I've decided to do two lists for this post. One for a more serious things that I wish to accomplish this coming year and another of things that I shouldn't have to tell myself to stop doing, I just shouldn't do them.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

I feel like every week there is a new health craze. Last month it was quinoa, the month before that kale was the craze; don't even get me started on last years acai berry fad but lately there has been a lot of talk about chia seed overnight pudding. This definitely grabbed my attention. I already put chia seeds into my yogurt and smoothies because I absolutely love the texture that they take (like a small tapioca) but I had never considered blending them into nothingness. 

For those of you who aren't quite sure what I am talking about, who remembers ch-ch-ch chia! (You know, Chia Pets!) Speaking of chia pets I grew up with the dog one but if you had the Bieber/Obama/B.Spears one I salute you because that is just to amazing for words. 

Something I Love

I love breastfeeding! After such a hard time the first go round we are going 5 months strong and I love it! I love being the nurturer for my son and his comfort. BUT the most awesome thing is when Foster decides he's hungry, he gets himself situated right in front of the tatas and head butts them- if I don't release them immediately he will start yelling at them. Not a quiet cute yell but more like cats dying until I get them out. It's awesome because it's like he thinks they are a living and independent person and just gets right on their level and screams with all his might.  

While he is yelling at them I can't help but think of this

A Very Merry Blogmas

I'm back! Sorry for the absence from blogging I have been busy spending time with family, baking, seeing Santa and making Christmas traditions.

This Christmas snuck up on me. Not to say I wasn't prepared because we definitely were. The only reason is it still feels like October! In fact it might have been warmer yesterday than it was during Halloween. It didn't seem like Christmas without snow on the ground. My family is in pursuit of snow right now. They are on their way up to Idaho to their cabin were it is definitely Christmas. We're hoping to make a trip up there by March. 

Even with the lack of snow there was something that hit our family and put a teensy damper on Christmas. 

I Bought a Bar Cart {$100 Christmas Giveaway}

Yesterday I was planning my annual family Christmas party and was deciding on a drink station + decided my kitchen could use a bar cart. There's a little wall with just a couple of pictures on it but always looked kind of blank. I was perusing Pinterest (as always) and was pretty set on making a coffee station but decided with a bar cart I could change it after the party to the coffee station. Win, win! 

I discovered a couple things while searching for the bar cart:

1) Bar carts are ridiculous expensive so I'd have to settle for a not so cute one and just make it cute

2) My husband could care less about it. He didn't want me to get one until I explained it wasn't just for wine and champagne

3) It takes me a lot time to style one and I continuously had to reference my favorite ones

4) This involved multiple trips to multiple stores 

Needless to say I recruited the baby sitting brigade (some family members) to watch the two kiddos while Bryson was at work and set off to find all the cutesy things I would need to make my super drab cart into a fab cart! 

Living in a small town there aren't a whole lot of options for buying things so after stops at Target, Dillards, TJMAXX, Hobby Lobby + local thrift stores I have everything I need for the perfect cart! 

Now I just have to wait for my pictures to hang up above it :) 

Here's some of the inspiration I was using 

I am NOT a Pinterest Mom

My sweet, handsome, little man fell asleep harder than usual yesterday so I sat him on our soft blanket, slid a little Santa hat on him and did what any sane mother would; I tried to shove his sweet, sleeping body into his monogrammed stocking. 

However, as I was sliding his little pudgy body into the stocking I ran into a small dilemma....or should I say a big dilemma.

The Best {and Easiest} Banana Bread

Every grocery shopping trip somehow bananas end up in our cart. Don't get me wrong, I love bananas in my shakes and pancakes, Lo loves to snack on them, Foster loves them in his snack net but no matter the good intentions to eat them all they always seem to be black before we can eat them. Lo will not under any circumstances eat bananas that have marks on them. With it being so chilly out now it's the perfect time of the year to make banana bread! Warm, moist, chocolatey, banana bread. 

Bryson took one bite of the first slice and said, "Do we have enough bananas to make another one?" 

Halloween at Our House [After Thanksgiving]

I love Halloween. I'm not sure if it's the leaves, the smells, the pumpkins, the movies, the crafts or the dressing up but I love it! We make it an all day family event and this year was extra special because it was Fosters first Halloween and it was the first year that Lo touched the pumpkin guts WAHOO! ;) 

So my daughter can be kinda creepy....

Waiting on a Quiche

"I am not a patient woman." This is L's new favorite saying and I have to say it cannot be more accurate. This morning she happens to be waiting on my crustless quiche to cook. As I was waiting for breakfast to finish I decided it was a perfect time for L and I to finish decorating the kitchen. The only thing that was left was to set the table. This winter I am VERY into creams and winter whites. I'm sure as I reveal more of the inside of my house you'll notice this. This season I have a whole new kitchen set up (Thank you Mema for my amazing new plates!) They are so timeless and perfect and are just right for any occasion for us to use.

My Nerium Experience

I was contacted by Emily Late September about trying Nerium. Nerium is an anti-aging product, but it does wonders to even out skin tone, discoloration and minimize acne scarring. When I heard this I knew it would be perfect for my stretch marks. They are not to bad but are around my belly button and when I was pregnant with Foster they had all stretched back out from when I was pregnant with Lo. 

I started using it as soon as I got it in the mail. 

For the first week I was putting it on my face as well as my tummy but being as how I have relatively good skin I decided to save it all for my tummy. After using it for a month religiously my tummy is so much tighter! The loose skin around my belly button is way tighter and the lighter ones are hardly visible. I was applying it liberally (5-8 squirts) and I still have quite a bit left. 

It's a night mask so you dampen your skin, rub it on BUT DON'T RUB IT IN, and then just sleep on it. When you wash it off the next morning you can feel that your skin is way tighter. I can't wait to finish the bottle and see the difference it makes. 

You can only buy this through and independent person. There is no risks for trying it because there is a 30 - day money back guarantee. I especially love this because 30% of profits go to cancer research and it's all natural. This company is only two years old but there is celebrity attention. This company is really cool because when you become a brand partner and get three people under you, as long as they're active you get a free bottle for life. (This is for every three people under you) Emily also told me that most people earn a Lexus only three months into the company. 

If you have more questions or want to order nerium you can go to www.emussett.nerium.com or find her on Facebook under Emily Mussett. If you're serious into wanting to join as a brand partner email me for her number :)

My Babies + [Getting Unplugged}

Foster is now scooting across the floor to get what he wants. Lo can copy any word you write down. When these pictures were taken by the wonderful Rachel Loya, I had forgotten how fast time flies. One day your baby can barely fit in his new born clothes and the next you're doing a baby massage on all his little rolls. You go from rocking your daughter to dropping her off at school. I have never been so grateful to be spending so much time with my little ones while they are still little. These milestones are worth it to me to have school take an extra year. I think it's always a good reminder that whatever it is will most likely be there tomorrow but your babies first steps or first recital are one time things and I plan on being there for all of them.

Orange PULP + Chai Muffins

If you follow my facebook page or my instagram  then you probably noticed that I am currently doing a juice cleanse or fast (post to come when I am finished). I was feeling so wasteful with the extra pulp that I was going to throw out. Yesterday I tried to make granola bars but used WAY to much of the pulp and it was a total bust. 

This morning, before I made my juice for the day, I made L and the hubby some homemade orange juice. Instead of throwing out the pulp I decided to try to make some muffins. These muffins are so moist and the perfect indulgence. With chai and orange they are a delicious fall treat. 

Go ahead and indulge in a couple of these with some hot cider near the fire.

Ingreds: 

1/2 cp vegan Butter, earth balance /normal butter

1 cp Sugar /stevia

1 cp Orange Pulp, four juiced oranges

2 tbs Almond Milk

2 Egg Whites (omit for vegan recipe)

1 tbs Vanilla Extract 

2 tbs Chai Flavoring, near east 

1 1/2 cp Flour /gluten free flour

1 tps Baking Powder

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 400

1) Cream together Butter, Sugar and Orange Pulp

2) Add Almond Milk, Egg Whites, Vanilla Extract + Chai Flavoring to orange mixture

3) Mix Flour + Baking Powder in a separate bowl then slowly mix into orange mixture

4) Grease a muffin pan and spoon mixture in until each is 2/3 full/

5) Bake for 15 minutes then cool for 15 minutes

The Inlaws

This past month I had the opportunity to take some pictures of my in-laws. The day was just gorgeous and they looked as pretty as the fall leaves. I haven't done to many shoots with larger families so it was nice to practice on people I was comfortable with. 

Some Things About Me

If you're on Facebook I'm sure you've seen the game going around where someone will post some random facts about themselves and if you like it you have to do write a post with somethings about you and it goes on and on and on. Well this post is going to be sort of like that. I have been inspired to think of some random things that not many (if any) people know about me. 

Please keep in mind there may be a reason that I keep some things a secret. I'm kinda an undercover weirdo ;) All the best people are though. 

1. I am an honor thespian (and proud)
2. My favorite smells include: The airport, Hospitals, New books + New babies
3. I have a hand thing. I cannot function if my hands or nails are dirty
4. My biggest pet peeve is when someone moves something and I can't find it
5. I cannot pack unless I make a list first
6. My husband calls me Spin
7. I want to see an autopsy 
8. The #1 thing on my bucket list is to swim with sharks
9. I was bullied in school
10. I knew the second time I hung out with my husband that he would be the man I would marry
11. My favorite place is the beach
12. I love love love tubing 
13. My family and some family friends were stranded snomobiling when I was 13 for four days and we were on the Ellen Degeneres show. I thank God we found a train station, two snowboarders that were lost the same time as us were not as fortunate. 
14. My biggest fear is losing my babies. I get anxiety daily about it
15. I have arachnophobia. Just seeing a picture of a spider makes my heart race
16. I would wear black/white/gray every day. Wearing colors makes me uncomfortable
17. A normal family gathering is 60+ people. Any less is small
18. Swimming is relaxing for me, I could spend all day at the pool
19. I love talking to people online but when I have to talk to someone in person I start stuttering, say something stupid and have a hard time looking people in the eyes
20. I have 8 tattoos
21. I don't fold socks (but towels have to be folder a certain way or I redo it)
22. Speaking of socks I only wear them with shoes, I can't wear them around the house. Which is how I got frost bite on them 
23. If I'm writing something and it looks messy I'll rip it out and start over
24. I love decorating for holidays 
25. I never wanted kids but them and my husband are the best things that have ever happened to me

Tag! If you read this post comment below with at least 5 things that I may not know about you :) 

Who Likes Rice Cereal?!

Brother had rice cereal for the first time yesterday! It was a huge success! He loved it! Bryson didn't think he did because he kept spitting it out and when he found out that is how babies eat he thought it was pretty much the funniest thing ever. 

Foster kept going cross eyed at the spoon and like attacking it. It was so funny. He had it twice yesterday and I really think it helped him feel full longer and be more satisfied throughout the day. Needless to say we'll be doing it more :) 

Fall and Winter Activities Checklist

For the past month I have been ridiculously excited about winter activities and traditions to do with the family. There are literally hundreds of things I want to do this season but have decided to narrow it down and make a list so we don't miss out on any super fun things to do with the family. Obviously I like lists you guys.

I separated it into a couple categories so they would be easy to print, find and check off :) 

The Average Grocery Shopping Trip

(click the picture to print out) 

+Things I forgot to add but we buy every couple of months: Almonds, granola, chia seeds, ground flaxmeal, Honey, Agave, Real Maple Syrup+ 

By popular demand, here is our families average grocery shopping list. We have a budget of $300 a month for our family of four and buy 90% (or more) organic. I have done a post similar to this a couple months ago but didn't include a shopping list (you can find that post here). 

Floppy Fedoras and Swing Dresses

SOS - Save My Butt!

I am typically a jeans a t-shirt kinda girl but lately I have definitely been more interested in fashion. I went out on a limb last week and ordered some totally adorable statement pants. Adios jeans, hello cute bottoms (and no, I'm not referring to my butt). 

There's just one little problem...Ok, I should say big problem and that would be my butt and thighs... I was so worried about ordering to big and not being able to fit in them by January that I may have ordered them a tad to small... I ordered a four! I'm wondering what exactly was running through my mind as I did this because as of now I'm definitely at a 6, alright, alright, a 6.5 ;) This is down from a size 9 three months ago so I am very proud of myself but now I am worried that I wasted my money. 

So here's my SOS if any one has any thigh/butt slimming and toning exercises that you absolutely swear by, please, help a sister out! 

Why I'm Blogging in the Bathroom

My kids needed a bath. Yup, I don't mean they probably should have a bath, I mean Fosters hair was crunchy and I hadn't shaved in a month.  Any other mom's feel me? I have been in such a mom stump lately. I have been letting the Lo wear whatever she wants and letting her hair air dry, I haven't been getting ready because I've been working out daily and all I do is school, edit pictures and workout so I see no point. I haven't been cooking any fun dinners- Hope you all like ground meat with quinoa, rice and some veggies! 

Blueberry Oat Muffins

I had a recipe submission from a reader earlier this week and after a few tweaks decided to give it a try. These are a perfect breakfast, dessert and snack. Super low in carbs and sugar with a hefty dose of protein. Perfect. No flour of any kind and no granulated sugar. 

Who doesn't love muffins?! No one, that's who. They are perfect for a rainy day and are warm and soft when they come out of the oven. My husband and daughter loved these! I love that there are blueberries in them because they are one of the best fruits in the whole entire world. Especially when it comes to weight-loss and overall health. The awesome benefits from this super fruit make it one of the best fruits to have in your diet. Blueberries have a very high level of antioxidants that make it good for boosting immunity and helping with blood flow in the body. Blueberries also help with fat reduction! Booya! The benefits of blueberries are amplified when combined with other healthy foods like oats and bran. So here is the delicious Blueberry Oat Muffin. Your family and body will thank you. 

Ingredients

1 cup Oats

1/2 cup Flax Meal

3 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

3 Egg Whites

1/4 Vanilla Almond Milk

2 tps Cinnamon

2 tbsp Honey

1 Packet Stevia

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1 cup Frozen Blueberries 

Recipe

Preheat oven to 350

Mix dry ingredients together. 

Mix wet ingredients. 

Fold the wet into the dry.

Fold in blueberries last.

Fill up 12 muffin liners and bake for 20-25 minutes. (Unless you're me. Ain't nobody got time for muffin liners)

Next time I might grind up the oats first but it is not needed and was still really good 

Thanks for the pic Rachel! Looks delish! 

Foster Brady: 3 Months

Age: 3 Months 

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 14 lbs <-- my chunker gained three lbs this month! 

Milestones: He is a giggly boy! He's been laughing a ton this month! We're also moving him to 3-6 month clothes 

Best Moment: Halloween for sure :) we had so much fun with our little super man and rapunzel. We went to two different churches but the real fun was during the day. We watched movies, carved pumpkins, made crafts and cooked. It was perfect. 

Health: He's been growing great (obviously) and is able to sit in his bumbo with me the whole time I'm cooking. Besides cuddling I think that's his favorite part of the day. :) 

Eating: My little chunker! The whole time I'm cooking he thinks he should get to try it! He's been waking up a ton at night to eat also so I think it's time to start rice cereal before bed time 

Extra Comments: F does spit up a ton. If anyone has any ideas on how to help that would be greatly appreciated! 

Nutrition Month Three

I definitely noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit this month and my arms look buff. No joke when I flex I feel like a bad ass. The goal I originally made was to fit into a bridesmaids dress by december but it is already to big so new goal is to be a size four by Jan 18, I'm in need of some motivation. This month started out so good and just went downhill food wise. 

Pre Pregnancy Weight: 158 lb

End of Pregnancy Weight: 156 lbs, -2lbs

Last Weigh In: 135.6, -2lbs

Current Weight: 134.8, -0 lbs

Total Weight Loss: 23.2 lbs

How are you feeling? I'm actually really disappointed in myself this month. I knew I was slacking and the scale wasn't changing but I was seeing such a big difference...or so I thought. My arms are definitely more toned and my love handles looked way smaller (they may be I never have measured them) but I thought I would see an overall difference in my body this month because I have been busting my arse at the gym and feel like I've been doing so good. I don't know, I guess this was the wake up call I needed to be more diligent about my eating because I know I'm doing what I can in the gym. 

Stats: 

Calf- 13, -0

Thigh- 19, -1

Hips- 38, -0

Waist- 34, -0

Abs- 27.5, -0

Torso- 33, -0

Arms- 10.5, +.5

Neck- 12, -0 

Punkin' Patch: School Trip

This year we went to the pumpkin patch with L's pre-k class. Bryson was working so L, F + I trekked it alone. We had a lot of fun (and a couple meltdowns) but it was over all a fun day :) There are not many places I enjoy more than the pumpkin patch. When it's cool in the morning and by afternoon it's perfect. Even the drive to the farm is amazing. L and I enjoyed looking for animals and driving under all the golden trees on the way up. 

Silence

I love my family. I love how cuddly my kids are. I love that they still want to curl in my lap and climb all over me. (Ok, so one is only two months but you catch my drift) I love being a sense of security for them BUT mom needs her space. Sorry if this is too harsh. How dare I not want to be surrounded by my kids 24 hours a day 7 days a week?! In life I am a very secluded person when it comes to being touchy feely. I do not give back rubs (except to my daughter). I do not cuddle (except with my kids). I rarely like hugs. Thank goodness neither does my husband. It just wouldn't work but lately I have been sleeping with both kids, one uses me as a pacifier and the other lays the wrong way on the bed so either her head or feet are jabbed into my back. Why don't I just move them? 1) I love them and I love being next to them 2) What if they wake up and we have to start from scratch? I just can't risk it. 

But right now I am laying in bed with my computer on my belly and a huge glass of water next to me. I am editing pictures, pinning, scrolling mindlessly on Facebook and reading some of my favorite blogs all. by. myself. and (mommies understand me) it is WONDERFUL! My son is tucked into his sleep sack and snoring away. My daughter is folded into her sheets to where there isn't a crease in them (True Life: I live with an OCD four year old). My husband is watching American Horror Story in the living room. 

breathe

You cannot beat loud, busy days with the people you love and nice quiet nights to yourself.

Here are some lovely things I have found from my pinning adventure tonight.

Life Lately

I'm still here! I have had no time for anything, let alone blogging lately and I miss it so much! I have so many posts but they require so much work time. The free time I get between working out, school, keeping up the house and taking care of the kids I have been enjoying with family time :) and I love it. I'm so ready for relax time. This momma is exhausted. Here are a couple snap shots from the week 

My grandparents have this amazing swing we call the "flying saucer" it's like a mini version of the swinging trampolines you see all over Pinterest 

Day Trip to Colorado

This past week, when Brysons family came down from WY, we made a day trip up to CO to walk around the town and eat some yummy food. We stopped at our favorite restaurant, Carvers, where the motto is Eat Healthy, Drink Beer. I mean, come on, it doesn't get better than that. 

Let's Salsa

I love salsa and have done a post on a late blog where I used canned tomatoes and granulated sugar and this time everything is natural and it's so much more delicious! I loved this recipe before but it's even better now! "Fire Roasted" tomatoes and spicy kicks it's DELICIOUS! and at only 11 calories per serving you can put in on anything without feeling guilty or sacrificing flavor. This is a Paleo and Whole30 approved salsa! 

Foster Brady: 2 Months

Age: 2 Months 

Height: 23 1/2 inches

Weight: 11.035 lbs 

Milestones: We moved his carseat straps up and he is still a rolling machine! 

Best Moment: He is such a smiley boy now! He will talk back to you and smile so huge! Also, drum roll please, he is sleeping EIGHT HOURS A NIGHT!!! Say whaaaaa?! He was sleeping horribly and waking up every hour and Bryson and I were both exhausted. I reached out to a mom group asking about a wombie and heard about this sleep sack and the first night he didn't like it but the second he slept 8 full hours and has continued that pattern. To see more of Foster's 2 month favorites click here. 

Health: Perfect, perfect, perfect. He did get shots this month and the poor thing was on my chest all day long. He was so miserable and sick but the next morning he was perfectly fine and his happy smiley self. 

Eating: This boy loves to eat. Mommy and daddy are bad about letting him try sauces when we're cooking and eating but he loves them!

Extra Comments: Things are finally settling down after a busy month and we are all loving the family time (even though Bryson just left for a hunting trip and L is at her dads this weekend. Family time will continue when everyone's back haha Foster was so good today while Katy and I meal prepped. He's getting so big and so much more alert.

P.S. There are a ton of pictures this month...but look at that handsome smile. I couldn't pick and choose. 

Nutrition: Month 2 Bye Bye Mom Butt

I am so behind on all my posts that I'm sure everyone is getting so annoyed with me. I have been ridiculous busy lately with absolutely nothing (someone please tell me I'm not the only one) and I'm going back to school in a week so it's about to get a whole lot busier! but anyways here is my nutrition post :) 

Pre Pregnancy Weight: 158 lb

End of Pregnancy Weight: 156 lbs, -2lbs

Last Weigh In: 135.6, -2lbs

Current Weight: 134.8, -.8 lbs

Total Weight Loss: 23.2 lbs

How are you feeling? Amazing :) but oh so sore. I started working out with a friend and she's amazing! We've been going to the gym consistently and are meal prepping on Sunday together. Any weight loss journey is so much easier when you have someone there doing it with you, holding you accountable and pushing you.

Stats: 

Calf- 13, -0

Thigh- 20, -0

Hips- 38, -.5

Waist- 34, -1

Abs- 27.5, -1

Torso- 33, -.5

Arms- 10, -0

Neck- 12, -.5 

Oddball Giveaway!

I am SO excited for this next giveaway! THREE people will win! That's right, THREE! There are these really awesome bracelets called Oddball (Even the name is cool). They are really really unique and I love them because they are for men and women. 

Here are just a few of the awesome bracelets they offer and there are a lot more!

This Bracelet is really special because 20% of the proceeds go directly to The Breast Cancer Society 

(if you'd like to purchase this bracelet and support breast cancer research click here)

All bracelets are handcrafted and use high quality beads (glass, stone, wood, ext) 

I love that you can mix and match them with each other or your own for a completely unique look. If you want to win THREE of these awesome bracelets just keep reading :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's as easy as that! There are a ton of ways to enter to win. The winner will be announced in one week. Entries will close on October 12, 2013 @ 12PM mountain time.

OOTD: Leather Accents

I'm obsessed with leather accents. It's my favorite fashion trend right now because it's SO easy and it's everywhere. Right now I have a leather peplum top I'm working into fitting in but I found these leggings, shirt and boots this past week and I love them! This outfit is ridiculously comfy. 

I hate cold but love autumn because you can wear leggings and a baggy shirt every day and it's totally cool because it's cold out and we all get it. 

Foster Brady's Two Month Favorites

I have been such a slacker mom lately. I feel like I'm behind on everything and like there are a million and two things to do. Now that things are starting to settle down I can finally post Foster's two month favorites! In the next day or two I'll get his two month post and my 2 month nutrition post up but those actually involve doing stuff instead of plopping into bed after a long day and making something on photoshop. So here are the things that have made life with baby SO much easier.