happy little dude!

 Kai is still hard to catch in front of the camera. Both Cruz and Kai wanted Peter to hold them at the same time. It turned into a tickle session.

Love these interactions with them. 

Kai's Crocs give him really bad blisters, so we set out to find him a new pair of sandals. At Target they had Lighting McQueen sandals. He was instantly in love. He wants to sleep in them!

Dukan Day 2

So I'm finishing day two of the Dukan diet. Day 1 was much harder. I felt kinda weak and yucky yesterday. It didn't help that I love my coffee to be super creamy and nonfat milk just doesn't do the trick. So I didn't drink my coffee and was feeling the effects of caffeine withdrawls.

It was a challenge to eat protein only - and not just protein, but LEAN protein all day long. This morning I was down just over a pound though. So today it was a little easier and I made myself down my coffee so I would get my caffeine fix and feel better.

I have two more days of protein only before I can add veggies back in (no fruits or carbs still). I can do it, I can do it, I can do it...

Kiddos singing Bob Marley

I love this video (you have to click the link if you're getting this in your email). 

This is one of our favorite songs. 

Miss Pessimist Comes for a Visit

She's here. Miss Pessimist. The little pessimistic part of me that comes out every now and then.

Woke up this morning to Mother's Day with my period. Great. This is MY day and here Aunt Flo shows up with all her bloat and sugar cravings. Yeah... thanks a lot!

Went to my parents for breakfast and had lovely whole wheat pancakes and fun time outside with the kids. The boys got so worn out and Ry got to stay with Gams and Pops.

I came home and put the kids to bed. Then what did I do? I decided to do laundry, edit client images, and clean the downstairs room and get it ready to be the play room (it was just finished and I'll take pictures of it soon). Then I decided to do a little laundry. If anyone watched the last episode of "The Middle" and saw what that mom did on Mother's Day - well that's how I felt today.

I didn't want to cook so Peter got Panda Express. I went all out with the tasty goodness and then felt guilty for doing it. It didn't help that I was already totally bloated and sweaty and gross.

Speaking of bloated... we just finished month 2 of p90x. I have been working SO HARD with this program. I have lost ZERO pounds and ZERO inches. It is incredibly frustrating. I feel strong and am seeing muscle tone in my arms, but the fat isn't going anywhere. I have been trying to be positive about this but it's hard to keep being positive when I'm working so hard and not seeing any results.

Tomorrow Peter is off and my mom is coming to babysit so Peter and I can go out on a much needed date. Tuesday I'm starting a new diet called The Dukan Diet. I'm nervous about starting a "diet" but perhaps it's the jumpstart my body needs.

ps) I will continue with the p90x exercise

2 Videos

Pretty Much What I'm Doing

A friend posted this site on Facebook and I went and checked it out:
http://www.nourishingourchildren.org/Home.html

I was happy to see that it's basically what I'm doing! And trying to get the kids to do too. I was thrilled when Kai ate a whole bowl of salad and cucumbers with his dinner. Ryenne wouldn't touch it... but little did she know her meatloaf was full of veggies. :)

In terms of weather and fun things with the kids, yesterday was great. In terms of my diet... not so much. What's really amazing to me is how mad my body got after what I fed it. I had Taco Bell for dinner last night.

After feeding my body real foods, my body did a total flip out on me and I've had bubble guts since last night - sorry tmi. The healthy eating was back on today and my body is starting to forgive me.

Today's menu:

Breakfast:
1 Serving Gluten Free Organic Oats
Blueberries
Stevia
Butter
Coconut Milk
Coffee with Half/Half

AM Snack:
Skipped - oatmeal held me over for a while

Lunch:
Egg salad made of spinach, avocado, mustard and egg in food processor
Ezekiel Bread
Water

PM Snack:
Coconut Milk
Miracle Whey

Dinner:
Homemade Meatloaf (all natural beef) with oatmeal and zucchini inside
1/4 C Brown Rice
Spinach & Cucumber Salad with Blush Vinaigrette

Before Bed Snack
Miracle Whey & Water

Exercise: 58 Minutes Core Synergistics

The exercise and good food today made me feel a ton better.

We've just been relishing going outside... it was another gorgeous afternoon. We cleaned the garage and washed a car. The kiddos helped and I think they got pretty pooped out (they are all snoring right now). 

I had a great time with my mom today which was awesome. The kiddos and us had a phenomenal tickle session before bed. It was just one of those afternoons where Peter and I looked at each other and told each other how we can't believe how lucky we are. 

Here's Cookie Boy for your Thursday viewing pleasure. 

Muffins with Mom

 I had such a wonderful morning with the older two monkeys at their preschool this morning. They were so excited to share muffins and the goodies that they made at school. 

I dropped Kai off in his class and headed to Ryenne's classroom first for muffins with her.

 Ryenne had decorated the box with pretty paper.

 Inside was a lovely mug that she decorated with flowers and rainbows.

 Then it was back to Kai's classroom where he had a bag waiting for me.

 He made me a birdhouse!

 He liked the muffins a lot. He even stole mine.

 And before I left he gave me yellow roses. This is his teacher, Miss Jenn.

a beautiful day

No menu today.... just stories of a beautiful day.

We had a strange cold front that came through - weird after having weather in the mid 90's! But it's gorgeous outside again.

We decided we need to work on the curb appeal of our house. When we moved in, it had a lush, green carpet of grass. I quickly killed it. Since we decided to put the house on the market (yep!) we need to get it looking shiny and pretty again.

We took the kiddos to Lowe's where they got to "race" in the racecarts. We got some ez-seed (lets hope it lives up to it's name!) and came home to a gorgeous afternoon. We put the porta-crib outside and stripped Cruz down to his diaper so he could enjoy the afternoon sun. He rolled around enjoying the sunshine and played cars and just enjoyed being with us. Ry and Cruz got invited over to play at a neighbors house - so they were off having fun. Peter and I hoe'd the yard, planted seed, installed a sprinkler, and soaked up vitamin D. I convinced Peter that all the hoeing and gardening was good enough for the day. We soaked up so much sunshine we were all pretty tired. Nothing that a call to Domino's can't fix. We all enjoyed our pizza and baths and finished off Peter's weekend with big smiles.

Tomorrow is muffins with mommy at the kids' preschool. They each have made something for me. I'll be sure to take pictures!

Yesterdays Menu:

Breakfast:
1 Slice Cinnamon/Raisin Ezekiel Bread
2 Eggs scrambled with tomato, spinach, and basil in coconut oil
Morning coffee with organic half/half

AM Snack:
Skipped

Lunch:
Lean Sirloin Steak cooked in organic butter
Mixed greens salad with tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and avocado in a apple cider vinaigrette

PM Snack:
Banana with almond butter

Dinner:
Gluten Free pancakes with coconut oil and syrup
Bacon

Exercise: 1 Hour Core Synergistics

Note... I didn't really care for the gluten free pancakes. My mom's whole wheat pancakes are hard to beat!

Have Less. Do More. Be More. 

... yes ...

Menu Week 2

I fell off the wagon yesterday (ice cream). And I hadn't posted my menu's because I wasn't sure if anyone really cared, and then I got a call from my Grandma that she was reading them and where did they go? 

So today I took Ryenne to Sunflower (like a cheaper Whole Foods) and we stocked up on some stuff. I bought these rice noodles called Tinkyada Rice Pasta that is gluten free. I made them for dinner... but first the menu for the day:

Breakfast:

Yellow Squash and two organic eggs scrambled in coconut oil

1 piece Ezekiel bread with butter

Coffee with Coffeemate (bought organic half and half at the store to replace it)

Snack:

Raw Trail Mix

Lunch:

Egg Salad Sandwich on Ezekiel Bread (no mayo) with mixed greens

Afternoon Snack:

Banana

Organic Almond Butter

Dinner:

Rice Pasta tossed with homemade spinach/basil/Pecans/Parmesan/Olive Oil

Shrimp

Coconut Water

Exercise: 45 minutes Cardio

So back to the pasta. I LOVE pasta. I can't get enough. But it does make me feel sluggish and tired after eating it. I researched online that it's because of the gluten that makes it hard for the body to digest and that's what gives us a sluggish feeling. So I bought Tinkyada Spaghetti cut Rice Pasta today. I cooked it according to the package and it is VERY starchy. You have to rinse the cooked noodles really well to get off the extra starch. I tossed it into my homemade pesto and some shrimpies and OH MY GOSH. It was awesome. It has the same al dente texture as regular pasta, though it's whiter, and was amazing. Here I am after a full bowl of pasta and I feel fabulous.... I'll be switching to this pasta for the whole family - especially since they're such big spaghetti eaters! 

Another beautiful day. *sigh* I have had so many beautiful moments around me and haven't picked up my camera. I guess I'm just holding those moments dear to my heart for me and only me. 

Breakfast this morning at my parents house was divine. I relished in my whole wheat pancakes. I'll be going fully gluten free this week so I'll post on that. I have to go get some more groceries tomorrow with the monkeys. I do love how they love to go grocery shopping. They love to help pick out fruit and talk about veggie colors and hold things. It makes me look forward to grocery shopping too. 

Peter got this pic of me and Ry today. Love it. 

So I feel like I belong on Maui. I'm not even going to fight it or deny it. I feel like the island is calling back to me - to my family. You know... when I left Maui I was very upset with the island. I was upset that I couldn't have everything that *I* wanted. I didn't want to give up my cable tv or my *stuff*. I wasn't interested in hiking or discovering the island. So you know what Maui did? Maui chewed me up and spit me out until I learned what was important. Now that I have, She's calling me back home with welcoming arms. I have 100% faith that it will work this time. I know in my heart and soul that it's my home and the home I'm meant to raise my family in. I can't fight it. It's where I belong. 

This week I'm *gasp* talking to a Realtor friend to see if we could sell our house and walk away. Crazy, right? I do feel like this great big house is too much for us. I would love to move on. Wow... that felt really good to type out. Really, really good.

I'm going to tell you a story about my trip to San Francisco. Before the trip, I watched a movie called The Secret (it's on Netflix). It's about the power of attraction. It's about telling the untiverse what you want and the universe will provide it. The powers of positive thought... it's a beautiful thing. Anyway, I checked the weather before I left. It called for rain. I imagined a beautiful few days in San Francisco and believed it with every part of my being. It was amazingly beautiful despite the weather predictions for bad weather. On the way back home I checked a bag. When I walked to the baggage claim area in Austin before the bags came out I said out loud, "Thank you so much for taking my bag off the plane with such care and I'm so excited it's the first bag out onto the conveyor." My bag wasn't the first out. It was the second. I was blown away. Had I done this? Was it just a coincidence? Is it a coincidence when I go to check my email saying, "I KNOW there's a new booking in my email!" and sure enough there is one? Every now and then negative thoughts can creep up. But for the most part the positive thinking is doing great. I'm a believer. Thoughts are definitely things. I KNOW we're going to do well on Maui this time... I just know it.

On a World side note... it's being reported that Osama Bin-Laden has been killed today. What a horrible, horrible man. So proud of our Country for (finally) getting him!

Weekend

It's been a nice weekend. There was a huge garage sale near our house that was a benefit for Japan.  The kids scored some cars and some clothes. It was nice to see so many people coming out to support such a good cause.

I had a little bitty wedding yesterday in Wimberley right on the Blanco River. It was lovely. It was really, really humid and hot. I was a giant sweatball, but it was a lot of fun. I love little 2 hour weddings. They are my favorite.

We had a lovely morning with Gams and Pops for breakfast. I have another photo shoot this afternoon. It's just been nice and mellow.

I've decided when Marissa gets here I'm going to purge a lot of crap and have a big garage sale. There's just too much clutter around me right now. I need a good purge... it's cleansing. All of the monies will go into our "Maui Fund" :) Speaking of Maui, I have a mover coming on Tuesday to give us an estimate on how much it would cost us to move back home. Exciting!