31 isn't so bad...

It’s October!

Which is only the best month out of the year AND it’s my BIRTHDAY month!!!!

Okay, truthfully not that excited for my birthday…it seems to sneak up on me faster and faster each year! I’m only turning 31, which I now (meaning since I turned 25) think is still quite young (in my early 20’s anything after 30 I thought was knocking on deaths door…funny how those perspectives change). At 31, I have a beautiful family consisting of my wonderful husband and two very active boys. I have a great career which is allowing me to provide very well for my family and even though my family and friends from my youth are all still in Florida I have managed to maintain healthy and thriving relationships. I would say without a doubt that I have been pretty damn blessed.

It’s really crazy but with how busy we are most of my daily thoughts revolve around…

who’s got practice tonight?
or shit…did I wash that uniform?
or did I really just schedule these two conference calls back to back?
or a personal favorite…when did that gas light come on? Wonder if I can make it home from Atlanta before I have to stop, followed by my most prayed prayer “Please God let there be no traffic so I don’t run out of gas in the ghetto”.

But here lately…and maybe it’s due to this upcoming birthday but especially in the mornings when it’s still pitch dark out and the clock only reads: 5:45 am (which is the most God awful hour to be awake, let alone driving) and the hectic thoughts of the day have not yet started flowing do I find myself thinking back through childhood memories. It seems to be completely involuntary and I really don’t notice I’m doing it. Now, my memory is spotty at best and there are big lapses in time that unfortunately are just gone but it’s funny how it’s the little things that I seem to remember most. The things that at the time seem so insignificant but that for some reason have left such a mark in my memory.

For instance, I don’t remember my high school graduation (I know it happen…I’ve seen the photos) but I remember at the start of 10^th grade having a conversation with my Pop. I have no memory of how truly long the conversation was, in reality it could have only been about 30 minutes long, but it felt like it was a lot longer than that. I remember explaining to him my grand scheme and everything I wanted to do after high school, after college…I remember him very clearly saying to me “That is great, but don’t be afraid to change and sometimes you just got to fake it until you make it. Things rarely ever go according to plan. But I know whatever you do it will be great because you are a resourceful person”. Which at the time I remember thinking “Yeah. Ok Pop. I got this and everything is going to go as planned because I said so.” Wow. Was I naïve or what!?!? Needless to say, I am not in the career field I thought I would be and I didn’t even finish college. BUT I have always remembered him telling me to “fake it before I make it” and it has pushed me through my current career to move forward, even if I didn’t know what the hell I was doing at first, it reminded me to get resourceful and figure it out, do it well and ultimately advance.

Funny how certain things can shape you in a way. I guess the older you get the clearer your life lessons become and how it seems each moment whether remembered or not has had some sort of impact even if it is of the smallest measure.

Now it’s onto the celebrating of another year behind me of this busy, loving, challenging, fun life! As a plus, this year my birthday will fall during our cruise so I will be celebrating out in the open ocean in the middle of nowhere on a boat full of 2,000 strangers…lol good times! But seriously…the best gift I can give myself is to slow myself down…if even for a day. Not overthink anything, not have a strict schedule to follow, just to go with the flow and relax.

Yeah.

That sounds like a pretty damn good gift to myself…

Signing off until after we get back from the cruise…because between packing, wrapping up work items and last minute plans I am sure I will have no time again to blog. Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk…here come the Harris family!

 

#WBW (Way Back Wednesday) I think I was like 4...

 

October Here We Come!

It is Friday!!!

Lunch break is consisting of sitting outside in the courtyard of my office building enjoying this aMaZing fall weather and typing this blog…

I can’t even believe that September is already over, it flew by so quick! But I am excited for October which consists of every single weekend being PACKED with plans…don’t believe me? So, October 4^th through the 12^th we’ll be on a cruise to Aruba, Curacaos and Grand Turk then October 17^th through 19^th we’ll be on a “Spook-O-Ree” camping trip for Tiger Scouts and finally the last weekend of October which is the 23^rd through the 26^th we’ll be in Orange Beach, Alabama to watch my husband graduate with his Master’s degree.

Which is why by November I will be ready for some much needed “lay around the house and do not do shit” time. Although I’m also pretty sure by then we will have already filled up our November calendar with activities. Since these past few months have seemed to go by quicker than usual it’s also got me thinking about Nash’s upcoming 3^rd birthday party which even though is in February feels like it might just sneak up on me. He is currently obsessed (and that is a complete understatement) with all things construction equipment and fire trucks related, I was actually thinking how cool it would be to have a party at like a Yancy CAT Equipment Dealership (there is one local in my county) he would literally shit. a. brick. when he saw all the huge pieces of equipment but then I thought…

LIABILITY.

I do specialize in Commercial Insurance so of course that would be my mind set. I honestly don’t think any business owner in their right mind would allow a TODDLER birthday party to be held in their place of business…I could just picture Nash scaling to the top of one of those massive bulldozers, raise his hands in the air and yell “BIG TRUCK” before then nose diving into my arms…yeah.

So. Next idea was to just have it at our house, out on the back deck but then we’re talking February where the average temperature in Georgia is usually just above freeze you’re ass off (seriously, last year around his birthday we had two snow storms blow through…remember Snow-pocalypse 2014) and the thought of having a bunch of toddlers cooped up inside my house is not appealing either…so I guess I will continue to think on this.

In other news, I attended my first SPIN class in THREE YEARS yesterday…and I am happy to report that I am so incredibility sore that it hurts to even sit on the toilet… How did I ever do up to three classes a week before?!?! Oh that’s right, I was younger and already in shape. But I’m getting back into a routine, slowly but surely. Not sure if I’ll ever work my way back up to three times a week but I’d be happy with once a week along with my usual gym time.

And finally…

Some pictures from the last few weeks that have been sitting on my phone or that I have been meaning to post and just got busy… There mainly of the boys because truthfully they're all I ever take pictures of.

A gift waiting for me in my briefcase this morning from Mas, love my sweet boy!

Oh weekend, here I come!

 

Red Corduroy Jeans

So this is it! I am putting this out into the internet universe in hopes that it will help keep me accountable and on track to my goals. It’s weird how when you’re a teenager or young adult you have all these goals and there is this idea that once you become a full-grown, mortgage paying, career engaged adult and have met these goals that you’re done.

Ah. To be so naïve… I honestly think I have worked towards and accomplished more goals in my adulthood than I ever did in my adolescence. I’ve made the move to a new state (which if you’ve never done it, let me say that it can become very overwhelming especially if you relocate to a state where you have ABSOLUTELY no family), I’ve strived, sacrificed and push my way in an industry that is dominated by men to finally reach a position that I have worked towards for so long and I’ve grown emotionally, in a way that I hope makes me the best wife and mother possible.

So with all this please tell me WHY is it so hard to get to my goal weight!?!?

Laziness…(there maybe a little of that mixed in there)…Time…(yes. that is definitely a factor)…Nutrition…(my favorite food is grilled cheese and fries so you bet your sweet ass it is)…BUT this goal is no different than any other I have set my mind too in the past. So, I went out and got my gym membership back, have committed to 61 ounces of water daily (even if I have to get it into me via I.V. form) and a 1,200 calories or less “diet” (meaning I’m making a conscious effort to eat better things and cutting portion sizes in half). I’ve also decided that I don’t want to push towards a number but rather a “feeling”, to be honest even when I was “skinny” I had no idea what I weighed, I never checked and I never really cared. It wasn’t until I got pregnant that I starting keeping track but after having Nash I don’t think I even weighed myself once. For me, it’s always been about feeling good. If I felt good in a pair of jeans or sexy in a maxi dress then it didn’t matter to me what size it was. It’s like these red jeans I own, I’ve had them for years and there were times when they were too big on me and times (like now) when they’ve been too small but I refuse to get rid of them. They are a size 5 and they are my goal.

My plan is to start with good ol’ fashion cardio…it is the thing that has bought this all on so only fitting that I start with it. About two weeks ago I was rushing back to work from a lunch appointment (big surprise) and I decided to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. My office is only the fifth floor, no big deal…so after I ALMOST DIED climbing these stairs which I swear I think were too steep to be within building code ordinance it took me an additional 5 minutes to catch my breath and slow my heartbeat down AND I could immediately feel my legs already cramping up from the unscheduled, unexpected workout. That’s when it happened…the words…finally fell from my lips…”Man am I out of shape”. All of a sudden since that day I’ve not “felt” good in anything and maybe it just finally hit me that I’m older now and it is time to actually invest in this body instead of just relaying on pure genes alone (which we know is never a sure bet).

Starting with cardio is the plan, then working my way to lights weights/high reps and eventually I’d like to get back into a nightly cycling class (as the boys sports and commitments permit). I used to cycle at least three to four times a week and loved it! It is such a great workout, I don’t think I ever sweat as much as I do in a cycling class BUT it is also rough on your body so my goal is to ease back into it and hope that the love I once had for it is still there just under the surface.

So, unless sometime in between I end up knocked up this is my new focus for the next few months. I’ve taken some “before” pictures but have decided that are far beyond too awful to post so I will keep them as private motivation for the time being. But I am committed to tracking my progress, my red jeans are the end goal…my immediate goal is my husband’s favorite dress (oh, he knows the one).

I should also say that I purposely did not mention any type of supplements or shakes because to be frank I buy then with every great intention and then never touch them again…nope. I’m going old school with this…just exercise, water and eating clean”er” although if the hubby would spring for a tummy tuck I may be persuaded…just sayin’.

So. Here’s to a Halloween with no candy, a Thanksgiving with no carbs and a Christmas with no alcohol…

 

 

Mason's 6th Birthday!

Wow…has it really been so long?!?! I feel like it has been forever since I’ve had the chance to sit down, collect my thoughts and write (which is more like type these days…I don’t even remember what my handwriting looks like anymore). To say it has been a busy last couple of months would be the understatement of the year.

To get you up to speed in the last seven months I’ve switched jobs three times…Yes. Three. The last move taking on a very stressful, attention demanding role…but also allowing me to work more reasonable hours as well as one day a week from home. It was/is a great opportunity for me, being able to run a department the best way I feel fit has been a goal I’ve worked towards all my career (and the pay raise wasn’t too back either). On top of that, the boys have gotten full blown back into all their activities…and then some! Mason has started back up in baseball with Vince now head coach and myself as team mom. Both boys are back in soccer…Nash in his little soccer uniform is so cute it should be banned plus we’ve added Boy Scouts for Mas along with Vince and I taking on the den leader roles and AWANA through our church to the mix of “we’re already so busy so why the hell not add a few more things”. Oh…and then there’s basketball coming up in late fall which Mas has decided he wants to play again…

But I’ve realized in the last several months of being unbelievably busy that we’re not the only family who runs like this (and when I say “like this” I mean at a million miles per hour) All. The. Time. So…a happy medium must be found and blogging helps to keep things in perspective for me so back to blogging I’ve gone. Plus, for any of you who truly know me well know that this blog is more for me than anyone else…who knows what I’ll recall clearly as the years press on.

I thought about blogging about our summer but truthfully it just went by too fast and for a good bit of it both boys were away visiting family out of state. So, it seemed appropriate to “re-start” the blog on a subject that was one of my very first blog posts…Mason SIXTH birthday!!! I know…when did this happen…really he’s six year’s old…seems unreal but true and what a sixth birthday party it was!

I should say that Mason in the past year has developed a true obsession with all things military related…books, movies, documentaries, video games, toys…all things military! So, it did not surprise me when he said he’d like a military themed birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also just finished our new deck so what better way to take advantage of it then having the party at our house (no big deal) well then Mas asked if he could invite a few friends to spend the night after the party (still…no big deal). Pictured below is what really happened…

Yes. I. Know.

I am still sane although for a few moments that night I may had skirted the edge of my sanity…just a little. It’s funny, when all the parents left and things quieted down Vince and I looked at all FIVE boys and then to each other and I swear at that moment we both said “Hmm…we kind of need like another set of adults here”.

But we managed all right, after several thousand pixie sticks eaten, outdoor flashlight tag, five showers, three movies, one upset tummy at the lovely hour of 2:00 AM they were finally all peacefully asleep. WE SURVIVED. Mas had the best time and even Vince told me that this birthday party was going to be hard to top, which always makes a girl feel good. Best part of the entire party was the next morning when all the kids were being picked up, Mas was leaving a few minutes earlier than the other kids since it was his day with his mom and one of his friends said to Mas “Your Mom is picking you up? Your Mom is right here” and his response was “I’m lucky I have two Mom’s”

It also would not be a birthday in our house without a birthday breakfast and balloon surprise!

 

 

Now it’s onto baseball games, soccer practices, den meetings, AWANA classes and COUNTING DOWN UNTIL VACATION!

Another Christmas Gone Too fast!

Christmas is behind us and it feels like it came and went so quick! But what a wonderful holiday we had together. There is nothing better than celebrating with my little family. Both boys were so excited and Nash really stepped up his game this year with his present opening skills! Both, as you can imagine were completely spoiled...

Mason was over the moon when he opened up his TWO guns, one shotgun and one rifle. He also got all the gear he could EVER need for hunting...the theme for this Christmas should have been camo because literally everything he got was camo. He also got some more Skylanders, an assortment of movies and video games and his super cool bow and arrows to hunt with as well.

Nash made out like a bandit too and his theme was music, he got a new drum set [since he destroyed his last one...he literally played it so much he busted a hole in them], a new guitar, kids piano and a karaoke machine! He has recently become obsessed with cars and trucks so he got quite a few of them as well plus TWO bowling sets!

Mason's sweet Christmas gift he made for Daddy, a letter he wrote all by himself! So sweet!

In the meantime, it's been hectic here as usual...work has been crazy busy and we've also been busy trying to pack and get ready for our cross country trip! 

We have had some great high points this month so far, first off was Mas being awarded Student of the Month [proud of our boy does not even come close, he is so smart and we feel so blessed that he is excelling so well in school]. 

Mason also got to get in some practice with his new guns and he did so good! We ventured out into some property that a friend of ours owns to set up our targets for some practice shooting. Nash had fun pretending to hunt like Bubba, including dressing up in camo just like his big brother!

Nash has become [if it's even possible] evener closer to Mas, he has started waking up extra early in the morning and crawling into Mason's bed to sleep. He has also started copying.every.move.he.makes. 
But it's totally the cutest thing ever to watch!

Changing Nash's diaper

January is approaching fast and while it feels like we still have a million things to do before this move we are getting so excited and looking forward to this new chapter for our family!

Let the Christmas Fun Begin!

It was a packed weekend for us! We just love this time of the year, between the cooler weather and all the fun family holiday stuff to do…it really is our favorite time of the year! We started our weekend bright and early Saturday with the Locust Grove Christmas parade! Mas enjoyed the candy they threw and Nash enjoyed dancing along with the marching band.

Watching the parade together!

They are so goofy!

After the parade we headed over to Home Depot for the monthly kid's building workshop! Mason and Nash got to build a Despicable Me tic-tac toe board! 

After that it was a quick stop for a few more Christmas gifts the home to decorate our Christmas palm tree! This year we decided to switch it up and use Mason's Skylander characters to decorate the tree so it's a Skylander Christmas [Mas was extremely excited about it]!

Sunday was great too because the boys got to visit with my mom [otherwise known as “Momom”] and my aunt Pam who stopped by our house on their way home from Tennessee to visit with us! The boys also got to have an early Christmas with Momom, Mas got his bow and arrows plus his target for practice and Nash got his swamp truck that he’s been eyeing at the store for a while now! We ended the visit with dinner and a game of bowling [which Nash somehow managed to win AGAIN]! We’re sad that there leaving this morning but happy for the visit even if it was a quick one!

Mas, Nash & Momom! 

Let the new work week begin, hope everything has a great week! We are looking forward to another crazy weekend coming up filled with holiday parties and good times…LOVE this time of the year!

Sunday morning breakfast!

It's Getting Close!

We only have 20 days until Christmas…really??? just.twenty.days. This month is flying by and it has been busy for us as well. We’ve been finalizing all our plans for the big move in January while also preparing for Christmas! Luckily though we have completed our Christmas shopping for the boys! Mason will be getting not one but TWO rifles for all the hunting he is going to be doing out in Oregon [per my husband…apparently there is two different types of guns needed to hunt different types of animals…I don’t know. Sounds fishy to me but whatever, I know he’ll make great use out of them]. With all this hunting that will be happening we also had to get Mas some hunting gear so let’s just say the theme for this Christmas is CAMO because just about EVERYTHING he got has some sort of camo to it.

Thanksgiving Day! 

Nash on the other hand was a little harder to buy for…surprisingly! I mean the kid plays with all Mason’s toys so he really has no interest in “baby toys” as Mas calls them. We know he loves music and cars so he ended up with a new drums set [since he played his other one’s so much he ended up punching a hole in two of the drums], a karaoke machine since he is now obsessed with singing, all.the.time. We also got him a small guitar that is a perfect size for him [so now maybe he’ll leave his Bubba’s alone], a small piano toy, a set of maracas and a race track for his hot wheels.

Nash. Singing as usual!

Our boys may be spoiled.

But I will admit that I am really looking forward to getting moved and settled and everything behind us, it has been a very stressful last very weeks…probably the most stressful of my entire life. But I believe it is all worth it, I believe God has a plan for our family and that it involves this move cross-country. We’ve already been scouting out all the National Parks we’ll be able to take the boys too as well as Mason getting involved in the soccer league there and maybe even the cub scouts!

Mason is getting back into the routine of school after having the week of Thanksgiving off and now that soccer and baseball are on a break we’ve had more time for family fun nights together which usually includes Mason kicking our butts in Sorry or Mouse Trap…although Mommy still remains the reigning champion of Battleship! Daddy holds the title of never ending  up as the Old Maid…Mason holds the title for always being the Old Maid…ha! I can’t wait until Nash is old enough to play with us as well, plus I have a funny feeling that Mas and Nash will be teaming up together to take us down!

Watching morning cartoons together!

The “Elf Game” is still going strong and Mas is loving it, I just wish Nash understood so he could do it too but we will definitely be doing it every year so Nash’s time will come!

Oh and we finally found the perfect stuffed animal to reflect Nash...

ANIMAL!!!