Christmas Countdown

Can you believe we are 12 days away from Christmas?! I'm not going to lie it has been hard to get in to the Christmas spirit this year. I've been exhausted and stressed out more than normal the past couple weeks but it's time for a change! So for the next 12 days I'm going to "dig deep" and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Over the weekend we went out on a family adventure to see a holiday light show. Our two year old loves looking at all the "cool lights" and Santa was there too which has been a big hit this year. Even the baby was gazing at all the lights in every picture I took and his little legs kicking in the Ergo were more than enough to know he had a good time as well. It was a wonderful evening filled holiday joy and minimal tears! ‪#‎holidaylights‬‪#‎christmascountdown‬ ‪#‎12daystilchristmas

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Getting in the Christmas spirit today with cute baby clothes! It's always unfortunate that they seem to get the cute clothes dirty the quickest! #santaslittlehelper#christmascountdown #11daystilchristmas

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Remember the days as kids when all we wanted was a snow day? These days I dread that message that schools are closed. Thankfully I have my holiday coffee mug to lift my spirits that I get to work with a baby AND a two year old today! #morecoffeeplease#christmascountdown #10daystilchristmas

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've got a great DIY for you today for my ‪#‎countdowntochristmas‬. I wish I could say I thought of this brilliant idea but it was actually my husband! These mugs are great because you can customize them to whomever you are gifting them to. 

WHAT YOU NEED
🎁 Plain coffee mugs (ours are from World Market but you could get them at the dollar store)
🎁 Oil-based sharpie marker
🎁 Pencil
🎁 Oven

WHAT YOU DO
🎁 Pick a design
🔸If you are artistic you can free draw a design
🔸 You can use scrapbook letters to make a dotted mug (remove letters before baking)
🔸You can use Word to make a design and then transfer it on to the mug to trace
🔸🔸For this technique you will cut out your design then trace it with a pencil. After tracing, flip the image over, place on the mug then scribble with the pencil over the design. When you remove the paper the design will have traced on to the mug
🔸🔸Also if you are using a phrase, make sure to print the letters reversed
🎁 Trace your design with the oil-based marker
🎁 To clean up your design or fix any mistakes a magic eraser works wonders
🎁 Once your design is complete bake the mug at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
🎁 When mug is finished baking leave it in the oven until the oven is cool to touch
🎁 For an added bonus you can even add something special in the mug: mini wine bottle, candy, coffee, gift cards, etc

‪#‎diy‬  ‪#‎christmasgifts‬ ‪#‎9daystilchristmas‬

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I've been slacking in my holiday cheer the last couple days so I'm back at it with dressing up for a holiday party! 🎄🎁🎉 #countdowntochristmas#6daystillchristmas 

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Some new cozy slippers always helps me get in the holiday spirit! ‪#‎gocats‬‪#‎warmtoes‬ ‪#‎christmascountdown‬ ‪#‎5daystilchristmas‬

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The Christmas music is on non-stop while I'm working these days! While this isn't my favorite Christmas song, it is my absolute favorite video to watch. No joke I watch it 5 times in a row, singing at the top of my lungs! ‪#‎notashamed‬ ‪#‎christmasmusic‬ ‪#‎pentatonix‬
‪#‎christmascountdown‬ ‪#‎4daystilchristmas‬
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

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A Christmas Eve tradition at our house is enjoying some good ole Kansas City BBQ! ‪#‎countdowntochristmas‬ ‪#‎christmaseve‬ ‪#‎onedaytilchristmas‬‪#‎jackstackbbq‬

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Christmas Day hike with the family! Merry Christmas!! 🎄❄ ‪#‎traditions‬‪#‎countdowntochristmas‬ ‪#‎christmasday‬ ‪#‎whitechristmas‬

T25 Transformation

When you keep up the motivation for the past 10 weeks to workout consistently and also complete your workout program you do a victory jump!! 💪🏼 ‪#‎fitmom‬ ‪#‎journeytothirty‬ ‪#‎100daysofhealthy‬ ‪#‎day31‬ ‪#‎focus‬‪#‎T25‬

Alright vulnerability post coming at ya for ‪#‎transformationtuesday‬. I've always been self conscious about my body (and more specifically my mid-section) but that changed after completing P90X. I finally felt comfortable in my own skin and was proud of what I'd accomplished. Then I had kids. I know I should be proud of what my body was able to do and blessed with the two wonderful boys I now have, but that just isn't me. Don't get me wrong I am both of those things, but being comfortable in my own skin directly affects my self confidence and I do not want to be that girl again who hides. But instead of giving up and telling myself that I can never have my body back for whatever excuse I can come up with, I decided to make a commitment to myself because I CAN and I WILL get back to being proud of my body! So I set out on my post-partum fitness journey and here's where I am today.

10 weeks ago I was ready to commit to myself and dedicate the time I needed to make a change. It wasn't always easy to find the time to work out but I did! It was my ME time and I can tell it has greatly benefited my attitude, health and so much more than a physical transformation. But most importantly I've regained the mentality of loving to work out. Really, the sweatier I am or the more tired my muscles feel at the end of a workout, the happier I am! I am driven to push myself to get stronger and I'm having fun doing it! So take this as my progress update because I'm no where near being done! ‪#‎fitmom‬ ‪#‎focus‬ ‪#‎thisisjustthebeginning‬

Rudolph Workout Challenge

Ok I have something FUN for you guys today!! ‪#‎tuesdayfittip‬ is coming at ya via video this week and it's followed by my participation in a fun little holiday challenge! Hope you guys play along and have as much fun with this as I did! ‪#‎fitmom‬ ‪#‎journeytothirty‬ ‪#‎100daysofhealthy‬ ‪#‎day29‬

WATCH YOUR TUESDAY FIT TIP HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exX2ttsio9U

Rudolph Song for the holiday challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUjf78p92WI

No Excuses

My list of excuses could go on and on for reasons to not workout: there's too much to do around the house; the kids aren't napping; I'm tired; I'll do it tomorrow. 

But what are excuses going to get me? They aren't going to get me a lifestyle change and they aren't going to get me more energy and motivation. For the last 3 months I've made a commitment to take 30 minutes of my day for ME! And I don't plan on stopping anytime soon! I'm happier, healthier, more energized and aside from a few sniffles, less sick too.

What's your excuse? Whatever it may be, it's time to push them aside and put YOU first! ‪#‎motivationmonday‬ ‪#‎nevermissamonday‬ ‪#‎journeytothirty‬‪#‎100daysofhealthy‬ ‪#‎day28‬

Cooper Thomas: Five Months

I wish I could say I have it all figured out now that Cooper is 5 months old but yeah, no! He does seem to be a little better scheduled with napping so that's nice, but unfortunately still wakes up multiple times at night. He's fallen back asleep a few times, but generally I go in to get him because I don't want the monster toddler waking up! And lately I've noticed he doesn't eat very much when I do go in, so now it's trying to figure out how to settle him back to sleep because he doesn't like the pacifier. He is now a tummy sleeper since learning to roll over this past month and just like his brother will instantly turn over as soon as you lay him down. Also just like his brother he is ALL OVER his crib! And it's not just the crib. You lay him down on his mat or a blanket and less than 2 min he can be halfway across the room! You can't leave him sitting in his bouncer chair because he either turns over in it or pushes himself backwards out of it. But he does LOVE the jumperoo! He also loves toys and will always pull down the toy on his carseat. He is working on moving toys from hand to hand, but he knows how to grasp...especially mom's hair! He also likes to reach out and grab your face when you're holding him. Silly boy! Despite being small, he is pushing out of 6 month onesies, 6 month pants still fit fine. We started on rice cereal but he is way more interested in the spoon and not so much a fan of the cereal! He loves splashing in the bathtub and has even had a couple splash battles with his brother! He's becoming mommy's running partner and likes being in the stroller or walking around in the carrier. Overall he is such a happy guy who loves giving you smiles and giggles! We love you Cooper!

Dating Anniversary: 14 Years

When your hubby takes you out for your "dating" anniversary you get a wine flight 🍷🍷🍷 ‪#‎malbec‬ ‪#‎cabernet‬ ‪#‎winewednesday‬ ‪#‎journeytothirty

Somebody's Watching You

As parents it is so important to remember that our kids are always watching. This hit home for me because lately my toddler has been more defiant and controlling and I feel like nothing we tell him is good enough. But seeing this picture reminded me that actions speak louder than words. ‪#‎fitmom‬‪#‎journeytothirty‬ ‪#‎100daysofhealthy‬ ‪#‎day20‬