Garden

If you are a regular reader you probably saw my pre-garden garden that I kept on my kitchen table. Some of the veggies grew and some didn't at all. That might have something to do with the fact that I often forgot to water them or open my curtains for some much needed sun. My bad. 

When I was getting my new garden spot ready for planting I pulled all the weeds out, did a bunch of rock picking and added some top soil to replenish the nutrients. I will be making a compost so keep your eye out for that post.

Here is my beautiful garden all planted and ready to go. It doesn't look like much so far and it really isn't much. You have to start somewhere. Here is what I planted tomatoes, lettuce, peas, carrots, red peppers and watermelon. 

The forecast was for lots of rain so I thought I better get this done so they can soak up all the wonderful rain. Hopefully it doesn't rain so much that they get drown out. Does that even happen? Oh well too late now.

Here goes nothing. We shall see how this experiment goes. I plan on getting the kinks out this year so by next year I might have a clue what I am doing. Are you an avid gardener? What are some rookie mistakes? I would love to skip over some of those..... help a sister out!! Thanks blogger world.

Sister Ranger

I have some exciting news!!! I have been called to work in the young women's program with the Mia Maids. The Mia Maids are girls from the age of 14 - 15.

I keep introducing myself as Lindsey which is what I have done for so many years but I need to remember to introduce myself as Sister Ranger. I feel so grown up with that title but I'm sure I will get used to it.

I so excited for this new experience. A little nervous too.... I'm sure that I will be fine. I just hope that I will be able to help and teach the girls what they need to know collectively and as individuals.

Previously I have done a bit of teaching when it comes to youth. For years I was a counsellor at Especially for Youth (EFY). These two programs are quite different but many of the concepts are similar. Each are organized to teach youth spiritual concepts, lessons and how to apply them into daily life through discussions and activities. I am crossing my fingers that I will have learned some transferable skills.

There is a new program that is being followed in regards to lessons. I have looked a bit and it seems fantastic. There is a bit more room to cater lessons directly to your group. It also involves the youth a lot through asking questions and waiting for their answers. I have met and learned from many wonderful youth. I think that this experience is going to open my eyes even more to what they already know and understand.

I am going to do my best to help these girls on their path. I know growing up is tricky especially when you re trying to make good choices and not follow what the world says is okay.

If you have any wonderful ideas in how I can help these youth or fun things we can do as a group please let me know! I am open to lots of ideas.

Wish me luck!

Mother's Day Tiles

This year we wanted to do something special for the mom in our family. We made these tiles for our moms and grandparents. We are blest to have all 6 still here with us on earth and all within a half hour drive. 

Babies grow up so fast and I wanted to give them something to remember the beginning of their journey of motherhood.

They all have amazing stories about raising children along with some tragedy and heart ache. They are wonderful examples to me as I am starting my road. I only hope that I can learn from their successes and challenges so I can do my best to raise the next generation.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. That's why I thought Bee's little baby feet would be perfect.

These tiles were quite easy to make. First off I got a friend of mine to print the letters I lo e you onto vinyl. I cut around the letters, placed the sticky side onto tile and used Popsicle sticks to add pressure so the letters were flat, no bubbles. 

I first centered the I and you on the tile. Then I stamped Bee's feet just to the right of the I. 

 

These little feet were tricky as Bee wanted to curl up his toes or he would smear his foot across the tile. I used LOC wipes to quickly remove the footprint so I could redo it. They worked wonderfully. I also used them on his feet after we were done with all the prints. When he was born we printed his feet and the ink did not want to come off with soap. The wipes made cleaning a breeze.

Once we stamped all the feet and cleaned up I put the letters lo e on the sides of the feet. I tried my best to get them centered. Some of them are a bit off but the grandmas didn't mind. They loved them. 

 

I thought the women would like them but was surprised when my Grandpaw was excited by these tiles. He loved the idea and thought the toes were cute...... Grandpaw has always been so manly and a bit tough. I guess great grand kids are softening him up.

Seven Pounds

I have been loving the Bodykey Nutrilite Program!! I feel so great.

When I started my journey of losing my baby weight what I really wanted was to fit into my clothes. I had no idea that my head was attached to my favorite jeans. I just wanted to be able to fit them and feel good about myself. Being pregnant definitely makes you feel like a whale. I was done feeling like any type of large animal.

Here are some of the things I love most about Bodykey.

1. I can still eat real food. No crazy drinks or starving of any kind. 
2. They provide you with fabulous products to help achieve your goals. Delicous nutrition bars (blueberry, cherry almond, lemon or chocolate), invisifiber and meal replacement powder.
3. App and website subscription. I am always on my phone and I need something to help me be and stay accountable. I track my nutrition and exercise all on one spot. It tells me if I need more calories or if I should go for a walk.
4. When I add my food into the App it tells me how balanced I am. Fat, Protein and Carbs. My carbs are normally high so I know that I need to get my protein up so I just eat an egg or some tuna. It displays this data with a chart or daily percents needed. I love both and often refer to it when choosing my next meal.
5. Snacks. Who would have thought that by eating more I would lose more. I sure didn't. I was skeptical about eating 5 - 6 times a day. I think that this simple change as made all the difference. I have energy throughout my day and my body is constantly working to burn my calories and fat. When you eat more consistently with shorter intervals your body works continually instead of powering down and having to start back up a couple hours later. This allows your body to burn fat once it has burned your last meal. 
6. My team. I have been working with 4 other phenominal people. This has helped to keep my motivation high as we receive points for our daily actions. I don't want to let my team down. One my team members has lost 20 pounds in less than 30 days! He looks like a new person. I am so proud of his success. 
7. Tone. My body is looking so good. Weight loss was my goal but I have put on muscle and look/feel so much better. I generally do a 10 minute 4-3-2-1 exercise and go for a jog with my husband. Not everyday but I am trying.
8. Recipes. On the website they provide you with a meal plan, including a weekly shopping list and recipes. Love this. It has taken alot of the work out in regards to changing whats in our fridge.
9. Portions. I had no idea how much I was supposed to eat for my size prior to body key. When I am looking for food I always check to see how much I can eat. I used to just grab a bag of whatever and eat til I was done. Now I count out my crackers or measure a cup of carrots. This has also been a lifesaver.

Bodykey is a weight management program and I completely intend on eating properly for a very long time. I want to be able to do the things that I want to do. I know that in order to achieve this I need to eat well and keep active. I am so grateful for the education that Bodykey has provided. My husband is not on the program with me but he eats what I do and has made more active choices. He looks amazing! He has also been using a protein powder to help build muscle. Small things do make a difference.

I only have seven pounds to go til I am at my pre-wedding weight! I am doing better than I expected. I am still a nursing mother and people ask me what I am doing and some are worried that I wont be able to provide enough for Bee. I think that I am giving him the best start because I am truly taking care of my body. I get what I need and so does he. I am eating more calories than my body uses personally but exactly what I need for the both of us. Bodykey has allowed me to achieve my goals at the current stage I am at. No need to procrastinate. I am excited to see what happens when I stop nursing him. 

If you are looking for a way to eat healthier, have a better lifestyle and achieve your goals this is the program for you. I would love to show you how to get started. If any readers would like some recipes that we have been using let me know. I would be glad to share.

Mother's Day

This year was my first Mother's Day!! I was so excited.

I have seen some wonderful video and I just love them. They helped me remember how important all of the little things that I do really are important.

Mom upside down is Wow!!!

Life doesn't come with a manual it comes with a mother.

I got spoiled this year by my wonderful hubby. He took me out for dinner and a movie while Bee was at grandmas on Saturday night. It has been a while since we went to a movie and I LOVE movies!!! I think it mostly come down to theatre popcorn. 

We watched Oz. I was impressed with the movie and especially how they connected Oz to The Wizard of Oz. They kept with the original style and the actors did I wonderful job at portraying the original characters in a more youthful persona. If you liked The Wizard of Oz I would suggest Oz. 

After the show we still had some time before we needed to pick Bee up so we want to a local park. It sure was beautiful and yes we are that PDA couple on the grass talking and playing with each others hair. It works for us. Feel free to puke if needed.

Sunday morning Bee was adorable. Bee was so happy and smiley. He has become quite the singer with his oohs and aahs so he sang me a song. I loved it! Bee also loves to play with my hair and face. I am teaching him how to be gentle by stoking my hair and face with his hands very softly. His song was extra special because he held my face, looked right into my eyes and sang his little heart out. Oh how I love this boy and being his mom.

We spent the rest of the day celebrating at church and at both our moms homes. It was wonderful but made for a rushed day as lunch was in a different city than dinner was. Good thing they are close!! Bonus was that I didn't have to cook but I did help out so that my mom and my mom in law didn't have to do everything on their special day.

I LOVE Mother's Day!! I think it is my new favorite holiday. Better than birthdays. Maybe I feel this way because I definitely have worked my butt off trying to be a good mother, I deserved a special day.

I am so grateful for my mom and also the many special women in my life. I have so many wonderful people surrounding me as examples. I hope that I can use the lessons they have given me and apply them to my own journey of motherhood.

Tis the Cabin Life

Well last year the lake flooded again. Ugh. All the water destroyed our brick retaining wall. What a lot of work we have to do. Lots of the dirt/rocks that were behind and under the wall and stairs have been moved by the water. This resulted in quite a few of our stairs splitting and tumbling to one side or the other.

 

This weekend we spent our time re-stacking 60 pound blocks. Once we stacked them then we had to put lots of rocks behind to stabilize the wall. We also poured cement under the top staircase to keep it from moving. We had to lengthen our wall to cover our waterline. The higher the water the higher the erosion. Hopefully the line doesn't freeze or we are in for a lot more work.... There is a tree very close to the edge of the bank. The soil is continually eroding as we can see the roots..... Only a matter of time before it falls over. Should we let it fall or chop it down? Choices choices. Either way we run the risk of the wall being ruined again.

 

Our brief 24 hour trip was Bees first trip down to our cabin. He was not a fan of the drive down. Probably mostly because we didn't time it very well. Our drive interrupted two feedings. We will know better next time. Bee loved to be outside. Jason held him up to the window. Every time he brought him down he would wimper but once he could see out again he was all smiles.

Oh what a day!! Still lots to do before the stairs are child/senior friendly. I'm sure we will have another work weekend soon. As hard as the work is I am really glad that I had the opportunity to grow up in this environment. I learned that first you have to work hard to play hard. Lets be honest here we do work hard but we play way way harder. Just the way I like it. I hope that I will be able to teach Bee lessons like good work ethic, responsibility, service, team wok, etc. I think I can do it, especially with my families help.

 

All the work is worth the view!

5 months

My little Hunny Bee is 5 months old!

He is just getting more and more fun. I love him so much.
Bee has found his feet and doesn't like to let them go. He loves when I tickle his toes or snack on them. I take turns, one foot at a time. He loves it so much that he switches feet on me. I have to be really quick or he will kick me right in the face. Yes, that has happened a few times but I think (fingers crossed) that I have learned my lesson. He holds his legs up nice and high when I change his diaper which is helpful but he never puts them down again. We have a wrestling match on the change pad. It's actually quite fun. If I tickle him just right he will move so I can get it on.

Bee loves outside. He would play out there all day long! The first time i laid him on the grass he was in heaven. He just wanted to hold onto the grass, both of his hand were full of grass. The blades do feel prety nifty. Bee LOVES his exersaucer. He would play in there forever which is nice that I get a bit of a break.

The older he gets the more he becomes a daddy's boy. Yesterday Jason was a bit late coming home from work and Bee knew it. He was watching the stairs for his daddy. Good thing he wasn't too late I'm sure he would have screamed for Jason. Swimming is going really well. He loves to splash and kick. Good thing because he is going to be the water a lot. Especially if my mom is nearby.

We have a turtle, Max, that Bee loves to watch. Max completely relaxes and entertains him at the same time. It makes for an excellent break for me.

Bee weighs just over 12 lbs. He is still a little guy but he is growing really great. He is losing his little baby look and looks more like a little boy. Oh well he can only stay little for so long.

See!!! Here are my feet. Don't they look fun to you?

Supermum

Somedays being a new mom is really hard. Maybe I should rephrase that often being a new mom is hard. I think I am improving as Bee gets older. It probably has something to do with him being more independent but I also think I am learning to adapt to all of the changes that our family faces.

Today I felt like I could take on the world and I had an extra kid!! Good thing he is wonderful. My cousin has done a great job with her son and I'm glad to have him in my home.

Lets see. What did we do. Dishes, like all of the dishes I own. (Maybe that's a detail I should leave out....) Laundry: dried, washed, folded AND put away 5 loads. Whew! I'm tired just thinking about it. Went on a walk for an hour. Remembered to eat something. Read stories and put the kids down for a nap. While they slept I watched tv and ate cookie dough. So much for my Bodykey program. I deserved a cheat moment anyways I killed the day and my weight loss goals are rocking.

I feel like I should mention that the majority of my accomplishments were done before 1:00. That nap/cookie dough time was wonderful but slowed me down..

I'm sure Jason wishes I had these days more often but that's just not how it works. I once saw a saying that went something like this. "Marry a creative person and somedays you will come home to a disaster but sometimes you will come home to a shining home. Get used to the first option, it will happen more often." I will look for the actual saying. It is quite funny and partially accurate.

I'm sure some of you can relate.

I hope you all have a super day. Chances are if you don't get everything done you are still a super mum.

My little starfish

We enrolled Bee in swimming lessons and yesterday was his first time in a pool. He loved it!! He likes having baths so I though he would like it just fine.

I however was a bit concerned about going under the water. Bee did so great when I dunked him the first time he just looked at me like "what was that for?" After that no problem.

He quite enjoyed these floating dolphins that he sat in. He was doing so good kicking an he loves to splash around. We sang some songs and we practised floating on his back and laying on our front trying to blow bubbles. He hasn't figured that out yet but he loved watching my bubbles.