No big brown truck parked in front of my house.
No person in a brown suit knocking on my door.
No UPS delivery.
I am beginning to wonder if UPS is playing some kind of sick joke on me. I am starting to think they are starting to enjoy watching me chase them down the street as they drive by only to fall to my knees in tears when they don't stop to give me my flipping Vita-mix!
Today more than ever I understand why I need to reboot my system. When I eat healthy and run everyday I feel good. Not the I feel good because I am doing what is right, the I am healthy and pain free kind of feel good. I was doing really great no pain or illness for months. In fact I have had the longest stretch of pain free living that I have had in years! Then the holidays came, Scott left for 6 weeks and I stopped running and eating right. I wouldn't say my eating was amazing before Scott left but my exercise routine was awesome! No winter blues here. There is no excuse other than I got lazy and confident that I had kicked my problem in the face and it was gone.
Yeah, well not so much. This weekend the pain returned and today the pain I feel is so intense that I had to call Scott and tell him I wouldn't be able to make a friend of ours promotion ceremony. That broke me down bad. I hate canceling on Scott. I love meeting him for anything and everything. It is like a unexpected date. Although not always romantic, it is time that I get with him during his crazy work day. I hate canceling on my family when my pain sets in. My poor family is probably so sick of me and my medical issues. I know I am!
I just want a normal healthy life! I am so fortunate to have the life and have. To not have a life threatening illness. I count my blessing every day for that. Right now I am sad, defeated and mad. I did this to my self. I can fix this, it is in my control. I know if I stick to my vegetarian diet, limit protein intake, and run at least 5 days a week I will not experience pain. So I am so mad at myself right now. I need to reboot and restart my life. A pain free life.
So my juicing plan is for more than just weight loss it is for my health. It is for me to be able to live. To be able to meet my husband for anything and everything, to be able to be a mom to my kids. Not the person they all look at with the, "here we go again" eyes. They are all so wonderful to me when this happens but I know they don't want a mom and wife that lays around. Hell, I don't want to lay around. I have a million other things I want to be doing! Although I do have to say this laying around always gets my creative mind going because all I do is look at craft blogs and store ideas in my head. OK so that is not good either! I need to live!
So juicing needs to start. Maybe if I send this blog to UPS my vita-mix will arrive right now! I know my Vita-mix won't take the pain away. I know that it will be gone or at least be less painful in 3 days to a week. I know that getting back on the right diet and exercise routine will keep it away. So yes people the pain of my detox is so much better than the pain I am in right now. This crazy plan is so worth every headache, acne break out, and hunger fit. It means I will be back on track and I plan to never get off it. The pain I am feeling right now is giving me so much motivation to live a pain free life!
I am so beyond ready to reboot my system!!! UPS please release the damn Vita-mix!!!
PS I have the tracking number and they say tomorrow is the big day! I was hoping they would hook a sister up and deliver it early! Lord help them if that sucker isn't at my door by 6:30 tomorrow night!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Only A Few Days of Snickers and Coke Left!
New Years Resolution...
Ah, yes those wonderful reminders that come around once a year to remind us that we sucked last year and need to have another shot at it again this year! To remind us of that ten pounds we resolved to lose but gained right back on February. That soda we promised to stop drinking but decided the headaches were not worth it so we bought that case of Coke yelling, "drink me" as we walked by it in the grocery store and drank the whole fricken thing in the car! So here we are January 2nd the first full day of weight loss, no soda, no nicotine, or whatever crazy thing you resolved to do this year. This year is going to be the year we do it!! I know I am praying that this year will be my last year of resolving to lose weight. I am bound and damn determined to make it happen. To kiss my muffin top good-bye, to burn every pair of spanx I own. Oh wait, I may sell those on eBay. I may need the extra cash because all those cute jeans in my closet are going to be WAY to big this time next year! Yep, I am doing it!
Step one: get this diet started! I am waiting a few days to kick this off because I like to do opposite of the rest of you crazy peeps! No, not really I actually was hoping to start this a few days back but my flipping Vitamix, the tool that will make my muffin top melt is still being held hostage by UPS. Conspiracy I tell ya! I think they are letting all my friends get pounds shed before me so I am the fat girl on the block! Really, Vitamix you need 15 days to get to CA from Ohio. Like Scott said, we could have rode our bikes to Ohio in 15 days and got it our darn selves. I guess if we would have done that we wouldn't have needed to Vitamix to make our pounds melt. Hmmmm
Anyway. Vitamix is a vital part of my plan to my, "finish what I started" resolution. Why? Well because it will make the item I will need to reboot my system. My Vitamix will turn all my veggies and fruits and to yummy juice concoctions that I will consume in place of food. That is right my friends we are juicing! I am committing to nothing but juice for 30 days.
I need a detox. We were Vegans for 10 straight months. I felt amazing, better than I ever had before. It was hard at first and then it became what we did. It was our lifestyle. What happened? Why did we quit? The only reason I can come up with is confidence. Lose more weight then you have in a long time and you feel good. So you forget to eat healthy and fall off the vegan train hard. It is easy to eat like crap. The bad part is you feel like crap. I have just a small amount of weight to lose to bring back my confidence. My challenge is taking it to another level and keep it there.
My short term plan is to reboot my system by juicing for 30 days.
I have also vowed to quit chocolate and soda for good, as in forever! Yep I am done, D-O-N-E with those two items. The two items I can grab anytime, devour in my car and ditch the wrappers and no one will ever know. So no more ever again. No lie! You may laugh and say no way, but ask me when the last time I ate McDonald's was or when I had anything with any kind of artificial sweetener in it. Quit those no problem so I am quitting the other two no problem. I have also set another pound goal. A number that my scale will not go over. A heathy and very achievable weight. When I was fat I set a number goal achieved it and guess what my friends in 5 years I have never gone over that number. So it is time to set a new one. Time to quit using I have 3 kids so I can't look like I did in High School. Hell, the only thing I liked about High School was my weight so I am getting it back! I am also going to set new fitness goals. Set new PRs, swim more, etc, etc, etc I am praying these few things will build my confidence higher. This is not a diet for me this is going to be the start to the rest of my life. We are doing it!
FYI I am sharing this with all of you as my personal journal, my accountably. Or better yet I am sharing this crazy plan cause I need all of you on your damn knees praying for me, loving me through my bitchy detox attitude, and slapping me upside my head when I toss that Ritter Sport in the cart when I thought no one was looking. I am also preparing you for a bunch a griping, whiny blog posts ahead. Cause guess what my friends I am blogging about this whole crazy ordeal right here!
Ah, yes those wonderful reminders that come around once a year to remind us that we sucked last year and need to have another shot at it again this year! To remind us of that ten pounds we resolved to lose but gained right back on February. That soda we promised to stop drinking but decided the headaches were not worth it so we bought that case of Coke yelling, "drink me" as we walked by it in the grocery store and drank the whole fricken thing in the car! So here we are January 2nd the first full day of weight loss, no soda, no nicotine, or whatever crazy thing you resolved to do this year. This year is going to be the year we do it!! I know I am praying that this year will be my last year of resolving to lose weight. I am bound and damn determined to make it happen. To kiss my muffin top good-bye, to burn every pair of spanx I own. Oh wait, I may sell those on eBay. I may need the extra cash because all those cute jeans in my closet are going to be WAY to big this time next year! Yep, I am doing it!
Step one: get this diet started! I am waiting a few days to kick this off because I like to do opposite of the rest of you crazy peeps! No, not really I actually was hoping to start this a few days back but my flipping Vitamix, the tool that will make my muffin top melt is still being held hostage by UPS. Conspiracy I tell ya! I think they are letting all my friends get pounds shed before me so I am the fat girl on the block! Really, Vitamix you need 15 days to get to CA from Ohio. Like Scott said, we could have rode our bikes to Ohio in 15 days and got it our darn selves. I guess if we would have done that we wouldn't have needed to Vitamix to make our pounds melt. Hmmmm
Anyway. Vitamix is a vital part of my plan to my, "finish what I started" resolution. Why? Well because it will make the item I will need to reboot my system. My Vitamix will turn all my veggies and fruits and to yummy juice concoctions that I will consume in place of food. That is right my friends we are juicing! I am committing to nothing but juice for 30 days.
I need a detox. We were Vegans for 10 straight months. I felt amazing, better than I ever had before. It was hard at first and then it became what we did. It was our lifestyle. What happened? Why did we quit? The only reason I can come up with is confidence. Lose more weight then you have in a long time and you feel good. So you forget to eat healthy and fall off the vegan train hard. It is easy to eat like crap. The bad part is you feel like crap. I have just a small amount of weight to lose to bring back my confidence. My challenge is taking it to another level and keep it there.
My short term plan is to reboot my system by juicing for 30 days.
I have also vowed to quit chocolate and soda for good, as in forever! Yep I am done, D-O-N-E with those two items. The two items I can grab anytime, devour in my car and ditch the wrappers and no one will ever know. So no more ever again. No lie! You may laugh and say no way, but ask me when the last time I ate McDonald's was or when I had anything with any kind of artificial sweetener in it. Quit those no problem so I am quitting the other two no problem. I have also set another pound goal. A number that my scale will not go over. A heathy and very achievable weight. When I was fat I set a number goal achieved it and guess what my friends in 5 years I have never gone over that number. So it is time to set a new one. Time to quit using I have 3 kids so I can't look like I did in High School. Hell, the only thing I liked about High School was my weight so I am getting it back! I am also going to set new fitness goals. Set new PRs, swim more, etc, etc, etc I am praying these few things will build my confidence higher. This is not a diet for me this is going to be the start to the rest of my life. We are doing it!
FYI I am sharing this with all of you as my personal journal, my accountably. Or better yet I am sharing this crazy plan cause I need all of you on your damn knees praying for me, loving me through my bitchy detox attitude, and slapping me upside my head when I toss that Ritter Sport in the cart when I thought no one was looking. I am also preparing you for a bunch a griping, whiny blog posts ahead. Cause guess what my friends I am blogging about this whole crazy ordeal right here!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Great Start!
 |
| Happy New Year! |
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us to heaven.
Philippians 3:13-14
I am excited about what 2012 has in store for us. I am most excited about 365 days to finish what I have started! To becoming what I should be! For the past few years I have had the New Year's resolutions that make the top 20 list. You know the standard I want to lose weight, quit a bad habit, etc, etc, etc....
I am happy to say that I am finally at a point where I just need to set a new benchmark. Set the bar a little higher to the goals I have already reached. Although the goals I had set for myself were not goals of what I should be. I think I have settled and I want to become better and do more! 2012 will be the year of finishing what I started and bettering things that are already good!
One thing on my list is making the most of the area I live in. Why not start that today? The hike we planned yesterday didn't happen because of the wind. So this morning we made it happen. Scott and I decided to take a chance and have the kids come with us on the initial hike. We usually do the hike without them to see if it is something they can handle. I am so happy we chose to take them. I am happy that they got to experience the awesome private beach with us. That all 5 of us got to experience Paradise together!
The hike was short but a little challenging. The path was steep and slippery in some areas. The rattlesnake population is pretty high here and they love the area we hiked so it made us a bit nervous. The snakes are aggressive here and like to hiss at you instead of going away from you. So we had to be on the lookout. I am happy to report no rattlesnake sightings! The trail itself was great until the last part that led you to the beach. That is where it was a bit slippery and steep. Fortunately it was a very short distance and something all of us could handle. Plus, I am pretty sure the sound of the waves crashing and the private beach that was before us was motivation to get us there without hesitation!
We were in an area that was enclosed by cliffs and the ocean. It was like our own piece of paradise! I guess that is why they call it Paradise Beach. We took off our shoes and socks and walked on the sand. There is nothing better than the feeling of sand between your toes. It was definitely what we like to say, a "we live here" moment!
I really felt like this was a hike that was meant to be done. A hike that we all felt like we were taking full advantage of where God has placed us. I can't wait to check more CA things to do off my list!
2012 has started out pretty awesome!
Gracefully I look up, thankful for a new year. I pray that I have the determination and strength to set a new standard this year. To finish what I started and to thank God for all things he gives me this year both good and bad!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Date Nights Can Lead to Date Mornings!!!
2 days left of 2011. Why not make the most of what is left? Why not end the year on a great note?
I can't think of anything better then a date night!
Not sure any wife and mother can think of something better than a great date with the man she loves more than anything in the world!
So Scott and I decided to spend last night together just the two of us! We love California sunsets and can and should enjoy them every night. Unfortunately he works until after the sun goes down most evenings. Not yesterday!! They let him out of the cell early so we made a cup of joe and heading to the beach and watch that amazing sunset without a soul around us! It was great! Then off to dinner for 2 at a great Italian restaurant! The food was AMAZING and out time together was priceless! I love nights like this, even if we call it a night at 9pm because we are old and boring!
I guess we enjoyed each other so much that we decided to start today off with another date. So we snuck out the door before the kiddos woke up and headed toward the beach for a hike. We got a bit side tracked and headed to what we have decided is our secret breakfast place. It is the kind of restaurant that only locals go to and when you walk in everybody knows your name. Kind of like Cheers! Except they don't know Scott and I because we aren't from around here!! Anyway, after stuffing our faces with yummy breakfast and strong coffee we headed toward our hiking location. Scott had been researching this area for a couple of weeks. He found the trail that would be the least dangerous and least likely to fall into the ocean. The hike would lead us to a private little beach called Paradise beach. It seemed so romantic and a perfect way to end this awesome year! As we approached the trail head the wind picked up. It was crazy...
So as the wind blew our trusty old van around we decided today wouldn't be the best day to hike to Paradise. A bit disappointed we made the best out of our situation! We explored the area by van instead of by foot. Vandenberg AFB is one of the largest bases in the US. It is actually bigger than Washington DC. So it provides lots of unused roads that lead to places that have not been explored very often. It reminds me of North Dakota that way. We traveled on several dirt roads and found some areas that lead to some awesome beach areas that we can't wait to take the kids too. We also found some great spots that provided amazing panoramic views of the ocean. It was another awesome date!
Two dates in less than 24 hours and the last date isn't complete so guess that means tomorrow will be date #3 and date #1 of 2012! I am one very lucky girl!!!
I can't think of anything better then a date night!
Not sure any wife and mother can think of something better than a great date with the man she loves more than anything in the world!
So Scott and I decided to spend last night together just the two of us! We love California sunsets and can and should enjoy them every night. Unfortunately he works until after the sun goes down most evenings. Not yesterday!! They let him out of the cell early so we made a cup of joe and heading to the beach and watch that amazing sunset without a soul around us! It was great! Then off to dinner for 2 at a great Italian restaurant! The food was AMAZING and out time together was priceless! I love nights like this, even if we call it a night at 9pm because we are old and boring!
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| Beautiful... Isn't it?! |
I guess we enjoyed each other so much that we decided to start today off with another date. So we snuck out the door before the kiddos woke up and headed toward the beach for a hike. We got a bit side tracked and headed to what we have decided is our secret breakfast place. It is the kind of restaurant that only locals go to and when you walk in everybody knows your name. Kind of like Cheers! Except they don't know Scott and I because we aren't from around here!! Anyway, after stuffing our faces with yummy breakfast and strong coffee we headed toward our hiking location. Scott had been researching this area for a couple of weeks. He found the trail that would be the least dangerous and least likely to fall into the ocean. The hike would lead us to a private little beach called Paradise beach. It seemed so romantic and a perfect way to end this awesome year! As we approached the trail head the wind picked up. It was crazy...
 |
| I have never seen the waves this gnarly! |
So as the wind blew our trusty old van around we decided today wouldn't be the best day to hike to Paradise. A bit disappointed we made the best out of our situation! We explored the area by van instead of by foot. Vandenberg AFB is one of the largest bases in the US. It is actually bigger than Washington DC. So it provides lots of unused roads that lead to places that have not been explored very often. It reminds me of North Dakota that way. We traveled on several dirt roads and found some areas that lead to some awesome beach areas that we can't wait to take the kids too. We also found some great spots that provided amazing panoramic views of the ocean. It was another awesome date!
Two dates in less than 24 hours and the last date isn't complete so guess that means tomorrow will be date #3 and date #1 of 2012! I am one very lucky girl!!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Goodbye 2011...
As 2011 comes to an end I find myself looking at the 365 days behind me with both a smile and some tears. This year is the first year that I believe the good and not so good were balanced. Every not so good thing had a great thing happen near it or it had some good in it!
Scott and I were able to ring in the New Year alone....NO kids!! That was fabulous all on it's own but it was even more fabulous that we got to see the Gamecocks play in the Chick-fil-A bowl! My first Gamecock football game and even though they lost it was wonderful!!! 2011 was off to a good start!
2011 events...
I turned 32!!! Not sure why but I have always been excited to turn 32! I am going to be sad to say goodbye to this wonderful number. However, 33 is sounding pretty cool!! Let me tell ya, I am loving my thirties!
I had a little health scare. OK, it scared the holy crap out of me. I can say it was a good thing though. God has a way of making me realize my faith in him can fall short at times and by placing events in my life like this I grow. I am happy to say that it was just a scare and that I was able to go a full year with no surgeries!!! That is a big deal for me and I am so thankful for it! Praying 2012 brings me the same blessing!!!
Scott and I ran two half marathons and did two triathlons. Yes we did! Two more medals hang on our hooks and 4 more finish lines were crossed hand and hand! I love that we do these together. Let's face it Scott could blow me out of the water but he packs up his manhood and finishes with his whining wimpy wife every time!
Scott's love and willingness to stand beside me through every surgery, every weak moment, every health scare, and every up and down moment is the reason we celebrated 10 years of marriage in April! One decade filled with nothing but love, strength, and encouragement. OK there may have been some hard times that involved some little feuds at times, but I can honestly say I married my best friend. Scott completes me. There is no one in the world that gets me like he does!
Close to our anniversary we received news from the AF, we were notified that CA would be our new home in July! Crazy change from Alabama and not a job we put #1 on our list. So the news was bittersweet. This was the first time I prayed for an assignment. I knew that where ever God placed us was right where we needed to be. So I knew when the news came, there was a reason and that gave me peace. So we spent most of the spring months preppy for our upcoming move.
We also celebrated Jessie's 14th birthday. I was very happy to say goodbye to 13 and hello to 14. Let me tell you this girl is amazing now. The awkward years seem to be behind us. Jess loves us and shows it. She is beyond funny and likes to laugh with us. She is a super fun and smart kid that can do anything! She is turning into a beautiful young lady..
Shortly after the celebration of a big anniversary, news of a move, and our awesome daughter turning 14 we were forced to make a very difficult decision. Our sweet Dixie girl was put to sleep. I have been through a lot in my life but this event was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of my old girl.
Our frowns were soon turned upside down! June brought lots of reasons to smile! Jillian turned 9 years old and finished out her level 3 gymnastics and moved up to level 4! She is a hard little worker just like her dad, who completed SAASS and received his third master's degree! So to celebrate we packed up the car and heading to our favorite place, Charleston!!! It was an awesome trip filled with visiting our favorite places, eating our favorite food, and visiting friends and family one more time before heading west. After our awesome visit with Scott's grandma we left SC with tummies full of good southern cooking and headed to visit our best friend in the whole entire world in Flordia. We had the best time just chillin and chatting. The trip was way to short but we had to head back to sweet home Alabama and meet our movers.
We got the house packed up said some tearfilled good byes and headed down to our second favorite place, Destin!!! Again we had an amazing time. It was a relaxing trip just hanging out at the beach. Much needed before our multiple state journey began!
From Flordia we decided to head up north and spend some time with my family. The trip was almost cancelled due to the flood that has devasted my hometown. I am thankful that we decided to not let that ruin our plans. Although it was difficult to see the devastation it was wonderful hanging out with my grandparents and parents. I miss my family and love taking my kids to the place I called home for many years.
From ND we headed to our old stomping grounds Mountain Home, ID. Upon entering the state I quickly realized why I loved it there so much! Idaho is a place I could call home for sure. Just an overnight stay in ID than it was off to Portland! Another amazing city! From Oregon we began the trek toward our new home in CA.
California has been amazing! Beaches, wine, perfect weather, what is not to love?! We settled in very quickly this time around. I finally think I have this moving thing down! We started the kids in school and as soon as I hung the last curtain rod the AF agreed that my husband is a rock star and selected him to take command of a squadron in NM!!! It was the best birthday present I think he has ever gotten! I am so incredibly proud of Scott. Squadron Commmand was a career goal for Scott and he is beyond thrilled that he is going to achieve it! It does mean another move for us in 2012 and will make our stay in CA only a 10 month stay, but we are all beyond excited for this opportunity.
October was another celebration month for me! I celebrated 5 years cancer free! Beating this disease has made me the rockstar I am today! It changed my life and I am thankful for what it made me become instead of it destroying me! I am a bolder more daring person since the diagnosis so putting pink streaks in my hair to celebrate seemed like a fabulous plan! It was and I plan on doing it every year from now on!!!
October also brought a reality to life that Scott and I are not quite ready to face and that is, our daughter is growing up! Our brown eyed beauty put on a pretty dress and walked out the door to attend her first dance with a boy! I will not call it a date because I am not ready for that step! I was a mess and Scott was surprisingly cool. She looked amazing and so grown up, I want time to stand still...
Time will not stand still so onto November! Another awesome month! Big J turned 10 the big double digits! That kid is the sweetest boy I know! He has traded in his football helmet for shin guards and basketball shoes and has become quite the soccer and basketball star!!! I love seeing my boy be all boy and love sports! It makes me happy! Another thing that makes me happy is seeing my husband so excited that a smile can not be whipped off his face. Not even when the oath is read as he went from Major Brodeur to LT COL BRODEUR!!!! That was a good day, no that was a great day! Mom and dad came out to celebrate and be a part of this life we love so much. Moments like his pin on our why we keep living this crazy life. I don't think he has stopped smiling since that day! Man, he looks good with that silver on his shoulder!
December is here and in a couple days will be gone. I spent the first part of the month creating things from the website that has taken me away from my blog... Pinterest! I was quite the Martha Stewart this holiday season! It was fun! We were able to celebrate another Christmas all under one roof. I am alway so thankful when Scott is able to be home for the holidays. We have spent way too many apart. This Christmas was the 2nd Christmas celebrated with just the Brodeur 5. Although I missed my parents a ton I am thankful for the bond I have with my family. My heart is full when I am with them. I believe being away from family for so many years has created a very special bond in our home and I was thankful for that this Christmas. It was a wonderful day celebrating all the gifts that God has given us this past year!
2011 was a great year and I look forward to 2012.
Gracefully I look up thankful for a year filled with amazing blessings! I pray that 2012 will be a year full of fresh starts, new goals to achieve, and many things to celebrate! Thankful for a God that no matter what the year brings he is there to guide us and lead us through it all!
Happy New Year My Friends!!!!
Scott and I were able to ring in the New Year alone....NO kids!! That was fabulous all on it's own but it was even more fabulous that we got to see the Gamecocks play in the Chick-fil-A bowl! My first Gamecock football game and even though they lost it was wonderful!!! 2011 was off to a good start!
2011 events...
I turned 32!!! Not sure why but I have always been excited to turn 32! I am going to be sad to say goodbye to this wonderful number. However, 33 is sounding pretty cool!! Let me tell ya, I am loving my thirties!
I had a little health scare. OK, it scared the holy crap out of me. I can say it was a good thing though. God has a way of making me realize my faith in him can fall short at times and by placing events in my life like this I grow. I am happy to say that it was just a scare and that I was able to go a full year with no surgeries!!! That is a big deal for me and I am so thankful for it! Praying 2012 brings me the same blessing!!!
Scott and I ran two half marathons and did two triathlons. Yes we did! Two more medals hang on our hooks and 4 more finish lines were crossed hand and hand! I love that we do these together. Let's face it Scott could blow me out of the water but he packs up his manhood and finishes with his whining wimpy wife every time!
Scott's love and willingness to stand beside me through every surgery, every weak moment, every health scare, and every up and down moment is the reason we celebrated 10 years of marriage in April! One decade filled with nothing but love, strength, and encouragement. OK there may have been some hard times that involved some little feuds at times, but I can honestly say I married my best friend. Scott completes me. There is no one in the world that gets me like he does!
Close to our anniversary we received news from the AF, we were notified that CA would be our new home in July! Crazy change from Alabama and not a job we put #1 on our list. So the news was bittersweet. This was the first time I prayed for an assignment. I knew that where ever God placed us was right where we needed to be. So I knew when the news came, there was a reason and that gave me peace. So we spent most of the spring months preppy for our upcoming move.
We also celebrated Jessie's 14th birthday. I was very happy to say goodbye to 13 and hello to 14. Let me tell you this girl is amazing now. The awkward years seem to be behind us. Jess loves us and shows it. She is beyond funny and likes to laugh with us. She is a super fun and smart kid that can do anything! She is turning into a beautiful young lady..
Shortly after the celebration of a big anniversary, news of a move, and our awesome daughter turning 14 we were forced to make a very difficult decision. Our sweet Dixie girl was put to sleep. I have been through a lot in my life but this event was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of my old girl.
Our frowns were soon turned upside down! June brought lots of reasons to smile! Jillian turned 9 years old and finished out her level 3 gymnastics and moved up to level 4! She is a hard little worker just like her dad, who completed SAASS and received his third master's degree! So to celebrate we packed up the car and heading to our favorite place, Charleston!!! It was an awesome trip filled with visiting our favorite places, eating our favorite food, and visiting friends and family one more time before heading west. After our awesome visit with Scott's grandma we left SC with tummies full of good southern cooking and headed to visit our best friend in the whole entire world in Flordia. We had the best time just chillin and chatting. The trip was way to short but we had to head back to sweet home Alabama and meet our movers.
We got the house packed up said some tearfilled good byes and headed down to our second favorite place, Destin!!! Again we had an amazing time. It was a relaxing trip just hanging out at the beach. Much needed before our multiple state journey began!
From Flordia we decided to head up north and spend some time with my family. The trip was almost cancelled due to the flood that has devasted my hometown. I am thankful that we decided to not let that ruin our plans. Although it was difficult to see the devastation it was wonderful hanging out with my grandparents and parents. I miss my family and love taking my kids to the place I called home for many years.
From ND we headed to our old stomping grounds Mountain Home, ID. Upon entering the state I quickly realized why I loved it there so much! Idaho is a place I could call home for sure. Just an overnight stay in ID than it was off to Portland! Another amazing city! From Oregon we began the trek toward our new home in CA.
California has been amazing! Beaches, wine, perfect weather, what is not to love?! We settled in very quickly this time around. I finally think I have this moving thing down! We started the kids in school and as soon as I hung the last curtain rod the AF agreed that my husband is a rock star and selected him to take command of a squadron in NM!!! It was the best birthday present I think he has ever gotten! I am so incredibly proud of Scott. Squadron Commmand was a career goal for Scott and he is beyond thrilled that he is going to achieve it! It does mean another move for us in 2012 and will make our stay in CA only a 10 month stay, but we are all beyond excited for this opportunity.
October was another celebration month for me! I celebrated 5 years cancer free! Beating this disease has made me the rockstar I am today! It changed my life and I am thankful for what it made me become instead of it destroying me! I am a bolder more daring person since the diagnosis so putting pink streaks in my hair to celebrate seemed like a fabulous plan! It was and I plan on doing it every year from now on!!!
October also brought a reality to life that Scott and I are not quite ready to face and that is, our daughter is growing up! Our brown eyed beauty put on a pretty dress and walked out the door to attend her first dance with a boy! I will not call it a date because I am not ready for that step! I was a mess and Scott was surprisingly cool. She looked amazing and so grown up, I want time to stand still...
Time will not stand still so onto November! Another awesome month! Big J turned 10 the big double digits! That kid is the sweetest boy I know! He has traded in his football helmet for shin guards and basketball shoes and has become quite the soccer and basketball star!!! I love seeing my boy be all boy and love sports! It makes me happy! Another thing that makes me happy is seeing my husband so excited that a smile can not be whipped off his face. Not even when the oath is read as he went from Major Brodeur to LT COL BRODEUR!!!! That was a good day, no that was a great day! Mom and dad came out to celebrate and be a part of this life we love so much. Moments like his pin on our why we keep living this crazy life. I don't think he has stopped smiling since that day! Man, he looks good with that silver on his shoulder!
December is here and in a couple days will be gone. I spent the first part of the month creating things from the website that has taken me away from my blog... Pinterest! I was quite the Martha Stewart this holiday season! It was fun! We were able to celebrate another Christmas all under one roof. I am alway so thankful when Scott is able to be home for the holidays. We have spent way too many apart. This Christmas was the 2nd Christmas celebrated with just the Brodeur 5. Although I missed my parents a ton I am thankful for the bond I have with my family. My heart is full when I am with them. I believe being away from family for so many years has created a very special bond in our home and I was thankful for that this Christmas. It was a wonderful day celebrating all the gifts that God has given us this past year!
2011 was a great year and I look forward to 2012.
Gracefully I look up thankful for a year filled with amazing blessings! I pray that 2012 will be a year full of fresh starts, new goals to achieve, and many things to celebrate! Thankful for a God that no matter what the year brings he is there to guide us and lead us through it all!
Happy New Year My Friends!!!!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Silly Dates!
Everyone has significant dates in their lives. Dates when important life defining events occur.
I have several dates that run through my mind often.
A day in May when I became a mother for the first time. A day in November when I became a mother to a little boy. A day in June when I became a mother of three and officially became a member of the crazy club!!! A day in April when I committed the rest of my life to my best friend.
I can tell you the exact day that all of those events occurred and probably a million other days where something significant has happened. There is one day in October that I could not for the life of me remember. I remember what happened on that day and I can remember that it was around the middle of the month but could not remember the exact day.
For 5 years I have not attempted to figure out the exact day. Guess I just didn't want to look at that day on the calender and remember the feelings I felt that day. Quite frankly that was the scariest day I have ever faced. A day that made me feel weak, scared, and alone. Three feelings that I hate.
Right now I feel strong, fearless, and quite possibly the happiest I have felt in a really long time. Our life is full of good news and happy events. Our best friend in the whole world came for an awesome visit! Scott just found out he will be a squadron commander... ROCK STAR!!!! So proud of that dude! My kids are happy and loving life. Which makes this mama happy! We love where we live and all the great people we are meeting. Life is just great and I love it.
I guess having these feelings gave me the strength and want to look up the date. I have known in the back of my mind for 5 years where I could find that date. So today I looked......
10.19.2006
The day my life began. The day I chose to make the right choices. To live every moment like it is my last. To rock the color pink and live like the rock star I am!
Looking at that date and sharing it with the rest of the virtual world makes me feel free. I feel like looking it up and putting it down takes off the cancer hang cuffs. Now I can remember that day as a good day and not a sad day. A date when the strong fearless me came alive. A date that now makes me smile!!!!
Gracefully I look up to my amazing God, thankful that I was given the strength to look. Thank you for the feeling that I feel right now. Thank you for providing us with an amazing rainbow of happiness. Life is amazing and I will enjoy every minute of it.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Fly by the Seat of My Pants
Routine....
I had one.
Yep, one time in my life I had a routine.
I sometimes sit and ponder about that time. That time in my life when there was a routine. When everything worked like clock work.
Oh, heck! Who am I kidding? I have never had a routine.
I have always been a fly by the seat of my pants, moment to moment... That's me!
Yep, that's me! Thank you "Pretty Woman" for that quote! It defines me!
To the point, if there is one. Let's face it, there really isn't. Other then to share with you that our crazy mixed up life is starting to simmer down and I am thinking regular blogging is up and running again...
Maybe!
The house is unpacked. Very proud moment for me. I unpacked the whole thing, hung up pictures and made this sweet crib a home in less then 3 weeks. ALL BY MY SWEET SELF! I can actually say I loved every minute of it! I should also add that the 3 months of OCD organizing that my hot boyfriend and I did back in 'Bama paid off huge dividends. It made this move a piece of cake! Who is laughing at the labels and tubs now?!?! Not sure that anyone was, but I am sure people question our anal ways from time to time!!
We are adapting to the CA life! The weather took a minute to get use to. It is foggy in the morning and evening. Sunny in the afternoon... sometimes. Highs around 55-65. Basically it feels like fall 365 days a year. Fall just happens to be my favorite season, so I am in heaven!!! The weather is perfect for fitness and I haven't missed a workout yet. I am expecting great things with my running. Hoping to get in the best shape of my life while we live here! The kids are outside whenever they have a chance. I think they love not sweating or freezing. It is pretty awesome!
The area, well to sum it up in one word.... AMAZING!!!! 10 miles one way is the ocean, 10 miles another way vineyards, and 10 miles another way fields of flowers and veggies! It is unbelievable. I have never seen such beauty so close to my home. At least one time a week Scott and I look at each other and say, "We live here"! It is crazy cool.
Our home is perfect! It is the last one on a street. Behind us is the woods and to the side of us is a great park with a basketball court and playground. It is in the most perfect location. We feel like we are in our very own paradise! The house is 6 months old, so basically brand new. The layout is wonderful and the best part is the little area that I call my sewing room! Yep peeps, I got my very own sewing area. The sewing machine can stay put up all year round. It is the most cozy wonderful piece of happiness ever!!!
The kids are adjusting very well. They love their new rooms, the house, and all the friends they are making. The freedom to ride bike everywhere is also an added bonus for both them and myself. They are back to school and I will tell you all about that in another post with pictures and everything! All and all they are doing great and adjusted very well. They make me so proud!
Is everything roses and happiness? For the most part I would have to say yes. It wouldn't be a post from me if I didn't keep it real though. So here is the bad part....
Scott's job. It is a good job and he loves it. There is just a lot of hours in the day that he works. Not the same as the school hours and AL. We have made adjustment and are making it work. Dinner is served 3 hours later than before CA, early morning coffee has replaced early morning runs, and run time together happens 3 days a week in the afternoon. Thankful we still get that time together. Our Wednesday dates are no longer, but that was a sweet treat that we knew would only happen while he was in school. The good news is, this is only a Monday through Friday gig except for the BB that goes off from time to time he is home on the weekends. So I can't complain too much. It could be worse he could be deployed. I am very proud of the fact that someone thought that he was superman and can handle this job. They were right he can work 14-16 hours a day and still be an awesome husband and dad. I love that guy!
So back to that routine thing...
I am trying to get on one here in CA. It is just so hard when there are so many awesome things to do and see. We are very happy here and very settled. God has placed us right where we need to be and we are waiting to see his plan unfold for the Brodeur 5!
Gracefully I look up and thank God for placing us in such an awesome place and giving us the positive attitudes to make this crazy life work!
I had one.
Yep, one time in my life I had a routine.
I sometimes sit and ponder about that time. That time in my life when there was a routine. When everything worked like clock work.
Oh, heck! Who am I kidding? I have never had a routine.
I have always been a fly by the seat of my pants, moment to moment... That's me!
Yep, that's me! Thank you "Pretty Woman" for that quote! It defines me!
To the point, if there is one. Let's face it, there really isn't. Other then to share with you that our crazy mixed up life is starting to simmer down and I am thinking regular blogging is up and running again...
Maybe!
The house is unpacked. Very proud moment for me. I unpacked the whole thing, hung up pictures and made this sweet crib a home in less then 3 weeks. ALL BY MY SWEET SELF! I can actually say I loved every minute of it! I should also add that the 3 months of OCD organizing that my hot boyfriend and I did back in 'Bama paid off huge dividends. It made this move a piece of cake! Who is laughing at the labels and tubs now?!?! Not sure that anyone was, but I am sure people question our anal ways from time to time!!
We are adapting to the CA life! The weather took a minute to get use to. It is foggy in the morning and evening. Sunny in the afternoon... sometimes. Highs around 55-65. Basically it feels like fall 365 days a year. Fall just happens to be my favorite season, so I am in heaven!!! The weather is perfect for fitness and I haven't missed a workout yet. I am expecting great things with my running. Hoping to get in the best shape of my life while we live here! The kids are outside whenever they have a chance. I think they love not sweating or freezing. It is pretty awesome!
The area, well to sum it up in one word.... AMAZING!!!! 10 miles one way is the ocean, 10 miles another way vineyards, and 10 miles another way fields of flowers and veggies! It is unbelievable. I have never seen such beauty so close to my home. At least one time a week Scott and I look at each other and say, "We live here"! It is crazy cool.
Our home is perfect! It is the last one on a street. Behind us is the woods and to the side of us is a great park with a basketball court and playground. It is in the most perfect location. We feel like we are in our very own paradise! The house is 6 months old, so basically brand new. The layout is wonderful and the best part is the little area that I call my sewing room! Yep peeps, I got my very own sewing area. The sewing machine can stay put up all year round. It is the most cozy wonderful piece of happiness ever!!!
The kids are adjusting very well. They love their new rooms, the house, and all the friends they are making. The freedom to ride bike everywhere is also an added bonus for both them and myself. They are back to school and I will tell you all about that in another post with pictures and everything! All and all they are doing great and adjusted very well. They make me so proud!
Is everything roses and happiness? For the most part I would have to say yes. It wouldn't be a post from me if I didn't keep it real though. So here is the bad part....
Scott's job. It is a good job and he loves it. There is just a lot of hours in the day that he works. Not the same as the school hours and AL. We have made adjustment and are making it work. Dinner is served 3 hours later than before CA, early morning coffee has replaced early morning runs, and run time together happens 3 days a week in the afternoon. Thankful we still get that time together. Our Wednesday dates are no longer, but that was a sweet treat that we knew would only happen while he was in school. The good news is, this is only a Monday through Friday gig except for the BB that goes off from time to time he is home on the weekends. So I can't complain too much. It could be worse he could be deployed. I am very proud of the fact that someone thought that he was superman and can handle this job. They were right he can work 14-16 hours a day and still be an awesome husband and dad. I love that guy!
So back to that routine thing...
I am trying to get on one here in CA. It is just so hard when there are so many awesome things to do and see. We are very happy here and very settled. God has placed us right where we need to be and we are waiting to see his plan unfold for the Brodeur 5!
Gracefully I look up and thank God for placing us in such an awesome place and giving us the positive attitudes to make this crazy life work!
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