Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Move over Martha Stewart
Look what I can grow! Do you see it?? Keri would be so proud!
I don't exactly know what it is, maybe parsley, but I do know that I have successfully grown something that does not require regular feedings and changings. At this rate, I'm going to have my own vegetable garden in the backyard pretty soon!**
**to be read sarcastically
I don't exactly know what it is, maybe parsley, but I do know that I have successfully grown something that does not require regular feedings and changings. At this rate, I'm going to have my own vegetable garden in the backyard pretty soon!**
**to be read sarcastically
Tulip Run 2011
This last Saturday I did the Tulip Run with Carin and Aisha... and Ethan!
I'd like to really impress you with a 10k, 5k or something really cool and difficult. Sorry. We did a 2-mile run! BUT, that was the first run Aisha and I have ever done and we ran the whole thing. Woo hoo!
Now, once again, I don't want you to think I'm too awesome - so let me clarify: My "run" is a little slower than an average person's normal jog, which is a semi-consistent with a fast-walker's fast-walk. Of course, I also have short little legs and NOT a runner's figure so basically if you put me next to an overweight 6 year old on crutches, I could give him a run for his money!
We all finished in 23 minutes (give or take, the timing isn't super accurate because it depends on where you start). And let me tell you, if it wasn't for those two crazy ladies... and Ethan... I would definitely not have been that super speedy fast! ;-)
On the way home, we took the scenic route and drove by the "tulip" fields. There weren't many tulips but there were LOTS of daffodils. I'm not a huge "tulip gazer" anyway, so this was way pretty too.
I'd like to really impress you with a 10k, 5k or something really cool and difficult. Sorry. We did a 2-mile run! BUT, that was the first run Aisha and I have ever done and we ran the whole thing. Woo hoo!
Now, once again, I don't want you to think I'm too awesome - so let me clarify: My "run" is a little slower than an average person's normal jog, which is a semi-consistent with a fast-walker's fast-walk. Of course, I also have short little legs and NOT a runner's figure so basically if you put me next to an overweight 6 year old on crutches, I could give him a run for his money!
We all finished in 23 minutes (give or take, the timing isn't super accurate because it depends on where you start). And let me tell you, if it wasn't for those two crazy ladies... and Ethan... I would definitely not have been that super speedy fast! ;-)
On the way home, we took the scenic route and drove by the "tulip" fields. There weren't many tulips but there were LOTS of daffodils. I'm not a huge "tulip gazer" anyway, so this was way pretty too.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Brothers
What you can't see in this picture is John and Reed standing a few feet away. My question is - which one of my boys will be John and which one will be Reed.... that will determine who to have more health insurance on!
Morning with Grandma #3
This morning we went to hang out with the Hoeglund ladies. Well, mostly one. The other one was very sleepy from the last 3 weeks of vacation!! ;-)
We had great fun. I dearly love the no-pressure.... everything at their house! And RuthAnn has a new name: Grandma #3! (I'm hoping to make it on their family wall pretty soon, ha ha!!)
James gets to ride in the front seat when we visit them.
Feels like I should add another disclaimer at the bottom of this post. The Hoeglunds live a block away from us. I'm not a bad parent, I swear! :)
We had great fun. I dearly love the no-pressure.... everything at their house! And RuthAnn has a new name: Grandma #3! (I'm hoping to make it on their family wall pretty soon, ha ha!!)
James gets to ride in the front seat when we visit them.
Feels like I should add another disclaimer at the bottom of this post. The Hoeglunds live a block away from us. I'm not a bad parent, I swear! :)
Tuesday with Kenley
Tuesday we ran errands with John all morning. Right around lunchtime we found an awesome BK play place to take the kids for lunch.
After we got there and started eating, John and I started watching the kids in the toy area and realized they were disgusting little germy screaming kids. Eck.** We realized James & Kenley were probably just happy to be out of the car for a little bit... and that they didn't know what they were missing!
Oh, and Keri don't worry. Kenley ate about a half of a chicken nugget, 3 fries, and water.
James, on the other hand, enjoyed his chicken nuggets... and left BK with very soggy pants after he spilled his whole water in his lap. I'll blame that one on John. His side of the table! ;-)
Kenley..... the Fashionista!!
This girl loves shoes. No matter who's they are, or what she's wearing with them! We'll work on the style part later!
**Disclaimer: I'm all for a little germ-infested play place adventure. But this place felt like we would have been sending two cute little timid (white and clean, mind you) bunnies into a den of playful Hugos in a mud puddle. Get my drift? :)
After we got there and started eating, John and I started watching the kids in the toy area and realized they were disgusting little germy screaming kids. Eck.** We realized James & Kenley were probably just happy to be out of the car for a little bit... and that they didn't know what they were missing!
Oh, and Keri don't worry. Kenley ate about a half of a chicken nugget, 3 fries, and water.
James, on the other hand, enjoyed his chicken nuggets... and left BK with very soggy pants after he spilled his whole water in his lap. I'll blame that one on John. His side of the table! ;-)
Kenley..... the Fashionista!!
This girl loves shoes. No matter who's they are, or what she's wearing with them! We'll work on the style part later!
**Disclaimer: I'm all for a little germ-infested play place adventure. But this place felt like we would have been sending two cute little timid (white and clean, mind you) bunnies into a den of playful Hugos in a mud puddle. Get my drift? :)
Monday with Kenley
There was a lot of rotating through kids like an assembly line with 3 diapers, changes of clothes, noses, etc... but they each waited patiently in the crib every morning while I rotated through peeps!
Where's your nose?
Where's your ear?
Monday morning we headed out to Fred Meyer to pick up a few things.
Oh, on a side note, this is going to sound totally cheesy, but I pride myself in being kind of a cheesy person! As I was getting ready to go earlier in the morning, I saw the rain coming down outside and thought to myself, "Lord, it would be so awesome if we could get a good parking spot". And that was that. I don't know if it was so much a prayer as it was a God-directed thought (if there's a difference... I'm not theologically minded to debate that!!). Anyway, we pulled in to the store and the 2 closest parking spots were wide open - with no one racing to get them. God was so sweet to us!
Anyway, all 3 kiddos did so well in the store. James and Kenley shared water bottles, poked each other, and helped me "drive" the cart.
I'm pretty sure I got stopped at least a dozen times by people telling me how cute "my" kids were. I just said thanks and laughed.
And once again: "You guys make me laugh" was a highly repeated phrase on this outing!
Where's your nose?
Where's your ear?
Monday morning we headed out to Fred Meyer to pick up a few things.
Oh, on a side note, this is going to sound totally cheesy, but I pride myself in being kind of a cheesy person! As I was getting ready to go earlier in the morning, I saw the rain coming down outside and thought to myself, "Lord, it would be so awesome if we could get a good parking spot". And that was that. I don't know if it was so much a prayer as it was a God-directed thought (if there's a difference... I'm not theologically minded to debate that!!). Anyway, we pulled in to the store and the 2 closest parking spots were wide open - with no one racing to get them. God was so sweet to us!
Anyway, all 3 kiddos did so well in the store. James and Kenley shared water bottles, poked each other, and helped me "drive" the cart.
I'm pretty sure I got stopped at least a dozen times by people telling me how cute "my" kids were. I just said thanks and laughed.
And once again: "You guys make me laugh" was a highly repeated phrase on this outing!
Sunday night with Kenley
This was actually Kenley dancing with the music. I didn't get video, so just use your imagination! The girl's got some moves - must have learned that from Daddy!
I rarely catch Nate's smiles on camera, but boy does he have other faces that make us laugh!
Sunday with Kenley
Cousin Kenley spent this last weekend with us. It was really a hoot. Yes, more work, but she really is a sweet little girl and she and James love playing together.
I must have said "you guys make me laugh" a million times in the last few days!
Kenley came over late Saturday night, so James was very excited and surprised to see her Sunday morning!
Can we play, mom?
On the way home from church, James insisted on holding Kenley's hand the whole time. It was pretty cute.
Kenley was not a big fan of Hugo, I love her face here. After a few days, she started warming up to the big oaf.
A walk down to the shop.
I must have said "you guys make me laugh" a million times in the last few days!
Kenley came over late Saturday night, so James was very excited and surprised to see her Sunday morning!
Can we play, mom?
On the way home from church, James insisted on holding Kenley's hand the whole time. It was pretty cute.
Kenley was not a big fan of Hugo, I love her face here. After a few days, she started warming up to the big oaf.
A walk down to the shop.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Exercise-April
That's right.
April is work-out month for Amy!
Time to dust off the ol' ipod, sneakers, and sweat-band.
Maybe not.
Maybe not.
Exercise-April is self imposed for 3 main reasons:
1. I can do anything if I know the end date.
Hold up. I take it back. I believe that I can do most reasonable things that are within the limits of "normal human activity" if I know the end date. That's better, don't want to set my expectations too high!
2. If I lost weight last month just by eating better, working out should only add to the success.
3. I like the idea of focusing on one thing for an entire month.
I like "kick starts". Especially when I know that on May 1, my body will have changed. (For the better....... I hope. Again, don't want to set my expectations too high!!)
My rules:
1. Minimum 30 minutes every day.
2. I get one weekend day off.
3. I reserve the right to not work out on my birthday. (Monday, April 18. Hint, hint, family!!)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The End of Sugar-Free March
Well, tomorrow is the big April 1.
Sugar Free March is coming to a close. Can I get an amen!
Sugar Free March is coming to a close. Can I get an amen!
If you come over to my house at any point tomorrow, you will probably see me doing this, except my smile will be bigger...
Now, you might be wondering how it is possible for the Amy Carruthers to have eaten no sugar for a whole month. I know. I'm surprised too. And I won't lie. I totally cheated the last week or so, but my cheats were when we went out to dinner (didn't want to make a scene) and cheerios. Yeah, I said it: cheerios. Pathetic, I know.
Oh. And coffee punch at Keri's baby shower. But seriously, it was coffee punch. Half-cup, I swear.
So, what have I learned? SOOO much!!
- I learned the importance of eating real food.
Real food does a body good. I've eaten quick freezer or boxed meals for so long because "I don't cook" so it feels good to finally experiment with the real stuff. And really it's not THAT hard. (Did I just say that?)Of course this is totally real and therefore good for you, right?
Yeah, that's Red Velvet Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. My mouth is watering just looking at it.- I have learned to say "no".
I think having a month of saying no because I was "going sugar free" gave me the jump-start reason to eat better. Now that I'm learning the benefits of a healthier diet, I feel like I can say no because it just isn't worth it to me.
One cookie won't kill 'ya though! ;-)
- I have learned that there really are healthier options for most foods.
Dave's Killer Bread (thanks Jen) and a banana dipped in peanut butter (ok, not necessarily healthy, but no sugar, and definitely takes care of the sweets craving! thanks Keri) were two of my favorite finds this month.
Sadly, there is no substitute for the glorious Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. I will have to wait until heaven to have one of those without calories!
- Last, I am learning that I set the tone for my family's health, especially with eating. I am the one who does the grocery shopping, I make the meals, I set the example of good things to eat... Especially while the boys are young and learning by example!
Now my mouth is watering.
Darn you google searches of wonderfully delicious things I love!
OH, I almost forgot the best part of this whole month... duh!
Drum roll please...........
I've lost about half the weight I've wanted to!
!!!!!YAY!!!!
Later, I'll post my plan for April. I've been thinking about this for the last week or so, and I think I'm ready to commit.......... I think.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Nate - 5 Months!
Nate the Great turned 5 months on March 25th! Personally, I think he gets a little cuter every day - but I am a little biased!
Nate is still growing and smiling and laughing just like a 5 month old should. He's definitely my cuddly baby and I give in to his cries much more than I did with James (that's not saying a lot though, poor James got no slack!). He knows who Mom and Dad are, and I'm pretty sure he flinches every time James walks by... ha ha!
This picture cracked me up. I think he was trying to relax on the couch like Grandpa:
I think this is a 6-pack just waiting to happen. ;-)
Nate is still growing and smiling and laughing just like a 5 month old should. He's definitely my cuddly baby and I give in to his cries much more than I did with James (that's not saying a lot though, poor James got no slack!). He knows who Mom and Dad are, and I'm pretty sure he flinches every time James walks by... ha ha!
This picture cracked me up. I think he was trying to relax on the couch like Grandpa:
I think this is a 6-pack just waiting to happen. ;-)
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