Morning Fuel

I am a posting machine today. Since I workout before I go to work, I need some extra fuel to get me through the morning. I make this peanut butter, banana smoothie each day and it does the trick. It is so good and so filling, so I thought I would share my kickstart to the day.

While preparing my smoothy I usually eat a bit of other fruit. Today was delicious cantelope. YUM!

I use 3 bananas

Break them up and place into your blender like so.

I add some low fat/no fat milk...between 1/3 and 1/2 cups




Blend it until it is smooth.

Now add 2 heaping teaspoons of protein powder (I used vanilla, but I bet chocolate would be tasty too)

And 1-2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter.

I usually blend it again at this point and then add 3 ice cubes.

Blend one more time until the ice cubes are completely blended into the smoothie. Then pour into a glass and enjoy!

What is your go to morning fuel??

Smile Makers

Here are a couple things that made me smile this week.

I brought all the flowers home from Mindy's shower and just put them in clear plastic cups to add a little color and aroma to the living room.

My personalized Etsy necklace. I love this necklace. It has a "Carrie-esque" feeling about it. Those Sex and the City fans know what I am talking about. The bead is my birthstone and then a "P" for my name.

I get tired of drinking plain water ALL day long. I got these great little packets from Target. They are just like the Crystal Light To Go ones, but they are cheaper (Target brand) and have absolutely NO calories or sugar. All it does is add flavor...nothing more. And it is very good. I really love the lemonade. It comes in about 4-5 different flavors.

HAPPY FRIDAY!! And last day of July!

Shred: Day 10, Level 1

Today was the final day of Level 1. It feels kind of good to "graduate" to the next level. I hope it is not super difficult. Hopefully my muscles won't feel as bad as they did the first 3 days of level 1.

So Monday I will continue the journey with Level 2.

Yo Gabba Gabba

For parents of toddlers out there, you probably know of Yo Gabba Gabba. That strange Nick Jr show that all kids seem to love. Well, Lauren got hooked on it about a week ago. Yippee! Anyway, she has named all of us after one of the characters. So all night last night she was referring to herself as Brobee (the green one) Green is her favorite color. She refers to me as Toodee, the blue one. And her father is lovingly known as Priss (which cracks me up cause the robot is actually called Plex) He tried to correct her and she sternly says, "No daddy, you're Priss." I cannot wait till she is past this phase and we can go back to mommy and daddy again.

Shred: Day 9, Level 1

So I am almost done with Level 1. Today went very well again. I am getting eager to start Level 2, but also a little nervous as I remember how hard Level 1 was when I began it 9 days ago.

6 more sessions until I can take measurements to see if I have lost any inches yet.

Time

So I was going through some pics saved on my computer and these two just blew me away. Lauren will turn 3 on August 11. I see her growing up before my eyes. I forget how tiny she was 3 years ago. She even needed preemie clothes for the first couple weeks of her life.

WOW! The day we brought Lauren home from the hospital. You can see how tiny she looks in her carseat and how her 0-3 month outfit is hanging on her. We literally rolled the pants about 3 times.

And today....so grown up. It is crazy how fast time goes. I get sad thinking how she will go to school a year from now. I will blink and she will be driving, going to prom and dating.

Lauren's initial due date was July 30th....tomorrow. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was so eager and anxious to meet our baby. We didn't find out the sex. Everyone told me I was having a boy.

Shred: Day 8, Level 1

Only 2 more days till I begin Level 2. Not sure if I should be nervous or if it will go well. Today's workout felt great! I am really hoping to get a little run in tonight to go with my Shred.

I just really, really want to get rid of the love handles/muffin top that has been camping out on my middle since I was pregnant. YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE ANYMORE!!

Bachelorette Party

Here are a few pics from the bachelorette party we had for Mindy. Now keep in mind that most of us are married and have kids. Needless to say we were not an extremely rowdy group. I was yawning by 10:00. But, I am proud to say I made it to bar time and fell into bed at 3am. I was up at 7:00....ah kids.

We began with dinner at Paisan's. It was delicious and the view on the lake was gorgeous. Tara (Mindy's sis and MOH) and I waiting for dinner.

Kristy, Mindy and Heidi

All of the bridesmaids with Mindy at the first bar.

Jamie and Melissa hanging out.


Trying a do it yourself picture....not bad.

Tara and I trying to stay awake.

Showing Heidi some love.

My favorite picture of Mindy and me.

Now we wait for the big day...T minus 31 days and counting.

Shred: Day 7, Level 1

Jumped out of bed full of energy this morning! The workout went well...still feel the amazing way it works EVERY single muscle. I cannot wait to take my measurements halfway through and see if I lost inches!

I really want to try to work in a run or walk at least 3 times a week as well.

The Shower

Mindy's bridal shower was wonderful. I was so happy with how everything turned out. The venue was terrific and the food was delicious. We had amazing weather and lots of fun. I think Mindy really enjoyed it.

The gift table

One of my centerpieces

Banquet table lined with my centerpieces. They were very simple, but I thought added so much to the table.

The favors I made. Each box held mini chocolate bars.


Look at the yumminess!

Another view of the centerpieces. The carnations are sitting under wine gobblets with a votive on top.

The delicious cake!

A few of the bridesmaids with Mindy. The 4 of us have known each other since elementary school.

The food was soo good. Turkey wraps, chips and a cookie.

Mindy posing with the scrapbook. Each person made a page to add to it.

A view from the patio....overlooking the mini golf.

Everyone working on their scrapbook pages.

This is a long story. When our friend, Heidi, got married in 2001. Mindy and I bought the biggest pair of panties we could find and wrapped them up for Heidi. When I got married in 2003, she gave them back to me. So, I held onto them and Mindy got them on Saturday!

Check back for the bachelorette party post!

The Smokey Eye

So, since we are doing our own makeup for the wedding, I decided to make an appointment at Sephora Saturday morning before the shower to learn to do a smokey eye look. I have hardly worn makeup since Lauren was born (gasp, I know!)

Anyway, I was quite happy with the results...it didn't feel heavy, I didn't think I looked TOO made up and it was nice to feel glamorous. So, below are a few of the wonderful products they used for my transformation.

These colors are amazing! Too Faced Natural Eye Collection

Smashbox Photofinish Primer - a MUST have!

Makeup Forever Smokey Lash Mascara

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in Pearly Brown



and the results.....

Please ignore the stupid facial expression...focus on the makeup.







So, now I need to practice, practice, practice to achieve this for the wedding.

Shred: Day 6, Level 1

So I got my butt up early this morning and got back on track with the 30DS! Today I felt great doing it....don't get me wrong, still tough, but I felt more powerful and refreshed. I did take the weekend off due to the bridal shower and all that.

I will be back later with a recap of Saturday's events!

Shred: Day 5, Level 1

I feel awesome today! I really was not sore at all during the workout today, so that was a major improvement. I was able to do pushups the entire time. HUGE IMPROVEMENT! I got my mom and sister in law on board to do the Shred too.

I will probably have to take tomorrow off since I will be gone all day from about 8am-LATE with my friend's shower and bach party. I suppose taking a day off might be good for my body anyway.

5 days till I move up to Level 2. Oh boy! Only 36 days till the wedding!

TGI Fun!

Happy Friday everyone! Another week has flown by. Hard to believe it is almost August. This week was filled with yummy treats for a daycare fundraiser and Lauren's first fieldtrip to a pool.

Here is Lauren after her trip to the Evansville pool with daddy and daycare. She loved it. They stopped in to my office to visit quick. She keeps talking about going back. Guess it is time to get those swimming lessons booked too.

In daddy's car ready to head home.

Running around the office in her swimsuit!

Modeling a lovely monkey hat she got at Aubrey's birthday party.


For the daycare fundraiser, we made a couple things. First up, brownie cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. Yum!

Some mini ones for Lauren

Finally, this is a delicious and quick snack mix. If you are tired of chex mix or puppy chow, give this a try. It is Cheerios, mini marshmellows, chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.

I hope everyone has a super weekend. I am praying for nice weather as I am throwing my friends bridal shower tomorrow. We are also doing her bachelorette party afterwards. I should have TONS of pictures to share on Monday.

Shred: Day 4, Level 1

This morning went well. I did the most pushups I have done so far. I was not really sore today which was nice. I am starting to feel stronger overall. Such a great feeling.

I think I will do measurements again after 15 days....halfway through to see what kind of progress I am making. I am really hoping to lose inches in my waist and chest mostly...as well as hips and thighs.

Feel the burn!

Shred: Day 3, Level 1

Well today's workout went well. Those damn pushups still kill me. It is my goal to be able to do REGULAR pushups for the whole time without wanting to die. I am sore, but not as bad as yesterday. Again, it is all a good sore.

This may seem very silly, but I feel like it is working already. After my workout and shower, I got dressed. Well I put on a pair of jeans that I had just washed. So you know how those always fit a bit snug until you wear them a while and they stretch a little? Well, I put them on and there was no snugness at all. They fit great....The Shred? I think so!

Already looking forward to day 4! Sort of!

Weekend Recap

We had quite a busy weekend and sadly Lauren was in pain for most of it. Her tooth bothered her all of Saturday and most of Sunday. Thankfully, I think it is finally all the way through as she has eaten well, slept well and been happy since Monday.

Saturday, we had Lauren's gymnastics class and in the afternoon her friend, Aubrey, had her 3rd birthday party.

Lauren ready for gymnastics in her "Chasing Rainbows" shirt

In class with daddy. Playing with scarves.

Lauren was the only child at Aubrey's party. So Aubrey and Lauren got to do a scavenger hunt for stuffed animals (Zoo Themed Party)

Action shot...running down the animals.


The loot and some smiles.

What a 2 yr old with molar pain really looks like.

Since Lauren had not slept well in 3 days, on Sunday she woke up at 5:30 and came into our room. She cried and told me she was so tired so I let her sleep in our bed for a bit. I had to go meet friends for brunch, so I left at 6:30 and Lauren slept in our bed with daddy till 8:30!

We also switched out Lauren's convertible carseat for a booster this weekend. I love this seat as much as Lauren. It has cup holders and little lights for when it is dark and they want to read. See how happy she is?

Then, the tired sets in...

The only bad part about the seat. I need a neck pillow for her.

Sunday afternoon, we had Jason's dad's birthday celebration. So we headed over to their house for a cookout and fun outside. Here is Lauren and her cousin, Carter. Carter will be 5 two weeks after Lauren turns 3. They truly act more like brother and sister.

Grandpa Mike and his granddaughters...Caleigh and Lauren.

A rare pic of all 3 grandkids with grandpa.

Lauren liked helping Grandpa Mike open his presents.

She found this old cell phone and walked around the house yelling into it, "Can everybody hear me?" Thanks Verizon! Can you hear me now?

A sweet pic of Lauren and Caleigh. Caleigh turned 8 in June and she is so good with Lauren....like a little mommy. Lauren calls her "my Caleigh".

We have another busy weekend ahead and I will have lots of pictures to share again.