a green easter!

So everyone is and has been all about going green. This is one idea that sounds like SO much fun and is good for the earth! Me and D are DEFINITELY going to try it and of course we think you should too! You can grow real grass in your Easter basket this year instead of that plastic kind that winds up everywhere! You need to get started soon so you can have a couple of weeks to get your grass really growing! Yes, I will post pics!

All You Need:

-Package of Rye or Wheat seed

-Organic potting soil

-Bread or produce bag that cannot otherwise be recycled

-Newspaper

-Easter Basket

1. First, line your basket with the plastic bag, going up the sides to protect the basket

2. Add a few small rocks into the bottom (on top of plastic) to allow for drainage

3. Add 2-3 inches of potting soil

4. Sprinkle seeds on top of potting soil

5. Sprinkle another thin layer of soil on top of the seeds to cover them

6. Water and cover with your newspaper for the first several days until the seeds sprout.

7. Once you see the itty-bitty baby grasses coming up, you can place them in a sunny spot indoors and water!

struggling

This blog is about the simple joys in life and the many reasons to smile. Lately that has been getting more difficult. I am a Christian and have been since I was 7 years old. I have lost sight of things and had to get back on track more than once through the course of my life. I think I have been doing well but it seems like the more I try to stay positive and not get defeated, the more the storms come. I'm sure this is the case for a lot of people.

Last month my husband and I made the very tough decision to send my little sister back to live with my mom. We also went through a miscarriage which is probably the hardest thing we have ever been through. We were upset and depressed a lot. There were lots of sleepless nights filled with tears of grief but we came through it. It's still sad but we can see the sun again. This month, so far, we have gotten a phone bill for almost $600, stressed over the potential government shut down since it directly affects my military husband's paycheck, and are actively researching preschools for our son. We have felt anger, fear, anxiety, and a sense of just being overwhelmed. I have tried to see the good in things but I struggled. Today I made it my mission to enjoy things, to see the good, and to find an honest reason to smile. When I started looking it became a little easier. My son playing with a vintage ninja turtle action figure is way cute, being finished with the laundry feels nice, the warm sun on my face seems calming. All of those things may not sound like much to some people, but for me it's enough. It's enough to want to do pilates so that I can begin to have a reason to smile about my body and weight. It's enough to want to finish decorating our bathroom and adding candles so it will be waiting for me when I decide to take a long, relaxing bubble bath. It's also enough to appreciate when my son wants me to come sit in his room just to be with me.

Sometimes it's easy to smile because you have every reason in the world. Other times you really have to look for a reason but if you look in the right places it won't take long before you feel centered and happy again. Isn't that what life is all about anyway?

Oh and on a side note we have been doing well on eating more healthy. Mesquite chicken and spinach salad for dinner. :)

Just another day in paradise

So far this week has been pretty routine. Did some laundry, sorted through closets, cooked some dinners. Same ole, same ole. Yesterday my toddler started asking about going to school. Every time we pass a school he wants to go. I started doing my research and found a school that looks well suited to our son. My husband and I went back and forth with the pro's and con's of 3 year old kindergarten and we decided it would probably be a positive thing for D.

Here's the run down in our thinking: D can already count to 15, play independently and with other children, follows direction well, is potty trained, uses good manners (please, thank you, mam, sir), and responds to minimal discipline. Not to say that he doesn't have the occasional potty accident or emotional meltdown but both are few and far between. The trouble is he has separation issues because he has been home with me his whole life. We felt like our son would benefit from having a stay at home parent and we stand behind our decision but we fear that when he starts school full time it will be a culture shock for him and put him behind educationally because he will be focused on trying to figure out the social aspects of it. The 3 year old class at the school we chose is half days so he will still have time to be home with what he knows. Plus, it's a private, christian school so I know they will be teaching the same values that we hold important. 

I guess there is no one-size-fits-all with when to start school and where but I am both excited and nervous about the whole situation. I read a statement today that really stuck with me. It said, "The fear with school is us having to release our children into an imperfect world". That is so true. I know I am not perfect but I strive to be. I try to make the best decision, am quick to admit when I am wrong and apologize to all involved when needed. We have made a point to instill a sense of independence in our son and giving him choices whenever possible. What happens if this school simply can't do all that? I can't protect him from everything simply because it's different but I still have fear of the unknown. 

I know I must put on a happy face and talk up the school or he will pick up on my anxiety but for my sanity I still have to acknowledge that my fears are natural and show that I only want the best for my son.

We are going to the school for a tour and to meet the staff on the 15th before making our final decision. I am sure everything will go great though.

Ciao for now!

A new journey and some old baggage

Today has been a pretty good day over all. Got up and went to church. Usually my family hangs around for lunch but today they went on home. So me and my son, D had lunch just the two of us. PB&J sandwiches and mac and cheese. Healthy? Probably not, but it's the perfect meal according to the 3 year old. haha. 

The whole pace of the day has been pretty slow and relaxed. Just how Sundays should be in my opinion. A day of rest. The quiet allowed some overdue reflection on my part. I think our lives have become stagnant. There are things we can and should change and there's no day like today.

1. My husband and I are not overweight by very much but unless we start thinking about how we eat we will get that way in the long run. We should do something about that. Workouts start tomorrow and eating better starts in about 30 minutes. Tonight we are having Mojito Lime chicken. I haven't decided on sides yet but I will come up with something.

2. We love the church we attend but I think we may be out growing it. It is a small church with no more than 20 people. The people are irreplaceable. It's the kind of church where you know everyone and it just feels like home but there isn't anything for kids. D is the ONLY child there. Aside from him my husband and I are the youngest ones in the church. The next youngest? My dad. You see where I'm going with this.  I think it's time for us to move on and find a place that can teach all of us on our own level and have classes such as Sunday school and otherwise that are relevant to us and where we are in our lives. 

3.  Savings. Do I need to say more? I know there are people out there that have a healthy savings account but I am not one of them. To be perfectly honest I don't even KNOW any of them.

This is probably more than enough to tackle in one afternoon. haha. Small changes are key I think. Slowly change our lifestyle to accomodate these goals instead of making drastic, unrealistic changes that we will never stick to. Time to get busy!

Expect to see weight loss comments thrown in at the bottom of each post.
My starting weight? 130lbs. I am 5'2"    

Well today is coming to a close and I am so grateful!!! We have had the heat fixed (again), spent too much money at home depot :), and got in a fantastic workout while working in the yard.

There's something about getting productive that makes you feel good about yourself.

Tomorrow should be fun. My husband has drill so my son and I will be attending a fundraiser for a fantastic cause. Then grocery shopping. My family is going to start eating more healthy but more on that later.

I wish you all the best weekends and we'll talk soon.

Mad Dash.

This morning I woke up and had to call a repair man. Our heater went out and it's rather chilly. Fortunately we have a couple of space heaters we can use.

I call and not 15 minutes later he calls and is almost here. That was quick. Of course last night I didn't clean the kitchen and hadn't done the dishes. Haha. 

I guess a stranger coming to my house was just the thing I needed to get myself motivated. I started cleaning like mad. :)

The repair man has since come and gone and I have very little housework to do the remainder of the day! That means more free time to play with my son! 

I feel an arts and crafts project coming on!!!